excerpt from my first novel, The Authoress... circa 2004.

Writing a novel is a great way to improve your language skills!!

Here's an excerpt from my first complete novel, written about 6-7 years ago. Enjoy!

It all started the day they had the assembly at her school with The Author. Helooked normal. He had brown hair, bespectacled eyes, and a beard and moustache. Hewore a suit, smiled, and held a book in his hand. As he looked over the vast group of assembled children, poking at each other, laughing, and looking at him curiously, he smiled in a very relaxed way. He and the principal were having a little conversation and seemed to be good friends...

Then he began to speak. And when he spoke, everyone became quiet. He had a soft voice, but he talked of the most wonderful things. He talked about creating worlds. He talked about creating people. He talked about writing stories.

He said that in your stories, you could decide everything. You could decide whoyou wanted in your story, how tall they were, and what they liked to eat for dinner. You could decide how they dressed, whether they had any pets, and what kind of toothpaste they used. But most importantly, you could decide what happened to them, and how their best dreams came

Preschool Fluency Info

Here is some great info for parents of preschool children who are wondering if their child is stuttering and what to do about it... Check it:

www.stutteringhelp.org, then click on 'Parents of Preschoolers.'

I ABSOLUTELY love this website. You can also find speech language pathologists who specialize in fluency at www.asha.org, the website of the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Thanks to all the great fluency practitioners out there!!!!

Oscar's first day in my apartment

Oscar the fledgling had a fun-filled day. He jumped out of his box 3 times. Luckily Manolo the cat didn't notice. He chirped a few times. He seems to like it when I sing. He likes recorded music also, especially my musical theater mix. I gave him some birdseed. I think he might be ready to fly soon. I wonder how I will know when he's ready to face the world?

I adopted a bird

On my summer solstice walk tonight, I rescued a baby bird that would probably otherwise have been food for a wandering cat or dog. He is a cutie. I think I'll name him Oscar.

So far he is enjoying living in a white box that is meant for storing school papers. He has a birdbath (plastic plate filled with water) and some bread crumbs. I think he's settling in.

So far Manolo the cat hasn't really noticed him. I think that's a good thing.

More to come soon!

Fort Tryon Fireworks

Tonight there were fireworks in Washington Heights and Inwood. I heard them as I left the church and crossed the street with my friend Jessie-- suddenly the evening was alive with the tumult of celebratory explosives. My friends from the class I'd just attended walked decidedly back toward the cacophony of sound. Wanting to join them, I quickened my pace... then remembered that I've been sick and need my rest. Somewhat reluctantly I parted ways and walked toward the peaceful slope leading to my home. Shining faces were all turned to watch the fireworks above the trees in the distance. For a few, brief, happy moments, strangers chatted about the festivities in Fort Tryon Park and enjoyed the beauty together.

Almost Maine

Has anyone ever read or seen this play? I saw a guy reading it on the subway and thought the title was catchy. Read a synopsis, and it looks totally cute!

Miracle Worker

I saw 'The Miracle Worker' on Broadway yesterday, and Yes! It was incredible. Yes! Go see it if you can, or at least see the film version or your local theatrical production. Or read the play by William Gibson. There was so much richness there... class struggles, family struggles, giving service, searching for meaning, dealing with loss, losing pride, finding love. I absolutely loved this show and highly recommend it for children and adults of almost any age. May God bless the creative people who brought it into existence.