HALLOWEEN!

Well it's a lovely afternoon here in the UK, and the kids will have fun 'trick or treating' this evening.

We don't celebrate Halloween as much over here as in the US, but the kids love any excuse to dress up, of course, and more and more people are starting to have Halloween Parties. Of course not everyone enjoys Halloween. There are notices on some of the doors in the village saying 'No Trick Or Treats'. Well of course that' s their right, but I don't see the harm in the children letting off a little steam and having fun, as long as they keep it fun and respect people's privacy.

Let's chase away all the bad spirits and enjoy some fun before the miserable wet winter sets in!

Come and sip margueritas at the Author Roast and Toast

Linda La Roque is featured at the Author Roast and Toast today. Come and learn more about her new release 'Flames On The Sky' and comment for the chance to win a download. Be prepared for fun and creepy goings on! Oh - and Sharon Donovan's butler, Oliver, of course!


http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/

Where I'm at this week:

I'm at Sharon Donovan's haunted Blog again today telling some chilling true tales about another old Welsh mansion, Gregynnog. Come and join me at:
http://www.sharondonovan.blogspot.com/

I'm also interviewed by Clover Autrey her blog:

http://www.clovercheryl.blogspot.com/

Mondays Words - Petasus to Talaria

My story in the Wild Rose Press, series 'Song of the Muses', is 'Dancing With Fate' and features Terpsichore, the muse of dance. Never having written anything about Greek gods before, I had to do a fair amount of research into Greek mythology and realised what a fascinating subjedct it is. I was, therefore, very interested to read this on Michael Quinion's weekly E-magazine.

"If we wanted to invent a classical replacement for the idiom 'from head to toe', we might choose 'from petasus to talaria'. The latter is one of those words... that identify something we know well but usually can't name.

These two words - and a third, 'caduceus' - are associated with
Hermes, the Greek herald and messenger of the gods whom the Romans
knew as Mercury. He's usually portrayed as having wings on his sandals. The Romans called these "talaria", a plural noun from the adjective 'talaris', relating to the ankle, from 'talus', ankle.
Hermes was given his talaria by his father Zeus, who also gave him a low-crowned, broad-rimmed traveller's cap of a type well-known in classical times and which Greeks called a petasus. In later times, the hat changed to a brimless one with wings on, but it kept the
name.The third traditional item of equipment of Hermes and Mercury, the caduceus, was the wand of office of a Greek or Roman herald (it's from Greek "kerux", a herald), which usually had two snakes wound around a wooden staff. Long ago, this became confused with another rod, the staff of Asclepius, the god of healing, which only had the one snake; the twin-snake version of Hermes and Mercury replaced it and remains common as a symbol of medicine."

Alathough I didn't actually use the character of Hermes in my story, I thought the origins of these words were very interesting and worth sharing.


*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009.
All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org/

Interviews and Blogs

If you're in a Halloween mood, come on over to Sharon Donovan's haunted Blog where today I'm talking about the ghosts of Nanteos Mansion in Wales. Tomorrow I'll be telling some chilling true tales about another old Welsh mansion, Gregynnog. Come and join me at:

http://www.sharondonovan.blogspot.com/

I'm also interviewed by Clover Autrey at the Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-22800-Fort-Worth-Romance-Novels~y2009m10d24-Futuristic-romance-with-Hywela-Lyn

Tailgating with Katie Hines

Meet Katie Hines, Urban fantasy writer for Middle Grade readers, over at the Author Roast and Toast!
http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/

As usual this is a fun Friday at a different kind of blog. Today we're tailgating at a football game with the Clemson Tigers, see Sharon Donovan's butler Oliver, as you've never seen him before!

Monday's Word - Cloister-garth

Doesn't this dramatic picture just make you want to sit down and write a gothic tale of romance and mystery?

It's actually the garth of Salsbury Cathedral, or to give it it's full name, cloister-garth, meaning an open courtyard enclosed by cloisters.

According to Michael Quinion in his 'World Wide Words' "there were once many such compounds, such as "apple-garth" (an orchard), "fish-garth" (an enclosure on a river or seashore for trapping or storing fish), "church-garth" (a churchyard), "willow-garth" (a field where willows or osiers are grown), "stack-garth" (a rick-yard, an enclosed space for storing stacks of hay, straw and other produce), "vine-garth" (a vineyard), and "fold-garth" (a farmyard)...

