A WALK THROUGH BETTY VIRGINIA PARK

Betty Virginia Park is the former site of Deer
Lake, one of the raft lakes in Shreveport. At one time, farmers would bring cotton on wagons to Deer Lake to be transferred to the Red River by steamboat.

In the 1830's, when Captain Henry Miller Shreve unlogged the logjam in the Red River, Deer Lake began draining creating the park we know today.

The 23 acres, which make up Betty Virginia Park, were donated by Shreveport businessmen Elias Goldstein and A. C. Steere.

The park was named in honor of their daughters, Betty and Virginia.
Since its founding, the park continually served the city of Shreveport.
(Copied from the sign because the shadows made it difficult to read.)

We take walks in the park often. Almost always we travel counter-clockwise.

It's upsetting to see graffiti 

under the bridge.

Temu loves the walk in the park.

John is a great walking partner.

Children play games in this wide open field.

The park is full of resting places.

A beautiful blue-sky sunny day.

Interview with Shreveport Author, Jonni Rich

Jonni Rich is an inspiration. When the Grave Expectations writers meet to discuss the art and science of fiction writing and to report on what we’ve written lately, Jonni always relates the news about something she is working on.

. She is one of the youngest adults you may ever meet because she approaches every day with fresh enthusiasm. She writes and reads on a regular basis. “I read to improve my craft,” she says.

Go to the Grave Expectations page on Facebook to learn more about the group, which does not participate in a national organization, does not restrict itself to one genre, does not have dues or officers. It’s simply a group of writers meeting once a month to discuss writing and to study. 

Currently the writers are taking turns presenting lessons from The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. Meetings are every second Saturday beginning at noon in the back room of Podnuh’s on Barksdale Highway, Shreveport. Last week the meeting started at noon, although it actually starts at 12:30. People showed up when they could and visited over barbecued chicken or brisket. About one o’clock the meeting officially began.

https://www.facebook.com/grave.expectations.group.for.writers/  

Jonni honored us by granting an interview. First let’s meet her by looking at some information she placed on her Amazon Author Page:

I am a North Louisiana native, and still live in that part of the state. I am a retired retail store owner. Also a librarian in the public sector. I was educated in North Louisiana, and have studied writing from the University of Florida.

I'm multi-published in Gothic Suspense, Romantic Suspense, and Mystery.

Now, let’s move on to the interview.

Jonni, where did you grow up?

Monroe, Lousiana.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

·         Train trip to Clark County, Mississippi, in the summers

·         Wading in the creek

Who are some of the writers who have influenced you and how?

·         Agatha Christie – Best puzzles in the world.

·         Dorothy L. Sayers – Great plots

·         Kathleen Woodiwiss – Great characters

·         Ruth Rendell – Psychological mysteries

·         Nora Roberts – Good characterizations time after time

Of the books you have written, which is your favorite?

Deadly Sweet Sixteen. I like Emmaline and Byrd in my Deadly Series.

Why?

Both struggle with everyday life and how to solve the murders that pop up in their lives.

How can it be obtained?

Amazon:  Deadly Sweet Sixteen

What are some of the other books you have written and published?

·         EVIL AT MIDNIGHT:
Contemporary Romantic suspense. The kidnapping if a special needs child pushes a small town into a suspicious backlash against the child's mother.

·         GHOSTS OF CHARTRES  HOUSE: An inherited mansion, ghosts, murder, and secrets.

·         DEADLY SWEET SIXTEEN:  Amateur sleuths, Emmaline and Byrd solve the long standing mystery of a former classmates disappearance.

·         GHOST OF DRAGONCROFT: Novella. Historical. Disappointed by her fortune reversal, and her stepmother 's meddling, Vanessa Threadbolt takes a position as governess in a distant village at Dragoncroft Castle where things are not as they appear.

·         HOOCHIE COOCHE DANCER: Contemporary Short Story:  Small town antique store owner awaits the arrival of her famous actress sister's homecoming with unexpected results.

 What is your next book to be published?

Deadly Black Pearls – Second book in Deadly Series. Murder in small town. Emmaline and Byrd solve the murders.

In your writing, what do you see to accomplish?

It’s a creative outlet. I want to touch other people’s lives.

What do you want to tell your readers?

To enjoy stories, to look at their lives, to value human beings.

Thanks, Jonni, for inspiring readers and writers.

Mary Gill, Shreveport Area Author, has exciting news.

