My Adventures – The Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway

I can hear the rumble of their engines

I can feel the vibrations flowing through the air and into my body.

My blood is rushing through my veins.

My heart is pounding with excitement.

Snowball Derby season has arrived.

I live close to Five Flags Speedway, so it is not unusual to hear the roar of the engines as drivers hit the pavement to practice every chance they can.

I always look forward to this premier event, The Snowball Derby.

It falls on December 4 – 8, 2013, but there is plenty of pre-race excitement.

The first week of December, the annual 300 mile super late model stock car race is held at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway, and has been since 1968.

It is known for attracting some high profile drivers. A few of the past winners are Kyle Bush, Darryl Waltrip, Dick Trickle, Steve Wallace, Chase Elliot and Pensacola’s very own Joanna Long.

It was a little breezy and chilly, 60 degrees.

Now, just wait a minute. Don’t get your panties in an uproar. I know some of you are wearing down coats and waterproof boots, battling through the wind and snow.

For me, if there is a breeze, if the sun isn’t shining on me and it’s under 75 degrees, I get chilly. I know I am a wuss, that’s why I live in Florida.

I want 80+ every day – shorts, t-shirt and flip-flop weather.

Soooooo, if you are ever in Pensacola during the first week of December, stop in to Five Flags Speedway for The Snowball Derby.

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Sharks and Rainy Days in Florida

It started raining yesterday afternoon and the Sharks came out.

It is the weekend, so I was looking for some B movies to watch. I love them. And, guess what, it was a Sharkfest day! I watched several and then browsed YouTube looking for some to share with you.

I have seen most of these and Jaws is still my favorite. But how can you not love sharks that fly through the air, eat not only people but planes helicopters and anything else that gets in their way? I watch them over and over while I wait for more to be created.

But, beware, you never know what is coming at you.

I hope you got some chuckles. I cannot help but laugh, scream and talk to the TV, or in this case, my laptop. LOL

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The Making of a Reef by Fundinmonium

My hubby and I went to Joe Patti’s Fish House to take photographs and video of a barge that was built to be made into a reef, compliments of the legendary Patti fishing family.

It contains all the elements of living in a Paradise know as Florida.

To see more awesome video from the life and times of Fundinmonium, go HERE.

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This Super Short Story Blew Me Away!!!

I loved, loved, loved this super short story.

It, simply, blew my away.

I can’t help but keep repeating myself. lol

A must read for anyone who loves the paranormal.

To get your free copy, go HERE.

 

Add to Goodreads

Will had almost drowned. He woke up with a psychic gift, but he thought of it as a curse.

corona and lime Pictures, Images and PhotosBecause of the accident, he had been crucified in the press. He lost his girlfriend and his reputation.

Now, he was hanging out in Florida, walking on the beach, with his usual Corona in his hand. He saw her in the clouds and knew he only had minutes to save her.

MY REVIEW

The cover grabbed me and I knew I had to read this super short story. The title fits the book to a tee.

The book mentions Michigan and Florida, two places I am very familiar with. That always peaks my interest.

The book captured me from the first page. I devoured it, the suspense leading me to race through it to find out what was going to happen. I was so disappointed when it came to an end. There was so much I read into the story, I feel this could easily have been developed into a novel. I would love to read more about Will, his life and the people who call out to him through his psychic connection to them.

Excellent writing. I am amazed that so much was packed into a story that it took me (maybe) ten minutes to read. I felt like I knew Will and what he was going through. I definitely want to read more from this author.

I had this in my read to review folder, but I believe I got it on an Amazon freebie day. I put it in the folder, because I had a very good feeling about it and wanted to make sure I didn’t forget about it. I didn’t want to lose it in my humongous list of books on my Kindle. LOL

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Image of David Bain  The author of GRAY LAKE: A NOVEL OF CRIME AND SUPERNATURAL HORROR, the Will Castleton series of supernatural detective stories and novels, and several short story collections, David Bain is a community college English professor with well over 100 shorter publications in venues as diverse as Weird Tales and POEMS & PLAYS.

Blog  /  Twitter  /   Amazon Author Page

David has numerous books for purchase, these are only a few.

