* WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS *

Tonight I'm feeling silly, probably due to the fact that I'm really tired. Got a variety of things accomplished on this beautiful, sunshiny day! More unpacking and finding the right place for things, shopping which included groceries, a stop at Petsmart for Vern food, and another stop at Kohls for a special sale on men's jeans, and visited my friend, Sherry, who just had knee surgery. A very good day!

So, tonight I'm feeling exhausted and goofier than ever and as I was internet searching, I came across some of my favorite quotes/jokes from the old game show, Hollywood Squares. All those who remember this show, raise your hand! It was on during the day and I loved watching it when I was "sick" and stayed home from school or work!

Below are just a few of those crazy questions and answers:

Q - According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?  

A - Paul Lynde: Point and laugh. 

 

Q - Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?  

A - George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q - If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?  
A - Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

Q - According to The People's Handbook of Medical Care, it's the single-most important factor in letting you know that something is wrong with you. What is it?
A- George Gobel: It's when people pass you on the street, and go "YECCH!"  

Q - What are 'Do It,' 'I Can Help,' and 'I Can't Get Enough'?  

A - George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment. 

~ ~ ~

 

 

I wish all of you a beautiful, blissful week. Remember to breathe deeply, laugh often, and be good to everyone.

   

* A CONDO, A LAKE, AND WRITING OPPORTUNITIES *

Over the past few months, I've been on a blog dry spell, in fact it's been so dry, it's been more like a desert, or White Sands, New Mexico!

I haven't been posting, replying to comments, or commenting on other blogs the way I used to, while feeling terribly guilty at the same time. I kept telling myself that I didn't have the time, didn't have the energy, etc. But I've come to realize those were not the problems. I just didn't feel motivated.

This evening, though, I have the desire to share some writing information, plus some photos. I took the four pictures below just the other day and wrote about them on Facebook. If we're "Friends" on Facebook, I'm sure you can read it there, too, if you'd like.

Custom clay chimes made about 40 years ago

 by my deceased sister, Jo Ann.

 



 

Vern checking out the scenery!

 



 

Vern and I walking on the boardwalk next to the lake.

 



 

I love this photo! We were walking and I called his name so that he might stop and look at me.....which he obviously did! J

 

 

This is where we've moved! It's a beautiful area not far from our previous house, and we just can't get over the fact that we LIVE here! We still feel as if we've been on a working vacation....helping friends move into this condo, and then we remember...WE LIVE HERE! J

~~~

 



Hey, all you writers out there! Here are some great Calls for Submissions and other info.

 

Monkey Star Press http://monkeystarpressbooks.com/call-for-submissions/ is looking for stories for two upcoming "Mom" anthologies. I don't know anything about this press, but I think it looks like a good place to submit your stories.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics is also looking for stories for eight upcoming anthologies. We all know that Chicken Soup for the Soul has a fantastic reputation. Give it a try! What's holding you back?

 

Are you aware of the site Winning Writers? https://winningwriters.com/ It is one of THE best sources for just about everything concerning writing: Good, reliable contests to enter, contests and services to avoid, tons of resources to help you find what you're looking for, etc.etc. I just love this site. Every year they host the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest with a deadline date of April 1st.....which I totally forgot about this year. Hmm, guess I had too much to remember, therefore lots of things were forgotten! J

 

~~~

 

Oh, how true!!

 

 

 

Hmm, if I read this one paragraph one more time

I think I'll scream!

 

 

Isn't it funny that I've mentioned Chicken Soup for the Soul books in my past few posts?? Even if you've NEVER submitted anything before, give it a try! Leave a comment about it, too, please! 







* CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL *

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul is now offering these "Contributor Badges" for anyone who has had a story published in one of their many anthologies. They begin at 1+ and go all the way to 20+ (as in how many books your stories are in!) So, since I have stories in four books, I was able to choose the 3+ badge.

 

I only know a handful of writers who can proudly display the 20+ badge, and I'm happy to say that one of them is my friend, Linda O'Connell. AND Linda and I became friends because of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Linda and I both had stories in the 2007, Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul. When she read the authors' bios in the back of the book, she saw my name and that I too lived in the St. Louis area. She e-mailed me and a wonderful friendship began.....Linda was also my first writing mentor and I know with all certainty that I would not be the writer I am today if Linda had not reached out to me. She introduced me to other writers at St. Louis Writers Guild functions...and the rest is history!

 

Regrettably, I forgot to thank Linda in my memoir's Acknowledgements. Acckkkk! (As you can see, this has obviously bothered me for quite some time!) Linda, please remind me when I begin talking about publishing my next book, ok??

One more thing...if you've ever thought about writing and sending your story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, what is stopping you? Go ahead! Write it. Submit it. They're looking for quite a few stories right now, too. Go here to see the upcoming books.



"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." - Margaret Drabble

* 28 YEARS AGO TODAY AND..... LAUGH WEEK *

Twenty eight years ago on this date, I called all my relatives (no internet then!) and began each conversation with these words: "This is NOT an April Fool's Joke....I am pregnant!"

I was 34 years old, had one son who was 14 years old, and I had not intended on having any more children. But, The Ronald and I received the greatest surprise gift, our son, Mark, in October 1987!

A story I wrote about that experience is in Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul (2007), and also included in my memoir (2013).

 

~~~

 

 

According to http://www.123greetings.com all this week (4/1 - 4/7) is Laugh Week! So, here's one of the many Aunty Acid jokes that I like.