* NEW YEARS IS ALMOST HERE *

 

I THOUGHT I'D STICK WITH HI & LOIS FOR THIS POST, TOO   J

 

 

It's almost New Year's Eve 2014

 

 

 

I'm not one to make resolutions, because I know I won't follow through with them, but I do have some specific ideas for next year. And I hope to begin making things happen on January 1, 2015. Please wish me luck!

 

 

For all my family and friends, near and far,

I wish you all the very best of everything in 2015.

 

 



i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart)....from the poem by e.e. Cummings



* CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE *

 

 

*HAPPY FRIDAY & PHOTOS ADDED TO PREVIOUS POST *

I just added a picture to my previous post of my friend (and current boss!) in front of Thistle & Clover in beautiful old St. Charles.

And also added a photo of our Christmas tree.

It's less than one week until Christmas!

 

 



One of my all time favorite Christmas albums!!

 

 





* WORKING & LEARNING & DECORATING THE TREE *

WORKING & LEARNING

When I first started looking for a job a few months ago, one thing I said I would NOT do was work in retail. Well, have I mentioned that I'm working in retail?! But it's not in a large department store or discount store. THAT, I swear, I would NOT do!

I'm working seasonal, part-time at Thistle & Clover, the specialty shop I mentioned in a blog post on June 8th. (They carry Scottish, Irish, and Welsh items.) My new friend, Karen and her husband own it, and they are great to work for. The other employees are helpful and fun to work with, too. I'm enjoying learning about some of my Welsh and Scottish heritage which is on my dad's side of the family: the coat of arms, the tartans, the history, etc.

Karen, in front of Thistle & Clover

I love talking with people and helping them find what they're looking for, so it hasn't really seemed much like work.....until I get home and realize how tired I am!

DECORATING THE TREE

 

Over the past week, when I've been home from work, I've been adding a few ornaments to our Christmas tree. It occurred to me that at the rate I was going, it would never be finished before Christmas! So, during the past couple of days I finished trimming the tree! I'm so happy with it!

Our Christmas tree in 2014

Last year we only had a tiny, two foot tall tree, and it didn't seem like Christmas to me. This year we have a six foot tall tree, complete with lights, that we got at Walgreens last year after Christmas for...Ten Dollars! I'll post a couple of photos soon.

 

 

 

 

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis

 

 

* A GLOWING REVIEW OF MY MEMOIR! *

‘Pigtails to Chin Hairs’ - the arc of an enticing memoir

A Culture Buzz review by John Busbee

(radio talk show host)

 

December 12, 2014                In Becky Povich’s beguiling memoir, the title says it all: “From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir and More.” That alone caught my attention, leading me to explore the content between the two vintage designed covers of her memoir. Once inside, the journey became personal, as I’m sure it has for an ever-growing legion of fans.

            Povich serves her readers a delectable brew as she guides them through familiar waters, distilling the essence of her life into a complex elixir flavored with a diversity of flavorings. From humorous to poignant to self-effacing, the reader will find touchstone recollections which will, in turn, spark readers to wander through their own memories. I often found myself putting Povich’s book down while I stopped in my cerebral rest stop to pursue my own past, and marvel at the similarities and differences. This is not a book through which one races – savor the nuances and differences, as one savors a multi-course banquet.

            Lacking any pretentious overtones, Povich has crafted another addition to the pantheon of alluring memoirs. Honest, revealing, conspiratorial, mirthful – readers will find their own labels as they enjoy their journey through “From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir and More.” Be sure to have your favorite comfort drink by your side – tea, coffee, lemonade – as this is as much a conversation with Becky Povich sharing her side of life, as it is a reminiscence oasis.

~~~

* ADD A BOOK TO YOUR BOOKSHELF! *

 

Speaking of adding a book to your bookshelves.....

I'm feeling very Christmasy, so I'm going to GIVE AWAY some copies of my memoir!

For a period of time, not yet determined, whoever buys a book directly from me, will receive a 2nd book FREE! So, you can do some of your Christmas shopping right here!

AND, if you've already purchased my memoir, you may buy one or more for half price ($7.48) during my special.

* To take advantage of this, you'll need to contact me by e-mail because my website Pay Pal is not set up for this type of sale. *
Writergal53 (at) Gmail (dot) com.

Shipping will be $2.50 per book to USA addresses. For other countries, postage will be determined.

* If you signed up on my website to receive my newsletter, you will also get FREE shipping! *

SO, if you've wanted to read my memoir and haven't yet, this special is for you!

This offer won't last too long, so please take advantage of it! And tell all your friends! 
 

"Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal." Lenore Hershey

A book is a gift you can open again and again." Garrison Keillor

"Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them. And it's much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world!" Neil Gaiman

* Hee hee! Another "Oh So True"! *

* SO TRUE *

* Happy Thanksgiving *

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful day and evening!

* A LITTLE DECORATING, A LITTLE CLEANING, AND A JOB! *

A Little Decorating....

 

As you can see, the kitchen in our townhouse has definitely not been updated lately. It has the old wood grain countertops, old kitchen cabinets, and a white tile backsplash over the sink. The renters before us painted some of the walls red, which I don't dislike, and have actually come to embrace.

 

Months ago I decided I was going to put black and red "scrolly" stickers on the tile to give it a little umph. I found the black ones at Hobby Lobby but searched everywhere in stores and online for similar ones in red. I could not find any.

 

 

I came across other designs that I thought might work,

but it's too long and way too boring of a story, so here is the finale. Ta Da!

I just added those very few red squares to give it some red color and

 I think I did okay in achieving the Umph. What do you think?

 

Oh, and how do you like the tiny lights I put under the cabinets? It looks so pretty in the evening when they are the only lights on in the kitchen.

 

