We had a very nice – and fun! – evening at McKenna Center in Greensburg tonight.  My friend Mary, who is the director there, clued us in on their dinner and entertainment evening, and I decided I would go.  Dinner was yummy (I had fish and Ron had the chicken) with mashed potatoes, fruit, green beans and rolls.  There was a 50/50 and Chinese Auction, plus a door prize.  We weren’t lucky winners this time, but the evening was a winner. A former title customer that I FREQUENTLY bailed out of sticky title problems was there – Tommy for Tommy’s Truck Parts! – he recognized me and came over to talk.  It was so nice to see him and his wife, and to know how much he appreciated all those efforts to untangle his messes! 🙂

The entertainment was a two-man team called the G Boyz and they sang 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s music, plus some ‘bandstand’ dance music.  We listened to dozens of songs – but some of my favorites were ‘Wake up Little Suzie’, ‘My Way’, songs by Bobby Vinton, Tony Orlando, Ricky Nelson…  🙂  Mary was really into the whole music thing, keeping rhythm, dancing, and whooping around the room.  She really got us in the spirit and we were dancing and laughing and enjoying the music. 

They plan to do a spaghetti dinner closer to summer, and a mystery dinner theater in the fall.  Sounds like fun – so stay tuned for more details and come out and join the group!

On Saturday morning, March 17th, I left my house at 7:40am, armed with ‘show and tell’ visual aids, seminar notes, and a bag of red/white/blue M&M’s.  Ligonier Valley Writers and Ft. Ligonier co-sponsored an all-day history writing event in their new educational center, and I have to say the new addition is beautiful!  Bright, clean, spacious, efficient, welcoming – perfect! The view was inspiring.

I was one of three presenters, including Audrey Iacone and Jim Busch.  Each of us presented a different aspect on including history in your fiction and non-fiction writing.  Audrey talked about research and presentation.  Jim talked about creativity, and I shared specific examples about Civil War and Mt. Vernon facts and research used in Letters to Mary (novel) and my Tazz mysteries (Mt. Vernon a/k/a Fathers and Dads).  It was fun to share information and not only provide new facts but also learn from the others.  Audrey worked at the Carnegie Library, and said that she was working the day that David Carlyon came in looking for facts on Dan Rice – for his book ‘Dan Rice, the Most Famous Man you Never Knew.’  I actually have a copy of the book!  That was pretty exciting for me! 

As it was St. Patrick’s day, several of us dressed the part, including our resident Leprechaun, Carolyn Holland. Fact:  I have NEVER see Carolyn without a hat on of some type!  After the presentations, Mary Ann took the presenters to lunch at a quaint little diner-type restaurant on main street.  It was nice to network together and unwind. 

Mary Manges, Education Director at the Museum, took the group on a tour of the newly renovated space.  I loved hearing about Washington, Bouquet, Forbes; Arthur St. Claire’s parlor, and the diorama — and Ron decided to try out one of the tents to see how it compared to his little Appalachian Trail tent!  Washington’s was much more roomy!

The museum opens in April to the public, and I want to go back and spend more time looking at the exhibits and exploring the outside areas as well.  It was a great day, and I was honored and blessed to be part of this great event.  I highly recommend a trip up to Ft. Ligonier as soon as you get the chance.  Of course, you won’t get the royal treatment (having Mary as a tour guide – she’s an endless source of knowledge and makes it come alive!), but you won’t be sorry.  I guarantee it!

Sunday was a free museum day for Bushy Run battlefield and the perfect setting for a hands-on history class for my three home-schooled grandsons.  We took Chrissy along, too, and the four of them had a good time looking at the artifacts, watching the mini-movie, and eating the free cookies!  We spent about 20 minutes exploring the museum, then went outside with a tour guide and got a little more detail about the battle and its impact on our history.

My favorite ‘new fact’ was that the strategic moves make by Colonel Bouquet to defeat the Native Americans (called Pontiac’s War) saved Ft. Pitt from being taken over and lost to the enemy.  We were told that the maneuvers made by Bouquet’s forces were so impressive that they are still being studied by the military today.  In the worse of the battle, we lost about 60 men out of close to 400.  They had to have somewhere to protect the wounded, so they took the flour sacks (on route to Ft. Pitt to feed the troops there) and built a ‘fort’.  After the lecture we walked down to the monument then up to the meadow where the flour sack fort had been built.  The kids climbed the trees and we tramped back the paths through the woods. 

