We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence yielded free thought ... and RWA was a celebration of that freedom! Last Monday, I departed Columbus at o-dark-hundred for my connection in Baltimore. Since I had a two hour layover, I camped out at the USO lounge! Once I boarded my plane to LaGuardia, I found a smiling face among the fly-through passangers - Mary Gramlich! We chatted about our plans as we both gritted our teeth through the turbulence. But it was worth the flight to land in NYC!
After claiming our baggage, we proceeded to the taxi line but were intercepted by an entrepreneurial young man. He offered us a flat rate in a town car. Feeling a bit adventurous, I accepted his offer and away we went (rest assured he had a conveyance licence). And an adventure we experienced! Our entrepreneurial young man is a volunteer EMT with bells and sirens installed in his car. While other cars and taxis crawled through traffic, he turned on his apparatus and drove unencumbered through the shoulder. He kindly pointed out local landmarks which appeared in movies, such as the smokestacks from Conspiracy Theory. We arrived safely at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square - headquarters of the RWA National Convention. After exiting our town car-turned-emergency vehicle, we encountered the always charming Victoria Alexander (she would be the last author I saw as I departed LaGuardia on Saturday). She set the tone for the coming week - bright lights and big stories in NYC!
 |
| Caridad and Mary |
Caridad Pineiro met us at the hotel and treated us to lunch at Junior's - conveniently located across the hotel (and a popular spot for the theater crowd). Caridad noted that Junior's serves the best cheesecake in the Big Apple! After lunch, I took a quick nap before our dinner date with Delilah Marvelle, Christine, and May. We walked over to Hell's Kitchen for Five Napkin Burger ... and their burgers lived up to their reputation! Delilah suggested a special treat for dessert - make your own donuts! We decided that New Yorkers don't gain weight from these treats as they walk everywhere! I fell into bed Monday night exhausted .... knowing that more adventure would come!
I am giving away a book of choice from my RWA stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about Independence Day - what are your plans?
If you are an international reader, what is your national holiday? And how do you celebrate it?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, July 9, 10 pm in Dayton. I'll post the winners on Sunday, July 10.
Mahalo,
Kim in Dayton
Happy 4th of July. I'll probably head over to see the Macy's fireworks display. Yes, Junior's is famous for its cheesecake.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate Australia Day on January 26. It's also my Mum's birthday, so for us it's a Summer BBQ & family.
ReplyDeleteMy actual 4th of July will be pretty boring. Just hanging out at home probably. We had a family cookout on Saturday with swimming, goofing off and then fireworks at night because some people have to work early on Tuesday, so it is easier to do this on a weekend night.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great 4th of July! Stay safe and have fun :D
We don't have a similar national day here in Germany, so celebrats the US ones. This day started with pancakes and brownies for me. LOL. I have a sweet tooth
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteWelcome back ! I have always found the history of Independance day facinating , I learned alot about it in the National Treasure movies (when I was not drooling over Nicolas Cage of course) !
The burgers you speak of sound delicious if ever in NYC I am definitely going to give them a try,and I agree with you all ,NY's dont gain weight because they do seem to walk everywhere I learned that in the sitcom Friends !
Mahalo,
Desere
Happy 4th Of July Everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy plans for today is to do nothing!!! We hosted the family bbq yesterday and watch fireworks from our driveway and today will be spent chillin' out and relaxing.
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds like you and Mary both had a super time in New York at the RWA. I'm so jealous but, have enjoyed looking at all the pics posted so far on Facebook by Mary et al.
Anyway, today is also my daughter-in-law's birthday, so it's a double occasion for us. We're currently visiting with them in Tampa before they return to London.
Wishing everybody a very safe and happy July 4th.
I'm enjoying hearing all about New York City and the RWA goings on! As long as the weather cooperates, I should be going to a gathering of friends and some family. Have a wonderful 4th everyone!
ReplyDeletecatslady
Happy 4th everyone!
ReplyDeleteNot doing anything here except being online and reading, got a book the other day in the mail - Hotter in Hawaii.
I'm LOVING hearing about RWA, and can't wait for more updates/recaps.
Today I'm at home watching the Twilight Zone marathon on SyFy. I'm also making a peach tiramisu.
ReplyDeleteI went to Thunderfest which is a fireworks and live music event on Friday night. Last night I went to my sister's for a cookout and more fireworks. The kids had water balloons and they made sure the adults got wet too!
Happy 4th of July!!!
ReplyDeleteI plan to spend my day with my family and watch fireworks tonight =) It's not much but it'll be fun.
I have a craving for hamburgers now :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth of July! I am from Canada and we just celebrated Canada Day on the first. There are usually fireworks around the city, but for me and my family we like to barbecue the day away. Sometimes at a park or in our backyard. Quality time with great food.
