Florida Nature

Sand Hill Cranes are interesting creatures. We see them often while traveling around Tampa Bay. We recently found a family - mom, pop and two babies - hanging around a shopping center! This one was near the Brandon Mall.

Thunderstorms almost daily. But I bark at them and they go away.

Fun in Southern Florida!

I had an exciting trip to southern Florida! The Travelodge in Homestead is a pet friendly motel and so was the Shell Man tourist shop (above) in Marathon on the Florida keys. Note the sign on the railing - it welcomes pets inside on leash!

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My mom did a booksigning at Hooked On Books in Islamorada and awarded prizes to the young artists who participated in the contest (visit http://authorevents.blogspot.com/)

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On the way back to Tampa, we drove through the Everglades and met a gator on a dirt road - good thing I wasn't allowed out or I would have to bark at this big guy!

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Then I took a long nap on comfy pillows in the back seat of our truck!

New Haircut!

I'm getting ready for our trip next week to the Florida Keys - and I got a haircut and bath! I don't like the treatment but I must admit I sure look and feel good afterwards!

Florida Keys Here I Come!

From Woogie: We're taking a road trip to the Florida Keys during the 4th of July weekend and I'm so excited! We'll also drive through the Everglades but I'll have to watch out for the alligators!

From Sharon: While traveling to southern Florida, I'll be signing my books at Hooked on Books located on the Overseas Highway in Islamorada Florida, about halfway down the Florida Keys. I'll be there from 11 am until noon on Saturday, July 4th.

For directions, visit: http://www.hookedonbooksfloridakeys.com/ or call the store at 305-517-2602.

All seven of my books will be available, including the three in the Beloved Horses series. Also, I'll be offering free face/hand painting (horses my specialty!) and coloring pages from my books.
A local young rider and her equine friend are featured in my Beloved Sport Horses. Alexa Dixon and Cashmere have been a unique pair since 2003, competing in Wellington among other show grounds. As she says, the greatest memories are not always in the show ring.

If you would like me to be a guest at your shop (Book, Gift or Tack Shop) or speak at your writing event, e-mail me at sharonminer@yahoo.com.

Woogie Exploring the Hillsborough River State Park!

Woogie had a fun day at the Hillsborough River State Park near where we live in Thonotosassa, Florida. He tried to go down to the river to make friends with a turtle sunbathing on a log but we were told there were alligators in the river. Sure enough, there was a small one at the other end of the log!

The suspended bridge was cool to cross - we could feel it move when we were in the middle! It was a hot day so we just took the short hike. Then we all had ice cream at DQ on the way home. Once there, he tried out his new swimming pool!

Woogie's First Booksigning Friends!

Woogie made lots of friends at Baroni's Twice Read Tales bookstore in Ocala, Florida on Valentine's Day! It was Florida Kids Heart Authors Day and the youngsters enjoyed giving Woogie doggy treats and getting free hand paintings & Valentine candy. The kids also had fun while I read them WOOGIE'S TRAVELS - LOOKING FOR A FRIEND.

Many thanks to Bobbie at Baroni's for hosting the event and to the two other authors who joined me. Neal Tiifany (left) is the author of BACHELOR FATHER PIONEER, a memoir, and Henry Grady is the author of the mystery/suspense novel, THE COIN. All our books are available at Baroni's and they are all autographed. Check out the store's online catalog at: http://www.twicereadtales.com/

Woogie's Book Signing on Feb. 14th!

Woogie is excited about his Valentine's Day event - Florida Kids Heart Authors - in Ocala! He was invited to sign his WOOGIE'S TRAVELS- LOOKING FOR A FRIEND at the Baroni's Twice Read Tales Bookstore on Rt. 40 (Silver Spring Blvd just east of the Marion County Libary) He'll be there from 10 am until noon.

His pawprint in included in every book and he looks forward to meeting all his fans, young and old!