Your three words, my little story: Debbie’s words

/ Jim McDonald / 5 Comments

Note: these words are from my sister and I want the world to know, I love her very much.

 

Your three words, my little story
Debbie’s words: mountains, blue birds & roses

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Debbie was coasting down the foot hills of the Blue Ridge MOUNTAINS, while heading home to see her mom. All of a sudden her right front tire blew out and she saw herself and her car heading towards the woods. Thankfully, she was able to hold on for dear life and guide it to a clearing off the road to her right.

 

She was probably still several hundred feet up the mountain, she came to a stop at a scenic overlook. It was called Dogwood Valley, because the valley had hundreds of dogwood trees and they were aligned with several different species of fragrant honeysuckles. Added to the mix were an abundance of climbing ROSES that wrapped around an assortment of flowering trees.

 

The beautiful foliage attracted much wildlife, including eastern BLUE BIRDS recognized by their rust colored breast. They were seen flying in and out of the bountiful fruit trees. This was an absolutely gorgeous spot to have a flat.

 

Margaret, lived off of route 77, just past Bug’s Pond north east of Sloan. Margaret had been talking about a man she met months ago at the park and Debbie couldn’t wait to meet him. So she took some pictures, changed the tire and got back on the road.

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Meet the Author: Mary Ann Jenkins

/ Jim McDonald / 8 Comments

Meet the Author: Mary Ann Jenkins

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My friend, Matt, and I met in a Creative Writing course at College of Southern Maryland (CSM). We are both trying to become writers. He’s writing his autobiography and I’m writing a novel and a small blog of short stories. In class I use to say when I become a writer….. Our Professor asked me, “Are you writing?”

 

I said, “Yes mam.”

 

She replied, “Then you’re a writer.” We might be writing every day, but we both know we have a lot to learn, so we go to as many free writing courses and book signings as we can. I can afford free!

 

I had the pleasure to attend a, “Meet the Author”, event on September 6th 2016. It was coordinated by the Jaycees Senior Center in Waldorf, MD. When we walked into the building; almost immediately to our left was a sign in sheet in front of a large open area. On the far wall of the space was where the event was held. Sixteen people were already seated and Matt and I made it eighteen.

 

Mary talked of her childhood for about five minutes; she mentioned that her family was poor and they couldn’t afford a crib. Her first bed was the bottom drawer in her parent’s dresser. She joked about, “I believe they closed the drawer sometimes.” We laughed, then she said, “Try to write about what you know. “ She moved onto her married life and said, “We had a good relationship and we enjoyed our life together, but one morning I woke up and he didn’t.” She said that kind of matter of factly. She told us she worked for a podiatrist, then for the government as a proof reader. Proof reading helped her in the grammar and punctuation aspect of her novels so she didn’t have to pay the extra six hundred dollars for editing.

 

Her first novel was a collaboration with her friend Mary Ann Enslow. Sadly her friend didn’t live long enough to see the fictional publication of their book; “The Cardboard Box”, in October of 2009. Their novel is about a young assistant editor, living with her uncle Charlie in New York. When he died, he left her a house in Georgia that she knew nothing of. She questioned why he never told her about the house, but she moves there anyway. She finds love while strengthening her Christianity from a cardboard box.

 

Mary Ann’s second novel is called, “The Witches Journal.” Sadie Fergusson leaves London and her father, in the 1800’s, to start a new laugh in America. She knew her journey held unknown risks, but she has faith that God will carry her through. Her third novel, “The Journal Reopened” is a sequel to, “The Witches Journal.” All of her novels are good easy reading.

 

She explained her experience of self-publishing and the cost of a quantity her novels sold directly to her. She told us, “I have more control of the resale price of my books, when I sell them from my own stock. Amazon sells them at a much higher price.” Tate Publishing, is a Christian base company and that’s one of the determining factors that influenced her decision to go with them on her second and third novels. I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Port Tobacco Marina-Wedding

/ Jim McDonald / 6 Comments

Note: The wedding party had their own paid photographer. However, the photos posted here were taken by me on my cell phone.

 

Port Tobacco Marina-Wedding

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Port Tobacco Marina/Restaurant

On September 24th, Port Tobacco Marina (PTM) was closed to the public in order to provide their beautiful surroundings and talented catering staff for a wedding ceremony.

