Clowns - Evil or Funny?

The Magic Medallion (Book Two) of my 'Tween, time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic, has best friends, Cynthia and Gus, spending a lot of time at a 1914 circus. At first glance, they are thrilled to be there. What twelve-year-old wouldn't have fun at a circus?

Ah, but after the cotton candy, the circus acts and mid-way games, they run into an evil, bad-breathed (always has a cigar in his mouth) clown named Blackie who, apparently, missed the "Making People Laugh" session at clown-school. Seems it's his life's work to harrass, stalk and generally make everyone around him, miserable.

From my research, the polls are split about 50/50. You either love clowns or hate them. After The Magic Medallion was released, I ran into a reviewer who was deathly afraid of clowns and wrote a rather negative review about The Magic Medallion. I was given the choice to nix the review or use it, warts and all. I chose the former and have regretted it ever since.

Imagine the debate that could've started over my book! "Clowns-Love 'em or hate 'em."

Okay, so maybe it wouldn't stand up to current debates raging today, such as, does Lindsay Lohan deserve 90 days in jail, but I still regret that decision.

An early 1900's circus coming to town

So, where do you stand? Do you love clowns? Do you hate them or are you downright afraid of them? Before making your decision, read The Magic Medallion! I promise you won't be able to stay neutral. Not when it comes to Blackie.

I'm the author of the four-book (soon to be five!) 'Tween time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic.

Download the series on Kindle today!

Mary Cunningham Books
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Jules Verne: Unbelievable True Prophecies

Photos taken from Wikipedia

Jules Verne's novels are still read and studied today. But I've always been interested in the fact that his stories are prophetic in describing modern times. Paris in the 20th Century is an often cited example of this describing air conditioning, automobiles, electricity, television, even the Internet!

Another example is From the Earth to the Moon, which, apart from using a space gun instead of a rocket, is very similar to the Apollo Program, as three astronauts are launched from the Florida peninsula and recovered through a splash landing. In the book, the spacecraft is launched from "Tampa Town." Although Tampa isn't the NASA launch site, Tampa, Florida is approximately 130 miles from Cape Canaveral.

In other works, Verne predicted the inventions of helicopters, submarines, projectors, jukeboxes, and other later devices.

He also predicted the existence of underwater hydrothermal vents that were not discovered until years after he wrote about them.

In the Mysterious Island Verne predicts the development of Hydrogen engines. A group of castaways discuss what will happen when the world's coal reserves are used up, when one of them exclaims, "Water [will replace coal]. Water broken down into its component elements by electricity. . . the hydrogen and oxygen of which it is constituted will be used to furnish an inexhaustible source of heat and light. One day, the holds of steamships and the tenders of locomotives will be filled with those two compressed gases, powering their engines with an incalculable calorific force."

Wish he'd predicted the use of other renewable energies like solar power and wind power to replace our dependence on oil! Hmmm...maybe he did.


To read more about this fascinating author, visit Jules Verne Wikipedia page.

Other novels by Jules Verne:

Around the World In Eighty Days

Journey To the Center of the Earth

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Off On A Comet

I'm the author of the 'Tween time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic.

Download the series on Kindle today!

Mary Cunningham Books
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Up In The Air Junior Birdmen - Girl Scout Camp

After many decades, I still have fond memories looking back on my scout camp experience. I was probably 10 or 11—at that vulnerable age just shy of the terrible teenage years.

I went to camp two years in a row and the first year was, by far, the best. Although, the 2nd year taught me much more about life and relationships.

The first year, four of us friends who grew up together, went to school together and played sports together, resided for two weeks in a three-sided Gypsy Camp cabin. While there was some mild bickering amongst our quartet, we remained fiercely loyal to each other and pretty much stuck together. As I remember, we came in 2nd in the end-of-camp talent contest performing a skit to the tune of Junior Birdmen.

This is the way I remember it:

Up in the air Junior Birdmen
Up in the air upside down
Up in the air Junior Birdmen
Keep your noses off the ground

When you hear the doorbell ringing
And you have your badge of tin
Then you know, Junior Birdmen
That you sent your box tops in.

