Cat's Corner
Blogging About Books, Writing, Travel, Film & More
|
My writerly pals and I are sharing breezy summer dreams and inspirations - what we’re currently loving, reading, wishing, watching, thinking about and more – in the C*U*R*R*E*N*T*L*Y Jumping into Summer 2019 Blog Hop.
Please have a read to discover how I'm finding my summertime bliss. Then visit the other #Gr8Blogs listed at the end of this post for more Jumping into Summer 2019 smiles. 
LOVING Celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary JM and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary over brunch at the cafe where we had our first date in 1991. Cannot believe it has been 25 years since we eloped to Dillon, South Carolina! Same smiles and love in our hearts; majorly different hair styles -:D
READING Best-selling Authors' Newest Tales 
Elin Hilderbrand
faithfully delivers enjoyable summer tales, and her newest, Winter in Paradise, is no exception. Unlike the author's usual setting based on her Nantucket home, this first of her new series takes place in St. John, US Virgin Islands. Paradise is a bit of mystery, family and romance with a juicy tropical vibe. Yum!
Doing a book nerd happy dance here!
Yippy skippy!
I even pre-ordered an autographed copy of her 15th Inspector Gamache novel, A Better Man. You know what' I'll be reading this summer -:D WATCHING Bye-bye Big Bang, sniff-sniff Hated seeing The Big Bang Theory series end after its 12-year run. What a sweet, totally satisfying wrap (unlike GoT’s, which imho, was underwhelming). I adore this circle of socially awkward nerds who forge lasting friendships with each other. THINKING ABOUT Co-writing with Rosie Russell Writing is always better with friends, and I'm having a sweet ride co-writing a children's book with author Rosie Russell. Our story for middle graders is set in rural America's heartland. Our main character, Olivia, is a socially awkward farm child. She's thrown into the choppy waters of tween social circles when a new girl moves to town from a nearby city. We're stirring in horses, baseball, crafting, mean girls, and perhaps a storm or two to twist Olivia around. Stay tuned! 
Plainsville Map, by Rosie Russell
MAKING ME HAPPY Literary Classics Book Awards  Cat Michaels & award-winning Turtle Team on red carpet
Pinch me!
I still cannot believe Sweet T and the Turtle Team scored gold - environment category – in the Literary Classics Book Awards for excellence in children’s literature. JM and I had an amazing weekend in Rapid City, South Dakota, to mark the occasion with ..... author meet and greet * writers' conference * book festival * Red Carpet awards' reception
I was beyond excited to meet the Literary Classics Team and find friendship with other award-winning authors. The weekend was also an affirmation of my time on the writing road these past six years and a major dose of motivation for this Cat -:D.
Catch my comprehensive photo journey to a red carpet weekend in the American West on Cat's Corner HERE
SEEING IN MY CAMERA LENS
The American West
After the Literary Classics Awards, JM and I tagged on a 25th anniversary trip to Rocky Mountains National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. In total, it was a whirlwind 11-day, 1,500M/2415Km trip across four states in the American West in a rented Jeep Cherokee.  Camera Cat - Rocky Mountain National Park
This was hub’s first time
being west of the Mississippi. Although I visited as a child, I appreciated the journey more as an adult.
Endless prairie ...
Abundant wild life roaming up to your car ... Snow-capped summertime peaks ... Dazzling human-made and natural wonders ... Take Your Breath Away!
ANTICIPATING
My Women’s Fiction WIP To be honest, between travels, co-writing, and life in general, my first adult fiction has been percolating on the back burner. But I can't wait to toss my characters into the challenges of living together - or not! - as the Old South collides with the New South in the growing town of Corey, North Carolina.
