* MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 *

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 

 

(December 2008)

 

from Ron and me

 

 

 

and...

 

(December 2016)

 

Charlie (waiting for Santa to fill his stocking!

 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies

a day or two ago. No...it wasn't A Christmas Carol, although I do love this musical version the best: Scrooge, with Albert Finney. (1971)

 

 

Love, love, love it!

 

 

 

 

And, no it wasn't It's a Wonderful Life, or Christmas Story, or Christmas Vacation, or White Christmas, or The Bishop's Wife, Home Alone, The Polar Express, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street (the original 1947), The Family Stone, Christmas in Connecticut, or Meet Me in St. Louis. Whew....I think that's most of my favorites, but I'll also throw in, Trading Places and While You Were Sleeping, because they take place during Christmas time and I want to include them!

 

 

 

No, the one I watched was Scrooged, with Bill Murray! (1988)

I can't say how many times I've seen this movie;

let's just say countless!

There are so many scenes that crack me up

and I laugh out loud every single time...one in particular: at the restaurant when Frank (Bill Murray) thinks he sees a real eyeball in his drink and starts screaming and pointing at it. The way the camera goes from the drink to his face, and to the others' faces...Classic!

 

Love, love, love it!

 

 

What are some of YOUR favorite Christmas movies?

Or old TV shows' Christmas episodes?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Put a Little Love in Your Heart

(from Scrooged soundtrack)

 

"Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
You see, it's getting late, oh, please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart"

 

 

* OH...THOSE CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS! *

Blogger and writer friend, Patricia Preston, invited me to take part in her Christmas Confessions blog posts, and I happily accepted.

Please stop by PATRICIA'S BEAUTIFUL BLOG and see what I had to say...and also learn more about her and her publications. She's way ahead of me in the number of books she's written! J

* 3 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH & A SPECIAL BOOK PRICE *

Can it possibly be THREE years since I finally completed and published my memoir??

Publication date: November 6, 2013.

Sometimes I still can't believe I actually did it, but I had lots of help.

+ In honor of my deceased father, I'm offering a print copy of my memoir at a discounted price through the end of December 2016. Since Amazon and Barnes & Noble's online store already sell it for $12.95 plus shipping, if you buy it directly from me I'll not only match their price, but will also pay the shipping! (In USA only. Anywhere outside of the USA, I'll have to charge shipping.)


My website http://www.beckypovich.com/ has always offered it at $18.14, which includes Missouri tax and shipping. But I'll take care of the tax, too, for this special offer.

 

So, that means it's only $12.95 each when shipped within the USA!

I'll also be happy to sign them individually, if requested.

 

 

 

 MY MEMOIR WOULD MAKE A

FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS GIFT!

 

 

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/

 

 

 

* If you are interested in ordering, please e-mail me or leave a comment and I'll get right back to you! * THANK YOU!

 

 



 

 

As many Amazon reviews point out, this is a great read,

no matter your age or gender -

 

 

"...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...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." - John Busbee, writer, actor, director, also the producer and host of "The Culture Buzz" on KFMG 98.9 FM, Des Moines, Iowa.

 

 

 "Charming!" - A.E. Hotchner, St Louis' own bestselling author.

 

 

"Becky Povich's memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs, is a largely affectionate account of life's ups and downs from a writer who learned to find her voice -- and her bliss." - Teri Rizvi, founder of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop at the University of Dayton.

 

 

 

 

I'LL ALSO BE HAPPY TO GIFT WRAP EACH BOOK! WHERE ELSE CAN YOU RECEIVE SUCH PERSONAL SERVICE, AND WITH A SMILE?  J



 



 

+ So, what does my deceased father have to do with a special price on my memoir? Because tomorrow, November 30th, is the anniversary of his death in 2002, and we were able to reconnect in a good way before he died. A chapter about him, "Thoughts on Love & Forgiveness" is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce & Recovery.

And also, the following is on Page ii of my memoir:

“If it hadn’t been for my father, both literally and figuratively, this memoir would never have been written.”

 

 

        

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Over The River And Through The Woods

* COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING *

* Countdown to Thanksgiving *
This is a reprint from a previous Thanksgiving post.

