Happy and Mad

I am both happy and mad all at the same time!

I found another great piece of the Secret Lives of Evelyn puzzle yesterday. As it turns out, quite by accident. I was looking for one thing and stumbled upon it. I love it when that happens!!!

On the other hand, I am really mad and upset about two book reviews I received yesterday. One was for Taste of Tombstone and the other for Tombstone's Treasure. They were both from scholarly types, which might explain their comments.

Tombstone's Treasure was hit for having disorganized footnotes, while Taste of Tombstone was hit for the same thing, but also for the recipes. It always amazes me that people think recipes that were used in the west have to come from old cookbooks in the west.

How would that be possible when most books were published in the east during the 1800s? Did these highly-educated scholars think about that?! Of course not--the women who went west, yes, from the east, took their EASTERN cookbooks along with them.

They also slammed me for not citing the source for every single recipe I have in the book. They should have paid attention to the Prologue where I specifically say I used old cookbooks of the time, including an 1880 one that I bought in Tombstone! Ugh. They also mentioned not being able to remember who Otto Geisenhofer was and had to use the index to look him up. Why was that a big deal?

Thanks--I feel better now.

Headed to Tombstone

I just found out that I will be attending the Founder's Day celebration in Tombstone in April. They are having an event on Saturday called, Taste of Tombstone. They have asked me to sign books in the park where the local restaurants will be selling food.

I couldn't pass on this event with my book title being an exact match. Sounds like a great way to promo the book!

I've have some nice comments about my new Frontier Fare column, which has made me feel very good.

February 28, 2008

This will be another brief post because I still feel a little bad and I am tired.

However, I just had to share this...

So here are two things with Taste of Tombstone (TOT). First, for those who don’t know; this was my very first book and it came out 10 years ago in January 2008. I recently discovered that the 1998 version of Taste of Tombstone is listed all over the internet for sale anywhere $17-$200! I guess after ten years, a small print run, and a second edition out, this has become something to collect. How weird is that?

The University of New Mexico Press reprinted TOT and is releasing it this month. I just got my author copies with the new cover, edits, and text. You know, there is nothing like opening a book for the first time and hearing that paper noise that can only be heard with a new book fresh out of the wrapper.

It has certainly been an interesting 10-year ride, so far! Can’t wait for the next 10 years…

December 3, 2007

Well, I was right, yesterday's game was sad and cold. They had a small memorial for Sean Taylor after the team's warm-ups, just before the game. I think everybody cried when they showed an interview with Sean who said his favorite thing about playing at home was the fans. Everyone had signs, faces and cars painted, and there was the memorial at Fed Ex field. I made a small gold pin and with his "21" on it to wear on my coat. When I was being frisked by security, the woman asked me where I got my pin and I told her I made it. I told her I just felt like I needed to - she smiled and put her arms around me and give me a giant bear hug. How sweet.

I did manage to make some minor progress on Taste of Tombstone, but this week is crunch time! It's due Friday.

I'm working on some other things as well, but I'm not sure I am ready to share yet. If it all happens, it will be so much fun!

Back to work...

December 1, 2007

Wow, it's December already.

Yesterday was interesting. I had an MRI on my back to see why I keep having pain off and on. Thing is, I am claustrophobic and those things are tight. I had my doctor give me a script for some "doggy" downers so I wouldn't freak. Honestly, I just felt a little relaxed, but later I realized they hit me harder than I knew. I didn't work in the morning because of the MRI, so I sent my co-worker an email. I corrected it about 8 times before I thought it looked good. Boy, she sent me a reply saying I made her laugh...I re-read the email and I cracked myself up! I guess the drugs were more effective than I knew.

We got our Christmas tree yesterday - a beautiful 9' Frasier Fir from the mountains of NC. We aren't putting up until this week since we are headed to D.C. today.

I've been catching up on my VP-Marketing duties with WWW this week as well. I also have to work on my final Taste of Tombstone in the car today, since it's due back to the publisher next Friday.

The football game tomorrow will be sad and cold - the Redskins are honoring Sean Taylor before the game. It's also supposed to be about 37 degrees with freezing rain. Until Monday...

