tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861590439798392452024-03-05T00:34:10.363-08:00Read Marsha BurdickIdeas, opinions and exploring the world through words. Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-75978215662501627082021-09-15T04:36:00.001-07:002021-09-15T04:36:26.502-07:00Come and Visit Marsha's English Classroom on YouTube<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CifjSvdAMRc" width="320" youtube-src-id="CifjSvdAMRc"></iframe></div><br /><p>Here's my first video!</p><p>In the summer of 2021, I began posting videos of radio interviews that I did in April and May. In the future, I'll be adding teaching videos to help readers learn better pronunciation and grammar. After that, I'll see which topics are the most popular and explore different possibilities. </p><p>Leave a comment and tell me what you need help with. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdXbv480w58KUtdT9giLGV9x6XzyCBG78FcXNk6p5jSy6ee5GW0EM5NT81E9JPOtQ4ayBBDSnjisFO_LDZmdngMwG-V7lhqZ-pJkBAFMg-XaFZOCxGyDFK4tYN67T5W43ftHJokjS9i8r/s1350/IMG_20210518_094552_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdXbv480w58KUtdT9giLGV9x6XzyCBG78FcXNk6p5jSy6ee5GW0EM5NT81E9JPOtQ4ayBBDSnjisFO_LDZmdngMwG-V7lhqZ-pJkBAFMg-XaFZOCxGyDFK4tYN67T5W43ftHJokjS9i8r/s320/IMG_20210518_094552_600.jpg" width="256" /></a></p><p><br /></p>Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-33679915204089712802020-06-19T07:57:00.000-07:002020-06-19T07:57:28.581-07:00Remembering Anna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-gdxR4SUiwk440doDh6LOqu2iVrazIkrDVKAe1Uh7i1P85eQw2FbTkQEpuAvOSXCnf2ojqko4F8Z2eINzONOHmZ4JilTRhs5JjKHxpIP14BVqMHTyjKdohzoAfVAmOQG7VnamU7iNAYY/s3456/IMG_1904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-gdxR4SUiwk440doDh6LOqu2iVrazIkrDVKAe1Uh7i1P85eQw2FbTkQEpuAvOSXCnf2ojqko4F8Z2eINzONOHmZ4JilTRhs5JjKHxpIP14BVqMHTyjKdohzoAfVAmOQG7VnamU7iNAYY/s320/IMG_1904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I lost a dear friend this week. A close friend who understood me. I will miss her.<div><br /></div><div>We shared a love for Jesus and an appreciation of knowledge. We laughed and cried about many things together. We had a desire to translate books into Italian - I was going to do the translating and she would have made sure the Italian was correct and beautiful. She was an English teacher and loved my language, and I enjoyed talking to her about her lovely country over a delicious plate of pasta with home-made sauce.</div><div><br /></div><div>She listened to people and gave good advice if you asked her for it. Praying for others was second nature - she prayed for everyone. She really tried to identify God's will so that she was sure to live according to his plan for her life. Teaching and encouraging others were both her secular job and her normal way of interacting. She lived by both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anna was 56 and this was her third bout with cancer. The first two rounds had ended over a decade ago with miraculous healing, but this one was different. The miracle of this illness was the complete absence of pain. However, the current crises (plural because the world is seriously messed up right now) overshadowed her illness and besides, until about 10 days ago she was convinced that she was going to recover!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I spoke at her funeral. Now I'm remembering our time together, the trips we planned that we will never get to take, the long conversations and the shopping spree for my mother-of-the-bride dress last December. I'm grieving but I believe that we will meet again one day. Until then, it's going to be hard. I am sad, but I have hope.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a comfort and a blessing to be convinced that, after death, we do not just cease to exist but rather we fall asleep, and if our soul belongs to Jesus we are not lost. We will live on the earth after the second coming and do whatever it is that people will do when there is no more suffering. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anna imagined that we would enjoy each other's company over meals, laughing and talking, and just being friends doing the Lord's work. Scripture tells us that the next world will be this one renewed and everything we love will be restored. No endless church services, no sitting on clouds playing harps. The afterlife will be more vibrant and colorful than we can imagine, and we'll spend eternity enjoying this earth in ways we cannot comprehend while no longer having to worry about illness, hardship, hunger, racism, division, and death.</div><div><br /></div><div>God envisioned this earth as the lush garden that he originally created, which could provide everything his people need, and I have faith that we will meet again in that world. Until then, I'll cherish the memories that I have.</div>Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-41635559442349107022016-10-21T11:40:00.000-07:002016-10-22T10:38:01.071-07:00Ken Follett in Milan<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW29y-fQWz0p2m0PqFMJWWdooL6-KM9N-LzmxyCYzQ-gJPHZlc5H9DQnPo5Y8rxHJOw9qTT62zE-ROuIMIfVVVKU3FexplixGWWirOsiaRmB0VaJ8e7xRJCnJiAwaF-wJ9ysseStEXzThe/s1600/P_20161016_180320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW29y-fQWz0p2m0PqFMJWWdooL6-KM9N-LzmxyCYzQ-gJPHZlc5H9DQnPo5Y8rxHJOw9qTT62zE-ROuIMIfVVVKU3FexplixGWWirOsiaRmB0VaJ8e7xRJCnJiAwaF-wJ9ysseStEXzThe/s200/P_20161016_180320.jpg" width="200" /></a>This week <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/milan" target="_blank">Milan</a> has enjoyed a series of interesting events about all sorts of topics. The magazine <a href="http://www.panorama.it/" target="_blank">Panorama</a> (sorry, no English page here) is organizing a tour of Italy and it was our turn.<br />
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I signed up to hear <a href="http://ken-follett.com/" target="_blank">Ken Follett</a> speak and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Here's a pic I took at the event.<br />
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It's important for writers to hear other writers speak. We can learn a lot. However, that's not really the reason to go. We need to remember that we are in the world and we have to stay connected. I don't write only for myself - I write for my readers. Now, I have a very small fraction of the readership that an author like Mr. Follett has (thanks to all 5 of you), but I am interested in hearing what you would like to read.<br />
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This is why I put an email list sign up on the page. You can type in your address now and be notified when I post.<br />
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In the comments today, let me know what you're interested in finding when you come by to see me.</div>
Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-30066296610013110662016-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:002017-09-06T08:48:05.703-07:00October Reading List: Yard Sale BooksDon't you love yard sales? All those things priced so conveniently. All those treasures changing houses. It's a lovely tradition that not all countries share. Italy, for example, does not do yard sales.<br />
So I guess you can imagine that I don't go all that often.<br />
