My first book, an ebook, was released January 2008. In February, I sent the check and all the official documentation to the Library of Congress office to receive the official copyright registration.

Twenty-one months later, (today) I receive it.

And my book will reach the end of its contract in only two months.

Gotta love this rapid age of computers and instant information, huh?

*Permission to Post*

First Annual Help Find A Cure For Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes Event - Nov 2009 thru March 2010

Finding a cure for Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes is an important cause with Whimsical Publications.

Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. While diagnosis most often occurs in childhood and adolescence, it can and does strike adults as well. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.3 billion to diabetes research, including more than $156 million in FY2008. More than 85 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. In FY2008, the Foundation funded more than 1,000 centers, grants, and fellowships in 22 countries, including nearly 40 human clinical trials.

Go to http://www.whimsicalpublications.com

to learn how to make a donation. For that donation you will receive the thanks of many children and adults with Type 1 diabetes. And you will receive a nifty colorful shoe with your name on it. If you wish to remain anonymous, simply click the appropriate box at the bottom of the donation page. If you wish the shoe to have another name, as in a person with diabetes, fill in the Message to Walker box. It's that simple.

Hopefully, forever in finding the cure won't be "forever" because of research, and JDRF. Won't you help by donating? Together, we can make the cure a reality.

Thank you very much!

I'm thrilled to announce that "It's Elementary, My Dear Winifred" has been picked up by a new publisher. We're looking at a spring 2010 release. I'll post the cover and more news as soon as I get them!

I don't know how many watch "Keeping Up Appearances" on the PBS lineup of BritCom shows on Saturday nights. This is an old comedy series, British style. It features the main character, Hyacinth, who is so concerned over her place in society. She's embarrassed by her "less than approved" bad seed of the family.

She has three sisters: Violet, Rose, and Daisy. Daisy is definitely lower class as she and her husband, Onslow, live in what's obviously public housing. The house is never tidy, Onslow is always attired in a tee shirt, reclined in front a beat-up television, munching chips and downing the ale. In their front yard is parked a wreck of a car. It doesn't run, it just sits there. Every time Hyacinth walks by (or any visitor), this hairy head pokes through a window and releases a volley of shrill barks. We're never told the dog's name, it simply enjoys its place of refuge in the car.

So here is Dolly in our car:

I've written of her before. Three years ago we got her from the humane society as a mature adult (probably four years by our estimate). We have no idea of her history, but it's apparent that at some point in her life she was loved and cared for. She was taught to "sit", and she was brushed and, we believe, taken fairly regularly to the groomers. And they rode her in cars.

This girl loves to ride. She begs everyday to go riding. She knows when I'm getting on my shoes that I just might be heading for the car. She whines and pleads and waits by the door, then bounds to the car. When we do take her with us, she just sits in the back, leans over and kisses our cheek. I think she could travel for a week and never get tired!

On those times when we aren't going anywhere, she's content to simply be in the car. She'll sleep for hours, all by herself, in her special "spot".

The car runs fine, but I've decided that when it gives up that last spark and floats away to that great junkyard in the sky, we'll still need to keep it parked in the driveway. Just watch out when you come to visit. You might get a hairy head poked through the window greeting you with her excited barks saying, "Wanna go for a ride?"

I'm interviewed at Anne Patrick's blog today where we discuss my latest book, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and I'll even share a special blend of lemonade with the guests! :)

Come on over, the party's going on NOW!

Anne Patrick's Blog

I've been interviewed by The Romance Studio. For anyone interested in hearing a bit about Miss Mae (you really are, right? LOL), hope you'll pop over and give it a glance! :)

Just click here.

This is Trudy, the little dog that came to our yard last April. We weren't real sure of her pedigree (ha ha). We knew she was mixed, maybe a Daschund and Miniature Pinscher. When we took her to the vet's, they claimed they definitely saw the "min pin" in her. Later, the woman who boarded her, claimed she had part Beagle. To us, only her ears resemble a Beagle, although when she barks...well, it is rather a yowl. Yep, might be some Beagle.

She's now over one and a half years old. Her personality has now developed. Boy, does she have spunk! She only weighs seventeen pounds, but she has no second thoughts of irritating the two bigger dogs when she wants to play. Dolly, the oldest, is a little less than fifty pounds and Lovey, a mature adult, comes in around sixty-seven. Yet, this mixed up peanut named Trudy eggs them on to play, play, play.

She's not only independent, but stubborn. Some characteristics are definitely feline. You know that saying of "When you call a cat, their response is: I'll take a message and get back to you." With Trudy, she'd also add: "I'll take a message and get back to you--maybe."

So, hubby has dubbed her a rat terrier, but I correct him by saying she's a Brat terrier. If those two older girls could talk, they'd nod their heads and agree.