D.L. Havlin's Blog, page 6

Out of hibernation … is this how a bear feels?

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A photo of my display on a past visit to Mixon’s Art & Craft Show. Corona will simplify it this time.

A little disoriented, a little unsure, a little reticent, and a lot of hope for a good future…is that how a bear feels as he leaves his cave or burrow? It certainly describes some of my emotions as I dabble my toe in the outside world. COVID 19 has branded us all with its physical and mental marks. Climbing back in the saddle after the Chinese Crude forced me out of it, did take some soul-searching. Resuming my activities, right or wrong? The decision is a personal one each of us must face. Mine is to take a reasonable risk and to get on with my life. I’ll take the precautions: masks, sanitizers, minimization of exposing items to possible contamination, social distancing, decontamination of displays, etc., etc. So, here is my start. Pictured above will be my first meet ant distance greet. I’ll be at the Mixon Arts & Crafts Show, this Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM. It’s located at 2525 27th Street East, Bradenton, FL. Take the precautions to make you safe and visit me.
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Speaking at a previous conference. I’ll be at Authors for Authors conference on June 20.

I’ll be one of the featured speakers at the Authors for Authors Writers Conference. There is a flier for the event accessible on the link below (pdf) that provides some details and methods for obtaining more info. It’s ramrodded by Dr. Valerie Allen a driving force for good within the writing community. The event is to be held on June 20th at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne, Florida. I’ll be speaking mid-day. Again, check the flier for detail.
X-Flier 6.20.20 JE 
With an eye to the future, I participated in Master the Possibilities’ summer and fall Kick-off Event. In past years (pre-covid 19) a large presentation of the season’s scheduling possibilities was held in its Top of the World (Ocala) facilities with a large percentage of the instructors/presenters in attendance at this continuing learning organization. See the pictures below.
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Part of the big crowd in past years at Master the Possibilities Kick-off in Ocala.

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DL teaching a class at Master the Possibilities

Because of COVID-19, this years extravaganza became virtual. The exceedingly smart, competent, folks at Master the Possibilities quickly developed a way to offer their curriculum via the computer screen while adding many classes virtually or on a hybrid basis. I’ll be making nine presentations on a hybrid basis (classroom and broadcast simultaneously) starting in August. Here is a direct link to my offerings.  https://masterthepossibilities.org/team/havlin-dl   and here is a link to the entire MTP presentation  www.masterthepossibilities.org .
This is a start. I’ll be telling you about my schedule from July through December in future postings. Please check my web-page for other info –  https://www.dlhavlin.com    In my next post I’ll update you on books that I have in process and my agent is currently circulating.

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Whisky Girl! The newest family member.

 Though I hate to have to say it, sometimes words aren’t enough. The lovely lady sleeping on my son’s chest is Whisky Girl. Isn’t she is a sweetheart!
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Asleep on my Daddy’s chest

Investment in a pet is the best one a person can make. The return is 100% love.

 

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Memorial Day! Time to remember…and preserve what those brave humans died for!

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Waving the FLAG Florida style = on the beach

This day is a time we should take to look back and listen to what history is screaming. View the pictures in this blog. Understand what they mean. Each body lying on those beaches was someone’s loved one. That corpse gave its life for all of us. It did this so we can have the freedoms we should enjoy and savor. We must protect what provided for us. They were purchased at such a high cost.
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Bravery – a heritage of sacrifice we cannot afford to forget

Today, there are many humans that do not value the sacrifices made and are perfectly willing to sacrifice freedoms for their particular political thought. Many are in Congress. Inflexibility and ignorance are destructive siblings. Some see their view of the world as the only correct one. They join Stalin, Hitler, and Mao in their myopic views and disdain for others. How sad. If a freedom hinders their political view affect they are ready to discard it. Any right a US citizen enjoys that impacts them in the here and now, they devalue.
Let’s see if we can explain that worth more clearly. Look at the picture below. It’s the body of a brave man who died alone. In all probability his death was painful. No one was there to comfort him. Now, look at him a little differently. His unseen face is your brother, your son, your uncle, your father. The price of his sacrifice has just gone up. We should accord all those nameless, faceless heroes the same honor and esteem we would for those of our blood.
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A US citizen who sacrificed all for his country on OMAHA BEACH

