Author: Marcia Meara
#ThankYou Everyone!
Just wanted to thank everyone who stopped by TWS yesterday to comment on Joan Hall’s wonderful #FiveMoreThings post. I was away most of the day, and the best I could manage was a quick “Like” for each comment, but I appreciated the great response, and Joan, I hope you know you are always a welcome guest. I do hope you’ll visit us often in the months ahead!
Here’s wishing every one of you a great day, and a wonderful weekend coming up soon!
You guys ROCK!!
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#FiveMoreThingsYouMayNotKnow About Author #JoanHall
For any of you who’ve already been a #TenThings guest on TWS, remember you are also invited to join us for another #FiveMoreThings, should you wish to do so. Joan Hall decided she’d like to do exactly that, so please help me welcome her today. I know you’ll enjoy seeing what Joan has to share this time around, and Joan? That’s your cue to take it away, my friend!
Thanks, Marcia!
- I used to think being a storm chaser would be exciting until I got caught on the road during a tornado. One Friday afternoon I came home from work to find we had no electricity. Almost at the same time I tried to call him, my brother called to see if I wanted to go out to eat. We decided to drive to the next town. By this time, the rain was so heavy we could barely see in front of us. The winds were strong, and trees were bending over. My husband, who was at work, called me to say a tornado had been spotted. We kept going until we came to where a large tree had fallen across the road. When we turned back, there were trees blocking the road at places we had just been. After several detours through winding country roads, we finally made it back to town to discover two retail stores demolished, as well as several homes. We later learned the tornado was classified as an EF2 and stayed on the ground for twenty-seven miles. Needless to say, that broke me from wanting to be a storm chaser.
- Speaking of storms, my mother was terrified of them. We don’t have basements in Texas, so if a bad storm was forecast, we would go to a neighbor’s storm cellar. Other neighbors came as well, and we’d sit in the cellar with oil lamps or candles and wait out the storm. It was fun, especially because so many good stories were told during those times. My husband has never been inside a storm cellar, and I’ve told him he doesn’t know what he missed! I’m the opposite of Mom. Unless they are too violent, I love a good thunderstorm.
- I used to be extremely bashful and wouldn’t talk much. (My husband doesn’t believe it, LOL.) I’m still introverted but can “extrovert” when needed. I love my at home alone time. To this day, when I first meet someone new, I’m a bit quiet until I get a feel of what that person is like. People who are extremely extroverted and those that talk too much and too loud annoy me!
- I am a seventh generation American. My fourth great-grandfather, Robert McCorkle came to this country from Scotland (via Ireland). He settled in an area known as the Waxhaws, which is on the North Carolina/Sound Carolina border. His son, my third great-grandfather, fought in the Revolutionary War. Branches of the McCorkle family eventually moved to Texas. My paternal grandfather was the first one of my family born here. Interestingly the McCorkle clan had Scandinavian roots. The surname McCorkle was then known as Thorkle.
- I once dreamed of playing keyboards and singing in a rock band. Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac was my inspiration. I could play piano (sort of), but I can’t carry a tune. Not even in a bucket!
Joan & Hubby
You Can Buy Cold Dark Night HERE
Author Joan Hall
Joan Hall has always enjoyed reading or listening to stories about inexplicable events, so it’s not surprising she writes mystery and romantic suspense. A lover of classic rock music, songs often serve as the inspiration for her books.
When she’s not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats. Learn more about Joan at her website, http://JoanHall.net.
Buy All of Joan’s Books HERE
Reach Joan on Social Media Here:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | Goodreads | Instagram
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#Bold&BlatantSelfPromo – #Excerpt – #TheEmissary
Working my way through my books, one by one, and today, I’d like to share an excerpt from the first novella in my Riverbend spinoff series, The Emissary. Hope you’ll enjoy reading about the world’s first emissary to the angels (Jake) as he meets the Archangel Azrael (his boss) for the first time. Happy reading! 😀
“An angel’s work is never done — that’s part of the gig.”
