* READ CAREFULLY *

 ♪♪ ♪♪   

I've begun to come up with some pretty funny phrases when reading too fast. In fact, I think I should start keeping track of them! Just now, while glancing at the information on a Christmas song being played on TV Music Choice, I thought the title was: "River Rose and Magic Laundry." (kind of strange for a Christmas song, huh?!) So, I looked back at it and this is what it really said: 

"River Rose and Magical Lullaby."

I'm so glad I wasn't with anyone at the time, or I might have asked them if they'd ever heard of that river laundry Christmas song! 😁 

(Another good reason as a writer to edit my work, myself, 

and not just count on document check, etc.)

What about you? 

Do you glance at words too quickly and "see" the wrong words?

* SAD NEWS CONCERNING A DEAR BLOG FRIEND *

Years ago, when many of us were blogging all the time, we met so many wonderful people who had our same likes & hobbies: Baking, Decorating, Painting, Writing, Knitting, Photography, Tea Time, etc. etc.

And we shared happy & heartbreaking incidents..... 

Some of you may already know this as I do because of reading about it on Facebook.

Our dear friend, Kathy Matthews' husband passed away
in his sleep either last night or the night before.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy: 

The Online Diary of a Central Oregon Grandmother

http://oregongiftsofcomfortandjoy.blogspot.com/



Kathy hasn't posted on her blog in FOUR years,
so I don't even know if she'll be looking on here,
 but I wanted to share the sad news in case any others wanted to reach out to her.

They just had Thanksgiving together....but now won't share Christmas. Truly sad....
She always said her husband, Cary, was her love and best friend.

* IT'S THANKSGIVING TIME AGAIN! *

Happy Thanksgiving a couple of days early. 

Below are some photos that have appeared

 on my blog over the years, mostly on

Thanksgiving posts.

I've been feeling a bit melancholy...

As we get older, the holidays just aren't what they used to be, are they?

My siblings and their families live in separate parts of the US.

Iowa, Minnesota, Georgia, Oklahoma

Mark is in New Orleans so we won't see him, and Scott is unavailable...

So it's just Ron and me, but that's OK! 

(Mark IS coming home for Christmas!!)

I really am thankful for my life and all that goes with it...

but sometimes the thankfulness just kind of hides, ya know?

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY WEEKEND. 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday!

I did a little much-needed shopping for myself yesterday and had partial good luck. Bought a pair of shoes I'm going to return. (I just knew they weren't right for me!) I just want casual and comfy. All I could find in 2 large shoe chains were winter boots, high heels and athletic shoes. Grrr...

But I did have good luck in finding...uh...women's undergarments! 😀 If you're like me, you just hate to spend money on that kind of thing and keep wearing old ones until they're thread-bare!

So, what does this have to do with a Nostalgic Sunday post? I missed not having my wonderful friend, Sherry, with me. We always have a great time usually shopping and eating out. We see each other about once a month because she and her husband moved quite a few miles away a couple of years ago, but she has some family here still, and of course ME! 

I also thought about my sister, Marian, who is the sweetest, nicest person I know and it's wonderful being her little sister. But just like Sherry, she doesn't live here either, and we're lucky if we see each other every couple of years. (She and her husband and two little daughters moved to Atlanta way too long ago.) Years ago, when we were younger, Ron and Mark and I would drive to their home, or to the Florida gulf to meet them and other favorite relatives there and visit for a week. Marian and I would always go to at least one mall to do some shopping and although she is 14 years older than I am....she could out-shop me any day! She's always been blessed with lots of energy, and I have just about none. As soon as we'd get to our next destination, I'd say, "Marian, can we stop and get a soda and sit down for a while?" That would just crack her up. (I'm glad I can always offer comic relief!)

And, in addition to missing Sherry and Marian, I ran into an old friend who I hadn't seen in years. She and Sherry and I all worked at the same company in the 80's. We talked and laughed for quite a while, and then it was time for me to start heading home. 

I also had some fun and interesting encounters with strangers that I'll write about some other time.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

I know I did, and I'm so grateful for all the good in my life.

“Some people have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” -- Abraham H. Maslow

* Life is Good *

Tomorrow, Friday will be November 15th. The month is half over already! I can't decide what month or season it feels like. Cold and snowy. Warm and sunny. Sheesh!

Although our Thanksgiving this year will be even less normal than usual (for us) we have so much to be thankful for and will have our turkey dinner with all the trimmings even if it's just the two of us.

I LOVE to bake the turkey. I always practically smell the aroma just thinking about it. Mmmm!

This is another short post and I apologize again for not getting around to reading all of yours.

And thank goodness for all my crazy friends!

* Very Short Post! *

I've been having terrible email problems. Haven't been able to send or receive on both cell phone and internet for a few days!! The internet email seems to be working fine ...no email from you yet, though Sue G...

I have to make a phone call about sending and receiving email on my cell phone. Grrr....Don't you just hate electronic problems??!!

So, I just wanted to stop in and say Hello and I'm Alive and Well

(We had about 2" of snow today! I think that's a record as far as today's date. We usually don't have snow until Dec or Jan. And the wind!!...Oh my the wind! And to make it even weirder, yesterday and the day before, the high temps were around 65⁰! How crazy is that??)

Hope to be back soon, posting and reading your blogs!!