~~~

 

A Little Cleaning....

I don't have any photos to share, at this moment of any cleaning I've been doing. More on that later.... J

~~~

 

And, A Job......



 

Have I mentioned I'd been "semi" job hunting the past couple of months? Full-time or part-time, hopefully close to home. I wasn't being very picky, and yet it appeared that either I was too old, or didn't have the skills for much of anything! Depressing! So, just when I decided to forget about it, a job came along.

 

 

 

Isn't that how things usually happen?! It's like my favorite quote/personal mantra by Joseph Campbell:

 

"I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."

 

For now, I'll just say this. It's part-time. I start tomorrow. It's close to home. And, I'm a bit nervous! Wish me luck, and I'll report back soon!

 

~~~

 

* I'd like to welcome my newest follower: Sandi of Dandelion Tea. Hello Sandi! I hope you always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you very much! *

 

* Listen to the Radio....Online *

* I had a variety of things to blog about this evening, but then remembered this:

Have I mentioned that I was interviewed a couple of weeks ago for a Des Moines, Iowa radio station? An amazing man, John Busbee, read my memoir and asked to interview me about it. And why would an Iowa radio station want to interview me? My maternal grandparents, and my parents were all born and lived there for many years....So my roots are in Iowa. In my memoir From Pigtails to Chin Hairs I write about my magical summer vacations in Greenfield, Iowa. It is still my favorite small town in America!

source: free clip art

It will air tomorrow, Wednesday November 12th, a...t 11:13 AM CST. If it's possible, please listen to it Streaming Live at http://www.kfmg991.org/

They don't have the capacity for archives at the moment, but I will receive a CD of the interview some time soon.

I'm a bit nervous but at the same time, can't wait to hear it!


* I'd like to welcome two new followers! One is Janet Givens, and I think the other one is "Phyllis." I say, "I think" because Janet's is the only new face/icon showing. And from what I can tell, the newest "blank" follower face is Phyllis. *

Welcome to you both and I hope you always enjoy

what you read and see. Thanks very much!

~~~

 

 

Please don't forget......11:13 AM CST, Wednesday, November 12th! 

 



 

* A SPLENDID AUTUMN MORNING.....AND * BOING! *

♪♪ It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor.... ♪♪

 

 

Vern and I went on our usual morning walk this morning. It was sunny, crisp and just beautiful. I decided it was a good day to take a couple of photos of him and the crunchy leaves. He was moving as I took these with my cell phone camera. They came out pretty good, didn't they? 

 

 

 

  We walk past this dazzling fire bush

  every time we take our usual route.

 

Okay, so what part does the word BOING! have to do with today? We've lived in our townhouse for a year and a half now and every morning Vern and I walk outside through the garage. I hit the button next to the light switch and we meander towards the opening door. We're usually at the door as it's going up and I bend slightly to walk on out.

Do you think it's possible the door was rising slower than normal, or was I just not paying attention when I smacked my forehead on it?!

B O I N G!

(be sure to click on the link)

Ahhh, a story to add to the klutz chapter of my sequel!

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend....and my next post should have a variety of information.

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." - Eric Sloane

 



* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time Again for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Hello and Happy Nostalgic Sunday. Today's nostalgia pertains to two things.

(I've been lamenting lately about trying to get back into blogging on a regular basis. Although I was pretty sure I knew the reasons why I hadn't been able to solve my problem, I was still stuck. And wouldn't you know that serendipity came along just when I needed it? I happened upon the blog of Jennifer Brown Banks @ Pen & Pro$per and when I read her post about blogging, taking breaks from blogging, etc. Ah Ha.... And so, here I am today....)

