Remembering Grandpa Clarence on Memorial Day

My Dad's father, Clarence, served in World War I. He was in France from 1918-1919 with the 355th Infantry, 89th Division. In August, 1918, he attended the Army's Gas school and became a non-commissioned officer. At the St. Mihiel offensive, he was shot with mustard gas on September 14, 1918.

I have very vivid memories of my grandfather telling us many tales about his adventures in WWI. Being gassed was one of the worst experiences of his life. This is how he explained it in his own words in a newspaper article of the time:

"The gas shells are shot from mortars and are used just like artillery. The gas shells sound different than the artillery, however. They sound like a bottle filled with water making a sort of a bubbling sound. When they explode, the gas escapes with a noise like compressed air being released.

Generally, the enemy would send over tear gas before the mustard gas. This would make our eyes smart and water and we would want to take off our masks, but the mustard gas that followed would get us if we did. That was the German's game. They wanted us to take off our masks just in time to get a shot of the mustard gas.

Mustard gas was the worst kind of gas the enemy used. It would slowly eat a man who inhaled it. If it even came in contact with a slight scratch, it would infect it and poisoning would set in."

In honor of my amazing grandfather Clarence--and all our troops who sacrifice so much for our freedom--happy Memorial Day.

FlashForward: Flash Forward

So, ABC's nifty sci-fi series FlashForward bites the dust after its first season. I was really liking it, so it figures they'd cancel it. The show wasn't what I expected. I expected it to follow Robert J. Sawyer's amazing book more closely. Even so, I was intrigued by the premise they did develop and I became attached to all the characters. Now, at the very end of its rookie season, just as the good guys are discovering who the bad guys are, and we are reaching the point where the moment that people saw in their flashforwards happens--we discover that that next flashforward will occur in--what? Two minutes? Which, of course, is like right at the END of the show (and, thus, the series).

So, the very end of last night's program featured a whirling maze of imagery, flinging us years into the future. We see the characters in snippets of their lives at a certain juncture in time (albeit a time we don't know). It all happened in a matter of seconds. It was confusing.

There were, of course, some gratifying moments in the final episode. We learned that Janis's baby is going to be okay. Olivia, Lloyd, and Charlie appeared to survive the second flashforward on their living room couches. Lloyd's son turned out to be the one who writes the formula on the mirror--not Lloyd. (Milt, my husband, thinks Lloyd's son is really the idiot-savant guy, time-traveling through different dimensions). The guy with cancer (can't remember his name) found his Japanese muse and his female companion who flashforwarded that she would drown, almost did, but was saved by a nice looking guy. Demetri and Simon were actually at the collider, trying to prevent the flashfoward but were unsuccessful. Mark was inside the building at the Mosaic Wall (as he had predicted in his flashforward) being stalked by a group of assassins and at the final moment, just before the building was supposed to explode, he apparently leaped out a window onto a helicopter. Of course, his daughter Charlie had predicted his death in her first flashforward, but in her second flashforward at the end of the episode, it appears she is just discovering that her father is alive after a long absence. So, that's why I'm guessing that Mark managed to survive by grabbing on to the helicopter when he jumped from the building.

That's what I got out of the final FlashForward. What did you get? If anything.

Terrible Tuesday Television

I know just how these cats feel. Last night was horrible for television lovers. So many good shows--all on at the same time! Series finales of several of my favorites. I had my DVR set to record several shows and I intended to watch a third, but I soon discovered that, although my DVR could record two shows at once, it wasn't able to allow me to watch a different show while doing so. So, I spent the evening channel hopping--a much too masculine activity for me. I'd rather just turn on the show, sit back, and enjoy.

My husband was doing exactly the same thing. Tuesday is his favorite television night too and he had the DVR going in both the basement and the living room. You'd think with all the television shows being recorded in our house last night that there might be some overlap, wouldn't you? You would be wrong. The five shows Milt was watching bore no resemblance to the five shows I was watching. Go figure. Tuesday is really terrible for television.

I bet you can't guess which shows I recorded and which shows Milt recorded, can you?

(photo from www.impactlab.com)

Another Reason to Get a Kindle

Boy, do I want one of those Kindles! Or something like it! Any book I want to read whenever I want it. I just download my chosen volume and--voila!

Now I have a new reason to love the Kindle. My cozy mystery Sounds of Murder was just made available for downloaad on the Kindle. I had to apply. I did and was accepted. So, if you own a Kindle (you lucky dog!), you can download Sounds of Murder and start reading it right this instant!

Do you own a Kindle?

