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Writing means different things to me. I'm a storyteller, a book editor, and a songwriter. For me, it's like breathing.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Weird Word Wednesday

calabash
noun  cal·a·bash  \ˈka-lə-ˌbash\
Definition of calabash
Popularity: Bottom 30% of words
1
:  a tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) of the bignonia family; also :  its large hard-shelled globose fruit
2
:  gourd; especially :  one whose hard shell is used for a utensil
3
:  a utensil (as a bottle or dipper) made from the shell of a calabash

Origin of calabash

French & Spanish; French calebasse gourd, from Spanish calabaza

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, March 28, 2016

Monday Musings: Arizona cloud formations #18






Line from The Wolf Queen:
He pulled away, his eyes warm and glittering playfully beneath his heavy brows.
“If you keep doing that, I will need to have you again, my lovely princess.”

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Weird Word Wednesday

cajeput
noun  caj·e·put  \ˈka-jə-pət, -ˌpu̇t\
Definition of cajeput
Popularity: Bottom 20% of words
:  an Australian and southeast Asian tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia syn. M. leucadendron) of the myrtle family that yields a pungent medicinal oil and has been introduced into Florida

Origin of cajeput

ultimately from Malay kayu putih, from kayu wood, tree + putih white

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, March 21, 2016

Monday Musings: Arizona Sunsets #17







Quote from The Wolf Queen:
“Gods, woman. You are the most stubborn female I have ever met.”

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Weird Word Wednesday

caipirinha
noun  cai·pi·ri·nha  \ˌkī-pə-ˈrēn-yə\
Definition of caipirinha
Popularity: Bottom 30% of words
:  a cocktail consisting of lime, sugar, and rum

Origin of caipirinha

Brazilian Portuguese, from caipira backwoodsman, rustic

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, March 14, 2016

Me, a Tee-ball coach? Yeah, that’s what I said

I never would have thought I’d end up coaching Tee-ball. It was the last thing I thought I’d be doing. But here I am. Coach Kelley. I did it reluctantly to help my dad, who only volunteered to manage the Tee-ball team because none of the other parents would. And he is a great grandfather. With all the experience I had as a softball player, I have the knowledge to teach, but trying to work with a group of four to six-year-olds is like trying to herd cats. No, I take that back. I think herding cats might be easier. At least for someone like me who never had any children, only the four-legged kind.

So, I dusted off my old mitt and bought a couple of new sports bras and dragged myself to the ball field, thinking it would be a chore I would have to endure for a few weeks. But these kids surprised me. It’s turning out to be a fun experience watching them so enthusiastic about playing ball. And it’s rewarding to give something back to the community and help shape some future baseball or softball players. There are three girls on the team, which I like to see, and they are really trying hard. A couple of them are already hitting the ball better than some of the boys. LOL

Now I look forward to Tee-ball practice. This old fart is actually enjoying herself. 


Quote from The Wolf Queen:
“Gods, woman. You are the most stubborn female I have ever met.”

Otherworldly tales steeped in myth and magic

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Weird Word Wednesday

cahow
noun  ca·how  \kə-ˈhau̇\
Definition of cahow
Popularity: Bottom 10% of words
:  a dark-colored petrel (Pterodroma cahow) formerly abundant in Bermuda but now nearly extinct

Origin of cahow
imitative


First Known Use: 1615

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed

Monday, March 07, 2016

Downsizing is harder than it seems

We made the decision to downsize last year. Well, my husband wanted to do this more than I did, but after dragging my feet, I decided it was the right thing to do. That didn’t make it any easier for me. We went from a 3-bedroom house to a 2-bedroom duplex. Even after having four garage sales, we still had too much stuff. Physically, this was the hardest move for both of us. That might be because we are a lot older now, but it’s not easy trying to fit everything into a smaller place. Whenever we moved in the past, it was always to a larger home. I think the hardest part was spending a year sorting and cleaning out all my stuff. The process was so time-consuming and stressful. It’s difficult deciding what to get rid of and what to keep.

However… I’m discovering that I didn’t really need all of those things I had and there are many creative ways to organize a smaller home. Pinterest has been a great help with people sharing so many great ideas. We are quickly adapting to our new place. After a year of cleaning out stuff, hosting garage sales (when you start recognizing the people shopping in your garage, you’ve had too many), and finally moving, I’m looking forward to new beginnings and moving on with my life.
The view from our new home.





Quote from The Wolf Queen:
“Tantaus, you Cyclopean idiot,” Niren said, “can you not see Lycaon is infatuated with the girl?”


Otherworldly tales steeped in myth and magic

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Weird Word Wednesday

cahoot
noun  ca·hoot  \kə-ˈhüt\
Definition of cahoot
Popularity: Bottom 50% of words
:  partnership, league —usually used in plural

Origin of cahoot
perhaps from French cahute cabin, hut


First Known Use: 1829

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com        
My author page at amazon.com with all my books listed