A Novel Creation www.WatersWords.com

  “Ever True to Thee” This past week, Mike and I returned to our roots. Our high school roots: George D. Chamberlain High School in Tampa, Florida. Chamberlain (CHS) celebrated its seventieth anniversary. And did it right. We were a bit wary before the event. A few years ago, in the pressure to be “politically correct,” our school changed its mascot. What had been the Chamberlain Chiefs with a Native American Indian Chief as the mascot, became The Storm.  Now I ask you, how do you dress as a storm? That was our question from the start. What could ever serve as your mascot? Still… celebrating seventy years of being a positive part of the educational landscape in this Florida city is pretty cool. We bought our tickets and made our plans.  Parking was where it always was when we were kids. The stadium, though updated, was in the right place. We headed to the gym for our dinner and gathering. Wow. First, let me say the gym, though likely the same size, appeared to be a bit sm...

  The Launch I grew up in the “Space Age”… but this post is about a different kind of launch.  One week from today, on October 21, 2026, I will officially launch my latest novel,  Corners and Straight Edges . It feels like Christmas.  The book is already available on Amazon and through my publisher, Mt. Ziion Ridge Press. So why launch? A book launch is a celebration.  Crafting a novel requires intense labor. Some may be able to crank out eighty thousand words or more in short order. I’m not one of them.  I spend months researching, crafting the story, revising some, more, or most of it until I get it to a place I like. Then I spend intense amounts of time editing, rewriting, and editing some more. I DO NOT USE AI .  This is my story. My craft. My words.  So, when a publisher reads it, likes it, and offers me a contract, it is a pretty big deal. You can ask Mike. I squeal and dance around and giggle like a schoolgirl. Then I wait. The publisher ha...

  Vette Fest Year 2 My second Vette Fest was great. (If you missed the first one, I’ll put a link at the bottom.) Mike and I enjoy our little red corvette. Mike is a “car guy” and I guess I’m becoming a “car girl.” Of sorts.  I know how to drive a stick shift. Of course I’ve been doing that a long time. My dad had a rule. I couldn’t start dating until I knew how to drive a standard transmission.  Of course that doesn’t matter with our Vette. It’s an automatic. I know a few cars by their appearance…you know, body style, lights, special features. Of course, Mike knows much more than I do. So, although I have a smattering of knowledge, I also know I have a lot to learn.  Not a Vette, But Fun! And although it was “Vette Fest” featuring Corvettes, there were other cars there, too. Some of the “oldies” celebrated their glory days. The picture here is of 1955 Chevy with a tray of food on the side. Drive-in restaurants were great places to eat and meet up with friends “...