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For those of you who have never heard of a yard sale, these are sales that people hold privately to sell their own belongings at a 90% markdown. Some people set their stuff up in the garage, and call them garage sales. The unofficial verb would be "to go garage sale-ing". You don't need a permit or other type of authorisation.<br />
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Outside the US, I'm sure you have second hand shops, or maybe you just donate your used items in good condition to charities. Maybe you could find a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BookCrossing" target="_blank">bookcrossing</a> point to get something to read free.<br />
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I've been to several sales already this year, and here are a few of titles I picked up.<br />
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Mad Merlin: garage sale.<br />
When I started it, I thought it was just another take on the King Arthur legend. Boy, was I wrong! The author integrated all sorts of mythology and the story is impeccable. Merlin is the main viewpoint character, and the author developed him into something really unexpected.<br />
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The Bait of Satan: thrift shop.<br />
A Christian non-fiction book about the consequences of offence. This book explains how getting offended and holding grudges messes up relationships. In modern times, offense is very common and we are seeing the damage to our culture.<br />
To give you a concrete example, let's think, for a moment, about the idea of forgiving yourself. Have you ever done something that was stupid or that resulted in tragedy? You know that the longer you hold that against yourself, the worse your self-esteem will become. You will even pass this mindset to your family! Forgiveness is necessary for a happy life in general.<br />
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Roots: table outside a shop in Milan.<br />
The sign on the window says to leave books you've finished reading. (I really need to take something down there.) Anyway, I watched the new mini-series last spring in the US and when I got back to Italy I found this book waiting for me. What a nice coincidence! (Or gift from God, depending on your perspective....) I want to read it because I haven't studied this part of history as closely as I would have liked to. I am a firm believer in knowing where your roots are.<br />
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What have you been reading?Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-22699542012565740042016-09-15T15:13:00.000-07:002016-10-23T23:59:46.270-07:00September Reading List: Wattpad and GoodreadsI like to read different types of media, and I love to try out different platforms.<br />
So I have accounts on both Wattpad and Goodreads.<br />
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For those who don't know, <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/" target="_blank">Wattpad </a>is a platform for writers to share what they've written and create content for their readers. I posted the Italian version of the <b>Coma</b> short story I wrote two years ago because it is no longer available on the Giallo Milanese website. You can find the English version <a href="http://marshaburdick.blogspot.it/p/coma-short-story.html" target="_blank">here</a> on my blog.<br />
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I'm working on a new story and today I wrote 640 words.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, on the other hand, lets you write reviews about books that you've read, and you can keep track of what you are reading - and what you would like to read in the future. As usual, I'm currently reading three different books: two paper books and a digital version on my phone. I also have another ebook on my tablet that I have barely started.<br />
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Here they are:<br />
The Three Battlegrounds by Francis Frangipane<br />
This year, I've read quite a bit on Christian subjects. This book is an eye-opener on spiritual warfare. I haven't finished it yet, but I am taking notes. It contains descriptions and explanations of biblical references that I had never understood until now.<br />
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Fervent by Priscilla Shirer<br />
Another Christian book - this one is about prayer. I enjoy listening to the author speak (on YouTube) and I think these strategies will help me get more organized in my prayer time. I need to remember what I ask for so that I can tell when I have results.<br />
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Lancejack by Phillip Richards<br />
I downloaded this from Readcheaply.com and I am enjoying it. It's a character-driven science fiction story about a war on a distant planet. I usually read this story on the bus going to work, so maybe I'll finish it before too long.<br />
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The Art of Work by Jeff Goins<br />
I know I need to read this book, and I will. And when I do, the time will be right.<br />
I keep up with this writer on his blog, and he follows me on Twitter. :-)<br />
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Check these books out on my Goodreads page, and let's be friends.<br />
What are you reading today?<br />
<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-79693986506254444402016-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:002016-05-14T12:15:12.423-07:00On Being Discontinuous and Busy....Sometimes it happens. You interrupt an activity that you like (blogging) just for a bit, you think. And then months pass before you get into it again.<br />
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Well, I'm back.<br />
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In the past year, I've become a grandmother, I've worked a lot, I've learned how to paint (sort of), and I've started working on my novel (again). I want to sound encouraging because it can be frightfully depressing to think about the things that I want to do, but never get around to. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Time management</span></b> is one of the keys. I've started using a site called <a href="https://www.toggl.com/" target="_blank">Toggl</a> to keep track of what I really do during the day. I'm discontinuous and distracted, almost the point of being jumpy if I hit the coffee pot too hard, and from a business angle, I'm tracking the hours I spend on projects and other important activities. I have found that I can, after all, find time to write so please check back in a week or so. I'm putting together a new reading list.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Too many interests</span></b> can also cause erratic writing behavior. One of my favorite pastimes is watching <a href="http://www.ted.com/" target="_blank">TED</a> talks and in the last year I found one that led me to <a href="http://puttylike.com/" target="_blank">Puttylike</a>. Here, I found out that I am perfectly normal. Passionately curious people who like to learn will enjoy both of these sites.<br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">And what about dreams?</span></h3>
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Most people have some sort of dream, a secret thought that they hope to dedicate time to one of these days. I have found that many people talk themselves into believing that there are good reasons why they don't succeed. I am one of those people.<br />