Kelly was reading the little booklet, and we discovered that a Penn Trafford high school senior planned and organized the entire event for her senior project.  Emily Liska had been volunteering at Bushy Run since she was twelve, and now it’s the place where she spends most of her free time – tour guide, fundraiser, all-around general volunteer.  She’s very passionate about history, about the Bushy Run site, and about making a difference.  It’s great to see dedication and passion in someone so young. 

We had a great time, and stopped at the little homestead house across the road.  A friend had painted a picture of the house for me about 10 years ago and I have it framed and hanging in my bedroom.  It was fun to see the real thing!  I advise anyone interested in history, in hiking paths, or being outdoors to check it out.  The site opens for the season the end of April.

Kath and I headed north to Mom’s this past weekend with an extra passenger!  My granddaughter Autmn came along to help and entertain, both of which she did well and pleasantly.  It was good to have her along.  Friday evening was pretty much a quiet night – we put the food away, lugged everything up to our rooms, and chatted with each other and the TV.  Autmn was very patient with John’s choices of The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle.  She’d watch some of her favorite shows scroll past as John channel-surfed, but never said a word.  We were surprised that when we got off I-79 and started over on 6N as there was quite a bit of fresh snow everywhere.  Except, thankfully, on the roads, which were totally clear.  The full moon glistened off the snowy yard and made for a beautiful landscape, even with the super cold temperatures. 

Kath and I, as is our custom, got up at 7am, bundled up, and took our two mile walk out to Route 18 and back.  It was 21* but the road was clear and safe so we did fine. The road was a winter wonderland and the beauty of it was a gift. Autmn got up when we got back and we all had breakfast and cleaned up dishes.  Mom really wanted a shorter haircut so we left John manning the fort and the 4 of us set off to handle the haircut and get some household groceries.  Autmn sat in the salon with Mom while Kath and I handled John’s list.  The haircut was a great relief and a great comfort for mom. (left face, right face!)

We stopped to see Byron and Abby (mom’s newly-wed preacher and his bride!) and their new house before going home to make a yummy lunch.  Autmn scooped Grama Dot up like a trooper and made sure she got around where she needed to be, chatting and talking about things that matter to a 15-year-old.  Mom was thrilled, and I think even John enjoyed her chatter. Now for the work!  We washed clothes, scrubbed the bathrooms, washed the throw rugs, changed the bed sheets, ran the sweeper, and put up fresh towels in the kitchen and bathrooms.  Autmn did all the dusting and everything was fresh and clean and lemon-smelling!  Our reward for the hard work was carrot cake and vanilla ice cream.  We chatted and visited for the remaining time until we loaded the Mazda and headed back down I-79. It was a great relief to find them once again able and stable, taking care of what they needed to do and getting around, haultingly as it was.  Our chipping in to help with the little every day things made a big difference, so we could leave knowing that we’d head back in a month, and in the meantime they could handle what absolutely had to be done.  Every visit is a blessing; every blessing is perfect!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day in Western Pennsylvania.  Almost 80*, bright and sunny, and barely a breeze.  It was much too nice a day to stay inside!  I was home early enough (before my doctor’s appointment) that I decided to walk the Five Star Trail.  I drove down to Buncher Park by Youngwood and parked there, then headed to Midway. I grew up on Shady Lane (Midway) and thought I might walk up there through the old neighborhood.  I had just started walking, and snapped a picture of the high water in Jack’s run, when I ran into one of those neighborhood neighbors. 

Ondi and Bill moved in across from us when I was in high school, and we became fast friends.  We stood and talked for about 20 minutes, catching up on family and community news.  One of the other neighbors had passed away last month; I hadn’t heard.  Bill had had shoulder surgery and it was slowing him down.  The years just fell away, and we really enjoyed talking.  She went south as I continued north on the trail, enjoying my little walk down memory lane. I love slate banks, and this one was note-worthy!  I snapped two pictures of the trestle where we had our ‘secret’ club. 

Further down there was the old prison, now empty, that we had sat on Bill and Ondi’s hill to watch it be built. Then one of the storm drains created a little waterfall.  I walked as far as the Midway-St. Clair fire department, where I had my wedding reception – flag waving brightly.  By the time I made it back to the railroad crossing, I came upon Ondi again and we spent another 15 minutes talking about exercise, food choices, and the crazy amount of times Weight Watchers had changed their program in the last ten year! 

By then it was time for me to head home – so it was my turn to continue south and she actually went east – up Shady Lane and home.  It was a particularly pleasant afternoon, an enjoyable visit, and a refreshing walk.  Can’t wait for the REAL spring to show up – I’ll do it again! 