I'm the Lindsay Lohan of Book Trailers

My little home-made book trailer for my cozy mystery Sounds of Murder WON the award for LEAST likely to promote a book at the 2010 Moby Book Trailer Awards on Thursday night. I don't know whether to be honored or ashamed. I'm sort of the Lindsay Lohan of the book trailer world, aren't I?

I made this little book trailer with my digital camera in about two minutes. I just held up a copy of the book and talked in different famous voices--because the book is about sound and the amateur sleuth in the book uses sound to solve a murder. The trailer for the book emphasizes audio more than video which is probably its downfall. I guess people who watch book trailers want to actually SEE something happen. And nothing happens visually in my book trailer.

Do you agree that my book trailer is the LEAST likely to promote a book?

(photo from www.bougies.wordpress.com)

SCORE scores again!

Last night I attended a marketing seminar sponsored by SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) at the Naperville Public Library. The place was packed! The speaker was Pat Price of The Price Group, a local marketing firm. And best of all, like most SCORE functions, the event was free. Ms. Price did not disappoint--providing the audience of new and would-be entrepreneurs with great advice for getting their fledgling businesses noticed. I learned all sorts of ideas that I will be trying in the coming days to promote my new publishing company Cozy Cat Press.

I don't know where I first learned of SCORE, but shortly after deciding to form my business several months ago, I contacted the local SCORE office and made an appointment to meet with their counselors. That first meeting was held with two SCORE members--both experienced business owners of many years--who spent several hours with me, answering my specific individual questions about starting my business. They did all this for free. Their input was invaluable to me--as was the fantastic seminar last night.

If you are a business owner or are thinking of starting a business, I encourage you to investigate the incredible resource that is SCORE. Their services are many and they are available to anyone--for free.

Have you ever tried the resources of SCORE?

(photo from www.scorebozeman.org and graphic from www.score390.org)

Testing Customer Service: Carnival, 1-800-flowers, Godiva, Amtrak, Caribou Coffee

In my last post, I voiced a few complaints about an otherwise really great website called Goodreads. Almost immediately, I received a comment from Otis, the FOUNDER of Goodreads addressing my concerns. I'm happy to say, his advice was spot on (as well it should be) and I was able to solve my problems with the Goodreads' site. My experience with what I'd guess you'd call the Goodreads' Customer Service Department was probably the best such experience I've ever had.

It got me thinking. What if all customer service experience were this outstanding? What if all you had to do was express your concern for a product or service on your blog and almost instantaneously heard from the CEO of the company attempting to solve your dilemma? Would that not be every customer's dream? Hmmm. I wonder what sites I should test this hypothesis on?

Let's see.

1. Carnival Cruises. Milt and I took a Carnival cruise to Mexico several years ago and we'd like to go on a cruise to Alaska. But, golly gee, cruises are SOOO expensive! We're going to have to save for years before we can afford one. Too bad Carnival doesn't offer some major savings for retired couples (maybe in the off season) who'd like to visit up North.

2. 1-800-flowers. Probably no one likes to receive flowers more than I do. However, the only way I ever get any is to order them for myself--not very romantic. Now, I saw the CEO of 1-800-flowers on that TV show Undercover Boss and he seemed very smart. Too bad he can't figure out a way to encourage non-romantic husbands to send their flower-starved wives a little flower treat every once in a while. Maybe a little encouraging email prod--or something similar to get those wayward spouses thinking flowers. Just a thought.

3. Godiva Chocolates. Seems to me that Godiva is missing a great opportunity to promote its fabulous product. It should have a National Blog For Chocolate Day. On this day, every blogger who posts about Godiva Chocolates will receive a box of the luscious delicacies in the mail. I, personally, would be glad to start off the campaign with a rip-roaring accolade to the Queen of Sweets! Just a thought!

4. Amtrak. All right, Amtrak. If you have been following this blog, you know what a devoted Amtrakker I am. I love train travel. I love Amtrak. There's nothing I'd rather do than ride your wonderful rail system. You should hire me to post about the merits of train travel--particularly train travel for retired people, women traveling alone, or just the joys of leisurely experiencing the world through the window of an Amtrak passenger car. I'm your gal! Now, if you'll provide me with a free pass, I'll gladly get started on my duties.

5. Caribou Coffee. I would drink my lattes from Caribou every day if I could afford it. They are oh so much better than Starbucks! Yes, I said that! How many devoted fans will defend you against the Starbucks giant? Mr. Caribou Coffee, I hope you're listening. Patricia is your Number One fan!

Actually, I could go on in this vein for hours. But, let's see if any of my complaints (suggestions) come to fruition before I waste any more space. Keep watching for further developments.

What do you think? Will anyone respond? If so, who?