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I started with questions and then I tried to find positive statements as answers. I don't want to use negative wording. I've heard people say that if an activity is important, we find the time to do it. I'm not sure that it is completely true, because I often feel a wave of guilt coming on when I consider the implications of that statement. Life gets in the way, and I'm convinced that my dreams are important even if I'm not actively working on them at the moment.<br />
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And so are yours. Don't give up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj_uiqBSiHv-qjPRSO4KEqn4w2YVZKXmofyQn8nuPU_YGAARgiUEEEFoZLVzi0X4fwqpVQ9E1psAb9K6_2J_MaLRP9-QcBVjjOCaVaEOw0i9RAmEOAgQmvAoQoGVBuouqGJV8kJYCYik9/s1600/P_20160511_102438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj_uiqBSiHv-qjPRSO4KEqn4w2YVZKXmofyQn8nuPU_YGAARgiUEEEFoZLVzi0X4fwqpVQ9E1psAb9K6_2J_MaLRP9-QcBVjjOCaVaEOw0i9RAmEOAgQmvAoQoGVBuouqGJV8kJYCYik9/s640/P_20160511_102438.jpg"> </a> </div>Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-49638465461011057292015-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:002015-08-03T14:25:40.547-07:00Summer Reading List - Homework<div dir="ltr">
Stories and summer go hand in hand. Teachers assign summer reading, vacationers cradle novels as they bake on the beaches, and airport bookstores offer all sorts of options for passing the time after take-off. It was summertime when I read my first novel in Italian, <b>The French Lieutenant's Woman </b>by John Fowles.<br />
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My approach was to sit down with a book and a pencil and underline the words I didn't know. If I could understand the gist of the story without these words, I would continue reading, but if I was missing too much. I would put the book back and get another one. Finally, I found one that was OK. I could understand enough to figure out what was going on.</div>
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However, when I started looking for a dictionary, I was appalled! We were staying with my inlaws in a house that belonged to other relatives who did not own any sort of reference books - and this was long before Internet and wifi - so I had to ask the mother-tongue Italians I was with to define words that I didn't know. That turned out to be quite entertaining.</div>
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Think about it for a minute. Do you know the true meaning of every single word you read? I've been speaking Italian for almost 30 years now, and I still learn a new word occasionally. That summer, armed with my pencil, I would ask about meanings of obscure words and my father-in-law could answer every question. My husband couldn't though, so just for laughs, I would to to him first. As I worked my way through the book, I learned what a <a href="http://www.wordreference.com/iten/ciuffolotto" target="_blank">ciuffolotto</a> is and why my closet could be defined as <a href="http://www.wordreference.com/iten/farraginoso" target="_blank">farraginoso</a>, in addition to a thing or two about Italian grammar.</div>
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The Italian language has different past tense verbs for the "near past" and the "far away past". In English, I can say I <i>ate</i> a piece of chocolate cake yesterday or that I<i> ate </i>it two years ago, but in Italian I would technically have to use two different words for "ate" that reflect their respective time periods. I say "technically" because people don't often use the far away past tense when speaking. It is always used in writing, though, and that was one of my biggest obstacles in reading <u>The French Lieutenant's Woman</u>.<br />
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Now, of course, Italian verbs aren't a problem, as I discovered last year during the <a href="http://www.excogita.it/wpsite/giallomilanese/" target="_blank">Giallo Milanese</a> literary contest (read <a href="http://marshaburdick.blogspot.it/p/coma-short-story.html" target="_blank">Coma </a>here on my blog). It's about that time again. The game starts in September!<br />
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This summer I'm planning to read one book on Internet marketing (I haven't decided which yet) and to finish <b>How People Change </b>by Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp. What are you reading this summer? </div>
Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-5836283039750564452015-07-13T13:04:00.000-07:002015-07-13T13:04:24.142-07:00EXPO 2015 - What is a Universal Exposition anyway?Shows, food, discussions and lots of people are all going to converge to hopefully bring a much needed surge of business to the local economy. We're counting on it, I'd say, but there is more to it than that. Universal Expositions are actually fairs to promote international tourism, industry, design and exchange. If you want more history, I suggest you hop over to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_fair" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> for a quick brush-up.<br />
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What is EXPO Milano 2015? </h3>
Tourism, farming, food, music, art, architecture: these are the more obvious themes of this year's Expo. Pavilion styles reflect cultural differences with a definite slant in expression towards food and perception of natural resources. Several countries have independent constructions to illustrate their commitment/contributions towards the world's food supply. Many have interactive tables or video games to let people playfully explore topics like crop production, sustainability and innovation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxSPKKDnS6_sAx8uJzM-WBV7p8hGSAugbIO1uzHVwKXSSe0rbPXVm8t4RUGB_iOUQsKfjtHYVcqRhzUNfJPsbOvqdfORggIl_ASC4Y72p6gUs3GWg0K_XNBG9L4VQVSTsz51TEcYhagjF/s1600/2015-06-10+13.02.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxSPKKDnS6_sAx8uJzM-WBV7p8hGSAugbIO1uzHVwKXSSe0rbPXVm8t4RUGB_iOUQsKfjtHYVcqRhzUNfJPsbOvqdfORggIl_ASC4Y72p6gUs3GWg0K_XNBG9L4VQVSTsz51TEcYhagjF/s320/2015-06-10+13.02.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Feeding the Planet...</h4>
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Italy is the perfect place to talk about food, and the choice of this theme for Expo 2015 was a stroke of genius. Italian food is renowned worldwide; the myriad of styles, flavors, and available dishes is mind-boggling. Each pavilion along the Cardo (the main north-south avenue at Expo) are lined with small restaurants where they serve Italian food. </div>
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Eataly, a huge supermarket that deals in authentic Italian food, has it's own area with several different regional restaurants. They've made "Made in Italy" an adjective phrase that denotes not only the place of origin of a food or object, but also an implied concept of quality. "Made in Italy" food is good, authentic and special. It's a source of national pride. </div>
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Farming, harvest and distribution of food in the face of rising world population is a humbling problem. I saw moveable vertical gardens, ideas for crop rotations and desalinization plants for desert irrigation systems that could provide remedies for hunger and poverty. </div>
