Northampton, Massachusetts

My son, Scott, and I have had a long-standing tradition of celebrating his birthday and Mother's Day together since he was born on Mother's Day. As the years have passed we can't always schedule our special day on "the day," but we always work it out. So yesterday we spent the day together. Northampton, always lively and festive with street fairs, protests, musicians, and "consciousness raising groups" was especially busy as it was graduation weekend at Smith College.

First, we watched his call-in radio show featuring two psychics. Then we walked around town and he bought a pair of Merrill shoes, which he thought were quite excellent. (An extra birthday gift, of course.) Then we walked around town some more, where I fell behind sniffing herbs at the Farmer's Market. Finally we settled down to lunch at Paul & Elizabeth's. I had a crab salad swiss melt and hibiscus peppermint iced tea. He and his dad had the special Fish & Chips, because the captain had made it in.

Then we went back to his apartment where he and his dad worked on fixing his bikes (yes, that's plural). I sat down for a much needed breather, and didn't even do too much snooping around. By dinnertime, my other son, Kevin, arrived from Vermont. We walked to Packard's and ate again... drank a little too, but not much. The Nachos moved pretty fast and the ribs and homemade chips were a "10."

We left "the boys" on their own and made it back to Duxbury by 11... a long and tiring, but wonderful day.

See below... Shirley and Lee at Psychic Show at WHMP, Northampton.

Let Your Imagination Take Flight Conference

Salem, Massachusetts: a fabulous historical city
200 smart, supportive writers
Unlimited food, snacks, desserts... and all the tea, coffee, and water you could consume
Workshops, editors, agents, and big-name speakers from the literary world
Sunny New England weather in the 50s and 60s
A retro hotel dating back to 1925
A parking spot
An adorable young bartender who rubbed a lemon twist all around the rim of my martini glass
An ice-breaker scavenger hunt
A prize featuring uniquely-Maine trinkets: spa socks, coffee, candy, maple syrup, and a pine pillow
A book signing: photo features Michelle Picard and me.

Add up all the above for a fantastic weekend.

Hope yours was great too, despite the Celtics' loss. We'll get those jokers from Miami next time.

~Shirley
http://www.shirleyannhoward.com/

Speaking and Signing

I'm very excited about my next speaking engagement for the New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America on Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m.

Then, we're having a book signing at 4. Open to the public.

Really looking forward to seeing lots of people and talking about writing... my favorite topic.

~S~

http://www.shirleyannhoward.com/

Happy Birthday Katie

Happy Third Birthday to my sweet, sweet granddaughter.
Grandpa and I love you and hope you have a wonderful day.

Much love and many hugs.

TALES FROM HOME wins second award

TALES FROM HOME is a finalist for the BOOK BUYERS BEST AWARD.
Here's the link    http://occrwabbbcontest.wordpress.com/

I'm listed under "Mainstream with Romantic Elements."

I am really excited about this and extremely appreciative to everyone who helped make this possible.

Here's a picture of the pin they sent me.

Love and Peace,
~S~

Colorado Romance Writers - Award of Excellence

I'm almost afraid to post this, thinking I might be dreaming, but I'm not usually in that state at 10:30 on Saturday morning.

Help me out here..... Go to the link below and read the list of Finalists for the Award of Excellence in Published Fiction. Is that my name and novel under Mainstream with Romantic Elements?

http://crw-rwa.ning.com/page/2011-award-of-excellence-1

I was called and emailed, but so much of my world is filled with fictional twists and turns, my perception of reality and illusion is cloudy indeed.

Much love and many thanks to everyone everywhere who helped provide this recognition of my work.

~Shirley
http://www.shirleyannhoward.com/

I've always loved books

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers-Charles W. Eliot (1834 - 1926)

~Shirley

http://www.shirleyannhoward.com/