Hey Cathy,

I think if I saw these kinds of clouds in the sky, I’d be running in the opposite direction. I guess Iowa can get some pretty wicked weather.

Hey Janice,

I don’t know where everyone is on the blog today, but I feel like I’m talking to myself! At least I have pretty pictures to look at while I’m talking to myself! I’ll make sure I send you some pictures of my West Virginia trip tomorrow. If the weather is anything like it is today, my friend JoAnn and I are in for a beautiful trip.

Have a great afternoon everyone–if there’s anybody out there!

Margie

Hi Cathy,
These are impressive cloud pictures! They don’t look dark enough to make me run just yet though. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Gwen

Hey Gwen,

If you start running when the clouds look like this, then you’ll get a head start on the nasty weather. If the weather doesn’t get really nasty, then you still get some good exercise from running!

Margie

Great pictures!

Hey JD~

Been traveling a lot and a little incommunocado lately! Happy belated 4th! Every day is a good day
to celebrate our nation’s independence and our liberty!!!

Want to share a nice author experience that I had today:

I just wanted to share some personal excitement of walking into a Borders this evening and
seeing my paperback “Hurricane of Independence” for the first time since its release a few days ago.
My “baby” was sitting on the shelf, turned cover out. I quickly picked it up to examine it. Much of
the back cover material had been changed, with some positive reviews excerpted. More importantly,
the excerpt from my new book, “Pox and the Covenant,” had indeed been included as promised by
my editor. I signed the copies, the manager put “signed by the author” stickers on it, and promised
to put them on the “New Paperback Release” table at the front of the store. She was a history major
and engaged me in conversation and was kind enough to have me sign one for her on the spot!
Obviously, she will talk up the book with employees and customers. It was a delightful experience.
I will visit a few other stores in town and do the same tomorrow.

It’s fun to publish the book and look forward to the next one even while I still decide about a
teaching job next year. I have an offer, but there are some glitches that I hope are worked out
in the coming weeks.

Well, have to get back to the movie “Sideways.” Absolutely hilarious!

Best,
Tony

Janice, how come your office mate, Fox News Entertainment Reporter Jill Dobson, isn’t in L.A. covering Michael Jackson’s memorial service at Staples Center in Los Angeles?

Hello everyone…or anyone. Quiet on the blog today. Margie would want us to remember that it’s National Chocolate Day. (That’s what she said yesterday…I’m just repeating what I read.) Hope y’all eat something chocolaty today!

Catch y’all later!
Gwen

Thanks for the tip, Gwen! Starbucks has my name on a mocha frappachino tonight after four
hours at the zoo with the children! I’m pooped but will be ready for a chocolately drink after they
go to sleep!

Best,
Tony

Hey Gwen,

I’m proud of you for remembering National Chocolate Day! I’m training you well, aren’t I?! I just got back from my 10 hour adventure today and I’m exhausted. Some of that time included dinner at Pizza Hut but it made for a long, long day. I put 280 miles on my car, about 200 of which were on twisty and curvy roads that has my whole upper body sore. I’m too tired to write tonight but I will share my experience tomorrow. We had a blast and both Blackwater Falls and Spruce Knob were beautiful. I took plenty of pictures to share! Even though I’m exhausted I did, however, have enough energy to stop by a convenience store to pick up a chocolate bar so I can properly celebrate National Chocolate Day! So that’s what I will be doing next! Have a great evening everyone (if there’s anyone out there this evening).

Margie

Morning folks, I’ve been busy the last few days, and didn’t get to swing by the ole blog. Let’s do a quick recap of the weather here in the OV. Sunday was a beautiful day, no clouds in the sky at noon, later in the day a few clouds. Monday rainy in the morning, but got nicer by evening, went for a bike ride. Saturday was a little overcast, great deal of wind, made biking slower than I like, but that’s the weather folks. haha! Tuesday again was a little overcast, I biked again for a quick trip into town after dinner. Wednesday (yesterday) few misty periods. Watched some of the MJ coverage on FNC (where else would you watch it). Shep”s coverage was great. Found it interesting where they reported tickets were being handed out to fans outside Staples center after all.

I got some fudge at the local supermarket tonight to celebrate chocolate day. It was yummy. haha

Hope everyone is well, and enjoying the summer.

National Chocolate Day????
That explains why I felt compelled to have a delicious chocolate gelato at the movie theatre last night! I met friends for dinner & then we went to see The Proposal. Love Sandra Bullock, she’s a beautiful woman who doesn’t mind acting like a big goof. Recommend the film for all you who like chick flicks. Oh, and FYI, Betty White stole the thing, she was a hoot!!

Does anyone get blown away or is there a train crash in the movie? That’s my kind of flick, though
this summer has seen some pretty ordinary (and rather disappointing in my opinion) action movies.

Later,
Tony

Sorry, Tony, nothing blows up or crashes, although SB does fall down alot in her ultra high heels!
They did have a preview for Bruce Willis’ new movie that looks action filled, creepy and just plain weird. It’s called “Surrogates” and basically people have robots that go around and live their lives for them while they relax in a recliner at home hooked up to some sort of computer Matrix style. He is apparently a detective who ends up having to go out into the world himself again after a series of murders of these surrogates. Did I mention the surrogates are all beautiful and perfect representations of the people at home in the recliners?? There you go, action AND eye candy, enjoy!!!LOL Oh, and if you are into Harry Potter, the new one comes out July 15 – I’m really looking forward to that, lots of explosions in that one too.
Have a great day!