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Cultural expression through food frequently helps us identify and understand other cultures. I've eaten Chinese spring rolls with chopsticks, and torn off pieces of Eritrean injera bread to sop up different types of stews without silverware, as is their custom. I'm so used to the idea of a fork that it's hard to think of doing it another way, but that is part of the beauty of trying new dishes. </div>
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Spices, coffee, cocoa, rice, cereals, fruit and legumes: at Expo they're called Clusters. These pavilions group together different countries that share the same crop. They have chocolate scuptors, courses to learn how to make great coffee, and excellent rice dishes. And that's only what I've actually seen so far. Every day there is something new to learn.</div>
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...Energy for Life.</h4>
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Where else could you see unfinished particleboard on the sides of pavilions?<br />
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Recycling, reuse, donations, green technology, smart glass and plywood: materials and technology used to build Expo pavilions reflects this part of the theme. In addition to food related issues, our planet's growing population uses resources, and we are going to run out of something sooner or later.<br />
Learning how to reuse materials and, in my opinion, getting over the idea that if something is wrong if everything we own isn't brand-spanking-new otherwise will help us live longer with the resources that we have.<br />
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The rusty brown of CorTen steel contrasts well with the white tarpaulins shading the Decumanus (the central east-west thoroughfare), and many pavilions have orchards, meadows with wildflowers and typical plants. The Rice Cluster is surrounded by rice paddy flowerbeds, and I saw honeybees and butterflies at more than one place. The rooftop terrace of the Russian Pavilion is simply covered with grass. The resulting atmosphere is peaceful - and it's not to say that there are no people. Thousands of visitors are there on any given day, but I always have an impression of peace and quiet when I'm there.<br />
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The Belgian Pavilion has an aquaponics installation: huge round wheels on top of fish tanks that use the rich fertile water to grow plants and raise fish for human consumption. Truly remarkable, and self sustaining with just a little care, I think these units are perfectly suited to modern life, though I admit I'm not sure I'd want one of my own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV127DS9h2krWwVp5LMRcmUbeI6f0nt1gw-Vya0o9cuZ7nl6n7fgX2l52sH7lrYuF5oopF_AVZWRdDvN00qv8psSZpv8r9Akra0imU2PFfJJKvWDr3Bwwt5SfopuBsatdch9N1ghcaAzV9/s1600/2015-04-18+13.49.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV127DS9h2krWwVp5LMRcmUbeI6f0nt1gw-Vya0o9cuZ7nl6n7fgX2l52sH7lrYuF5oopF_AVZWRdDvN00qv8psSZpv8r9Akra0imU2PFfJJKvWDr3Bwwt5SfopuBsatdch9N1ghcaAzV9/s320/2015-04-18+13.49.47.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Pavilion Expo 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can see, this year's Unversal Exposition in Milan, Italy has got a lot going on. </div>
<div>
</div>
Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-40035041407687207002015-05-23T09:24:00.002-07:002015-05-23T09:24:58.671-07:00May Reading List: Food, Food, FOOD!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jseLEiGxhtkUkK61imtwNAL2JTFNomt9mrZDcvDVywKb-BVyWo5pDDf7lUlUPWGsrGduy1sm9kfDprteVLsAwQIkkeVhnKysDOLAA_jyEJkSdbsO5O9Wrs4PLcUvkOz5G7pULE5kX3vL/s1600/2015-05-02%25252017.11.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jseLEiGxhtkUkK61imtwNAL2JTFNomt9mrZDcvDVywKb-BVyWo5pDDf7lUlUPWGsrGduy1sm9kfDprteVLsAwQIkkeVhnKysDOLAA_jyEJkSdbsO5O9Wrs4PLcUvkOz5G7pULE5kX3vL/s400/2015-05-02%25252017.11.29.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farinata with an interesting white wine at the #Eataly Pavilion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's all everyone is talking about right now.<br />
I live in Italy, and Italian food is ... well, do I really have to explain that?<br />
<br />
The main reason that food is on everyone's minds is that Expo2015 is all about food, so it seems obvious that this month's book list should discuss the topic.<br />
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How many cookbooks do you own? At last count, I think I had between 40 and 50. Some of them are really small paperbacks, and some are nice big treasures with lots of pictures. A few were given to me as gifts, and one or two are legacies from grandmothers.<br />
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My favorites? They're oldies but goodies.<br />
<b>The Microwave Guide and Cookbook</b> by General Electric Company.<br />
<i><b>La Cucina</b>,</i> edited and adapted by Myra Street with a wine section by Serena Sutcliffe.<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolat</b> by Stephan Lagorce is absolutely fabulous!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7lPBKto6dfNZf2acoQTeseN0oe9V_u-znMQdn8OAsjFdOHDLlLK_GDWtdrJf_CsVlFKOEXSWJZsWdIDy5L4gIkSEe3toK3ml0CynIbz2lEQ2t1hBnjlvyqAIWMQ_cty4p78GNLb_j1Vt/s1600/S5000646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7lPBKto6dfNZf2acoQTeseN0oe9V_u-znMQdn8OAsjFdOHDLlLK_GDWtdrJf_CsVlFKOEXSWJZsWdIDy5L4gIkSEe3toK3ml0CynIbz2lEQ2t1hBnjlvyqAIWMQ_cty4p78GNLb_j1Vt/s320/S5000646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, my copy is in Italian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This very creatively packaged book looks like a wrapped chocolate bar, with a label listing its weight, storage instructions (keep in a dry place at a temperature between 16-30°C/60-86°F), and even an expiration date. It covers everything from recipes to tasting instructions.<br />
<br />
Aside from my paper cookbooks, I also pull recipes off the Internet whenever I need something specific, and I mix and match recipes to form my own original concoctions. This process has led to the creation of a whole range of Cookie in a Mug recipes, which I'll share with you next month.<br />
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However, not all books about food are cookbooks, though, and I wanted to mention a couple that I've read about nutrition and food-related topics.<br />
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Modern society has a lot of problems in dealing with food: waste, nutrition, wholesomeness, and excess consumption are the main ones. Did you know that it is possible to be obese and still be malnourished? We don't eat the right things and we eat too much of the wrong things.<br />
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These two books will point you in the right direction. The only catch is that you actually have to follow directions to get results.<br />
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<b>In Defence of Food</b> by Michael Pollan<br />
<b>The Family Nutrition Workbook</b> by Patrick Holford<br />
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Please feel free to mention your favorite cookbook, or book about food, in the comments.<br />
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Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-16728536943243382252015-04-14T09:42:00.000-07:002015-05-24T13:57:24.179-07:00April Reading ListIt's absolutely crazy at work! Every business in Milan is preparing for either (or both!) the EXPO or the <a href="http://salonemilano.it/en-us/" target="_blank">Salone del Mobile</a> - which is only the biggest international furniture fair in Europe.<br />
