Forgive my typos today, I’m typing with a pencil eraser, so I don’t screw up my nail polish. Y’all know I’m not a girly girl. I was the kid running around Bayonne with male cousins around the same age. I was as comfortable with a ball in my hands as other girls were with purses. My love of all things adrenaline fueled, didn’t make me prissy-sorry, if I come across loud and boisterous, but that’s just me. Flip the switch and I look shy and introspective, quietly analyzing things people say or do-that’s my writer mode. There is a story in everyone you meet, you just need to find it. If I look spacy, I’m writing lines of text in my head for later. I code just the same way (webmaster), so it’s just an Eden moment.
It’s probably why my blog irritates me. I’m the old HTML coder and having a platform to just click and type on is weird and unfamiliar territory. I like being in control of everything from the image sizes to the font styles and colors. I’m just used to typing it in and imagining what it will look like until I hit the save button and publish the page in real time.
I’m sure for people that started with forms, this is great, but ugh, I used to program in basic-I started young with a teacher that had the patience of a saint and within a week I was writing random number generator games, not something she was teaching, but I applied what I learned writing basic code on looseleaf notepaper until I could get to a computer to try it out. The limitations of this form driven cage are unbearable for me because I know what I’m capable of without limits.
Since I’m in need of some serious chocolate this week, we’ll do a black and white. You can spice yours up with a shot of chocolate liqueur or enjoy it as an alcohol-free beverage. Did I ever mention I was a soda jerk? I used to work for F. W. Woolworths. I made sodas, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, malteds, and of course French fries and deli stuff. My go to meal was French fries and a chocolate (Black and White) or strawberry cream soda. So here’s the recipe-enjoy!
Black and White Chocolate Soda-basic recipe
What you’ll need:
A tall glass-use the same ones you do for an ice cream soda
A straw
A long-handled spoon for stirring
Ingredients (per person)
Vanilla ice cream-optional
whipped cream and cherry-optional and in my opinion wholly unnecessary
1 – 1 1/2 cups cold plain seltzer
2-3 Tablespoons your favorite chocolate syrup(sugar free is okay)-more if you are a fiend
1 ounce half and half (this is the creamy part)
- Mix your half and half and chocolate syrup together in the glass until smooth-always do this first
- Pour in the seltzer and stir
- Add ice for an extra chilly drink or ice cream for an over-the-top rich concoction
- Top with whipped cream and cherry for a completely indulgent treat(optional)
- This recipe is completely adaptable, so if you want to add chocolate ice cream for an extra chocolatey treat, go for it- or strawberry ice cream for a chocolate covered strawberry soda, hey, be my guest. I like it simple without ice-cream complicating it, but if you’re over 21 you can replace the ice cream with a shot of chocolate liqueur and make it for party guests over the age of 21. Replace the chocolate syrup with strawberry syrup and kids go wild in the summer-lots of versatility here.
* Note, make enough for two. They go down too easy.
Onto the book events- instead of posting some guest authors, I invite you to come out and visit them
6p, Friday, October 16th, 2026 – Horseman Rising Launch: Books, Brews & Boos at Round Table Brewery (55 Railroad Ave W, West Haverstraw, NY 10923-1254)
Celebrate the launch of Horseman Rising with a spooky night of books, brews, and local magic.
Featuring Round Table Brewery’s seasonal Sleepy Hollow IPA, spooky local authors, bookish vendors, and Halloween inspired makers, this curated event brings together eerie reads, autumn vibes, and Sleepy Hollow spirit for one unforgettable fall evening.
In addition to lots of authors and vendors, I will be there signing my Vampire, Werewolf, Psychic, & Ghost books. Who doesn’t love a good vampire read in October?
Then, I’m back to writing until November when I’ll be in NJ for a book signing, but I’ll post some recipes you can use for your Thanksgiving guests.
This next event is also near and dear to me, and a little closer to my neck of the woods.
11am to 3pm, Saturday, November 14th, 2026- Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Central Jersey Book Festival at the Ross Street School
110 Ross Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095 United States
Yes! The debate is over. There is a Central Jersey! I will be there with other authors, so make sure you come out and get some great reads.
I have more events coming up in January and March 2027, but I’ll list those for you later on.
In the meantime, make those candy apples, pick out your best costume and enjoy spooky October. I’m going to make some small red candy apples with coconut for Halloween and enjoy one, even if it means cheating on my keto diet for a day. Can’t seem to get enough coconut in my life.
Anyway, come visit me and other authors tomorrow night. It looks like rain, so come inside and have some fun.
