Mornings poem

the dark morning sky -

pushing its gems

in a fight to win over

the aura of city light

- shimmers

© Beachwalkermari 2008- 2015

Lowcountry ... photo by @charlestonmag

Beautiful! Makes me dream of hazy warmth

Book Review ... New Orleans Mourning (Skip Langdon #1) by Julie Smith

New Orleans Mourning (Skip Langdon #1)

by Julie Smith 

“When the smiling King of Carnival is killed at Mardi Gras, policewoman Skip Langdon is on the case. She knows the upper-crust family of the victim and that it hides more than its share of glittering skeletons. But nothing could prepare her for the tangled web of clues and ancient secrets that would mean danger for her--and doom for the St. Amants...."

The basic story is a fairly good one however following the POV was at times tiresome. I had chose to read this book thinking I might be interested in the series because it is set in New Orleans however descent the basic story, I was completely turned off by the abrupt ending. I felt that so much more could have been done with this story. Characters could have been developed more and certainly a more satisfying ending could have been constructed. Fairly early in the reading I considered putting it down but I continued on hoping for … something!

What's for Dinner ... one skillet white bean and sausage stew

This looks fabulous and I love white beans. This recipe is from a new blog I found called Eat.Drink.Smile ... make sure you rinse the beans well.

One skillet white bean and sausage stew

Yields 6 servings. Adapted from Bon Appetit.

2 Tbsp olive oil

13 oz turkey smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick medallions

1 large onion, sliced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 sprigs of fresh thyme

2 15-oz cans of Great Northern beans, rinsed

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

Smoked paprika

5 oz baby spinach (about 10 cups)

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage medallions and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 15 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet. Add onion, garlic, and thyme sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 5-8 minutes. Add beans and broth and cook, crushing a few beans with the back of a spoon to thicken sauce, until slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Add spinach by handfuls and cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Fold sausage into stew. Divide stew among bowls and serve.

Monday Mull

Sometimes a weekend just flows as did this one past. My boy and I ran errands on Saturday morning, and then I cooked up a mess of ribs that came out so incredibly tender and juicy and smelled like heaven. I know they tasted good because I was told so; I haven’t even tried them myself because I spent the rest of the evening out. On Sunday, the plan was to hang out at home but that was quickly put aside by a text asking if I wanted to go to an antique flea-market and well of course I wanted to do that because what the heck is a antique flea-market!

The drive was a real pleasure along the river to our destination two counties away. At first sight I thought we had made a bad decision as we pulled into a very large parking lot that held two strip malls in a row. The first strip mall was completely boarded up and in disarray. The second held a very large building reminiscent of 1970 strip mall architecture and it was our destination. We parked and headed toward the building in the cold, noting the economic decline all around. Through the doors were rows and rows of vendors, vibrant, engaging and selling anything and everything from plumbing parts to girls leggings to antique furniture and collectibles. Music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s played over the loud speakers and couples and families browsed the ten or so aisles that covered what seemed to be the area of a football field. We walked every aisle stopping to marvel at toys that we had as children that were now considered highly valuable. We saw pieces of furniture and décor that were reminders of our youth, things about which we had to reminisce and the music played making it a virtual walk down memory lane. It wasn’t at all what I expected.

After a few of us made purchases, we headed out a bit weak in the knees from walking the football field. Heading toward town, one of us had talked about a restaurant he had seen on a previous visit this way that looked to be good and that’s where we went. An American Grill, Whistling Willies was excellent. I started off with a bourbon drink and later ordered French Onion Soup that was perfectly made and a portabella and roasted pepper with warm feta cheese and spinach quesadilla, unique and delicious. My boy ordered the surf and turf burger which was a large homemade burger cooked to perfection with a very large lump of fresh lobster on a pretzel bun with a side of sweet potato fries. I don’t even remember what the others ordered, I was so delighted with what my boy and I had to eat.

It turned out to be a delightful day even though the cold was somewhat biting.

