Putting a Freeze Hold on Vaccination

I had been looking forward to today since this past Sunday. That's when I scheduled my COVID-19 vaccination at the Franklin County Health Department. 

Then the freezing rain came yesterday, leaving a glistening and icy cover throughout much of Kentucky and surrounding states. I had the bright idea earlier that morning of backing my car out of the garage before things got too bad and leaving it at the top of the driveway so I could pull out on the salt-treated street and be on my merry way to the health department.

But I was too late, When I backed out my car, it kept going backward—off the driveway to the backyard. I wasn't too concerned because I thought I would be able to get traction on the grass and drive up the side of the driveway. Needless to say, the grass and ground were freezing and slick. Even having my wife push the car from the rear didn't help (just kidding, she was behind the wheel while I pushed.)

Fortunately, I was able to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping temps will rise to the mid-30s today and melt some of the stuff. It's probably wishful thinking since the forecast calls for a high of 30 and mostly cloudy. As I write this, it's 25 and overcast. The forecast for Friday is a high of 35 and partly sunny. 

Ever since the vaccines were announced back in November, I've been waiting for my time to face the needle. Every time I got a little sniffle, tiny cough, or some minor aches and pains, I was somewhat concerned that I could have symptoms and be the next coronavirus victim. I have friends and relatives who contracted the virus; if it happened to them, it could happen to me. 

I read this morning that about one in three Americans aren't sure they will be vaccinated. I'm telling you now that I'm in the two of three Americans category who will get the shot. I don't want to be a spreader of the potentially deadly disease that has claimed nearly 475,000 lives in the past year.

Until the next time . . .

Bluegrass Writers Coalition: From Pen to Page

I'm a founding member of the Bluegrass Writers Coalition, formed about 18 months ago in Frankfort, Ky., to discuss everything related to reading and writing. 

We get together the second Thursday of each month at the local Panera Bread Co. and share our thoughts about poetry, fiction, nonfiction, promotion, marketing, or whatever anyone cares to discuss in the one-hour meeting (we set the alarm to ring one hour after our 5:30 p.m. start). We also have brief readings and share our work as we build the writing community.

We have about 20 members but usually around 12 to 15 show up for meetings since many of them work full-time jobs. Our ages range from the 20s to the 70s. We have newbies and published authors. No dues. No commitments. Just show up when you can.

It's an eclectic group of interesting men and women from  various backgrounds and vocations who simply enjoy writing and reading. And on top of that, we seem to like each other so you might say we're a social group as well. 

This past summer we decided to publish an anthology, with members submitting novel excerpts, short stories, poems, essays, and creative nonfiction works. The result was the 154-page "From Pen to Page: a selection of writings from  the Bluegrass Writers Coalition," published in late October. It's available in print and ebook (and just in time for Christmas gift-giving). 

The book is dedicated to Mark Kinnaird, a founding member who passed away unexpectedly last summer at age 59.  Besides an insightful poet, Mark was a staffer at the Paul Sawyer Public Library in Frankfort, involved in book clubs and the annual Gathering of Authors" event as well as other responsibilities. He loved the written word.

Our group has other plans such as book signings and public readings. Other activities may develop in the coming months.

Feel free to join us at our next meeting on Dec. 12 (or any meeting on the second Thursday of the month). We also have a Facebook page if you want to learn more about BWC.

Until the next time . . .  

Opioid Epidemic in U.S.

The opioid problem in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports that since 1999, deaths involving the use of opioids, including prescription drugs and heroin, has quadrupled. Figures reveal that more than 500,000 have died from overdoses since 2000. Ninety-one die each day from this scourge that has spread across America, filtering into all economic classes.

Every day when I pick up my daily newspaper, the State Journal in Frankfort, Ky., I read about drug arrests and overdoses, sometimes covering nearly a page in court news. Check out this story from last June about the increase in opioid deaths. Frankfort is the state capital, the fourth smallest in the nation with a population of about 28,000.

The CDC also notes that each day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments nationally for misusing prescription opioids.

Kentucky has addressed the problem with legislative initiatives to curtail the abuse of opioids and use of heroin in recent years. The state Office of Drug Control Policy reports that more than 1,000 Kentuckians die each year from overdoses. Furthermore, Kentucky ranks in the top three, along with New Hampshire and West Virginia in opioid deaths.

My latest novel, "Darkness Beyond the Light," concerns drug addiction as it affects a family. I hope it brings more attention, more discussion, and more action to the problem as an increasing number of people are touched by this deadly disease.

