E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 44
February 1, 2015
Gorgeous Day
'Gorgeous Day!' he called out as he lugged his snowboard up the slushy roadway, vacant of cars. Snow ridges three to five feet deep imprison us on all sides. 'Perfect weather!'
It was 12 degrees Fahrenheit, clear blue sky and no hint of the wind that carved thirty inches of snow into six foot drifts two days gone.
Gorgeous day? Wicked snow storms had locked all but the most intrepid and essential indoors for three of the past six days. I was one of the 'essential' few as I ferried my mother from assisted living to hospital to deal with a bruised pelvis from a freak fall that turned out to be three factures. Dad, lost and frightened without his spouse of 59 years. Mom, confused and alone in yet another strange place. Me - worried, helpless and once again exhausted from a month of too many demands on too few hours.
Gorgeous Day? The sun did come out. The snow was crisp powder underfoot - more common in Aspen than New England. The early risen moon was a brilliant white echo of the snow as it danced in the sun's embrace. With the help of skilled therapists, Mom walked ten paces. Dad's aide was set to serve him beer and his leftover birthday cake with the super bowl.
Gotta embrace the winter! he waved as he crested the hill.
Hand-in-hand my dear husband I waved at the ecstatic snowboarder while our little Jack Russell Terrier happily bounded through the snow drifts.
It was a gorgeous day.
It was 12 degrees Fahrenheit, clear blue sky and no hint of the wind that carved thirty inches of snow into six foot drifts two days gone.
Gorgeous day? Wicked snow storms had locked all but the most intrepid and essential indoors for three of the past six days. I was one of the 'essential' few as I ferried my mother from assisted living to hospital to deal with a bruised pelvis from a freak fall that turned out to be three factures. Dad, lost and frightened without his spouse of 59 years. Mom, confused and alone in yet another strange place. Me - worried, helpless and once again exhausted from a month of too many demands on too few hours.
Gorgeous Day? The sun did come out. The snow was crisp powder underfoot - more common in Aspen than New England. The early risen moon was a brilliant white echo of the snow as it danced in the sun's embrace. With the help of skilled therapists, Mom walked ten paces. Dad's aide was set to serve him beer and his leftover birthday cake with the super bowl.
Gotta embrace the winter! he waved as he crested the hill.
Hand-in-hand my dear husband I waved at the ecstatic snowboarder while our little Jack Russell Terrier happily bounded through the snow drifts.
It was a gorgeous day.
January 29, 2015
Invitation to the Twelve Systems
Kicking off the new year, Goodreads' Shut Up & Read has sponsored a Q&A blog about The Cartel, The Twelve Systems and yours truly, author E.G. Manetti.
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...
In appreciation, The Twelve Systems Bundle: The Cartel & Bright Star
- the discounted set of The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1 and Bright Star: The Apprentice, Volume 2 - will be available from January 29 - February 2, 2015.
Welcome to the Twelve Systems. Swords and Spaceships! Romance and Adventure!
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QER85W8
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-t...
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...
In appreciation, The Twelve Systems Bundle: The Cartel & Bright Star
- the discounted set of The Cartel: The Apprentice, Volume 1 and Bright Star: The Apprentice, Volume 2 - will be available from January 29 - February 2, 2015.Welcome to the Twelve Systems. Swords and Spaceships! Romance and Adventure!
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QER85W8
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-t...
December 26, 2014
In the bleak midwinter
Moving to the north end of the USA brought a number of blessings - lower cost of living, no traffic to speak of, lovely low key neighbors and easy access to my elderly parents.
As you know from my last post, it is a mixed blessing…
It also brought a foot of snow for Thanksgiving (4th week in November), draconian recycling regs (of which I approve) a house in need of massive cosmetic renovation, and an unending list of care decisions/purchases/status meetings/and 'to dos' for my parents. All readily critiqued by siblings...
… and Christmas came anyway.
Somehow the essential house renovations got done. The Christmas tree went up and lives yet. Greeting cards got mailed. Presents were given.
When the 'Peanuts' Snoopy doll (a gift from my youngest sister) danced to Schroeder's Christmas boogie, Mumma giggled and Dad laughed. They ripped open their presents with the abandon of small children. *no careful paper saving this Christmas*
Bedecked with paper crowns, we read silly jokes, debated the answers to trivia and attempted to play tiny games.
*Neither Mum nor Dad could remember what they charged me to buy and wrap, but both were happy with the result*
No one went away hungry, sad or afraid.
The light shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.
To all my friends (and even my foes), may the light find you in the darkness and bring you joy.
As you know from my last post, it is a mixed blessing…
It also brought a foot of snow for Thanksgiving (4th week in November), draconian recycling regs (of which I approve) a house in need of massive cosmetic renovation, and an unending list of care decisions/purchases/status meetings/and 'to dos' for my parents. All readily critiqued by siblings...
… and Christmas came anyway.
Somehow the essential house renovations got done. The Christmas tree went up and lives yet. Greeting cards got mailed. Presents were given.
When the 'Peanuts' Snoopy doll (a gift from my youngest sister) danced to Schroeder's Christmas boogie, Mumma giggled and Dad laughed. They ripped open their presents with the abandon of small children. *no careful paper saving this Christmas*
Bedecked with paper crowns, we read silly jokes, debated the answers to trivia and attempted to play tiny games.
*Neither Mum nor Dad could remember what they charged me to buy and wrap, but both were happy with the result*
No one went away hungry, sad or afraid.
The light shone in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.
To all my friends (and even my foes), may the light find you in the darkness and bring you joy.