BLURB
An angel’s work is never done—that’s part of the gig. But angels hadn’t been created to deal with such a vastly over-populated planet, rife with misery, suffering, and general chaos. Helping souls in peril has become a nearly impossible job, and even angelic tempers are frayed.
The archangel Azrael has had enough. He believes he’s found a way to ease their burden while saving jeopardized humans, too—hired help.
When Jake Daughtry lost his life rescuing a total stranger from certain death, he was on the fast track to Heaven. But that was before Azrael pulled him right out of line at the Pearly Gates. Now, as an Emissary to the Angels, Jake is taking to the highway in a quest to help souls in trouble. But the innate stubbornness of human beings bent on self-destruction is a challenge unlike any he’s ever faced.
It’s up to Jake and Azrael to bridge the gap between humans and angels. Will they ever convince the Council of Angels this endeavor is worthwhile? Can Jake figure out how to play by Azrael’s complicated rules? Will Azrael ever master the use of contractions in general conversation?
To find out the answers, hop on board Jake’s big red-and-white semi and travel the roads from the Florida Keys to north Georgia on an adventure that will make you laugh hard and cry even harder.
EXCERPT
December 12, 2013
“Take This Job and Shove It”
Johnny Paycheck
~~~
Midnight, December 12, 2013,
Tooling Down a Lonely Highway,
Somewhere Between Here and There.
“WHAT AM I going to do with you, Jake?”
Jake snapped his head to the right, gasped at the sight of an angel in the passenger seat, then jerked forward again just in time to prevent his semi from running off the highway. “What the hell! Are you trying to kill us both?”
“Language, please. And do you really think either of us could be killed so easily?”
Instead of a reply, Jake fumed in silence, glaring through the rain-streaked windshield as the last of the daylight disappeared. He thought about not answering at all but figured that would only make things worse. “I’m guessing you must be Azrael. Nice of you to drop in for a surprise visit and all, but a bit of advance notice next time might help me avoid a fatal collision. I don’t think killing innocent humans is part of my job description.”
“Ah. Sarcasm. I had forgotten how amusing it can be. But advance warning would eliminate the element of surprise, now wouldn’t it?”
“Whatever you say, Boss.”
Azrael rumbled low in his throat. “Do not call me Boss.”
Jake felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. “Do you have to growl at me like that?”
“I think you heard me. I am not fond of that type of slang.”
“If I stop calling you ‘Boss,’ will you stop sneaking up on me and growling that way? It doesn’t sound very angelic. Besides, it’s creepy.”
“I will do as I wish. And this is not about me. It is about you.”
“Why? What have I done?”
“Suffice it to say, you have done plenty, as you perfectly well know. Or do you want me to read from the list? I can go all the way back to your first day, if you like.”
“My first day was only a few months ago, so how long can the list be? And by the way, your on-the-job training for new hires is sadly lacking, in my opinion.”
“No one asked your opinion, but since you are pleading ignorance, let us start with the most serious transgression, shall we? How about Gabe Angelino?”
Jake winced. He thought he’d gotten away with that one, but he should have known better. These people—and he used the term loosely—apparently didn’t miss much. And for Azrael, himself, to show up? Probably not good.
The angel continued. “Really, Jake? Could you have been any more obvious? They are not supposed to know who you represent, you understand.”
“Sorry. He tried so hard to ignore me, I thought I might have to up my nudges to catch his attention. But he stayed with me of his own free will, until we were close enough that I was pretty sure he’d walk the last mile or so, himself. That’s the main thing, right? It’s not like I gave him any clues while we were driving.”
“No. You left him a note, instead, and used it to compel his memory of you. He would have forgotten you completely had you managed to refrain from doing that.”
“Maybe I didn’t want to be completely forgotten.”
“I am sure you did not, but it is not about what you want, regardless of whether it feels good to find out you have made a difference. I am also sure you enjoyed being contacted.”
“I didn’t tell either of them how to reach me.”
“No, but once the man remembered you—”
“Hunter. His name is Hunter.”
Azrael huffed out a sharp breath. “Yes, I am aware of that, but I would rather not think of him in those terms.”