~~~

 

Yesterday, The Ronald and I attended Trash or Treasure in the town of Collinsville, Illinois, which is about 40 miles from our house. Trash or Treasure is very similar to the fabulous PBS program, Antiques Roadshow, only a smaller venue. If you're a fan of the roadshow, you've probably dreamed of having something that's worth a lot of money, just like some of the people on the show!

 

Beautiful bowl left to me by my Great Aunt Grace

.....and a different view

 

I have a couple of items I thought might be worth something monetarily, so The Ronald and I drove over there. It was a chilly, but glorious, sunny day and the trip was such fun.

We traveled over highways we hadn't been on in a long time, and drove over the new (Feb 2014) Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge for the first time. We'd seen videos of it on the local news while it was being built, then when it was completed and opened to traffic. But being on it, of course, is amazing. It's really beautiful! These are the two pictures I took while we drove across it....one from inside the front windshield, one out the back.



It is a "cable-stayed" bridge, which I'd never heard of before. I assumed it was a suspension bridge, but NO....they are two different things. The link explains both, and shows pictures and drawings, which I didn't bother to read entirely. (too much like a math word problem to me!)

Photo from Stl.today  (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

SO....the two different nostalgic things on this post are:

1) The beautiful bowl from my Aunt Grace: It's not worth much, monetarily, which is great to know because now I will have it out where it can be seen, and at times maybe used. And of course, it means THE WORLD to me because it was my aunt's and she chose me as the recipient!

I wrote about the bowl in my memoir in the chapter titled "Self-Centered Sadie." I'm still very grateful that I actually retrieved it and can enjoy it until the day I pass it on to a beloved relative of mine...yet to be determined!

~

2) The new bridge named for St. Louis Cardinals, Baseball Hall of Fame member, Stan "The Man" Musial. Stan was a baseball favorite here in St. Louis his entire baseball career, from 1941 - 1963. (That just doesn't happen these days.) His nickname could also be "The Gentleman" because that's what he always was. I was aware of him and how important he was even at a very young age. And would you believe I also mentioned him in my memoir?! It's in the chapter "I Adored my Dad."



"Sharing tales of those we've lost is how we keep from really losing them." - Mitch Albom, For One More Day

(One of my absolute favorite books. I've read it at least three times in the past couple of years !)

* BOOK GIVE-AWAY WINNER *

Congratulations to Susan at Writing Straight From The Heart - - She is the winner of a print copy of my memoir: From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More.

Your book will be on its way soon, Susan! Thanks to all who participated!

"There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book." –Marcel Proust

* A PINTEREST QUOTE & BOOK GIVE AWAY *

I'm still learning about Pinterest and it occurred to me this afternoon that I could create a board of quotes, beginning with something kooky my mother said to me after I graduated from high school in 1971.

 

It was obviously so memorable I included it all these years later, in my memoir: From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More. It's at the end of the chapter titled: "That Crowbar Changed Everything"

 

 

Becky - Summer of 1971

Please click on the link below to go to the Pinterest board and read the quote.

http://www.pinterest.com/beckypovich/funny-quotes-by-mothers-to-daughters/

 

 

If you haven't already read my memoir, would you say my mother's quote would inspire/motivate you to want to read it?

 

I'm including a give-away with this blog post. If you'd like to be included for a chance to win a print copy or ebook, leave a comment below about mothers/daughters/quotes and indicate which book you prefer: print or ebook. Give-away will be open until midnight on Friday, October 24th. If you mention this on Facebook, Twitter, or your own blog, you'll get an extra point for each. Feel free to tell your family and friends - - and Good Luck!

* DELICIOUS AUTUMN *

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

My beloved Vern last October, 2013.

(I'm the one at the other end of the leash and taking the picture!)

 

 

Vern and I continue to go on several walks every day, especially when the weather is so beautiful. At 7:30 this morning, I actually saw my breath when I exhaled, just a little bit, but still...I love the crisp, cool, autumn temperatures! J

  

 

I've got a lot going on right now and still not finding the time to blog. Hopefully..soon!

* A BRIGHT, AUTUMN BACKGROUND *

                        ♪ The falling leaves drift by my window.
                                     The falling leaves of red and gold. ♪

Ahh, I love autumn! It's my favorite time of the year, and today I decided to add some glorious fall colors to my background. This photo is one of the trees in our front yard in November 2012. (We've since moved, but I get to see thousands of beautiful leaves in my new neighborhood, too.)

