This city on the Salzach River in Austria is famous for two things: Mozart and The Sound of Music. Never mind the beautiful fortress that sits on the hill. Or the churches in the city. And a plethora of other beautiful places. If you didn't come to Salzburg to follow Mozart or see where The Sound of Music was filmed - why did you come? That's probably what we should have asked ourselves since that wasn't the reason we'd come. I have nothing against Mozart, and The Sound of Music is one of my top five all time favorite movies, but that's not why I visit Salzburg.

For me, it's the fortress. It has an impressive history and museum. The Hohensalzburg was begun in 1077, about 300 years after Salzburg was elevated to an archbishopric. It is the largest and best preserved fortress in Europe. As you walk up to the fortress, it is easy to see how it has remained intact. Even the fortress in Wurzburg, impressive as it is, is easier to get to.
As you walk up the steep path to get to it, you pass a number of places actually carved into the rock. It's easy to see these dwellings as being the homes of lookouts, who could warn the archbishop before anyone could get up there.

Enjoy these pictures of the walk up to the fortress, some of the views inside it, and of the city from its walls.





























The little arched entry way (below) leads into the main courtyard. It is in one of the oldest parts of the fortress, near the place where they have excavated the footings and some of the walls of the very first church to be built on this particular mountain.
















The linden tree has been growing in the large courtyard for hundreds of years, but I could find nothing that would tell me exactly how long. I think it is safe to say it wasn't growing there when the fortress was built, but might have been planted not long after it was finished.

















And finally, a view of Salzburg from the walls of the fortress. Note how many steeples you can see. Salzburg, as the seat of an archbishopric for many years, has many churches.

Labels: Salzburg, Traveling Tuesday

So, even though I had a lot to do this weekend, it was a great one. Friday night I went to a dinner in honor of a local pastor who had been with his congregation for 35 years! Talk about longevity. The church I attend has been through three pastors in the last 18 years, and we are now looking for our fourth. It would be nice to have such stability.

On Saturday, my son and I went up to camp for a workday. He ended up helping to lay a floor in one of the cabins while I helped out in the main lodge washing walls and windows. We were there for about 5 hours, then headed home. Once home, I finished the embroidery projects I was working on for the dinner and auction on Sunday. And, I remembered to take some pictures, so here they are. The sets sparked a bidding war - especially the angels. And, while I love those angels, I'm actually partial to the fruit set.












I also created some with birds on them that we sold as singles. (below) They went fast, too. All in all it was a good day. But, I'm going to take a break from sewing for a bit and finish my current WIP. With everything else going on, I haven't worked on it in a few days, so it needs some attention.

I also learned that, due to some shifting in publication schedules, The Earl won't be out until August. So, I guess I'll have to change the banner now.

New goals for next week? Finish the next chapter of the WIP. I'm headed to Germany in two weeks and my original goal was to have the first draft finished before I went. I'm still hoping to have it done by then, but anything can happen between now and then and with me - it usually does.

Stay tuned.

Labels: Camp UTABA, Embroidery Projects, Mundane Monday, The Earl, weekly goals

Once again, not much is happening in my life. Nothing worth writing about anyway.

I took today off work. I just needed some "me" time - and time to finish embroidering some towels for the dinner and auction fundraiser this Sunday at church. I have to admit that sometimes I wonder why I continue to contribute since I don't necessarily agree that the group the fundraising is for needs to go on a trip EVERY Summer. On the other hand, I like to support the different groups and causes in the church because I like helping people - period. So, I'll be embroidering two complete sets of kitchen towels (7), and a bunch of singles that will be sold separately. I'll post pictures on Monday if I remember to take them.

Changing tracks, I've been experimenting with creating banners. I finally found a place on the web that makes it easy to create them. It's called bannersketch.com. Check them out. They are easy - and free. Below is the most recent banner I created - and it took me less than an hour. What do you think?

Labels: Banner, Embroidery Projects, Free-for-all Friday, Gypsy Legacy Series

I have often wondered if book reviews really help sales. I know that I, and many others, love it when a review comes out on one of my books. Especially if that review is a good one. But, and this is the million dollar question, does it help sales? Because, after all, many authors would like to make a living on their writing. So the question is a valid one, I think.