“What terms? Human ones?”
“It is always better not to keep them in your mind after your work is done. Now, as I was saying, once he remembered you, and told the woman—”
“Willow,” Jake muttered.
“The woman. Once he told the woman who you were, she put out a direct call to you. And that, as you well know, is not supposed to happen. Your behavior was in violation of the rules.”
“She emailed me, that’s all. And I didn’t think emailing a fake person, employed by a fake company, would be in a list of prohibited actions.”
“Why do you persist in being so difficult? You know the method matters not. It makes no difference if you are called via cell phone, email, or a tormented scream from deep within the abyss. You represent us. If called, you must answer. You have no choice. Therefore, you are not allowed to give them a way to reach you. Surely this was stressed repeatedly when you were given this job, and doing so is frowned upon by, shall we say, upper management. So. Why did you leave him a transparent clue like that, and a ‘nudge,’ as you put it, to remember your time together? Give me something, Jake. I would rather not lose you this early on.”
Jake lifted his foot from the accelerator and angled the semi off the highway and into a deserted truck stop. He parked, then faced Azrael, noting more concern than he’d expected in his companion’s arctic blue eyes. The urge to fight died.
“I’m not sure why. I did what I could for him, but he was far more desperate than any of my other riders had been. I was afraid he needed a lot more. So, I left him a fake name with a little push to spur his memory, in case he needed me again. What good is it to have this power if I can’t ever put it to use?”
Azrael groaned. “And I am the one who argued that you had so much potential.” He rubbed his pale hand over his face, then took a deep breath and gave it another go.
“Once again, you do understand that you broke the rules, right? They are not supposed to remember you, find you, or contact you. And you are absolutely, positively forbidden to contact them, too, in any way, shape, or form. You showed up on their doorstep, Jake. You had tea with them! What were you thinking?”
“Technically, I only had tea with Hunter. Willow stayed inside. And I was thinking that saving this gentle, decent person from harming himself was more important than saving my job.”
“Or your own soul?”
Jake’s mouth tightened. “So, if I break a heavenly, though still bureaucratic, rule to be sure a good man is safe, I flunk your tests, and my mortal soul is in danger? What is this? Go directly to Hell? Do not pass Go? Do not collect $200?”
Azrael buried his face in his hands.
Jake had no idea what was about to happen next, but he decided it really didn’t matter.
“If that’s the way it is, then I don’t want this job. I don’t know how to turn my back on people that way. I can’t do it.”
“What?” Azrael’s head jerked back up, and he stared at Jake, mouth agape. “What are you saying?”
“Simple. I quit.”
************************
Download on Kindle for Just $1.99
Author Marcia Meara
Marcia Meara lives in central Florida, just north of Orlando, with her husband of over thirty years and four big cats.
When not writing or blogging, she spends her time gardening, and enjoying the surprising amount of wildlife that manages to make a home in her suburban yard. She enjoys nature. Really, really enjoys it. All of it! Well, almost all of it, anyway. From birds, to furry critters, to her very favorites, snakes. The exception would be spiders, which she truly loathes, convinced that anything with eight hairy legs is surely up to no good. She does not, however, kill spiders anymore, since she knows they have their place in the world. Besides, her husband now handles her Arachnid Catch and Release Program, and she’s good with that.
Spiders aside, the one thing Marcia would like to tell each of her readers is that it’s never too late to make your dreams come true. If, at the age of 69, she could write and publish a book (and thus fulfill 64 years of longing to do that very thing), you can make your own dreams a reality, too. Go for it! What have you got to lose?
