Writing a Book is Exhausting

I have been working on a few short stories for a children’s series. So far, I have completed three books for my series. I am also working on a book—sort of a memoir and history of my hometown, Utica, New York. For the past few months, I have been reading background information – books, magazine articles, and newspaper clippings - to help me with the information to write my book.

Writing for me is my safe zone. I lose myself in the volumes of background information and time just gets away from me. For my Utica book, I pretty much have everything written. I’ve decided on the number of pages that I want in my book. Now, I have to go through the pictures that I want to include.

I am not quite finished with the book. Now, the real work begins. I have to go back over my story, re-read it, and make sure that all the facts that I have included are correct. Then I have to check my grammar and correct all the errors. But I still won’t be finished. I’ll go over and over my book a few more times, and then hand it off to my friend, who usually reads over my writing. She will definitely catch some of the grammar errors and punctuation that I have failed to notice.

Afterwards, I will work on a query letter and try to figure out what publisher or editor might be interested and then send the letter out. That will take time. And, if that doesn’t work – I’ll self- publish my book on demand and publish it on Kindle and on the Nook site.

There is so much work that goes into writing and getting a book published. In the end though, it really is worth all of that hard work!

Where Did The Time Go?

The other day I was sitting talking to my oldest granddaughter, when she mentioned that she will be 20 years old in December. That shocked me…20 years old!!!! Wow…where did the time go??? I know that I was busy and watching some of my grandchildren. Five years after Hannah was born, 22 other grandchildren came along. So maybe that was the answer…like everyone else, all those grandchildren kept me blurry and busy.

When Hannah was born, I was 20 years younger than I am today. Since she was the first grandchild on both sides of the family, her other grandparents and I volunteered to babysit while her parents worked. It was fun. I still had kids in high school living at home, who would help me out when they were around. They actually enjoyed having a little baby, then a toddler around.

We split two days a week to watch Hannah. It was all year round, which was fine with me. Hannah was really an easy baby to have in the house. I looked forward to watching her those two days. Hannah kept me busy and she fine-tuned me for what would be…more grandchildren! Five years later, I would watch her baby sister and also another granddaughter at the same time. Crazy me!!! It was like having a toddler and a set of twins. I was prepared for that, having my own twins and toddlers at the same time.

I can’t believe that Hannah will be finishing her first year at Point Park College this year. Time has really moved. I have 22 other grandchildren. I am babysitting one day a week for my youngest daughter’s two little boys…one who is a few months old and the other is 2-1/2 years old. It is a little harder but everything is the same…bottle feeding, changing diapers, and amusing them. But running after the older boy is a little harder on the old knees.

I still pull out books to read, coloring books and crayons, chalk, playdough and Fisher Price Little People and Farm animals. When the weather is nice, I take Will out and let him play in my back yard, while his brother, Nolan, is napping in the house.

Yes, I pretty much do all the same things with the boys that I used to do with Hannah. I do miss the little Hannah who inspired me to write about her and then the other little grandchildren. I have to say that Hannah is special because she was my first grandchild. I love her deeply as I love the others. I love her smile, laughter, and her art work! She is one in a million and my oldest granddaughter and I know for a fact that there will always be a special bond between us.

But for now, I do have to thank all my kids for all those grandchildren who have kept me somewhat agile and young!

By the way, my youngest granddaughter, Mina Noelle, was born on February 28, 2016…welcome to our big family Mina. There is no doubt that you will be loved and cherished!

Of Cars, Trucks, Ambulances

There are some things in life that I never get tired of…seeing cars, trucks, and babies.

With the arrival of my 22^nd grandchild, I have never gotten tired of holding a baby, especially my own grandchild. I sat in the hospital room, amazed at this tiny creature with the most perfectly formed features. I had to keep looking at his face with the light colored eyebrows, tiny nose, and the most perfect lips. I had to touch his ‘baby’ soft skin. I loved the special smell of a baby, one that I identify with what heaven or beyond must smell like. I am intrigued at the smile that comes and goes on his face, as if he is having a secret conversation with angels. I would love to know what they are talking about.

While I’m enjoying my grandmother time with Nolan Eliot Hoolahan, his older brother, Will, who is 2-years-old,  and his cousin, Noah,  3-years-old are entertaining themselves as only little boys can find so entertaining. With the help of Will’s father, they are kneeling on the wide sill of the window ledge. They are peering down from their 8^th floor perch, from Children’s Hospital. It’s a crisp November day, with dark clouds in the sky and a beautiful scene of the downtown skyscrapers in the distance.

Their conversation goes much like this – “Cars – Trucks –Ambulance.” This pretty much says it all, on this cool November day, as I rock baby, Nolan, to the sounds of ‘cars, trucks, ambulances.’

