Ciao, amici! How was your week? Mine was a little bumpy, but that seems to be the case for many of my friends. Like my grandma would say, there must be something in the water.
I hope your week was better than mine. My days alternated between scrambling in a hurry and waiting impatiently. I don’t like to do either.
My company gave me my tentative calendar for next year. The good news is they believe in me and think next year will be my break out year. The bad news is they believe in me and have me all over the schedule. Roughly one publication every three weeks. Before your jaw drops (as mine did when I saw the calendar), you have to realize I already have some of these written and they’re just waiting on an edit, a cover, and a formatted layout for the different versions.
Hello everyone! This week I’m thrilled to bring you one of my favorite award winning authors, Vashti Quiroz-Vega. I asked her to pick three or four questions from my huge list HERE which she did. But stayed tuned… Vashti and I have a candid discussion behind some of the themes she explores in her books!
I love Vashti’s writing and believe me, I know what I’m talking about! I’ve read and reviewed, The Fall of Lilith. Read my review HERE. I’ve also read and reviewed, Son of the Serpent. Read that review HERE.
Please meet my guest author, Vashti Quiroz-Vega, who is also an accomplished poet.
Author, Vashti Quiroz-Vega
Vashti Quiroz-Vega is a writer of Fantasy, Horror, and Thriller. Since she was a kid she’s always had a passion for writing and telling stories. It has always been easier for her to express her thoughts on…
Time for the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction recap curated by Charli Mills who also shares her own story on this week’s prompt.. poisoned apple.. Some great interpretations of the prompt and great reading… head over with a cuppa and enjoy.
We know how the story goes for Snow White. The Evil Queen sends a poisoned apple that only true love’s kiss can overcome. Well, there are different versions of the familiar tale. We wish fairy tails were true, and maybe, in a way, they are. Through one act of kindness, choosing love over hate, writing through the mess no matter how toxic — we can deliver an anecdote.
Writers explored the apple tree, daring to touch the poisoned variety. Some followed myth, some used realism, and others mashed it all up like cider.
The following are based on the August 8, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a poisoned apple.
If you don’t see Jessica around her post today or for the next few weeks there is a very good reason for it.. but after things have settled down she will be back, eagled eyed and ready to get back down to business.. please head over and send her your positive thoughts… thanks Sally
Three weeks after The Magic Carpet was published, the book is doing well and its author is booked for a trabeculectomy operation at London’s Moorfields eye hospital. A “trab”, as we carelessly throw the name about in these parts, involves inserting a small bleb (shunt, drain, thing) under the upper eyelid to relieve pressure of fluid on the eye, which in my case is causing significant sight loss. If successful, they’ll do the other eye in a few months. Just a trab. If you say it really fast you can almost forget it’s happening.
I have been in a right tizz about this for months. I joined an online forum and retreated in terror at the horror stories they told. A calm and gentle person at the International Glaucoma Association pointed out that people for whom things go wrong will always be more likely to post than those for…
Originally posted on Retired? No one told me!: Thank you for joining me once again on Whimsical Wednesday when anything goes..wherever my thoughts take me or when something stops me in my tracks and makes think or when something just…
A lovely surprise this morning to find that my poem has an honourable mentions in Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge.. Poet of the week Pat R’s poem is fabulous as is Kerfe’s… a lovely challenge where you meet such lovely people.
Welcome to the Tanka Tuesday Poetry Recap featuring the Poet of the Week and the honorable mention poetry that really caught my eye from last week’s challenge. If you would like to participate in this challenge, you can learn the rules in the menu item called Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday Guidelines.
Congratulations, and many thanks to all the participants! You’ve given me some hard choices this week. I was stunned by all the beautiful poetry. I really struggled with picking a favorite. It just goes to show how accomplished your poetry has become. ❤
Please visit the challenge post comments HERE, where you’ll find the links to everyone’s poetry. Stop by and say hello!
The Poet of the Week and Honorable Mention Poets will be published in the 2019 Poet of the Week Anthology, which everyone will be able to grab as a FREE PDF in January 2020.
