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New Day, New Sunrise

6/29/2016

The photo is actually of last night's sunset, but I am enjoying a beautiful sunrise this morning. Yesterday turned into a Keystone Kops kind of day, only not so funny. When we finally got the call that the new water pump had been installed in the camper, Butch headed to Cedar Rapids to pick it up while I moved all of the necessary gear into the staging area, AKA dining room. And waited.

He got to CR and went into the camper to make sure the pump ran--and it did--but discovered the cord had been broken on the door blind, so another hour while they fixed that. Then a traffic jam while leaving Cedar Rapids because of an accident. I-380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City seems to be the epicenter of traffic accidents. By the time he got home and we reloaded everything, we determined that we may as well eat our supper and get that out of the way.

Long story short(er), by the time we reached West Overlook campground at the Coralville Reservoir, we finished our setup just in time to snap a couple of photos of a wondrous sunset and share dessert with our camping buddies.

The weather is supposed to be perfect the next few days and hopefully there will be plenty of time for writing, quilting, and just visiting. Last night was a perfect night for sleeping and we needed it.

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The Flight of the Gray Ghost and Other Ramblings

6/27/2016

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What a weekend! I am constantly amazed at the women I have met in the Midwest Glampers and the Sisters on the Fly. The past few days, we spent at Livin' on the Ledge, a Midwest Glampers event at Ledges State Park near Boone, Iowa. The theme was "I Love Lucy" and was carried out by the creative organizers with a virtual scavenger hunt, a chocolate race and their version of grape stomping--all covered in earlier posts. The photo was Sunday morning and several had already gone but what a group. Randy Moorman, one of the 'Manpers,' consented to pose with us; Butch was busy getting us ready to travel and missed the photo but was a great sport throughout the festivities.

It was especially fun for me to meet many women whose names and posts I had seen on the Facebook page and now am able to put faces and personalities with. These women represented Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska and a variety of backgrounds and careers. Most have weathered family crises, career turns and/or health challenges but exhibit an incredible spirit and support for each other. And the whimsical campers that they have created are amazing.

In addition, we spent one evening with granddaughter Brooke and her husband and part of a day with my old college roommate.

In the midst of it all, on Friday, the water pump in our new trailer gave out completely. We have had trouble with it since the beginning--maintaining water temperature in the shower and producing noise that grinds our nerves to dust. I couldn't complain too loudly about the lack of water because many of the Glampers' own trailers that were built before they started putting bathrooms in them. But I did complain.

And since we have a short trip planned for this week, yesterday after unloading laundry, clothes, and the entire refrigerator, we hauled it back to the dealer's and left it on their doorstep, so to speak. Hopefully they will get a new pump in it today. So I have expanded her name to Lucy the Gray Ghost because she has disappeared so frequently from our yard.

I took the liberty of stealing a few photos from other Glampers so you can share their wonderful creativity. The exception: the second photo was taken after a raccoon raid when they unwrapped and ate about 60 pieces of bubblegum as well as opening Tic-Tacs and eating those also. Our bubble blowing contest was cancelled.

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Livin' on the Ledge...Almost a Wrap!

6/26/2016

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This has been a stellar event--organized by Glampers Lydia, Kimberly Joy, and Kara. Friday afternoon, Michelle from the DNR gave a wonderful and delicious demonstration on Dutch oven cooking. We sampled a mushroom-honey goat cheese-sundried tomato appetizer (I think it needs a shorter name), pizza and a s'mores dessert.

Friday night was a showing of The Long, Long Trailer and Glampers were encouraged to dress for the occasion. There was a great selection of 50s housecoats, pajamas , and robes--even a few curlers. The sound wasn't optimum but as Butch says, you really don't need a soundtrack for that much slapstick.

Saturday, we enjoyed a visit from my college roomie, bridesmaid, and long time friend, Mary Howard. Mary joined Butch and I on a visit to a few of the "Junkin' in June" sites in Boone, as well as a visit to there bookshop. We returned to make preparations for the evening's potluck.

After supper, the Glampers were in full glory as they initiated new members and the organizers rallied the group for Lucy-type games. First we donned chef's hats and formed an assembly line to dip marshmallows in a chocolate fountain, then in sprinkles, wrap in cellophane, and tie with ribbon. Team Susan stomped the competition with techniques and expertise that would have made Lucy and Ethel jealous.

Next, a modified version of the grape-stomping episode found us trying to remove grapes from a wading pool with our toes, and despite very strict rules and supervision, it soon disintegrated into a grape throwing contest. Sometimes Glampers are hard to control.

This weekend was also a media event to rival Donald Trump, with Outdoor Iowa Magazine arriving for a photo shoot Friday morning and the Boone newspaper Friday afternoon. There was plenty of material with the vintage clothing, glamped-up campers, and the wildlife.