I was watching a national TV news program two nights ago. It was a channel I normally watch. The volume of inflammatory rhetoric got to the point I flipped the channel… Guess what…I got more of the same…only worse. After repeating the process several more times, I decided I’d go to a local channel to avoid the garbage. Oh, contraire…I was still in the truck, bouncing my way to the landfill.
Memorial Day! A day to honor all those who fought to provide us with the freedoms and lives we enjoy daily. I wondered…what would those who fought…bled…and died think about the two sides in this country trying their best to destroy all that those brave men and women fought to preserve.
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Remember

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Remember

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, May 25th, 2020, say a prayer and give thanks to all those who fought…who fought and died…and who fought and were forever changed. In actuality, they are all our blood relatives.

 

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Writer’s crouch — a plague of the profession !

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What I call the “Author position” We’re in it so often we might freeze that way. (comp – clipart.co)

If you’re a writer, you spend a lot of time hunched over your computer. I know I do. One lady told me jokingly that her author husband even preferred sex in that position. I hope she was joking.
Writing is a very solitary and sedentary occupation. Once committed to it, you often find you live in your office chair. Inspiration comes in spurts and, when in the midst of one of these periods, it is difficult to break away and take that hour walk or thirty minutes on the weight machine. Your computer and chair have you chained to them with an invisible connection that would make you a billionaire if you could patent it and put it on the market. Deadlines and your immersion in the flow of a work can lock you in your work-space as securely as if it were a vault.
That simply isn’t good for your health. The “author position” encourages shallow breathing and this deprives the anatomy of healthy levels of oxygen. A famous author acquaintance shared his formula to avoid this pitfall. He called it his two-minute regeneration. It consisted of standing at his computer after each hour of time he spent there. First, he took ten full, deep breaths. Next he did six knee bends, six arm circles, and touched his ankles six times, Finally, he took another ten full, deep breaths. I’ve adopted that regimen. It only takes two minutes and it does wonders for how you feel AND it helps invigorate my work. Try it.

Look and Laugh.
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Awwwww, shucks!

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Wow, you’re a big girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ahhhh-ouch. That was a scorpion, not a leaf!

 

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Wanting To Be Like Willie Nelson — “On the Road Again!”

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DL speaking at the Tara Country Club – to ALUMS Inc.

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DL talking to readers & fans Charlotte Cultural Center

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A question about Florida’s contribution to WWII

 

 

These are a collection of pictures from places where I’ve presented programs, done book signings, or meet & greets in the last eight months.
The Corona Crude won’t  be around forever (we hope)  I’m getting anxious to get back out and about to make my presentations and speak to you fine folks!

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The audience at the Lemon Bay Historical Society – a completely full house!

 

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A discussion about Operation Paperclip at CCCC

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History comes alive at Ft Myers Beach Public Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DL was a featured speaker at the Book Fest in the park at Cocoa Village

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A meet-and-greet & sign-up session at Life Long Learning in Punta Gorda

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DL teaching a class at Master the Possibilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting ready to present, “The Patriot War.” to the Organization of American University Women.

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Chatting about history, books, and writing after a class at Master the Possibilities

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Sandman Books – in Punta Gorda – one of my regular presentation stops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daytime / Nighttime / Anytime – I’ll materialize where called. Here I am at the HOPE charity event at beautiful Tarpon Lodge on P.I.

 

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Some of the ladies from the Stoneybrook CC in Ft Myers at a presentation

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Doing a presentation for the Windsor Retirement Ctr. in Ocala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAY SAFE FOLKS!  Let’s get this over with and back to normal.

 

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Something new for breakfast!

Get your TASTE-BUDS ready!
Posted by SandySays’ Weblog on August 25, 2018
Posted in: authors, books, Cook Books, Cooking, Family Values, fiction, Fishing, Florida, literary, publishing, reading, Recipes, Uncategorized, writing. Tagged: authors, books, breakfast, Cooking, editors, florida, Fort Myers, humor, Life, Pine Island, publishing, reading, writing. 1 Comment






With the corona virus confining us in our ‘quarters,” it gives us more time to try new things – like recipes. This a great breakfast that uses common ingredients and provides a new taste experience!  This is a post worth repeating!