Welcome to the weekly round up of posts that you might have missed here on Smorgasbord.
I hope you are all well and thank you for dropping in to see me this week, and as always it is much appreciated. Nothing much to report on a personal level as the week has flown by and the weather has not been very conducive to being out in the garden.
There are however some upcoming events on the blog. Next Sunday 18th August I will be posting about the new Sunday author interview. This time it is specifically for the authors in the Cafe and Bookstore, as my intention over the next few months is to ramp up the book promotions. The Cafe and Bookstore has around 150 authors at any given time whose books are receiving reviews or they have a new release in the last six months.
I would like to give those authors another opportunity for promotion with an interview – answering five questions from a selection of twenty.. and excerpt from the book they wish to promote. Please drop in next Sunday to find out all the details.
I am also putting together the next Archive post series. This time it will be for authors who have only been blogging in the last 12 months. An opportunity to give new bloggers a boost and to welcome them to our community. It can be tough going those first few months and I would love to share the amazing posts that should have a wider audience.
This week sees the end of the serialisation of Tales from the Irish Garden and I am delighted at the lovely comments it has received. Next week I am starting a new book that has not been shared since 2016. Just an Odd Job Girl.. I know that many of you read the first time around, but I am hoping that new readers of the blog will enjoy.
Time to get on with the posts from the week… and as always my thanks to the contributors who spend time and effort to write such interesting and informative post.
D.G. Kaye, Debby Gies reminds us that preparation is key if you want to have a safe and secure holiday.
Those of us who have books available on Amazon and other online book sites, particularly ebooks are also vulnerable to pirates, and Debby Gies, D.G. Kaye, shares an interesting possible action we are taking to enable this. Felony or Flattery? #Copyright Infringement and Content Scraping by D.G. Kaye
Some rock ‘n’ roll this week to get your feet tapping. Status Quo, Queen, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Eric Clapton and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
This week in Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 139 being the first challenge of the month, is for the poet to choose their own words. I hope you will enjoy my double etheree…A Dog’s Life.
The last two chapters for Tales from the Irish Garden this weekend… Queen Filigree is delighted to announce the betrothals of both her daughters and accept the gifts that are offered by their future husbands… Plus concerns about her health are getting the court into a bit of a lather.
This is the second post from Marsi, who with her husband Robert, embarked on a four month journey west. I will be sharing posts from their trip in addition to other posts in their archives. Due to the number of photographs I suggest that you head over to the blog to view them all.. Olympic National Park
This is the second post from the archives of Claire Fullerton, and this week a birthday celebration for renowned author Pat Conroy. An event over several days that clearly was a highlight for Claire. Notes on Pat Conroy’s 70th Birthday Celebration in Beaufort, South Carolina (2015)
This is the second post from the archives of Smitha Vishwanath who shares poetry, wonderful travel posts and life experiences on her blog. I have selected this poem as it brought back memories of all the times I have stood behind a podium to give a presentation or speech…The Speaker’s Ordeal…by Smitha Vishwanath
This is the second post from author K.D.(Karen DeMers) Dowdall’sarchives and she also has some news, with The Captain’s Witch, her latest book being released on September 1st…A short story, that might have its roots in truth… anyone’s worst nightmare when walking in the woods. Fire in the Sky or The Black Bear and Me (2017) by Karen DeMers Dowdall
This is the third post from the wonderfully varied archives of poet and authorRitu Bhathal. Today the joys of being a kindergarten teacher…. things I am sure they don’t share during the career advisory days at secondary school when you are faced with so many options! Kindergarten Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! 2015 by Ritu Bhathal
This is the third post from the archives of author Elizabeth Gauffreauwho has some wonderful posts, including an interesting look at her genealogy journey, seeking out her family history. This week a post by William Wordsworth, which reminds us of those moments when life or nature takes us by delightful surprise. Poetry – Surprised by Joy”
This is the third post from retired librarian and author Cathy Cade, who has been blogging since early 2018. This week a poem about a much loved old friend. Fred’s Legacy by Cathy Cade.