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Lucy and a Gang of Thugs

6/24/2016

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We are at Ledges State Park for a rally of the Midwest Glampers. This is an intrepid group of women who feel a deep seated urge to add a little glamour to their camping--hence the term glamp. Many of them pull vintage trailers that they have rescued, rebuilt, and added their own stamp to. The theme for the weekend is "I Love Lucy" and, besides a scheduled showing tonight in the park amphitheater of The Long, Long Trailer, there are Lucy-themed games and prizes. A virtual scavenger hunt requires participants to get photos around the park with Lucy-type masks--such as one with Lucy in your bicycle basket.

We had our own Lucy here last night--granddaughter Brooke and her husband Nick came for supper. Brooke's mother called her Lucy when she was little after the Peanuts character because she was so bossy. She's still a pretty independent young woman and it was great to see her. She and Nick are expecting our first great-grandchild in a few weeks.

But, as we know, no chocolate factory is without its bungled assembly line and this park is being terrorized by a gang of thugs. One of them watched us eat from the crotch of a tree, about ten feet from our table. They have no fear and delight at frightening people walking along the road in the dark. They check out every campsite for stuff to steal. They hide under campers and can open any container left out. They have no respect for authority or park rules.

At first we thought there was only one raccoon but it soon became evident that he was not alone as we spotted his partners in crime darting around from site to site, and I'm sure I heard nefarious giggles from a couple of them.

It's quiet this morning but they'll be back when the sun goes down. Meanwhile, the Glampers are expecting a visit this morning from Outdoor Iowa magazine, and there is a Junk Jaunt going on around Boone where several members will be on the search for vintage accessories to add to their campers. The continuing scavenger hunt and a demonstration of Dutch oven cooking will add to the fun. I bet the raccoons will be interested in that demonstration too.

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Going Dutch

6/11/2016

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When you are in the Lake Red Rock area, one of the first things you must do is visit one or both of the incredible bakeries in Pella. So Thursday morning we headed in and did just that. Even just standing around and inhaling the wonderful smells puts on weight. We bought a loaf of whole wheat bread, one of Dutch apple, and some cookies and white walnut bars to tide us over between meals.

We felt justified because we had taken a bike ride earlier that morning around the campground loops and along the section of bike trail that borders the river. In the afternoon, our friends arrived so there was a lot of sittin'-around-chewin'-the-fat time as the day heated up. A stiff breeze kept the hot day bearable as long as you didn't do much and we didn't.

Yesterday began with another bakery run so the new arrivals could stock up and, since we didn't take the men along, a stop at the great quilt shop. Those exertions necessitated naps in the afternoon and, for me, a little writing time. Supper was a feast. Tom cooked a pork loin on his rotisserie grill and it was scrumptious. There were also green beans and several salads including fresh berries. My contribution was rosemary rolls baked in the Dutch oven over coals but baked a little too long. Or with too many coals. Or both. For dessert, a yummy rhubarb crisp.

Again, in the afternoon, a strong breeze coming off the river made the heat tolerable but when it died in the evening, I wimped out and retreated to the air-conditioning. This morning, a large breakfast is planned, including French toast from Jaarsma's Bakery cinnamon bread but a surprise shower that started about an hour ago may dampen that.

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Lucky Break

6/9/2016

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Several months ago, during one of the "Will we ever get to camp again?" times of the year, some friends mentioned they were coming to Lake Red Rock, near Pella, in June and why didn't we join them. Unfortunately, although I immediately went on line, all reservable sites were taken. However, this campground (Howell Station) has 53 non-reservable sites, and there are numerous other campgrounds around the lake, so we decided to be brave and adventurous and chance it.

We had planned to come out today (Thursday) but hearing a forecast for rain and getting nervous about getting a site, we decided yesterday morning that, with a little push, we could make the trip in the afternoon. We arrived around 5:00 and the host told us there were only a few non-reservable sites left, but that he had just gotten two cancellations in the loop near our friends.

Now. Here's the scoop on that kind of situation, at least in Corps of Engineers campgrounds. If someone goes online and grabs up that spot before you claim it, you are out of luck, even if you are standing at the check-in booth and they are in Timbuktu. So you really don't want to drive around checking out the sites, fill up your water tank, get a pedicure, or finish reading (or writing) a book before you act. We opted for one of the sites immediately, showed our IDs, senior cards and paid our money.

And we lucked out. The site was a little tight to back into but spacious and shady with a view of the river. We shared a simple supper, went for a bike ride around the campground, and watched the sunset. On our bike ride, we noticed that most of the non-reservable sites had been taken and if we had waited until today, very possibly would not have gotten a site. The host did tell us that next year, all of the sites will be reservable. Ironically, that may make it easier for walkins. In a lot of these campground, local people pay for a site for extra days in order to be sure they have one for the weekend. Now that won't be necessary so more spots may be available during the week.

