Summer Fare

I don't watch tons of TV but there are some shows I enjoy. I often as not watch them on demand as live, but I still try to keep up. More and more the TV shows  I watch are not on the major networks. I watching last season Hell on Wheels as I write this. I've been enjoying Graceland on USA, Copper on BBC America, and Defiance on Syfy.

I'm so glad those cable stations pick up the entertainment slack in the summer. I like those little stations competing against the big guys even if some of the have affiliation with the big networks. I love how they're making inroads into the rankings of top shows and how some of them attract some big stars to appear on them and how they give a break to some actors just starting out.

These shows on networks like AMC, USA, SyFy, and others like them remind me of the independent publishers competing against the powerhouses based in New York. More and more fans are finding the quality work put out by some of these wonderful presses. More readers are finding new authors and falling in love with them. Those tough little presses don't get the exposure, the big advertising dollars or special spots in the front of the book store. But new technologies like ereaders (like on demand programing) levels the playing field quite a bit.

So this summer when you're packing for that trip to the beach or even a stacation on the deck, pick up that light weight ereader, buy some books from small presses and enjoy the wonderful offerings of the 'little guys' who are making a big splash.

Don't forget this Wednesday is Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group.

How do you spend your TV hours? What summer fare are you enjoying? Are you giving a little love to any small presses lately?

Happy 4th

And I am happy.  The economy is slamming most of us and too many of my former students are in foreign unfriendly places.  My profession, teaching, is under attack by many politicians as usual when money gets tight. My children are facing challenges I never had to and I worry they may never be able to afford the physical comforts to their future children that my husband and I provided for them. 

But I still feel like I live in a great country with more opportunities than any where else in the world. My son and I watched a soccer game where the USA women trounced Columbia.  My son had watched the women play before and said our ladies are mostly faster and stronger than their opponents.  But what other country provides the opportunity for their young women to start at an early age and compete at any level they can manage?

So happy birthday, USA, I love ya.  Thanks to those who work to keep her strong and growing.  Thanks to our wonderful friends at our borders and across the big pond for having our backs when we really need you. Happy July 4th to all.