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Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Awards and Recognition From One of My Favorite Followers

Blog of the Year Award banner 600

It is always nice to be noticed and know the words I print and the posts I make are read by others. Thanks to everyone who follows me or stops by to take a look. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Thanks to Emily Guido for all these wonderful awards. She always stops by and is one of my most loyal followers. She is the sweetest, nicest person you would ever want to meet. Be sure and stop by her BLOG and check her out and her Light-Bearing Series of books with Charmeine and Tabbrius.

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very-inspiring-blogger-award

There are rules to these awards and I hope you will forgive me in choosing my own way to present them.

5parasaward

I have been challenged to name three traits I love and hate about myself. So here goes:

1. I love the convenience of the cell phone I own. I love that I don’t need to remember anyone’s number. I know you might think I am lazy because of that; but really, I have so many other things I would rather remember and sometimes it seems like there isn’t enough room in there for more. I love being able to talk to anyone, anywhere at any time.

Cell Phone Auto Accident Lawyers Pictures, Images and Photos

I hate cell phones. People pull them out at the check out counter, when they are in their car and pulling into traffic while making a left hand turn. While driving they weave back and forth, sometimes driving outside of their own lane. They talk louder, do they think the person they are talking to is deaf or do they just want us know what they are talking about? As if we care. Phones are ringing everywhere, so many people talking at the same time – Noise Pollution. I hate not knowing anyone’s number; when my SIM card goes bad and I lose all my information.

2. I love the beach. I love the sounds and smells of the water and watching the waves rushing up the sand. I love walking on the sand and feeling the water wash over my feet. I love looking for beach glass, shells and cool rocks. I love feeling the sun as it beats down on me and warms my skin. It makes me feel so alive.

glass beach Pictures, Images and Photos

I love watching the people, but I hate it when they are too close to me. I don’t like their kids screaming and yelling and kicking sand in my face. I hate the feel of the salt and sand on my skin. It acts like sandpaper. Thank goodness there is a shower on the boardwalk, so I can wash it off, before I go into the bar for my margarita.

3. I hate that I am perfect. It is so hard to be humble when I am so – beautiful, intelligent, athletic, sexy, brilliant, funny, magnificent, intriguing – well, you get the drift.

Water Goddess Pictures, Images and PhotosI love that I am able to be anything and everything, do anything and everything. I love that everyone loves me and want’s to be a part of my life. I am so much fun to be around that people can’t get enough of me. I love that I am so HOT, a goddess, that men fall at my feet, professing their love and wanting my hand in marriage, or whatever I will give them. I am so brilliant that President Obama calls me when he is stuck for a solution to anything and everything. It is hard to be humble because I am so perfect.

WOW. I can’t believe I am going to share all this personal information with you guys; but hey, it’s not like it’s my pin number or anything.

I have been working on this post for a while, but I wanted to make sure it was perfect. LOL

I am passing on this challenge to three of my favorite authors. I am selfish, I want to see what they can come up with to WOW me and you, my followers and readers. I hope, and think, they will enjoy the challenge as much as I did, and I hope you do too.

MY NOMINEES ARE:

Vickie McKeehan

Anne Hargrove

Patrick Jones

Please accept these awards in the spirit they were given.  If your blog is award free or you do not post awards, just know I am happy to share your site with others.

Taken by Adam Light

TAKEN

Add to Goodreads

A psychopath is on the loose and hunting.

Toronto, Canada, September 3, 2012 - The front grille of a Freightliner truck Stock Photo - 15240188

Jack Harden was driving his cherry red Freightliner Truck down I-10 doing a turn and burn to Slidell. He was listening to his favorite song, Jack and Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp, while tooling down the road. He could hardly wait to get home to Dianne  in Jacksonville.

He kept thinking, it’s all Dianne’s fault.

He stopped for a bite to eat and and picked up the waitress, not voluntarily either.  He was bringing her back to “Goddess” Dianne? He wondered what she wanted with the girl.

Anchal - Sea Goddess Pictures, Images and Photos

He watched her through the rear-view mirror and could tell she wasn’t afraid of him.He thought he could read her mind – fuck you.

He had to stop for gas and felt like the clerk was watching him too closely. Did he know?

