Yesterday I went to the library located in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Author Saloma Miller Furlong was there having a talk. She is a former Amish woman and author of the Why I Left the Amish. 

She started off the talk by telling a little about herself and her story. She talked for about 20 minutes and then played clips from American Experience: The Amish which aired last year sometime on PBS. I've never gotten to see it so it was nice to see some clips from the show. Later she answered questions and signed books.

I can tell you that Saloma is passionate about education. The Amish are only allowed to go to school up to 8th grade and afterwards that is it, no more school. But School was Saloma's favorite and she missed it so much when 8th grade was over for her. So, she spoke about education, life with the Amish and her leaving.

It was an amazing talk. Saloma is a wonderful speaker and a very inspiring woman. I personally have nothing against the Amish. I respect their beliefs and the way they choose to live. With that being said, like with Native Americans, many people have a romantic view of the Amish. That is view is of people living a simple and innocent life. But really, the Amish are just like everyone else and they have problems too. Amish life is not perfect and for some people, like Saloma, Amish life is not what they want.

She didn't want to be controlled. She wanted freedom to do what she wanted to do, such as getting an education. I just think Saloma is very inspiring. She was able to leave a bad situation and go after her dreams. She got the education she wanted and now with these book talks, she can educate people about the Amish.

I really enjoyed her talk and getting to meet her. I did get a picture with her and she seemed kind of surprised that I asked for one. Maybe she doesn't get many people asking for pictures. But I love getting pictures with authors. To me, they are like movie stars. I also got my book signed.

I really enjoyed last night. And if you haven't read it, I highly recommend her book. She is also writing a second book. And I would recommend checking her website to see if she's doing any talks near you. She is a wonderful speaker and I think everyone needs to have a chance to hear her spoke.

I'm currently reading book number 7 in The Last Apprentice series. I really love this series. It's so good and I've got book number 8 ready for when I finish number 7. Tom (main character in the series) has really come far and so much has happened. Definitely a great series.

What are you reading?

I placed an order with Ecanyons.com on 6 and I received my order on Saturday. I wasn't expecting to get it so quick, but it was definitely a happy surprise.

I bought white feathers, two spools of leather lace, blue sinew, 10 2 inch hoops, 10 3 inch hoops, 5 4 inch hoops and 5 6 inch hoops. I'm very happy with my purchases. I'll definitely be buying from them in the future for craft supplies. 

I don't really have anything to blog about today. Not much has been happening really. Saturday the only time I went out was to the grocery store to get stuff to make to eat.

I finished a poem about Dragons for the magazine. I'd at least like to write another one so I have two that I can submit.

And I'd also like to ask everyone to submit more questions to @theweeklyquestion. You go on the site and it'll show exactly where to submit your questions. There is a link at the top.

Right now I'm watching Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction. There are 4 or 5 stories in each episode and some of the stories are fiction, while others actually happened. It's interesting to find out at the end which ones actually happened. Anyone else watch this show? I think it's pretty good.

I'm getting ready to start reading the 7th book in The Last Apprentice series. It is a great series. I love these books. The first book is being made into a movie, but I'm going to write a post about that soon.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but on Wednesday I'm going to a library close by that is having Saloma Miller Furlong speak. She's the author of Why I Left the Amish, which is a really good book. I'm looking forward to going. I'll make sure to blog about it afterwards.

Well, I'm not sure what else to say. I hope everyone has a nice Sunday.

I'm feeling better today. Past few days I haven't been feeling well, which is why I didn't write a post yesterday. But I am better today.

And now that I'm better, I'm back to working on my business. I'm in the process of making another Dreamcatcher. It's a wood one and I'll be finished with it soon. I'll  post a picture of it once it's finished.

I'm back to writing. There is an online magazine that is accepting short stories and poems about Dragons this month. Well, I love Dragons and so this makes me happy. 

Right now I am reading a book and watching Murder, She Wrote. I don't really have any plans for today. Maybe clean up my room some and work on some crafts. Do some writing. I don't think this weekend is going to be very exciting as I'll mostly like be staying home.

Does anyone have plans for this weekend?

This is the necklace I have written about before that I was making. It is the first one I've made like it and it just came to me one day to make one like this. I made Dreamcatcher earrings to go along with it.

I'll probably make some more necklaces like this, but in different colors. I've already listed this on webstore, along with some other new items.

I got my business cards in the mail! 

They are great! I know whenever I need more, I will be using Vista Print again. I am very happy with the cards.

I also got a book in the mail. I won it from a goodreads giveaway last week and just got the book in the mail yesterday. It's called Beyond the Pond and it's by Jennie Samuel. The author signed it as well. It looks like an interesting book.

Has anyone got anything exciting in the mail lately?

I'm unsure of what to blog about today. My mind has been blank, which is why over the past few months you'll see some days I don't write anything. So, I suppose I will tell you what I have been doing.

This is a question on @TheWeeklyQuestion, "What fictional character would you most like to meet?"

On Saturday I went to the West Manchester Mall in York, PA. Comix Connection was celebrating its 25th anniversary and everything in the store was 25% off. They also had Brian Keene and a few illustrators there signing books. I took my copy of Dark Hollow to get it signed by Brian Keene.

It was my second time meeting Brian Keene. I first met him last year in August and got my copy of Ghost Walk signed. He is a very nice guy and likes to talk to his fans. Which I think is awesome. You don't hear of authors doing that all the time and when I'm an author, I want to do that as well. I want to still make time and interact with my fans. Anyway, I took some pictures that I'm going to share. I also have something else neat to share, but I will do so after showing the pictures.

Me with Brian Keene.

My boyfriend, Marc, with some people who dressed as Star Wars characters. It is actually a Star Wars group that is in Pennsylvania. They made an appearance at Comix Connection for its 25th anniversary. Marc was really happy.

And this is the book I got signed by Brian Keene. It says "For Eden, Keep writing!"

Well, here is what else I have to share. Brian was talking to me and said he saw my comment on his website that I wrote on Friday (Last Friday now). My blog was linked to my name on the comment and he said he read my blog! He said when people who comment on his site leave links to blogs or websites of their own, he likes to check them out. He said he hoped it didn't sound creepy and I said it wasn't. I was surprised when he said he read my blog, but I think it is really neat. He also thought it is cool that I'm Cherokee.

Brian Keene is just a really great guy. Whenever he does another book signing in my area, I'll be going.