(If you have another version, please post it!)

The 2nd year wasn't quite as much fun. We graduated to the next level; a full-size cabin with 8 scouts, one of which was the daughter of the head counselor. "Lynn" (not her real name - I'm afraid she'll find me and beat me up, again) was a real, uh...snot. It was either done her way or she ran to her mother to squeal on how mean we were being to her. Like the four of us who grew up together, "Lynn" had 3 life-long friends in the cabin with her. Only difference was, they couldn't stand her either.

As stressful as that was, I learned some valuable lessons:

1) Those in charge are not always kind to the masses.
2) Life is not always fair.
3) I'm never going to be able to get along with everyone.
4) I can rise above injustice and have fun in spite of disagreeable people.

So, to all you Junior Birdmen out there..."Keep your noses off the ground!"

I have no idea what that means, but it seems like a good way to end this blog post.

I'm the author of the 'Tween time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic.

Download the series on Kindle today!

Mary Cunningham Books
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Friendship Lasting Through The Decades

Cynthia and I have been friends since our days in a baby buggy (I'm on the right). As you can see, I was happier about our "friendship" than Cynthia.


We were friends all through school, then went our separate ways. I got married and began raising a family and Cynthia went on to nursing school. Not surprising since she'd said from the time she was about six that she wanted to be a nurse.

We lost touch for about 20 years or so, until hurricanes and a job relocation brought us from Fort Myers, FL, to the Atlanta area. Cynthia and I are now less an hour from each other. Ironic considering we were both born and raised in Southern Indiana.

The first time we got together after our move, we talked non-stop for the entire evening. Our husbands just looked at us, smiled, shrugged and talked among themselves.

As you might have guessed, Cynthia is the Cynthia of attic fame. The series, Cynthia's Attic is based on my childhood playing in her attic.

I believe it was fate that brought us back together, but a the solid base on which our friendship was built all those years ago (No, I'm not going to say how many!), is what keeps our friendship going strong.

I'm the author of the 'Tween time-travel series, Cynthia's Attic.

Mary Cunningham Books
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My Secret Wish - Time Travel

My secret wish is to travel back in time, have adventures and solve mysteries with my ancestors. Hmmm...sounds like a great book idea. Wait! I've already written it!

Cynthia's Attic series takes 12-year-old best friends, Cynthia and Gus (me!) through time from 1964 to 1914 and beyond. They even manage to make a trip into the future in The Magician's Castle.

A couple of reasons led to writing the books. A recurring dream I had for over 20 years about a mysterious attic was one. When realizing the dream took place in the attic of my childhood friend, Cynthia...well, you see where I'm going.

But, the main reason I've enjoyed writing the books is the ability to have adventures with my ancestors. I always regretted not paying more attention to my grandparents' stories about "the good ol' days." There are so many things I'd love to ask them, today. Unfortunately, they're all gone and many family stories died with them.

That didn't stop me from writing about the real disappearance of my g. g. grandfather who disappeared while taking a flat boat loaded with produce down the Mississippi River (Curse of the Bayou), or my g. grandfather's music store that came in handy when the circus needed an organ for the evening performance (The Magic Medallion).

I've written adventures about my dad, who was a teenage cave guide, my g. grandmother, who had to deal with running the family farm after her husband disappeared, and even my dog, Molly who died halfway through the writing of The Magician's Castle. I was so devastated over her death, that finishing the book was in question until a friend suggested I write her into the story. She quickly became my favorite character.

So, I guess my wish would be to really travel back in time and talk to my ancestors and listen to all the stories they'd have to tell. But, until someone invests a real time machine, or finds a magic trunk (besides the one in Cynthia's attic!), guess I'll be content to have adventures with them through my stories.

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The 70's - The Decade of Fashion Disasters!

