I'm referring to the slow season in blogging.  At least for me, it has been recently.  I seem to have a lot going on that pulls me away from Island Writer.  Nothing major.....just stuff.

Like the cable and air conditioning problems of last week.  I'm happy to say I'm extremely pleased with the Dish Network.  I can't get over how great the reception is, compared to cable.  And I have my NBC back again.  Just in time, with the new season starting soon on TV.

I'm looking forward to the return of my favorites.....Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters and Grey's Anatomy.  From the previews they all look good.  And it looks like we might be getting some decent new ones.  I'm anxious to watch "Sexy, Dirty, Money,"  one about a bunch of guys and in the ad, he says, "Men.....we're the new women."  And there's a comedy that looks promising about a girl that loses her memory.  (Kinda like me right now, as I can't remember the names of those shows)

Let's see.....what else has been going on around here?  Ah......we had a tree fall across our road.  Nope, no storm.  Actually, the sun was shining.  It just went kaboom!  Darn good thing nobody was out in the road when it decided to keel over.  My neighbor cleared it to the side and sawed up the tree.  Like everything else.....it just got old and decided to hit the ground.

What's really been consuming most of my time this past week is my writing.  Working on my new manuscript.  I now have 94 pages finished and I'm very pleased with it.  It seems to be pouring out of me.  Since I've decided to keep the title, I'll now share it with you.......Betrayal Encore.  It's a suspense romance, the setting is Paris and there's a serial killer on the loose.  The scary part is, I'm SO easily able to get into the head of this killer.  Wonder what that means?  Ah well, not to worry.......it's simply fiction.

We have a new park being built on the island.......over at the cemetery.  I know, that sounds like an odd place for a "park" doesn't it?  But it's at the back of the cemetery, overlooking the beautiful bayou.  Drove in there the other day and it seems to be coming along well.......I promise to get back there with my camera and get some photos. 

While I was at the cemetery, I noticed we have "neighbors" next to our plot and stone.  No.....they haven't arrived yet.  But somebody purchased the plot next to ours and they have it staked out, with their four initial stones in the ground.  Have no idea who it is...... But I just marked that on my "to do" list.....find out who I'll be spending eternity next door with.

Okay......last and certainly not least.....the writing contest I entered.  I'm doing okay.  Pretty well actually and holding my own.  Round One ends ONE week from today, on Sept. 18.  Now I know a few of you from here at Island Writer have gone to read my first chapter of Seeking Sydney, left a comment and voted.  And to those of you that have done so......I hope you know how much I deeply appreciate it! 

But I'd also really appreciate if any of you just haven't gotten to it yet, you'll do so as soon as possible.  Time's running out and every vote counts to bring along the 25 semi-finalists that will be chosen.  At that time, they will release Chapter 2 and Round Two begins.  From that, 5 finalists will be chosen.  That will end the voting, as the five finalists will go to the panel of judges at Simon & Schuster, Borders and the Gather Editorial team when the Grand Prize winner will be chosen and awarded a contract with Simon & Schuster for publication of their manuscript.

So....with all of that said, just in case some of you would like to read my chapter and hopefully give me that much-needed "10" rating (as only 10's will be counted) and you just haven't had the chance yet......I'd like to make it easy for you.  In order to vote, you must sign up for free with gather.......and here's the link for you to do so.

http://www.gather.com/inviteLanding.jsp?parentMemberId=413473&tc=11

Once you do that and get registered, the link below will take you directly to my chapter page.  Where you'll be able to read the chapter, vote with the stars that are below it and leave a comment further down.  I do hope to see you there and again.....thank you to all of you!

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977093233

Least we not forget........today is the 6th anniversary of the horrific events of 911.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families today.

I think that's it from my little corner of the world.  So see you here next time........