My translation business is involved in the preparation for these events, so I'm doing lots of furniture or tourism related text.<br />
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It's interesting to get to know the history of a thriving company, and the passion that helped it get where it is now. At this difficult time for the economy, companies are looking to attract customers and, naturally, sell their products.<br />
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The buzzwords?<i> Natural</i>,<i> environmentally friendly</i>, <i>innovation</i>, <i>convenience</i>, <i>comfort,</i> <i>timeless beauty</i>, <i>durability</i>, and my personal pet peeve for this year: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avant-garde" target="_blank">avant-garde</a>. Why o why has every copywriter starting using that word?<br />
<br />
Anyway, have you read any good business books lately?<br />
<br />
Business books are filled with marketing tips and encouragement, and they don't beat around the bush. It's as plain as day that no matter how good your idea is, you still have to study and work hard to be successful, so in addition to the three books below, you might want to sign up on <a href="http://www.readcheaply.com/" target="_blank">Read Cheaply</a> to get others for free or with a discount.<br />
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Leave a comment to tell me the title of your favorite business book.<br />
<br />
<b>Mrs. Moneypenny's Careers Advice for Ambitious Women</b><br />
<b>Writing for Dollars: 75 Tips for the Freelance Writers</b> by John McCollister<br />
<b>The Writer's and Photographer's Guide to Global Markets</b> by Michael Sedge<br />
<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-66838185651649429412015-04-02T09:35:00.001-07:002015-04-03T01:22:09.176-07:00What's going on this spring?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3KqXdC-u6KUZOGnrIgEsBeXG-9KPaoNVI88HR6yEDzr_oZApr7Wcu0VISztavqSKig4Fmkcxy9xunCcxe9p1u0rDwbv-DBJD-pEP6ffAg1sRV0lftuyEucY6suV8njmUtNQRqN_QToS0/s1600/Camp-Participant-2015-Square-Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3KqXdC-u6KUZOGnrIgEsBeXG-9KPaoNVI88HR6yEDzr_oZApr7Wcu0VISztavqSKig4Fmkcxy9xunCcxe9p1u0rDwbv-DBJD-pEP6ffAg1sRV0lftuyEucY6suV8njmUtNQRqN_QToS0/s1600/Camp-Participant-2015-Square-Button.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
Writing</h3>
I decided to work on a short story for this round of Camp NaNoWriMo, though I already know it's going to be hard to finish. This time of year, I've always got a ton of work to do, especially at the beginning of April. We'll see what I can manage to get done.<br />
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My story is about a woman who makes a big decision when she is young, without really realizing how important it is until much later. I'm trying to explore our need to give and receive advice, and why we are willing to believe certain things or people.<br />
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What do you think about advice? Leave a comment and tell me about it.<br />
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<h3>
EXPO 2015</h3>
The <a href="http://www.expo2015.org/en/index.html?packedargs=op=changeLang" target="_blank">World's Fair </a>will be opening on May 1st in Milan and everything is really crazy. Some of the construction work isn't finished yet, and there have been the usual accusations of politicians spending all the money before things were actually paid for. In fact, last year I saw advertisements for volunteers to work the stands! It seems that there is no money to pay people to work, but I really don't know. You can't believe half of what you read in the newspapers.<br />
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There are so many things going on that I'm having trouble deciding what to do at EXPO 2015. The theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life" is kind of a catch-all for environmental and health issues.<br />
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I love food. Maybe I'll just concentrate on eating....<br />
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<h3>
Art</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_legwf7gjVO-ybH9zS4ZLbrhkBOdTVac1LTPlrH2b0HMLb-Sub0vacWjhhGnADuoSPCKyEil8CBb5ypgVPmSwWqpSSxPV3RjX8jfCIhY5XE92dWJzFLZdUH986FKbJ3STi2eHGNAETohN/s1600/Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_The_Last_Supper_high_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_legwf7gjVO-ybH9zS4ZLbrhkBOdTVac1LTPlrH2b0HMLb-Sub0vacWjhhGnADuoSPCKyEil8CBb5ypgVPmSwWqpSSxPV3RjX8jfCIhY5XE92dWJzFLZdUH986FKbJ3STi2eHGNAETohN/s1600/Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_The_Last_Supper_high_res.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a><br />
I will definitely be going to the <a href="http://www.expo2015news.org/expo2015-il-progetto/lavori-in-corso/1242/milan-celebrates-leonardo-da-vinci-in-2015/" target="_blank">Leonardo da Vinci exhibition</a> at Palazzo Reale. It is going to feature the biggest collection ever put together of Leonardo's artwork and writings.<br />
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Leonardo left many pieces of his artwork in Milan, such as the "Sala delle Assi", which is room in the castle with the ceiling and walls painted to look like a forest. It's really impressive.<br />
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This fresco pictured above, the <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_The_Last_Supper_high_res.jpg" target="_blank">Last Supper</a>, is probably his best known work worldwide. It is absolutely marvelous. It's located right here in downtown Milan at the church Santa Maria delle Grazie, and I've seen it several times.<br />
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It's right in season too, isn't it. Happy Easter!<br />
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<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-84642262622963159482015-03-26T10:29:00.001-07:002015-05-23T15:19:42.777-07:00Looking back...<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sometimes we get nostalgic. Poetry is a good way to express those feelings and give them a particular weight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xvBlv1uVrx6Ke757MQvWFp6feBSXMhadWghJYlI5TKWQpbZ6sQapGtBi7ueGzGw0QEaH9VJYDVc7fL3wem8Mdsl8y63o44upphHF0FVZeD8fYPLICWIUuCFyxC7gEU5jkpx5hoWEbpBn/s1600/2012-08-15+16.47.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xvBlv1uVrx6Ke757MQvWFp6feBSXMhadWghJYlI5TKWQpbZ6sQapGtBi7ueGzGw0QEaH9VJYDVc7fL3wem8Mdsl8y63o44upphHF0FVZeD8fYPLICWIUuCFyxC7gEU5jkpx5hoWEbpBn/s1600/2012-08-15+16.47.56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a piece that I sent to the 2002 edition of the "Montagne d'Argento" contest from <a href="http://www.keltia.it/premi-letterari/storia-del-premio-montagne-d-argento" target="_blank">Keltia Editrice</a>, and it was chosen for publication. The theme was childhood games and toys, and so I chose this and translated it. </div>
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<b>Dolls in the Closet</b></div>
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As I look at them today,</div>
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They seem to ask:</div>
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Where have you been, little one?</div>