It can't hurt, you might say. Maybe. I guess it all depends on the review/reviewer. I've heard it said that getting a bad review on some sites can make your sales soar because everyone wants to see what's so bad about it. On the other hand, I suspect there are people out there who do rely on reviews - especially when faced with an unknown author. And, face it, there are so many authors that we are all looking for a way to stick out in the crowd.

Well, I don't know if a bad review will help my sales, but I do know one thing. A good review can make my day/week/month. For me, it tells me that at least one person liked my writing. Whether that one person can influence the rest of the reading world remains to be seen, but for me, it was worth every minute I put into the book to have someone like it enough to give it a good rating.

So, why am I thinking about reviews lately? Because the June issue of Romantic Times is up on their website and there's a review of The Duke in it. And guess what? It's a GREAT one! 4½ stars. I've been smiling ever since I discovered it two days ago. This is what Ms. Brown had to say about The Duke:

Patrick's second entry in her Gypsy Legacy series is delightful. Her consummate storytelling runs the gamut with gripping plotlines, nonstop action and multifaceted characters. There's a wonderful love story and a conspiracy guaranteed to keep readers on their toes.

So, what do you think? Would that make you at least take a second (or third) look?

Labels: Reviews, The Duke, Thoughtful Thursday

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

Today is Earth Day. Today is a day to remember that we are here to take care of God's creation. In Genesis when He created the Earth and all that is in it, He also gave man dominion over it all. That doesn't mean that we can just do what we want with it, however. Even a ruler is responsible for the well-being of his people. So should we be responsible for the well-being of the earth and the people that live on it.

When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, conservationists were known as "tree huggers." This was not always a complimentary nickname, either. And, though I would never have considered myself one, I have always felt some responsibility to leave as small a footprint as possible wherever I have been. I think God expects that of us as well. We need to remember that we will not be the last generation to inhabit this Earth, so we must leave it for our children, our children's children, and so on. If we don't pay attention to it now, there will be very little left for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

There are many ways to be good "rulers" of the earth. Recycling is an easy and simple one. If it is available in your area, recycling is a good way to begin. Using less energy is also good. Solar energy is abundant in some parts of the world and not so in others.

God has created a wonderful and beautiful world for us, but we cannot continue to take it for granted. On this Earth Day 2009, let us remember that leaving this world a better place than it was when we entered it is an admirable goal - then strive toward it.

Labels: Earth Day, Worship on Wednesday

So, today, I didn't have any place new to go, so I thought I'd tease you instead.

I've got news, but I can't post it yet. It was a great moment for me to learn and I'm still smiling over it. Unfortunately, it's not "public" yet, so I can't tell. But, as soon as it is, I will be out here to post it - even if it's on the weekend. So, stay tuned.

Oh, and my cover is ready for approval. I hope that means this week. I'll post it as soon as I get it released.

Labels: Cover, Good News, Tuesday Tease

It was a great weekend. Not that I didn't have moments when I was thinking of tearing my hair out, but it was an otherwise AWESOME weekend. Why? Because yesterday was Youth Sunday at church and the Youth Group did a fabulous job! The kid who wrote and delivered the Sermon had the congregation alternately laughing and in tears. It was a blessed day!!

I'm also proud of myself for finishing the next chapter on Scarred. Altogether, I have added almost 1,000 words to my WIP since last week. For some that might not be much - for me that is a great accomplishment.

I was also able to finish the bibs for my friend's grandchild. After all the frustration of last weekend with breaking thread, I figured out it was the thread that was the problem. Changed the thread - and problem solved. Don't you wish all problems were solved that easily? I know I do.

So, I've finally gotten back and started posting in my forum on Coffee Time Romance, so click on the link in the sidebar and go check it out. I've posted the "working blurb" for The Scarred Heir out there in my Works in Progress thread.

So, now it's off to the salt mines. I love writing. I love seeing my book in print. But, I also love having the ability to write and all the comforts it takes to be able to write - so I work a day job. Thankfully, it's a job I love. See you tomorrow.

Labels: Coffee Time Romance, Marvelous Monday, Youth Sunday

I don't have much to say today. It's been a roller coaster of a week and I've got a lot to do before Sunday rolls around. I've been making steady progress on my current WIP, so at least this week hasn't been a total loss.