 

 

One of my Four Freedoms plates, by Norman Rockwell

 

I never spent Thanksgiving at my grandparents' home when I was a little girl. I'm sure it was because they lived hundreds of miles away from us and time just didn't allow it. I sometimes wished we could be there with them, and would go around our house singing the song in the You Tube video.

 

And of course, my wishes also included

the snow and the horse-drawn sleigh! 

 

 

 

 

"I suppose I will die never knowing what pumpkin pie tastes like when you have room for it." ~Robert Brault

https://rbrault.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

(Ahh, my friend Robert Brault has written more amazing words of wit and wisdom than anyone else I know! His books can be purchased on Amazon, and of course many other places.) https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=robert+brault 

* DECLUTTERING THE CLUTTER *

In my new approach to declutter my life, both in actual "clutter-around-the-house," and in the ideas and issues I tend to become fixated on...you know, those things I attempt to accomplish and either I just don't have the time, or I just don't have the desire and passion that's required. Well... 

I've discovered that I do indeed have the time for many things. The problem is I obviously don't really have the desire. Hey, I think I'm on to something here!


So, one of the things I'm going to change is to remove all the blogs on my two blog roll lists...The one on the left side for Writers' Blogs, and the one on the right side for all my other Favorites.

Why? Because when I scroll down and see all the interesting blog posts I want to read, and comment on, the stress level begins to rise. And that is not a good thing for someone trying to declutter their brain! I'm not abandoning you, really. I will stay in touch, I promise.

As I've mentioned before, I'd like to delete my Facebook account, due to the huge amounts of hateful political posts and comments spewing back and forth. But it's a great way to keep in touch with my out-of-town family and friends. So, I've just been limiting my time there, and I refuse to get caught up in all the ridiculous nonsense.

I recently deleted my Twitter account, but I never used it much anyway, so that wasn't a difficult decision.

I just need to stay off my computer as much as possible, unless I'm paying bills or writing emails!

All of this may seem selfish on my part, and maybe it is, but I have to start taking care of me, which is what I thought I'd been doing all along. And...I'm not even sure what I want to do with the rest of my life!


"Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time." - Leo Buscaglia
 

* I LOVE MARK TWAIN *

Mark Twain was not only an amazing writer of fictitious tales, but he was also remarkable in the way he saw the world he lived in...especially the United States and its government. He lived from 1835 to 1910, and his quotes prove that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

~~~~~~

"Reader suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

"Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable." –Mark Twain

"There are lies, there are damn lies, and then there are statistics." - Mark Twain

"If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed." –Mark Twain

"Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she laid an asteroid." - Mark Twain

"Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason." - Mark Twain

"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. - Mark Twain

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain


 * I've turned off the Comment link for this because I do not want it to become a place for people with opposing opinions about today's government, to rant and rave, as many have and still are doing on Facebook. My purpose is to bring a smile to your face. *

* SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE FOR VETERANS DAY *

 

The Freedom Rock

 

 

I am very proud to say that I met Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II and his lovely wife a few years ago when I was visiting my favorite small town in America: Greenfield, Iowa...in Adair, County.

 

He is a fantastic guy, with extraordinary talent, yet very humble.

 

Please click on the link above to see a video of what "Bubba" has been doing the past few years, to honor all our Veterans.

 

It's quite an amazing story.

 

 

(Photo courtesy of Bubba's website)

One of the MANY versions Bubba has painted of a "Freedom Rock."The original rock was & still is in Greenfield,but he has also adorned rocks in other parts of Iowa...He plans to have a Freedom Rock in every county in Iowa!

 

Thank you to all veterans!

~~~

 

 

 

 

Another very interesting fact!

photo courtesy of Redbook magazine

 

http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/search?q=bubba 

 

 He also won Redbook Magazine's

"Hottest Husband" Contest in 2010!

 

 

 

 “We don’t know them all but we owe them all.” — Anonymous

 

* SOMETHING FOR ELECTION DAY IN THE USA *

This is what I posted on Facebook early this afternoon, and decided I wanted to share it with my blog friends:


Just got back from taking Charlie for a walk. It's drizzling here, but not too bad and not really cold. Stopped and talked with a neighbor friend, who was sitting on one of the boardwalk benches, with a rain poncho on. From a distance, I couldn't tell who it was, but thought to myself.....Only _______ would sit out here in the rain and look at the lake! And yep, it was him! We had a brief discussion about the election....glad it's over, and hope "your" person wins, without saying who we voted for. And on the way back home, a calmness came over me, and I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The weight of all the junk we have all endured the past few months. And I knew right then, that no matter who wins tonight, it is only for four years, and life will go on. I'm happy to live in the USA, and definitely will NOT be moving, no matter who the next president is!

