SOLAR GADGETS

First, let me start by expressing my dismay at the endless number of things that require batteries. From clocks, fire alarms and remotes to Nintendos, MP3 players and toys -- they're in everything. The need for electricity to run anything, even a light switch, was making me a little queasy. So I came up with a solution to lessen the damage we do to the planet.

A newly installed 55 w solar panel was my answer. It fills a battery in our laundry room and that battery recharges all of our gadgets. Unbelievably, it was a brainless installation - ready to go once the panel was mounted.

Now it may seem just a tad foolish to try and power up a house with sunshine when it's overcast or raining most days of the year in our locale, but we're giving it a test drive.

So far so good. The solar panel is churning out the free power even on a cloudy day. The rechargeable batteries have all been powered up and I'm feeling a little bit better about my legacy to the world.

It's all working so well it might just be time to invest in a second battery and see what else we can run off the sun.

Today batteries, tomorrow, straight into the grid!

Stories for Children Magazine

I'm in again!

At Stories for Children Magazine you can read my non-fiction piece called Man-Made Stone.

Don't you just want to go and check out some old Roman ruins now?

Critique Groups

I think I may have already mentioned my FABULOUS critique group, Crumpled Paper, but they are certainly worth another blog of praise.

Currently, I'm working on my synopsis for Red Lukas and, like everyone seems to say, it's not as easy as it seems. So, like anything I else I write, I posted it for evaluation by Crumpled Paper.

The crits are starting to roll in and I'm humbled. What a group of talented, devoted writers! I have renewed respect and admiration for them. They've ferreted out weak plot points, slashed the word count and exposed the true synopsis underneath.

And they made it look so easy!

Thanks guys!

Today's the Day

Cynthea' book is coming out today!

The Great Call of China, by Cynthea Liu is out and it calls for a cyber party!

Cynthea helps out all of us struggling writers with her great website and offers tons of freetiques to boot. Everyone raise a glass to Cynthea today and don't forget to pick up a copy of her new book here

Nemo on Ice

Love makes us do unimaginable things. Tomorrow night I will be taking two of my sons to Nemo on Ice. I have not been to an ice show since I was about, uh....let's see, 7. The only exciting thing I remember was the teacher losing one of the kids on the subway.

But for my boys, I will suffer through anything, even skating fish. That's love.

Hope they still want me to go when their taste turns to rock music.