Mary Gill, who lives near Shreveport, is active in two of the local writers’ groups:

·         NOLA STARS, a North Louisiana Chapter of Romance Writers of America
·         Grave Expectations, a local Shreveport group of writers/ (Find it on Facebook.)

She has a special gift for understanding plot in writing. If a fellow writer gives her a situation, she can instantly know where the story should go.

Mary Gill has a story included in

 the NOLA Stars 

Anthology.

Mary recently was interviewed about her writing.

 Mary, we are excited that one of your stories will appear in the new anthology by NOLA STARS.

Christmas Roses, an anthology of sweet holiday short stories set in North Louisiana featuring the American Rose Center. The anthology will be available in both digital and print formats and will go on sale November 15th. 

Congratulations. We are excited for you.

Now, let’s talk about you and your careers. You are a graduate of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. You have worked in many fields: including a garden center, a construction company, a convenience store, and an accounting firm. You are now retired and live with your husband, Eddie, on Toledo Bend Reservoir near Many, You have two beautiful daughters, as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Where did you grow up?

Between DeQuincy, Louisiana, and Ragley, Louisiana. I went to school in Ragley.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Going off by myself and building a playhouse and playing with my dolls.

Who is a writer who has influenced you and how?

Sherryl Woods, Sweet Magnolias Series—older main characters, who band together to help each other.

Who has helped you with your writing career?

My husband with his emotional and financial support.

Of the books you have written, which is your favorite?

My first book, Crossroads, which is Book One of the Lake Serenity Series.

What is it about?

Kelsi Miller is happily married, living the best years of her life until one fateful night when a drunk driver comes out of the dark and changes her entire life.

How can it be obtained?

Amazon.

You said that Crossroads is the first book in the series. Is there a second?

Yes, Beauty Secrets is the second in the series.

What is it about?

What secrets has Carole been holding for thirty-five years?

And we have mentioned your newest publication.

Yes, the story in Christmas Roses.

What is your next book?

Third in the Lake Serenity Series, Sweet Dreams.

What is it about?

Dorothy is a bakery owner. Huey is a chef, who is building a hotel in Lake Serenity. He hates women in business. She is facing menopause. They marry, adopt two children from a children’s home. 

Interesting. The theme of adoption is popular now.

In your writing, what do you seek to accomplish?

Self-satisfaction – give my readers a good feeling about their lives.

What do you want to tell your readers?

I want to let women know their lives are not over just because their lives are changing. 

Thanks, Mary.

Freebie for Two Days: Manuela Blayne

Kindle version offered as a Gift to You Monday, October 16, 2017, and Tuesday October 17, 2017: Manuela Blayne
#94 in Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Religious > Christian > Historical

Religion & Spirituality Books

5.0 out of 5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars

Some of Manuela Blayne's Most Sinister

Moments Occurred on the Porch

Of the Shack, Which Was the

Setting of The Dream Bucket 

Manuela Blayne, a novella, is the fourth book in the Covington Chronicles. It is a complete story that stands alone. To understand some of the characters fully, however, it would be beneficial to read The Dream Bucket first.

Manuela Blayne is the story of one suffering for another.

A new day dawns for Trudy Cameron. She develops a heightened sensitivity to others around her who endure the hurts brought on by circumstances she tries to influence. Trudy starts to realize she cannot change everything, she cannot fix all the bad in her world. At the same time she develops a streak of mischief. Sometimes she is shocked by her own behavior. As she grows up fast, she finds emotions within herself she didn't expect.

In the summer of 1910, Trudy Cameron witnesses the aftershock of an event that will disturb her the rest of her life.

It is more than the consequences of the crime that concern her. Cruelty dominates the evolving social system of the South, the only home she knows.

Never will she comprehend all the hurt suffered by her friend Manuela Blayne, but Trudy wants to understand.

She witnesses firsthand what forgiveness can be. She observes hardships she has never imagined.

In a world that denies mercy to her friend, will Trudy’s faith shrink or blossom? She is always honest with herself about her emotions.

Trudy tells her story in first person.

Come spend some time with the Bentons and Camerons. Delight in the parenting skills of Samuel Benton, as he tries to distract Trudy from her anguish over Manuela Blayne.

Have a dish of ice cream in the Covington and float on a watermelon in the swim hole at Hot Coffee. Witness the mischief Trudy dares not confess to her parents.

Interview with Shreveport Author, Margaret Zadow

Margaret Zadow (Margaret Franklin Zadow) suffered from polio when she was a young child. After persistent efforts made by the hospital staff and a grim struggle on her part, Margaret learned to walk again. She's still walking through her productive life.