The 70's wasn't such a bad decade. Some of the music was pretty good. The Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Kansas, Jim Croce (my personal fav), Bob Dylan (still going strong!) and, ahem...cough, The Bee Gees. Okay, so most people hate the Disco Era! I probably wouldn't have given the Brothers Gibb a second though either, except Barry was so darn good-looking!! And, I still like songs such as Nights On Broadway, How Deep Is Your Love, To Love Somebody, etc. So, give me a break.

Oh, but the clothes!! I gag just thinking of polyester! Does anyone out there remember leisure suits? If not, you're in for a treat. Yep. This is how we dressed in the early 70's. Enough to gag a maggot...right?

When the 70's fashion look began creeping its way back a year or two ago, I just shook my head. No way, no how. I would NOT be a party to such awful clothes. Been there-done that. Not again. NEVER! Okay, so shoot me. I did break down and buy a couple pairs of flared-leg pants and jeans, but only because they guaranteed to make me look taller! Just don't get me near polyester! That ship has sailed.


Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning, 'Tween Fantasy/time-travel series, "Cynthia's Attic," women's humor book, "WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty," and several short stories.

Mary Cunningham Books
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The Cadbury Egg - A Favorite Easter Treat

"Here comes Peter Cottontail...hoppin' down the bunny trail." Bringing Cadbury Eggs, I hope! Or, any kind of rich chocolate.

To my everlasting joy and appreciation, John Cadbury opened his first chocolate shop in Birmingham, England in 1824. Do you think he had a clue what an addicting little product the Cadbury Egg would become? Probably not, but how many of you out there have snuck into your children's or younger siblings Easter baskets to swipe one or ten?

At least our consciences can be clear knowing we're doing something really good for our moods, or bodies and our overall well-being. Chocolate, especially the dark kind, also gives us reasons to woof down dinner to get to dessert. Preferably a Cadbury Egg; a delicious combination of rich chocolate and creamy filling. Now, if they would just make dark chocolate creme eggs, I'd be in Heaven! Those little mini eggs just don't cut it.

So, what's your favorite Easter indulgence? Do you eat chocolate for pure satisfaction, or for medicinal purposes? (Yeah, right!)



Mary Cunningham Books
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Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning, 'Tween Fantasy/time-travel series, "Cynthia's Attic," women's humor book, "WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty," and several short stories.

Stitches - A Mother's View

I've always prided myself on being tough when it comes to blood and guts. I was an interested spectator as a surgeon dug a cyst out of my ring finger. "If you get light-headed, just look away," he'd said. "Nope. I want to see what it looks like," I'd answered, calmly and curiously as he proceed to stitch up my knuckle.

My husband, on the other hand, can see my leg hanging by a thread after a chainsaw accident (No! This didn't really happen. Just giving an example, here) and carry out life-saving measures, but blood spilling from any part of his body? He's on the ground, passed out cold.

But, back to me. As I mentioned before, I'm usually tough as nails when it comes to blood and injuries. Tough, that is, until it came to my 10-year-old son and his first bike wreck. I heard the crash on our front sidewalk and ran to the door just in time to see him standing on the porch, shock on his face, holding his chin.

I persuaded him to let me look at the injury. His chin was hanging open and the only thing visible was blood and bone. I rushed him to the doctor, at least I think I did. Fortunately, it was Saturday afternoon, and we arrived just as the office was getting ready to close.

As the doctor led the patient back to the surgical room, I was told several stitches to close a pretty bad wound would be needed — at which time I almost passed out in the empty waiting room. The nurse smiled and said, "Why don't you sit down and wait. It won't be long.''

I imagined all sorts of horrible things and braced myself for screams of pain coming from my son. But, none came. All I heard was a calming voice talking through the cleaning and sterilization of the injury, and then on to the procedure of putting in the stitches. When all was done, I heard the doctor say, "You're all set to go, John. You've been very brave."

I sighed with relief until he went on to say, "Now, if we can just figure out how to get your mother home."

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), along with published stories, Ghost Light and Christmas With Daisy, A Cynthia's Attic short story.

Mary Cunningham Books
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My First Favorite Book - Forever Amber???