Meanwhile we will enjoy our good fortune. The forecast is for HOT before it gets HOTTER. I think the wineries are air conditioned.

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Listen for The Blue Coyote....

6/8/2016

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So it's been a crazy week, what with class reunions, blood drives, working the primary, returning the camper for repairs, and yesterday--word from Audible.com that The Blue Coyote is now live in audio form.

The process of getting a book into an audio format is long, challenging, and fun. For this book, I worked with Michelle Babb, and I thought you might enjoy getting to know how she does it.

Michelle is a native Midwesterner, and since the Frannie Shoemaker characters are too, it was a great fit. Below, she describes the narrator's perspective.

Karen: How did you get started as a narrator?

Michelle: I’ve always loved reading aloud. When my kids were little I read the Harry Potter series to them and they always insisted I “do all the voices.” I did some theater in high school and college, and did graduate work in a major metropolitan area, and I think I’ve just always noticed accents and dialects, and had fun imitating them. Then in 2013 an acquaintance mentioned that she was listening to an audiobook, and that her interest in the book was affected by the skill and style of the narrator, and she said, “you’d be really good at that,” and I thought Yes, I think I would! So then of course I went to the Fount of All Knowledge, Google.com, and from there I found voices.com and acx.com, and I bought a microphone and learned how to upload an mp3, and I’m completely hooked.

Karen: Tell us about the actual process of narrating a book.

Michelle: Well, there’s the drama-queen aspect of it, which I love, and then there’s the tedious, meticulous editing process, which I also love. I narrate in the closet in my spare bedroom, with clothes hanging around me to absorb sound and decrease the reverb. I’ve got the microphone sitting on a tiny end table (cushioned by a sweatshirt), and I’m sitting on a Swiss ball (because the chair I had squeaked too much). And I’ve got a jumbo-cup of water, which I have to sip every paragraph or so. So it’s very glamorous, as you would imagine. About 1/2 hour of narrating is enough to keep me busy editing all day; the goal is for this process to get faster, as I get better. So after narrating, I come out of the closet (oh, jeez, don’t tell my pastor that!) and sit scrolling the waveform and clipping out breaths and belches and so on, and splicing in “dead air” (which I record by wrapping the microphone in the sweatshirt, and putting it in a cardboard box). I use Audacity software, because it’s free and I’m a cheapskate. It’s basically a lot like knitting, another activity I enjoy. The tools are simple and readily available, but what you can produce with them depends largely on how much time and effort you put in.

Karen: Wow! That's quite an image. Which character in The Blue Coyote did you find most interesting and/or fun to narrate?

Michelle: Mickey, because he has all the funny lines. And Bernie, because he’s so melodramatic, such a performer!

Karen: I guess that doesn't surprise me because Mickey has always been the most fun to write. So, what kind of information is most helpful to you in deciding how a character should sound?

Michelle: I usually ask the author, “If your book is made into a movie, who would play Frannie? Who would play Mickey?” etc. Then I always picture that actor when the character comes up, & it helps me keep the voice consistent from chapter to chapter. Sometimes I have to go YouTube to research the actor if I’m not familiar with them. Or I have to say, “Johnny Depp in WHICH movie? Pirates of the Caribbean, or Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?” Big difference, you know? Because really, I’m not likely to do a spot-on impersonation of the actor, but I want to know the character of the person I’m trying to portray. I had Buddy Hackett in mind for Mickey. And for Nancy, whom you describe as a compulsively organized person, I immediately pictured an acquaintance of mine. (Admit it, you authors do this too!) Hmmm, what are the odds she’ll recognize my impersonation of her?

Karen: When you said Buddy Hackett, I thought "Exactly!" Although I had never thought of that. What is the hardest type of character you have narrated?

Michelle: Anybody with a British accent. I usually end up saying their lines three or four times, & dubbing for the best take. For some reason, I can do Australian much more easily.

Karen: What advice can you give writers to facilitate the process of turning their work into an audiobook?

Michelle: Read ALOUD what you’re writing; if there are puns or double-entendres that depend on SEEING the words, then your listeners will miss that.

Karen: Thank you, Michelle, for those great insights and the wonderful job you did. I can honestly say I hope you will be spending more time with Frannie and her friends in the future!

It has been great to work with Michelle--an added bonus was that she certainly cleaned up my comma use in The Blue Coyote. You can listen to a sample of her work here and be sure and check out her other works.

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New Day, New Sunrise

The Flight of the Gray Ghost and Other Ramblings

Livin' on the Ledge...Almost a Wrap!

Lucy and a Gang of Thugs

Going Dutch

Lucky Break

Listen for The Blue Coyote....

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