My daughter's art

Christie, my daughter, has a simple style of drawing. Children love her primitive pictures. Through her colorful art work, she communicates with the youngest lovers of books, the aspiring readers. The three-year-olds notice the details and become excited. Children want to enjoy her books every night at bedtime, and they walk around looking at the book and showing adults the bright-colored cartoon-like drawings.

Producing her clever pictures is a hobby that helps her relax. All who look at her pictures--the young people and the more mature ones--comment on her brilliant colors. These are a preview of some of the pictures she created for Bubba, the Firedog.

(c) 2017 Mary Lou Cheatham and Christie Marie Underwood. All drawings and photos may not be copied and reproduced without written permission.

Available in 3 Formats: Bubba, the Firedog

Some Good News:

October 20, 2017, Bubba, the Firedog, became an audible book.

Bubba, the Firedog

Audible Cover

It is now available on Amazon
 and also on Audible.

Each site has a long sample. It can also be found on I-Tunes.

The producer is Joseph A. Batzel, who has been a professional voice actor for over thirty-five years. He has narrated film, television, radio, and audiobooks He's also a voice instructor. His recording of the Bubba book is fun because he has enough dogginess in his rendition to allow little ones to think about a dog but not so much that it detracts from the message of the story.

If you have one of the other formats, it is easy to follow along with the reading.

More Good News:

Bubba, the Firedog
Paperback Cover

 

The printed paperback version of Bubba, the Firedog is available at Amazon and also at .

Create Space  It was released October 12, 2017.

What's it all about?

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.

And the Oldest News:

Since September 17, 2017, it has been available as a Kindle e-book on Amazon 
Children have enjoyed the electronic version for more than a month. The illustrator, Christie Marie Underwood,

Bubba, the Firedog

Kindle version

and the narrator, Joseph A. Batzel, join me, the author, in the excitement of being a part of bringing this enjoyable book to young minds.

A friend asked me, "What age is this for?"

Here is my answer: "Children from a few months up through four years old seem fascinated with the pictures. Kindergarten and first-grade children can read most of the words. This week my husband John and I have visited with his grandsons, who are almost four. They have carried the book around and talked about the pictures. The almost-eight-year-old girl loves it too."

(c) 2017 Mary Lou Cheatham and Christie Marie Underwood. All drawings and photos may not be copied and reproduced without written permission.

What if an alligator knocked on your front door?

A preview from As Doves Fly in the Wind.

First, here's a quick background: Jessica's neighborhood is enduring a flood caused by a hurricane that hit south Louisiana. A tornado has ripped up the trees in her yard, and two misguided men had a drag race in the mud in her large yard. She goes outside the morning after to inspect the damage.

After donning her robe and slippers, she walked into her yard with the dog. There in a new ditch dug the night before by the wild drivers was a grayish brown alligator.

It was sloshing around in the fresh mud. Zsa Zsa hid like a coward behind Jessica. For once Jessica was glad her dog was not aggressive. In a wrestling match with the reptile, the dog would have lost to the bone-crushing bite of the beast. Zsa Zsa would have served as a delicious breakfast morsel for the gator. Jessica didn’t feel brave either. Through the big earthen wheels with tree trunk axles, she backed away as fast as she could. “Come on, Zsa Zsa. Leave me some room to step.” Everywhere she tried to go the dog was tripping her.

“Come on, Zsa Zsa. Let’s go.” The two of them broke into a dead run through the downed trees and muddy ruts. Jessica almost slipped down, but she recovered quickly and kept on trucking. They ran back to the house and up the steps.

As soon as she and the dog were inside, she locked the door and called 9-1-1. “There’s a twelve-foot alligator in my front yard.”

“What’s your name?”

“Jessica Hays.”

“Are you sure it’s an alligator?”

“Yes.”

“Not a log?”

“It’s an alligator.”

“You know there are a lot of emergencies around here right now.”

“Logs don’t move splashing their way along the ditch.” She walked to the window and saw the alligator approaching her house. It was sauntering down a muddy rut the squad car had left the night before.

“Where are you?”

She gave the dispatcher her address.

“Are you inside?”

“Yes, but the alligator is coming toward my house. There is a sick child in the apartment behind my house. Sometimes they have to go out for emergencies involving her. Get animal control over here now.”

“Chances are the gator won’t bother you if you leave him alone.”

