The Streets of Quito, Ecuador

This lovely photo, shot by my friend Winston F. Cepeda of Guayaquil, Ecuador, shows the dynamic layers of humanity within the city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Winston explains that shooting sharp, clear photos is assisted by the ever present sun in his country. It still takes a certain amount of talent to find that perfect angle. Here the scope reaches down through a side street where remnants of the very ancient city and its magnificent layers of activity and history show through. The people is a strong and cohesive one and celebrate all facets of life. Below is a wider shot of the city taken also by Sr. Cepeda, taken from an upper level apartment window that shows the glorious mountain range visible from there.

Pennsylvania Neighbors to the North

This is an earlier shots of the beautiful Montoursville, PA in one of their typical early winter frostings. While we in South Jersey are set to expect a little snow in the coming day, these folks are gifted with feet of it on a regular basis. Isn't there something lovely about that brilliant blue sky after a snow storm?

Winter is Beautiful

It's Game Time Again--the Table Kind!

There's only so much cold outdoors a person can take. And hey, with flu season and everyone and his brother having a cold right now, why not take out the old Monopoly board and give the winter brain a jump? This ancient game--well, I think from the 1920s anyway--has brought conversation, laughter, and yeah, disagreements, too, I guess, between family and friends for years, as they wait out the ice and snow. These folks are having sodas, and I think popcorn is on the way. I think I'll join in!

A Great Time for a Leisurely Journey

When was the last time you were on a train? The New Jersey Transit System and Amtrak travel are a wonderful way to take in beautiful eastern sites. Unlike air travel, passengers on a train hoist their own luggage, but there it stays, and once aboard, one need not depart, change gates, watch for turbulence, or wait for the luggage return.

But the greatest part about a train journey is the journey itself. Watching through the large plated glass is mesmerizing. Winter time offers a view of those seldom or never visited scenes in true Americana. As they fly by in afternoon, with a setting sun, or as sun rises just after dawn, we remember the beauty and magnitude of our bright and glorious country.  Why not stop off for a trip to Philly or even down to Richmond, Virginia--and back!

Keep Crafting Alive!

What better activity in winter than your favorite crafting project. I like to make comforters, whether traditionally quilted, as above, or crocheted, also above. Each has its own great comforting qualities and both are easily maintained via wash and wear. The main point though is that they come from our own two hands and serve us through those tough times, lonely times, or just plain cold times! If you always wanted to quilt or you always wondered how to crochet, find a good YouTube teacher and enjoy the indoor hours of winter.
Here is a great teacher on YouTube with a very gentle and funny approach:
Click for Crochet Teacher Link
And here is an example of a nice quilting teacher:
Click for Quilting Teacher Link
Have a great time!

The Microwave is our Friend

Have you ever wished it were possible to lose weight without trying--much? It actually is. This may surprise you, but if you work from home, or at any office, the chances are good that you are well acquainted with your microwave. Heating up coffee, making quick snacks, lunch in a box, or even boiling water are frequently done via microwave for the simplicity and cleanliness aspects.

So how does this possibly not-so-interesting fact tie in with losing weight? Simple. While your coffee is being internally radiated, don't sit down, don't just stand there, either. Jog. Yep, jog. Jog in place, or jog around the room. It may seem funny at first. In reality, it will probably look funny, especially if you're in a big office and even more so if you have the open floor plan of a Microsoft or Apple office arrangement. But don't let that stop you! You can be the trend setter.

So you've jogged in place for a grand total of 60 seconds. Wow. Big deal, you say. What's that supposed to do? Well, how many times do you heat up your coffee? Make popcorn? Or pizza? Most people average around 10 times per day, according to my informal survey. If you use the microwave, your friend, for an average of 1 minute, that is to say a mere 60 seconds per use, that's 10 minutes of jogging in place each day.

I'm not a youngster and not quite elderly, but I am at the stage where losing weight doesn't come as naturally to me as it does to my 23-year-old. And I can tell you, I was amazed at how easily the weight came off, and I'm talking about behind-me weight. It was such an great feeling. It was the first time I felt I had been amply rewarded for my creativity. The idea started out as a joke to entertain my shih tzus. But then I thought, why not do it every time? Less than a week later, I was down 2 pounds. If you combine this idea with the one in my previous blog post about shutting down the eating part of your day after dinner, you might have the same great success that we're having in our neck of the woods.

Shih Tzus I've known, a Beautiful Combination of Love & Loyalty

This little doll, 1 year old Valentina, was to mother two beautiful
litters of tiny loving gems for four other lucky dog lovers.

Tiny Rio served as the group organizer and fathered a few gentle blue beauties, like himself.