It may be a bit "too busy" for my background, but I won't have it up for very long. Soon it will be time for another change, as in the changing leaves...!

Ba-Dum tssshhh...Rim Shot!

 

 

 

I hope to be back to blogging sometime soon. I miss everyone very much!

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables



* WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG BREAK FOR WRITERS EVERYWHERE *

Happy October 1st 2014!

Writerly News

 

Hello Everyone ~ Although I have missed blogging, being away from it this past month has been good for me. One less thing to stress about.

 

I'd like to be able to announce that I've gotten tons of writing accomplished....but I haven't. I HAVE, though, succeeded in doing some really good marketing in my area. My memoir is now being stocked in two more local gift shops, J and I have many more places to call on.

 

More about all that at a later time. Today I want to share contests and calls for submissions I've recently come across. 

* * Note: I will be sending out my 2nd newsletter sometime very soon. If you haven't signed up yet and would like to, please go to my website and fill out the info: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html 

 

 

 

Publishing Syndicate: This is the Not Your Mother's Book On... _ _ _ _ _ publisher. They always have call outs but the current ones look like these three.

NYMB...On Sex: Immediately!

NYMB...On Military Life: January 1, 2015

NYMB...On Menopause: January 1, 2015

 



 

Page & Spine; a weekly literary magazine, is having their First Annual Christmas Contest!  They will pay $100 for the Best Story, plus another $100 for the Best Poem! There's only a $5.00 entry fee for each item submitted. Their website also says: showcasing emerging writers. I really don't know anything about them, but it's a legitimate site! So, go for it! I'd love to hear from anyone who enters!

 

 

The Copperfield Review; A Journal for Readers and Writers of Historical Fiction, is now accepting historical short fiction, poetry, and history-based nonfiction for Copperfield‘s first anthology. I think this sounds so exciting, because I don't remember ever coming across an anthology for historical fiction writers! (It also says they have changed their guidelines, so be sure to read everything. I didn't look enough to notice if there was an entry fee or not, either.)

 

 

The Furious Gazelle; Halloween Contest. Deadline October 24th. (I'm getting lazier as I type, so look it up for more info!) J

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul FOOD Contest: Yes, Chicken Soup has a food contest! This link takes you to the information which is listed on Facebook. The deadline to enter is December 29th. It sounds like a lot of fun. I keep forgetting about it, but I want to enter, too.

 

 



Chicken Soup for the Soul: Calls for Submissions (Writing!) 

 

Dreams & Premonitions - Deadline 12/31/2014

Hope & Miracles - Deadline 10/30/2014

Inspiration for Nurses - Deadline 11/30/2014

Living a Life of Purpose by Volunteering - Deadline 12/31/2014

Stories about the Christmas Season - Deadline 1/31/2015

Support for Therapists/Mental Health Professionals - Deadline 12/31/2014

Thanks to My Mom - Deadline 10/20/2014 (I think this is a new, extended date.)

Time to Thrive - Deadline 12/31/2014

 

 

 

Okay everyone out there who writes or even thinks about writing - -  there's a little bit of everything right here for you to try!!

 

 

I've noticed I have some new Blog Followers and as always I want to acknowledge them. I'm not sure but I think I have three new wonderful blog friends......

 

 

* Welcome to my newest followers: Beauty Ink, Michael Mixerr, and Sherri Ellis at Mama Diaries. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *

 

 

In honor of it being October 1st, and because of my love of autumn and the stunning colors the leaves become, I'm ending with a quote about....Trees!

 

 

 

 

 "Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration



* PARTICIPATING IN A BLOG TOUR *

Hello everyone! As I wrote in my August 17th post, I'm on a lengthy blog break, but I'm participating in a blog tour I was asked to do right before that break. I'm sure I've previously answered the following four questions during another tour, but I didn't look back to see what my responses were. (Maybe I'll check after I post this and see how different they might be!)


My dear bloggy friend, Chatty Crone, invited me. If you've read her blog then you already know what a sweetie she is. She's sincere, funny, and has a strong faith. She is a recent breast cancer survivor and openly shares her, thankfully, very swift discovery and outcome.

Okay, without further ado, here are the questions and my answers:


1) What are you working on?
      
 I'm writing the sequel (no title yet) to my memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More. I'm thrilled to say that since taking my blog break, I'm rolling right along with it. No, that doesn't mean it will be finished anytime soon! It just means I'm writing much more often that I was and it's definitely a wonderful feeling. (I need to fit some organization into my life, but writing is definitely my main focus.)
    

