June 2010 – Stringing Beads

On a Saturday afternoon in May my husband and I drove to Lake Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County. Hand-in-hand we strolled the lake’s shoreline gazing at sailboats and ducks. Pleasurable talks, pleasurable silences. Later, we drove down picturesque country roads. At a “T” formed where Highway 563 meets 412, we discovered OwWowCOW Creamery, an extraordinary ice cream shop. A much-needed, most quiet adventure.

It was around this time that I read of an upcoming event sponsored by Bucks County Romance Writers. An editor and two literary agents were taking part in a BCRW Chapter Special Event. With memories of my peaceful lake visit still fresh, I registered. As the deadline drew near, I dutifully sent off the first page of my manuscript.

The premise of this event is that a panel of publishing professionals, in this case Silhouette Editor Patience Smith, and Literary Agents Chasya Milgrom and Anne Hawkins, read the first pages of those attending. Each then gives a brief review.

Another adventure awaited me, alone this time. No, not alone. Like my writing, my characters had been hibernating. Today, as I drove south on Highway 412 and into the heart of Bucks County, they stirred and began to mutter. Over a superb Chicken Waldorf salad at Catherine’s Restaurant, I skimmed old notes and added new. Later, during the meeting, they awoke and began to speak.

Thank you, Bucks County RW, for providing this opportunity for your fellow writers. And, thanks especially to Patience Smith, Chasya Milgrom, and Anne Hawkins, for your remarkable insight into such a diverse range of stories. Like the May adventure, I needed this day. I’m sure others did, too. ∞

At heart I’m still a Midwestern gal but I’ve come to love the sea. Because of that, I’ve learned to enjoy life on the eastern seaboard. There is so much to see and do, and so much of it within an easy driving distance. And let’s face it, we all need to get away on an adventure from time to time.

Our latest adventure together took us to the Harbor View Inn, a lovely Bed & Breakfast near the heart of historic Annapolis, Maryland. Wow, and wow again! What a true delight! A wonderful haven managed by such a gracious couple. We loved having our own private deck. Downstairs each morning we were served outstanding breakfasts, and wine and appetizers each evening…so nice! We met a pleasant couple who were celebrating their 40th – great talks. The last morning our hostess snapped a picture of the four of us at the foot of the elegant staircase. Capturing memories.

The U.S. Naval Academy was an easy walk from the Harbor View. So was the Maryland State House. We took a trolley tour that gave us a good historic overview of the city. As true history lovers, we toured the William Paca House & Gardens and the Hammond-Harwood House learning all about Georgian architecture. We strolled the Annapolis streets stopping into quaint little shops. And we sampled such exquisite foods. We thoroughly loved the Galway Bay Irish Pub, one of the best Irish restaurants we’ve visited (including a few in Ireland). But then, it is owned and run by an Irishman!

On Friday evening we took a 2-hour sunset cruise on the Schooner Woodwind, a 74-foot sail boat. That was about the temperature, too, 74 degrees and sunny. Not much wind to speak of, so our experienced Captain and Crew motored us up the Severn River, then back out into the Chesapeake Bay. The sails fluttered here and there, but I doubt that anyone cared much about the still air…so peaceful…so relaxing. So very much what we needed.

From time to time, married folks need to get away together. It keeps the marriage fresh. It doesn’t need to be a week in the Carribean, or even a 3 day trip to Annapolis. Sometimes a simple drive in the country, or a date movie followed by a stop for ice cream will do. (Oh…did I tell you about Storm Brothers homemade frozen peach yogurt? My first frozen yogurt in months and so much better when eaten on the docks of Ego Alley, watching the dingies, sailboats and yachts come and go…)

On the journey home, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, that marvelous expanse, was closed for a time. We sat in the middle of traffic for an hour and a half. Despite the heat I found, somehow, even that became a memorable part of the adventure. Our conversation still brings a smile.