Response, Sil Vous Plait

If you didn't grow up with computers, you might not know what RSVP means. (Hint: check out the title) It's French. And it means "Respond, if you please." Alas, it belongs to the lost art of replying to an invitation. A written one. One that requires you to write (or call) with an answer.

Although I dreaded having to write them but was forced to by my mother, my grandmother got written Thank You cards or letters. In later years, it became permissable to call (generally because we needed to confirm the gift arrived safely via UPS).

When relatives or friends passed away, scores of sympathy cards were sent to the family.

Now responses, thank yous, sympathies are all texted, tweeted, Facebooked, emailed.

I predict the current generation of elementary school students will not know how to handwrite much more than their names. What do you think? Do you use cursive beyond signing? Do you use print?

Char

Riddle Me This...

It's the NY Giants, but they practice & play in NJ.

They practice & play in NJ, but are called the NY Giants.

NY should pony up for a Giants Stadium.

NJ should pony up for their own team.

That being said....

                                                           (Photo courtesy of New England Patriots)
                         
                        GO PATRIOTS!!!!
That is all. Enjoy the Bowl.

Char

Romantically Yours

Are we past the Age of Romance? I'm a sucker for a good romance, real or imagined. I like it in my Sc-Fi novels, in horror movies, in stories passed down from relatives. The romance between my mother-in-law Gilda and her Tomasso is the basis for a short story I wrote, and maybe a novel someday. Set against World War II, there is first love, the conscription of young men, invasion by the Nazis, separation, and reunion.

                                                                              (Photo courtesy of Microsoft)

What's your most romantic story? Does someone you know have a romantic history? Doesn't have to be family. On Valentine's Day I'll share one of the most romantic true stories I know--and I'll pick a winner for the most romantic story you readers share. You'll win a $15 gift certificate; it can be for iTunes, B&N, whatever you wish. (Maybe for a little romantic gift for someone?)

So be brief, only a few sentences, just the gist, please. I will ask several people who they think had the most romantic story, so schmoozing up to me, while I enjoy it, won't get you extra points.

Winner will be announced Valentine's Day.  Hearts & kisses,

Char

One of My Favorite Things....

Is the Raritan Public Library. It's old world elegance, harkening back to a time when reading was looked upon by almost everyone as a precious gift.

The library is  lodged in the former General John Freylinghuysen House. Originally built by an early Dutch settler in the 1700's, it has been a tavern, public meeting hall, jail, home and finally the library. Several additions have been added and the Federal style architecture appeared around 1810. Peter Freylinghuysen bought the property in 1970 and shortly thereafter donated it to the Borough of Raritan. In 1971 the building was placed on the National and New Jersey Register of Historic Places

See the light of wisdom shining on it? Wait, it gets better....

Here's a reading room:

Handmade reproduction period furniture makes it all cozy and inspirational. Somehow I imagine the Founding Fathers arguing over the grammar in the Declaration of Independence with a pint of ale (although the house in this form wasn't built until the 1780's).

Here's the children's room:

Now what kid wouldn't want to pick out a book and read it in the carriage, or at the tables, or near the fireplace?

And for the serious readers, look at these glorious stacks, packed with tomes of delight:

Need a break from reading? Meander upstairs to John Basilone room where you can see artifacts, documents, and photos of the decorated hero, and a even a small scale model of the USS John Basilone Destroyer.

If that's not enough to tempt you, the front reading room (there are bookshelves in every room!) is a cozy place to curl up with a book.

Director MaryJane Paese is one of the many helpful, friendly and knowledgeable people. This library offers a newsletter of events, staff picks, program descriptions and other information. There are crafting, knitting, yoga, family film and 1-on-1 computer classes, in addition to many special programs for children like a Lego party, storytime, and crafts. MaryJane and staff are working on expanding their Teen and Pre-Teen programs; they even have a teen blog: http://rpl.blogspot.com which will list new acquisitions, book discussion groups and other events. I will be there in mid-late May talking about Sirenz and Sirenz Back In Fashion, and answering writing/publishing questions. (Natalie is may be there as well, dependent upon schedule constraints).

Interested? Visit them at 54 East Somerset Street, Raritan, NJ, or hop over via www.raritanlibrary.org

Char

No Death Threats For The Rat

Normally I'd be thinking what a nice coat collar Punxsuatawney Phil, the 'weather predicting groundhog' in Pennsylvania  would make for even suggesting that we're going to have six more weeks of winter.



(Photo by Gene J. Puskar, AP, from USA Today)

But with the winter we've been having (60 degrees yesterday! I'm rocking an open sunroof on the car!) I'm eyeing my shorts and seriously considering taking that offer to open the pool prior to April 15th and saving a few bucks.

If the winter is like this, Rock on, Phil, rock on.

(Image by Microsoft Office)

Char

Are You Freaking NUTS?!!!

To start my one-a-day blogging challenge, I'm going with the 'there are a lot of idiots' in the world theme. (I know, New Year's resolution to say something positive about EVERYTHING- that'll come at the end of the post.)

To that MBA in Marketing nitwit, and all the sycophantic lemmings who followed, approving this ad campaign:

Really? You couldn't come up with a better slogan than "Tastes Evil, But Isn't"? There is NO REASON ON EARTH THAT ANYONE SHOULD BE TEMPTED TO BUY THIS. Unless of course, you're a demon, devil, or zombie. Even vampires, trolls, werewolves and rabid dogs have better taste.

This proves to me two things:

1- Even with an MBA, there's no guarantee that you have a clue.
2-There are some really bad writers out there.

Now for the positive spin:
Neither my family nor I will ever have to eat this 'evil-tasting' stuff.

Hopefully you won't either!

Char

29 And Counting...

I'm taking the challenge--I'm going to blog everyday in February. It's a leap year so I will have 29, that's only 1 less than an average month, so no hassles!

I will try to be entertaining, provocative and interesting, but I make no promises. (There are going to be days when I just don't feel motivated, or are rushed, or am grumpy.)  Bear with me. Don't judge. Have fun. I'll even throw in some contests. So spread the word.


See ya on the first!

Char