The Good and Bad of Goodreads

Good:

(1) A huge reader-oriented site, a fantastic way to connect with fellow book lovers, (2) great for locating people with similar reading interests, (3) knowledgeable forum moderators (The Dean Koontz forum moderator really knows his Dean Koontz and was able to answer several questions I had about some of my favorite Koontz books), and (4) helpful for keeping track of the books you read

Bad:

(1) Difficult to navigate, (2) no FAQs, and (3) no Help button or support (I even asked one of the forum moderators about a navigation problem I was having, and she responded that she had similar concerns and just had to "muddle through.")

Do you use GoodReads? Do you have any problems with it?

(graphic from www.mccleanandeakin.com)

Mom and Money

My dear little 89-year-old mother always makes me a smile when I visit her every Friday. Today, however, she was in one of her blue funks over money. Worrying about money is one of my mother's major activities. I'm guessing it's a major worry for many elderly people who grew up during the Great Depression.

I remember when I was a child, my father always handled the finances, but my mother paid no attention to anything he did that was money-related. My Dad was really good with money and he did a great job taking care of my mother financially and seeing to it that she was well cared for in her later years. Unfortunately, one thing he didn't do was educate my mother about finances.

Although my mother is doing just fine financially, you could not convince her of that. Every time I visit, I have to reassure her of her financial stability. She fears that she doesn't have enough money to last her, and that she will soon become destitute (not true). She fears that her money is not safe in the bank where it is kept (not true). She fears that she will not be able to access her money in case of an emergency (absolutely not true).

My sister Chris and I handle my mother's finances. Chris handles her bank account and pays her bills. I handle her investments. The two of us work together to be 100% certain that Mom is in good financial shape and that she gets everything she needs (I would say everything she wants, but she really doesn't want much of anything).

I wish I knew what I could say or do to convince Mom that her finances are in good (actually, great) shape. Any suggestions? Do any of you have this problem with your parents?

(photo from www.shoestringmag.com)

What Has Happened to "Glee"?

Glee has gone downhill, as far as I'm concerned. When it started last year as a funky new music comedy-drama on Fox, I was immediately enchanted by its wit, satire, and bouncy take on high school life. The musical numbers were typically shown as any glee club at any high school might perform them on stage.

Anyone in high school or who has ever been to high school could appreciate the characters and their dilemmas: Will Shuster, the new Spanish teacher trying to resurrect the down-and-out nerdy glee club; Sue Sylvester, the over-bearing PE teacher and cheerleading coach who virtually controlled the entire school; the gutless principal, easily prone to blackmail; Emma, the prim guidance counsellor, more concerned with cleanliness than college prep; and, of course, the entire glee club, from the prima donna Rachel, to the newly out of the closet Kurt, to the well-endowed Mercedes, to a host of interesting and intriguing characters, all of whom could sing and all of whom had personal stories to tell.

But what I waited for with each episode was the big finale musical number--an extravagant staged version of a famous song performed to perfection by the cast on their "high school stage." Where has all that gone? The last few episodes have had more musical numbers, but not the delightful "glee club" type numbers of last year. No, this year's numbers are more along the line of MTV music videos, with lots of fancy camera work, flashbacks, and incorporation into the actual story line. This is not "glee club" music, in my mind. It may be more the kind of music that young viewers want to see, but it's totally at odds with the type of music a glee club is all about. I say bring back the format of last year. Let's have more actual on-stage glee club type numbers and fewer music videos.

What about you? Do you like Glee? Do you like the music numbers of the most recent episodes?

(photo from www.judgmentalobserver.wordpress.com)

Mothers Come in All Different Forms

Yesterday when I went to pick up my 89-year-old mother from her assisted living complex to take her out for lunch on Mother's Day, the place was all a-twitter (and I don't mean that all the elderly residents were lined up at their computers sending massive numbers of tweets). At first, I thought it was because it was--well--Mother's Day and there were quite a few mothers there (as well as grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and a fistful of great-great grandmothers too). Of course, many of the dear little old ladies were going out dining (just like my Mom), but there was something else. What could it be?

I looked around. I noticed a crowd in the television room, but they were not gathered around the television set watching "The Price Is Right" or "Let's Make a Deal." No, they were huddled against the large picture window that faces the central courtyard. On closer inspection (and in consultation with Mom), I discovered the cause of all the excitement. A mother goose had built a nest in the large flower container in the middle of the courtyard and had just given birth to seven fuzzy little goslings! How appropriate! On Mother's Day. The little birds were adorable, but not nearly as adorable as the bevy (herd? troop? pride?) of sweet, little grey-haired mothers, all lined up like birds on a wire, clinging to their walkers, watching the escapades of the little critters.

