Outside Myself #Thursday Book Feature

Outside Myself

by Kristin Witucki

Copyright 2018

 

When eleven-year-old Tallie, struggling to adjust to her blindness, calls the adult reader services division at a library for the blind, she connects with Benjamin, an elderly customer service representative who is also blind. As they develop a friendship over the phone and eventually meet, they learn about each other. This story is told from Tallie’s and Benjamin’s alternating points of view.

We learn about Benjamin’s life growing up: how, as a boy, he denied his visual impairment along with his parents and how, as an adult, he lost his vision and came to terms with his total blindness. This is in contrast to Tallie attending public school and receiving braille textbooks and other accommodations. At the end, the author, who is also blind, explains how she was inspired to write the book.

I’m glad I read this. Although it’s written for young adults, it can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all ages. It carries a powerful message about blindness and acceptance.

 

My Books

 

Coming Soon: The Red Dress: A Novel

When Eve went to her high school senior prom, she wore a red dress that her mother had made for her. That night, after dancing with the boy of her dreams, she caught him in the act with her best friend. Months later, Eve, a freshman in college, is bullied into giving the dress to her roommate. After her mother finds out, their relationship is never the same again.

Twenty-five years later, Eve, a bestselling author, is happily married with three children. Although her mother suffers from dementia, she still remembers, and Eve still harbors the guilt for giving the dress away. When she receives a Facebook friend request from her old college roommate and an invitation to her twenty-five-year high school class reunion, then meets her former best friend by chance, she must confront the past in order to face the future.

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

Click to purchase My Ideal Partner from Smashwords absolutely free!

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

 

Going Down Butt First

Writing is like being a doctor. You have to keep up with the way things are done. Remember the good old days when a woman in labor was anesthetized in the hospital, and the father-to-be went through a pack of cigarettes in the waiting room? Nowadays, as long as it’s a natural birth, an expectant mother has the option to stay awake during the entire procedure, and anyone they want can be with them in the delivery room.

I was reminded of changing times recently while working with my editor at DLD Books on The Red Dress, which will be out soon. At one point, she suggested breaking a run-on sentence into two sentences in such a way that the second one started with “but.” Having been raised by English teachers, I’d been taught, almost from Day 1, that starting a sentence with a conjunction like “but” is a deadly sin. So, I suggested leaving out the  “but” in the second sentence. She pointed out that the sentence would be clearer with the “but” and sighted current sources that say it’s okay to start a sentence with a conjunction.

I realized that it was time to let this expectant mother stay awake during her birthing process and allow Dad and Grandma in the delivery room. Writing is also like falling. You go down butt first.

 

Coming Soon: The Red Dress: A Novel

When Eve went to her high school senior prom, she wore a red dress that her mother had made for her. That night, after dancing with the boy of her dreams, she caught him in the act with her best friend. Months later, Eve, a freshman in college, is bullied into giving the dress to her roommate. After her mother finds out, their relationship is never the same again.

Twenty-five years later, Eve, a bestselling author, is happily married with three children. Although her mother suffers from dementia, she still remembers, and Eve still harbors the guilt for giving the dress away. When she receives a Facebook friend request from her old college roommate and an invitation to her twenty-five-year high school class reunion, then meets her former best friend by chance, she must confront the past in order to face the future.

 

 

My Other Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

Click to purchase My Ideal Partner from Smashwords absolutely free!

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

 

Monday Musical Memories: Rhinestone Cowboy

This past week, our community held its annual Sheridan Wyo Rodeo, a week of fun-filled activities including a boot kick-off, parade, street dance, and more. This has been an on-going tradition for many years.

After we moved here in 1973 when I was twelve, we always went to the parade. I enjoyed hearing music from various bands as they marched by while my parents described the myriad floats that drifted past us.

One year when I was in high school, I was in the parade, riding in a car with other cast members of a Winnie the Pooh puppet show we were putting on that summer. We held our puppets out the windows and tossed candy. There were several years when my barber-shop singing group had a float, where we sang as we rode down Main Street.

We also went to the carnival when I was a kid. My favorite rides were the carousel and Ferris wheel. I didn’t care for the roller coaster or tilt-a-whirl, and this was often a source of minor contention between me and my thrill-seeking younger brother and parents.

We went to the rodeo a few times. But because of my limited vision, I didn’t get much out of it. My younger brother didn’t like it because he thought it was cruel for the animals. I can see his point.

Often during my adult years when I lived in an apartment close to downtown, I lay awake, hearing the music from the street dance and wishing I were there. It was within walking distance, but I never had the courage to go alone, and no one invited me.

In the Glenn Campbell classic I’m featuring today, the singer longs to be a famous rodeo cowboy. I think we all would like to be a celebrity in one way or another.

 

 

How about you? Have you ever been to a rodeo? Did you have a favorite activity related to the rodeo?

 

Coming Soon: The Red Dress: A Novel

When Eve went to her high school senior prom, she wore a red dress that her mother had made for her. That night, after dancing with the boy of her dreams, she caught him in the act with her best friend. Months later, Eve, a freshman in college, is bullied into giving the dress to her roommate. After her mother finds out, their relationship is never the same again.