Now it’s Monday morning and I’ve been drinking coffee and watching the morning news. The schools were on a delay this morning so my boy got to sleep in longer than normal. He was hoping they would decide to close but that didn’t happen and I’m still wondering why there was a delay since there isn’t any snow outside and the road in front of this home is not icy as the weather man is reporting. I have an appointment during the lunch hour today so whatever the problem may be on the road; I’m hoping it disappears in time for my trek.

On a whim, I decided to take the day off from work. I sent in an email earlier (I work from a home office) letting “them” know I am “not feeling well” today and I’m not well at all. I don’t generally feel well when I have to work at a job that I no longer have an interest in doing. Not because I don’t like what I do but because of how the “powers that be” act and treat people. So, I’m “not feeling well.”  If companies would only pay attention and realize that if they don’t treat their employees well, they will not get the productivity they are looking for every day and every day counts. Every day that the employee is put off from the conversation they want to have, every day that the employee is told to prove again and then they’ll talk about why they aren’t paying you your worth, and every day that the employee’s resources are whittled down is a day that portends a lack of productivity. So, “I’m not feeling well.”

Today I’ll make some phone calls to people I need to reach out to and work on my writing. I’ll make hot tea and try to keep warm. I’ll go to my appointment, and then enjoy a nice lunch. I’ll wonder why I am where I am in this cold place and remember it’s only temporary. I’ll think about ways to work at something I love and I’ll stop procrastinating.  Oh but the cold, yeah the cold, I just don’t like it.

Photo from www.explore-hudson-valley.com

Sweetness in a fur coat ... my Cody dog

Woke with the angels this morning several hours before the sun and spent that time in quiet meditation and then I worked on my writing. I love the morning, I love being awake in the quiet, I even love to take my Cody dog for a quiet walk in the dark of the morning.

My tough little rescue dog has turned into a big mush of a dog following me around wherever I go. Sometimes I feel bad that he’s up and down with every move I make. It was the best decision I could have made to rescue this lil’ fella and it seems he’s pretty thankful too. He’s a tail wagging dancing dynamo with what appears to be a sweet smile when he sees my boy and my boy can’t resist this lil’ fur baby’s cuteness. 

Happiness comes with four paws!

Friday Cocktails ... Cranberry Whiskey Cocktail

I'm always up for a good cocktail at the end of the work-a-week. I came across this recipe recently and I have to say it's pretty good. The recipe originally called for Crown Royal Whiskey but I think any smooth tasting whiskey that you like will do well. I like Pendleton Whiskey generally but I recently tasted Bulliet Whiskey and thought it was very good.

Relax this weekend with this cocktail and enjoy!

Cranberry Whiskey Cocktail 

1 oz. whiskey
1 oz. ginger ale
1 oz. cranberry juice
Fresh Cranberries for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add whiskey, ginger ale and cranberry juice then give it a good stir. Add fresh ice to a cocktail glass or a whiskey ball if you have one, and strain the mix into the glass. Add a few fresh cranberries for garnish. 

Photo from http://www.kleinworthco.com/

National Readathon Day Jan 24, 2015

Pledge to join the Readathon

Register on FirstGiving as an individual or join a team / start a team

Fundraise and earn rewards

Promote #TimeToRead on social media

Did you know "53% of 9-year-olds read for pleasure daily, and by 

the time they turn 17, that number drops to 19%?" 

Help promote 

reading at all ages.

Make #timetoread

Elise Testone ~ Certainly/Apple Tree (By Erykah Badu)

Great voice and she can do Zeppelin amazingly. Lots of talent right here!

Elise Testone to leave Charleston for New York after 10 years in music scene

What's for dinner ... Carolina Crab Cakes

I found this recipe on Dorothea Frank's website and thought I'd try it. It's pretty simple and and quick. Served with a nice salad and a white wine, it's a light meal reminiscent of summer days. Days I am longing for as I suffer this awful cold.

Carolina Crab Cakes

• 1 pound fresh crabmeat, picked through
• 2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup corn flakes, crushed
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 small red pepper, finely chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup minced fresh dill
• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat small amount of oil in large skillet. Add celery, red pepper and onion to pan. Cook until soft, not brown. Remove from pan and let cool.

Add crabmeat, dill, mustard and corn flakes to the vegetables.