So, maybe this wasn't my first favorite book! As most young readers, I devoured Nancy Drew and even read The Hardy Boys. I read every young reader sports biography I could get my sweaty little hands on — from Aaron to Zaharias.

But, I'll always remember Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor, the historical novel that was banned in Boston, among other places. I was almost 15, and getting bored with the reading material available in my small town library. In those days, the Young Adult category was non-existent.

Enter: The head librarian who also happened to be my dear aunt! She noticed my frustration with age-appropriate books and started stashing books under her desk that she thought I might like. Books that my mother would've fainted dead-away had she known, even though my aunt was careful to suggest books that had no erotic content or 4-letter words. Mostly just romance. As I remember, "heaving bosom" was about as bawdy as it got.

I read everything from Tolstoy to Belva Plain. But, the beautiful, historically relevant, Amber St. Clare still haunts me. Unfortunately, it isn't the romance that I remember most about the book, but, instead, the Great Plague! These were the first vivid accounts I'd read of this horrific event, but, don't worry, I'm keeping them to myself on this post. If you want to know more about the "rat plague," Google!

But, plagues aside, I have a decision to make. I'm torn between wanting to read Forever Amber again, after all these years, or simply keeping the memory of this special book and my special aunt in my heart.

What's your advice?


Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), along with published stories, Ghost Light and Christmas With Daisy, A Cynthia's Attic short story.


Mary Cunningham Books
Cynthia's Attic Blog
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Quake/Echelon Press

Pet Mayhem - Tomato Juice...Anyone?

Several years back, my husband and I, along with our adopted dog, Molly, vacationed in Maine at the summer home of long-time friends. The Northeast landscape was new to South Florida Molly, and she was captivated by the trees, the lake and the unusual scents.

We arrived late that evening, so Molly didn't get to do much exploring, but the next morning was another story. I opened the door and leaned down to snap on her leash a split second too late. She took off running, into the neighbors yard and under a small out building. The next thing I heard was a yelp and then I saw Molly crawl sheepishly out from under the building, her eyes blinking and squinting. The closer she came, the more obnoxious she smelled.

Since I've always had a pretty keen nose for scents, I knew instantly she'd been skunked! We were scheduled to stay three more days with our friends, but how could we possibly ask them to put up with our stinky dog? That's where the tomato juice comes in. "Best thing to kill the odor," we were told at the local food/everything store. So, we bought every can they had. Come to think of it, the cans on the shelves didn't look like they'd moved in months...not until we were told of this sure-fire remedy. Hmmmm....


We soaked poor Molly in tomato juice, then rinsed her in the cold, Maine lake. Even though it was mid-summer, trust me, you don't want to be anywhere near water without a wetsuit. But, that's the price you pay for chasing black and white-striped "kitty-cats."


In case you're wondering, the tomato juice didn't kill the smell. It lingered for weeks on Molly and all through our friends' vacation home. We did get a thank you from them a few months later. Seems that their string of summer guests didn't stick around as long as they had the year before, and they had more time to enjoy the peace and serenity of their vacation home.


Molly spent the rest of her vacation exploring the rocky lake which was fine with us. The more time she spent outdoors, the better!

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning series, Cynthia's Attic.

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Resolutions - Schmezolutions!

This is not me. It's a picture of a slim, young lady using the same piece of equipment that sits in my bedroom, gathering dust. The same one I assured my husband I would use. "It's easy on the knees; low impact and will allow me to also exercise my upper body. It's perfect!

Yeah, right. Perfect. The first time I used it, I threw out my chronically bad hip. So, it sits. Gathering dust. Oh, I said that already, didn't I?

That was three years ago and hubby's mind has, mercifully, forgotten my previous declaration of vigorous, never-ending exercise and weight loss, and happily bought into my new sure-fire, motivational gimmick, er-uh...stroke of genius! Besides, he had no clue what to get me for Christmas, so...problem solved.

Wii Fit! How could I miss? Yoga, strength training, aerobics, balance exercises. It's perfect and I can do it in the comfort of my own home! We got it a few days before Christmas and loaded it into our existing Wii program. Before I can start playing, however, I have to set up my profile: Age, height, weight...WEIGHT???? This isn't good. Hubby is sitting on the sofa, watching my progress.