I hope sometime next week to have a cover for my next release. Gypsy Legacy: The Earl will be a July release, following the print release of my second Gypsy Legacy book, The Duke, in June. My editor and I have been going back and forth with the cover artist for the past couple of days, so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll have an approved cover sometime next week.

I'm also waiting for the approval of my blurb. When that happens, I'll post it here first. Stay tuned - and have a great weekend.

Labels: Blurb, Cover, Free-for-all Friday, Gypsy Legacy Series, The Duke, The Earl

I told you I'd let you know when I finished The Shack. I finished it last weekend. Overall it was an okay read. While I don't agree with much of the theology in the book, I think I kept expecting there to be more to the story. I also don't don't know who the audience for the book was supposed to be. I do know, it wasn't me. I didn't actively dislike it, but I would not recommend it to any of my friends.

There were some unique parts to the story, and some instances that made me stop and ponder for a bit, but overall, it left me pretty cold. I didn't appreciate the attempt to make it sound like a true story, but even so, I grieved with the characters for the loss of their child. As a parent, it would be my worst nightmare come true.

As a reader and writer of fiction, I prefer a happy ending and, if there's not a happy ending, at least some type of closure. The hurried ending that attempted to tie up all the loose threads in this one just didn't do it for me. If you're looking for a new idea of what the Trinity might be like, you can try this one on for size, but you should read it for what it is - a story.

Labels: The Shack, Thoughtful Thursday

With Easter being last Sunday, I want to remind you that. . .

Labels: Awesome God, Helen Baylor, Worship on Wednesday

It's been a number of years since I visited the Grand Canyon, but I have never forgotten the beauty and ruggedness of it. Since I can't find my own pictures - and they wouldn't be near as good as the quality of cameras has improved drastically since then - I found a Park Service site where all the pictures are in the public domain. Even though it said I didn't need to provide a link back, I'm doing so because there are so many beautiful pictures, that there was no way I could put them all on my blog, so go and check them out. Maybe this year is the year you can go out and experience the Grand Canyon for yourself.

Labels: Arizona, Grand Canyon, Traveling Tuesday

Well, I made some progress this week on my goals from last week. I added over 1,000 words to my current WIP. Unfortunately, that's still not an entire chapter. I seem to be working in starts and fits lately. I definitely plan to do better this week. My plan is to write "The End" before I head to Germany on May 9.

As for the other project - the bibs for my friend's new grandchild. Well, I got all but the last one embroidered, then my machine kept breaking the thread. So, I will see if I can figure out what's wrong and finish the last one this week. Then I discovered I didn't have all the colors of ribbing I needed to finish the neck openings. So, here are pictures of the finished towels - by next week I hope to get the necks done so I can mail them before I head to Germany, too.

This first picture is of all of them. I took them with my phone, so I don't know how well they will show up. The "I love mommy" one is a close-up of one of the patterns, as is the special one I made for my friend. I should have taken a close up of the one with the keys on it. That's the yellow towel and that pattern is one of my favorites. I make it with varying colors for every baby I make bibs for.







Have a great Monday!

Labels: Bibs, Embroidery Projects, Mundane Monday

GospelGifs.com

Labels: Easter Sunday, Empty Tomb

Labels: Easter Saturday, waiting

Courtesy of Christian Graphics

Labels: Crucifixion, Free-for-all Friday, Good Friday

Reading is a great pleasure for me. I have read since I was a small child and my mother taught me. I was reading long before I entered school, which frustrated my teachers to no end. You see, I started school back in the days when children who walked into Kindergarten knew nothing. Nowadays, the teacher would just give me something a little more difficult to read, but not back then. Unfortunately, it turned me into a problem child. But, I digress.

I don't usually read whatever everyone else is reading. I have not read any of the Harry Potter books (although I have seen the movies) and I have not read any of The Twilight series (and haven't seen the movie, either). I haven't read any of the Oprah Book Club books. Why? Because I like to read for pleasure - and reading something designed to make me think is sometimes beyond me when I finally get a chance to settle down with a book. I read to escape.

