GOT GEORGIA ON MY MIND...

How is it that an author can be writing one book while having another story whispering in her ear?  Oh, this next one wants to be written, just like Tanglewood Plantation bugged me until I sat down at the computer and began the story. Some stories cling like leeches and don't let go until they're fat and happy.

Tanglewood III; oh yes, there is a III and final episode in the misadventures of Summer Woodfield is on its way, having passed the Fort Jefferson-research-hump at this point. It's truly amazing that once a particular mind-boggling mountain of research is out of the way, the path lay ahead and we fly like on a Slip & Slide--for a while, anyway-- until we reach the next mountain of research. Summer is now back on track and the rest of her adventure (and mine) lies ahead.

So what's with Georgia? Hmm, can't really give the details, but Georgia is definitely on my mind and I have scheduled a research trip there for early October. Camera, check. Voice recorder, check. Spirit of adventure, check.

Stay tuned, friends!

ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO BACK

Oh my, what happened to July? Time truly is passing at the speed of light and yet I feel as if I'm still at square #1. RESEARCH, folks. The bane of the writer; all time consuming, mind boggling, and sometimes quite confusing.

First off, I started the post-New Orleans trip with some rather extensive surgery which recovery has slowed me down some. Oh, but these motors don't stay down for long and I'm chugging along; not at full speed yet, but I'm working on it. I may be a snail at the moment, but I'll catch up to the hare.

Ever heard of Fort Jefferson, a fort built on a spit of an island in the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico? You can take a tour there (by boat) from Key West, and perhaps some of you have been there. It is, in fact, where Dr. Mudd was incarcerated after being convicted as a conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln. Let's just say Fort Jefferson has me in check-mate at the moment.  The National Park group down in Key West has been so very helpful in my research. They've bent over backward to help me get a grip of  the construction and life at the fort. Very helpful folks. And just what does this have to do with the price of rice at Tanglewood Plantation?  Just everything, at the moment! Oh, but this is all secret stuff, so I can't give away too much information.

*By the way folks, good and interesting show to watch on Discover channel:  http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/naked-and-afraid

Keep tuned.....