I make him hide his eyes while this stupid little animated Wii board shows me I'm overweight! Don't think for a minute you're going to find out the details if I won't even tell him! Let's just say if I weighed what they suggest, I'd be a walking, talking skeleton.

Anyhoo, hope everyone has a great 2010, and please, leave a comment with the resolutions you enjoy breaking the most! Gotta go. I'm making chocolate fudge and snickerdoodles!

Happy New Year!

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'Tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. She is proud to announce book four, "The Magician's Castle," is due for release in December, 2009. Her children's mystery series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, "Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF)," along with published stories, "Ghost Light" and "Christmas Daisy," a Cynthia's Attic short story.

Mary Cunningham Books
Cynthia's Attic Blog
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Quake/Echelon Press

Winter Sports - My Style!

If you're expecting a blog post about Participation Winter Sports, think again. I was born in Southern Indiana, people! Not exactly the home of Hans Brinker, Hans Klammer, or Wayne Gretzky!

Ponds rarely froze during the winter, so ice skates and hockey sticks weren't high on my Christmas list. "So," you're probably asking, "just how did you fill those cold, rainy, Indiana winters?

Note hint in previous paragraph. I'm from INDIANA. We play BASKETBALL! And, when we're not playing, we're watching! I'd love to have a dollar for every Friday and Saturday night I spent screaming my lungs out in a high school gymnasium, cheering on the Panthers. If you haven't experienced Hoosier Hysteria, then you've missed out.

"We've got spirit! Yes we do! We've got spirit. How about YOU?!"

Guess I have another reason for looking back so fondly on those days of hot gyms, buttered popcorn and bleachers full of screaming fans. My dad inspired my love of basketball and all sports. From the time I was about six years-old, he took me to games, home and away, and patiently explained the rules. He also explained how the men in the black and white striped shirts were mean, evil people who blew their whistles and consistently made bad calls on our team.

So, there you have it. My description of Winter Sports. Now, if you'll excuse me, my Hoosiers (Indiana U.) are ready to play on TV. I'm all set. Potato chips, dip, Diet Coke with Lime and plenty of throat lozenges for all the screaming I plan to do at the referees. Here's to you, Dad!

If you want to read a really good story about Indiana basketball, you can buy "Ghost Light!"

11-year-old Jake McMillen wants, more than anything in the world, to play varsity basketball for the Panthers, just like his late, Grandpa Max. One big problem. While Jake inherits his grandfather’s love for the game, the McMillen height passes him by.

Not only that, “old people” like his grandmother, keep taking up too much of his precious practice time. He knows she’s sick, but being dragged along to her steamy apartment by his mom, cuts into that afternoon’s pick-up game at the Island basketball court.

After getting totally humiliated during the game by star player, Quinn Parker, Jake gets a ghostly message that changes his outlook toward his grandmother’s illness and inspires him to pursue his dreams.

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning 'tween fantasy/mystery series, Cynthia’s Attic. She is proud to announce the release of book four, "The Magician's Castle." Her children's time-travel series was inspired by a recurring dream about a mysterious attic. After realizing that the dream took place in the home of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

She is also co-writer of the humor-filled, women's lifestyle book, "Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF)," along with published stories, "Ghost Light" and "Christmas With Daisy," A Cynthia's Attic short story (DEC 2009).

Mary Cunningham Books

Cynthia's Attic Blog

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Cartoon Crazes from the 60s

From the Road Runner, Chip 'N Dale, Foghorn Leghorn, Snagglepuss, Quick Draw McGraw, Sylvester and Tweety Bird (Who can forget Granny?), Rocky & Bulwinkle foiling Boris and Natasha at every turn, to Underdog. Who doesn't love the old Saturday Morning Cartoons?

Use your imagination when reading these famous Foghorn Leghorn phrases:

"Fortunately I always carry a spare set of feathers." or the famous, "Now looka I say looka here." "Go, I say go away boy, you bother me." Can't you just hear him? I never got tired of hearing his western twang.