So, why am I currently reading "The Shack"? Because we are about to do a 4-week Sunday School class on it - and because I read the back cover blurb and it sounded interesting. Well, I'm about halfway through it and, guess what? I don't like it. I haven't put my finger on what it is about it that is rubbing me the wrong way, but I'm having difficulty making myself finish it. But, finish it I will - if only to figure out why I'm having such trouble with it.

So, stay tuned. I'll try to finish it by next week and see if I can figure it out.

Labels: Reading, The Shack, Thoughtful Thursday

The picture above is of the Kappele. It sits across a ravine from the Marienberg Fortress in Wurzburg, Germany. Built by Balthasar Neumann from 1747-1750, it contains beautiful frescoes by Matthias Gunter. It is very picturesque. So what has it to do with Holy Week, besides being a Pilgrimage Church?

You can't see it in the picture, but a very steep, shady path winds its way up the hillside to it, consisting of 352 steps. Along that path are full-size sculptures of the Stations of the Cross. Now, I'm not Catholic, but as you walk up to the chapel and pause to view these beautiful works that chronicle Christ's journey from Gethsemane through his trial and finally the long walk to Golgotha to be crucified, I don't think you cannot be touched by the beauty of the work and the faith and reverence that went into creating them.

I looked everywhere to see if I could find pictures of all of the stations (because, of course, I didn't take any when I was there many years ago), but I only found this one. The next time I go, I will remember to take pictures of each one.

This week, I hope everyone will reflect on the blessings of Easter. On the life and death of Jesus, and the hope it brings to a dying world. If you are one of those people who only darken the door of a church for weddings and funerals, get out of your rut and go this Sunday. Go, and soak up God's love and peace.

And remember that Christ died for all of us - not just a chosen few.

Labels: Holy Week, Stations of the Cross, Worship on Wednesday, Wurzburg

In the Alps of Southern Germany, outside the small town of Steingaden sits what is probably Germany's most beautiful chapel -- The Church in the Meadow (Wies=meadow, Kirche=church). It's official name is The Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Savior, named after the small statue which had been set up as an icon on the side of a road, which is said to have wept real tears. When the story spread, pilgrims came from far and wide to witness the miracle and to be cured of their ailments. The local bishop realized quickly that a space needed to be built where the pilgrims could worship and pray, so the church was commissioned.

Built from 1745 to 1754 by Dominikus Zimmermann, it is decorated inside in the elaborate rococo style. Despite it's exterior being very plain and unassuming, the interior is a feast for the eyes. I visited it a very long time ago - I was probably about 10 - but have never forgotten its beauty. Below are some postcard pictures I still have. I scanned them so the quality isn't great.

For more information and pictures, check out the Wieskirche website, the Wikipedia entry, and another site I found with more pictures. Enjoy these beautiful pictures and I hope you will get a chance to go there someday, too.

Labels: Bavaria, Germany, Traveling Tuesday, Wieskirche

were (1) complete a new chapter in my WIP, (2) embroider some towels as a housewarming gift for a friend's son and DIL, and (3) embroider some towels to make baby bibs for another friend's new grandchild. So, how did I do?

(1) I didn't quite get a completely new chapter written, but I got about 2/3 of one done.
(2) Done and delivered!!
(3) I made a start but didn't finish them.

So, I guess I'll have to set the same goals again this week for #1 and #3. Check back next week to see how I did.

Labels: weekly goals

what it is and way too busy. At least for me it is.

Whenever I start to think I have a handle on my life, something happens to remind me that I only think I have some control over what happens each day. Oh, I know I can control whether I get up in the morning and head off to work, what I have for lunch, what work I get done, etc. But, I've discovered that I make too many assumptions and sooner or later something will not happen the way I expect it will. Yesterday was a prime example.

To be honest, I'd forgotten I was in charge of Sunday School that morning. It was inter-generational Sunday School and I knew what I was supposed to do. And, I knew my props were all at the church. I even brought a replacement for at least one that I knew was getting old. Imagine my surprise when I got to church and discovered that what had been there two weeks ago had vanished! Suddenly, I was without all my props to do my lesson.

To make a long story short, I did the lesson without the props. It wasn't as good, but it was just as meaningful. I think everyone enjoyed it, and I still managed to get in my "moral of the story" piece. I just wish I hadn't had to go into panic mode to get it accomplished.