To learn more about opioids and other drugs, read the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's fact sheets. 

Until the next time. . . .

Discovery -- Josephine Sculpture Park

Sometimes there are points of interest practically right under our nose. Such was the case for me when I ventured about four miles from my home in Frankfort, Ky.,  to visit the Josephine Sculpture Park.

I live  in  a town rich in history, being the capital of Kentucky. But for some inexplicable reason, I never visited the sculpture park, even though I've lived here for nearly 16 years (it didn't become a public park until 2009).



So on one warm pre-spring morning, I decided to drive to park and see what it had to offer. It was bigger and better than I expected.

According to the park's website, JSP is named after Josephine VanHouten, who owned a farm from which the park is located, off Lawrenceburg Road. Her granddaughter, Melanie, is the artistic director.

Josephine Sculpture Park spreads over about 20 acres, south of town, divided into four sections—Queen Anne's Meadow, Native Hill, Eastern Ridge, and Walnut Grove.

As I walked on the quiet paths from one section to the other, I looked at the 40 or so sculptures and murals that adorn the public park. As for the art, some I liked, some not so much, but it was still a feast for the eyes to discover a park devoted to artistic expression.

Visitors Center

The park also has a primitive amphitheater for performing arts, visitors center, and during the year hosts workshops, field trips concerts, exhibits and more. It is also pet-friendly and smoke-free.

I'll be making return trips, with my dogs, to stroll about the park now that spring has finally arrived and the weather will be warmer.



I plan to discover more sites close to home in the coming months.

Until the next time. . . .

Info:
Josephine Sculpture Park
3355 Lawrenceburg Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
www.josephinesculpturepark.org
Phone: 502-352-7082

European Experience -- The Beginning

On May 6, my wife Mary and I left our cozy Kentucky home for an 11-day vacation to Europe -- London, Paris and Roma, to be precise.

We made our decision last December to take that 10-hour flight across the big pond and make one of our trips of a lifetime. As you grow older, time is of the essence and one has no clue what the future holds in terms of finances, health, and other personal issues.

Three months earlier, we took another "trip of a lifetime" when we took a rail vacation to the western part of the U.S., making stops in places such as Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Yosemite National Park.

The initial stages of our trip were relatively uneventful other than me having a pat-down by a TSA official at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. Mary and I figured out what set off the alarm when we reached the boarding area -- my top-of-the line Timex Expedition watch. 

The boarding area in Concourse E for our flight to London

We flew to the impressive Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where we had about a 3 1/2-hour layover. It gave us time to get a bite to eat at the Stock Car Cafe and then wait for our US Airways flight to Heathrow in London. 

Before boarding our flight, we took advice from some friends who recently traveled to Italy and moved our watches ahead five hours to help acclimate ourselves to the time change in London. We wanted to lessen the effects of the flight as much as possible.

On the way to London

We touched down at Heathrow around noon, local time. We were sent to the Customs and Border Patrol section. During the flight, an attendant was handing out forms. My ears were ringing,  Mary  was sleeping, and I thought it was for a credit-card application and told her I didn't want one. Well, it turned out to be a form that had to be filled out before going through Customs and Border Patrol at Heathrow.

Fortunately, a young woman on our flight seated behind us told us as we got off the Airbus what we needed to do. She guided us to the proper area to pick up another form and stayed with us until we were cleared to proceed to the baggage area. Her name was Francesca, originally from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, an ex-patriate who has lived in London for nearly four years. She also gave us some advice on places to see during our stay. 

H10 Waterloo Hotel

Our tour company had a driver waiting for us just off from the baggage area. I don't recall his name, but he was a Somalian who has lived in London for 13 years (and has a brother living in Minnesota, whom he hopes to visit later this year). He certainly knew how to negotiate the narrow highway in heavy traffic on our 45-minute trip to the H10 Waterloo hotel, even pointing out some of the historic sights along the way. 

We were exhausted when we finally checked into our room and unpacked, but after a quick nap, we had renewed energy when we met 34 fellow travelers at a welcome dinner, hosted by our experienced, cordial and knowledgeable guide Valerio, an Italian citizen.

More on the London visit  in my next post.

Until the next time...

(Some images from the trip can be seen at my Facebook page. And if you go to Facebook, please like Kentucky author Michael Embry page as well.)