As you will have gathered, "garth" was once a very broad term. It
could mean almost any patch of enclosed ground used for a specific purpose, such as a yard, garden, field or paddock. It appeared in the northern parts of Britain in the fourteenth century and derives from Old Norse "garðr", a yard or courtyard. Through Old Englishit's related to "yard" in similar senses, and also to "garden".

"Garth" is now rare except in British place names or historical or poetical writing. The personal name comes from the same source, as it originally referred to somebody who lived near an enclosure, especially a paddock or orchard."

I've had the good fortune to visit several 'garths', incluidng Strata Florida, near my old home in Wales, which is strictly speaking an old monastory rather than a Cathedral, and was where the Holy Grail, so legend has it, was kept by the monks before being taken to nearby Nanteos Mansion for safe keeping.


*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org

HIGHLAND ANTICS

It's fun and frolics in Bonnie Scotland for the Author Roast and Toast special guest Helen Hardt.
Come join the fun - this is one blog where one never knows quite what's going to happen. Our hostessess, together with a mischievous kleptomanic unicorn and a telepathic German Shepherd, not to mention a devastatingly handsome but flirtatious butler, will be entertaining Helen while she tells them about her latest book, 'Blood Wolf', while seated in the grounds of a castle, overlooking Loch Ness.

Did anyone mention monsters?

Come and join the fun, leave a comment and you could win a free copy of Helen's story from the 'Got Wolf' series from The Wild Rose Press.
www.authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com

Monday's Word - scrumping

My word this week is not very likely to be one that you're likely to use when writing a romance novel, but 'apple scrumping' is a something I remember was a favourite practice of youngsters at applie harvest time when I was a little girl. (ah so long ago, but it seems like only yesterday, *grin*)

According to Michael Quinion*: "It might sound like an immemorial practice, and probably is, but the word for it is surprisingly modern - the earliest example is from 1866. The source is uncertain but seems to be from a dialect term meaning something withered, shrivelled or dried up. It may be linked to the old adjective "scrimp", scanty or meagre, from which we get the verb "scrimp", to economise or be thrifty.

Support for this comes from an early meaning of 'scrumping', which referred to taking windfalls or the small apples left on the trees after harvest. This evolved into illicitly taking any sort of
apples. It can even more broadly mean theft of any kind, though this is rare."

'Scrumpy' is a cheap and rough, though strongly alcoholic, variety of British cider, which, Michael Quinion goes on, "is a hazard to the unwary. Its name is a relative of 'scrumping' in its
oldest sense because it was often brewed from small or unselected apples. Modern brands that go by that name are mild compared with the vinegary farm-made sort of old, which a farmer described to me in Herefordshire many years ago as 'squeal-pig cider', this being the noise you made when you tried it. 'It used to take three people to swallow a mug of it,' another old countryman told me, 'One to drink and the other two to hold him upright.' "

I've had the odd taste of home brewed 'scrumpy' at country fairs and shows, although I'm not really much of a drinker, and it's certainly strong stuff. I remember purchasing a container of this stuff and when I got home I left it outside the door for some reason. In the middle of the night we were woken by a loud explosion. The scrumpy had exploded, perhaps because it had been shaken up too much on the journey home. Whatever the cause, I was very glad it was outside and not inside!

Getting back to our word, if your heroine is going through a hard time, and having to 'scrimp and save' you might take a moment to reflect that the word 'scrimp' has its origins in the old rural pastime of 'scrumping' for apples. Did any of you do this when you were youngsters? If so, did you ever get caught?

*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org

You're all invited

...to a barbeque and rodeo over at http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com /with special guest, Roni Adams, of the Wild Rose Press.Come and join in, leave a comment, answer a fun question and you'll be in line to win any of her fantastic books.

Updates

Those of you who follow this blog might have noticed that there were was no 'Monday's Word' this week. Apologies. I have no real excuse, except that I've been busy with my WIP, and various Blog appearances, including CHICKS OF CHARACTERIZATION where I'm featured in their 'Spotlight' which has been running from Monday until today, Wednesday.

This is a great Blog, full of interesting pictures and interiews. Pop along and leave a comment if you get a moment.

http://www.chicksofcharacterization.blogspot.com/

I'm also thrilled to be 'Author Of The Month' at:

BOOKS IN SYNC

http://www.booksinsync.com/

This is a wonderful promotional resource for writers, with Books, bios, excerpts and trailers. If you're an author, consider joining, and if you're a reader, this is a veritable 'Aladin's Cave' with something for every taste.

There are still a couple of days left to vote in the Excerpt contest at Classic Romance Revival. Do pop along and vote - even if it's not for me :) There are some wondeful excerpts up there.