Unfortunately, there are times when I'm so busy that "panic mode" is the only mode I can operate in. One of these days, I'll get organized. Until then, I'll be thanking God every time I avert a disaster like yesterday could have been.

Labels: Busy, Mundane Monday, Near disasters, Sunday School

There are not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do. I suppose that means I need to cut some things, but will I? Probably not. I'm a pantster when it comes to writing, so when I'm working out a scene in my head, I can sew or embroider, or do a myriad other things I like to do. The one thing I can't do is read. If I read something close to what I write while trying to work out a scene in my head, I start thinking like the author I just read instead of myself. Not good.

So, I read the exact opposite of what I write. I read contemps. I've discovered that I'm not very good at contemps - maybe because I don't much like world building and the stuff I'd like to do can't be done in today's world. I like paranormals - to a point. I don't like much of what is labeled urban fantasy, or vampires, or shape-shifters. There's not much left after that except the occasional ghost or time travels.

I like Inspirationals, but I've discovered that I can't write the really heavy ones. I prefer the lighter inspirationals - the stuff you see very little of. It's too bad because not everyone wrestles so much with their faith that the rest of the world comes to a stop.

And, I'd love to blend my two favorite genres - Inspirationals and Regencies. I've read a couple set in that time period and, for the most part, they have been pretty good. Not good enough to go on my keeper shelf, but good enough for me to give away and recommend to someone else.

So, I haven't much to say, so I'll just stop here before you fall asleep over the keyboard.

Why did I start a blog, again?

Labels: Chit-chat, Free-for-all Friday, Reading, Writing

Thinking always gets me in trouble. Usually because I often think of something and start doing it before I've really thought it completely through. Once I'm into it, however, I don't want to stop - even if it looks much more complicated and involved than I thought it would be when I started.

That's what happened this weekend when I was working on my RWA Chapter newsletter. I suddenly remembered I was working on April's newsletter and that meant that it was going out on April Fool's Day. So, I decided that it would be fun to create a "joke" newsletter. Now, it was a great idea. It would have been a better idea a week ago - I would have had more time to put it together. Of course, I plowed right ahead and began creating it - on Saturday night - even though I knew I wouldn't have time to work on it on Sunday.

The upshot of it all is that I spent all day Monday working on it and the real newsletter. The "real" newsletter was a snap to put together. But I don't consider myself very funny and pranks are not my usual forte, so it was real work to put together a "joke" newsletter. At 2 am Tuesday, I made myself shut down the computer and go to bed, even though it wasn't finished. I was fighting with a graphic that I just had to have in the newsletter. Note to self: next time find another #$&! graphic!

In the end, I got it done and it was sent out first thing Wednesday morning. I only got a few comments on it - but those few comments made it worthwhile. It was funny and I loved it. Would I do it again? Maybe. But, if I did, I'd try to start at least a week ahead of time.

Labels: April Fool's, Newsletter, Thoughtful Thursday

Sometimes I wonder why God sits back and lets us all go our own way. Other times, I think I understand that a Father has to let his children make choices - even when they are bad choices. I'm not speaking of anyone in particular, but I worry about our world and our nation. We have become a nation of entitled people. People who feel that nothing is their fault and that they are entitled, no , they deserve, happiness and whatever it takes to make them happy is OK.

Well, I'm just not so sure. During the World Wars, people made real sacrifices for this country. It was their country and their town that was affected by everything around them. Now, I still see a thread of patriotism, but too often I see (and hear) "What's in it for me?" Isn't "peace of mind" or the knowledge that you did something worthwhile a good enough answer?

God knows when we are trying our best, doing the best we can, or just going through the motions in the hope that the next day is better. Well, I've got news, Today is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it.

When life starts to overwhelm us, there's really only one place to turn to and a little time spent on our knees pouring out our sorrows will provide a rich bounty of peace and contentment. The situation might not go away, but you'll have the assurance that God is with you. After your prayer session, it's time to get up and dance! That joyful noise we make to God not only is music to his ears, but lifts our spirit as well.

So, the next time life looks overwhelming. Remember - God is waiting. And he has the patience of a saint!

Labels: Life, Prayers; Rejoicing, Worship on Wednesday