* SOMETHING NEW I WROTE ! *

In replying to someone on Facebook, I wrote:

"I haven't forgotten about your email...just sort of 'misplaced' the thought to remember!"

~~~

Yes, it's another "Becky-ism!"

You could use this phrase with most anything you forgot about. Just insert the correct words: our lunch date, your text message, repaying that money I owe you, etc. Ha!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

 

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

I know, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, and believe me I am NOT one to rush Christmas and decorations, etc. But, I'm cleaning out the closet in the bedroom where my desk and laptop is. Attempting to cram as much "things to keep" stuff in it, and get rid of the stuff "I really can let go of."

 

 

See, all this has to do with desperately needing to get organized, so I can WRITE and not have clutter stressing me out. That's my biggest "chore" right now. I hate clutter!

 

 

 

So, anyway, I came across this photo taken at an office party in 1984! I was a couple of weeks away from my 32nd birthday in January of '85. OMG, I was so young, slender and cute!....If I do say so myself! Yes, that is a glass of beer in my hand, too! (Ron must've taken this photo because he was at the party with me, of course!)

In my mind, I still feel like that same young woman. I feel as if I look just like that, too. The human brain is so interesting. We all know we will age, and yet when we're young, it seems as if we never will! And then all of a sudden, poof... 20, 30, 40 years go by and we're staring into the mirror at an old, wrinkly person.

I think mirrors should not

be allowed in our Baby Boomer homes!

We could fix our hair and put on make-up,

looking into our rearview car mirror!

* DARE I SAY IT? I'M WRITING AGAIN! *

Well, the craziest thing happened. My cousin Johnny called yesterday morning to tell me how much he enjoyed reading my memoir, how well written he thought it was, etc! We had a 40 minute conversation of laughter and reminiscing. And because of that, my writing muse has returned!

I actually wrote 225 words yesterday evening, which doesn't sound like a lot, but when someone hasn't written anything more than a sentence or two in MANY MONTHS, it is a very big deal. And since it was November 1st, I just may try my own version of NaNoWriMo which is National Novel Writing Month. (If you're not familiar with it and would like to learn more, just click on the link.) Although I'm not writing a novel, I will be working on my memoir's sequel. Please send me good vibes, karma, luck....whatever you think might help me!

I promise to post updates from time to time

through November 30th.

I felt a lot like this at times when writing my memoir.
I hope to get that feeling back!

I love this Steve Martin quote!

This is definitely me.
My problem has been that I haven't followed through
 with any actual writing or typing the stories. J

 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

Well, here it is again folks....time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

 

Can someone please invent a lasso of some sort that can be thrown around the earth and slow down time?? Or better yet, spin it backwards, and take us back to the days of black and white TV shows, and much simpler times.

I am really ready for a trip to good old Greenfield, where life is still a lot like Mayberry in the early 1960s. I don't know when I'll be going again, but you can be sure
 I'll be blogging about it when I do.

Greenfield Police Dept

July 2009

 

(smaller than Andy's jail!)

 

 

 

That same visit, July 2009

I actually rode in a prop plane, a 1946 Piper Cub, with NO doors,

and the pilot sat behind me. Weird! 

We flew all over Greenfield, and following the streets with my view, I saw my (deceased) grandparents' home. I still can't believe I did that!

 

 

P.S. One of the reasons I'd like to slow down the always marching of time, is because my youngest son's birthday was last week...he is now 29 years old!

 

 

(P.S. #2 - You can click on the Greenfield police station and
yellow prop plane photos to see them larger.) 

 

 

 

“The years just pass like trains.
I wave but they don't slow down” - Steven Wilson 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

 

 

Gosh, I almost forgot another Nostalgic Sunday! (That's why there wasn't one last Sunday...I forgot.)

 

With it being autumn, or so the calendar says, I love reminiscing about my Catholic School days. Strolling home from grade school, carrying an arm load of books, and purposely zigzagging through crunchy leaves, I'd go over the day's events in my mind...

 

(my uniform was similar to this, solid color, no plaid)

 

I enjoyed Sister Marie's English class, but as always, hated the torture of Arithmetic word problems.

 

The cafeteria's lunch was one of my favorites: a bowl of chili-mac, a peanut butter sandwich, celery sticks, and milk to drink.

 

That boy I've had a crush on for over two years actually said "Hi" to me today! Be still my heart! At least I think it was me...I looked around and nobody was behind me...

 

