Meanderings and Muses

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Me Reading from Margaret Maron's SLOW DOLLAR

Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 4:36 PM No comments:
Labels: Margaret Maron

Monday, July 29, 2013

Me Reading from Pat Conroy's Beach Music

If you're a follower of Meanderings and Muses, you already know how I feel about Pat Conroy. 

I love everything he's written, but there's always been one passage that has stayed with me since the first time I read BEACH MUSIC --

 
Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 2:40 PM 1 comment:
Labels: Pat Conroy

Sunday, July 28, 2013

We Have a Winner!







I have drawn a winning name out of my magic pink Willie Nelson baseball cap.

 Margaret Franson is the winner a copy of WHIMSEY: A NOVEL and a Whimsey tote bag.

 Congratulations to Margaret and my thanks to everyone who played.

 And we'll be doing this again!




Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 6:15 PM No comments:
Labels: Whimsey:A Novel

Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Whimsey Reading



Reading a paragraph from my WHIMSEY for SIBA's "Parapalooza" - thanks to the brilliant Wanda Jewell and Nicki Leone for this great idea.



For more readings, visit authorsroundthesouth.com/read-this/parapalooza
Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 10:16 PM No comments:
Labels: Whimsey:A Novel

Friday, July 26, 2013

Whimsey's Newest Review


  • What a lovely and sweet way to start my day!!!!! 
  • Thank you Paige Petroff Bennett for this review of my Whimsey -
  • "I took a short vacation when I picked up Whimsey by Kaye Wilkinson Barley. I went to a delightful island off the coast of Georgia. I met up with some truly Southern Ladies and some Southern Gentlemen. I met a rather strange cat and dog, a cigar smoking lady ghost, and an evil pixie. I had a lot of laughs, a few surprises and only one or two tears ( what's a good novel without a tear or two). This story is a love story, a ghost story, a family saga, a fantasy and a comedy. Do not let yourself miss this trip. Whimsey is the author's first novel and I sure hope it is not her last."
Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 11:00 AM No comments:
Labels: Whimsey:A Novel

Thursday, July 25, 2013

I'm Having a Give-Away

 
 
I'm having a give-away - just 'cause. 
 
If you'd like a copy of my WHIIMSEY: A NOVEL, AND a tote with the cover image of Whimsey on it, just drop me an email with "Whimsey Give-Away" in the subject line with your mailing address.  I'll toss all the names into my magic pink Willie Nelson baseball cap and draw one name on Sunday evening and will let the winner know by email that their name was drawn. 
 
Already have one?  Doesn't matter!  Get a second and give one to a friend.


And all I ask in return (of COURSE, there's payback!), is that you help me spread The Word of Whimsey.  Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, your neighbors, your mail carrier, dentist, vet, baby/dog/cat sitter, etc. etc. etc. to give Whimsey a try. 

Send your email to barleykw at appstate dot edu - and Thank You!!!





Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 1:21 PM No comments:
Labels: Whimsey:A Novel

Monday, July 22, 2013

Home - There's No Place Like Home



But I do love Baltimore, I must say!  And that's where we've been.



And Harley loves a road trip - it doesn't matter to him where we go, just so long as he gets to go.








We drove up for Donald to attend a convention.



The ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) Convention.  It's an annual event, held in different cities across the states.  Some years Donald attends without me, but when it's held in Baltimore, I like to go along.

The last time it was held in Baltimore was 2007, and I had a great time.  Here's hoping this year will be just as much fun.

Harley is with us 'cause the hotel we're staying in, The Hilton Downtown, is pet friendly.  And, like I said - he does love a road trip.

Although, it does, sometimes, make him a little sleepy.






Day One -

We drove up thru Roanoke, VA.  A beautiful drive.

And, as usual, we got tickled about "stuff."  If there's one thing I know for sure in my life, it's that Donald Barley is going to make me laugh.  Hard.  We've been known to get so tickled we've had to pull the car off the road in order to have a giggle fit and not have a wreck.

This particular giggle fit was caused by me giving Donald  a bit too much grief about something and him looking at me with a dead serious look on his face to ask "Why are you here?" 

