D.L. Havlin's Blog, page 9

Daytona Writers Guild

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Holiday House of Hope

Out and about:  Visit with me…11/30, 5:30-10:00 PM
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Meet award-winning author DL Havlin at Holiday House of Hope hosted by the historic Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island

Get your copy of “Turtle Point” set on Pine Island and Cayo Costa

https://amzn.to/2selUnr

Out and About at Barnes & Noble Waterside Shops

I will be at the Barnes & Noble Waterside Shops in Naples, Saturday, 10/27, 2-4 PM to sign my books:  Turtle Point, The Bait Man, mystery/suspense novels and Blue Water Red Blood, historical fiction. I look forward to visiting with you.

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Thank you for your support.

DL Havlin

DL Havlin’s Book Talk Radio Interview

Do you want to know more about author DL Havlin? https://youtu.be/hGPaAwxuE5Y

Englewood Pioneer Days

9/2 & 9/3  “A journey in time”. Visit with me and learn about Florida’s history.[image error]

Get your TASTE-BUDS ready!

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Two fisher-folk that visit Bokeelia Type I

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Fisher-folk – Type II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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I said it was a little work.
Chop! Chop! Onions, Mushrooms, & Olives.

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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Slice two English muffins in half (as shown) and toast.

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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Butter substitute & mayo in the warming dish.

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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Bokeelia sauce!! So good.

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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Awww, there’s nothing like the smell of eggs in the morning! Eh, maybe bacon.

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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There’s English golden toasted muffins under them thar squares.

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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Isn’t that a hammy development?

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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So I’ll show it. I really shouldn’t have to, but …….

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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Smother the rascals!

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

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Eggs Bokeelia ready for destruction. Have an egg encounter of the delicious kind.

Enjoy!

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

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America Revisited – return to a town and story 20 years later

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Otway Burns, Revolutionary War hero, still stands guard on the village square, of the town named for him. Other than preparing for a new walkway – Old Otway is exactly the same after 20 years.

Want to be revitalized? This is not an ad for Centrum Silver, Geritol, Alive!, or Nugenix. It’s a suggestion: If you want to refresh your attitude and want your faith restored in America, visit a small town in “fly over” country. I recently had the opportunity to do this. What a tonic and antidote for the toxic times we live in.

The occasion for my visit to the wonderful North Carolina town of Burnsville was my dear and best friends eightieth birthday. It’s a relationship that I’ve treasured for 50 years. His birthday celebration and the wonderful people who made it successful is an inspirational story and I’ll save that for a future post.

It is my relationship with CTC that exposed me to Burnsville and the North Carolina mountain country. Only 35 miles from Asheville, the town is the Yancey County seat. Its cool air and crystal waters are a summer oasis for flat-landers like myself and that’s what attracted my Floridian friend to its environs. Burnsville was/is the setting for one of my novels, September on Echo Creek.

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Main Street in the mountains – Sunday morning & peace are still one.

Some of Burnsville’s stores have changed. New businesses have replaced old ones in some cases. I miss the general store that was an institution for years. The library has moved a few hundred yards to new digs. But, the town’s flavor and charm haven’t changed. I recognized many of the business names. Most importantly, the friendly nature of the establishments was a reassuring constant. A great example of this is the inn where we stayed. The Nuwray is living history. Built in the 1830’s, it is a can’t miss stop for people who are antique lovers, history buffs, and observers of Americana … a place so warm and wonderful its effect is far more invigorating than a shot of B-12. Great small town restaurants surround it. Find a place to park your car and forget it.

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The Nuwray Inn – America at its best, yesterday and today.

However, the most encouraging and soothing thing I discovered were the Burnsville people were as I remembered. Stable, friendly, and helpful, they remain the same as when I wrote about them in my novel September on Echo Creek … published 20 years ago. The heroine, Gaylynn, escaped toxic relationships by fleeing an environment that threatened to destroy her. Her life was controlled by guilt strings. The Burnsville people  rescued her and help her cut her bonds. The fabric of these wonderful people hasn’t changed. The Brendas, Ferrells, Bos, Annettes, Kens, Micheals, Micheles, Randys and Christinas are the same as the ever-lasting earth. The earth grows the bread to nurture our bodies. These small town people grow relationships that satisfy our souls.

