I volunteered at the Virginia Festival of the Book this weekend. I had a great time meeting up with old friends and also meeting some new ones. There was every genre of book you can imagine, and many of the authors were signing them as well. I love going to this venue every year as it gives me a chance to take in what is new in the writing world, and it also allows me to do some networking between members of the Virginia Writers Club and those outside of the club. You never know who you may run into or meet at the Festival. I have been going for the last 10 years, and I have enjoyed it every time.

At my very first Festival, I met CJ Lyons. I had read two of her medical series and eagerly bought the third one at the festival. Of course, I had brought all of them for her to sign. She signed the first one with "Thanks for all the lives you have saved." We both talked about out medical background and how it books really identified with our particular professions. She is an ER Physician; I am an OR Nurse. I enjoyed meeting her immensely and as a result, I have every book she has written.

Another interesting author I met at the Festival is Kathy Reichs. She is a forensic anthropologist, and writes the stories that the show BONES is based on at present. She was super sweet and answered my many questions while signing my books for me. She had just come from a formal lunch at the Festival giving a talk on her profession and what she does to truly help solve particular crimes. She is truly a very remarkable woman.

So next year, if you get a chance, check the Festival out on several different days as it runs for five days from Wednesday to Sunday. There are plenty of workshops and talks to interest everyone. It is also a great place to meet up with friends and meet an author or two that you really admire.

WOW! This has been a busy week for me, how about you? I have been writing about the many haunted places of Madison County and trying to match some good pictures with the pieces. It is a work in progress, but we will eventually get there. Slowly but surely has become my mantra. It has been an enlightening, learning, frustrating, and cumbersome journey, but I am almost at the end. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I have also been attending my son's play, Jeeves Intervenes. It is a British comedy based on the BBC show Jeeves & Wooster. I must say I am impressed with the whole cast, and what a great job they do every night. They are American, but they perform the show flawlessly in a posh British accent. It is really interesting to my ears to hear them speak normally after the show. I haven't quite figured it out yet. You always think something is one way, but when it turns out to be another, it really blows your mind. I am headed back for several more shows. I cannot wait.

The talk of the day is about Daylight Savings Time and how it has affected everyone. I know the farmers need their daylight for tending animals and planting; however, I know there are some states, such as Arizona, who do not even follow the time savings plan. I wish we could all just stay on one time myself. I really hate going to bed when it is still light out as I do not sleep during the day unless I am dead tired. Good luck to everyone with that!

I went to a particularly fascinating house the other week. This one has at least four or five different entities in it. They twist pictures and make different noises. I went in the house and felt a heaviness one week and the next week, it was still there just not as heavy. It amazes me the different manifestations I see and feel whenever I go and investigate places. Sometimes, I get a strong sense, sometimes none at all. I guess it depends on whether the ghosties want to communicate at all. We shall see how it goes.

Until next time, stay warm and please be safe if it will be snowing in your area of the world.

Here we are in March already. WOW! This year has gone by fast.

I am compiling my Haunted book to turn in this month for publication. It has been a year long exercise in organization and patience. Some of the stories wrote themselves, and some I really had to fight with to speak. I think I have learned to take what I have, employ research and visiting the location and adding it together to make something interesting for the reader. I have enjoyed the research part of the book going to the different sites and seeing what they have to offer. Sometimes, I wonder if they see us as ghosts on their side. Interesting proposition!

Back to writing.....The book is due very soon.