Jack and Diane was playing on the radio when he walked into the house. Perfect, or not.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

If you have 10 or 15 minutes, pick up a copy of Taken, by Adam Light. His writing is a play on his name. His story is anything but Light. A very quick read at 28 Amazon pages.

I loved the ending. It seems to be, the criminal always begs for mercy, when the tables are turned on them. Is he going to get his comeuppance? He could be the nut case next door to you. Funny how he found someone else at fault, of course he would. I “snorted” when I read that. (The word snort is the only one I could think of that was appropriate.) Jack made me think about how people are doing that all the time, blaming someone else for their wrongful deed. They don’t want to take responsibility for their actions.

I put this in because I absolutely love it. I can’t quit staring into the glasses.

Jack and Dianne

I kept expecting something to happen. Suspenseful is not a strong enough word for the feeling I had as I read through the pages. What happened was not what I expected and I loved every word of it.

I think I have a morbid, sick sense of humor, because I laugh at the gruesome endings of this kind of book.

If a book says Florida for a location, I am all over it. I like when the writer places their characters in a location I am familiar with. I can’t count the miles I have spent on I-10. Can’t remember how many times I have been to and through Slidell. I haven’t yet been to Jacksonville, though. It seems like I always make a right turn before getting there.

I picked this up on a free Amazon day. I can’t remember exactly how I came across the book. I believe it was either Adam’s brother, Evan (who also writes dark and creepy books) or my sister, Laura at fuonlyknew. Either way, thanks guys. It was one I wouldn’t want to miss.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

Adam   LightI’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

To stalk Adam Light:

Goodreads

FACEBOOK

To purchase any of the books below from Amazon, simply click on the cover.

Juicy Jungle Tidbits for Vampires Elisabeth Wheatley’s Fanged Mania

To join in, copy and paste these rules and the above banner into your Fanged Mania post and add your link to this week’s Fanged Mania post at Elisabeth Wheatley’s Blog. Fanged Mania is a Friday meme counting down to the release of Fanged Princess and displaying all things vampire and awesome. Fanged Mania posts can be a review of a vampire book, a quote from the latest Vampire Diaries episode, a showcase of a cool vampire book’s cover, or whatever you like so long as it is vampire related. Don’t forget, participants will be entered in the drawing to win a fanged-abulous prize pack!

The prize pack I mentioned includes Vampire Diaries and Breaking Dawn posters as well as a paperback copy of Erica Steven’s Captured (my review here) and the complete collection of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter stories by Jennifer Malone Wright, in paperback, too! =D

Oh, and the contest is international. And the more Fanged Mania posts you have, the more entries you get! So what are you waiting for? Hop on the bandwagon!

Vampires Pictures, Images and Photos

MY REVIEW by Sherry Fundin

Goddess of the Moon – Mayan World of Vampires by Glenda Reynolds

.Goddess of the Moon: Mayan World of Vampires

King Tetaneeka and Queen Almika traveled to Chichen Itza.

While the king was occupied with palace business, Almika wandered off by herself.

Cenote at Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

Cenote at Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

She came upon the Sacred Sacrificial Cenote and threw her gold ring in, praying for her and her unborn daughter, Melanna. Unknown by anyone else, her labor started.  As she lay dying, a stranger came out of the jungle and she bade him, protect her baby. After her body and the baby were taken away, he found the ring she had tossed into the cenote, thinking he may need it in his duty to protect the baby.

Melanna grew up in Coba, which became a Mayan city of note, with far-reaching influence. When Melanna came of age, she went on a pilgrimage, the Women’s Right of Passage, to Izla Cozumel. While there, she had wandered off on her own and fallen into a cenote. Tez was there to save her.

Back home, her personal servant Quaileen told her some of her family history. Her mother had come from a line of warriors. As she was thinking about what she learned, she wandered out to the garden, where she ran into Micah. He told her his gift and purpose in life was to appear where there would be a terrible conflict. He went on to tell her that she would have an important role to play.

Melanna was ecstatic when Tez showed up at the door of the palace. He had always been near her, keeping her safe, but she was unaware of it. As they got to know each other, she asked about his family. He told her that a blood thirsty cult had killed, not only his wife and family, but his enter village. A group of men arrived shortly after and had taken him in. They became his family.