Buy Marcia’s Books Here
Novels
Wake-Robin Ridge: Book 1
A Boy Named Rabbit: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 2
Harbinger: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 3
The Light: Wake-Robin Ridge Book 4
Swamp Ghosts: Riverbend Book 1
Finding Hunter: Riverbend Book 2
That Darkest Place: Riverbend Book 3
Riverbend Spinoff Novellas
The Emissary 1
The Emissary 2 – To Love Somebody
The Emissary 3 – Love Hurts
Poetry
Summer Magic: Poems of Life and Love
Reach Marcia on Social Media Here:
Blog: The Write Stuff
Facebook
Email: marciameara16@gmail.com
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#BonusWildlifePost – #Crocodile vs #Alligator
Just wanted to show you folks a couple of photos my friend, Dennis, shared with me yesterday. I’ve mentioned that he’s a terrific photographer, and I wasn’t kidding. He’s been taking pictures of wildlife ( and much more) for many years. After reading my post on Alligators yesterday, he sent me two shots of the American saltwater crocodile that he took down in south Florida, and I think they are two of the best pics of them I’ve ever seen–so my first thought was to do a bonus post so I could share them with you.
You can VERY clearly see the lighter color of this crocodile, and the extremely pointed “V” that makes up his head. I also found a comparison photo of a swimming alligator that shows once again that 1) it is very nearly black in color and 2) the head is definitely not pointy at all.
American Saltwater Crocodile
(Photo by Dennis Burnette)
American Alligator for Comparison
(Photo from Pexels)
Head Shot of American Salt Water Crocodile
(Photo by Dennis Burnette)
Hope you enjoyed the comparison and that it will help you remember that alligators and crocodiles are not the same critters!
Next time, we’ll be back to alligators with …
“Bringing Up Baby!”
See you then!
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#ThorsdaySmile – #AmLaughing – #Humor
As we all know by now, the God of Thunder is persnickety as all get-out about the memes I share on Thorsday. What you may not have know is, he can go from picky, picky, picky to not giving a hoot in about three seconds flat. Today was one of those days, and left to my own devices, I decided to hunt down a few funny signs to share with you. Hope you find a snicker or two in the bunch! 😁
There.
Some Signs of the Times to brighten your day.
Hope you enjoyed them!
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#WildlifeWednesday – #AmericanAlligatorPart1- #Introduction
Starting a new series today that I hope you folks will enjoy. Since I’m not able to give my local wildlife talks at the present time, I decided it would be fun to share some of the tidbits from them here on TWS. I hope you’ll enjoy seeing a couple of interesting slides from various presentations I’ve done, and learning a few new things about wildlife, particularly wildlife found in Central Florida. And, as I mentioned in an earlier post, my good friend and fellow wildlife lover, Dennis Burnette, will be joining us when he can to share some wildlife posts of his own. Our posts won’t follow a strict scheduled, but will always be shared on Wednesdays, and we both hope you’ll enjoy the information we pass along.
I figured I’d get the ball rolling with a post on Florida’s most famous (notorious?) critter, the American Alligator. I’ll mostly be using photos taken by my good friend, the late Doug Little, who spent years leading ecotours on the St. Johns River. Happily, Doug gave me several hundred of his pictures to share wherever I wanted, including this photo of “Ol’ Tick,” a large, ancient alligator who had reserved this very spot along the river for his own exclusive use. (Would you challenge this guy? I think not.)
Photo by Doug Little
Now … Exactly What Is an Alligator?
I’ve noticed that folks from other parts of the world often refer to alligators as “crocs,” but alligators and crocodiles are different animals, honest. Yes, it’s true that all alligators are crocodilians, but all crocodilians are definitely not alligators.
(Trust Me: The Only Croc in this Picture is the Shoe)
To help sort it all out … or perhaps confuse you even more … consider this: There are 23 species of crocodilians, but only two of them are alligators. Yep. Just TWO.
23 Species of Crocodilians (Partial List)
6 CAIMANS, INCLUDING THESE TWO:
*Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) – native from Mexico to Northern Argentina
*Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) – native to South America
14 CROCODILES, INCLUDING THESE FIVE:
*Australian saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) – native to Australia
*Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus Johnstoni) – native to Australia
*Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) – native to Africa
*Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) – native to India
*Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) -native to South America
1 GHARIAL
*Gharial/Gavial – (Gavialis gangeticus) – native to Northern parts of India
AND … TADA …
Yep, you read right. Only TWO out of 23 crocodilians are alligators. The other 21 species fall under one of the three categories listed above.
