Imagine my surprise when I read mtg is resigning. There is hope....

When you're sick and your brain is foggy from exhaustion & meds, you lose track of the days... It's #FriendlyFriday! I'm sorry there's no good news (what else is new?) but I'm sending hugs and warm feelings out to you all in this community! May your day be less stressed.

Dr: not covid, Flu A or B. Nasty cold now walking pneumonia. yay.

caught a bug on plane home from Italy. Thought I was improving, but today, fever, more congestion, non-stop coughing. I'm taking the cough medicine that knocks me out... I don't care if I go to bed at 4:30..

an editor reviewing my holiday story recommended revisions and the book, "Show, Don't Tell" by Sandra Gerth (free on Amazon!). Game. Changer. Wish I'd had this years ago...

Those others who said NOTHING when trump said, "Quiet, piggy" to that reporter are all gutless cowards. The news media has no spine, no ethics- NONE OF THEM. That should have been the story.

THIS is the restaurant where all writers need to go: Biblioteca Bar in Sorrento, Italy. Eating, surrounded by books! and the food is fab!

First Christmas all my boys won't be home; oldest coming but middle has to work and youngest has his own home. sigh. They're all responsible adults, so we've done our job raising them. But... a quiet house....

Blog day! The conclusion of my short story, "That Cottage in the Woods." If you haven't read the first part, go to my website, it'll be there under blog. charlottebennardo.com/2025/11/17/t...

My blog posted (but not here) while I was vacaying (yes, I'm making up that word if someone hasn't already) in Italy. charlottebennardo.com/2025/11/11/w...

Blog Day! Something we all hate... scammers charlottebennardo.com/2025/11/04/n...

Last ice cream (pumpkin!!) from my favorite creamery, Polar Cub, in Whitehouse Station, NJ. They are closing for the season on Nov. 16th. I couldn't get a waffle cone, or eggnog ice cream. It truly is a sad day.... Autumn sucks.

Part 2 of autumn ROYGBIV:

The ROYGBIV of autumn... soon to disappear (Part 1)

Hey, it's #NationalAuthorDay! Celebrate your fave author by shoutout, or maybe discover a new one! (Authoring is hard work...) Just in case you need a suggestion...

The cat has had enough of Halloween. Our new Ring doorbell plays Halloween sounds, none of which he liked. Now we'll go to soothing tunes. Hope he likes Christmas bells...

hey, it's #friendlyfriday! and Halloween, so enjoy the day and share the loot!

When I wrote my book, The Excalibur Vow, the #abolishthemonarchy movement was a whisper so I included it in my book. The movement has gained momentum, so I think a sequel where it's a major plot thread is due...

Happy Halloween!

Sally Struthers is AMAZING! In a gloomy mansion on a stormy night... A rich colonel. Two opposite daughters. A has-been mystery writer. A pool boy. A newbie detective- and his MOM. There's been a murder in the family...

Another 5-star review!

It's #NationalCatDay! Here's my writing buddy and security expert (for squirrels & birds that come too close to the windows). Mr. Mink was given the day off, with pay.

wow, over 24 states are suing trump regime for withholding SNAP funds; now they all need to do that over his other policies...

Slowly working my way through all the rooms, closets, and cleaning. In between writing, revising, listening to marketing videos, and waiting to hear on novel submissions...

Blog Day! Giveaway and other good stuff! charlottebennardo.com/2025/10/28/a...

So, I'm thinking... the WH is the PEOPLE'S house- so any pieces of it belong to the PEOPLE. and if sold, the $$ belongs to the PEOPLE. Make him account for every penny- or get a judge to put a lien on maga-lago...

Son, whose job is to maintain F-18 fighters, may be furloughed. Those are VITAL to our national security. No one to maintain them.. Our nation is being endangered, thanks to a felon and the magats. Sleep well, if you can...

Moved the son & DIL out and into their own home. Bittersweet- proud of all they have accomplished, yet sad that the last baby has flown the nest. The house echoes...

It's #FriendlyFriday & with all the bad news, I don't know what I can offer to cheer you; so I wish you a small joy, like the sun on your face.

Winner for the Excalibur bookmark! Oh, you unsubscribed, Zach. The bookmark now goes to Leigh! Gotta stay subscribed (more giveaways coming). charlottebennardo.com

Out last night! Good adaptation, questionable ending, but enjoyable! #Frankenstein #horror #ShakespeareTheatreNJ

All I can offer is a brief moment of peace and joy, courtesy of Mother Nature & NJ parks-

I'm so upset seeing the destruction of THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE! for a damn ballroom! WHO gave him permission?? Fed workers won't get paid, but give $ to Argentina, build the damn ballroom, retrofit a junk qatari plane, give noem 2 jets...while people lose healthcare & other necessary benefits & paychecks

Blog Day! (and another chance to win an Excalibur bookmark!) charlottebennardo.com/2025/10/19/a...

We got a new doorbell. The ring tone I chose is Toccata no. 9 (think phantom of the opera). The witchy laugh and the screaming cat freaked out my cat.

Want a chance to win an Excalibur sword bookmark? Sign up for my weekly newsletter/blog. Must be signed up to be entered, drawing on Wednesday. charlottebennardo.com

Of course santos was pardoned- frauds of a feather stick together... We are a nation of NO LAWS.

It's #FriendlyFriday! friendly note: PLEASE stay peaceful, stay alert, stay safe for #NoKings day. Especially our friends in TX as abbott has already called in troops. Don't let them push your buttons. I'm proud of you all...

oxymoron for the week: trump presidential 'library'

So it's #NationalGrouchDay did everyone celebrate accordingly? We have plenty to be grouchy about.

Critique group met last night- didn't agree with some suggested changes. So I moved on. No drama here.

Moving some of son's & DIL's stuff to their new house. Officially move out Saturday. Last child to leave the nest. I'm sad. House feels so empty. So I'm going to use this emotion and write. Beware, characters, I see no happy for you either!

Ok, who's got some happy? a gray fall day, but a nice lunch with a friend. Now, time to do some writing so I can channel the sadness as my last baby moves out of the house into his own...Yes, send hugs to this empty nest mama.

just had a fab lunch with Christie from @angiechristiewn.bsky.social Hot ramen on a cool day! Check out their podcasts, they have exciting guests coming up!

Blog Day! A welcome, a new giveaway, and Arthurian places to travel- (you know you want to go there) charlottebennardo.com/2025/10/13/w...

If Aragog from Harry Potter met Shelob from Lord of the Rings, what do you think would happen- fighting or flirting?

Watching the Lord of the Rings. It never gets old. It's a masterpiece.

A cloudy, windy and gray Sunday. Here's my arrangement for service this morning:

I stand corrected- Maria Corina Machado, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, did dedicate it to trump. I have lost respect for her. He calls troops on us, takes away our rights, leads an anti-democracy insurrection. She's a hypocrite. WTF???

so after some laundry & housework, a good hike, writing a blog post, I'm enjoying a Hallmark Halloween movie and a cuppa hot cocoa (with marshmallows). How was YOUR day?