On Bonfire Night, they had a feast, dancing and celebrating the end of school. Manny and Melanna went together, Zonya cozied up to Noctli. When Melanna looked around, she thought she saw Micah and remembered his warning.

“It all begins now.”

Zafrina, the Dark One, climbed to the top of the bonfire and announced, unless they followed the way of human sacrifice they were doomed. It was time to choose. As a show of strength, she brought the fury of a storm down upon them. Lightning flashed and wind and rain tore at their clothes, while thunder clapped all around them. Zafrina vanished into the clouds. It looked as if they wrapped her up and carried her away. As if she was part of them.

El Castillo - Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

El Castillo – Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

They began to worship the Ancients and the droughts and plagues vanished as the sacrifices began. At first it was the prisoners that were chosen, then the ones who displeased Zafrina.

Melanna plead with her father, King Tetaneeka to stop the sacrifices. Her friend, Noctli had just been killed and she was devastated. He hated explaining to her he had no real power any more, he was just a figurehead. The Dark One, Zafrina, was the real ruler.

As events escalated for the worse, some felt a need to rebel, the Ancients had to be stopped.

Tex knew their freedom would come with a hefty price. He also knew he would have to tell Melanna his secret.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   3 –  Would Recommend To Others

I liked the cover and when I read the book blurb and saw Mayan, I didn’t need to read any further, even though the vampires gave it an intriguing twist. I knew it was a book I wanted to read. I have many memories of travel to Cancun, Chichen Itza and Cozumel. I love to read about places I have been to and am familiar with. I remember standing in the ball court wondering how in the heck they ever got the ball through the hoop, and, of course, the legend of what happened to the players.

Ball court at Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

Ball court at Chichen Itza by Sherry Fundin

Good and evil. Mayans were pretty brutal in history, could that have been because they were vampires?

A fun and entertaining read. The plot is full and varied, with more than one storyline going on. The characters are both likeable and hateable (?). I really liked the book and wanted to get more involved, would have liked to see more depth and detail to draw me deeper into the story.

I didn’t race through the pages, but I did very much enjoy the read. I will definitely be interested in reading any further books Glenda Reynolds writes, as I think she will only get better.  If it was summertime, I would call it a summer read to be put on your to-be-read list.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Glenda Reynolds    Glenda Reynolds was born in East Tennessee and spent her years growing up both in Michigan and later in Kentucky at a private Christian school. She currently resides in the Florida Panhandle with your husband of 29 years. Tales of the modern vampire inspired her to write about a paranormal romance saga involving her home state of Florida. Her writing is geared toward an audience who enjoys reading paranormal romances/fantasies/historical romances with Christian values such as those of Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Saga.

To see what Glenda is up to, follow the links below.

Facebook

Goodreads

Enter Goodreads Giveaway HERE.

  To order the book, simply click on the cover.

Blue Angels Homecoming 2012

The Blue Angels Home Base is Pensacola, Florida. We love and support them whole-heartedly!

Blue Angels Homecoming 2012 by Sherry J Fundin

Blue Angels Homecoming 2012 by Sherry J Fundin

It is amazing to see them lined up, waiting for their pilots and crew to come to them.

Fat Albert, the workhorse that goes everywhere the Blues go. Photo taken by Sherry J Fundin

Fat Albert, the workhorse that goes everywhere the Blues go. Photo taken by Sherry J Fundin.

The Blue Angels by Sherry  J Fundin

The Blue Angels by Sherry J Fundin

Blue Angels Homecoming 2012 by Sherry J Fundin

Blue Angels Homecoming 2012 by Sherry J Fundin

I have been shooting the Blue Angels here in Pensacola for many years and this is the first time I have captured this.

This is one of the most amazing photos I have taken of them as they come through at low altitude, screaming and creating an amazing vortex of speed and condensation.

Tiger Paw wins the Royal Palm Litererary Award for Best Thriller!!!!

Tiger Paw wins the Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller!

by Charles A Cornell

Tiger Paw has won the 2012 Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller from the Florida Writers Association!