"Pfft!"  says I.

"Seriously.  What are you doing here?  I'm on my way to Baltimore for a convention, and next thing I know you think it's a vacation.  I'm just gonna have to drop you off somewhere, Missy, so watch yourself."

"Pfft!"  (with a snort)

By now we were both tickled (I know, I know, it's really just not that funny . . .).

Then Harley joins in barking loudly, and we got more tickled.  I know - it's still just not that funny.

Next thing I know, Donald is threatening to see if he can trade me to some guy for his motorcycle - and yes, I even thought that was pretty funny.  As if.





And just to show you what a fun couple we are, here's one of the places we stopped on the way -



They sell some yummy horsie treats - apple & carrot flavored cookies, that Harley just loves. 

And Donald bought me a present.

I love this!!!




I also love have my favorite road trip snackie along

 
 
And a good book
 
 
 
 
Some knitting
 
 
 





We finally checked into our hotel a little later than we had intended 'cause with our usual good luck and timing we hit Baltimore during rush hour traffic.  Living in Boone for so long, we tend to forget how horrible it can be to sit on an expressway during rush hour.  ugh.

The hotel location is great - it's attached to the Convention Center where all of Donald's classes, seminars, tests and trade show will be held.

It's also adjacent to Camden Yards where the Orioles play.  When we made our reservations, we were told we would have a room overlooking the ballpark, but that didn't happen.  Grrrrr.  But, after a little chat with the hotel manager, he promised to move us to a room that does overlook the ballpark on Sunday.

But, you know, I really couldn't get too upset 'cause we do get to look out our window and see an old Baltimore landmark that I think is just too cool for words.  The Bromo Seltzer clock tower.  I love this!




We're a few blocks from the Inner Harbor, which I love.

But we checked in, realized there was an Orioles game going on, so wandered outside to enjoy some of the hoopla, which included a few fireworks and found a place to get a little something to eat. 






Exhausted, we fell into bed pretty early and I read  little of Diane Chamberlain's NECESSARY LIES before falling asleep.  I was a lucky recipient of an Advance Reading Copy of this novel which will hit the stands in September.  So far, it is outstanding!




Day Two - -

Donald left for class at 7 a.m.

I had a cup of coffee in bed while checking email and Facebook then took Harley for a walk.

Came back and got myself ready, walked to the Inner Harbor,

 





 

had lunch at Bubba Gump's (Cajun shrimp - YUM!) then took a trolley tour of Baltimore.  Baltimore is a fascinating city.  I wanted to kinda get my bearings a little, so I can do some exploring on my own.  There are some gorgeous old buildings here that I'm dying to get some pictures of.  And some neighborhoods I want to walk around on my own.






Made my way back to the hotel late afternoon, and Donald got back from class around 5:30 and we walked back to the harbor and had a wonderful dinner at the M&S Grill.  I meant to take a picture of my gorgeous crabcake but dug into it so fast, I forgot. 


Day Three - -

Harley and I mostly hung around the hotel today.

It's the day we're supposed to move to our new room, and I didn't want to take any chances on that not happening.

And - ta da - we moved to our new room around lunch time which was perfect.

Took a few short walks, watched the Oriole game from our hotel room window and read some more of Diane's NECESSARY LIES (wow!).



I unpacked our bags, went to the hotel fitness center and walked the treadmill, painted my nails and just relaxed the whole day.



Donald came back from class, and we took a walk, and then he went to a seminar. 

Late dinner at a restaurant close by.  I had a chocolate sundae.  I've been craving ice cream for days, so it was yum yum perfect.




We walked a few blocks down to Penn to try a little neighborhood place, but The Corner Bistro in the Ridgley neighborhood was closing up by the time we arrived.  But, we plan on going back.  The neighborhood is one of those wonderful old downtown neighborhoods Baltimore is known for and the little bistro looks like our kind of place.  Doesn't hold probably any more than 30-35 people.  Soft lighting, nice classy atmosphere, but casual and reasonable prices.


Day Four - -

Donald's class didn't start till 8 a.m. today, so we slept a little later. 