It was a very fun and eventful week at the B&B (haha) this past week.  On Tuesday after work my daughter Kelly and the three boys – Peyton, Logan, and Chase – drove up from West Alexander to spend a few days.  The boys are home schooled so missing class wasn’t an issue.  They brought class with them!  But Tuesday evening our friends Trent and Michelle and their 3 year old son Conner brought pizza and spent the evening with us.  We all really enjoyed the visit, and Conner helped entertain us by singing several songs by John Denver and I think Bon Jovi.  After the ‘concert’, Conner and Chase (wearing my Snoopy hat!) climbed up on the recliner and played video games on Chase’s tablet.  Peyton and Logan were building towers out of foam blocks. Great company and pizza – perfect combination! 

The next day Kelly and I took the boys shopping with us, and we spent 30 minutes debating on which area rug to choose for the renovated family room space.  Peyton’s vote won out, and it was a great choice!  After laying out the rug and grabbing lunch, we brought all the pictures, etc, from the garage and spread them all out.  The next hour was spent carrying them all around the room, finding the exact right spaces for them all.  Kelly painted a few of the ‘sad’, faded frames and the transformation was lovely.  So now, with the help of my kids and grandkids, the family room is tastefully comfortable and almost elegant! 

Nate and the girls (and Jen popped in later) came over for Tacos for dinner, and we sort of had a room-warming party!  I finished off Wednesday evening by helping Logan edit his Johnny Appleseed story, and he was excited to have a ‘real author’ (???) help him with it.  He did a great job and really needed very little direction.  Kelly and the boys left the next morning after breakfast (I had already left for work), but before the day was over, my friend Gen and her dog Rainy checked in as my next guests. 

We took 2 mile walks despite the 23* weather, cooked meals together, and finished out the evenings relaxing in the new space.  I hated to see her leave on Saturday, but she had a 5 hour drive ahead of her and needed to get back to New York.  Rainy is such a great dog, and I missed her being curled up on my rug after they left. 

I think she was afraid that her mom was leaving without her, because she looked a little worried as she watched Gen pack the car.  If I had guests like Kelly’s family, Gen and Rainy all the time, running a B&B would be a delightful treat!  I’m already looking forward to the next visit – come any time!  I’ll leave the light on for you!

Today a little over a dozen of us gathered at Craftique in Greensburg to attend Ed Kelemen’s book signing.  His new book – Haunted Railroads – was very well received, and seemed to stir up a common passion in those who attended.  Ed had a lot of information about Pennsylvania railroads, stations, workers, ghosts – and an incredible amount of research to share.  I was excited to hear a little more about a few of the places I had been, like Horseshoe Curve and the Altoona Railroad Museum.  We munched on cookies while we listened, hearing about death, disease, and mysteries.  It was plain to see how immersed Ed is in his writing and research.  I bought the book – of cousre! – and am excited to start reading.  I’ve read his other books, and know it will be informative and entertaining.  Try them; you’ll love them! 

I was blessed again this year to attend the Action for Animals annual Fundraiser, “Love is in the Air”.  This year the event was held at the Bishop Connare Center in Greensburg, and was a very inviting and comfortable setting.  The room was bright, offered lots of space with ample seating, and extra room for the buffet tables.  So nice!  My friend Renee and I represented Smail Auto Group at the event.  I had never been to the Center and was amazed at the size of the campus.  I had no idea which building to go to but managed to follow a group of ladies through the rain to the door with the puppy-shaped balloons tied to the entrance door.

Along one corner of the room were tables laden with raffle baskets, filled with gifts ranging from doggie treats to weekend get-aways to wine baskets and jewelry gift cards.  Renee and I went up and down the tables several times, dividing our tickets among our favorite choices.  There were pictures of senior dogs and cats with their stories printed out and framed.  One table held golden-wrapped chocolate bars with vintage 1950’s valentine cards – ironically, just like the several I had tucked away in one of my keepsake boxes from my own childhood.  I purchased one of those and entered my name in the raffle box. 

After eating more than our fill of delicious food, we topped it off with cute pink-iced sugar cookies shaped like dogs and dog bones.  My favorite, though, were the chocolate covered strawberries.  Yum!  The guest speaker for the evening – honoring senior cats and dogs, several of which were in attendance – was the shelter manager LuAnn Hutcheson. As she pointed out, how could someone not love those little (and big!) guys?  She shared stories of their rescues and eventual placement in furever homes.  It costs an incredible amount daily to keep the shelter open, and the evening’s fundraising efforts went a long way toward that goal.  There were fostership options, where you could agree to adopt a pet for 6 months (or more) and get email pictures and updates on your animal’s progress.  Several of the ‘guests of honor’ were adopted out before the evening was over. 

