Ready, Set... Write!

November celebrates its annual Nanowrimo observance, or more intelligibly, National Novel Writing Month.  Described as Thirty Days and Nights of Literary Abondon, the Nov 1-30 frenzy began in July of 1999 in the San Francisco Bay Area.  A baker's dozen years later, the phenomenon has become a mainstream holiday tradition for some, along the lines of Christmas cookie baking and tree decorating.  

So just how does one go about this novel business?  Is it really possible to cobble a cohesive 50,000 word story in just 30 days?  To be sure, all writers are different.  Even so, there are a few resources readily available on the net to get you in fighting, writing shape.  Marg McAlister's The Busy Writer's One Hour Plot  is a great weapon in the war against writer's block, and can help kickstart your project and get the creative juices flowing in clear, tangible fashion.  Even the Wired site offers a 5-step how-to wiki on the subject.  

About 3 months ago I unwittingly found myself co-authoring a book.  What began as a light editing project evolved into the composition of more than 70,000 words on my part, more than 80% of the final product.  The writing itself was hastily accomplished in 19 days, with my basic editing taking just about 11 days more.  The formatting was another story.  I chose self-publishing in order to get the project published immediately and I can safely say I shed more blood, sweat and tears over the formatting than the actual writing.

Now a published and (unbelievably) paid author, would I do it all again?  To say 'yes' would be an understatement, since I am already working on the follow-up tome.  The most unexpected part of the speedy process has been the reactions of readers, more accurately, fans!  I have received countless personal messages from new devotees telling me of how my story affected and inspired them.  Frankly, if I'd known this sort of positive fallout was possible, I would've taken up noveling years ago.

We all have a story to tell, a story to share, a story we've lived.  And that goes for you too!  So what are you waiting for?  What you have to offer the literary world may be exactly what some reader out there not only wants, but needs.  

Good luck, and easy writing.

Your path

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell 

Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.” ― Joseph Campbell

Healing balm, or in this case, bomb

 
"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination." ~Robert Fulghum

A Healthy Pyramid Scheme

Isosceles triangle: the perfect shape for nearly every body type

The Food Pyramid in its initial shape, circa 1974

Now that the sugar rush of Halloween is over, the holiday competitive eating marathons are about to commence around the country.  Hopes of fitting into a little black dress come New Year's Eve may be plummeting as quickly as back accounts on Black Friday.  So what can a fellow do to ensure a swimmer's V body, or for a gal, an hourglass shape?  Why, think triangle, of course.

For twenty years, the US has been advocating nutrition via its Food Pyramid.  And here's how it all started: 

Amid high food prices in 1972, Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare developed the idea of "basic foods" that were both cheap and nutritious, and "supplemental foods" that added nutrition missing from the basic foods. Anna Britt Agnsäter, head of the test kitchen at KF, a consumer co-op that worked with the Board, held a lecture the next year on how to illustrate these food groups. Attendee Fjalar Clemes suggested a triangle displaying basic foods at the base. Agnsäter developed the idea into the first food pyramid, which was introduced to the public in 1974 in KF's Vi magazine. The pyramid was divided into basic foods at the base, including milk, cheese, margarine, bread, cereals and potatoes; a large section of supplemental vegetables and fruit; and an apex of supplemental meat, fish and eggs. The pyramid competed with the National Board's "dietary circle," which KF saw as problematic for resembling a cake divided into seven slices, and for not indicating how much of each food should be eaten. While the Board distanced itself from the pyramid, KF continued to promote it, and food pyramids were developed in other Scandinaviancountries, as well as West Germany, Japan and Sri Lanka. The United States later developed its first food pyramid in 1992. In general terms, the food guide pyramid recommends the following intake of different food groups each day, although exact amounts of calorie intake depends on sex, age, and lifestyle. 

The 1992 US pyramid

The World Health Organization, in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization, published guidelines that can effectively be represented in a food pyramid relating to objectives to prevent obesity, chronic diseases and dental caries based on meta-analysis though they represent it as a table rather than a "pyramid". The structure is similar in some respects to the USDA food pyramid, but there are clear distinctions between types of fats, and a more dramatic distinction where carbohydrates are split on the basis of free sugars versus sugars in their natural form. Some food substances are singled out due to the impact on the target issues the "pyramid" is meant to address, while in a later revision, some recommendations are omitted since they follow automatically from other recommendations while other sub-categories are added. The reports quoted here explain that where there is no stated lower limit in the table below, there is no requirement for that nutrient in the diet. [source: Wikipedia]

Even with the temptations of the holidays, the triangle can stave off the holiday overeating blahs, and make for a very happy new year.

