Apple Picking by Margot Justes

In the fall we always go apple picking, something I've done with my daughters since they were little, very little. The tradition continues now with my grandchildren. Fall is upon us and of course it's apple picking time.

We tried to go apple picking today, tried was the operative word, no apples to pick at this particular orchard in Woodstock, Illinois. All the apples packed in tiny little bags with huge price tags were kept in the cooler.

The top two or three apples in the tiny bags were nice enough, the bottom few not so much, they were bruised and soft. I do understand the drought, the lack of apples, and the necessity for the orchard to support itself, but I don't have to pay a premium for at best mediocre quality.

I chose to vote with my pocketbook and not buy any of their apples, instead I went to a fresh fruit market and bought the delicious honey crisp apples for a fraction of the cost and I still supported the local growers.

The day was fun, we were together and the drive down was gorgeous. Fall arrived early and the trees were in their glory-the colors were magnificent. We stopped at Papa G's, for a late lunch. A delightful diner in Huntley, where the food was good and my meatloaf (love meatloaf) delicious. I tend to judge diners on their meatloaf.

Cheers,

Margot Justes
A Hotel in Paris
Hearts & Daggers
Cool Crimes Hot Chicks
www.mjustes.com

The Voices Within by Margot Justes

I've noticed that anytime I do something mundane I hear voices. Not only voices but dialog, darn good conversations. It used to scare the proverbial living daylights out of me. Now, I look forward to them because not only do they wind up in my stories, but they are fun. I like my imaginary characters.

It is in essence an escape from reality. I'll be a full time writer next year and as the saying goes, I have one foot out the door at work. I'm retiring from my paying job. The thing that I want most is to be able to say to myself  'I'm a full time writer'.

Once I've reached that decision and have something that I truly love waiting for me, there is a sense of freedom. The sameness is slowly ebbing away, and excitement builds for what's ahead. Now I  want to push the time forward, but still enjoy the coming holiday season with friends and family.

I started to think about my brand, visibility in the magic world of the web-have to connect Mr. Gore's internet tubes-they seem to be pretty darn long. I want it set up so that after I retire I'll know what I'm doing, well, at least know more than I do now. Any progress in that direction would be an improvement. I'm even thinking of joining the 21st century and get a smart phone. Next year...first I have to remember to keep the one I have on.

All this electronic connectivity is not my thing. People can't even enjoy lunch or dinner without their gizmos. Is there something that is so important that you would text yourself off a cliff, or fall into a well or get run over? Is it so important that you can't even hold a conversation with a friend without an electronic interruption? Maybe I'm missing something...

Cheers,

Margot Justes

A Hotel in Paris

Hearts & Daggers

Cool Crimes Hot Chicks
www.mjustes.com

Another da Vinci by Margot Justes

Leonardo da Vinci was in the news again. It is amazing how frequently he's made headlines, well at least in the art world. Yahoo News claims a Scottish farmhouse was the recent venue for the discovery. The value of the painting could be upwards of 150 million dollars. Leonardo has indeed survived centuries and through his work became immortal.

According to the Daily Mail, it is believed to be a painting of Mary Magdalene holding a child. If it is not an original da Vinci, it most probably is from his school, maybe one of the master's students. Further analysis and tests are being performed at Cambridge University and the Hamilton Kerr Institute.

I wonder why the recent rash of discoveries of his work? There was the article about the metal casting of a sculpture. The hunt for the grave of the Mona Lisa? Who was she? Was it his lover in the portrait? Or maybe bits and pieces of his lover blended in the Mona Lisa work? When you think about it, new discoveries are being made about him as an artist, as a man and as an immortal. In his time he drew things that were beyond the scope of imagination for mere mortals. In a century where industrially we were just beginning to walk, he had us flying.  

In this century we are captivated by his vast talent and the things he foresaw.  

I'm fascinated by all things da Vinci. He plays a prominent role in my paranormal romance because I find him to be an incredible talent whose myth grows larger than life with every new discovery. Every new whisper. As if what already existed wasn't enough.

The new discoveries just add substance and depth to an incredible existence.

Cheers,
Margot Justes
A Hotel in Paris
Hearts & Daggers
Cool Crimes Hot Chicks
www.mjustes.com