A talented author who lives near Shreveport, she is active in Grave Expectations Writers’ Group.

https://www.facebook.com/grave.expectations.group.for.writers/?ref=br_rs

She writes with precision of vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation. Her sentences are intriguing, and her cozy mystery novels include hilarious scenes.

When I spend time with Margaret at the Grave Expectations meetings, I learn ways to improve my craft as we bounce ideas around the room at Podnuh's on  Barksdale Highway the second Saturday of the month beginning at noon. The meetings are an inspiration to novelists. Yesterday the meeting lasted four hours. It was a privilege to interview her.

Margaret Zadow

Margaret, where did you grow up?

I grew up in Falls City, Nebraska.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

First trip home from the hospital after having polio and relearning to walk.

Who are some of the writers who have influenced you?

·         Agatha Christie

·         Miss Sargent, my freshman English teacher

Of the books you have written, which is your favorite?

My favorite story of mine is Who Killed the Scumbag?

Why?

It was fun to write.

Margaret, it was fun to read. How can it be obtained?

It’s an electronic book on Amazon dot com. https://www.amazon.com/Killed-Scumbag-Margaret-Franklin-Zadow-ebook/dp/B00GT10EOG/ref=sr_1_3?F8&qid=1508033100&sr=8-3&keywords=margaret+zadow

What are some of the other books you have written and published?
Murder of the ABC’s is about a group of women who meet for a reunion and are being killed. The hostess’s niece is the primary character and finds herself a target of the killers.

Sing a Song of Murder is about a woman who sings in a church choir where members are killed. While looking for the killer, she falls in love with a popular evangelist.

What is your next book to be published?

My next book may be Murder of Tom Wankersheimer. However I’m also thinking of writing about the years I had polio.

In your writing, what do you seek to accomplish?

Self-satisfaction. I have had a need to write.

What do you want to tell your readers?

I want to honor and teach about God in my writing.

Thanks, Margaret, for sharing your thoughts about your writing. It is an honor to know you. You readers would love to read your memoir.

Bubba, the Black and White Spotted Firedog, in Medium

Last night Bubba went big time. Bubba is a real dog, and he's eager to begin his career as a firedog. He is trying to get a  job.

I placed his story on a mega blog. This blog is so sophisticated it even tells you how long it will take to read the story, which, in Bubba's case is all of two minutes. Go look at it. You'll know you are in the right place when you find a picture like this one:

 Bubba in Medium

Disclaimer: Although you may have seen the image of Bubba with white spots, no Bubba has acquired white spots by any means in the course of writing this story. The spots are digitally applied to a photograph.

Bubba, the Firedog, in Print

 On October 12, 2017, the paperback version of Bubba, the Firedog, was released.  Because many friends asked for it as a paperback, we decided to offer it.  Brandt, Bubba's human, serves as a volunteer fireman. The authors--Mary Lou Cheatham (I'm Mary Lou) and Christie Underwood (Christie is my daughter, who contributed the art work and some of the story ideas) are excited to present this book.

Brandt's commitment to the Ransom Canyon Volunteer Fire Department inspired us to write this book.

Christie and Brandt in the Ransom Canyon

Fourth of July Parade

The Debut of Bubba

On September, 17, 2017, Bubba made his debut. He first appeared in Bubba, the Firedog, in Kindle

form. His story is available on Amazon. Go to this link: https://www.amazon.com/Bubba-Firedog-Mary-Lou-Cheatham-ebook/dp/B075QKP6DG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507898862&sr=8-1&keywords=bubba+the+firedog

Bubba, a happy dog, lives in a friendly village in Texas. His humans give him affection, treats, and love. They take him on walks. He becomes a firedog, who helps his owner, a volunteer fireman, by guarding the tools and by being a friend to the other men in the fire department.

Sometimes he is frightened, but he relies on his human mommy and daddy to make everything work out right. Sometimes he gets into mischief, but most of the time he is well behaved. He likes to play with his toys.

Bubba is a real live dog. Christie, the illustrator of Bubba, the Firedog, found him at a dairy. He is of unknown lineage. From his appearance, we've concluded that he is mostly Black Lab. (Black Lab mixed dogs are some of the best dogs ever.)

As a puppy, Bubba was sweet and affectionate. He was, however,  mischievous. Or perhaps he was teething. He chewed all the wood he could find, including the lower trim around a large window on the back side of the house. Also, he loved to dig. He and his sister, Wessie, dug a hole under the fence. It was a hot dry summer, and he received his own wading pool, which he enjoyed wading in until he chewed it to pieces.