Attending a barbecue at my youngest daughter's.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July! We will watch the fireworks tonight! The family got together yesterday.
ReplyDeleteKim -
ReplyDeleteThe Statue of Liberty is a sign of freedom for people all over the world but often we are so caught up in our everyday lives that we forget the people who came before us who sacrificed so much so we could have the freedom that so many Americans take for granted.
From my ancestors who imigrated before we were even a country to my husband's grandfather and his family who imigrated from Italy in the early part of the 20's century made possible for us to celebrate today the creation of our country.
Let all of us today as we celebrate with our friends and family reflect on those who came before us whether before we were a country to the recent arrivals the sacrifice and courage of those who came before us and those that are serving today not only for our freedom but the freedom of others all over the world.
I will be relaxing this holiday; spending time with my family, eating, watching movies, reading, reading and more reading. Later I will watch the fireworks.
ReplyDelete~Heather
book_lover6983@yahoo.com
For us Its July 1 canada day this year I spent it bubble watching lol.
ReplyDeleteDH & Buddy went Scuba Diving I sat and finished reading Margaret Mallory The Guardian It was an AWESOME book I can't wait for the next one, (Thankyou Kim.) We then went to the beach had hotdogs listened to some of the bands playing Visited the cottage DH mom& Dad saw the fireworks for the cottage It was pretty awesome.
I wont get into what we did for the rest of the weekend.
Happy Independence Day. We had an "All-American" lunch with hot dogs, beans and watermelon. Tonight I'll probably watch fireworks on TV and remember the year that Hubby and I were in Boston for their wonderful July 4 show.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in NJ, about an hour "and a bridge" away from NYC. Miss the hussle and bussle of the big city. But there is SO much to see and do there. It's always an adventure when I take my "southern" hubby and kids there.
ReplyDeleteI am spending the Fourth skating in a Roller Derby demo on Pearl Harbor, before a concert and fireworks with the hubby and kiddos :)~ I am looking forward to it!
We celebrate Canada Day on July 1. The town usually has a celebration at the beach, games for the kids, and fireworks.
ReplyDeleteMy national holiday would be Canada Day that just passed last Friday! I had a great time joining the festivities downtown, including a parade and fireworks!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July to those in the US! :)
I live in Canada and we had our holiday on July 1st.
ReplyDeleteI spent the day watching the Royals tour of Canada and it was very interesting.
Happy 4th of July to all and enjoy your day.
Happy 4th of July! I'm staying at home with books and the rain :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July. We are staying home today. My father in law is sick and we are waiting to hear word. He is retired from the US Army.
ReplyDeleteI went to a parade that my oldest daughter was in (HS Marching Band), and then home to take care of my other daughter who had knee surgery on Friday. The week-end has just zipped by taking care of her. No book reading.... :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an incredible trip! The Five Napkin Burger looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFor the 4th of July - stayed home and had a family bbq ....will watch fireworks in the neigbhborhood or go downtown for the big show...
Staying home and trying to stay cool in an awful heat. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteheadlessfowl at gmail dot com
We watched fireworks from our front porch...it was a great eveing!
ReplyDeleteI had this great party to attend but my throat was too sore so I stayed home instead (not wanting to give my cold to anyone else) and watched the fireworks on television.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do too much for the 4th. We had a pic-nic bbq with the family on the 3rd and watched the kids light some small fireworks on the 4th! It was a nice and quiet weekend!
ReplyDeleteSpent the day tanning, cooking out and ogling shirtless guys (behind the safety of my Top Gun aviators of course). Then watching all 4 fireworks shows from the comfort of our apartment. (3 on the mountain, 1 from the cove)
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th! We watched some fireworks and hit a parade. Such fun to celebrate our great Nation. So nice seeing you.
ReplyDeleteDue to the excessive heat here, I did not go out of my house the entire weekend. But I had fireworks from Friday night through early Tuesday morning all around me. Even had a fire truck park accross from my house on 4th. We had very little fireworks on our street so did not know what brought them to our area. I also watched the Boston Pops and read most of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
lol i missed out on sat night fireworks and didnt care i missed the 4th,lol
ReplyDeleteOh, I want the Burger ! please :) lol !
ReplyDeleteour independence day will be on August 17th. no fireworks as usual, only a morning and evening ceremonies at Istana Bogor.
hello! hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of july! i went and seen the fireworks and had a cookout with family and friends. it was great! i had a ton of fun! thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate the Day of the German Unification on October the 3rd. As the name says we celebrate the reunification of our country after 40 years of separation. There is a lot of official celebration going on but most people are glad to a day off. :)
ReplyDeleteAll this lovely food talk is making me hungry. Donuts are the best. I guess it's a good point about losing the weight after walking everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this site. I will keep on coming here again and again. 온라인바둑이
ReplyDelete