American Veterans Traveling Tribute

I recently visited the American Veterans Traveling Tribute during its stop at Anderson-Dean Park in Harrodsburg, Ky. The tribute honors all who gave their lives serving in the U.S. military, beginning with the Revolutionary War.

The centerpiece is "The Wall," a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. There are 58,272 names inscribed -- listed in chronological order and time of the casualty within each day.

I had two classmates die in Vietnam -- James Huckleberry in 1967 and Marshall Jones in 1970. Both would have turned 65 this year.

The memorial is a somber place. Some families in the Harrodsburg area planted small flags, a few with photographs, of the loved ones who died on that foreign soil. They served as a reminders that there were faces behind the names and that many lives were adversely and tragically touched by the unpopular war.  

There were exhibits from Vietnam -- artillery, helicopters, jeeps, photographs, weapons, cots, c-rations, and more. 

If you ever get the opportunity to see the AVTT, I would encourage you to do so. It might give you a deeper appreciation for the ultimate sacrifices many made for our nation. 

And it may even bring you to tears.

For more information, click AVTT.

A Colorful Time of the Year

This is a colorful time of the year – fall, football, fairs and festivals.

       

According to Book TV, there are eight major book fairs being held across the United States in October and November. It’s a time when readers get to meet some of their favorite authors. It’s also an opportunity for authors to connect with readers on a personal level.

Where I live in Frankfort, Ky., we’re preparing for the 31^st annual Kentucky Book Fair, which will be held Nov. 9-10 at the Frankfort Convention Center.  And now for the disclaimer: I serve as the marketing chair on the executive board, and in that capacity, try to spread the word about this wonderful event. 

I personally believe authors and writers should participate in events such as book fairs -- national, regional, statewide, or local. Anything to promote reading and writing is a win-win situation for writers, readers, and communities. And I must add that we have authors who go to bat for the KBF.

Over the next few weeks leading up to the fair, KBF board members and volunteers will be sending out news releases, making TV and radio appearances, working on the catalog, and  doing other things (be sure to “like” us on Facebook) to publicize the event. This year we plan to have author interviews posted on YouTube as well so stayed tuned for that.

Nearly 200 authors will participate in this year’s fair, signing books, giving readings, and talking to readers. Proceeds from the fair are used to provide grants to public schools and libraries, and literacy programs across the state.  

Until the next time…

A New Day for Books

I'm excited about participating in the inaugural Horse Cave BookFest on Saturday.

I’ll be there along with more than 100 other authors, publishers, and booksellers. Here’s an article in Columbia Magazine that gives details and a list of authors.

Horse Cave is located off Interstate 65, midway between Elizabethtown and Bowling Green, in south-central Kentucky. The town is home to the Kentucky Repertory Theatre, Kentucky Down Under, American Cave Museum, and Hidden River Cave. It's a neat town that gets better with age.

We’re fortunate in the Bluegrass State to have several book fairs including the Kentucky Book Fair (Nov. 10 in Frankfort) and Southern Kentucky Book Fest (held last April in Bowling Green).

While some authors are skipping book fairs and bookstore signings in favor of Internet marketing and promotion, I still believe it’s important for authors to meet the reading public. An author gets to know his audience a bit better, and there's the chance to increase the audience as well.

It’s also an opportunity for authors to answer questions and discuss their works, meet other authors, make new friends, renew friendships, and maybe even sell a few books. I know some of my treasured possessions are signed books from some of the authors I admire and read.

Furthermore, it's just nice to get out of the house on a summer day and be around people -- especially book lovers.

The event is produced by The Bookstore and Two Bears and a Dog Books and runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Drop on by if you’re in the vicinity. I'll have a bookmark for you.

Until the next time...

Another Great Season

I’m looking forward to a play-full summer.

I recently purchased a pair of season tickets for the summer season of the

Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave.

 My wife and I will attend productions of “Cotton Patch Gospel,” “Lombardi,” “Oliver,” and “Floyd Collins.” It’s an eclectic mix that I’m sure will be delightful and entertaining.

KRT is one of my favorite places for entertainment.

Horse Cave, as the name suggests, is in the heart of Kentucky's "cave country," a few miles from Mammoth Cave National Park. It's a picturesque town, located off I-65 between Elizabethtown and Bowling Green. It also home to the American Cave Museum and Hidden River Cave, only a block or so away from the theatre. The Horse Cave Bookfest will be held June 30.

KRT was formerly known as Horse Cave Theatre, when it held it first production (“Candida”) 35 years ago under the tireless and talented direction of Warren Hammack. He was succeeded 25 years later by Robert Brock (now teaching at Lindsey Wilson College), followed by Christopher Sanderson, and now Ken Hailey serves as artistic consultant.

