An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: In Memoriam; St. Joan of Arc

An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: In Memoriam; St. Joan of Arc: Yesterday marks the 588th year since the martyrdom of Joan, the Maid of Orleans.  Little is known of her early life, but much is surmised.  ...

Why We Need Dolls In Our Lives - Ruby Lane Blog

Why We Need Dolls In Our Lives - Ruby Lane Blog: Why We Need Dolls In Our Lives:  No culture has been without dolls. In some societies, the doll figures that remain seem to be more idol or ritual figures, but the same cultures refer to dolls as children’s toys.  They might be very simple compared to their idols or decorative figures, maybe a decorated twig... Read more »

Doll Museum: Roseanne and the Kestner and Martin Mull and Minia...

Doll Museum: Roseanne and the Kestner and Martin Mull and Minia...: Roseanne herself was a doll collector; I taped a segment of her with her dolls about 25 years ago. Tonight ,on the finale of her resurrecte...

What is writing?

What is writing?

 

Now that I’ve forsaken all else to write fulltime, I’ve actually had time to think about what I’m doing. 

 

In some ways, you are a writer, or you are not. You also have to love books and reading. You have to want to possess books, too.  You need to hold them, look at them.

 

Your biography becomes the sum of the volumes arranged on your book shelves.

 

You need to write down your ideas or they’re gone.  You learn to write on anything handy.  I wrote the first draft of this post in the blank pages located in the back of Larry McMurtry’s Books. My dissertation director wrote on envelope and scraps of paper.  These she arranged carefully and stored in larger envelopes, labeled and dated.  I did the same thing with PostIt notes, some inadvertently left in books in libraries all over the country.  I secretly hope someone will see them and add their own PostIts to the dialog.

 

Writing preserves one’s sanity.  Our characters are the voices in our heads; Playwrights, novelists, short story writers, poets, and lyricists have to entrap their characters on paper, or go mad.

 

If writing is madness, then I’ve been so all my life.  I’ve written and made up stories since I was a toddler, but in college, it hit me. I was a writer.  I to go beyond carefully crated papers, done in Spanish and English for grades.

 

It was in college that I started to love research too, and compiling bibliographies. Yet, there were books and stories beyond the assignments. If followed them, as I would tell my students to do later, and I amassed a large personal library, encouraged by my mother, who never threw away book.

 

I soon wrote in different genres, exploring different authors, types of writing, just a I played different kinds of music on the piano. 

 

Then, I came to love the tools of writing: paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, all kids of writing supplies, even writing technology. I don’t see my self stopping.

 

We either write for craft, proofreading ads or writing for work, or for art, as  writers who want to be read, but whose goal is to write, not to publish for big money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toys R Us Finds

With Younkers Dept Store also going out of business, FAO Schwarz will be no more it seems.

I don't know the fate of Carson Pirie Scott or Elder Bierman and Bergner's, part of the Younkers family; perhaps they carry FAO, but who knows?

Below are some of the things I have found at Toys R Us.  Apparently, MGM's attempts to save the stores and brands is not working.  If you go, don't expect huge savings; many of the sales are typical and thing they put on sale anyway.  But, there is 30% off most things, and I would stick with Toys R Us brands like the You and Me babies; they won't be around.  Also, look for store specials like some of the sets available, and some of the Disney dolls.

I hate to see this happening; it's like seeing my childhood and my family die all over again. 



You and Me Baby in smallest, c. 6 in. size.  A Toys R Us Brand

Skylander, right, only $.99.  Part of the selection from Toys R Us

Dankner Living Charm

Rendezvous and Ten2Go at Theriault's, The Doll Masters

Here are upcoming events where you can "Bring Home a Doll" Thanks to Theriault's for sending me the announcement.  All photos, courtesy of Theriault's.
.
See Theriault's.com for more.


Wed; May 16, 2018:
Mid-Century American Dolls - The Fashionable Years-on site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.

Courtesy, Theriault's

Wed: May 23, 2018:
Antique Dolls and Playthings.  On site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.


Saturday, June 2, 2018
Marquis: The Shirley Temple Collections of Iva Mae Jones and Janet Mitchell of Florida, June 2, 2018 at the Westin Baltimore Washington Airport, Linthicum, MD

Courtesy, Theriault's

Wed; June 6, 2018:
Antique Dolls and Playthings.  On site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.


Wed; June 13, 2018:
Antique Dolls and Playthings.  On site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.

Courtesy Theriault's

Wed; June 20, 2018:
Antique Dolls and Playthings.  On site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.


Wed; June 27, 2018:
Antique Dolls and Playthings.  On site, phone, online bid.  Begins 7 pm.


Ten2Go

Monday, May 21, 2018

Ten2Go: May 21, 2018 at The Crowne Plaza (formerly Sheraton), Annapolis, Maryland

Interview with Cloth Doll Artist Susan Fosnot

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Guest Blog on Motiviatio and Whole Journey; my Fri...