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You used to pay close attention,</div>
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And care daily for us-</div>
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Dress us, and brush our hair.</div>
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What toys are you playing with</div>
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Now that you are grown?</div>
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A window to childhood –</div>
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These dolls in the closet.</div>
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Lifeless creatures of plastic</div>
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That once were so real.</div>
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The sisters I never had,</div>
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Or the children I would have someday.</div>
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They played these roles, once-</div>
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Long ago.</div>
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Now, as I brush their hair again</div>
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And wipe away from their eyes
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The dust of the years-</div>
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Their faces shine beautiful</div>
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As always.</div>
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And after I’ve fixed them</div>
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All up again, with ponytails</div>
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And changed clothes,</div>
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Back into the closet they go-</div>
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To await the next time</div>
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I come to play.</div>
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Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-61902248813892211742015-03-11T10:23:00.000-07:002015-03-11T10:23:56.881-07:00March Reading List - In Public<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk01QpGbzQy6Ru7JQtxMog7Yano0jqxnB_avnKS2lyg8lJEmTgl0qXQht67PpP4JnZGRyHhj7v8fvIpwfTXQS6xD6ySrKmGn4V7UemmfmlytLXwuOrG3Qz6924tsBlTucrTRkJ9GcEUhSH/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk01QpGbzQy6Ru7JQtxMog7Yano0jqxnB_avnKS2lyg8lJEmTgl0qXQht67PpP4JnZGRyHhj7v8fvIpwfTXQS6xD6ySrKmGn4V7UemmfmlytLXwuOrG3Qz6924tsBlTucrTRkJ9GcEUhSH/s1600/books.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are you reading now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you read on the bus, at the mall, or anywhere people can see what you're reading? On my commutes to and from work, I like to take a paperback or read from my cell phone e-reader, but sometimes I do stick a hardback in my briefcase just because I'm on the last chapter. (The issue with that is weight, not subject matter. My briefcase is heavy sometimes.)<br />
<br />
Here are a few of the books I have read on the bus.<br />
<br />
<b>The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Six Other Stories</b> by F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />
<b>Indescribable</b> by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman<br />
<b>The Ultimate Prescription: What the Medical Profession Isn't Telling You</b> by James L. Marcum<br />
<b>God on the Streets of Gotham</b> by Paul Assay<br />
<b>Love Isn't Supposed to Hurt</b> by Christi Paul<br />
<b>Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching</b> by Diane Larsen-Freeman<br />
<br />
... and finally, a book that you should all read because it's fun ...<br />
<b>Night of the Living Dead Christian</b> by Matt Mikalatos<br />
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I don't notice what others are reading that much (especially if I've got my own nose in my own book), but I think they read the same things on the bus that they would at home. We read for our own interests or study needs, and after work it's really nice to sit down with a good book.<br />
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Leave a comment and let me know what you've read in public.<br />
<br />
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<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-20030003661019002732015-02-12T07:11:00.002-08:002019-01-19T07:01:37.139-08:00English translation of Coma - GialloMilanese 2014 Finally! Here is the official English translation of my short story, Coma, published in December 2014 in the anthology <i><b><a href="http://www.excogita.it/wpsite/giallomilanese/" target="_blank">GialloMilanese 2014</a></b></i>. Click <a href="https://marshaburdick.blogspot.com/p/coma-short-story.html" target="_blank">here </a>to read the complete story, and leave a comment if you like it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoLvXCD8ogemfD5jFtr1DHWysWP014bBko8A0Vr7SWvSzMiCbO1JURVuCrc8ydDbAXMLWKO8Ac5XcsXGPHnqRaH62rKCdq4WQ4K0FRYK2N8CxvslA9-TxuZ6gnXLCXWCeAhbEnSF5cN08/s1600/2014-12-19+08.01.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoLvXCD8ogemfD5jFtr1DHWysWP014bBko8A0Vr7SWvSzMiCbO1JURVuCrc8ydDbAXMLWKO8Ac5XcsXGPHnqRaH62rKCdq4WQ4K0FRYK2N8CxvslA9-TxuZ6gnXLCXWCeAhbEnSF5cN08/s1600/2014-12-19+08.01.40.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original version is in Italian, available only from <a href="http://www.excogitabookshop.it/" target="_blank">ExCogita Publisher</a>.</td></tr>
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Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-19213458004184699122015-02-10T14:22:00.000-08:002015-02-10T14:22:24.699-08:00February Reading ListI have a stack of books that I want to read.<br />
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I haven't measured it lately, but it's probably taller than me. Now, before somebody comments on my height (or lack thereof, I should say), let me add that in addition to the physical paper books that I own, you need to count the over 100 ebooks that I've downloaded over the past year.<br />
<br />
In fact, I just don't read those emails from <a href="http://readcheaply.com/" target="_blank">Read Cheaply</a> that often any more because I always find something to download!<br />
<br />
Right now I'm reading <b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18293427-the-storied-life-of-a-j-fikry" target="_blank">The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry</a></b> by Gabrielle Zevin. I found this book before Christmas at the Lambrate subway station.<br />
As I came down the steps that day, there was a man coming through the turnstile shouting and cursing at complete strangers. He was livid with anger, and as I tried to avoid him, I happened to see a book setting on the newspaper dispenser with the Italian title "The measurement of happiness".<br />
<br />
Coincidence.<br />
<br />
I almost handed it to the guy, but I figured he'd probably just throw it at me. I'm so glad I decided to keep it. I'll let you know how it turns out.<br />
<br />
Other titles on my list are: <b>Philomena</b> by Martin Sixsmith, <b>Inferno</b> by Dan Brown, <b>La pioggia fa sul serio</b> by Francesco Guccini and Loriano Macchiavelli, <b>Undici per la Liguria</b> (collection of 11 stories), and <b>Experience Your Bible</b> by Josh and Sean McDowell.<br />
