my writer's retreat Summer 2015

My apartment is to the left.

View of Round Pond where I will set up my desk.

Gravestone, Harriet Rice protagonist

I've rented a studio apartment in Union, Maine where I will be from May - October. I will be immersed in the area, and living on the very farmland where the Rice family settled and where I can research and write my historical novel. Harriet Rice is the main character in  Ardent Spirits. The sequel will likely be called Vault Lights, following the life and marriage of her youngest sister, Ann. Themes include farming, lumbering, abolition, temperance, inventions, plague.

Embracing the Art of Downsizing

Be sure check-out Cape Women On-Line Magazine, Fall 2014 and read my article on downsizing! In the past year I made many changes - keeping a smaller footprint in my community (Wellfleet) and at the same time getting out from under mortgage payments. This lifestyle isn't for everyone, but since I sold my house I have traveled to New York, Colorado twice, Missouri and St. Paul, I'm heading to Italy in two weeks and will be in Ireland next April. That's Life! By the way, this is an original oil painting done by me - transformation is part of life well lived.

Ultra Short Memoir

Just heard from Coco Harris, Publisher at Telling Our Stories Press that my ultra short memoir (under 100 words) "Abattoir" is included in the anthology called Reflections coming November, 2014.

Valentine and Blanchette, my pet lambs under the elms at Atwood Farm circa: 1950.

Ardent Spirits

New Project: Historical Fiction which centers on Union, Maine and the Rice family. Pictured here: my grandmother, aunt and mother circa 1907.

Novel Finished!

Completed final draft of The Disengagement of Ms. Annecy Abbott. Beta Readers giving positive feedback. Hats off to my editor Katie O'Sullivan.

B-12

Downsizing, a True Story. Started working on an article for Cape Women On-line Magazine for the Fall issue. I have made drastic lifestyle changes this past year. There have been gains, and losses ,too. I put my house on the market and closed my gallery. Sold with only four showings. I got out from under monthly obligation - no more mortgage payments or second mortgage payments, no charge card debt. What a thrill to pay-off Bank of America! Free and clear, with Time to paint, write and Money to travel.What I did was buy (for cash) a mobile unit at Massasoit Hills on West Road, Wellfleet. I completely remodeled, inside and out, built an 8x10 shed. It's still evolving from a sow's ear into, well if not a silk purse, perhaps a least a carry on bag, my base camp. And, it backs up on Audubon Sanctuary woods.

The original sow's ear.

Studio in the making, Fall 2013