My beautiful and beneficent wife mentioned that we have fewer guests to fish the peaceful bays and backwaters of Bokeelia. I have to agree. We wondered why. The Misses suggested if I cooked Eggs Bokeelia more often they might turn up. I told her it was worth a try.

What are Eggs Bokeelia? They’re something that gives you a real taste difference at the breakfast table! I’ve given the recipe in my Sandy Says1 blog, but not in this one. They are a little work, but they taste a lot special!

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Shall we begin? To make breakfast for two (four eggs), chop 1/8 plus a little cup of sweet onions, 1 large mushroom, and 4 green olives (w/pimento)- fine please.

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A picture is worth a lot of words so see above. Keep the toasted muffins warm as you prepare the rest of the dish.

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Place two generous tablespoons of your favorite butter sub (Can’t Believe/Country Crock) and put in a microwave for 30 seconds. Beat it with a spoon or with a fork if you’re a fork kind of gal or guy. Place diced onions, mushrooms, and olives in the sauce, stir, and place in the microwave and let ‘r’ rip for another 45 seconds. Keep the mixture warm. See Below.

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It’s time to get egging. Preheat your skillet and place two greased egg rings inside. Fry up two at a time – eggs that is. Sunny-side up or over easy, your choice. (I like mine over easy)

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While you’re sizzling up the eggs, it’s time to start our construction project. Remember the English Muffins? Place a slice of cheese on each one – like so. See below. I like American, but Swiss, Cheddar, Provolone all work. TYC—-

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It’s time to put some meat on our “bones.” Cut a slice of processed ham (like DAK) in two pieces and toss in with your eggs just to warm them. Pick them from the skillet and top the cheese.

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Now we’re close. Place the fried eggs on top of the ham. Chef’s note: If you are big on keeping things in order (Alphabetic or otherwise) the cheese may top the ham. It’s not a bigee!

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With the eggs riding high, it’s time for the finale – Here comes the Sauce! Here comes the Sauce! Here comes the Sauce!

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Walla you have Eggs Bokeelia! Please, Please, don’t crowd in too close. You can thank me anytime taste buds.

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Enjoy!

PS – See how complicated you can make a simple thing? Welcome to my web – site that is.

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One comment on “Get your TASTE-BUDS ready!”




Babson September 4, 2018 at 1:58 am said:

Looks yummy, will try it soon. Babs

Reply





DLHavlin Authoron April 11, 2020 at 2:11 pm said:

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Reblogged this on Sandysays’ Weblog and commented:

The Last Hurrah!

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DL speaking at Sandmaan Book Company’s new store! Note the built-in AV screen for presentations.

I’m close to completing my appearances for the year 2019. One of my last presentations was at The Sandman Book Company in Punta Gorda (www.sandmanbooks.com). The presentation was on “Florida’s Historical Places & Museums.” We had a good crowd and working with Heidi is always a pleasure.

I also did a book discussion for the “Morning cup and cover,” a book club that requested privacy. My discussion was on “Escaping Skeletons.”

This coming week I’ll be in Ft. Myers Beach for two events. I’ll be speaking about Thomas Edison’s life in Florida, Tuesday at 1:30 PM in the Ft Myers Beach Public Library, at 2755 Estero Blvd.

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DL presenting at the Ft Myers Beach Public Library in the past.

That afternoon I’ll be doing a meet & greet at the BookNook at 7205 Estero Blvd. It’s in the Santini Marina Shopping Plaza. Let’s chat! Visit Annette and me from 9:30 until 12:30.   (http://www.facebook.com/annettesbooknook)

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At Annette’s Books in Ft Myers Beach.

 

Santa’s on the way and I’ll be home for some days.