Devil eyes are watching you this Halloween.... Ooooooh

Deviled eggs are all the more devilish when given a Halloween look

Deviled Egg Eyeballs

Ingredients

• 12 hard boiled eggs 
• 1/2 C. mayonnaise 
• 2 green onions, finely minced 
• 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes 
• 1/2 tsp. dry ground mustard 
• 1/4 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 tsp. paprika 
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder blue food coloring, as needed red paste food coloring, as needed 
• 24 slices of black olives, green pimento olives or fresh red peppers

Directions 

1. Peel the hard boiled eggs and slice in half lengthwise. 
2. Scoop the yolks out into a medium bowl and reserve the whites until needed. 
3. With the back of a fork, mash the yolks until smooth. 
4. Add mayo, onions, parsley, mustard, salt, paprika, and garlic powder. 
5. Mix well. 
6. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to turn the yellow mixture a soft green. Spoon green yolk mixture into the cavity in each white half. 
7. On top of each yolk filling, place one black olive slice. 
8. Add a small piece of pimento or red pepper for the pupil. 
9. With a toothpick dipped in red food coloring paste, draw red veins on egg white's surface.
10. Cover and chill until ready to serve. 

[source: adapted from Squidoo]

Orange ya glad you went trick or treating?

The tradition of trick-or-treating on Halloween is a candy-loving kid's dream come true.  But it needn't be a greedy, hoarding 'mine' experience.  Thanks to UNICEF's 'orange box' campaign, children have been collecting candy and cash for a cause for well over half a century.  Here's how it all started, straight from the UNICEF site

"For as long as we are kids (even at heart), we will be helping other children in need.What started out more than 60 years ago to help children abroad during World War II has evolved into a revolution driven by kids. Thanks to us, girls and boys all over the world receive the help they need for happy and healthy lives.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF gives us kids the chance to help others. We have raised more than $167 million so far and every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Let’s keep that ball rolling. Be a part of the past, present and future by continuing to participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!"

• 1950 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is born! Rev. Clyde and Mary Emma Allison design and organize a “kids helping kids” program where children throughout the country Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
• 1951 Checks, big and small, pour into the UNICEF office from trick-or-treaters across the U.S.
• 1959 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF's first TV appearance! Lassie carries an orange collection box on her show.
• 1967 President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaims October 31st “National UNICEF Day” in perpetuity. First Ladies launch the campaign each year.
• 1969 TV's Bewitched devotes a full episode to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
• 1970s States and cities nationwide proclaim Halloween “UNICEF Day”.
• 1975 The campaign's 25th anniversary: Beloved actor and UNICEF Ambassador Danny Kaye pilots his UNICEF One plane to 65 cities in 5 days — and breaks a Guinness World Record!
• 1980s Characters like Kermit the Frog, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Hello Kitty, Paddington Bear, Scooby Doo, Spiderman, and ALF urge kids to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.
• 1994 Key Club International high school students begin Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. 2001 The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF network delivers mail, drawings and messages to kids affected by 9/11 and Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF funds are dedicated to a specific program — helping Afghanistan's kids.
• 2004 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF goes digital with online fundraising pages!
• 2005 The Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina spur U.S. kids to raise a record-breaking $18.25 million through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF — five times 2004's amount — helping UNICEF aid victims of both disasters.
• 2008 As the official Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Ambassador, Disney star Selena Gomez encourages kids to get involved!
• 2010 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF's 60th anniversary! Nearly $160 million raised to date!

Ghosts in the Graveyard. Boo... and Yum!

The ghastliest, ghostliest, sweet treats above ground 

Ingredients

• 3 cups cold milk  
• 2 pkgs Jello chocolate instant pudding 
• 15 Oreo cookies 
• 3 cups thawed Cool Whip 
• 3 Vanilla cream cookies 
• Red decorating gel 
• 1/2 cup Cool Whip (for ghosts) 
• Candy pumpkins and candy corn   

Directions

1. Whisk the milk and Jello pudding mix together until smooth. 
2. Set aside and let it set for 5 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, crush the Oreo cookies in a plastic bag using a rolling pin. 
4. Once the pudding has set, fold in the Cool Whip topping. 
5. Add 1/2 the bag of crushed cookies and mix in gently. 
6. Pour the mixture into a 9" x 13" pan and sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs over the top, covering the entire area. 
7. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour. 
8. Use the red decorating gel to outline gravestones on the 3 vanilla cream cookies. 
9. Take the chilled dessert out of the fridge and place your gravestone cookies into the dessert. 
10. Add dollops of Cool Whip to resemble some ghosts and finish off with candy pumpkins and candy corn. 
11. Keep chilled until ready to set out on the table at your ghost party.   

Watch the video to see how it's done.  