November 24, 2014
Chasing bubbles/desperate to surface
It comes to us all. Old age. Joint and muscle failure and the betrayal of wits that refuse to respond to command.
*what is that word? I knew it a moment ago and not it's gone. Goddammit shit to hell. What is that word!*
-my dad
*He doesn't look comfortable. I think he needs to pee. Where is everyone? We're paying a fortune for this.*
-my mum
My multi-tasking superpower has met its kryptonite. Managing the high-end residential care providers for my parents + renovating new home in a new state + plus earning a living + writing + large extended family communications + husband and dog who would like and occasional kiss + …
So all of a sudden, every day is desperate surge for the surface, following the bubbles of hope and ignoring the heavy weight of the vines that are constantly wrapping around me…
I can and will do this.
The only thing worse than old age? The lack of it.
*what is that word? I knew it a moment ago and not it's gone. Goddammit shit to hell. What is that word!*
-my dad
*He doesn't look comfortable. I think he needs to pee. Where is everyone? We're paying a fortune for this.*
-my mum
My multi-tasking superpower has met its kryptonite. Managing the high-end residential care providers for my parents + renovating new home in a new state + plus earning a living + writing + large extended family communications + husband and dog who would like and occasional kiss + …
So all of a sudden, every day is desperate surge for the surface, following the bubbles of hope and ignoring the heavy weight of the vines that are constantly wrapping around me…
I can and will do this.
The only thing worse than old age? The lack of it.
September 26, 2014
Butterflies the size of pterodactyls
Exposure is good. All indie authors need venues to promote their work and their brand. Book Festivals are a biggie.
Tomorrow's Baltimore Book Festival feels like it deserves it's own 'What We Think' poster. The kind that shows what:
my parents think it will be like - hushed crowds lining up to meet the author ,
what my husband thinks it will be like - sitting with my feet up, sipping lemonade and schmoozing,
my friends think it will be like - me gazing starry eyed at regional author celebs *they're not too far off*
I hope it will be like - steady traffic and sales pushing triple digits with someone I don't know staying through my 15 minute reading
I worry it will be like - desert at my station and even the family won't stay for the reading.
Damn the pterodactyls, full speed ahead.
*... and a nice bottle of chardonnay chilling against my return*
Tomorrow's Baltimore Book Festival feels like it deserves it's own 'What We Think' poster. The kind that shows what:
my parents think it will be like - hushed crowds lining up to meet the author ,
what my husband thinks it will be like - sitting with my feet up, sipping lemonade and schmoozing,
my friends think it will be like - me gazing starry eyed at regional author celebs *they're not too far off*
I hope it will be like - steady traffic and sales pushing triple digits with someone I don't know staying through my 15 minute reading
I worry it will be like - desert at my station and even the family won't stay for the reading.
Damn the pterodactyls, full speed ahead.
*... and a nice bottle of chardonnay chilling against my return*
September 5, 2014
Featured IAT Author Interview
I had the chance to participate in fellow Goodreads' Author Justin Bienvenue's series of Book Blogs. Check it out at: http://bookblogs.ning.com/group/iat-i...
Meet the Author! Baltimore Book Festival - September 27, 2014
Hello Everyone,
Saturday, September 27, 2014, I'll be in the 2nd Authors tent at the Baltimore Book Festival from Noon until 8PM.
The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts moves to Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 2014. The festival features more than 200 celebrity and local authors, readings, workshops, children’s activities, panel discussions, cookbook demonstrations, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, live music, food and more. http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org
To celebrate The Twelve Systems inclusion in this event, there will be raffle for:
1.Signed copies of both The Apprentice, Volume 1: The Cartel and The Apprentice, Volume 2: Bright Star
2.Name a character in the upcoming third volume, Transgressions;
3.Name a planet in The Twelve Systems.
No purchase necessary, just stop by and say hi.
Saturday, September 27, 2014, I'll be in the 2nd Authors tent at the Baltimore Book Festival from Noon until 8PM.
The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts moves to Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 2014. The festival features more than 200 celebrity and local authors, readings, workshops, children’s activities, panel discussions, cookbook demonstrations, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, live music, food and more. http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org
To celebrate The Twelve Systems inclusion in this event, there will be raffle for:
1.Signed copies of both The Apprentice, Volume 1: The Cartel and The Apprentice, Volume 2: Bright Star
2.Name a character in the upcoming third volume, Transgressions;
3.Name a planet in The Twelve Systems.
No purchase necessary, just stop by and say hi.
August 9, 2014
The Cartel Book Cover in the Contest Finals
Thank you everyone. The Cartel Book Cover has made it into the finals
If you like it, please follow the link and vote for it. Winners get some free advertising. ;D
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
If you like it, please follow the link and vote for it. Winners get some free advertising. ;D
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
July 15, 2014
The Cartel entered in Book Cover Contest
I've recently entered
in BookGoodies Cover contest. If you like and think it is worthy, follow the link below and either Facebook like or leave a comment to vote for it.
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
in BookGoodies Cover contest. If you like and think it is worthy, follow the link below and either Facebook like or leave a comment to vote for it.
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
June 17, 2014
June Writing Process Blog Hop
For those of you who may not be familiar with a Blog Hop, authors answer a few questions and then tag each other so that the tagged authors keep up the chain the following week. I was tagged last week by Katie Beitz who has recently published her debut novel, The Shadow Miner. A young adult fantasy, its vivid imagery is inspired by the rugged landscapes of Australia where she makes her home.
See more: http://www.buniac.com/honorendures.php
See more: http://www.buniac.com/honorendures.php