Thalia, an extremely high bred Champion-line sweetheart,was as much a
tomboy running through the snowdrifts as our West Highland Terrior.

The most attentive and loving mama shih tzu, Bella never had a cross
word to say about our petting her little ones.

This tiny pup, 8-week-old Bella, became a mama herself (above).
You might not be able to see it in these eyes, but she is full of cuddle and mischief. 
If there is the tiniest crumb somewhere on a table top, 
she will find it--and she won't let you be until you fork it over! 

Love the Beach-Why Does it Make You Feel So Good?

What is it about the Water's Edge?

It's hard to resist the pull of the ocean, especially if you live inland and rarely get to see those beckoning rolling waves. You may never put on a swimsuit, but still that ocean water washing over your toes says something good. What is that?

In part, it's actually due to the presence of oxygen atoms that have extra electrons, creating what are known as negative ions. Some scientists believe that the negative ion is key to what energizes and refreshes people who breakaway to spend a little time in outdoor, natural settings, such as lakeside in the mountains. Probably the highest concentration of these negative ions exists at the intersection of the waves and the sand at less frequented beaches. The combination of sun, water, and the naturally occurring synthesis commonly brings about spontaneous good feelings.

Next time you are strolling along the beach, you can appreciate a bit of insider knowledge along with the magnificent scenery, and enjoy it all the more!

1943, Getting Back to Our Synopsis

Meet the Characters in The Call to Serve when the first few chapters are offered here on Coffee & Talkie, but for now, here are a few more paragraphs about their story.

Joan receives Annie’s ticket to a free dinner dance and overnight stay in Atlantic City, an event which is specifically arranged to help girls and fellows meet up. At the event, Joan becomes interested in a very attractive man, Dick, who seems to like her, but is shanghaied by a pert little redhead, who accidentally splashes her Manhattan all over Joan’s borrowed dress. Crushed, Joan exits but holds out hope that she will meet up with Dick again.

Meanwhile, Annie alone at home, has learned that her beloved Sylvester, who is attending college in New Brunswick, has been called up to report for duty. While he is relieved and enthusiastic, she is devastated. Sylvester assures Annie that because he’s to be an interpreter, he won’t be in harm’s way, but Annie has deep doubts.

Helen, whose own husband, Harry, has been in Tunisia since his departure months before, attempts to comfort the girls, only to learn that Bernice has disappeared, apparently on a mystery trip to Philadelphia. Bernice’s somewhat odd relatives augment the mystery, yet seem unconcerned by it all. When Bernice returns, it is explained that she was merely visiting her Aunt Kate. But her three friends are not altogether convinced. In a quiet moment with Helen, Bernice tearfully opens her heart to Helen, who vows to keep her secret.

by Cece Whittaker 

Your thoughts and comments are valuable to me! Feel free to leave your responses below.

Losing Weight After 50--it's Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!

Possibly second only in popularity to the perma-drone of political yapping comes the topic of WEIGHT LOSS. It's such a challenge and seems to give rise to struggle particularly for certain body types, gender-specific ages, and even professions and geographic locations. You've heard it all; get moving, cut out carbs, carbs are good, go protein, drown yourself in water, sleep longer, sleep less, drink coffee, don't drink coffee--and not that all of these various pieces of advice don't have merit within their certain sectors, because they do. 
But winning advice for the over-50 crowd, particularly of post- or Peri-menopausal ladies, has always been hard to come by. I can't tell you how many middle-aged ladies I know who have tried the mail order food diets, special shakes, weigh-in companies, counting companies, step-counting efforts who say that it's never possible to maintain any of the weight they lose--if they lose at all. 

Believe or not, I actually have the answer.  

It costs nothing, saves you money actually. It does not require exercise or ANY kind other than willpower, which grows with practice--and quite rapidly. It also involves no counting or special foods. A long time ago, a smart woman told me that a person loses weight because his or her metabolism is fast, or at least fast enough to burn up what is taken in. She mentioned how easy it was for younger people to drop pounds. But she didn't quite get how it all happened--or maybe she didn't and I didn't listen well enough back then. But more recently I heard how you make that metabolism--no matter what your age--get into the fast lane. It's very simple. Eat dinner, and then stop for the night. 

If you eat at 6 and finish by 7, don't have another thing, except water, for 12 to 14 hours, so 7 to 9:00 am the following morning. Ladies and Gentlemen, it works! If you're weight conscious, you already know not to overdo it with breads and sweets, fried foods or just too much food. And continue to watch--don't count, just watch. And spend a couple of days NOT eating after dinner. It's hard at first because most of us do. But try it, and the scale will be somebody you want to see in the morning!

