Deb Smouse

I have always been a lover of fall clothes. Maybe, because I always loved school, it was the signal that it was time to end the quiet (and boring) days of summer and go back to school. Maybe it was the mix of warm-toned colors, corduroy pants and cable knit sweaters.  Or maybe it was an unconscious signal to my soul wanderings… that the change of seasons - the predictable cycle of aging of nature….and the hope that comes during its rebirth…

I haven’t dusted off this blog properly in ages.  part of what was missing was a change of season here.  I changed out layout - back to my spring layout with a new image.  It’s a lovely view from Gillette Castle to the river….Cropped severely above - and in it’s full glory below.

I’m still thinking warm thoughts about my trip to Connecticut.  It was just lovely….

I know the cardinal rule about writing is that you should never write about writing but you will have to forgive me as I wallow around a bit with those thoughts…..

I told Melissa tonight that it was as if I was afraid of my keyboard.  All of the words are in my head but the ability to get them out and onto paper - or into my computer - is certainly unsuccessful.

I am a woman of few words these days.  But I do want to share a couple of photos from the first day of my visit to New England.  This is the Mark Twain home - where Samuel Clemens wrote many of his most famous works…

The house was amazing.  Decorated by Tiffany and crew.  We couldn’t take photos inside, but we could outside.  The tour guide had great stories.  The first date he took his wife on was to hear Charles Dickens read some of his work.  I really wish I could have taken a photo of the Billiard Room, where Clemens wrote.  His desk faced the wall, by the way. n So he wouldn’t get distracted…

And Harriet Beecher Stowe’s home - who is just next door.

Fall in lovely here.  It’s cool and crisp and the colors are so beautiful.  My camera just doesn’t do it justice.  today we are going to Gilette Castle and tomorrow to Mystic Seaport.

Happy Monday.

On Sunday, I finally made my way to the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon.  I did some writing about the time I spent there, but it’s more personal and not really blog fodder.

So, the other night I came in from dinner and stopped to chat briefly with the gal at the hotel desk.

“Are you still here?”  she asks

I sigh.  “Yes, I am.  I ended up staying through the weekend….I am here through the 25th.”

“Ah.  Are you lonely?  Would you like a fish?”

This is a pet friendly hotel, and when you can’t bring your pet, they will provide a companion goldfish.

So meet Bill - who now lives in my room on my nightstand……

I have eggplant toes.

Actually, just one toe.  It seems as if there was an accident between my left foot and a suitcase which was laid at the foot of my bed.  Now the 2nd toe on my left foot resembles an eggplant in that it is all dark-purple and kind of misshapen.

I did ice and have elevated it.  I”ve been taking Ibuprofen.  Now, I am hoping for the quick-healing that toes tend to do…. I don’t HAVE to wear heels again until Tuesday…

I was just catching up on the news and CNN showed a re-run of an earlier stand-up with Anderson Cooper…and I recognized where he was standing - realizing I had a photo of the spot (he was standing to the far right).  It looks like the worst was missed, thank goodness.

i just updated my writing site. There is an updated “about” page. It could really use a fresh look and a better organization…..

Now Live and in “living color” just for you!  Fabulous issue, truly.   And yes, there is a new column from little old me…

It just turns my heart that New Orleans is evacuating due to Hurricane Gustav. I was in New Orleans earlier this year and have been wanting to take a weekend trip back. My thoughts are out to this wonderful city and it’s citizens….

I LOVED working with the wonderful Julie Woodford. Here are a couple of the photos…..

Now to begin to trade out all the old photos in my business site as well as my various online profiles and projects, like All Things Girl, Pink Nighties, Twitter, Facebook, etc…

(win a signed copy of his book at All Things Girl)