With the passing of time and lessons in the Home School of Charm and Obedience, he became a delightful companion. Now, he enjoys various family activities, such as boating.

Bubba with Christie 

John and Brandt

Bubba

 He also enjoys taking long daily walks.

Mary walking Bubba in Front of the Steel House

Niagara Falls: You Need to See.

The Beauty of the Earth

Have you gone to see Niagara Falls lately? Some of my family members sent me some photos of Niagara Falls taken at night.

Fifty years ago, when the USA band stopped by Niagara on our way home from Expo 67, we saw the Falls in the daytime, and the view was spectacular, magnificent, so exciting it made everyone’s heart race. The water had a lime green hue, like sherbet with sprays that looked effervescent.

For years, some lights have shone over the Falls at night, but in 2016 a spectacular show began. Now, it’s important—essential—to see Niagara Falls from both the USA side and the Canadian side at night.

Here’s the story. Illumination of Niagara Falls

And starting next month is a sensational festival of lights: /https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/events/winter-festival-of-lights/

“Visit Canada’s foremost illumination festival the Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Canada – November 18th, 2017 to January 31st, 2018. Each winter we capture the magic of the holiday season, and this winter will mark our 35th season, be sure to attend our brightest season yet!”

Read about the young boy, Buddy Benton, who back in 1909 saved his coins with the hope of traveling by train from Mississippi to Niagara Falls, only to have his Dream Bucket stolen. What happened?

The Dream Bucket

What is in your dream bucket?

Photo by Christie Marie Underwood, 2017

If you saved your money for a special vacation, where would you go? By stuffing money into a knee sock, I saved enough money to pay for a vacation at Mount Petit Jean in Arkansas, where our family went to see a long narrow waterfall. What a happy memory this is! In its own way, it was as beautiful as Niagara Falls, although it was not so magnificent.

A six-year-old boy named Buddy Benton wanted to go to Niagara Falls. Buddy, his twin sister Bailey, and their father Samuel placed coins in their dream bucket. Since some of the coins were rare, they were worth more than their face value. Because the time was the early 1900’s, it was possible to place coins in a bucket and have enough money to go on a trip.

This is one of the stories in The Dream Bucket by Mary Lou Cheatham. When someone stole the bucket, Buddy, along with the other members of his family and the neighbors, could not contain the oppressive disappointment. Did Buddy get to go to Niagara Falls?

The Dream Bucket

Promotional Video on YouTube: As Doves Fly in the Wind

Mary Lou Cheatham's newest novel, As Doves Fly in the Wind, is due to be released in November 2017,  It's a  contemporary story set in Louisiana.

Click on this link to view a trailer of  As Doves Fly in the Wind.

The Back Cover:

Jessica Boudreaux Hays, a retired music professor, has recently moved to Rousseauville to open a bed and breakfast in her grandparents’ house. An attractive and talented fifty-five-year-old widow, Jessica loves to cook, entertain, and play the piano. Her life is filled with problems. Emmie, her younger sister who lives with her, cannot be left alone. The sisters recently lost their parents in an automobile accident. The residents of the village are charitable but superstitious. For some mysterious reason, they refuse to go near her or the bed and breakfast. Another frustration in Jessica’s life is her cyber romance with a mysterious stranger.

Dale Bonnier, a fifty-five-year-old widower, pastors two small churches in rural south Louisiana. He inspires the people in Rousseauville with his compelling sermons. He is considerate and approachable but at times disorganized and impetuous. His parishioners, especially Jessica, find his preaching inspiring.

Dale has a recurring problem with his past. In the 1980’s, when he was an intense young man, he destroyed his home and family as he sought to satisfy his cravings for illicit drugs. Thirty years have passed. God has forgiven him, but the past has left indelible scars. Can Dale forgive himself? He cannot turn his past around, but he hopes it will be used to influence and inspire others.

Jessica tries to start over in Rousseauville, but she encounters unpredicted stormy times. Can she find acceptance? Will she ever find a man she can love and trust?

New Novel: As Dove Fly in the Wind

Soon to be released, AS DOVES FLY IN THE WIND, is a new novel about the redemption of a criminal, life in south Louisiana, the results of being on the edge of a hurricane, a spiritual awakening, a cyber romance, and a painful love affair. It has humor, such as the day an alligator tried to enter the house.

AS DOVES FLY IN THE WIND has an exquisite design with soft pictures in the headings of the chapters: