Pat Hanson--Invisible Grandparenting.......by Joyce Oroz

 Today, I am happy to report that Author Pat Hanson is the Dragonfly Gallery Artist of the Month for November 2013

At 68, Pat Hanson, Ph.D. www.invisiblegrandparent.com, is a veteran health educator, new thought spiritual thinker, public speaker, workshop facilitator and writer, who’s been on the faculty of M.P.C and the Osher Life Long Institute (OLLI) @ CSUMB. She is a columnist for the magazine: Crone: Women Coming of Age.

The Dragonfly Gallery at 380 Blohm, Aromas, will celebrate Pat's new book Saturday, November 23rd 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a reading at 3:00. Meet the lady behind the book, join the conversation and enjoy the refreshments.

Here is an interview with Pat Hanson:

  

Pat, please tell us how and why you decided to write a book. Is this your first book?

I was already teaching Human Sexuality in 1974 in NYC when Erica Jong's Fear of Flying first came out and I'd had some of the same experiences she had. I said I can write a bestselling book like that.

How long have you been writing?

Since 5th grade ... and of course in academia for decades, but as a 'final career" studying writing and freelancing professionally? dreaming of the day it could provide a living "ha!" ... about 20 years. I got $25 and a free book for a Christmas story in a Harlequin Anthology last year, and the column I write for the new magazine "Crone: Women Coming of Age" www.cronemagazine.com is only $50 on a a good year.

Who inspired you, Pat, and do you belong to any groups that inspire your writing?

Erica Jong, Henry Miller, Joseph Campbell .. many other classics that I'm too old to remember ..

I've taken and taught writing circles at CSU Monterey Bays Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) .. and have studied with some marvelous teachers: Luis Valdez, and Jack Grapes in LA.
Ellen Bass in Santa Cruz.

Please tell us where you live and what do you like to do in your spare time?

I just moved to Aromas 6 months ago and love it. It's just what we former Fort Ord residents wanted: warmer, lighter, a view and a community. LOVE IT.

I'd love to do stand-up comedy : an unfinished dream.

When I give myself permission to be still, I do tai chi. I also am a member of three Toastmasters clubs. And I love to just hang out with my husband and 'significant equal' of 20 years.

Where can we find your work? (blogs, website, etc.)

www.invisiblegrandparent.com (The About Me section)

www.cronemagazine.com

Facebook PatHansonPhD and Patricia Hanson

AND first memoir: Invisible Grandparenting: Leave a Legacy of Love Whether You

can be There or Not will be available from Amazon after Nov 1st.

There are millions of Invisible Grandparents who because of personality conflicts, custody issues, distance, or consequences of choices made long ago, have no way to pass values and memories to those who mean the most to them. Born of one woman’s quest to become part of the lives of two grandchildren she has been kept from seeing, Invisible Grandparenting provides a blueprint for “virtual grandparenting.” Using letter writing as a primary tool, it is a handbook for communicating tangible and intangible gifts to our young ones, if we could. Discover how to transcend invisibility, heal separation
and transform negative energy to forgiveness.

A booksigning and reception for Pat Hanson’s just released book:

INVISIBLE GRANDPARENTING :

Leave a Legacy of Love

Whether You Can Be There or Not

WHEN: Saturday, November 16^th, 2013

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Refreshments, Music & Book Signing

3:30 p.m. Reading.

WHERE: Vista Room - The Park Lane: An SRG Senior Living Community

200 Glenwood Circle – Monterey, CA 93940

 Questions: phanson@csumb.edu  831-601-9195

Thank you Pat and good luck with your book!

Burning the Pajamas........by Joyce Oroz

Today the blog is all about mee, mee, mee. My schedule, actually, and the fact that I have one. No more rolling around in my chair wearing checkered pajamas, not knowing Tuesday from Thursday, or July from January. I have a calendar and I’m going to use it … if I can remember where I put it.

Ok, got the calendar, here is where you can find me for the next two months.

Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9^th I will be signing my newest book, “Cuckoo Clock Caper” at the 19^th annual Elk’s Craft Event in the Watsonville Elk’s Lodge on Martinelli Street. I am selling my books for $10.00 instead of the regular $14.95—that way you can afford several books to give as Christmas presents. Seriously, please drop by. There will be 47 booths jammed with handmade hand crafted Christmas goodies, including Laurie Tholen’s wonderful copper jewelry and mermaids. Rosalie Johnson (pretty in pink) is responsible for the size and quality of this wonderful event. Open from 10:00 to 5:00 both days.

Saturday, November 16^th and Sunday November 17^th 10:00 to 4:00, I will be signing books at the AHA Holiday Art Festival in the Aromas Grange—corner of Rose and Blohm. Everyone knows about the beautiful arts and crafts produced by the Aromas Hills Artisans, but did you know they also have a fire in the fireplace and cider and cookies for sale? It’s true, so bring your Christmas list, cruise the aisles for fabulous deals and relax in front of the fire as you watch free demonstrations by various artists. Please look for my table of writers. There will be several of us, including a 12 year-old girl who has just published her first book—85,000-word fantasy. See you there!

Saturday, November 23^rd 2:00 to 4:00 you can find me at the Dragonfly Gallery in down town Aromas, celebrating Pat Hanson’s first book, “Invisible Grandparenting” and her title of “Artist of the Month.” She will have a reading at 3:00 pm. We hope you will attend. Enjoy the refreshments and join the conversation. Oh yeah, my books are there too.

Saturday, December 7^th, 2:00 to 5:00 you can find me at the Crossroads Book Store in Watsonville, Main St. near Orchards Supply. Pick up a few things for the chicken coop—then drop by the bookstore. See you there!

                           Laurie Tholen's Copper Creations

An Interview with Jacob Appel.......by Joyce Oroz

How much "good" can one 
lawyer-doctor-author accomplish and still look young? I hope my questions and Jacob's answers will give us a clue. Here is my interview with this amazing author.

Jacob, was there someone, something or an event in your life that set you on the road to being an author?

I remember being a young child in a commuter suburb and watching the men and women – but mostly men – disembarking from the evening train after long days at their offices in New York City. They looked so miserable, so Cheeveresque in their suffering. I determined at that moment that I would never live in a bedroom community and spend my days pushing papers in circles. The only occupations I knew of as a child that didn’t involve the rat race were medicine and writing. I am relieved to say that I am both a physician and a novelist—and I haven’t traveled by commuter train in over fifteen years.

What do you like about writing and what bugs you about it?

Writing is the best job in the world. What other occupation or calling allows you to earn your keep in your bathrobe while nibbling on macaroons? I was told there would also be pretty girls and wine—but I suppose that will have to wait for a Pulitzer.

How long have you been writing books and what other writing do you do?

I do a considerable amount of writing in the fields of bioethics and on issues at the nexus of law and medicine. Some of these subjects are rather unusual: genetic theft, three-parent babies, reproductive cloning. I also write in the field of medical history. My favorite paper is an article I wrote on the history of the “medicinal beer movement” – mainstream American physicians who promoted beer as a cure-all during the 1920s. Their testimony before Congress is, in hindsight, hilarious—but at the time, they were taken very seriously.

I started writing novels in high school and produced a large quantity of truly deplorable work. Then I made another venture into long-form prose during my first year of law school. I wrote three novels between 1997 and 2004—all three of which are finally being published this year. It has been a long time coming….. The lesson I learned is not to give up. If you’re reading this, and you’re thinking of quitting, all I can tell you is DON’T! Your moment will arrive.

Please tell us about your protagonist in Wedding Wipeout. Is he a lot like you? What are his assets and weaknesses?

The protagonist of Wedding Wipeout is a contrarian rabbi who cannot abide illogical thinking. Although I am not religious, my own frustration with muddled reasoning unquestionably provides the basis for Rabbi Kappelmacher. Other parts of his persona are derived from my former mentor at Brown University, the late Professor Edward Beiser, who was an Orthodox Jew with a priceless sense of humor and passion for clarity of thought. Kappelmacher is a good guy, I think – the sort of man I’d want to have over for dinner. He may be a tad hard on his sidekick, Rabbi Steinmetz—but no worse than Poirot is to Hastings or Holmes is to Watson.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I do my best writing when I’m not writing. I believe it was Grace Paley who once said that she did her best writing in the bathtub—and when I share this wisdom with my fiction students, I have to emphasize that Ms. Paley did not carry her typewriter into the bath. Rather, her most productive writing hours were those spent thinking about what she would ultimately compose—as are mine. So whether I’m jogging or seeing patients, the plot of my next story is never far from my mind. That being said, nothing beats a night at the theater for a needed escape from the sorrows of the world.

At this point, I am going to treat you to a typical review of Jacob's cozy mystery, Wedding Wipeout. 

"Clearly, this novel was a labor of love for author Jacob M. Appel, who is the subject of great critical acclaim on the basis of some of his other recent works -- namely, *The Biology of Luck* and *The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up*. It is possible I am missing some substantive literary depth, some prescient social commentary inscribed in this work, but I doubt it. To my eyes, it's a simple but charming whodunit. I wonder what exactly possessed Appel, also well-known as a bioethicist and a holder of pretty much every advanced degree one can imagine (i.e. JD, MD, MFA, WTF, etc.), to write this. My money's on whimsy."

"In any case, I enjoyed it. It should be an interesting read for any fan of Mr. Appel's more literary fiction as well as readers looking for a mystery story that will leave them smiling."

Where can we find your books---and anything else you would like to say--such as a website or blog.

My website is www.jacobmappel.com. Readers are also welcome to contact me directly at jacobmappel@gmail.com. I am always grateful for kind words and I make every effort to respond.

I have one novel out at present, The Man Who Wouldn’t Stand Up, available here: http://www.cargopublishing.com/the-man-who-wouldnt-stand-up/ or through Amazon.

My next novel, The Biology of Luck, is available for pre-order through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Biology-Luck-Jacob-Appel/dp/0975374680/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375731518&sr=8-2&keywords=%22biology+of+luck%3A

And finally, I have a short story collection, Scouting for the Reaper, due out in November:

http://www.amazon.com/Scouting-Reaper-Jacob-M-Appel/dp/1937854957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375731595&sr=8-1&keywords=scouting+for+the+reaper

Thank you, Jacob, for sharing your views with us. I can't wait to read your books!

Adoption Special......by Joyce Oroz

Are you interested in adopting a little four-legged friend? Please stay focused for this important information. 

Every adoptable dog and cat at the Monterey County Animal Shelter is hoping to dress up for Halloween at your house this year! Did you see my Lab holding a butterfly, wearing a gorilla suit? She can't pass up a holiday, especially Halloween.

So did I tell you about the October Adoption Special? Animal Services is offering specially reduced adoption fees for dogs during the month of October - the regular $145 fee has been reduced to just $100 - and this includes spay or neuter surgery, first vaccine series, free microchip, and 1-year license if applicable.

Also, the dogs asked us not to leave out their friends, the cats! So Animal Services is offering cats for adoption this month for half their normal adoption cost - only $50 during the month of October - and this includes spay or neuter surgery, first vaccine series, free microchip, and a cat carrier.

Do you think the cats would be so kind as to include the dogs? 

Please contact MCAS directly at 769.8850. Need more info about the animal? Go to MCAS animal search page http://mtyhd.org/manager/animalSearch/

These great photos and others like them may be viewed, commented on, liked and shared at the www.facebook.com/shelterartfoundation page.

Writer Gone Cuckoo.....by Joyce Oroz

I love to write about writers, artists, interesting people and places, but every once in a while I toot my own horn and talk about my latest books. Many of you have already read Cuckoo Clock Caper and I have heard from you--thank you for your kind words. 

At this moment I have a 96,000-word story standing by, ready for publication. Unfortunately it does not fit the format regulations at Cozy Cat Press, so I will be publishing "Beetles In the Boxcar" on Kindle in a week or two. In the meantime I am one-third of the way through book number six. 

If you would like to read more Josephine adventures just go to Amazon and type in "Joyce Oroz." Thanks for listening!

Book review by Robert Walch at the Salinas Californian

Local connection: A retired muralist and commercial artist, Joyce Oroz lives in Aromas. This is the fourth suspense novel in the Josephine Stuart series. The story is set primarily in Santa Cruz County and Moss Landing.

Content: Fifty-year-old muralist Josie Stuart’s life becomes somewhat complicated when a neighbor’s home mysteriously burns down and he ends up moving in with her. Emmett Hooley’s sister dies in the blaze and the 90-year-old clockmaker has no place to go, so Josie extends a helping hand.

Besides getting the old man back on his feet, Josie is also determined to discover who set Emmett’s house on fire and caused his sister’s death. As she delves into his past and meets his family and friends, the inquisitive artist discovers that her house guest is not only quite wealthy but he has also made a name for himself in the world of cuckoo clocks.

As the novel unfolds, the reader also follows the progress of a commission the artist is working on in Moss Landing. While she and her assistants are re-creating the Parthenon on the sidewall of a new art gallery, Josie encounters some really bad modern art. Josie marvels that anyone would want to hang the bizarre canvasses on their walls, let along pay big bucks for them. This situation, like other seemingly random events in the story, percolates for a while and then becomes an important element in the final solution to what happened the night Emmett’s house went up in flames.

Perhaps the author’s reliance on “coincidence” and how certain pieces of the puzzle finally come together will bother some readers, but those who continue to follow this series won’t mind too much. The number of mysteries in this series now attests to the fact that Josie Stuart has a loyal following of fans willing to overlook a few plot quirks because this Aromas amateur sleuth is such a beguiling lady.

Quote: “I took a deep breath and submerged myself. Murky water stung my eyes as I searched for Solow. I saw movement and swam deeper toward a shadow dog with his leash wrapped up in a submerged bicycle. There was no time to think about how a bicycle ends up in the drink, along with rusted steel bed springs and some other weird stuff. I went straight to my poor sweet dog and unhooked his leash,” (Note: that “other weird stuff” is important as you’ll see as the story races towards its conclusion!)

Here is a quote from my friend and editor, Tomi Edmiston:

"Josephine's unquenchable thirst for the truth leads her on another rollicking trail of adventures, or should I say "misadventures." When one of her neighbor's house explodes and goes up in flames, Josephine, true to her nature, becomes a mole digging beneath the surface to uncover what she suspects are unscrupulous, murderous acts. Her sleuthing takes her far afield from her usual Aromas and Moss Landing, California, terrain into the middle of a desolate Arizona desert to attend a Cuckoo Clock Convention and all the dangers that abound thereof. Josephine has that uncanny ability to bring closure to a seemingly innocent but murderous incident. We can only hope that someday, she can do the same for her love life with that charming, handsome man in her life. A delightful read with lots of adventure; devoid of unnecessary x-rated scenes and vulgar language." 

Author Elissa D. Grodin........by Joyce Oroz

Today I want to introduce my friend and author, Elissa Grodin, who writes children's books and cozy mysteries. "Physics Can Be Fatal" is Elissa's newest book published by Copy Cat Press. I love to hear writers tell their life-story because they do it so well.

Here is Elissa in her own words:

My Cozy Cat Press mystery is called Physics Can Be Fatal. The second in this series is nearly finished, in which the movie director, Alfred Hitchcock, figures into the plot. I have a strong background in film studies, and am published on the subject. In my second Edwina Goodman mystery, the plot revolves around the Film Studies Department at the college where Edwina teaches.

My writing history is as follows: I lived in England when I was in my 20s, and wrote for the Times Literary Supplement as a freelance journalist. I later moved on to children's books, and have had six children's books published, the most recent being C Is For Ciao, a picture book about the history and culture of Italy.

My mother introduced me to Agatha Christie when I was a teenager. I am a terrific fan of the Golden Age mystery writers -- Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, et. al., and I aspire to write in this tradition of heavily atmospheric and character-driven cozy mysteries. Mysteries are what I have always wanted to write, and that it took me until now to do so is a mystery in itself.

I have long been interested in physics -- hence, my protagonist is an assistant professor of physics at an Ivy League school. It is her ability to think outside the box, and the sublime imagination it takes to be a theoretical physicist, that allows Edwina Goodman to be such a good amateur sleuth.
But most of all, she is driven by an insatiable curiosity about the workings of the world around her, and this is what fuels her.

All my books are available at amazon.com., and I have a web site, www.elissagrodin.com

Thank you, Elissa for sharing your history and the elements that motivate you. Can't wait to read your next book! 

Bigfoot Lives.........By Joyce Oroz

How many times have we heard of BIGFOOT?  We have all heard the rumors. Some people believe Bigfoot exists, some people don't believe in anyone taller than Michael Jordan and some of us sit on the fence waiting to see if Mr. Bigfoot comes out of the tool shed wearing sunglasses and a speedo. 

Recent DNA tests prove that Mr. Bigfoot is real. He is a mixture of human and large hairy animal. 

Whether you "believe" or not, The Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, California is a great place to go to gather information from it's very knowledgeable owner, Mike Rugg. I prefer to believe in the big people since their dad weighs as much as my truck. I plan to stay on good terms with the whole hairy family. Here are reactions from people who have visited the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton.

"What a ridiculously cool and unexpected find! I was staying at Jaye's to see a show at Don Quixote's and when I was looking something up on my iPhone map, I saw the marker "Bigfoot Discovery Museum". SAY WHAAAAT? Oh, hell yes! I nearly squealed with excitement. I had no idea."

"I loaded the kids in the car and we heading out to see it. What a neat place! The first room has tons of Bigfoot memorabilia from various TV shows, movies, magazines, and newspapers, included a display of Bigfoot articles from my beloved and now defunct Weekly World News. There was also music overhead that was Bigfoot related. Most likely from the 70's." 

"The next room had more exhibits and the wonderful and interesting Mike behind the counter. We spoke at great length about the museum and how it is in jeopardy of closing due to lack of funding. So PLEASE make a donation when you visit and buy as much stuff as you can. This place is a gem! A quirky original that needs to remain open. I was looking at some of the art work and found a sketch of Bigfoot playing the dulcimer. I asked Mike, "Is that Bigfoot playing a dulcimer?" and he told me they were his two favorite things. Awesome. He also told me about the five types of Bigfoot (Bigfeet?) which was fascinating. He said he's been studying Bigfoot for over 60 years! HE BELIEVES!" 

"Days after we went, there was a piece about the museum on the news. Great timing! If you live in the Bay Area, this is definitely a neat little place to visit. The drive is beautiful and Henry Cowell Park is RIGHT there. So, be sure to drop by and say hi to Sasquatch and Mike!"

"Great place to stop! This place is small but it is packed full of fun and informative info and memorabilia of North America's most elusive primate. The owner/operator is engaging, friendly and well-informed with all of the latest sasquatch info. This is a great place to stop!
Cost: Free with a suggested $2 donation... give more if you can!"

"It's so intimidating walking up to the place that that really sets the mood for the experience. You might be scared to talk to the unassuming yet intense man behind the counter, but that, is the real reason to go here. He's really nice, has some interesting stories and really lays out some plausible theories. The organization also puts on seminars, which I keep trying to get time to go to."

"Let's start off with the admission that I'm a critical skeptic of this topic. But my own feelings about this don't have any bearing on my review. This is a very small, owner-operated museum on Bigfoot, locally and beyond. The proprietor is absolutely delightful to chat with and his belief and passion on the subject are above reproach. It is obvious that the  guy is quite knowledgeable about Bigfoot events and topics. My wife was utterly entranced with his stories and I have to admit that my own curiosity was more than a bit piqued by his facts. His tiny museum is run on donations and it shows in the humble but sincere and compelling displays. I highly recommend stopping in and chatting. And don't forget to donate generously! We need more of these interesting and diverse places to see."

"The place is tiny, but then again, the owner keeps his business running off donations. The trinkets are pretty cool and kids would love the place. The man that owns it is informative and very passionate about his discoveries on the mysterious bigfoot." 

s:

5497 Hwy 9, Felton, CA

Directions:

On the west side of Hwy 9 just south of town. From the intersection of Graham Hill Rd and Hwy 9, take Hwy 9 left three-quarters of a mile.

Hours:

W-M 11-6 (Call to verify)

Phone:

831-335-4478

Admission:

Free

RA Rates:

Worth a Detour

"Fun location, especially if you're a Bigfoot fan like my boyfriend. The owner/curator is very passionate about his collection and research. Free admission, but small donations ($2-$5) are encouraged and worth it especially if you get to talk to him. If you're lucky, maybe he will show you his own video footage!"

Mary Dezelle's Art.......by Joyce Oroz

Hurrah for Mary Dezelle, Dragonfly Gallery “Artist of the Month” for October. 

Mary is the kind of artist who thinks outside the box of art materials. She is a well-educated, industrious and talented lady who has successfully put her artistic hand to many things. She grew up in Sacramento as the daughter of an accomplished artist and teacher, and has been creating art since the age of three. As a fourth generation native Californian, she comes from a long line of artists and educators.

After receiving her B. A. degree in Advertising from San Jose State University in 1978, she became the Advertising Copywriter for Montgomery Ward department stores bay area metro, located in Oakland. Her work covered nine newspapers, direct mail campaigns, finished fashion illustration and photography.

From there, Ms. Dezelle went to work for the Whirlpool Corporation in Sunnyvale and later signed on as Graphics Arts Technician with the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Eventually she became Vice President of Advanced Printing Company, Inc. in Gilroy.

Ms. Dezelle’s repertoire includes batik, three dimensional design, watercolor acrylics, oil pastel, colored pencil, calligraphy, technical illustration, mask making, floral design and event planning for weddings, memorials, fund raisers, etc.

At present, Mary makes hand-crafted jewelry, gourd decoration, free-form crochet, floral design, painting and masks. She specializes in “One of a kind” pieces and welcomes custom orders. Her masks and gourds are presently displayed and sold at the Dragonfly Gallery.

To place a special order or contact her regarding her art work, she can be reached at 831-726-9329.

A special “Meet and Greet” will be held at the Dragonfly Gallery, Saturday, October 12, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, 380 Blohm Ave., Aromas. Please join us for refreshments and conversation with the very talented, Mary Dezelle.