I’m always amazed that out of the only two alligator species on earth, one lives in the southeastern part of the United States …
and the other one lives clear around the world in China! The Chinese alligator is restricted to the Yangtze River area, where the orange dot is in this illustration.
That seems pretty strange, but it’s true. The Chinese alligator is also a critically endangered species, and is a much smaller reptile than our American one. See?
The American alligator is a whole ‘nuther animal, as we say around these parts, and grows to a much, much larger size than their 5’ long Chinese counterparts. Here are some numbers that might surprise you:
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR STATISTICS & TIDBITS
Average Sized Males: 11 feet, 780 lbs
Average Sized Females: 8.5 feet, 201 lbs
Verified Record Size: 13.9 feet
Unverified Record Sizes: 17 to 19 feet
Common Reports in the Late 1800s: 16 to 20 feet
Just think … this guy is nowhere near his potential full size!
MORE ALLIGATOR TIDBITS
*The American alligator is said to have the third strongest bite force of any living animal. (First and second place go to the saltwater crocodile and the Nile crocodile).
*The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission considers alligators to be a “Keystone Species,” modifying wetlands during drought, and being vital to the health of their environment.
*Sometimes these predators eat wild grapes, elderberries, and citrus that grow alongside rivers and streams.
*The American alligator is the official state reptile for Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
*A Miocene era alligator skull was found in Marion County, Florida. (Age estimates vary from 5 million to 23 million years old!)
*The old theory was that alligators continue to grow throughout their lives. New data indicates that growth stops at 25 to 30 years of age.
*The average lifespan of the American alligator is roughly the same as the average lifespan for humans.
Now that I’ve told you all about alligators and crocodiles being two different critters, let me add that we DO have a species of crocodile in south Florida, down in the Everglades area. The species there is the American salt water crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), and is a completely different animal in both appearance and temperament than the American alligators we have throughout the entire state. You can tell them apart merely by looking at them, and here’s the scoop on that.
Check it out!
Picture 1: Alligator on the left, crocodile on the right;
Picture 2: Alligator in top photo, crocodile in bottom one.
Notice the bigger, wider, heavier-looking, U-shaped head on the gators,
and the darker gray to black coloring, as compared to the V-shaped head
and lighter grayish-tan color on the crocs. It’s also of note that when the crocodile’s mouth is closed, you can see his top AND bottom teeth. Only the upper teeth are visible when an alligator’s mouth is closed. (It should go without saying if you are close enough to check their teeth, you should probably get the heck outta there!) 😁
One more comparison shot. Again, the alligator has a much more rounded, heavier looking head, compared to the croc, with its more slender, pointed snout. And, even though this croc is somewhat muddied up a bit, he is still lighter and more brownish in color than the gator. Crocs can range from light gray to a pale tan, but they are never the dark gray-to-black an adult alligator is. Yes, they both look like giant, toothy lizards, but it’s really not that hard to tell them apart.
As for temperament, in general crocodiles tend to be a good bit more aggressive than alligators, though I would not recommend going swimming with either one. (More on that topic later.)
I think this is probably a good place to stop for today, and I
hope you enjoyed learning a bit about the
American alligator.
Please join me next time for:
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR PART 2: Bringing Up Baby
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#GuestDayTuesday – #D.L.Finn – #BlogTour – In the Tree’s Shadow
It’s time for #GuestDayTuesday again, and perfect timing for a new release from author D. L. Finn. Denise has been touring with her latest collection of short stories, and I’m very happy to help her get the word out, too. I know you’ll enjoy her post today, so let’s get started. Denise, the floor’s all yours! 😊
Thank you for having me here today, Marcia, to share my short story collection, In a Tree’s Shadow.
“Alone” was written during a massive snowstorm last year that left my husband and me isolated for several days without power. My husband ventured out once to get gas for the generator after clearing the snow at the end of our driveway. This machine powers our well, so we have water and outlets in the bedroom so my husband’s CPAP machine can run while keeping our fridge running and use the microwave if needed.