But, as much as I loved Chip 'N Dale, Bulwinkle and Underdog, my alltime favorite cartoon character was Tweety - aka, Tweety Bird, Tweety Pie - who appeared in 48 cartoons in the Golden Age of Cartoons.

Tweety is, for the most part, a good-natured character happily spending life in his cage or a nest. That is until Sylvester starts slinking around, threatening him, he can become downright devious. And, if Tweety fails to stop his arch-enemy, then it's Granny to the rescue - the little old, bun and bustle-wearing spinster whose weapon-of-choice is an umbrella.

In doing research for this blog post, I tried to pull up current favorite Saturday cartoons and couldn't find any! Are there good cartoons out there? Please, somebody clue me in. Who is the new Tweety Bird, or Mighty Mouse, or Underdog?

Leave a comment with your favorite! Meanwhile, enjoy this stroll down memory lane.

Meanwhile, check out Saturday Morning Cartoons DVD from the 1960s on Amazon

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning, 'Tween series, "Cynthia's Attic," co-author of the women's humor/lifestyle book, "WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty," and has several published short stories, including Ghost Light available on Kindle, and new release, Cynthia's Attic: Christmas Daisy. Pre-order - Echelon Press

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Magic and Mayhem in Cynthia's Attic!

Cynthia and I may not have understood the term, "magical mayhem" before our time-travel trips through the old trunk in her attic. But, that all changed when we met our 12-year-old grandmothers in 1914, encountered a shape-shifting Puma named SuRana in the Louisiana Bayou, and ran our "invisible selves" all over a steam ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Our latest adventure, "The Magician's Castle," has taken mayhem to new heights. Here's a little background:

Sebastien the Great, a magician whose fiancée, Kathryn, disappears through the magic trunk, vows revenge. If Cynthia and Gus don't find a missing page from the “Book of Spells,” Cynthia’s family could face financial and personal ruin.

Follow this time-traveling duo as they journey back to a 1914 Swiss castle where Eva, Sebastien’s grandmother, gives them clues on where to begin their search. Their journey takes them through miles of tree tunnels, an enchanted garden ruled by a cranky rock monster, and even high in the Alps. They get the surprise of their lives when they're sent 50 years into the future, have a shocking encounter with another set of best friends, and receive a fresh set of clues that could lead to Kathryn's return. But, at what price?

So, as you can see, magical mayhem is getting pretty ho-hum for Cynthia and me. Evil pirates? Bologna-loving alligators? All previous journeys must've been leading up to the latest one. Time-traveling into the future? Nothing prepared us for the face-to-face surprise we discover in 2014! No, I'm not gonna give it away.

Discover the Magical Mayhem for yourself!

I'm proud to announce the release of Book Four in the award-winning series, "Cynthia's Attic" will be released by Quake (Echelon Imprint) DEC 2009!

Buy the first three books on Amazon and pre-order "The Magician's Castle." Echelon Press

Mary Cunningham

True Life Mysteries - The Bermuda Triangle

*No, it's not Ground Hog Day and I'm not Andie McDowell (I wish!) or Bill Murray, so in case you think you're seeing double...you are! Pam Ripling and I must have great minds, because we think alike! Therefore, we both posted on the same subject. Enjoy this 2nd story about...

The Bermuda Triangle, also known as The Devil's Triangle, has been the subject of controversy and mystery for decades. The most familiar boundary has as its points somewhere on the Atlantic coast of Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Bermuda with most of the accidents concentrated along the southern boundary around the Bahamas and the Florida Straits.

According to legend, strange happenings have been documented as early as Christopher Columbus who reported his compass showed unusual readings in the Sargasso Sea, and have continued through the centuries.

Perhaps the most famous story has been the DEC 5, 1945 disappearance of Flight 19, a group of 5 TBM Avenger Navy bombers that took off from the coast of Fort Lauderdale, FL. It is claimed that the flight leader was heard saying, "We are entering white water, nothing seems right. We don't know where we are, the water is green, no white." Although wreckage of similar planes have been found, whatever happened to Flight 19 remains a mystery.