After the speaker, the basket raffle winners were pulled, and Renee won a puppy treat basket.  To my own surprise, my name was pulled for the winner of the golden chocolate bar drawing.  PLUS I had the candy bar to eat on top of the prize.  The event was very well done, lots of fun, informative and entertaining.  If you have it in your heart to help these little guys that can’t help themselves, you won’t regret it.  Check them out at www.afashelter.org.  Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s been a while since I had both girls together overnight, so we did that last weekend.  Gave the girls something different to do and give Nate/Jen some much needed time out.  The first thing we did was get them phone cases.  Chrissy picked a heavy duty one that would absorb the shock of bounces and falls (of COURSE they don’t drop their phones!!)  Autmn picked a glitzy, glittery one.  Also installed screen protectors. 

We came back to my place, made food, then made iced cinnamon rolls (made with pie dough.  Our favorite!).  The girls created their own frosting colors.  Autmn choose a rich burgundy, almost brown.  Chrissy had a dark colonial blue.  Didn’t really matter what color the icing was –  still yummy!  Since my basement is still a work in progress, they hung out in the spare room on the bed and did ‘phone’ stuff – (here are my two little mice!)  then turned on the little TV to the music station. 

After church on Sunday, we stopped to pick up Valentine treats for the aunts and my parents, which went in the mail yesterday.  Just a little bit of sweetness for the sweet people in our lives!  We stopped at Taco Bell for lunch (their proclaimed favorite!), then came home to make brownies for the Big Game.  I kept 6 for myself (I’ve only had 2 !) and sent the rest home with the girls.  We hung out until Autmn had to leave to go to youth group with her friend Hannah.  It was nice to have a granddaughter-day for a change.  Feels like forever! 

But on Tuesday night, I took Autmn back to the phone case place (forget the name!) at the mall, and she exchanged her glitzy case for a sturdier one like Chrissy had.  It was just different enough so she didn’t feel like she copied her little sister, but it should be much safer should the phone decided to play slip and slide. 

Now today I am sitting in the basement while the flooring guy installs the new vinyl floors, and am really excited!  And I ALSO did something I have never done.  AT THE LAST MINUTE, I switched my carpet choice!  It will delay the stairs project for a week (probably) but once the painting was done, I could see the benefits of the variegated style rather than the really dark gray.  Home Depot was really nice about it, and I know I’ll be happy with the new choice.  My goal is that by the end of February this project will be entirely finished and I can get back to finding the things I need (like a copy of my 2016 tax return, my extra 3×5 cards, my thank you notes, my satchel for our writer’s group….).  The end – I sincerely hope – is in sight!  And now….dah da da dah!!!! … it’s SNOWING!   🙂  Have a safe week…..

This past week I was invited to speak at McKenna Center in Greensburg.  My friend Mary is the director at the center, and requested a presentation on LETTERS TO MARY.  I always love taking about the book and the entire project, so it was a labor of love for me. 

There were several tables of guests who stayed after lunch to hear the story about how the book came into being.  Ron (surprisingly) had the afternoon free and came with his Aunt Darlene and Uncle Bud.  It amazes me that people who have never heard me give a presentation are so surprised that I can actually pull it off, and be interesting!  Uncle Bud, I believe, was impressed!  I was glad to see them there and have their support. 

I like visual aids, and I had brought Mary’s wedding dress and Lydia’s church dress, several books of photos and letters, a family Bible, an ‘obituary’ book that Lydia had created from news clippings, and of course M&M’s! (smile!)  I wore Mary’s locket with the M on the back, which was a gift from my mom when the book was published.  I was very pleased at the interest the group expressed, not only in the project but in my personal story as a writer. 

I explained the Seton Hill Master’s program, our local writer’s groups, and my early interest (elementary school) in creating stories and poetry,  and especially the encouragement of my 7th grade math teacher.  THAT seemed strange!  You’d think it would be the English teach who showed the interest. There were several questions at the end, and many of the guests had their own stories to share with me about their own family letters. It’s sort of like giving people hope, that their family stories are important and could be preserved or shared.  One older gentleman purchased a book for his friend who loved the Civil War – but whispered that he was going to read it first! 

I was on the way home the next day when I got a phone call from a friend of Mary’s, the directory of the Jeannette center, who asked me to do the presentation there in February.  So if you want to hear the story behind Letters to Mary, mark February 27th on your calendar, 12:30pm.  I’d love to see you there!  It’s at the Holy Trinity Luthern Church on Gaskill Avenue in Jeannette.  Thanks, Mary, for giving me the opportunity to be part of your group, and for sharing my information with Rose from the Jeannette center.  It was a fun afternoon!!