I stayed home to keep the fire going. I wrote some poetry, and then my mind turned to the pure aloneness I felt at that moment. This story came from those thoughts while I waited for my husband to return home safely. He commented that it was the worse conditions he’s driven in, which is saying a lot. Most of the town was shut down except for a few gas stations and grocery stores—if they had enough employees.
In this story, Lydia’s husband collapses while cleaning snow off their driveway. An ambulance can make it there, and they offer her to go with them, but she decides to drive there. That one decision changed how things went for this couple.
BLURB:
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
EXCERPT:
The drought had left them all lazy. No one was prepared for a big storm as the heavy rains turned into snow the night before. Lydia had never minded being snowed in, even without power. But this time, with no power, internet, or communication, there was no joy, only anxiety. It was the first time in her life that she was entirely alone. The emptiness echoed loudly around her, bouncing off the carefully framed photos of happier times when living in a forest had been fun. There was only fear today when she went to leave the house and spotted an intruder. She quickly stepped back inside, slammed the door shut, and locked it. Wiping the frost from the front window, she peered through. They were still there. She tried waving, hoping they needed help, but there was no response except her goosebumps and sweaty palms. Without Bill she had to survive what Mother Nature brought her and a trespasser.
She squinted, but the face was hidden in the shadows. She was convinced it was a man under forty from his brawny warrior stance. He wore faded blue jeans, a red plaid shirt, a black vest, and a black stocking cap, much like many of the men in their small community, including Bill. The snow boots were dated and reminded her of the ones they used to own. Moon boots, Bill called them. Misery coursed through her, thinking of her husband fighting for his life at the hospital while she couldn’t get to him.
This person had to know she was alone and no one could help her. He must have watched the ambulance come and was aware there would be no 9-1-1 calls coming from her house—the power and phones had gone out right after. There was only the silence of a massive storm. She had not bothered to start the generator because she was planning to leave.
FUN FINN FACTS:
- I saw a pod of humpback whales from a plane as it was circling to land on Kauai.
- Sometimes, I won’t walk in the forest when I feel a bad vibe.
**************
Author D. L. Finn
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
D.L. Finn Links:
Twitter
Bookbub
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
D.L. Finn blog
Amazon Page
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#GrannySays – #Humor – #Inspiration – #Wisdom
Here’s to pedaling like a thing possessed!
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#TenThingsYouMayNotKnowAbout #PeteSpringer
Good Morning, Everyone! Today’s special guest is author and retired teacher, Pete Springer. I’m very happy to have Pete join us, and I know that you are going to enjoy his post, so without further ado, let’s get started. Pete? You’re on!
Thanks for the pleasure of visiting The Write Stuff, Marcia. While I loved my career as an elementary teacher, my wife and I have embraced retirement and the opportunity to try new things. As you probably know by now, I’m following your path by writing later in life. While teaching, I knew I wanted to write middle-grade novels for children after I retired. I’ve spent the last few years learning how to write fiction by taking classes, reading books, joining a critique group, starting a blog, and writing most days. I love the creative challenge of building a fictional story from scratch. It’s what gets me excited to get up in the morning.
Before diving into that, I wanted to pay back a profession that had been so good to me. I wrote a book (They Call Me Mom) about my 31-year teaching career to pay it forward to the next generation of teachers. I call it a combination memoir/advice book. After serving as a master teacher to four student teachers during my career, I wanted to share my experiences and some of the moving and funny moments.
Now, I’m following through with my original goal and writing novels for the age I know best—middle grades. I’ve got two manuscripts going, one about to go to my editor any day. From the start, I wanted to write entertaining contemporary novels for kids in grades 5-8 about problems that today’s children face. Don’t let anyone tell you we had it much more challenging than kids do in 2023 because that’s not true.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Me
ONE:
I’ve visited each of the 50 states, though I don’t remember some because I was too little to recall much. Right before Covid started, my wife and I made it to the last one. (Alaska)
TWO:
People tell me I’ve got a good voice for the radio, and I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t mind public speaking. I used to read our local newspaper over the airwaves once a week for the blind and those with limited vision. I spent my career as an elementary school teacher, but my backup plan was to become a sports broadcaster if I didn’t like teaching.