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What's on your reading list?<br />
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Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-37462759061078941052015-01-15T15:19:00.000-08:002015-01-15T15:19:17.999-08:00Personal Peace<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace
is a gift from God that</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even
you can receive, if you just ask for it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-GB">Against
insurmountable odds and in the most difficult </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conditions,
feelings of calm can flood your soul,</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even
though you are frightened.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you believe this can occur,</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something
will begin to change.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
light will begin to shine before you.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slowly,
you will start to realize</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That
the horrible things that happened</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are
only pieces of some bigger picture.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terrible
as they were, for some reason they came about.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually,
the message should become clearer.</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over
centuries of uncertainty, Whom did Mankind turn to for hope?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For
countless reasons, Who has been taking care of you?</span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe
things will remain they way they are now.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
that is God’s will, then so be it, for His glory.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never
doubt that you and I are His children, and part of His creation.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do
believe that His purpose will be fulfilled.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.59cm;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I wrote this in 2001 after 9/11. It seems to fit today's world as well.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-28477320937691899632014-12-03T02:22:00.001-08:002014-12-03T02:25:36.078-08:00Thoughts for December<b>Jesus</b> was born in a humble place, a stall, with a manger as his first bed. The lowly circumstances of his birth tell us that <b>he came for everyone</b>: the poor, the hungry, the homeless and the hopeless. No one is beneath him. But he also came for the rich and affluent, the famous, the diligent workers and the people who can get by. No one is well off enough to do without him.<br />
<br />
His mother, Mary, was found to be pregnant before she was formally married. Therefore, we should remember that <b>God uses all kinds of situations</b> for His divine purpose, and so guard against judgement of "imperfect" circumstances.<br />
<br />
His father, Joseph, looked after his family - including the son that technically wasn't his. He didn't make decisions based on outward appearances - but maybe we wouldn't either if we were in on God's plan. <b>We must listen</b> if we are to hear God's direction for our lives, which means always leaving time for <b>silence</b> during our prayers.<br />
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Angels announced his birth. A fitting welcome for the King of the Universe, isn't it? This tells me that I should announce his birth too. Christmas carols, poetry, blog posts, greeting cards, my Facebook status and Tweets and all forms of <b>communication</b> can bring to mind "the reason for the season".<br />
<br />
Shepherds came to see him, which tells me that they believed and acted on that belief. The multitude of angels suddenly singing in the sky got their attention, and down to the stall they went to greet the new king. <b>If it happened today</b>, would we go or would we wait for the media coverage and watch it from home?<br />
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Wise men brought gifts, and very valuable ones at that. Rethinking gift giving would be in order. No more consumerism, as people often complain, but<b> gifts of value </b>to mark the birth of our King. This could be something needed or wanted, but it could also be a phone call or a helping hand. We are commanded to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to take care of the less fortunate, and our gifts can show our loved ones how much we care about them.<br />
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Jesus gave us our mission: go and make disciples. Let us announce him to all people, accept our imperfect circumstances, and hear God's voice and believe. Let us act on our beliefs and give the gift of <b>eternal life</b> this Christmas, and for all the Christmases to come.<br />
<br />
For as Jesus said, <strong class="bbc">Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent</strong>. (John 17:3 CEV)<br />
<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-47741595899644582482014-11-27T09:00:00.000-08:002014-11-27T09:00:26.083-08:00Coming soon.... the Giallo Milanese 2014 anthology!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4S1DAZYASm0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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For the record, I came in second. I had a great time.</div>
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<div>
The anthology containing the 16 stories selected by the contest commission will be out around mid-December. The book is in Italian, of course, but I'm finishing the translation soon so that I can post the story right here on my blog.</div>
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Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-79953514720785109342014-11-13T15:20:00.001-08:002014-11-13T15:21:51.540-08:00The finals!I have worked my way through the selection process in the <a href="http://www.giallomilanese.it/" target="_blank">Giallo Milanese</a> literary contest. On Saturday, November 15th, I'll be reading for the last time so that the audience can vote for the story they like best.<br />
<br />
There are only two to choose from, so I've got a fifty-fifty chance actually winning!<br />
<br />
Obviously I'm excited, and really happy that the story was appreciated - especially since it isn't written in my native language. I'm still translating it, and I plan to post it somewhere (probably here) for my English speaking readers (all 5 of you be patient now). I'm sorry it's taking me so long.<br />
<br />
Now I'm on Twitter and Facebook inviting people to come and vote.<br />
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<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-35332319588095392332014-10-25T01:40:00.000-07:002014-11-13T14:52:40.614-08:00My first readingStrangely enough, I wasn't nervous.<br />
<br />
I got <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N3wCainwF4g" target="_blank">my turn reading</a> my story at the Giallo Milanese literary contest on October 16th. (The link goes to a short video with Italian audio in which I read a few lines.)<br />
<br />
The last person reading in the video is an actor, not the author of the story, and it shows. We writers tend to be a little shy in front of a microphone. In the past, I've attended readings where the authors obviously were used to speaking in front of a group, but they're exceptions.<br />
