February 26, on "Talk To Me..."

Today on "Talk To Me...Conversations With Creative, Unconventional People"

My guests will be the dynamic musical duo Fiske and Herrera. Fiske amd Herrera are creating quite a stir in the online music world. Known for their tight harmony and ambitious arrangements, the singer-songwriters recently won first and third place in the OurStage.com Acoustic Music Channel competition. Their song “Bad Dream," from their debut CD “Just Breathe,” won first place.

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This Week's Guest....

February 19 on "Talk To Me...Conversations With Creative, Unconventional People"

Here my interview with Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice. "An intensely intimate portrait of Alzheimer's seasoned with highly accurate and useful information about this insidious and devastating disease." Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi, co-author, Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease.

My Guest Today on "Talk To Me..." -

Today on "Talk To Me...Conversations With Creative, Unconventional People"

My guest will be Dennis McCurdy, author of Find A Way: A Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Life. "A straightforward compilation of suggestions that will simplify your life and set you on the path toward success. The book has the feel of a friendly neighbor sharing the secrets that enabled him to win in life. This is an easy read that pays big dividends.— Tolly Burkan, author of Extreme Spirituality Radical Approaches to Awakening

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My BlogTalkRadio show, "Talk To Me...Conversations With Creative, Unconventional People," or CUPs as I like to call 'em, debuts on February 12th at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). You can hear the show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rita.

My guest will be Dennis McCurdy, author of "Find A Way: A Guide To Getting The Most Out Of Life" "A straightforward compilation of suggestions that will simplify your life and set you on the path toward success. The book has the feel of a friendly neighbor sharing the secrets that enabled him to win in life. This is an easy read that pays big dividends.— Tolly Burkan, author of Extreme Spirituality Radical Approaches to Awakening

Tune in, Call In live 347-327-9158

Listen In! Hear My Radio Interview on Today's Author With David Ewen

Click here to listen to my interview about Painting The Invisible Man on Today's Author with David Ewen on BlogTalkRadio

Why Is It...

Why is it...that every winter when there's a freeze in Florida, I see shocked farmers scrambling to protect their crops?
It's winter, folks. Temperatures are going to plummet at least one day during the season. Word to farmers: Join the Boy Scouts. Be prepared

Why is it...that every time there's the threat of a freeze in Florida, newscasters say "and consumers can expect to see a jump in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?
S'plain it to me, Lucy. How come when the weather is oh-so-Florida grand, we never hear "and consumers can expect to see a decrease in the price of orange juice in coming weeks"?

It's Horse-Trading Day In Iowa Today

Iowa's caucus rules are arcane, to say the least. And yet, that old horse-trading system has a massive effect on our election process, especially if you are a Democrat. Here's how it works.

When the Democratic caucuses begins tonight, promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the 1,781 precincts across the state, caucusii, as I like to call them, will walk to the corner or area by the wall designated for their candidate of choice.

Next, party officials will determine if a candidate meets the 15% "threshold" requirement. Now, here's where the horse-trading begins. Supporters of candidates garnering less than 15% of the vote are "persuaded" to re-cast their votes for a 15%-and-up candidate. Luckily for those caucusing Iowans, there aren't many Italians in Iowa.

Once everyone has decided where to vote ("If you want feed for your livestock, Arnold, you dang better mosey on over to my side of the wall"), a second tally is taken. The results are then sent to Democratic state party headquarters via snail mail.

And how do Republicans do it? By secret ballot (surprise, surprise) and, since there is no viability threshold, each vote is simply tallied and the number of votes each candidate gets is reported to party headquarters. Boring!!

Now, I'm an Independent. If I lived in Iowa, I'd probably sign up to be a Democrat for a day. Their caucus sounds like a lot more fun. And hey, if I can get a deal on my livestock feed in the process, why not? (Oh wait, doesn't that attitude make me a Republican?

What I Wish For In 2008....

What I Wish For In 2008....

Here are 5 things I wish to see occur in the new year. Please add yours...

...societal sanity
...less reality TV
...an end to political hypocrisy
...a sane, new president
...an exit strategy in Iraq
-- Rita

Healing Conversation

I spent the weekend with my cousin Terri and her husband Jim, aka Sophia and Greg Haynes in Painting The Invisible Man. It is the first time we have shared a holiday season together. I had the joy, too, of extended time with many of my cousins whom I haven't seen in years.

Of course, the conversation did eventually roll around to the book. I was thankful for the opportunity to talk face-to-face with my family about the writing and the research. About the tremendous emotional journey I had been on during the years it took me to write Painting The Invisible Man.

I learned that the story filled a huge void for my relatives. For the first time, we talked openly and honestly about the events surrounding my father's murder in 1976. And I learned, too, that many of them found healing and understanding as they read through the pages.

A Lot Of Help From My Friends...

Being a writer is solitary work. Selling books, however, takes a whole lot more than a village.

I'm sure by now my friends dread seeing an e-mail coming from me, especially with subject lines that read: "Would you help me..." or "Spread the word...." or "Upcoming event..."

As I weave my way along the road of self-promotion, I have relied heavily on my friends. And so far, no one has asked me to delete their name from my address book. That doesn't mean, though, that some aren't saving me from the shame and embarassment of that request by simply deleting my message upon sight.

Whatever...I am thankful for their continuing help and support. I am deeply grateful for their tireless efforts to spread the word...and truly touched by their willingness to buy books for friends rather them lend it out.

Thanks, my friends...please let me know what I can do for you...