In separate bowl, beat eggs and then add to crabmeat mixture. Mixture should be moist. If needed, add another egg. Shape the mixture into balls and then flatten.

Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium heat. Cook crab cakes until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and place on baking sheet. 

Place in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Serves 4.

Monday Mull

It’s the first Monday after the long winter holiday, the first full day of the full moon and I’ve just finished working at my day job. That’s the one that pays the bills and provides the highest degree of stress. No charm there! I wasn’t particularly excited to get the holiday over with and would have loved to have a few more beautiful days of rest and relaxation.

My Cody dog, Head Security Wrangler and Snack Boss was also a bit hesitant to make the final decent to the lower level where my studio resides. He was rather cozy where he was and I had to call him twice. He eventually made his way to his favorite chair and made himself comfortable in his doggy-dog way.

Even though it was a productive day with the two leads I secured for the team, I would have been much happier spending time working on my writing or anything other than what I was committed to for my day job.

The weather was bitter cold today and when I brought Cody outside at lunch time, he sniffed the air, looked around, quickly took care of business and headed back as quick as his paws would take him to the warmth of his chair. Then I enjoyed a little daydream of being at the beach soaking up the sun and fun.

Sullivan's Island, SC

It was a pretty simple Monday, I did feel good about the leads, I’m looking forward to a nice dinner with my boy, then on to finishing up the book I'm reading ... and I'm feeling good keeping my eye to the future. 

Believe! 

Move ahead and be ...

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave 

behind.”

― C.S. Lewis

The courage to BELIEVE

I spent some time this morning posting some of my writing to twitter just to see if it attracts interest. Several pieces have already received 'hits' which gives me a comfortable warm feeling. Every now and then I BELIEVE in my writing and I push myself to sit at the page and write. You could probably find several posts to that effect in this blog alone, many more handwritten in the journals that fill my drawers maybe even using the word believe. It’s not always easy for me to write. I get stumped, I change my mind, I get new ideas, I procrastinate, I draw stick figures, I wander through blogs, waste time scrolling facebook, make coffee and marvel at those authors who can crank out book after book while I can’t even get past a decent short story. I know they are formula writing but I can’t seem to get myself to write using a formula. I need to see the story in my head, in color, animated in a series of pictures like a movie reel, moving and breathing in my frontal lobe and that’s how I can get the story to paper, one picture, one word, one sentence at a time and that takes me a while.

So my chosen word for 2015 is BELIEVE, not in one particular thing like 'I believe I can write a book' but a belief that I am surrounded and protected and I can manifest all that is good, positive, successful and life sustaining and if a book is birthed then voilà!

More than that, I don't want to 'do' belief, I want to 'be' belief. The word BELIEVE holds so much space for things like confidence and courage, and goodness ... and grace. There is a kind of magic that allows beliefs to ride the waves of the universe, permeate the air and infect all around us. Being happy, positive, and loving begets a grace that uplifts those around us. Of course, the opposite is true as well. These things I’ve known for a long time.  This year I will have glorious, amazing, courageous belief.

What is your word for 2015?

The Story Is the Thing by Amy Hale Auker ... available for purchase online at Bookworks

The Story Is the Thing

ISBN-13: 9781942428039

Availability: In Stock at Warehouse – Usually Ships in 1-5 Days 

Published: Pen-L Publishing, 12/2014 

2*0*1*5 Here we go ............

“You have everything needed for the 

extravagant journey that is your life.” 

― Carlos Castaneda

Have a very Happy New Year and thank you 

all for visiting with me here at Whiskey Tales!

I’ve always liked this photo of my son when he was just a boy and we lived by the ocean where days were spent hunting treasure, soaking up the sun and breathing in the salty air. Searching the tide pools on Sullivan's Island always yielded great treasures.

Bad Country: A Novel by CB McKenzie

Bad Country: A Novel by CB McKenzie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, it isn't a favorite and it took me some time to get through this short book of twists and turns, and somewhat odd characters for whom I felt no real concern. I guess I expected more from a book recently awarded The Hillerman Prize.

View all my reviews

Happy holidays to all ...