<br />
The ExCogita publisher, who sponsors the Giallo Milanese contest, says that publishers choose what to publish, but the public decides what is worth reading. Therefore, the people who come to listen get to vote for the stories they like best.<br />
<br />
I passed this selection so I'm scheduled to read again on November 6th.<br />
I'm so excited!<br />
Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-73730853208574026102014-10-05T14:04:00.001-07:002014-10-05T14:04:36.082-07:00Giallo Milanese - An Italian Literary ContestI'm in! I'm having a story published!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.excogita.it/wpsite/giallomilanese/" target="_blank">Giallo Milanese</a> is a contest run by Ex Cogita publisher. They pick sixteen stories to publish in a small book, and then organise a tournament to pick the favorite story as the "absolute winner".<br />
<br />
Winners invite friends, family, acquaintences, and everyone else that they happen to run into to the reading so that they will all vote. I read on October 16th, and YOU are invited.<br />
<br />
As a footnote, I wrote this story in Italian. I'll be doing the translation soon (as soon as I get time because I'm up to my ears in work). But in the meantime - if you happen to read Italian - check out the contest website and read all of the <a href="http://www.excogita.it/wpsite/giallomilanese-i-racconti/" target="_blank">stories</a>.<br />
<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-58953722732333919202014-06-29T15:07:00.002-07:002014-06-29T15:07:48.032-07:00Blog newsI changed the URL for my Italian language blog <a href="http://aspassosulmare.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">A Spasso sul Mare</a> so that it would be easier to find. I'll be giving up the old URL at the end of the month.<br />
<br />
There's also a new post up on <a href="http://walk-water.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">Walking on Water</a> - finally!<br />
Let me know what you think.Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-78794580826171578142014-06-29T14:49:00.001-07:002014-06-29T14:49:31.444-07:00Book reviews: The Temple of LightI finished the book <i>Il Tempio della Luce</i> by Daniela Piazza, written in Italian and published in 2012. It's a historical novel set in 15th century Milan about a group of priests overseeing a period of the cathedral's construction and raising a young boy who was the secret heir of the late Duke of Milan. The author weaves fictional characters and real people into a semi-fictional account of an assassination that actually took place.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the historical descriptions because I know a lot about Milan. I found the plot to contain a lot of cruelty and violence, which unfortunately is not wrong for the time period. In the 15th century, women and children were not seen as people. Orphans were left in the middle of the streets to become beggars, and young girls were married off or sent to convents or brothels. Rulers really were ruthless (if you don't believe me, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galeazzo_Maria_Sforza" target="_blank">here</a>) and the Inquisition is a blight on the history of the church.<br />
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In this book, the priests are devout followers of a Celtic goddess and they recognize the Virgin Mary as an incarnation of her. They are trying to see the cathedral through to completion in order to bring Man back into contact with God, but what they've got in mind is not merely spiritual.<br />
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Look for the English translation.Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-20622457492142191142014-06-16T01:11:00.002-07:002014-06-16T01:11:55.092-07:00Italian language blogI haven't been able to find a lot of Italian blogs about faith, so I started my own. I plan to translate the articles for the English language blog I started two years ago. Up to now, I've kept my blogging to myself and a few close friends, probably just to get comfortable with the idea of people actually reading what I write.<br />
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That shouldn't sound weird, but it does. A writer should want people to read her stuff, but I find it painful at times. The idea that someone could find fault with my writing just makes my stomach churn, but the flip side of that is even stronger. What if someone actually likes it?<br />
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In the end, deciding to go public is giving into the idea that my ideas are not just for me. We live in a community, and no one is supposed to go it alone. Ideas are to be shared. That's why we read.<br />
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Drop by if you can read Italian: <a href="http://aspassosulmare.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">A Spasso sul Mare</a><br />
If you prefer English, the same article was posted here: <a href="http://walk-water.blogspot.it/2012/05/getting-out-of-boat.html">Walking on Water</a><br />
<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386159043979839245.post-33699996062963399212014-06-14T15:20:00.002-07:002014-06-14T16:20:39.817-07:00NaNoWriMo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4jZgdZMBUkRO_T5YeUG-zQi-ZxeToREF3vZpEMgAbwbCgWzmEvzLYtWgmlLOsFxqT1IunjEWBDRGjt4Wi83DNurkhnYZK5fO0LAg-ny23L_eBgdCX0B9cCioukEtc1OHqZrhNoP73gh5/s1600/2014-Participant-Square-Button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4jZgdZMBUkRO_T5YeUG-zQi-ZxeToREF3vZpEMgAbwbCgWzmEvzLYtWgmlLOsFxqT1IunjEWBDRGjt4Wi83DNurkhnYZK5fO0LAg-ny23L_eBgdCX0B9cCioukEtc1OHqZrhNoP73gh5/s1600/2014-Participant-Square-Button.png" height="200" width="200" /></a>It's time to go to camp. Now, what will I work on?<br />
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I have a distraction (called a "day job") that has prevented me from reaching my word count in previous editions. Maybe this year, I'll have it licked. I just have to find the right notebook.<br />
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Years ago, I had an idea for a novel that I would like to read. All writers want to write the sort of books we love to read, of course. In fact, I have already scribbled several pages on it. I just need to find the notebook.<br />
<br />
It's blue with a plastic cover and spiral binding. I even remember that it was college-ruled paper. (Oh so annoying because I love to scrawl all over the place!) It's in a box someplace with other stuff that didn't need to be urgently unpacked after my move last year.<br />
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If I can find it, I will just type it in and start with a decent word count. Heck, I might even be able to finish the darn thing!<br />
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So now you know I'm planning to work on a novel. Maybe you'll get curious enough to find out why.<br />
<a href="http://campnanowrimo.org/">http://campnanowrimo.org/</a><br />
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PS. If you want to go to camp, there's still time to sign up. We're having s'mores around the bonfire.<br />
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<br />Marsha Burdickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318892393692955558noreply@blogger.com0