YOUR TURN
But before you go, find more inspiration and smiles from these #Gr8Blogs as YOU jump into summer -:D
20 Comments
6/17/2019 11:46:06 am
What a wonderful way to celebrate 25 years, with an award-winning trip to the beautiful West! And a story about Olivia situated in America's Heartland with a storm to "twist her" around, perhaps. A little wordplay there. I like it! Cheers, Congratulations on the Award, and Well Done, Cat! 6/17/2019 03:27:56 pm
It's going to be awesome summer, James. Our Big Trip West was special on so personal and writerly levels,
Rebecca Lyndsey
6/17/2019 12:26:04 pm
You have had an amazing start to 2019! Big congrats on your award!!!! Love all your photos! Hubby and I want to take a trip out west one year. Hopefully we make it! Good luck on your new book. Can't wait to read it. Oh and I'm right there with ya on Big Bang. 😥 6/17/2019 03:32:49 pm
I still cannot believe my good fortune this year. It's like the whole universe is in a hot, dense BAZINGA! state (wink).
Rebecca Lyndsey
6/17/2019 12:31:10 pm
Oh and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! 6/17/2019 12:41:55 pm
We cannot wait to see what you and Rosie have been working on together! I bet it's gonna be great! 6/17/2019 03:36:48 pm
Many thanks! Rosie is full of great story ideas, Jessica. We brainstormed the plot points, Rosie outlined chapters, and we are sharing drafts back and forth like fury!
Carmela Dutra
6/17/2019 04:04:35 pm
I just loved joining you on your journey to the Midwest and revisiting SD. I could not be any happier for you and all of your success! Like you, I was also sad to see The Big Bang Theory go. I’ve been a devoted fan since day one ❤️ However, I am very happy with how they wrapped everything up and ended on a good note. Too many times in the past have beloved TV shows stayed on the air far too long and did not give a satisfying ending. Here’s hoping in 10 years will get a reboot 😍 6/18/2019 03:49:34 pm
I’m glad you found the series ending to be satisfying, too. Wouldn’t it be awesome to reboot Big Bang in 10 years! Or make a big screen movie even sooner-:D. 6/17/2019 04:15:54 pm
Hey Cat, 6/18/2019 03:55:42 pm
It’s been a happy-busy time, Rosie. There are always more books to read and stories to pen than there are hours in the day. 6/17/2019 06:29:26 pm
Happy Anniversary!!! I'm so glad that I could experience the Literary Classic Book Awards and its events in Rapid City, SD. Congratulations on your win! I also really enjoyed seeing the various photographs you shared on your trip afterward. 6/18/2019 03:57:59 pm
So glad we could connect in person in Rapid City, Mackenzie! What an amazing weekend -:D. I almost left my good camera at home but was glad I made space in the suitcase to bring it along. 6/17/2019 10:19:55 pm
You are rocking it Cat! You deserve the accolades and it is so nice to be able to share this journey with you from afar. Congratulations on 25 wonderful years of marriage too. It's another milestone worth celebrating in style. Your trip looks amazing, maybe one of these days hubby and I will make it over there. 6/18/2019 04:01:55 pm
Thanks a ton, Sandra. We are still smiling at our anniversary trip and awards travels -:D. I hope you make it to the other side of the globe some time, too. There are even more amazing places in this country that I hope to see some day soon, too. 6/18/2019 07:18:06 pm
Celebrating 25 years together by having brunch at the same cafe where you had your first date? Be still my heart. That is so romantic! Congratulations on your long marriage, your awards, your new book, and I can't wait to read your first adult fiction book. What an exciting year. Wishing you all the best as you enjoy the summertime months! 6/20/2019 08:29:23 am
Thanks, Julie! We are delighted the cafe where we had our first date is still in business and thriving...symbolic of our marriage -:D. So many eateries(and marriages) are fleeting. 6/20/2019 06:37:09 am
Happy anniversary! 25 years, that's amazing. I love Big Bang Theory but I hadn't watched in awhile. I don't have cable. I'll probably buy the season I missed on Amazon prime. I love your photos. They're so beautiful. 6/20/2019 08:31:50 am
I cannot believe it has been 25 years, Auden -:D. Hey, TBS has Big Bang reruns. That station may not be on cable? Appreciate your kind words about my photos. Such amazing scenery to capture in the American West! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
|
