November is the month for writers to take part in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) which is an annual internet-based creative writing project challenging participants to write 50,000 words of a new novel between Nov. 1-30. I’ve never taken part in the exercise, but I admire authors who do…and succeed. I’m too slow to write that much in that amount of time.
It seems fitting since Thanksgiving takes place this month, we’d celebrate a lot of different foods. It’s Plum and Pomegranate Month, Spinach and Squash Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month and Banana Pudding Lovers Month.
But, did you know November is also the month we celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month? Keep in mind, old dogs need homes too…even if you can’t teach them new tricks. Let’s not forget cats…however, there isn’t much difference in an adult cat and a senior cat. They pretty much just lie around all the time anyway.
It’s also Manatee Awareness Month, which is good, because I rarely give Manatees much thought. I guess that’s why they gave them a month for awareness. If you want to check out information about the Manatee, go to http://www.savethemanatee.org
Other things I seldom think about are sponges, so…November is World Sponge Month. Believe it or not, they have sponge conferences! Wow! I did not know that. The Ninth World Sponge Conference was held in Fremantle, Western Australia from November 4-8. Sorry I didn’t get this info out sooner. There might have been some of you who wanted soak up all that information. Oh well, there’s always next year.
On a more local level, I’ll segue into a book event I’m doing this Saturday, November 30th. I hope if you’re in the area, you’ll drop by for a visit!
THE BEN WHEELER BOOK FAIR
There will be 28 Texas authors — mostly from the Upper East Side of Texas — with children’s books, Christian humor, fantasy, literary fiction, historical fiction, horror, mystery, poetry, romance, and young adult fiction. Nonfiction authors include biography, children’s advocacy, memoir, music and culture, photography, and self-help.
A representative of Black Beauty Ranch will also be present to talk about and sell books about the nation’s largest animal sanctuary.
The book fair will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the restored Elwood Schoolhouse, 5475 FM 858 in downtown Ben Wheeler, which shares space with the Ben Wheeler Children’s Library.
It’s the same days as the 279 Artisans Trail which supports local artists. Organizers expect a good walk-in crowd to enjoy the restaurants, music venues, galleries, and retail shops along with special events in both Ben Wheeler and Edom. For more information, go to the book fair’s Facebook page, “Ben Wheeler Book Fair,” and check out www.benwheelertx.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~ HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING ~~~~~~~~~~