Here’s what the judges had to say about Charles A. Cornell’s debut novel:

Tiger Paw is a fast-paced, entertaining thriller— an intriguing story that grows exponentially from a serial killer case to a worldwide conspiracy involving financial corruption and religious zealotry on a grand scale.  A well researched narrative with vivid descriptions that bring the story’s settings to life. Interesting twists and turns. An excellent debut thriller! – Royal Palm Literary Award Judging Panel

The judges for the Royal Palm Literary Awards were drawn from the FWA’s membership of current or retired teachers, librarians, professional editors, college professors, published authors, former RPLA winners, journalists, and presidents of writing and reading groups from both Florida and from states across the USA.

The announcements of the Royal Palm Literary Awards were made at the Florida Writers Association Annual Conference & Awards Banquet held in Orlando, Florida on October 19 – 21, 2012.

About Tiger Paw:

As a serial killer wreaks havoc on Wall Street, dismantling a corrupt financier’s empire one body at a time, FBI profiler Scott Forrester uncovers the deadly secret of a demon-worshipping Hindu cult that is determined to change the very fabric of society. Firmly in their assassin’s cross-hairs, Scott Forrester is forced underground to stop the killing spree. But will he survive the deal he must make with the Devil to thwart their satanic plan?

Tiger Paw is a thriller cloaked in mystery, psychological suspense and international intrigue. A story of people who have sold their souls in exchange for wealth and power. A story of greed, deception, and revenge. And a story of one man’s struggle to triumph against the greatest evil he has ever faced.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and PhotosTo see my 5 STAR review of Tiger Paw, go HERE.

To see fuonlylknew’s 5 STAR review, go HERE

Signed 1st Edition Paperback Giveaway of Tiger Paw, go HERE.


To order Tiger Paw, simply click on the cover

For more info on Charles, go to the link below.

www.CharlesACornell.com

Thanks to two of the best bloggers!!!

I was recently given two awards and it is so appropriate that the first two awards I ever received are from my sister, Laura, at fuonlyknew .

She is the one who introduced me to blogging, Goodreads and Twitter. I can’t thank her enough for all her help and support in helping me learn the ropes and introducing me to some of her great friends on the internet. It has brought us closer together. Thank you so much, Laura!

For the Fabulous Blog Ribbon you tell 5 fabulous moments, five things you love and 5 things you hate, and then nominate 5 friends.

For the Versatile Blogger award you tell seven things about yourself and nominate seven friends.

Emily Guido nominated me for not one, but three awesome awards. Even though she is extremely busy writing her Light-Bearer series, she still finds time to stop by my blog and say hi. Thanks so much.

If you haven’t met Emily yet, you can meet her here

The rules:

1) Include the award in your post.

2) Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them.

3) Tell 7 random facts about yourself.

4) Nominate 7 other blogs and let them know you’ve done so.

also the

Rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them.

2) List 7 things about yourself.

3) Nominate 7 other bloggers and let them know you’ve done so.

and then

There is only one rule:

1) Don’t do a damned thing!

I have decided to combine all the tasks into one. I will tell you seven things about myself. And keep it on the down low, because I have a reputation to protect. LOL

1. It took me an odd route (from Michigan to Alabama to Georgia to Florida to Alabama to New York and back to Florida) to make it here, Florida, but I feel like I am home.

2. I am a car nut, I love fast cars.

3. My husband calls me a mermaid because I spend so much time in the pool. I am a water and sun worshipper.

4. I have a love/hate relationship with golf. I hack around the course every chance I get and take along some beers to soothe my savage beast.

5. I am a bit of a loner, so the power of invisibility would be awesome.

6. I used to be a neat freak, but have found a little dust never hurt anyone. There are not enough hours in the day to do all I want to do.

7. My two hobbies are my passions, other than my husband, of course. I love reading and photography. I like to start my morning, with my coffee, kindle or physical book and camera on the patio by the pool.

All the header photos on my blog were taken by me and I will change them out every now and then.

What a life and I’m loving every minute of it.

Below are my nominees. I spend a lot of time browsing their blogs. Thanks guys. Stop by their blogs and check them out.

Tiffany – http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/

Tiffany – http://trh87books.blogspot.com/

Autumn – http://www.autumnreview.com/

Andrea – http://andreaheltsley.blogspot.com/

Tiffany – http://tiffanylovesbooks.wordpress.com/

Mandy –   http://twimom101bookblog.blogspot.com/ 

Sarah – http://ssbookreviews.blogspot.com/