I’ve always enjoyed live entertainment, be it plays, music, dance, readings, interviews, or re-enactments.

I’d encourage anyone in Kentucky or visiting the state this summer to drop by KRT. It’s an experience you won’t regret or soon forget.

And if you can’t attend a performance at KRT, then support theatre in your area. We all benefit from the arts. 

Until the next time...

Slam Dunked

I must confess that I’ve been somewhat lax in my writing the past four weeks. Blame it on basketball and the NCAA men’s tournament in particular.

   I live in Kentucky and this year the commonwealth was represented by four teams – Kentucky, Louisville, Murray State and Western Kentucky. For those of you who don’t follow the sport, the Kentucky Wildcats won their eighth national title on Monday night, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 67-59 in New Orleans.

   I told myself that I’d stay up until halftime and then head off to bed. I’m not a night owl anymore so staying up past 10 o’clock is a big deal for me. At the half, I decided to stay up until the Wildcats went up by 20 points. The lead grew to 18 points, and as I was about to turn out the lights and turn off the TV, the Jayhawks rallied like they had in their other tourney games. They trimmed the lead to five points before Kentucky recovered in the final 90 seconds to secure a hard-earned victory.

   With the tournament over I plan to get back earnestly to my short story collection. I’ve completed eight stories so far and intend to write two more in the next two weeks. Then I’ll go back and go over all of them with rewrites, edits, and everything else involved in polishing them for publication.

    One thing I learned is that the next time I begin a writing project I’ll try to avoid doing it during the NCAA tournament.

 

 Until the next time...

Homegrown Talent in Final Four

We're down to the Final Four teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

I was curious to see how many of the four remaining teams had home-state players in their starting lineups.

Ohio State (31-7) leads the way with three -- guards William Buford of Toledo and Aaron Craft of Findlay, and forward Jared Sullinger of Columbus.  The other starters are guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. of Zion, Ill., and forward Deshaun Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind.

The other teams don't have homegrown starters although Louisville freshman Chane Behanan, whose hometown is Cincinnati, played his last two seasons at Bowling Green High School in Kentucky. The other starters for the Cardinals (30-9) are guards Peyton Siva of Seattle, Wash., Chris Smith of Millstone, N.J., and Kyle Kuric of Evansville, Ind., and center Gorgui Dieng of Keberner, Sengal.

Kansas (31-6) starts guards Travis Releford of Kansas City, Mo., Elijan Johnson of Las Vegas, and Tyshawn Taylor of Hoboken, N.J., forward Thomas Robinson of Washington, D.C., and center Jeff Withey of San Diego.

And top-ranked Kentucky (36-2) showcases guards Marquis Teague of Indianapolis, Doron Lamb of Queens, N.Y., and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Somerdale, N.J., forward Terrence Jones of Portland, Ore., and center Anthony Davis of Chicago.

As for the entire rosters, Ohio State has six, Kansas has two, Louisville has three, and Kentucky has four homegrown products.

One thing it shows is that national programs recruit on a national level for the most part. Ohio is a populous state so it was fertile recruiting territory for the Ohio State coaching staff. And the Northeast is a hotbed for great players on this year's teams.

Regardless of where the players are from, I'm sure the fans of their respective teams have embraced them as one of their own.

Until the next time...

Retirement Homes

I received an AARP Bulletin in e-mail today that contained a story about the 10 best places to retire. Naturally, those places are warm-weather spots where you can play golf, tennis, enjoy the outdoors, and see sunshine most days of the year.

But I started thinking about it. I live in a moderate climate (Kentucky). We'll occasionally have a big snowfall or ice storm, but for the most part the weather ranges from 15 to 45 during the winter months. The summers can hot and humid but they are tolerable. Spring can be rainy and falls are generally gorgeous.

But weather aside, why would I want to pack up and move a 1,000 miles away and leave family and friends behind? I don't. Can I make new friends after leaving? Of course. Been there, done that during my career. But why leave friends at this stage of my life?

And why leave family? Do I want to miss important events in the lives of my two granddaughters? No. Do I want to be away if something catastrophic happens to family members? No.

About the only move I'll consider, if I live long enough, will be to a senior retirement home where I live.

So nothing against those places in Florida, Arizona and elsewhere. They are great places for a vacation. But for retirement, I'm staying in my old Kentucky home.