Final week of voting

I'm in the process of writing a Western romance. It features golden palomino horses like the one on the right. It's the first draft, but I decided to enter it into the Classic Romance Revival contest. The prize is a publishing contract from Desert Breeze.If you'd like to take a peek here's the link:

http://www.classicromancerevival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=84&Itemid=196

Thanks so much, I know the other excerpts are excellent, and I really hate asking for votes, but if you decide to vote for me I really would appreciate it. This week is the last week of voting so it's really important.

Thanks so much,

Lyn

Monday's Word - Abditory

This is another of those words I came across at Michael Quinion's* 'World Wide Words:

"abditory" according to Michael, " It's a hiding place, from Latin "abditorium",
a hiding place, whose source is "abdere", to put away or hide. It
appears in the story Instead of Evidence, in which explosive
devices were found in an abditory in a factory.

The Oxford English Dictionary notes its first example from 1658,
but it has never been in common use. Oddly, it is now more often
employed than at any time in its history, not only because of Rex
Stout but also by SF and fantasy authors, who have occasionally found it useful to help build a sense of otherness."

Well I have to admit I've never come across this word before, but next time my hero or heroine needs to hide something, they can secrete it in an 'abditory'!

By the way, the picture has nothing to do with today's word - I just like it!

*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2009. All rights reserved. The Words Web site is at http://www.worldwidewords.org

Birthday Bash and Mexican Fiesta

My sweet friend Sharon Donovan is holding a Birthday/Halloween bash for me today, over at her Blog. I'm giving away a download of my story in the 'Song Of The Muses', 'Dancing With Fate.

There's also a party going on at the Author Roast and Toast with special guest Ashley Ludwig. You have the chance to win a copy of her book 'All Or Nothing'. And as if that's not enough Sharon Donovan's hyunky butler Oliver is flitting between both blogs. He's rather dishy!

Oh - and although she keeps threatening to auction him off Sharon is really rather fond of him although she'd never let him know that, but he's her creation and she doesn't allow him to wander off, however big the bribe! *grin*

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• , October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

We're four romance authors who want to spread some happily ever afters around while urging you to get your annual checkups! Just Visit the websites or blogs of the other three participating authors to read up on the latest breast health information and learn how to enter each of the participating authors' contests. Click on the links below:

http://www.aklanier.com/
http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/
http://www.skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/

There are many myths circulating about cancer and what one should do or avoid doing to prevent it. An email dropped into my Inbox today, which made me think, and decide to post this instead of the post I had intended. I can't guarantee its validity, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I've already read this information in other places so it might be worth taking note of. Basically you should use:

No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer
No plastic wrap in microwave..

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers... This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body... Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc. should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

While I knew that heating plastics could possibly be dangerous I have to admit I hadn't realized that refrigerating it could be just as dangerous. I've always put bottled water in the fridge but will change my habits from now on.

Talking about water I also came across the following:

"Ionized water is very, very important for cancer therapy. It will help to flush out of the body toxic acidic wastes and hydrate your body allowing your cells to become better oxygenated.

There are many reported benefits of alkaline water including:

Enabling the body assimilate water better and hydrate quicker due to the smaller cluster size of the water molecules

Helping to restore the body to its ideal pH balance

Promotes an internal alkaline environment which takes up oxygen better helping to guard against cancers etc

It helps to neutralize and flush out toxins and acid wastes from the body.

Increases energy levels and improves the capacity for aerobic exercise. It also speeds up recovery time after exercising.

It aids assimilation of mineral supplements where absorption is limited due to excess acidity.

Alkaline ionized water has been credited with having beneficial properties in the treatment of many diseases in addition to helping healthy people maintain their good health with high levels of vitality

This was written by the manufacturers of Ionised water products, so they might be a bit biased and again I can't vouch for its validity, but it is interesting and if you would like to read more, here's a LINK

And here's another link about the pros and cons of 'natural remedies'.
http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/5/6/300

Before considering a natural remedy always consult your doctor first, and make sure you get your regular breast screening.

If you'd like to do a good turn and help women get free mamograms THE GREATER GOOD
is a wonderful site. By clicking on the pink button you can help fund this service. You can also help animals in shelters, the rainforests, and three other good causes from the same site - and it won't cost you anything except a few moments of your time.

I'm offering a $10 Wild Rose Press Gift Token as my Prize in the Breast Cancer Month Contest.
To enter the draw, just watch any of my Book videos on this page and tell me who wrote the music for it. You have unitl October 31st to enter. Don't forget to enter on the other 3 sites too.