Words from the Heart

Today, I am pleased to introduce writer, Steena Holmes, to Words from the Heart as promised in an early post this month.  Steena has just released her new book, Finding Emma , the story of how a parent who has lost a child lives with that loss and never gives up hope. Before you read Steena's post, however, come along with Emma on a scavenger hunt! We're going to the Carnival!  At each stop along Steena's tour there is a hidden word--something you would find at a fair or carnival. Find the word and enter it at the Scavenger Hunt page on Steena's website -  ( http://www.steenaholmes.com/wow-scavenger-hunt/ ).     Each entry is an extra ticket to win! Need more clues? Join us at the Carnival Board on Pinterest ( http://pinterest.com/steenah/summer-carnivals-childhood-memories/ ) where we will post images of the clues. Join in the fun by leaving your own favorite carnival pics!  Read about prizes and additional details on The Muffin.( http://m...

My Brother, Barry and I at Duxbury Beach 1959 The Beach, Parades and Hoodsies A recent visit to my cousin's home created an avalanche of childhood memories.  We laughed ourselves silly, remembering our antics together and with our other cousins.  As I reminisced, later, I realized that there are recurring themes in my memories.  The beach, parades and Hoodsies all hold a prominent place in the slide show of my formative years. The beach was just three blocks from my home growing up.  I swam before I could hardly walk!  Some of my happiest times were playing in the sand at the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston.   The Bathhouse was built thanks to James Michael Curley , Mayor of Boston, back in the day and was divided into three sections - the boys', men's and women's bathhouses. My mother, one of the first women life guards in Boston on a public beach, took us to the "L", as it was fondly called, almost every day in the summer. ...