My Interest in Pinterest

 

Okay, I’m a bit late to the Pinterest party. For the last few years, I’ve actively avoided joining anymore social media sites that would siphon away from my writing time.

It all started out innocently enough.  While I was updating the appearance of my blog, I re-checked some of WordPress’ settings and noticed a Pinterest option.  In order to take advantage of the option I needed an account.

It was easy enough to create one. Then I made the mistake of looking around.

And – whammo – I was hooked. Because now that I had an account, I should add some boards because what if someone found me and I had nothing there? I would look pretty lame.

And where else could I post my cool Oogles the Owl photo collection?

All pictures 001

Oh, and while I was doing that, I figured I might as well start trying out the little red Pinterest button found on many websites too. So off I went, messing around with my favorites sites to see who had the red button.

Hear that sucking noise?

That was my writing time going down the drain. But the end result – I created some pretty cool boards (see them here) and I’ve been enjoying my friends’ boards (who are years ahead of me).

Honestly, Pinterest reminds me of a giant, web-based scrapbook. The only thing missing is fancy borders, colored backgrounds, and 3-D doo-dads.

The big question I have, what is Pinterest for? How does everyone use it?

As a photo album? For inspiration? To drool over food porn (or hunky men)?

If you’re on Pinterest, please share. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Valentines Day!

What’s not to love? A day about romance and chocolate. Bring it on.

Happy love and chocolate day!

IMG_1957

Icebergs, Owls and Lobster Grilled Cheese!

Happy Friday! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribe for Wacky Days!

Last Friday, my family and I had a fun day. Naturally, we visited the one place we can all agree on – Mystic, CT.

First stop- Mystic Aquarium!

The newly opened Titanic exhibit:

Did you know that jellyfish have no organs?

For lunch we visited Olde Mistick Village and enjoyed grilled cheese sandwiches at the Bleu Squid.

I ate a lobster grilled cheese while looking out this window. They make awesome cupcakes too.

We saw more owls. And brought a few home too!

Our last stop, Downtown Mystic. I visited my steampunk owl. He is still there at Whyevernot. He’s $445.00! Maybe someday he will be on super sale. Or I’ll win the lottery…

Overall, a wonderful, lovely day!

Owl Love You Forever

Happy Friday everyone! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today and meet guest author Donna Shields!

In case you haven’t noticed before, I have a thing for owls. When I updated my blog, the first image I reached for was an owl. I found the owl to the left at a shop in Mystic, CT called Whyevernot. The only reason this guy isn’t in my collection is because he cost $149.00.

I’m pretty sure my owl obsession began with my youngest son and his first stuffed owl – Oogles. We found Oogles sitting alone on a shelf at Old Sturbridge Village. He (yes, he’s a boy), was already looking a bit man-handled. My son reached out from his stroller and latched on.

Over the years, Oogles has had many adventures. He even has his own Christmas hat.

This is Oogles

Oogles is still with us and he still looks a bit care-worn, but he is well loved all the same.

From there we (younger son and me) steadily began acquiring more and more stuffed owls. But we didn’t stop there.

We moved onto to glass ones, owl mugs, owl lawn ornaments. Owl Christmas ornaments. You name it – we probably have one with an owl on it.

Lest you think I’m totally crazy and need a hoarders intervention, I don’t have a zillion of them. Not yet anyway.  Although if you did come to my house, you wouldn’t have to look far to find an owl.

I even have owl business cards

I’ve often wondered what makes us gravitate towards certain animals. When I was growing up I had a thing for unicorns (what teenage girl doesn’t have a brief fling with the lovely unicorn?) and a later I really liked penguins.

I know, I know. I’m strange!

But admit it. We all like some things more than others. And for me, it’s the owl and their soulful eyes and quiet presence. They are silent predators in the wild. But in my house, they are my constant watchers.

And they’ll be my companions as I begin my next adventure.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing my next book. Since the release of Mystic Ink and the positive reception, I’ve decided to write the next book in the series – Mystic Storm (one of these days I will complete Devil’s Advocate!). This is Zephyr’s book. God of the West Wind. I won’t say more than that. If you read Mystic Ink, then you know why he’s up next.

Until next time, remember – Owl love you forever!

Time to share. What’s your favorite obsession? Anything you like to collect? Any owl lovers out there??