 

The day started out with a pleasant breeze and overcast, but rain was not to be seen. By the time the ceremony was underway the sun was out, so the Bride and her entourage were granted the colors they wanted for the background.

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The proceedings began at four o’clock on the restaurant side. At five forty five everyone crossed over the walking bridge to the Marina, when the matrimony was performed.

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The presiding Minister

The crowd was dressed to the nines, but the Bride was a sight to behold in her flowing white gown. Then everyone crossed back over the bridge for the perfectly catered services performed by Chris and the Marina staff.

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The band performed on both sides of the bridge and the photographer was busy capturing the lively crowd and beautiful scenery. The parking and Marina site was organized by the reliable PTM employee Mike Miller and his staff.

 

Your three words, my little story: La Toya’s words

/ Jim McDonald / Leave a comment

Your three words, my little story
La Toya’s words: love, faith & motivation

 

She had no idea where she was until she saw a sign that read, “Now entering Sloan. Hope you enjoy your stay.” She must have taken a wrong turn, somewhere in Wilson. Navigation wasn’t her strong suit, but she still had FAITH knowing she wouldn’t be late.

 

She was so hungry, so, she decided to slow down and look for a bite to eat. Unlike the hurried pace of a large city, so this quaint little town was different.

 

She turned right turn onto the one-way street that circled the park. In the park, she saw a man reading a paper and a lady sitting next to him feeding the pigeons. She immediately fell in LOVE with Sloan. How could she not? The noonday sun and gentle breeze rustling through the tree leaves presented such a serene setting.

 

Further down the street, on the right, was a diner. She parked in front of it, got out and headed into the rustic old building. Inside, she hesitated in front of the chalk board that listing the day’s special. The waitress, Betty, greeted her. “Hello, welcome to Grace’s.”

 

“Hi! Where should I sit?”

 

“Anywhere you want. I find most people like a booth by the window.”

 

“Well, so do I.” La Toya sat down so she could watch all the activity in the park and relax.

 

Betty handed her a menu and a slightly used local paper, then asked, “May I get you something to drink?”

 

“Yes. May I have a diet Pepsi along with the special please?”

 

“Sure can. Where ya headin’?”

 

“I’m going to Arkansas to teach some college students about MOTIVATION.”

 

“Wow! I never met anyone that teaches that.”

 

“Me neither. This is my first time and I’m a little nervous.”

 

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll do fine. Flash em that pretty smile; that will draw them in. Then you can present your message of what motivates you.”

 

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Brownsville, PA

How ya like my hat? Camouflage hat (true story)

/ Jim McDonald / Leave a comment

How ya like my hat? Camouflage hat (true story)

 

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I can’t remember where or when I got this hat, but I’m sure I didn’t pay much for it. Raymond took this picture, while I was kneeling behind my mom and dad’s tombstone at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

In 2013, Raymond and I were down in North Carolina eating breakfast, when he asked our waitress, “Anything fun to do around here?”

 

She said, “No, you’re in North Carolina! Oh, there is a Rodeo tonight.” Then she gave us the information we needed to get there.

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Raymond asked, “Are you going?”

 

“Maybe, I’m not sure yet.”

 

“Hope to see you there.”

 

We went to the rodeo, because neither one of us had ever been to one. I was wearing the hat in the above picture and one of the entertainers was wearing a huge red cowboy hat. I mean it was huge. The red hat guy said, “I want everyone to applaud when I call out the state you’re from.” He yelled out, “North Carolina.” Most of the spectators applauded, hooted and hollered. He said, “Georgia,” Some of the crowd clapped. “How about Tennessee?” A few Tennessean’s were there. Then he asked, “Did I miss anyone?”

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I raised my hand and yelled, “Yes, me!”

 

He asked, “Where you from?”

 

“Maryland!” Raymond knows me very well, so he moved a couple spaces away from me to my right.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“I’m talking to a guy with big ugly red hat!”

 

He said, “You have no room to talk with that hat. Where did you get it?”

 

By this time Raymond was on the other side of the bench when I said, “I got it at Wal-Mart, next to a big red hat.”

 

I guess his time was up, because he waved at me and finished his segment. Our waitress was sitting in our section, in the front row. We were at the top, when she stood up and waved at us. I thought, that was cool.

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