Many explanations have been offered from UFO's, to methane gas, to rogue waves. The only things more plentiful than the number of disappearances of ships, planes and people, are the number of explanations!

Everything you'd ever want to know about The Bermuda Triangle!

What are your favorite theories? Got any new ones??


Mary Cunningham Books
Cynthia's Attic Blog

I'm proud to announce that Book Four in the award-winning series, "Cynthia's Attic" will be released by Quake (Echelon Imprint) DEC 2009! Buy the first three books on Amazon and pre-order "The Magician's Castle." Echelon Press

Where The Wild Things Are

Childrens classic, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1963), has been turned into an amazing feature-length film to be released OCT 16. Considering the cast, Chris Cooper (love him!), James Gandolfini (quite different from Tony Soprano!), Catherine O'Hara (one of my personal faves) and Forest Whitaker (Super actor!) and a real Max (Max Records), how can this be anything but a hit?

I'm sure there will be skeptics. Can a film come close to the quality of a Caldecott Medal (1964) book? I have four words for you: Lord of the Rings. I still remember the anxiety I had sitting in the theater waiting for the first installment, The Fellowship of the Ring, to begin. As soon as Gandalf appeared on screen, maneuvering his wagon along the road to Hobbiton, I knew the movie would be superb.

In this digital age, I can only imagine the fun of bringing Sendak's illustrations to life. Here's the trailer for a sneak peek.

Some would argue that Sendak's books are too dark for children. Do you agree, or disagree?

What favorite book of yours has been adapted to the big screen? Were you disappointed or ecstatic with the results?

Mary Cunningham

I'm proud to announce the release of Book Four in the award-winning series, "Cynthia's Attic" will be released by Quake (Echelon Imprint) DEC 2009! Buy the first three books on Amazon and pre-order "The Magician's Castle." Echelon Press

Back-To-School Nightmares!

Back to school, known in my book as night terrors! Admit it. You've had these awful nightmares, too where you're sitting in class – whether it be high school or college – you're faced with the big exam and you haven't opened a book in days. Weeks! Or, in my case, Years!!

This is how the Dream Dictionary interprets this dream (nightmare):

This dream may be interpreted on several different levels. If you are the student you may be feeling inadequate or lack self-confidence.

Ya think? Isn't that the nature of all authors? My school nightmares are always the same. I'm sitting in class, happy, confident, no worries until I realize I'm staring at an opened textbook and have no clue what it contains.

The class is always some terrifying subject like Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, or Applied Physics. I start to squirm, sweat and try to sort out how I got away with skipping class for a whole year...or ten years, and begin to madly cram for a semester exam. Dire consequences await if I don't pass. I won't graduate! I'll be publicly humiliated! (see above - inadequate, lacking self-confidence) Worse yet, although I'm a full-grown adult, I'll be grounded by my parents!

Have you had a back-to-school dream? Leave a comment below.

'Tween author, Mary Cunningham writes the award-winning series, Cynthia's Attic. Look for Book Four, "The Magician's Castle" DEC 2009 from Quake (Echelon Imprint). While you're waiting, look for the series on Amazon

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Cynthia's Attic Blog

Does A Slightly Embarrassing Cousin Count??

My most embarrassing relative...

This week's topic is a tough one for me because I can't remember any embarrassing relatives! The closest I have is a cousin, two years younger than I, who was a holy terror when we were kids. No secret. Even he admits it. Neighbors would flee when this six-year-old stalked the sidewalks, slingshot in hand.

I remember one particular bus trip when "Bobby" (not his real name), his mother, my mom and I were going "uptown" to shop. (I should explain that "downtown" was the shopping district in our small hometown. Shopping "uptown" meant traveling about an hour by bus to Louisville, the largest city.)

