Biking Beauties

I met two new friends this week. Linda and Coreen are both in their sixties, retired, and crazy about cross country biking. They challenged themselves to ride across the southern tier of the United States from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. After seven weeks of cycling, they came to Milton, Florida and spent the night with my husband, Al and me.

There’s an online organization in the cycling circles called “warmshowers.com” which my husband joined a couple years ago before his own cycling trip down the eastern coast of Florida. The purpose of this group is to extend hospitality to cyclists who need a comfortable bed, a home-cooked meal, and laundry facilities at no charge to them. Members post their cell phone numbers and a profile.

More than once, I’ve come home from work and Al has greeted me at the door with the announcement that we’re having guests for supper. Kinda like that movie in the 60’s called “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

We’ve met couples from Norway, two newly weds who took a year off work to cycle to all 50 states, a young man from Hawaii, women who had the courage to bicycle alone and retired men who were fulfilling a wish from their ‘bucket list.’ They’ve come from all walks of life and it has been a joy to hear about their life experiences.

I admire the dedication and positive attitude they display; especially, since my exercise routine amounts to a walk around the neighborhood three times a week—if it doesn’t rain.

Thank you all for adding a special dimension to my life and may God bless you as you cycle on.

Riverwalk Festival

Tomorrow is the biggest Arts Festival in Milton, Florida and I will be marketing my books along the Blackwater River. The weather promises to be beautiful after a few days of doubt.Rain stopped late this afternoon and I gave a sigh of thanks.
I'm hoping the crowd will be readers looking for a local author(Sylvia Melvin) who has written the following:
Summer Guest- romance
Helena:Unwavering Courage- biography
Southern Sage:The Honorable Woodrow Melvin-biography
Death Behind the Dunes- Mystery

It's a two-day event so I'm going to be a tired puppy when it's over, but to me ,it's well worth it to know someone is reading a book I put my heart and soul into.

Spring Break

Have you ever wondered why "spring break time" goes so quickly? It seems like only yesterday I was composing my 'things to look forward accomplishing on my spring break list' when here it is Friday with half my chores finished and I go back to teaching on Monday!However, freshly laundered curtains do hang from sparkling windows that I scrubbed inside and out, a delicious smelling pumpkin pie sits on the counter and the leaves around the pool have been swept up and deposited over the fence. But the task I enjoyed most all week was working on my sequel to my mystery "Death Behind the Dunes". Every time I see the word count increase it gives me a thrill; yes, there is hope I'll complete "Death Beyond the Breakers" before summer.

Featured On Author Outbreak

What a nice surprise to see one of my books featured on a site that promotes indie authors this morning.I appreciated the encouraging review,too. My Canadian grandmother's story is unique and has been well received.http://authoroutbreak.com/featured/helena-unwavering-courage/

Birthin' My Latest Book Baby

The gestation period lasted almost a year, the pangs of rewrite came frequently, but once committed, there was no turning back. Finally, my spanking new "Southern Sage:The Honorable Woodrow Melvin" book baby was delivered to my front door ready to show itself to the world.

Its first appearance was at the Milton Riverwalk Arts Festival April 26. Judge Woodrow Melvin's photo caught the eyes of those who either knew him personally, worked with him or had an occasion to stand in court before him. All gave words of praise for a man they respected.

This summer I'm planning to acquaint the citizens of Santa Rosa County with his biography at a number of venues.His story can also be found on Amazon.com.

Just like the arrival of new babies, newly published books create curiosity too; so for anyone who'd like a sneak preview,I've posted a short synopsis here on my blog.If you think it's a book of interest to you, email me at sylviamelvin@earthlink.net and I'll get back to you.

Synopsis of Southern Sage

How many attorneys who start as small town lawyers end their careers as a judge on the Appellate Court? Woodrow Melvin’s passion for the law takes him on a journey into the courts of Florida as well as the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.
The stories Woodrow tells from his twenty years working as a circuit court judge are charged with emotion as the reader sees the gut-wrenching decisions he must make whether it be a life-changing child custody case or the life-sentencing of a hardened criminal.
Anecdotes, shared by his family, friends, and peers show Woodrow as a man of conviction, fairness, humility and humor. A familiar down-home, southern phrase often heard from him by attorneys when discussing a case goes like this, “You know, I don’t believe that dog will hunt.”
The legacy of this hard-working public servant continues to touch the lives of Floridians to this day, especially, in the areas of public health and education.
The old cliché, ‘Home town boy makes good’ more than applies to Woodrow M. Melvin.

Writer's High

I came home from school today feeling low; the sinus infection with its continual torrent of drainage running down my red, scratchy throat and the unexpected coughing spasms that left me gasping for air, got the better of me and I gave in. Even though I have not missed a day of work all year, I felt as though I could not endure another eight hours in this condition trying to teach kindergarten children the correct phonetic sounds of the ABC’s. The only compassion I heard from one dear child as my contorted face emitted a cacophonous sound was, “Mrs. Melvin, are you going to throw up?”
Before I left for the day, I confirmed with my principal that he need not count on me to perform my duties tomorrow since my resistance to this irritating malaise was now nonexistent. All I wanted was a hot cup of tea, a warm blanket and a little sympathy from my husband.
While waiting for the water to boil for the soothing liquid I was sure would calm my throat, I checked my email. One message stood out that lifted my spirits better than any prescription drug. The Novelette.com publishing company announced that they were producing a paperback anthology of short stories that had been selected from their contests and my story of two talking turkeys would be included. Now that’s the kind of medicine any sick writer wants to hear. I’m still taking the day off!

Christmas Reflection

The cards were mailed two weeks ago, parcels found new homes in far off places, a faint smell of cinnamon and nutmeg lingered for a couple of days from the freshly baked cookies, and opened presents now lay under the lighted tree. Another Christmas has come and will soon be gone. Two thousand and nine years have passed since our heavenly Father gave mankind His Gift. This one never wears out, never outgrows you and is always there when you need it. Have you accepted it yet? It’s never too late.