Jessica blew her hair out of her face. “Did you not understand? The alligator is trying to come inside my house for a visit. Also I have a litigious tenant whose daughter is critically ill.”

“We’ll send help soon. Try to calm down.”

After the 9-1-1 dispatcher hung up, she stayed by the front window and watched the alligator. While she waited for Animal Control, she called the Lafacettes.

“Hello.” Mr. Lafacette was irritable.

“This is Jessica Hays. There is a large alligator on my porch. Don’t go outside until I tell you it’s been caught.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” He clicked the phone.

The alligator stationed himself near her front doorsteps, and she parked next to a front window. Sergeant Goodgoin drove up behind the animal control people.

A bang on her front door caused a barking conniption. The front door shook. Jessica trusted the door to hold against the reptile. Pulling back the lace curtain, she found herself eye-to-eye with the alligator as he tried to open the door.

One of the men lassoed the alligator’s head. Then he managed to lasso the tail. Five men pulled until the alligator was far enough from the side of her house for them to reach it easily. They duck taped his mouth and tied him with more ropes. Using a pulley, they curled and loaded him into the back of a pickup.

Sergeant Goodgoin knocked on her door. “Are you all right, Ms. Hays?”

“I’m fine, Officer. Thanks.”

Our Cat Roberta on the Roof

Ever feel like going somewhere away from all the stuff going on around you? It would be fun at times like that to detach yourself--go far enough away to escape any obligations or demands but at the same time be close enough to watch what's going on?

Roberta, the cat, feels that way. She likes the dog, but why does he drink her water, take up her space, eat her food, and sniff her tail while he wags his? Ugh!

Cauliflower is the new spud.

A popular food is cauliflower treated as mashed potatoes, faux potatoes. Cauliflower has only twenty-five calories, whereas it has cancer-fighting compounds, vitamins, and a distinctly different, delicious flavor. White potatoes aren't so bad either. A potato is loaded with vitamins, but a serving has three times as many calories as cauliflower.  

The secret decadence is all that stuff we put in our potatoes and faux potatoes—the butter, cheese, sour cream....

Cauliflower tastes good, but it isn’t as smooth as good ole mashed potatoes. We haven’t called them “creamed” for several generations without a good reason.

We’ve decided the combined taste of cauliflower and potatoes is best. When we have guests, we make a big batch of this incredible food the day before. Our guests ooh over them and clean out the bowl. Usually we tell them the potatoes have cauliflower mixed in. they don’t know why the potatoes are more delicious than usual.

Cook the potatoes as you usually do. Peeling them is a waste of time and energy. It's easy to cut them in chunks and boil or steam the until they are tender.

When you go to the grocery store (do you call it supermarket?), select the biggest cauliflower you can find.

You want it to be pure snowy white, but if it has a few brown or black spots on it, plan to trim those off.

Now you have your cauliflower. You take it home and remove the clear cover if it has one. If you found a large one, you have a big vegetable to cook. Such a big piece of food to prepare is scary, right?
At this moment, the cauliflower has been cooked, and the perfume of it is a treat to the nostrils. Do you like the way cauliflower smells when it is cooked? All that good taste and smell are irresistible.

It doesn't have to frighten the cook though. Place it in a clear glass pan, cover the cauliflower with a generous piece of clear wrap. Fasten the wrap to the sides of the glass pan, and punch four or five holes in the wrap. Punching those holes is an important step.

Place it in the microwave and cook it until it is soft. 

Since you are preparing this dish a day ahead of time, you don't need to burn yourself on the steam. Let it sit and cool a few minutes. Peel off the greenery underneath and discard it. 

Remember, the cauliflower and the potatoes do not have too many calories. Although potatoes are loaded with carbohydrates, the problem is what we stir into the cauliflower and vegetables. 

At some point, you'll need to add a few pieces of finely chopped--minced--onion. If the onion makes its appearance after the vegetables finish cooking, it gives an interesting texture.  

After you've cooked and drained the potatoes and microwave-steamed the cauliflower, cream them with a mixer. It's better to have the potatoes or the cauliflower slightly warm so the ingredients can blend better. 

Add what you like. Today we're adding sharp cheddar, sour cream, and butter. Let your conscience and your taste buds be your guide. After whipping all that in, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a shake or two of sea salt, some garlic powder, and a shake of parsley. Grind some fresh black pepper into it.

Shortly before serving it you may want to add chopped green onions or bacon bits.

(Photographs by John Cooke)

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.