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Learning about the loyal 14th colony – Florida during the Revolutionary War

This week has been busy and fun. I always enjoy my visits to Matlacha Menagerie. It’s my declared “home store.” Many years ago, when I began my writing journey, the good people at this fascinating, unique store were the first to carry everything I had in print…all the time. Linda and Larry, the store owners, are highly successful. A lot has to do with their discerning taste in the “treasures” they select for their shelves. I intro my new books there…they were the ones who took me to the dance.

I spent a great day at Master the Possibilities in Ocala, Florida…housed in the Top of the World facility. I made three presentations to large groups that were all great audiences. My offerings were: “Flaming Florida – The time period from Second Seminole through the Civil War,” “Florida’s Museums and Historic Places,” and “The Loyal 14th Colony: Florida in the Revolutionary War.” I always love going there and talking about history, books, and writing.

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At the Sandman Book Company, one of the finest indie book stores in Florida.

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At the Matlacha Menagerie, in the warm Florida outdoors. Happy to be with my “fan base”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This weekend I’m at the Tarpon Lodge, in Pineland, Florida. The event is the annual charity Christmas celebration benefiting the Beacon of Hope. This organization provides assistance to those in significant need in the Lee County community. The Welles family have graciously hosted this event for the last ten years. The Tarpon Lodge is in one of the most beautiful and historically significant locations one can imagine!

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The Tarpon Lodge – a piece of paradise.

 

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“Who’s who” guests perusing DL’s display at the Beacon of Hope charity event.

If you’re in the Pine Island area, come visit me at this fantastic venue! I’ll be there tonight from 5 until 9. It’s located on Pine Island, on Waterfront Drive. You can help support this worthy cause.

My schedule slows a bit as Christmas approaches. I have three more appearances that are open to the public before Santa heads south.

I’ll be at the Sandman Book Company in Punta Gorda, Florida at 5:30 on Tuesday, December 10 to present a program on “Florida’s Museums and Historic Places.” Sandman is located on Duncan Rd (US 17) just east of town. Hope to see you there.

If you can’t make it there, I’ll be presenting a program about “Edison’s Florida Life” at the Fort Myers Beach Public Library, Tuesday December 17, at 10 AM. It is located on Estero Blvd, in Fort Myers Beach. Come see this great facility!

That afternoon I’ll be traveling down Estero Blvd (In Fort Myers Beach) a few miles to Annette’s BookNook, I’ll be there from 12:30 until? Come see me. This is one of those places that gives me a great opportunity to chat. You’ll love Annette the store’s owner. She really knows and loves books! Come see us.

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Getting to know you!

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The audience at the Lemon Bay Historical Society – a completely full house!

The last twenty days have been fast, furious, and fun! Starting with the Cocoa Village Book Fest and continuing through the Eau Gallie Book Festival in Melbourne the pace has been swishing by. I’ve gotten to meet so many of you! The Cocoa Village event was held in a beautiful little park in the middle of the downtown area. I was asked to speak – my talk was titled, “Preventing Premature Birth – Of a book that is!” Got  a whole lot of positive comments and that’s always great to hear. A picture of the venue is below.

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Book Fest in the park at Cocoa Village

My next stop was at The LifeLong Learning Center in Punta Gorda, FL. I did two historical presentations there and enjoyed the “meet the author” lunch with the all the participants from the two classes. I was at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County’s  Christmas Art’s show for meet and greets. It’s always a big event with the opportunity to meet lots of folks…ones I already know and newbies. Next was Venice Florida’s annual Christmas Art Festival and had the chance to chat with many avid readers from that area. 

 

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DL with “Charlotte” at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County – she has every one of his books.

 

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Presenting history at Florida Southwestern College for Life Long Learning.

As shown in the picture at the beginning of this article, I visited the Lemon Bay Historical Society to talk about, “Florida’s Contribution to WWII and WWII’s Contribution to Florida.” The attendance was outstanding. The entire historic church was filled to capacity with additional folding chairs used to seat the hundred plus people in the audience. I also got to meet and learn about something entirely new to me! I have a fan club! Some very nice, intelligent ladies dressed in red tee shirts introduced themselves. It was great.  

