31 October 2012

Halloween postponed...again

As the second year in a row where Halloween is cancelled begins to resonate, we spend today visiting with neighbors and friends who lost power (as did we) and wonder why Mother Nature doesn't like the pumpkin wielding holiday anymore. Feels strange to think of this season I love as having a new, not so positive connotation. But maybe next year will bring a heat wave--who knows.

Here's some of the neighborhood wreckage by us. Hope you all are safe and sound.


 
Montclair, West Orange and Verona are full of downed trees and power lines. I watched a fire in the street next to my development with my neighbors till PSE&G cut power and luckily the fire didn't spread. Scary stuff. We will all be without power for at least the rest of this week. They are saying Monday. What's been my saving grace?
 
Fro-Yo! I am enjoying wireless at Twist which is a delicious treat and not as packed or remotely nearly as obnoxious as the Starbucks is right now.
 
I hope you all find your fro yo, and remember to check if your yoga studio is open so you can get some YOU TIME. I know mine is and plan to decompress as soon as I can get there
 
Sending health warmth and safety to you all and going indoors to enjoy some offline reading. Enjoy your time at home whenever you can.
 
Namaste
Keri
 

25 October 2012

Getting Ready for the Big 3-1

October 31st that is!

As my favorite holiday approaches with all its creepy crawly goodness, I have a couple of things for you. First I will indeed say that It's Getting Creepy Out There! So check out my latest Paper Weights on Indie Reader (Linked to the title above) and see what you think will be lurking over your shoulder this Halloween.

Next, what are you reading this Halloween? Looking for something scary? Check out these  Spooktacular Seasonal Selections!

Have fun carving your pumpkins and don't forget to leave the night light on if you think you might need it!


18 October 2012

Slowing Down

My body told me to pause today. With pounding head and stuffy sinuses, I begrudgingly rolled out of bed with a pile of work ahead. Thinking about pulling the covers back up over puffy lids I stretched myself to meet the day and greeted sunshine in spite of remaining sandman's dust. After a morning of grading and teacherly duties, the outdoors called to me so I paid a visit to the park with a book about breathing and French vanilla coffee. Such a wonderful afternoon could only be topped with a cup of savory three squash soup from Whole Foods, walk with my pups and yoga tonight. Autumn is amazing again. Rudy agrees while Hickory snoozes.

17 October 2012

Nature and I

So I'm working, taking a break, sitting in a garden on this gorgeous Fall day. Focusing on the serene surroundings all I feel is grateful. Stress is dripping away, sunshine peeps through leaves overhead and this is what I see.

16 October 2012

Nantucket Nectar Wisdom

Huh... I think I like these better than Snapple facts... But the cooler part of today had to be seeing a grilled cheese slingin MILK TRUCK at Bryant Park. Pretty cool.

Even cooler? Giraffes.

11 October 2012

Only in Manhattan

I went to the city to live deliberately and to taste the flavors of the obscure. There may not have been marrow to suck from life while I was there, but there's always something to see...

Yep that guy is dancing for donations to get metrocards for job interviews, and who knew dumplings came in a truck? Ice skating season is almost here again and pink umbrellas flank Herald Square for Breast Cancer Awareness. Have you squeezed your boobies this month? Hope so!

10 October 2012

Bountiful Weekend

This past weekend was quite festive for us. On Saturday we went to an urban farm in Philly, where Subaru was holding their Fall Festival. We participated in a chili tasting contest (wouldn't you know the ugliest one tasted best! Hope it wins!) petted a goat, said happy 1st birthday to Milkshake the pig and then headed to Pat's where we grabbed some cheesesteaks before heading home. On Sunday we decided to bring Hickory on his 1st pumpkin picking excursion at Stony Hill farms in NJ. Cider, pies, cider donuts that almost made it home and a variety of gourds to gawk at completed the trip. Here are some pics to share the pumpkin love!

08 October 2012

Tis the Season for a Good Book!

Since Fall is my favorite season and it's time for pumpkin carving and slasher films, I've decided that this will be paramount reading season as well. Yes, I have made the decision for all of us. You are very welcome.

Here are some reading suggestions to get you going: Liked No Easy Day? Read these next..


Peep Peep Peep
 
 
While you're reading that I'll talk about the latest interview I did with Best Selling Author Abbi Glines for Indie Reader. You can check that out HERE and see how fabulous she is: indie AND trad pubb'd Go Abbi! The refreshing part of this is each time I get the pleasure of interviewing, I see how supportive the indie community is. It makes me want to write a book... oh wait...
 
 


Peep Peep Peep
 
After you check out the interview, glide on over to this week's Paper Weights and see what inspires me about Fall. I think you may guess if you know me, but I admit I have the same Autumn indulgences as many of you. And we will enjoy them thoroughly this season. Yum.
 
 
Peep y'all later!
 
Leaves and Pumpkin Lattes,
Keri


03 October 2012

30 Weeks of Grey Pave the Way for Indies


All across the pages of our favorite Sunday friend; aka NYT Book Review, shocking shifts are shaking up the scene. Debuting at #1 for E-Book Fiction last Sunday, James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge’s heart pounding page turner, Zoo did the inevitable.  Fifty Shades has been dethroned. That’s right, after 30, 28 and 28 weeks on the top of the E-book list the three BDSM titles that began as indie fan fiction and launched a renewed worldwide craving for erotica are lapped by a tale of well… tails. Human Animal Conflict (HAC) is what Patterson and Ledwidge bring to our attention in Zoo and now, there is a different kind of motion in the ocean—bloodthirsty four footed fiends are afoot.

 

So the books that have stolen the media’s focus for months are scooted down a couple of (bedpost) notches this week... "Oh My."
 Nudged by Zoo last week and separated by Gillian Flynn’s rollicking thriller Gone Girl, the trilogy everyone’s been talking about (whether gushing about it or critiquing rather harshly) now is topped by A Wanted Man, Delusion in Death and Gone Girl, but holds steady at 4, 5 and 6 this week. Whatever will the king do now? Keep selling I’m sure!
 

Not only has the Fifty Shades craze served as a reminder that sex indeed sells—rather maniacally at times, but it has opened doors for indie erotica, fan fiction, indie books in general and continues to hold steady on those lists where indies count in the trad pubbed world. So, bravo to these three titles who paved the way for indies to flourish further, and bravo to indie readers  everywhere for making it happen!
So what will you be reading after taking a trip to the Zoo and maybe harboring A Wanted Man? I know my shelves are stacked, so I'll be Gone Girl for quite a while.
Enjoy the flavorful diversity that has appeared in the big top five & make sure to put those floggers away before compamy arrives.
Peace and Pleather,
K.

01 October 2012

Clearly Distracted: A Writer’s Oxymoron

Clearly Distracted: A Writer’s Oxymoron is exactly how I'd describe this morning! Roar!
Need a boost for Monday? Check out today's Paper Weights on Indie Reader. We all lose focus sometimes, we just need to think about how to bring it back. Happy Monday everyone--and yes there can be such a thing ;-)
 
Staying on the path,
Keri