Thomas Edison: A Man with Bright Ideas

Edison’s Library, statue from Paris, France (Photo by Maryanne Mistretta)

A cold, snowy day in New Jersey, well spent inside the historic Thomas Edison museum in West Orange, New Jersey.

Where Edison napped in his library (Photo by Maryanne Mistretta)

Bright ideas! (Photo by Maryanne Mistretta)

Time clock for workers to punch in

One might be intimidated by a man of Edison’s genius, but he punched in and out like everyone else! How cool is that?

Mr. Edison’s elevator, used in later years (Photo by Maryanne Mistretta)

Me, going up to the music room!

Hey, Jack White, here’s the birth of the music industry!

Old school Christmas lights!

Reel to reel

Manufacturing plant, last standing … who knows how long this will be here.

This was my second trip to the Edison Museum, a very cool trip back in time to learn about the man of so many inventions — who was hard of hearing since childhood!

These few photos are just a tidbit of what you can see. For more information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm

All photos taken by or courtesy of Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta … if you use them, PLEASE CREDIT!

Two Authors!

Me and dear friend, children’s author, Paulette Szalay

Life is so amazing that in your daily walk, you never know who you may meet and how much meaning they can bring to your life.

Last April I was assigned to interview children’s author, Paulette Szalay who wrote, “Baggy Maggy and Friends Save Stinkville” — a super cool book about saving the environment.

I’ll never forget that day — it was just a 25 minute ride, but I arrived very late due to massive morning traffic. Yet Paulette was such a doll, we still did the interview and she even autographed a book for my nephew who was 11 at the time.

Here is the article I wrote about her for Paterson Press: http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/Saving_Stinkville_Paterson_teacher_writes_childrens_book_about_pollution.html

After the article came out, Paulette hired me to do some promotional work for her book and one day I met her at one of her book signing events. We ended up getting a bite, then, something magical happened — she became more than a client, she became a FRIEND!

We found we had so much in common and truly enjoyed each others company. As life has it, sometimes you never get to see the people you really like enough, but we always seem to make time for each other.

Being self employed I always work so hard during the week, but keep all my Saturdays open to have lunches with friends. I call Saturday my “friend day.” It’s such a pleasure and honor that Paulette is one of these friends I have lunch with on a semi-regular basis.

Ah, life is GOOD!

Elvis Birthday Bash 2014! Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, New Jersey

Scot Bruce as Elvis

Last night I treated my husband Dennis to The Elvis Birthday Bash at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.

We saw this show twice before in the past, with the double bill of Scot Bruce and Mike Albert — and I must stay, this one was the best of all!

Scot Bruce, who does the “Sun Years” or “early” Elvis was phenomenal. I loved that this time around he did some of the Elvis songs you don’t hear as much and he did a Bruce Springsteen song, as Elvis which was really cool. My favorite part of his act was hearing “Don’t Be Cruel.” The audience went nuts for him, as if he was really Elvis.

Mike Albert, the “Las Vegas Elvis” was on fire! Lots of love and audience participation — he totally wowed them. He also brought his mother on stage to sing “The Wonder of You” to her. Then a song you rarely hear an Elvis impersonator do — “Let’s Pretend” sent chills up my spine! He wore an extraordinary costume that had a peacock stitched on it.

Mike Albert, the Las Vegas Elvis

“An American Trilogy” was the grand finale.

After Mike Albert performed “An American Trilogy” Scot Bruce came onstage to perform “Hound Dog” with him.

As always, there was a meet and greet in the lobby and the two Elvises took pictures with fans. It was fun meeting them again!

From left: Scot Bruce, Dennis, Maryanne, Mike Albert

“On the Guest List” will be released later this month and sold on Amazon!

“On the Guest List” cover design by Darlene Foster

Well, the time has finally arrived! I found a publisher I am excited to be working with and “On the Guest List” will be released and sold on Amazon later this month (as a book only, I am not into Kindle, as to keep with the retro groove of the book and adventures in it!)

People are asking me about book release parties and author expos, etc. Not sure if that’s my scene as I view “On the Guest List” as more of a work of art, than a book, as it’s not coordinated by chapters, but by song titles. Some gave advice along the way, but I disregarded that and went with my heart. I am so happy I did so.

That said, I highly doubt I’ll be on the author’s circuit schmoozing and selling. “On the Guest List” is my precious muse and as Sid Vicious once said, “I did it my way.” And I will continue to do it “my way” thinking out of the box and coming up with ideas not to sell the most books, but to touch the most people who will connect with the book, no matter how big or small that circle is. Not to mention, there’s the whole anti-bullying angle, so I highly look forward to lecturing in schools and conventions about anti-bullying, as I do want to give back to the community as much as possible.

Like so many other generous people, I want to “save the world.” And if my book helps prevent JUST ONE bullied child from committing suicide, my work is done.

What I am thrilled about will be selling my books at Resintopia (http://www.resintopia.com/)  later this year, supporting my good friend Vin Bordogna who is the CEO and founder of the operation. When good people work together, nothing but good comes out of it — and that excites me to no end.

Enjoy the back cover pictured below.. This is the first time I posted it on this blog. Darlene Foster (http://www.darlenefoster.com/) went above and beyond the call of duty. And I’m honored beyond belief that I was able to score such positive endorsements from people whose work I’ve admired throughout my life!

Well, count down … it’s only a matter of weeks now!

New Year’s Day Party

Heading down the shore

Every New Year’s Day our friends Daniel and Patty throw a holiday bash. They are very special to us because they were our witnesses on our wedding day, 11-9-11. We’ve been going to their parties together since Dennis and I first started dating, so our first New Year’s Day together was 1-1-06.

We had so much fun, every year it just gets better! I wish I took more pictures, there were so many great people there but you get wrapped up in the moment — which is good actually!

Linda, Dennis and Me

Me and Linda

Me and Patty

Me and Daniel

Happy New Year!

Me and My Love, Dennis!

Dennis and I simply rang in the new year with a lovely dinner at Casa Maya in Gillette, New Jersey, then saw the movie “Saving Mr. Banks” which was absolutely fabulous, visited Dennis’s brother Joe (after putting a sweater on our kitty Derick and taking him to visit too!) and then rang in 2014 alone together at home.

I am so excited about 2014 for two reasons, #1, in September I started a lecture series that I’ve been presenting in libraries and assisted living facilities. The list of topics keeps growing and I have so much to offer. My 2014 calendar is filling up beautifully! And #2, “On the Guest List” will be published this year! The back cover is finished and it looks absolutely gorgeous!

On New Year’s Eve Day, my husband and I saw a baby hawk in a tree in our yard. A hawk symbolizes taking the lead when the time is right! And what more right time than now, I feel! Looking forward to a stellar 2014!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Baby hawk in our backyard