[source: KraftRecipes]

How they Halloweened in the 50's

Trick or Treat!  Halloween - Fifties Style

by Felice Prager
 

The excitement was uncontrollable. We had made our best attempts all day in school to focus on our arithmetic, geography, history, science, health, and spelling assignments, but it was difficult. In those days, our teachers allowed us to wear our costumes to school.

We even had a small parade on the blacktop before lunch. Mothers came to school with younger siblings who weren't old enough to go to school in carriages and strollers. In the late afternoon, our class mother and several volunteers visited us with a treats for a classroom Halloween party. Yet, we watched the clock tick slowly, knowing that once the clock hit 3 PM, we would be ready for the best night of the year.

In our neighborhood, we were permitted to go without parental supervision. The world was a quieter, less suspicious place, and as long as we stayed in the neighborhood, we were allowed to go without parents lagging behind us. In addition, there were enough older siblings among the group to keep an eye out for the younger children. The older brothers and sisters were given rules and boundaries where we were permitted to go. "As far as Abbott Boulevard," they were told. "Don't cross Route Five. Hold your sister's hand when you cross streets. And don't bother Mrs. Sinatra this year."

The rumor was that Frank Sinatra's mother lived a few blocks away from us in a small brick home, though we never saw Frank or his mother. We based our belief on a doormat that said, "Sinatra" in block letters on top with "Go Away!" written beneath it. Despite the fact that Sinatra wasn't an uncommon last name in the North Jersey town where we lived, we were convinced the home was occupied by Frank's mom. We figured Frank bought the doormat for his mother. We assumed he had an incredibly sophisticated sense of humor. "He must fly her out to Hollywood on his private jet in the middle of the night," we thought. It was all possible and very believable to us at the time though none of it was based on even an ounce of proof.

No one in my neighborhood bought costumes; I don't even remember if costumes were sold back then in the late 1950's and early 1960's. It would have been an extravagance my family couldn't afford. Some parents made costumes for their kids. In my case, I had planned my costume months in advance of Halloween. 

Each year I planned on being Miss America. I planned on wearing a bathing suit 
and flip flops - I didn't own high heels at the time and couldn't fit into my mother's size "8 double A with its triple A heel." I also had a hand-made sash that said "Miss America" draped over another sash that said "Miss New Jersey." I made a tiara out of tin foil, and when I tried the costume on, my father sang, "Here she comes - Miss America" as I walked down a pretend runway in our living room.

When the weather dipped into the forties, my mother finally convinced me that I would "catch my death of cold" wearing a bathing suit. I was unable to convince her that I could effectively ward off all germs with my winter jacket over my bathing suit. 

Each year, I wound up going as a hobo. Being a hobo was always a fallback costume for those who didn't prepare, weren't terribly creative, or just didn't want to put effort into a costume. I was always ready to be glamorous and disappointed that I was forced to be mundane. Being a hobo, however, made it easier to carry the candy --- on the end of our hobo's stick - a broom handle my mother unscrewed each year for me to sling over my shoulder. Among family photo albums my mom painstakingly prepared, each year there are pictures of me in a bathing suit with my Miss America sash draped across me in one photo. Then there is another photo of me - with the same face and a hint of tears - dressed as a hobo.

Decked out in our well-planned costumes for Halloween and excited that the weather was clear with no chance of rain and not too cool to go trick-or-treating, we carried old pillowcases or handled bags saved especially for candy collection in one hand and a box given to us by our teachers in the other to collect for UNICEF. We had it all planned. We would ring the doorbell, then in unison we'd sing, "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat." That was considered "fresh" back then. In reality, we planned on saying that, but when the door was answered, we just said, "Trick or treat!" We didn't want people to think we were delinquents.

We were never given a curfew. The neighborhood was small and if our parents wanted to find us, all they had to do was drive down a half dozen streets looking for a mob of miniature hobos. I was not the only child who started out in one unrealistic costume and ended up in another.

When we ran out of houses or the younger children started complaining about sore feet or that they were cold and tired, we went home. We emptied our bags onto the kitchen table and put our Unicef boxes where we wouldn't forget them to bring to school the next day. Our parents didn't have to inspect each item. Each year there was a homemade popcorn ball made by Mrs. Peck and a candied apple made by Mrs. Barth. There was gum, Hershey's kisses, and wrapped sourballs given to us by Mr. Stadler, a senior citizen who lived near us. 

Mr. Stadler never remembered to buy Halloween candy since his children were grown and he lived alone, but he always managed to find something to give us. I don't remember the other assorted items. It didn't matter. We sat around the kitchen table and shared our loot. Then, way past our normal bedtime, we climbed into bed and planned our costumes and antics for the next year.

[reblogged from Rewind the Fifties]