Anyway, when "Bobby" wasn't thoroughly annoying every single passenger by running up and down the aisle sticking his tongue out at them, he was hanging out the bus window, thumbs stuck in both ears, fingers waving, giving the, naaaah-naaaah-naaaah salute. For you younger readers, this would be equivalent to one of the more disrespectful gestures of today. I still remember my mother's shock and embarrassment, but I thought it was pretty funny.

Amazingly, "Bobby" grew up! Especially considering, when he was about 8, he wrapped a bath towel over his shoulders, climbed onto the roof of his house and did a Superman impersonation. Results? Six months in a leg cast.

I'm not sure if it was that incident or divine intervention, but before he got into high school, he changed. The brat was gone; replaced by a quiet, studious teenager. He still had a funny side and was a great practical joker, but the jokes were all in good fun. He went on to become a successful businessman with many lifelong friends.

So, that's all I've got. A slightly annoying younger cousin. I don't know if I simply don't remember being embarrassed by my relatives, or if I was just too busy being embarrassed by myself.

Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning series, "Cynthia's Attic," and "Ghost Light," 'tween fiction/short story (Kindle).

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Samwise Gamgee - A True Friend (And Hero)

photo courtesy of One Wikia

In keeping with Pam's choice, of Arwen, I've also chosen a hero from my favorite trilogy, J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

My choice is Samwise Gamgee, not for his bravery, his intelligence, or even his intuition, but for his friendship.

A gardener by trade, Sam, on the surface, appeared to be a Hobbit of plain speech. However, his love for Elves, gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of, set him apart.

He lives with his parents, Hamfast and Belle (Goodchild) Gamgee and five siblings at # 3 Bagshot Row, near the home of the first hobbit to fall under the spell of the "Ring," Bilbo Baggins. As a young hobbit, he was tutored by Bilbo, who taught him to read and gave him the desire to explore beyond his "comfort zone."

But it was his love of eavesdropping that set him off on the adventure of his life. Caught listening in on a discussion about the One True Ring, White Wizard, Gandalf punishes the hobbit by ordering him to accompany his best friend, Frodo, on the quest to destroy the ring.

This was probably the best decision Gandalf ever made. Without Sam traveling with The Fellowship, it's widely believed the quest would've failed.

Fighting fear of unknown creatures and unfamiliar lands, Sam always had Frodo's back, and was responsible for saving him, and keeping the ring out of enemy hands many times over.

The British Army term for personal assistant is "batman." Although this term is used to compare Sam's relationship with Frodo, I believe "true friend" is a more accurate description.

In case you're wondering, after the War of the Rings, Sam settled, once again, in the Shire, married Rose "Rosie" Cotton and had 13 children.

To read more on Sam: The Thain's Book

Mary Cunningham, author of the award-winning series, Cynthia's Attic.

Mary Cunningham Books

Cynthia's Attic Blog



Watch for "Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle" (Book Four) Quake DEC 2009!

Nuts!

Diet? I don't need no stinkin' diet!

So many PET PEEVES, so little time. Okay, here’s the latest.

Squirrels. And, no, I don’t consider them pets...just peeves! Not ordinary squirrels. These pests climb my almost three-story deck to feast on sunflower seeds meant for the cardinals, golden finches, woodpeckers and various other colorful birds that are, in turn, meant to entertain us.

Instead of yellow, red, and blue birds, we get ugly gray squirrels hanging on the feeder...feeding their ugly appetites.

It’s gotten so bad, that my husband spotted one the other day spread-eagled, all four feet clinging to the feeder...fast asleep! The brazen little varmint got so dang full, he had to take a nap!

Imagine his surprise when sweet dreams about rivers of acorns were interrupted by a plastic flyswatter bopping him on the head. Mr. Piggy Squirrel turned into Rocky, the Flying Squirrel.

I can just hear him complaining about the management: “What kinda B & B is this, anyway? Can’t a guy have some lunch and take a little nap in peace?”

Please...anyone, let me know if you have a solution, or if you just want to post your pet peeve of the week. Comments always welcome!

Author, Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning series, “Cynthia’s Attic.” The fourth book in the series, The Magician’s Castle, will be published by Quake, Dec. 1.