This is the third post for author Chuck Jackson and this week I have selected a post that Chuck wrote about editing software that I am sure you will find helpful if you are looking to buy a package. Do you use Editing Software
This is the third of the posts from the archives of author and poet Joy Lennick, although certainly not the first post that we have enjoyed here on Smorgasbord from this entertaining writer. This week a post from 2017 on the subject of fascinating and mostly long forgotten words… some I must really work into both conversation and story..thanks Joy. The Phrontistery revisited (2017) by Joy Lennick
Linda Bethea is a regular contributor here on Smorgasbord, but this time I get to select the posts from her archives to share with you… I am sure you will enjoy her stories as always. This is the third post and I have selected and it was one that Linda posted about a patient of hers, who inspired her as a nurse. Lessons from MIchael 2014
The liver is the largest waste organ inside the body (the skin being the largest overall). This week, a look at the role it plays in keeping us healthy and alive.
Patty Fletcher has a great series of interviews on her blog that she shares with her Seeing Eye Dog Campbell.. This week her guests were our own food expert Carol Taylor and her canine sous chef Saangchai, a rescued street dog. Find out more about Carol and what makes her tick and follow her blog for some of the best Thai recipes you can find.. thanks Patty…hugs to you both.
We open this week’s Author’s Corner with a fabulous guest.
We have here with us, none other than the famous author blogger CarolCooks2. Yes, that’s right. It’s Carol Taylor, live and in person right here in our very own Author’s Corner.
Way back in June, she answered my call to action request for guest authors, and not only did she answer, but she, like Sally Cronin took my questionnaire and wrote an essay for me to share with you.
So, without further delay I give you, Carol.
*&$%^ Hold on! Wait! King Campbell here, please excuse the interruption. My human mother who is very smart, is also very forgetful. She has forgotten to introduce a most important guest who appears here with Human Carol.
So, before we read this awesome essay, please let me introduce Dog Saangchai who is here with his human mother.
Teagan shares the new world she has created aboard the Delta Pearl with us, introducing us to crew members and tempting us with a delicious bowl of soup… but something seems to be off kilter….head over and feel the vibes for yourselves..
Welcome, my chuckaboos! I warn you in advance that I’m flying by the seat of my pantser pants even more than usual today. My week has been so full of insomnia and interruptions, it’s no wonder Émeraude is looking like a worry wart. Internet interruptions have become a constant thorn in my side and pain in my patootie. If you are stuck with a company called TDS Telecom, you have my complete sympathy.
In the interest of getting this posted before I lose Internet too many times (note that I didn’t simply say “again”), there’s little explanation or preamble today.
A very important post that everyone should read from Willow Willers who recently went through a life threatening event. Sepsis.. from a very small scratch in her linen cupboard to infection spreading up her arm. Please read and don’t dismiss the early symptoms either for yourself or those you care for.. Read and take notes. Thanks for sharing Willow an essential read. #recommended
Just a normal day, I was busy doing housework and enjoying the warm weather. Midmorning I was sorting the washing, off the line, on to the clothes horse, off the clothes horse into the airing cupboard, out of airing cupboard put away or iron.
Nothing dangerous there. Yet there was, as I hung an item of laundry over the wooden slatted shelves in my airing cupboard I caught the middle knuckle of the middle finger on my left hand.
Shit bags, that hurt, I washed it cleaned it put a plaster on because it bled and I was doing white laundry.
Thereafter I changed plasters. and kept it clean.
This is a photo taken the next day, the scratch is so small if you did not know it was there you just would not see it. In fact it is just luck that the photo has my…
Living in Thurso. Doing stuff. - a personal blog with photographs and insights of Thurso, the most northerly town in Scotland and major stop on the North Coast 500
We know how the story goes for Snow White. The Evil Queen sends a poisoned apple that only true love’s kiss can overcome. Well, there are different versions of the familiar tale. We wish fairy tails were true, and maybe, in a way, they are. Through one act of kindness, choosing love over hate, writing through the mess no matter how toxic — we can deliver an anecdote.
Pixabay (image altered by Teagan) 
