Take Me Back Thursday

With the Talented Elizabeth Boyle!

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Take Me Back Thursday!

I’m taking a walk down writers’ memory lane. P4300023 2005 04 30 with Elizabeth BoyleWriter-pals know what I’m talking about: going through that scrapbook or photo album or computer file filled with mementos from the writerly life. For me that includes moments with awe-inspiring authors like Elizabeth Boyle. Her warmth and sense of humor continue to be infectious! And all while sharing her love of creating passionate historical romances for her readers.

I sit in on her workshops every chance I get, and each time I pick up a tip (or ten!) on how to make my writing stronger, whether it’s plotting the story or really delving into the characters. Her willingness to share is amazing and much appreciated by newbie writers, including me!

Which once again reminds me: whether we’re writing, or teaching a writing workshop, or helping the kids with geometry, or even shopping for shoes, we can all have a positive impact on the lives of those we come into contact with each day.

Kinda heavy, huh? 😉

Happy almost Friday,
Melia

The Fabulous Susan Wiggs!

| Melia Alexander

It’s Take Me Back Thursday!

Once upon a time, my RWA Chapter, Rose City Romance Writers, hosted annual readers’ luncheons – a fabulous opportunity for readers to chat with their fave romance authors, eat chocolate, get autographed books, eat more chocolate, win prizes, eat great food which includes *even more* chocolate! (See a trend, here? :-))

While we had awesome speakers at these events, for me, one of the fan-girl moments was with the fabulous Susan Wiggs!

P4300020 2005 04 30 with Susan WiggsAnd, yes, it was a moment! The fact I didn’t spill anything or throw up on her shoes? Bonus! 😉 While I don’t remember everything about our conversation (Hey, I was trying not to throw up on her shoes!), I do remember her grace and sincerity and love of all things story, including the authors who create said stories. That’s what made her even more cool!

Do you have a special fan-girl/boy moment? Please share!

Happy Take Me Back Thursday,
Melia

Indy CART Smiles

| Melia Alexander

Happy Take Me Back Thursday!

Once upon a time, Indy CART races existed. Even better, CART made annual appearances in the Pacific Northwest, which was awesome! So awesome, Mr. Alexander made the trek so as to commune with his fellow race car enthusiasts, including drivers. And, of course, there was racing all weekend.

For a few of those years, I tagged along. Mainly because I missed him otherwise. *shrugs* What can I say? I’m kinda nuts about the guy! 🙂

So here’s to great memories.

IMG_0374 2007 Indy CART Race in Portland

Happy Almost-Friday!
~Melia

 

Snow in Summer

| Melia Alexander

This Take Me Back Thursday comes courtesy of Niece 2.

Several years ago, my amazing SissyLu hauled three kids and my mom across the ocean. Not literally, of course, but still. . .. have you tried traveling with three kids and with your mom in a wheelchair? Did I mention she’s amazing? 🙂

Anyhoo, living on Guam, snow’s not a common occurrence in their world, so of course we had to  find some while they were visiting. And did we! Mounds of it that lined the roadway in the higher elevations in our part of the world. Once we parked, Niece 2 bolted out of the van so she could play with it. Natch!

Crater Lake_Snow 2Isn’t she adorable? Pains me to realize she’ll be driving soon. *Gulp* But that’s another story. . ..

Happy Almost-Friday,
Melia

 

Hooking a Sturgeon!

| Melia Alexander

Today’s Take Me Back Thursday goes back to the time when I thought sturgeon fishing would be a great idea! Mainly because I’d never done it before, and I’m pretty much into trying something at least once. Well. . .. Most things, anyway. I do draw the line at stuff like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

But I digress. . ..

Mr. Alexander and I on our first ever sturgeon fishing trip! And, yeah, that’s Portland in the background, so it’s not like we had to trek up to Alaska or anything. (Are there even sturgeon in Alaska?)

IMG_2097I did hook a sturgeon. Really, I did! But it turned out the sucker was way more than my pre-CrossFit body could handle. Ended up with my *ss on the floor of the boat and with my legs braced on the side.

Huh. I have to wonder if I could take him now. . ..

Happy almost-Friday,
Melia

School Daze

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Take Me Back Thursday!

And so it begins – another school year. Where did the summer go? *sigh*

Well, dear friends, this is what Niece 2’s locker looked like when she started high school last year:

IMAG0815Freshman year’s now history. Sophomore year? Bring it!

Happy TMB Thursday!

~Melia

Skating on Blades

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Take Me Back Thursday!

I grew up on Guam, a gorgeous tropical island in the South Pacific where most sports involved sunshine, the beach, or both.

Needless to say, IMG_0200ice skating wasn’t something I did growing up. Nor was it anything I picked up right away – or at all, for that matter.

But several years ago, when SissyLu brought Niece, Niece 2, and Niece 3 to visit she insisted on an afternoon at the ice skating rink. (God love her! She hauled her three kids and our mother on an airplane and through three airports to get here.)

Ice skating. Right.

As you can see from the picture, I spent most of the time hanging onto the rail! But it was only because I was responsible for keeping an eye on Niece 3. 😉

Still glad I did it, though, cause some things are worth doing just for the warm and fuzzy memories that come flooding back when you remember them.

Have you ever done something and been glad you did? Please share!

Thursday hugs,
Melia