AnnaArnett.com

I was in the middle of my senior year in high school when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The ensuing war, like the War of 1812, really pulled America together. Both times we bickered. In 1941 America struggled to get over the Great Depression. In 1812 America struggled to unite as a nation. The bombing of Pearl Harbor made Americans mad. We'd resisted war, but we gave our all once our ire kindled. We worked together, fought together, sang together, contributed together, mourned together, rejoiced together, and emerged a world power. It took me a while to catch on. Here is an excerpt from Cha;ter Three

My book Lolly's Yarn was officially unleashed on the 4th of November, 2010, at a book launch celebration at the Wright House in Mesa. It was a great event with seven talented women, of which I include myself, launching their newly-published books. Here are some photos and commentary highlighting the fun-filled evening.

My manuscript is now at the formatters, and I went a whole week without looking at it. Not even once. Now I'm back, and finding all kinds of little changes that need making. I suppose it's par for the course. (I love old cliches) Here's a small excerpt about when I was queen of a Green and Gold Ball. Anybody remember them?

I read Carrie Adair (Carrie Dair)'s delightful blog post and wanted to comment. I have a terrible time with identification and passwords, and a little sign flashed on the screen saying my identity couldn't be verified. Since I'd spent time editing it, this rather disappointed me. So I'm posting my comment right here, and right now.

Yesterday, 30 August, marked the close of my 85th year, and today is the beginning of the next. As my sister-in-law Patt Liljenquist said, I've finished the old age of my youth, and am now moving into the youth of my old age. I like that. I loved all the family (who could make it) coming, for all the flowers, good wishes and kind thoughts.
Also, my ms on Lolly's Yarn is out of my hands and being formatted now. Two more edits and it's printed.

This may or may not be the exact wording for the beginning of my memoirs, Lolly's Yarn, but it is a beginning. Let me know what you think of it. How does it grab you? Would you like more?

Yep, this is another contest blog. Make a comment, tell what chocolate you like best, and you might win a book or an apron. Personally, I'm hoping for the apron because I already have--and read--the book.

When I heard Joan's new book would be titled Chocolate Roses, I wondered why in the world she would choose to call it that, especially when she also refers to Jane Eyre.

However, it is the perfect title for a heroine who not only owns a small chocolate shop, but makes her own starting with cacao beans and ending with chocolate sculptures. Mouth watering, and a sweet read.
As soon as I read the back cover, I was hooked.

In my Email this morning, I re-discovered a truth I've known most of my life: laughter is therapeutic. Even during the great depression, my mother laughed often. I also discovered another helpful truth. It's much safer to laugh at myself than to laugh at others. And when I do laugh with a friend about him (or her) it's wise to keep my laugh a tad quieter than my friend's laugh.

On July first I got a call from a member of our ward activities committee. “Sister Arnett, we’d like you to speak about freedom after our ward breakfast. Will you be there?”
I would. “How long should I talk?”
“Five to ten minutes.”
“Who else will be on the program??
“Nobody. Just you.”
So, here’s what I came up with.

The rest of the story, much of it over and above what I gave in my talk on Freedom. I did recite the poem, I Am An American by Francis Leibrman.

The book launch that includes "Lolly's Yarn, Tales from the Life of a Crafty Lady" is the last Saturday in September, and I'm expected to advertise it now. For a procrastinator like me, that's a faraway deadline but I'm willing to go for it, even with a radio interview in August.

Of all my childhood heroes, my dad topped the list. He could do anything better than anybody else. He was the best teacher, the best dad, told the best stories, smiled the most, laughed the most, and played games with my brother and me. Besides, he could catch more fish than anybody else. However, even [...]