After he went on his way, I enjoyed a cup of coffee in bed, then got myself ready for the day.  Took Harley for a little walk and made my way to The Gallery across from the Inner Harbor.  Browsed thru all the nice shops, had a blueberry muffin at Starbuck's then took the bus to The American Visionary Art Museum only to discover that it's closed on Mondays.  dang.  But I took some pictures around the entrance and plan on going back later this week.


 
 



On the way back, I discovered a carousel I didn't know was here - how cool is this?!



I love Baltimore.

Browsed around the pavilions at the Inner Harbor for awhile and walked back to the hotel.  I have never done so much walking.  whew! 

It's hot and humid here.  Really, really humid.

Harley and I went out for a quick walk, then I settled in with a fresh cup of coffee, my laptop and my book.  life is good.


Day 5 - -

Today was a perfect day.

I got to spend the day with two totally delightful women who also happen to be cousins - Pat Wilkinson van Drey and Laurie Wilkinson Scott.  We've known one another since the cradle.  Sometimes too much time goes by between visits, but when we do get together conversation picks up as if we had just seen one another the day before.

The picked me up around 9:30 a.m. and dropped me off about 8:30 p.m.  A very fun, very full, day.

We shopped and ate and giggled and shopped some more in Hampden













 
 
I even bought some new eyeglass frames, which I've been looking for forever!
 
 

 
 
 
And then, we made our way over to The American Visionary Museum











 
 
 
Took a little two hour dessert and chat break, shopped some more and then had a delightful dinner before saying our good-byes.  


 
oh, yeah - we did have another dessert, but forgot to take a picture!  dang.
 
'twas a great day.
 
 
 
Day 6 - -
 
Went back to the Inner Harbor today and visited the very cool Barnes & Noble Bookstore
 
 
 
 
 
and The Holocaust Memorial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Day 7 - -
 
Didn't venture too far from the hotel, just around Camden Yards -
 
 

 
 
I did try to find a place to have a hot dog, but was unsuccessful. 
 
 
 
Day 8 - -
 
I went back to the Inner Harbor today
 
 
 

 
 and headed straight to Johnny Rocket's so I could have a hot dog which I've been craving for a couple days,

 

 
 
shopped a little
 

 
 
 
 
 roamed a little
 

 
 
and caught the bus back to the hotel 'cause it's just too danged hot to walk.
 
 
and for some reason, Camden Yards stadium lights were on all night, even though there was no game.  Pretty though!
 
 
 
 
 
Day 9 - -
 
 
Harley likes looking at the stadium from our room too
 
 
 
 
 
Donald and I walked down to the Inner Harbor for dinner and decided to eat at Johnny Rockets again.  And this time we were treated to a little bit of a show - too fun!!!!
 
 
 
 
We walked back to the hotel through the Convention Center (thank goodness for air conditioning!), and there's an impressive display of model boats
 
 
 
 
 
 
Day 10 - -
 
 
We're home.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And life is good.
 
 



 
 




 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 






 
Posted by Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses at 9:00 AM 2 comments:
Labels: ALOA Convention, Baltimore MD, Orioles
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MY AUTHOR PAGE

Please stop by - - -

https://kayewilkinsonbarley.com/




To read a little more about the books shown, and for purchase options, click on a cover image

Carousels of Paris

Carousels of Paris

Whimsey: A Novel

Whimsey: A Novel

Harley's Book

Harley's Book

Anthologies

Anthologies



Short Story Winner

Short Story Winner
To read "Picnics with Aunt Kathryn" please click on the thumbnail



My Paris Reading List

My Paris Reading List
click on the piggy to see the list


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      • Me Reading from Margaret Maron's SLOW DOLLAR
      • Me Reading from Pat Conroy's Beach Music
      • We Have a Winner!
      • A Whimsey Reading
      • Whimsey's Newest Review
      • I'm Having a Give-Away
      • Home - There's No Place Like Home
      • What Else Have You Got? by Sharon Wildwind
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Books Read

Every year I promise myself I'm going to keep a log of books I'm reading. And I immediately forget. Then I remember again, but only after I've already read a few books, but can't be sure I'll remember them all and so - - can't bring myself to start the list. It's sort of like missing the first 30 minutes of a movie. I just can't watch it if I've missed the beginning. And being the anal ol' soul I am, I can't bring myself to start a list if I can't be sure it's going to be a complete one. So. I decided to keep a list during 2010 and found it to be a fun thing. Especially for a compulsive list-maker like myself.