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family, near and far. 

Remember ya' got to believe to receive. 

Have a wonderful day!

Gracie Video MLM

A beautiful voice, sweetly lyrical .... the message heartfelt and the tears just streamed down my face. 

Well done!

This review of The Story Is the Thing by Amy Hale Auker

Chances taken, love lost, lessons learned, life moves on. The Story Is the Thing is the third book written by Amy Hale Auker and with each book her writing gets better, her words more lyrical, her story more heart-felt, more poignant. This book is written like a love letter.

It seems I’ve know a man like Uncle Bill before and I’ll bet you did too and that is what is wonderful about this book that we can find people we know in each of the characters. Julia is the spirited outsider trying to find her place and Charlie is the cowboy-girl who lives a life harder than most but only wants simple love like everyone else. Cody Jack is the type we’ve all heard about or known, the type we have no use for in this life. It’s Uncle Bill who weaves the story together for us so we can understand a time and a place and a thing that happened, a thing that changed everything.

… And all around Uncle Bill’s story is the story of a lifestyle, a story of the land, a story of hardships accepted, of joy and of love held and lost.

The author took a chance in the way she set her chapters and allowed her characters to reach out from the page but it was perfectly balanced with a beautifully smooth clarity to the reading.

It’s not hard for me to recommend The Story is the Thing to you. I hope you pick it up and enjoy it as much as I did. Amy is fast becoming one of my favorite independent authors. She recently wrote for this blog about the process around writing and publishing. Here is an excerpt:

This Bonus of a Day by Amy Hale Auker

Today I got a wonderful surprise from my publisher. I can’t tell you what it is, but I can promise you that it truly is something wonderful.

The cold wind is blowing in the Santa Maria Mountains of Arizona. Our fall cow move is almost over. And the publication date of my new book, The Story Is the Thing, is made of jello. We are aiming for December 1, 2014. Writing is one thing. Writing is my first love. Publishing is another. You can read the full article here. 

The Story Is the Thing is published by Pen-L Publishing and is available now from the publisher and direct from the author’s website.  The fabulous book cover artistry is by Steve Atkinson. Be sure to read about the story behind the cover art in Amy's blog post Collaboration and Celebration

All of Amy's books can be purchased directly from her website where all books are signed by her and at all the usual places including B&N and Amazon but if you choose to purchase at a store, I would suggest you support a local independent bookstore such as Amy's bookstore pick, Peregrine Book Co in Prescott, AZ,  my personal favorite Bookwork’s in Albuquerque  or one in your neighborhood.  

You can also purchase directly from Pen-L Publishing.

Manifestations

photo from www.teachpreschoolscience.com

She played alone with the scratchy wool blanket she dragged from the bed and into the sitting room, where the sun shone brightly through the large window, making everything in the room glow with just a tinge of gold. She was alone and didn't have anyone to play with. Her mother rested on the bed in the room down the hall, a victim of depression. There was no thought about what a little girl might be awake and alone in an otherwise empty house.

She had her imagination, an imagination beyond her simple years. Invented friends and fanciful thoughts became her reality and ... 

She danced with God, she was sure.    

       

He looked like all the pictures on the walls in the church her father brought her to every week. He wore a long robe, and his feet were bare. His hair was as white as snow. An old man, his smile not unlike her father's, and she brought him to life, and they danced. 

He spun her like a ballerina, graceful and light; he held her, made her safe, and let her rest in his arms. She believed she danced with God and could still feel his touch, yet even at her tender age, she knew not to share this with anyone. This was her delight to keep.

She didn't want it to end, but as a light pain traveled through her head, she felt sleep come. She rested on the blanket, watching God as he watched her until her eyes fluttered shut. When she woke, he was gone, but the memory stayed, and she felt special.

And through the years, she knew he was always there, watching. She could mark when she knew he was shining light on her, and her vivid memories of that morning stayed strong.

Now an old woman, she relives the dance in the quiet of her mind, alone again. She watched the sun fill the space; she always loved the gracefulness of a sunlit room. There is a tinge of gold, and she knows her dance with God is real, she is sure. 

And then they danced.

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