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Guest Blog on Motiviation and Whole Journey; my Fri...: My name is Mary, I’m 26 years old and a Mom and Wife.   I have two boys, ages 6 and 5. Twin girls, about to turn 2   in one month . ...

Guest Blog on Motiviation and Whole Journey; my Friend, Mary

My name is Mary, I’m 26 years old and a Mom and Wife. 

 I have two boys, ages 6 and 5. Twin girls, about to turn 2 in one month. They keep me busy and motivated! I’m married to the a wonderful man, and he too keeps me motivated in whatever I aspire to do.  My children and Husband are my motivation. They are my “Why” and that’s how currently, I am living my best life. 

 My passion is Healthy Living. I have struggled with weight issues most of my entire life. Beginning, at the very young age of 5. So, from that I’m sure you can imagine why my passion and motivation would be focused on Healthy Living. :) 

 I am a Weight Watchers Member and have been since December 2017. I’ve lost 15 pounds on the program. I currently am doing my first Whole 30 journey alongside of tracking with Weight Watchers Freestyle Points. I have to tell you I feel AMAZING! 

 I love creating new recipes by trial and error, as well as following recipes from Pinterest, cookbooks, and my VERY favorite... BLOGS! Most of what you see on my Instagram is created by me, and if I try a new recipe I will tag the person who created it. :) 

 As for motivation, I want to challenge each viewer whether you’re struggling with health, or simply just needing a motivation for the day.. ALWAYS take a few moments out of the day for YOU and that alone can be motivating. My second idea is, find a hobby that’s motivating.  My go to is planning. I’m a planner addict. If I want to get motivated, I simply add or do something in my planner and that motivates me to see it accomplished. :) Thirdly, Exercise. Any type! Even if it’s for 5-10 minutes. It gets the blood flowing, and wakes you up. Again, it IS motivating  

Go and be MOTIVATED! 

Doll Shows

From Karen at Doll Shows USA:

Kind Reminder & Updates Please forgive me for sending this out so soon after the newsletter but things happen... Show Schedule - Updated Be sure to check that your favorite event is listed on the site www.DollShowUSA.com. If not, let me know and I will look into it. It's never too early to post your events. People sometimes plan vacations and other trips surrounding our events so the sooner the better. Special Note to Promoters ~ PLEASE be sure to take a few moments to  proof your listing and check the calendar page once you receive notice that it has been posted. I am only human and do make mistakes so I would really appreciate it if you could help me out regarding this.     FEATURED EVENT    DETAILED EVENT Free/Mini Listings are not listed here. Click  for a complete listing.  May 3-4 (Thu-Fri) ~ Dublin CA   May 5 (Sat) ~ Pleasanton CA  May 5 (Sat) ~ Maitland FL   May 5 (Sat) ~ Westampton NJ   May 5 (Sat) ~ Willoughby OH   May 5 (Sat) ~ Mt. Juliet-Nashville TN  May 6 (Sun) ~ Chagrin Falls OH  May 6 (Sun) ~ Capac MI  May 6 (Sun) ~ Easton PA  May 12 (Sat) ~ Anaheim CA   May 12 (Sat) ~ Batavia NY   May 18-19 (Fri-Sat) ~ Greenwood IN   May 18-19 (Fri-Sat) ~ Norfolk VA  May 19 (Sat) ~ Pasadena CA  May 19 (Sat) ~ Columbus IN  May 19 (Sat) ~ Fayetteville NC   May 19 (Sat) ~ Williamsfield OH   May 20 (Sun) ~ Madison Heights MI   May 20 (Sun) ~ Mounds View MN   May 20 (Sun) ~ Princeton Junction NJ  May 20 (Sun) ~ New Hope PA  Jun 2 (Sat) ~ Missoula MT  Jun 3 (Sun) ~ Concord CA   Jun 3 (Sun) ~ Fullerton CA   Jun 3 (Sun) ~ Belleville IL   Jun 3 (Sun) ~ Sturbridge MA   Jun 9 (Sat) ~ WORLD DOLL DAY   Jun 9 (Sat) ~ Green Valley AZ   Jun 9 (Sat) ~ Raleigh-Durham NC   Jun 10 (Sun) ~ Naperville IL   Jun 16 (Sat) ~ Milton FL   Jun 21-24 (Thu-Sun) ~ Kissimmee (Orlando) FL   Jun 23 (Sat) ~ Puyallup WA   Jun 24 (Sun) ~ N. Hampton NH   Jun 28 (Thu) ~ Pacific Grove CA   Jun 30 (Sat) ~ Pacific Grove CA World Doll Day - Update WORLD DOLL DAY.COM GIVE A DOLL "GIVE - A - WAY" You are invited to participate in the Give a Doll "Give-Away" Event on World Doll Day 2018. Donors - show your support of the day that is all about dolls. Bring attention to your club, business or do it just for fun and the love of dolls. <GIVE A DOLL "GIVE AWAY" DETAILS> Donation cut-off is June 6th, 2018.