WGNU Talk Radio Experience

Posted on July 22, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

The other day I was the guest on WGNU AM920 talk radio for the Women-Inspiring-Women “Authors on the Air” program, my first time on radio. It was a lot of fun chatting it up with the hosts of the show. The two women were fun and made me feel very comfortable – except for the microphone in my face and the annoying headphones, and the fact that I had to think before I spoke because who knows how many people were listening! That last is not exactly my strong point.

We spent an hour talking about Cherry Blossoms in Twilight and touched upon its significance in reminding us that war is hell and that everyone suffers. War is not just another video game. We wondered how the Iraqi, Afghan, Lebanese and Israeli citizens today live through the constant fear of death. It just seems like so many of the world’s government and military leaders will never learn to behave and play well with others… and it is the innocents who suffer.

We also talked about the value of capturing old memories, how they may seem so everyday to our elders yet they are living history to younger generations who mostly know nothing about “the old days.” I commented how so many of our WWII era seniors are passing away without leaving their stories – like a treasure chest that was never opened. I am hoping that you will take the time to open the treasure chest of your own parents or grandparents while they are still alive so that together you can run your fingers through the gold. Let the sharing and discovering begin.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in Cherry Blossoms in Twilight, war stories | Comments Off on WGNU Talk Radio Experience

Family Vacation Time in Chicago

Posted on July 15, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

While we were visiting my side of the family around the July 4th weekend, we decided to spend a couple days in nearby Chicago – our “mini-vacation.” We got tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum, but other than that had no special plans. My husband did have a desire to eat at the original Uno’s Pizzaria there and had dreams of walking through the Chicago Art Institute. I had thought we should see the Museum of Science and Industry.

As it turned out, the trip became a vacation directed by our kids. We all enjoyed the King Tut exhibit…lots of interesting details about gods and afterlife and burial practices. Afterwards the kids wanted to explore the rest of the museum, especially all the stuffed animals (the taxidermized ones).

In the one concession to me, we went to J. Toguri Mercantile, a Japanese shop I had loved visiting as a child whenever my parents took us to Chicago. It seemed a lot different to me now that I was grown, but it still smelled of incense and carried the little boxes of “Botan” rice candy (where you can actually eat the wrapper) that my own kids now enjoy. The manager there agreed to carry my book, Cherry Blossoms in Twilight, so perhaps I could write off our vacation expenses as business?!

Toguri Mercantile is near the funky “Old Town” section of Chicago and our oldest daughter was excited about the clothing shops there. My husband was surprisingly patient waiting around in the “girl” shops. That night he again patiently followed his daughter while she shopped Navy Pier.

The next day the kids chose to see the Shedd Aquarium instead of the Museum of Science and Industry or the Art Museum. I loved watching the bizarre sea dragons and the kids loved pretty much everything. Oh, and the short Sponge Bob 4D movie was a hit.

Chicago is a great town to visit, and we left, exhausted, to head back to family. My husband never got to eat at Uno’s and I never got to rest at all except to sleep in one of the luxuriously comfortable beds of the Chicago Sheraton, but the kids had a grand time and I am pleased that they will have good memories to carry of a city that is special to my own heart.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in family vacation | Comments Off on Family Vacation Time in Chicago

Sweet Sixteen

Posted on July 5, 2006 by moonbridgebooks

We had a nice family gathering over the July 4th holiday. My stepmom chose that time to honor the four girls in our family who turn sixteen this year. She asked all the adults to write a memory of their teen years and any thoughts they’d like to offer these young people. She took the writings, added photos, and created beautiful scrapbooks for the girls.

Contrary to what we were afraid of, the girls really appreciated the books. Sometimes we think teens are not interested in what their parents and grandparents have to say, but you never know. The teen years are notoriously difficult, and it can help for youngsters to see that their parents really do know a little about what they are dealing with. Times change, but some things don’t change that much! It can also be really helpful to hear advice from other adults in the family (anyone besides a parent), and to know that they also love and support them. Yes, it helps to have a village to raise a child.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
Posted in living with teens | Comments Off on Sweet Sixteen