Twenty-five years later, Eve, a bestselling author, is happily married with three children. Although her mother suffers from dementia, she still remembers, and Eve still harbors the guilt for giving the dress away. When she receives a Facebook friend request from her old college roommate and an invitation to her twenty-five-year high school class reunion, then meets her former best friend by chance, she must confront the past in order to face the future.

 

My Other Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

Click to purchase My Ideal Partner from Smashwords absolutely free!

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

 

The Red Dress Coming Soon #Advanced Publicity

I’m pleased to announce that my new novel, The Red Dress, will soon be published by DLD Books. You’ll be able to purchase it in print and eBook formats from Amazon, Smashwords, and other online retailers. For those of you, like me, who have difficulty reading printed material and don’t have access to Kindle, it’ll eventually be available on Bookshare and through my regional talking book library.

Below is a description of the attached front cover of the book by my editor at DLD Books along with the synopsis, and more. I’ll keep you all posted as to this book’s availability.

Brief Description of The Red Dress Cover

 

A very beautiful black-haired model, about 18 or 19 years of age, with her hair in a loose bun, is shown down to about mid-chest. Her red dress is cut in a low V, with a bow at the bottom of the V. She is holding a bouquet of long-stemmed, brownish-gold flowers. She is almost in profile, with her head turned to her left, so we see the right side of her face. She has bright red lipstick on. Her eyes are downcast; she looks pensive but not sad. The background is pale gray. Above her head is the title in dark red letters, The Red Dress. Above that is the author’s name in black letters.

 

Synopsis

 

When Eve went to her high school senior prom, she wore a red dress that her mother had made for her. That night, after dancing with the boy of her dreams, she caught him in the act with her best friend. Months later, Eve, a freshman in college, is bullied into giving the dress to her roommate. After her mother finds out, their relationship is never the same again.

Twenty-five years later, Eve, a bestselling author, is happily married with three children. Although her mother suffers from dementia, she still remembers, and Eve still harbors the guilt for giving the dress away. When she receives a Facebook friend request from her old college roommate and an invitation to her twenty-five-year high school class reunion, then meets her former best friend by chance, she must confront the past in order to face the future.

 

Excerpt from Prologue

 

“Oh, look at this!” said Charlene.

Eve turned and could only stare at the bright red dress she’d almost forgotten.

Charlene held the garment at arm’s length, admiring the three–quarter–length sleeves, low neckline, and gathered waist. “Oh, my God! This is beautiful! Where did you get it, and why do you keep it way off to one side in your closet?”

Eve then heard on the radio the mellow strains of “Lady in Red,” the song she’d pushed to the back of her mind and hoped never to hear again.

 

My Other Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

Click to purchase My Ideal Partner from Smashwords absolutely free!

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

 

Eve then heard on the radio the mellow strains of “Lady in Red,” the song she’d pushed to the back of her mind and hoped never to hear again.

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered #Thursday Book Feature

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

by Gary Paulsen

Copyright 1993.

 

In the 1950’s, a boy, living in the city, is sent by his alcoholic parents to spend a summer with his uncle, aunt, and cousins on their farm. While there, he survives many misadventures such as being kicked by a cow and attacked by a rooster. He also learns about milking cows, feeding chickens, and other tasks associated with farming. He feels at home for the first time in who knows how long.

This book is written for grades 6-9, but it can be enjoyed by older readers. I wouldn’t have read it, though, except that it was selected by my regional talking book library’s book discussion group.

I’m glad I picked it up. In a way, it’s a modernized version of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series. I enjoyed escaping to the farm and laughing at all the humorous situations into which the young characters got themselves.

 

Coming Soon: The Red Dress, a Novel

Synopsis of The Red Dress

A novel by Abbie Johnson Taylor

 

When Eve went to her high school senior prom, she wore a red dress that her mother had made for her. That night, after dancing with the boy of her dreams, she caught him in the act with her best friend. Months later, Eve, a freshman in college, is bullied into giving the dress to her roommate. After her mother finds out, their relationship is never the same again.

Twenty-five years later, Eve, a bestselling author, is happily married with three children. Although her mother suffers from dementia, she still remembers, and Eve still harbors the guilt for giving the dress away. When she receives a Facebook friend request from her old college roommate and an invitation to her twenty-five-year high school class reunion, then meets her former best friend by chance, she must confront the past in order to face the future.

 

My Other Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

Click to purchase My Ideal Partner from Smashwords absolutely free!

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

 

Thursday Book Feature–The Star-Spangled Banner: Cornerstones of Freedom

I can’t think of a better way to commemorate Independence Day than to re-blog a book review I posted here last year. Not only do I discuss a  book about the creation of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but I also sing the song. Enjoy, and have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

via Thursday Book Feature–The Star-Spangled Banner: Cornerstones of Freedom

My Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.

Piss Call

Yesterday, I returned home from Florida, where I had a great time with my brother and his family. I traveled mostly in airplanes equipped with restrooms, but here’s a post about having to stop and use the facilities while traveling. Enjoy!

via Piss Call

My Books

 

My Ideal Partner: How I Met, Married, and Cared for the Man I Loved Despite Debilitating Odds

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems

How to Build a better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver

We Shall Overcome

My Other Links

Visit my website.

Like me on Facebook.