Edit & Co Moves On

You Have to Start Somewhere

When you're lucky enough, through your friendships with others, to meet and reach a representation agreement with a New York agent, you feel a strong sense of gratitude and a truly great thrill. Of course it would have meant even more if Mr. Markel had lived long enough to make a connection or two. But one thing that dear man did for me before he passed on was to introduce my editing skills to some of the houses in NY when freelance editors were just becoming "the thing." What a kick it was to receive packages in the mail from Macmillan Reference, a real publisher, that I was to edit or proofread. From there, I added other clients, and even journeyed into the wild world of ghostwriting. But as times and tastes change, and more to the point, the Internet came to life, the need for writing usurped the need for editing. And just how long does a secretly creative person stay on writing books under someone else's name? The answer is--as long as she has to make a living! So while the Edit & Co sign is still alive and crackling over my desk in the wide glass window, I'll be adding some of my own creations to the mix, some purely for your benefit and some even for sale. We'll move on together, Edit & Co and I, and hope to be able to provide the joint service to you of clean copy with even a few good reads.

In 1943

In 1943, a Rose was a Rose.

By the time World War II was in full swing, little towns had large female majorities. If you can remember September 11, 2001, you are probably aware of how a sweeping sort of common spirituality took place. It was similar in 1943, but according to accounts I have heard from first-handers, the ritual and practice of attending services was more prolonged and ultimately permanent for many.

The Call to Serve is the funny and heartwarming story of four Catholic women and their men during World War II, set in southern New Jersey.

Joan and Annie seek happy marriages and 

desperately look for devoted husbands and future fathers. While Annie, the daughter of a baker, finds her man, Joan fears becoming the dreaded old maid and remains vigilant since she is already twenty-two years old. Helen, a middle-aged woman who has been married many years, just hopes for the safe return from the war of her husband, Harry. Bernice is the youngest at nineteen, and struggles to catch up with her friends’ abilities, as well as a need to do right by her friends and family, ultimately following a different path.

As time goes by, The Call to Serve further synopsis and some chapters will be featured on Coffee & Talkie. As always, your comments are welcome!

Advice to Timid Folk in Dealing with Late Payers

Looking for a Professional Way to Nudge Slow Paying Clients but you feel Nervous or Intimidated?

 Recently, I read an article about how to get slow Bobs to pay their bills. But the advice it offered was more oriented toward what you should do before you take on the job--it didn't help those who are already sitting waiting to be paid so they can buy a few groceries and put another payment toward the late electric bill.

The fact is, most late payers are not aware of the consequences, sometimes devastating consequences, of their behavior. If your client is in the arts, a musician, play write, or anime illustrator, for example, he or she may actually not have the money to pay. That says one of two things: Number one, they never intended to pay, or number two, they're having a hard time getting paid so that they can pay their own bills--your account included. But this type of client is rare.

Putting Forth Your Suggestion

Most of us work for corps or small business where the budget for the work we do is set. Therefore, the money is already there. The slow payment is due to an employee that doesn't feel any pressure to pay right away, or possibly has been told to wait until this or that big AP comes in. It could also be due to the fact that many bookkeepers are now part-time. If they come in, it's only for a few hours a week, and most of them work from home. While we writers are toughies and work every day, not everyone is compelled by the same inspiration or avocation; sending out checks can be quite tedious (although I would think for what I make it might also provide some degree of entertainment).
In any case, if you are of the Timid Persuasion, not at all unusual for creative people, you may find it difficult to come up with ways to approach your Late-paying Bertrams. Let me share with you some of the successful approaches I have taken. I will say that first of all, adopting the Paypal method, even though 3% of my already meager earnings is usurped by the hungry giant, Paypal offers a freedom from papers, envelopes, stamps, trips to the bank (in some cases), and an easy way to nudge Lazy Louise. Use the Reminder feature and add in a professional but pointed personalized note:
Here are some examples:

• Just wanted to thank you again for the Rush Job you requested last month and give you the opportunity to try out the same timing on this invoice.
• I was checking my books, and I noticed that I had billed your company last month. I was wondering if you could check your books to see if you had paid my company last month.
• Working for you was one of the highlights of my month--the only thing I can think of that would increase my great pleasure would be to receive a your corresponding response in recompense.
• They say that among the top 5 characteristics of a great company are a company's prompt attention to the invoices of its sole proprietors. You sure seem like a great company to me.
• Just checking back to make sure all was well with the work I submitted last week, and to let you know I'm fully prepared to receive payment. 

Fi takes a Journey through Colors