THREE:
While happily retired, I miss reading aloud to children as I love literature and am a big ham. It was my chance to be an actor, imagining how the author wanted the characters to sound. I now read to seniors at assisted living twice a week as part of my community service work.
FOUR:
Several of my previous students have become teachers. I taught the last five years of my career with one of my former 4th-grade students.
FIVE:
I love almost all sports. Though not a star athlete, I won some local racquetball tournaments (spelled racketball in the UK). Now, I enjoy going to sporting events. I’ve attended the Super Bowl and the Final Four College Basketball Championships. Our son is a college football coach.
SIX:
I try to stay in touch with my former elementary students as much as possible to see what direction their lives took them. One of my past students became a nanny to Jennifer Lopez (J. Lo—the singer and actress) and later to one of the Kardashian sisters. I recently connected with a student from my first year of teaching. (He’s now 49—yes, I feel old.) He is now a Hollywood film producer, director, and writer. He has a film coming out later this year starring Lindsay Wagner (from The Bionic Woman).
SEVEN:
I met my wife in the teaching program in college. We started and finished our 31-year education careers in the same years. I taught elementary school (grades 2-6), and she was a preschool teacher and then director at the same site.
EIGHT:
Last year I fulfilled a Bucket List item by flying across the country and spending time with each of my three older brothers. The four Springer brothers ended up in the four continental time zones, so I got my miles in. I went to New Jersey, Minnesota, and Colorado, before returning to my home in California.
NINE:
On the same trip, I met two blogging friends in person. I spent part of the day in the classroom of the brilliant teacher, Jennie Fitzkee, and read a story to her preschoolers in Massachusetts. I then traveled to Pennsylvania and met Villanova University professor Jim Borden. I spent a glorious day with him in Philadelphia and visited many historical parts of the city. Jim filmed me running up the famed Rocky steps. Meeting them was one of the highlights of my trip.
TEN:
We live within a couple of miles of the Pacific Ocean and our famed redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. Coast redwoods reach 370 feet tall, while giant sequoias are seldom more than 300 feet tall. Temperatures are mild year-round, ranging from 30-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
BLURB
Who Will You Inspire Today? Teachers face this challenge and responsibility each day, but in the process, the author discovers that his students can also have a profound influence on him. Pete Springer takes you on his memorable thirty-one-year journey in education as an elementary school teacher and offers the many valuable life and teaching lessons he learned along the way. Get ready to laugh out loud at some of the humorous and memorable experiences that all teachers face, feel inspired by the inherent goodness of children, and appreciate the importance of developing a sense of teamwork among the staff. Learn valuable tips for working with children, parents, fellow staff members, and administrators. This book is ideal for young teachers, but also a reminder to all educators of the importance and responsibility of being a role model.
(Photo was taken by my former sixth-grade student, Breanne Egbert.)
My name is Pete Springer. I taught elementary school for thirty-one years (grades 2-6) at Pine Hill School in Eureka, CA. Even though I retired over three years ago, my passion will always be supporting education, kids, and teachers.
When I came out of the teaching program many years ago, I realized how unprepared I was for what was in store for me in the classroom. My college education mainly focused on learning theory rather than the practical day-to-day challenges that all teachers face. Thankfully, I had some great mentors to lean on to help support me in the early part of my career.
I have made it my mission to pay it forward to the next generation of teachers. I was a master teacher to four student teachers, and I have several former students who are now teachers, including one who teaches at my former elementary school. That is pretty cool!
While teaching, I decided to write books for children one day. That ship is now in the harbor. I took some writing workshops, found a writing critique group, joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), and recently finished writing my first middle-grade novel. I’ve always connected with kids, and this is my new way of teaching.
You can Buy They Call Me Mom HERE
You Can Reach Pete on Social Media HERE:
The Write Stuff 