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You can sit and relax on Main Street here

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People still rock and talk in small town USA. Shouting is reserved for mountain to mountain communication.

Try this if you want some solace for your psyche. Find a map of a rural location 100 miles from a big city. It can be in your area … or not. Extend your index finger and point to a small town. Look for a spot with a past like the Nuwray. Visit and stay there. Don’t try to rush around and see the sights. Toss your car keys on the dresser and forget them. Believe me, if you you are uncertain about a place, the Nuwray and Burnsville are a marvelous choice. Go. Then just enjoy breathing. Enjoy people. Life in America is still great if we’ll take the time to live it.

 

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Congratulations on being a 2018 FAPA President’s Book Awards Medalist

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Lake Buena Vista, FL—On August 4, the Florida Authors & Publishers Association (FAPA) awarded its prestigious annual President’s Book Award to DL Havlin for novel “The Bait Man”. The event, which took place at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, recognized outstanding books by awarding gold, silver, or bronze medals.

Fortyfive book categories ranging from children’s books to adult fiction, from memoirs to self-help, and from business books to e-books were evaluated. FAPA recognizes both

independent and traditionally published books. All medals are awarded based on a points system in the judging of books. The judges for the program are librarians,  educators, and publishing professionals.

“The 2018 President’s Book Award winners exemplify excellence in the publishing world. This year we had the largest number of books ever submitted! FAPA is proud to recognize and celebrate these dedicated and talented authors,” said Angelina Assanti,  FAPA President.

A list of all the medalists can be found on the FAPA website.

The Florida Authors & Publishers Association, Inc. (FAPA) is an organization for authors,  

publishers, illustrators, editors, printers and other professionals involved in the publishing  

industry. It focuses on providing information, resources, and professional development to  its   members. FAPA is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization and is affiliated with the Independent   Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the Association of Publishers of Special  Sales (APSS)  and the Florida Library Association.

 

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Why readers and history are SO important!

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I’ll be at Sandman Books today, where this picture was taken on a previous visit.

One of the most enjoyable tasks involved with my writing (it isn’t really a task) is to share some of the information I uncover when doing research for my books. Today, the Sandman Book Company in the Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and Cape Coral area opens its doors to people who want to learn more about Florida’s turbulent beginnings. These people are readers. They are the thinkers and reasoners in our society. They understand that truth is harder to color in the written word than in the spoken (or televised) word.

So often the content, or lack of it, is disguised by skillful presentation. It appeals to our emotions, to our greed, to our self-righteous over simplifications, and to the deliverer’s desire to stifle decent. A reader can study the matter before him because it does not disappear when the TV remote off button is pushed or the speaker leaves the podium. Is it possible to make lies believable in print? Oh, yes! Is it more probable that they will be unmasked? Absolutely, YES!

That is why history and its integrity is so important. It’s the past preserved in writing. It gives us a stake in the ground to measure the present. It is also the reason why many wish to rewrite it to their advantage. Or, eliminate it completely if it furthers their single-minded agenda.

I would leave you with this thought:

History is important

If we must face our past looking through separate windows, we will never see the same thing or see it together.

You may quote me.

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I’ll be speaking at the Sandman Book Company at 2:00 PM this afternoon (Saturday, 7/21) located at Turtle Crossing on Burnt Store Road south of Punta Gorda. There is already a large group signed to attend, but I’m sure our gracious host Heidi can accommodate all who wish a visit me. It is a great store!

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The reaction to the writer’s conference is been fantastic! Check out ABC-ArtisansOfBooks.com for more info.

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DL Havlin to present: Flaming Florida, A land born in violence. (1520 to 1784)

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Out and about: Saturday, 7/21/18, 2 PM

Sandman Book Company

16480 Burnt Store Road

Punta Gorda, FL
DL Havlin to present: Flaming Florida, I – A land born in violence. (1520 to 1784) –
 From before the days the Spanish stepped ashore on Florida’s sands, violence and war were a way of life. This presentation provides information about Florida’s inhabitants and the culture they derived from and what happened to them. From an estimated population of 350,000 people at the time Columbus arrived, these native “Indians” were decimated to less than 3,000 by the time the Florida’s (East & West) became an English colony. Spain, France, and England all brought disease, slaughter and slavery and the natives responded with equal violence.