November 20, 2007

I got the spring catalog from the University of New Mexico Press yesterday and the re-release of Taste of Tombstone is in it. Here's the link: http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id=11811637242152

I still can't believe that book came out almost 10 years ago. I've only got another week and a half to finish the final edits and create the indexes...

I received a nice email from a man in Florida who said he watched the Lost Worlds show and truly enjoyed it. He wanted to know when my next show would be...hmm, I want to know that as well! :)

November 8, 2007

Hmm. I missed yesterday. I'm not sure how that happened. Anyway, I started yesterday with a 3-mile walk - it was 36 degrees. Brr.

We had a conference call yesterday and agreed to a new plan that would help us work normal hours again. Yeah!

I made a Mexican dish for dinner last night called, Posole. It was spicy, but good.

The University Press who published my last book, and who is doing my Taste of Tombstone reprint asked me to do a manuscript review. This is for a book they are considering for publication. What I say can mean a book contract for the author, or non-publication. I said I would do it, because I have until the end of the year to complete the review.

I am still getting good comments about the Lost Worlds show. It's funny, people who really don't care about the west, like my cousin, and people who live the west, like renowned artist, Thom Ross, both said they learned something and really enjoyed the show. Of course, both were impartial - not doubt! ;)

We watched Gordon Ramsay on Kitchen Nightmares last night. This time he was in Burbank, CA. This show was pitiful - just like the first one. Some owner/chef throwing temper tantrums and whining. Totally turns me off. I still like the BBC version so much better, which is on tonight.

October 12, 2007

Well, I finally did it - I started every day this week with a 3-mile power walk. This morning it was 45 degrees. It was brisk to say the least. Next week I will attempt to get back to the gym.

Tomorrow night we are going to see 3:10 To Yuma, so I can discuss it with my colleagues in Colorado Springs next week.

My blog on Monday better say that I have finished my edits to Taste of Tombstone or I am in big trouble. I also have four entries for True West Magazine's Best of the West that are due on Monday as well. Ah, the life of a writer...

Happy TSJG? :)

October 10, 2007

I started the day walking 3 miles with a neighbor and then started work. It's been busy again, so I am just posting this.

I got my edited Taste of Tombstone manuscript (MS) from the publisher two days ago and they want all the edits by the 15th. I guess I will be working this weekend on that. It's hard to believe there are that many edits since the book was already published 10 years ago. However, this is a university press and they are a little more particular about things.

Small plans and ideas are in motion for me to do more TV, but there is nothing firm, just scratch the surface kind of stuff for now.

Well, I have been at this computer long enough today and I am sore. Goodnight.

October 2, 2007

I almost missed today. I have been so busy with my writing job, that I have barely had time for anything else. I did walk this morning with a neighbor. I am cat sitting for my mom, so that takes time when you go visit, and love, and feed, and play with them.

I got to see the new cover for Taste of Tombstone yesterday. It's really nice, but it screams Cookbook. If any of you know me, I fought that category for a few years because I wanted to be taken seriously as a historical writer. After a while, I learned to embrace the fact that it sells well, because it IS a cookbook. What the heck, I have other books that show I can write, so I'm of the opinion - whatever the heck sells!

All for now, back to the job...it's 7:21 p.m. E.T. and I still need to eat dinner.

August 2, 2007

Well - it happened yesterday! The first time I was ever at the beach and a shark was actually spotted in the water where everyone was swimming. Thankfully, I missed it, but my family was all in it. I had come up to the room to shower and work. As I walked past the sliding door I noticed everyone was out of the water and pointing at the ocean. I ran out on the deck and my sister-in-law, Norene made a shark fin gesture and I knew what she meant. Accoridng to Larry it was about 4 feet long and had a large gash in its side, which might explain why it was so close to shore. However, just last week, there was a shark attack in the same area...

It doesn't seem to have affected anyone since there are already people swimming in the ocean. Although, I will be very shaky when I get in today. One guy apparently dtiched his spouse on their raft when they saw the shark. I wonder where he slept last night?!

Got a little more tan yesterday, and relaxed. Taste of Tombstone is finally done (was last week) and the publisher is happy with that one! I still am pondering the other book...so much work, and I have another project that is probably more profitable.

Oh well, work is light this morning, so I am heading to the beach for a while. Went jogging this morning again.