April 2010 - The Indigo Year
Amazing how time passes. I think we all have those same thoughts.
Here it is April 2010 and I am just now getting around to updating for the first time since last August, and this time I have no excuse!
As most of you know, last year I published my first book, Saratoga Sands. It went up for sale in June. I had the first book signing at the Farmhouse, AKA Whetstone's Antiques, the home place where I grew up and that my brother Cal now owns. The books are still for sale there, and at the Saratoga Township website. I am pleased that the books continue to sell.
I now have some of my stories on the Town of Saratoga website, on the history page as well.
I spent a good deal of time early summer 2009 writing the Wakely (Historic Point Basse) Whodunit that was performed the end of July. It was an interactive murder mystery and great fun for all involved. It must have been a hit as even the actors wish to return! That is a good thing, as I am writing a new one for this year! This one will be even more complicated and fun. July 25th is the date of the event. Hope everyone can make it!
This is year two of my column in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune! It is called Rhonda's View Rendezvous, and features stories from the area's past, but with my own personal view on them, since the column format allows me to write first person, add humor, and a variety of other things not allowed in a standard newspaper feature story. Since it is the personal touch that others like in my stories, this is a good thing! Makes them easier to write as well. The column appears twice a month--at least. If you do not get the Trib, you can find it online at www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com. Just put my name in the search box on the top of the page and you will find my stories.
I am also into my second year of writing for Happiness magazine--a national magazine that is published weekly. It has been around since the 1960s. I started with puzzles and then one puzzle evolved into several and that evolved somehow into writing weekly features for them. It is such a change from the historical writing I do which requires so many hours of research, so I am having fun filling in with motivational writing. Since I did motivational speaking for a while, years ago, this was easy to do. You can find a word scramble and a feature by me in every edition of the magazine.
I have been enjoying speaking for local clubs too. I meet so many new people that way, and even get more stories for my columns.
An online publication called GoRapids has approached me about writing for them too. Actually though, as long as I have my Trib column, I would not write for someone else in competition with them.
While I am speaking about online things, I should mention that you can find me on Facebook under my full name--Rhonda Whetstone Neibauer, and also a page for my column called Mostly Rhonda's Rendezvous. Please add either or both. You can also follow me on Twitter.
Perhaps my biggest news this year is the fact that I am drawing social security now. While that may not thrill you, the third Wednesday of the month is a very nice one for me! I cannot believe I am this old, but at least I am getting back some of that money I paid all those years.
As for family updates, youngest daughter Chrystique is still in Michigan, where she runs her own graphic arts business. You can keep up with her on her blog site at www.chrystique.blogspot.com She still has her regular website too at www.cqgraphicdesign.com where you can check out other of her latest endeavors. Her main clients, Wilk's publications and 3ABN Television, keep her more than busy. She was home to visit just a week ago, but this week is again down in southern Illinois at 3ABN. Grass does not grow under her feet! Big things in the works with 3ABN!
Mystique and Peter and kids are fine--just busy, as we all are.
Elizabeth turned 11 in October and she is finishing 5th grade. Nick is now 13 and is graduating 8th grade and Alex is 17 and completing his junior year at Lincoln! Time speeds on by. What happened to those darling little grandkids I used to have?
Brother Cal moved the antique shop from Dad's old service station into our childhood home, now known as "The Olde Homestead." You cannot believe how wonderful it all looks in there. It is now the nicest shop in the whole Rapids area, and the only true antique store, although he sells new items as well. It is nice to be able to go home again.
Randy has stayed busy, even through the winter, for which I am very thankful. This is the year we need to reshingle the house so finally he will get to work at home like I do! Ha Ha
Cal and Anita and their extended families are fine.
We had a wonderfully mild winter and a super-early spring, but we remain far too dry. We are in desperate need of rain.
Other than day trips, and one overnighter with the grandkids and Mystique on spring break, I have not traveled in a long time. I want to get to Minocqua soon to Anita's lake house, maybe to Tennessee, and am hoping for Pennsylvania in October.
Thanks for stopping by. Come back again. Leave a note in the guest book so I know you were here.
As Ever, Rhonda
Side Notes: Niece Agusta was the one to pick the color for 2010 and she chose indigo, so keep it Mood Indigo, folks!
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If you have not been here for a bit, you will also note a new page HERE.
I have posted a bunch of .exe (executable) files of fun things, some for kids. The emailing of harmful viruses and malware has caused the ISPs to stop allowing .exe files to be sent, so this (or a CD) were the only ways I could share with you. Please know that all these files are safe and I have had them and used them for years. Please check out the "Fun Page" link (on this page and some others, at the very bottom, but on the main page, along the side) and let me know what you think.