Truly, a Mother's Day to remember! Was your Mother's Day memorable?

(photo from www.westseattleblog.com)

Adorn Yourself With Anna's Bling

Check out one of my favorite blogs--Anna's Adornments--for some super nifty bling. Anna is a talented jewelry designer and excellent blogging friend. She has her own Etsy site and produces some really fine work.

Anna recently plugged our new publishing company Cozy Cat Press in one of her posts, so I want to reciprocate and give her a nod. Thanks, Anna!

Annual Mammogram: No Fear Here

I recently had my annual mammogram. As usual, I experienced my usual trepidation, worrying not only about the outcome of the test, but also the attendant discomfort (?). Even so, I went. I always do, because I tend to be one of those annoyingly conscientious persons who does what they're supposed to do.

I'm lucky in one respect when it comes to my annual mammogram. I get it done at the Women's Center at the Midwest Center for Advanced Imagery (MCAI) in Aurora, Illinois. This wonderful facility is probably the best place I've ever been to for mammograms (and, believe me, I've been to many). The Women's Center is a special place within MCAI that is devoted to women's health. They do all sorts of female diagnostic tests there and I've used their services quite a few times. They are efficient, considerate, gentle, and discreet.

I mention all this because when I was there the other day, I discovered that the Women's Center is conducting a special campaign called "No Fear Here" designed to inspire at least 1000 women to complete their overdue mammogram screenings by September 18. The Center has announced that if they reach this goal, they will donate $10,000 to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

That's why I'm announcing their campaign in this post. I see it as a win-win for everyone. If just one person reading this post is motivated to schedule an overdue mammogram with MCAI (or any other facility), it will be a positive step for them personally--and it could mean a huge donation in the fight against breast cancer.

So, readers, if anyone you know is putting off getting their regular screening mammogram, do your part to get them to schedule it today. I have known several women who have had breast cancer (and they were young women too). Get your annual mammogram--whether at the Women's Center at MCAI or someplace else--but get it.

Does Anyone Understand Sales Tax?

My mind is awhirl with all the minutiae of the Illinois sales tax laws. Aren't you jealous? As a newly minted official business in the state of Illinois, I received in the mail yesterday, my business taxpayer number and notification letter. Now, lucky me, I get to start paying sales tax on all the books I have sold in Illinois (none as far as I can tell).

I'm totally unclear as to WHEN I have to start doing this. My official business license which arrived a week or so ago, only listed an expiration date on it, and the tax notification letter I got yesterday only indicates that I can pay my sales taxes online or by "telefile" or under extreme duress that I can submit my payments in the mail; it does not indicate WHEN I must start to do this (except it must be quarterly).

The information that I have found online at the Illinois state tax site that explains just how to calculate sales tax and exactly what constitutes sales tax on the books that I publish is very slim. I have been scouring the Internet trying to find out information about these issues with little luck. Collecting state sales tax is obviously a problem for those of us who publish books and who sell most of what we publish online. For example, how is sales tax collected (or is it) by Amazon for the printed books they mail to customers? What about Smashwords for e-books that are downloaded by their customers? What responsibility do I have for collecting sales tax on my books that are sold by Amazon and/or Smashwords?

I understand about reselling and how that works, but today it seems that many if not most local booksellers don't actually buy books wholesale from the original publisher (me); they buy them directly as needed from Amazon or a similar company. Am I only responsible for collecting sales tax when I physically take money from a buyer in the state of Illinois and hand that buyer a copy of one of my books? I wish I knew.

Any of you out there who know anything about sales tax computation or collection as it relates to book publishing, distributing, selling, or reselling--I'd love to hear anything you know about this totally confusing issue. Many thanks!

(graphic from www.bookshoptalk.wordpress.com)

Can You Challenge Dave in His Kitchen?

As much as I hate to cook, I still love to visit food and cooking blogs. One of the most intriguing of these is Dave's Kitchen Revolution. Dave is a clever chef who asks his readers to challenge him by suggesting three totally random ingredients of which he then creates an original and delicious dish.

His blog follows his efforts to be creative with such disparate food items as "cornflakes, steak, and radishes" or "pork, avocado, and peanut butter." Wow! There's no way I could concoct anything from those combinations.

Here's Dave in his kitchen. If you'd like to challenge Dave with some unusual ingredients, stop by his kitchen and give it a whirl. If you do, let me know what three ingredients you devise to create havoc in Dave's kitchen.

Did you visit Dave's kitchen? Did you challenge him? What three ingredients did you select?