Cindy Bradford's Author Blog
A friend, who knows me well and read Keeping Faith, said she thinks she has me figured out as to why I like to write and spin stories. She said it is because as a kid I played by myself a lot and had an invisible friend. She may be on to something because I did play by myself a great deal because there were no other kids my age in the neighborhood and no cousins or siblings close to my age. [Read more…] about Wonder Where Gary Lynn Went?
As we embark on the publishing of novel two, Promises Kept, I am going to change my blogging a bit, but never fear; it will better than before and a little more all encompassing. As you can see the web site is already undergoing some changes so that is a start to the new look and feel. I will continue to highlight some of my life experiences and travels on a regular basis, but beginning this week, the main focus will be on my books. [Read more…] about Plots, Characters & Writing
Thought you might like to know that the sequel has gone to press, and the waiting begins. No wonder my hair is falling out! Now it’s anybody’s guess when it will actually be released, but if it follows a similar timeframe as Keeping Faith, then hopefully it will be out by mid-April. Here’s another sneak preview… [Read more…] about Promises Kept Gone to Press
I miss my parents the most when I travel, because I know how they would have liked to hear of my adventures. I hadn’t traveled a great deal when they both died, but when I did it was an equal adventure for them. They couldn’t wait for my calls and for me to relate what I had done each day.
I realize now they were living that part of their lives through me, and enjoying what they were never really able to do. They did travel in the States, Mexico and Canada, but never ventured further than that. I get my “go” gene from my dad who would have taken off to lands unknown, but mother was most comfortable at home. Dad always dreamed of going to see the Holy Land; Mother couldn’t imagine being on an airplane that long, (actually she hated flying anywhere) and when they were finally financially able to go, they were past the age where they would attempt it.
It’s just as well. I know now that Mother would have hijacked the plane after the first four hours and demanded the pilot land somewhere, anywhere fast, so she could get on the first bus home.
No, they were best at home, waiting for my calls, anticipating what my next place would be, living vicariously through me. And that’s okay because I never travel that they are not on my mind. I take pictures of the scenery and think of them. I eat a new dish in a foreign country and know Daddy would not have agreed that it was good—after all it wasn’t “Momma’s cooking. I drag my bags behind me looking for someone who speaks English to tell me the right direction to go, and know that would have made them uncomfortable.
But, I thank them for giving me a sense of adventure, of courage to go to new places and see new things, most of the time as an independent traveler. And I know they are watching over me when I veer off my path.
In the school business we are all about inclusion, acceptance and diversity. So is Amsterdam!! It gets an “A” for this, albeit a “Scarlet Letter A.” What a strange and intriguing place, and quite pretty in an old way with its many canals and beautiful architecture. Although I had been here briefly before, it was with a tour group, so that visit was structured, which is not all bad, but it limits spontaneity. [Read more…] about Amsterdam–A Strange & Intriguing Place
The school where I was chairing the accreditation visit is in the Limburg section of The Netherlands, where “stinky cheese” is a proud part of the culture and an everyday commodity. As a nice gesture, the leadership provided each of us on the accreditation team with a beautiful basket filled with fruits, chocolates, wine (can you believe a school included wine?), cheeses and crackers. The teachers had also placed vases of fresh tulips in our rooms. When I walked into the hotel room, I thought something had either molded or someone had died. It never occurred to me that the stench might be coming from the beautiful gift, but out of curiosity for the contents I tore into my basket and soon found the culprit—Limburger cheese!!!!
Now, I know why this smelly stuff is the brunt of jokes on the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello. And I certainly understand why Mark Twain asked if the guy was dead? I remember when I was in high school somebody smeared some Limburger on the classroom door knobs so when anyone touched the knob, they would smell really bad. Weren’t we terribly clever in those days??
But one of the assistant principals serving on the team wanted everyone’s cheese so we all gladly handed over ours. I can only imagine how her car smelled carrying seven cartons of stinky cheese. That four hour drive back to her home in Germany could not have been pleasant, and the snowy roads were not the worst of her problems. But the good news is, if she forgot her deodorant, I don’t think anyone would know the difference.
Now, the school review is over, and I am taking in the sites in Amsterdam! Stay tuned for the next report on my ongoing adventure.