~~~

 

Although my family moved around quite a bit during my very early school years, I attended the same grade school from the middle of 4th grade through graduation at the end of 8th grade. I loved it there!

 

And I so love the fact that I grew up in an era where kids were safe walking to and from school, and/or riding their bikes to friends' houses, and not coming home until it was almost dark. I think growing up in the 50s and 60s was undoubtedly the BEST time to grow up...for which I am SO THANKFUL!

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Happy Nostalgic Sunday!

* WRITING CONTESTS & CONTESTS & CONTESTS ~ OH MY! *

Recently I came across a ton of writer contests and calls for submissions and fortunately managed to copy and save all the links, so I could share them on my blog!

Many of these are very unique. I'm not posting these for any kind of PR because I've never heard of most of them. But if you're at all interested, click on the links and read more. Some have entry fees, some have huge prize money, and more. 

THE FIRST LINE LITERARY JOURNAL 
http://www.thefirstline.com/index.htm 


18th ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST (2016)
http://www.greatamericansong.com/index.php?utm_content=bufferef974&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#


SCRIPT PIPELINE TV WRITING CONTEST
https://scriptpipeline.com/shop/tv-writing-contest?utm_content=buffer0128d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

WRITERS DIGEST SHORT SHORT STORY WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/short-short-story-competition?utm_content=buffer9f024&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


THE 2016 RELEVANT READS STORY OF THE YEAR CONTEST

http://storyshares.org/contest

 

 

FIDDLEHEAD 26TH ANNUAL LITERARY COMPETITION

https://thefiddlehead.ca/contest?utm_content=bufferd2afc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

 

 MAGIC OXYGEN LITERARY PRIZE 2016/17

http://www.magicoxygen.co.uk/molp/prize-rules/

WERGLE FLOMP HUMOR POETRY CONTEST

https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free?utm_content=buffer9345a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

SIXFOLD FICTION AND POETRY CONTEST

http://www.sixfold.org/?utm_content=buffer837d1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

PRAIRIE FIRE PRESS ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST
http://www.prairiefire.ca/contests/2012-contests/?utm_content=bufferdd072&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

RHINO FOUNDERS' POETRY CONTEST http://rhinopoetry.org/contests/founders-prize/?utm_content=bufferd72b9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

 

I'd also like to welcome my three newest followers - Arlee Bird of Tossing It Out , Delores Lowndes of Mumblings , and Jennifer Darlington of Lady Laughing Loudly I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

 

(And I apologize for forgetting to welcome you the very day

 your photo popped up in my Followers.)

 

 

Happy writing, everyone!

 

 

 

 

* HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO MY CANADIAN FRIENDS! *

Hello Canadian friends!

 

I wish you all a beautiful, blissful day.

 

I hope you enjoy some time with family and/or friends.

 

And whether you have a feast or something simple, I hope you remember all the little things in your lives to be thankful for.

 

 

I'm looking so forward to our

Thanksgiving next month!

 

 I can already smell all the amazing aromas  J

 

 

My favorite autumn mug!

 

 

My very first cloche!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." -  Melody Beattie
 



 



* IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD *

♪ ♪   It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....   ♪ ♪

 

♪ ♪  Won't you be my neighbor?!  ♪ ♪

 

Ah, yes it is a glorious day in my neighborhood today: sweatshirt and jeans weather...my favorite!

 

I've been given a gift...to be outside enjoying this bright, sunny day with a crisp in the air...because I have to run some errands...post office, grocery store, etc. but just wanted to post something before I left.

 

Here are a couple of photos from my neighborhood from last fall - 2015. How fortunate I am to live in the beautiful Midwest!

 

 

 

 

 

Have a blissful, beautiful day!

 

 

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

 

“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul... but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.”
― Peggy Toney Horton

 

“October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.”
― Sarah Guillory, Reclaimed