You can see my 2010 list here -


http://meanderingsandmuses.blogspot.com/2010/12/books-read-during-2010.html



And, you can see my 2011 list here -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2011/12/books-read-during-2011.html



And here's my 2012 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2013/01/books-read-in-2012.html



And, my 2013 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2013/12/books-read-duing-2013.html



And, my 2014 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2014/12/books-read-in-2014.html



And, my 2015 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2015/12/books-read-in-2015_14.html



And, my 2016 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2016/12/books-read-during-2016.html



And, my 2017 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2017/12/books-read-during-2017.html



And, my 2018 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2018/12/books-i-read-in-2018.html



And, my 2019 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2019/12/books-i-read-in-2019.html



And, my 2020 list -

http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2020/07/books-read-in-2020.html


And, my 2021 list - http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2021/12/books-i-read-in-2021.html

And, my 2022 list - http://www.meanderingsandmuses.com/2022/12/books-i-read-in-2022.html

Books Read in 2023

  • The Magical Summer of Miranda Stone by A.D. Brazeau *
  • The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
  • What Never Happened A Thriller by Rachel Howzell Hall
  • Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery *
  • Looking for Clara by Simona Grossi
  • A Boat on the Ocean by Simona Grossi
  • The Little Red French Door by Simona Grossi
  • Take the Long Way Home by Rochelle Alers *
  • Wedding of the Season by Lauren Edmondson
  • Standing in the Shadows by Peter Robinson
  • The Block Party by Jamie Day
  • Sally Brady's Italian Adventure by Christina Lynch *
  • The Second Ending by Michelle Hoffman *
  • My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank
  • All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer *
  • The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges * *
  • Prom Mom by Laura Lippman **
  • I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
  • In a Hard Wind A McKenzie Novel by David Housewright ***
  • Identity by Nora Roberts ***
  • The Spectacular by Fiona Davis *
  • The Dark Edge of Night by Mark Pryor
  • The Friday Night Club by Sofia Lundberg, Alyson Richman and M. J. Rose *
  • Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus *
  • The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand **
  • The Bones of the Story by Carol Goodman
  • Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding *
  • The Paris Mystery by Kirsty Manning **
  • Elsie de Wolfe's Paris: Frivolity Before the Storm by Charlie Scheips
  • The Little Village of Book Lovers by Nina George
  • The Heirloom Inn by Olivia Miles
  • The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson *
  • Time's Undoing by Cheryl A. Head
  • Justice Is Served A Tale of Scallops, the Law, and Cooking for RBG by Leslie Karst * *
  • China by Edward Rutherfurd *
  • The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard ***
  • The Darlings by Hannah McKinnon
  • From Dust to Stardust by Kathleen Rooney **
  • Summer Roommates by Holly Chamberlin
  • An American Beauty by Shana Abe **
  • The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
  • House of Clouds by K. L. Gleeson
  • The River Runs South by Audrey Ingram *
  • A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson *
  • The Thing About Home by Rhonda McKnight * *
  • All the Leaves Are Brown How the Mamas & the Papas Came Together and Broke Apart by Scott G. Shea *
  • All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay *

FTC Disclosure Notice

FTC has a regulation which went into effect in December, 2009 which says, basically - "Amateur Bloggers to Disclose Freebies or Be Fined." Significantly fined. So. Since I happen to be an amateur blogger who sometimes receives free books, here's my required FTC Disclosure Notice: Dear FTC - Regarding review copies of books obtained for this blog. No other compensation is accepted beyond review copies of books - ever. When I do write a review, or opinion, the source of the book cited will be disclosed in the post in which the review/opinon appears. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.




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