Welcome, Nolan, your life is going to be filled with love and I promise you, it will be an interesting ride!

L' Albatros Brasserie

Looking for a place to dine after visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art, we ventured out of the Glidden House. Asking the doorman for a restaurant recommendation, he pointed to the alley beside the Glidden House and said to go down to the left and we would find L’Albatros Brasserie.

 

He had eaten there a few times. He told us that it was an affordable French Restaurant. Then he launched into his favorite dish, the Cassoulet:  a hearty dish, like a stew, with white beans, lamb, duck confit, and sausage. He waxed and waned about that dish, as if he was sitting at the table eating it.

It wasn’t the dish that sent us to L’Albatros, but how the door man described the dish. After that sumptuous description, we were eager to sample the food. During the meal, my traveling friend would say that this was a serendipitous decision.

L’Albatros was about three buildings from the hotel, on the left side. The restaurant was a rather non-descript looking place on the outside. Inside the restaurant were white tables and chairs, in a chic minimalist setting. We sat down and were given tiny slices of baguette bread with a delicious olive oil for dipping.

Our waiter was excellent. He was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We both eyed the Coq Au Vin but that was the Monday special and this was Sunday. My friend asked the waiter about ordering it and he said that he would check with the chef. We looked over the menu for an alternative entrée. The waiter came back smiling and said that the chef was excited about putting the dish together for us. He said the chef wanted us to be happy. In the meantime we ordered a cup of soup for our appetizer. My friend had a rich mushroom soup while I ordered the Onion Soup Gratinee. Both soups gave each of us our own desired pleasure. Mine didn’t disappoint me. It was a rich soup with actual beef simmered in wine, added to the soup. It was totally delicious, not at all like the usual onion soups in thin watery liquids and onions floating throughout.

Then the Coq Au Vin arrived in oval white ramekins for each of us. It was a beautiful site. There were two chicken legs and thighs braised on a bed of potatoes, with small whole porta bella mushrooms, pearl onions, chunks of lardon (bacon that has been diced, blanched, and fried), served in a wonderful rich wine sauce.

The dish was heavenly! I think we each left a few scraps of food and the bones in our ramekin. There was no doubt about us being happy when the waiter asked. We paid and on our way out, we stopped and called out our thanks and praise to the chefs in the open kitchen. They were pleased.

“Yes, Chef, we were indeed happy!

The Glidden House Hotel

I just returned from a mini trip to Cleveland, where I stayed overnight at the Glidden House Hotel. The hotel is located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. The Glidden House was built in 1910, as an impressive mansion. Now it’s used as a welcoming hotel.

I have driven by the Hotel and have seen it when I have visited the Cleveland Museum of Art. I often thought that it looked like an inviting place to stay. It is, not just because of the friendly staff but there are lists of reasons to stay there. The Glidden House is within walking distance to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Institute of Music, and the Western Reserve Historical Society. There are 60 air conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi access, a large plasma television, and a complimentary breakfast served in the delightful dining area, surrounded by windows in a beautiful setting.

   After a day at the Cleveland Museum of Art, it was nice to know that the hotel that I was staying at was just a few hundred yards away and that I wouldn’t have to jump in the car and drive two hours home.

Besides the convenience of the Glidden House, the place is close to some very interesting and tasty restaurants!

Hops and Hopper

I spent an interesting evening at the Carnegie Museum of Art, last Friday. The event was called ‘Hops and Hopper.’ At this event, seven Breweries were represented: East End Brewing, Four Seasons Brewing, Great Lakes Brewing, Grist House Brewing, Hitchhiker Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, and Voodoo Brewing.

Each Brewing House offered at least two different beers to sample. One could sample the beers a number of times. There were a few snacks to cleanse the palate, like braided pretzel sticks and tiny gold fish. Along with the admission, we were given our choice of a glass with an Edward Hopper etching on it. Edward Hoppe, (1882-1967), was an American realist painter and print maker.

By the time my friend and I got there, there were only two different glasses to choose from. We both chose the etching with a leafless tree. Then we were ready to sample the beers and talk to the people offering the samples.

After the tasting, and after writing our names on our coasters, we placed them on top of our glasses, and went upstairs to the Hopper exhibit.  From there we went into a room to view the special video of the life of Hopper and also another video of Hopper stories connected to one of his paintings. The stories were done by producers from different countries, as well as American producers with their interpretation of story line to go with a specific Hopper painting.

When the viewing was over, my friend and I, along with the others, went back to pick up our glasses before going home. The glasses were – gone, taken by others! That was a disappointment to both of us and the others who paid to get into the event.

Bottom line – the evening was really awesome from the beer hops to the Hopper paintings. But on the flip side, at an event where you would expect a bit more from those attending, it was a disappointment. Some people can be classless, no matter what they do and where they