2) How does your work differ from others?
      I'm not sure how to answer this one! Since we are all different people and have our own habits, I really don't know how my work/writing differs from other writers. I will say this...I'm truly happy that I only write memoir/personal essays. I'm not organized enough to keep track of storylines or characters' names, etc! (Notice the sentence in parentheses in my reply to the first question!)



3) Why do you write/create what you do?
      Because I must! Ever since I discovered at the young age of 48 years old that I could write, I haven't stopped. And if I'm not at my laptop actually writing, I'm thinking about writing, jotting notes about things to write about, reading books about writing, talking with other writers about writing....You get the picture! And I write memoir because I want to share events in my life that might help others in some way because they've lived through similar situations, or are going through them now. I want them to laugh, smile, delve into themselves, maybe shed a tear, but mostly to laugh.


4) How does your writing/creating process work?
      Memories, whether happy or sad, pop into my head at all hours of the day, and sometimes in my sleep. Those are all the reasons I try to keep a pen and notepad handy, or talk into the voice notes app on my cell phone, so I'll have them when I get to my laptop to actually write. No matter where I am, there are reminders of my life, whether from long, long ago, or earlier in my adulthood: scents, sights, and sounds.
      

These flowers are in a family member's back yard.

They don't have a "scent", but the "sight" of them

certainly prompted writing ideas! And if you tap

them with your fingernail, they also make a "sound."

That's it from here.

I'm continuing to follow my bliss

 and I hope you are, too!

 

 

P.S. I'm waiting to hear back from a blog friend about being the next selection, but I wanted to go ahead and post this now.

* Note: I received an e-mail from Patti at Treasure Barn and she is happy to reply to the Blog Tour questions! It will be one day next month, which if you've noticed the calendar lately....September arrives in 5 days! Thank you, Patti!

 

* GOODREADS MEMOIR GIVE-AWAY *

Goodreads Book Giveaway

From Pigtails to Chin Hairs

by Becky Lewellen Povich

Giveaway ends August 31, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

* POSTSCRIPT TO BLOG BREAK *

Postscript to Blog Break

On Sunday's post, I forgot to say that during my blog break, I will continue to send out my newsletter. I expect to e-mail it between the 1st and 5th of the month.


If you haven't already signed up for it and would like to receive it, here is the link: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html


Thanks much!

* A NOSTALGIC SUNDAY ~ AND A BLOG BREAK *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

In keeping with my beloved Andy Griffith Show characters,

 I'm displaying two photos from one of my favorite episodes,

"The Shoplifters," from 1964.

 

 

Andy discovered who the shoplifter was,

 (who had all kinds of jewelry and other valuables hidden underneath her coat)

when he accidentally bumped into the sweet little old lady inside the store.

 

When asked how he knew she was the thief,

Andy replied in his usual folksy manner,

 

"Little old ladies ought never to clank."

 

 

Even though Nostalgic Sundays are one of my favorite posts to write, I just haven't been able to keep up with them on a regular basis. In fact, I haven't been able to keep up with much of anything pertaining to blogging, as I've bemoaned quite a few times lately. SO, after much consideration, I've decided to take a much-needed social media break from blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. (unless I've already committed to hosting a guest here, or being the guest on another blog.)

As I've also said before, I really need to spend a lot more time writing my sequel, plus getting out into the world and doing more promoting and marketing of my memoir, instead of focusing mostly online.

I'm also going to work on my concentration abilities. I'm tired of being so forgetful and disorganized. That's just not who I am, or at least who I used to be, and I refuse to give up and chalk it up to "being too busy" to keep track of things.

My contact information is listed in my profile. I can be reached by e-mail and/or through my website, and I truly hope to hear from you. I'm not sure how long this break will last, but I expect a month or more.

I must leave you with some of my favorite quotes. I hope they inspire you. Every time I read them, it's like reading them again for the first time.

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

 

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."-- Loire Hartwould

 

"Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled 'This could change your life.'" -- Helen Exley

 

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- Les Brown

"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, but about who came and never left your side." - Unknown

 "Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself." -- Robert Collier

 "We did not change as we grew older, we just became more clearly ourselves." -- Lynn Hall

 

* TODAY IS VERN'S BIRTHDAY! *

Today is Vern's 13th Birthday!

We got him from a shelter in March of 2011. I took this picture of him the day we brought him home! He immediately felt at home....and got up on the love seat next to me! We wouldn't believe he is so "old" if we didn't have all the papers that came with him: Date of birth, vet records, etc. We hope he lives to be 20! He's definitely our much beloved pooch! 

Vern - March 2011

~~~~~

 

Source: Pinterest



 Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

 



Vern hasn't had his "party" yet, so I'll post more photos either later or tomorrow!