My next trip was to Ocala, Top of the World, and Master the Possibilities! I attended a program that gives prospective attendees the opportunity to meet and chat with instructors for future classes (I’m scheduled to do twelve in the next six months). I love doing presentations there. The classes are filled with individuals eager to hear about the subjects you’re there to discuss. Pictures of this event are below. Ninety-seven of the instructors were there and well over 1500 prospective students!

 

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Part of the big crowd at Master the Possibilities in Ocala.

 

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Talking to folks at Master the Possibilities about history, books, and writing.

This last week end I attended Mixon’s Gift Shop’s annual Christmas Show in Bradenton, Florida for a meet and greet. I got a chance to speak to a fan who just finished reading Escaping Skeletons. Why is it that people telling you they love one of your books never gets old? 

 

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I ran out of business cards at Mixon’s – not good form.

 

My last stop was at the Eau Gallie Book Festival in Melbourne, Florida. It wasn’t quite the midnight ride of old Paul, but we did have to hustle across the state for the Sunday show. Met lots of great folks and sold lots of books. Plus we had a great time! 

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At Eau Gallie

Next? I’ll be in Punta Gorda at the Sandman Book Company (Duncan Road/at 7 PM) this Tuesday and Matlacha Menagerie this coming Saturday from 10 to 3 on Pine Island Road in Matlacha Florida. Hope to see you there…

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Around the state I go…come see me!

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Talking about writing. Come visit me!

 

Hi All! It’s not long until the Holidays! My PR lady has me making many trips to get a chance to meet a lot of you fine folks and sell some books. The rest of this month will take me around the state for Christmas shows, book events and presentations.

This Saturday I’ll be at the Venice Civic Center from 10 until 3. This Christmas show is open to all. There will be a dozen or more authors and many artists and craft people. It’s an open environment and it allows me to chat in an unhurried manner. It’s located at 326 South Nokomis, Venice, Florida.

I’ll be at the Lemon Bay Historical Society to make a presentation Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 6 PM to do an historical presentation on Edison in Florida. The Lemon Bay Historical Society is located in Englewood. The meeting is open to the public. Its street address is 510 South Indiana Avenue.

The next day, Wednesday (Nov 20), I’ll be at Master the Possibilities located in the Ocala/Top of the World/Villages area. My purpose for being there is to meet and greet potential attendees for the nine presentations I’ll be giving there over the next six months. Master the Possibilities is an extraordinarily fine continuing education organization. The general public will attend (several hundred if as usual) and I’ll be there to discuss my historical and book presentations. Don’t miss this…there will be well over a hundred other presenters there! Here is the street address – 8415 Southwest 80th Street, Ocala, Florida.  

Saturday, November 23rd, I’ll be at Mixon’s Christmas Gift Show in Bradenton, Florida. The event is from 9 to 3 and is an open event. It’s a meet and greet. The location is in the Mixon Gift Shop, at 2525 27th Street East, Bradenton. 

On Sunday (Nov 24), I’ll be traveling to Melbourne for the Eau Gallie Book Fest. Forty or more authors will be there to chat with readers and sign books. This is one of the fixture book events of the year on the Florida East Coast. It is held in conjunction with one of the best Art Shows in the state. Visit me at Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Avenue, Melbourne, Florida.

My next destination will be Punta Gorda, Florida. I’ll be stopping at one of my favorite bookstores, Sandman Book Company, to give a presentation that evening at 6:30 PM. I’ll be discussing Florida’s Museums and Historical places. I’ll stick around to talk writing and discuss my books afterward. The Sandman is a true, old fashion, honest-to-goodness bookstore with a book savvy owner who rides herd on her books. Sandman’s address is 5240 Duncan Road, Punta Gorda. This event is open to the public but fills up…I’d RSVP by going to the Sandman Book Company web-page.  

The final stop I’ll be making in November will be at my “home store” – It’s a place that has carried my books from day one. I’ll be at Matlacha Menagerie on November 30th for a meet and greet. I’ll arrive at 10:30 and be there until 3:30. It’s a great place filled with unique art items. Come see me at 4604 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha, Florida.

Hope to to see Y’all!

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Excuse me, I have to brag a little. Sandman Book Co. owner Heidi told me she put a RSVP for 30 seats at this presentation and 20 were filled in the 1st hour.

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