* Nostalgic Sundays *

I haven't thought about my "Nostalgic Sundays" blog posts in such a long time, but just this moment when I wondered what I would write about tonight...it came to me 😀 (Most of this was written ON Sunday!)

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

I feel a little bad because it's been almost a month since my last post and I'd promised myself that I was going to blog regularly again...Hmm, what are my excuses?? 

1) Well, one excuse is that I gobbled up another great book! The Headmaster's Wife, by Thomas Christopher Greene. There are 3 or 4 other novels with the exact same title, so if you're thinking about reading it, make sure you get the one by THIS author! (I never read much of the book reviews of a book or the inside flap, etc. before I begin it, because too many times it tells me too much about the plot.) 

This was another page-turner and had at least one "jaw dropping" moment! If anyone reads it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

2) Another excuse is because I worked 4 days last week instead of my usual 2 days and I was exhausted every evening. I have a long commute, which is "okay" for 2 days, but not 4. Ha Ha!

3) I've been helping Ron a little with our renovations. He does all the hard work and sometimes I hand him a hammer, screw driver, etc! 😊

4) Charlie and I are still enjoying quite a bit of time on our porch. He wants to go out there all the time, even when it's a bit too cold for me! I do cover up with a blanket sometimes. I need to get a little heater and lamp for it because that would help a lot, to read and/or write!

    *Being in the screened-in porch always makes me VERY nostalgic. Especially when the crickets are chirping and I hear the sound of a train in the distance. I close my eyes and I'm about six years old again, sitting on my grandma's screened-in porch in Greenfield, Iowa. I would love to go back to those days...*

“It shocks me how I wish for...what is lost and cannot come back.” -- Sue Monk Kidd, Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story

Wishing everyone a happy and safe week. 

Here's a couple of photos from a couple of years ago.
I never get tired of looking at autumn leaves...

or reading beautiful words about autumn.

"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

* FINALLY ANNOUNCING NEWS *

Below is something I posted on my blog on July 9th!

I DO have some exciting news...I think...about an upcoming publication!

I'll post more about it when I know more info!

~~~~~

Well, I've known for quite some time now that my story and recipe will be included in a very unique cookbook, but was asked to refrain from saying anything until...now.

http://womensmemoirs.com/

Matilda Butler & Kendra Bonnett

If you're not familiar with Matilda & Kendra of Women's Memoirs, you can click on the link above.They offer help for memoir writers, have contests & have published other books.They are wonderful! 

Matilda also posted an interview with me on their website on February 26, 2014.

https://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing/my-long-and-zig-zaggy-road-to-memoir-publication/fbclid=IwAR0BI_gEwRFgF9DUpsvgJC0YzQE82b4zXmb0mkNpa1DPNZFOCuadubKYTjA

Their first cookbook, Rosie's Riveting Recipe:

Comfort Foods & Kitchen Wisdom from 1940's America (Vintage Living)

was published in December 2013. 

I wasn't aware of that one (probably because I was feverishly finishing

my memoir which came out in November 2013!)

I discovered their call out for submissions when I happened upon their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/womensmemoirs/ 

And this is directly from their website: "Why are we contacting you? We need your help! We researched the recipes Rosie likely made. We even created a Rosie the Riveter Legacy Cookbook based on some of our well-loved family recipes as well as some found in a WW2 Department of the Army cookbook. We are now expanding our cookbook and are looking for recipes Rosie might have prepared."

I love the idea of not only submitting the recipe, but also the story behind it. Needless to say, I am thrilled that mine was chosen to be included!

It is due out in 6 weeks, so in plenty of time for a unique and thoughtful

Christmas/Hannakuh gift!

I'll share more news when it comes available!

* BEING A VORACIOUS READER! *

Is it possible for me to stop writing about how long it's been since I've posted anything...or how fast the time is flying? I think I've finally reached that point where I can say YES! I will not write (type) those words anymore on here. 😉

I haven't posted anything or read others' blogs mostly because I've been reading another book by my new favorite author...Kristin Hannah. This time it's The Nightingale. It is a huge paperback, 570 pages, and I hate it when I have to put it down to do anything else! The story of two sisters in France during WWII and their immense struggles.

This book is similar to Winter Garden in a few ways...women's stories during war in their homelands, sister conflicts. 

I can't say which one I "like" the most. Both kept me so involved in the story and characters...and I haven't even finished The Nightingale yet.

I've never read stories about both the suffering and strength of European women during WWII. Very enlightening and sad...and yet, these aren't books that are difficult to read...

If any of you have read anything by Kristin Hannah, please tell me about it. Thank goodness, she's written quite a few books, so I can keep on going. 😀

 (My library didn't have this, so I bought it from Amazon. I love the library, but also love buying books sometimes, too!)

“If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”
― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

* ANOTHER GREAT FIND AT THE LIBRARY *

I found another great book at the library and this is the first book I've read by this author: Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden

Oh my gosh...I LOVED this book! It kept me engaged, I'd read at night until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, and wished I could fit in some reading time at my job. 😍

I'm really not very good at writing book reviews, so I won't even try! But I will say that this book and its characters stayed with me for days after I finished it, and that doesn't happen very often. I really cared about these people and couldn't get them out of my mind.

Here's a couple of sentences from page 158:

"Is something wrong?" Nina asked.

Meredith blinked slowly. "You mean besides the fact that my father died at Christmas, my mom is going crazy, my sister is pretending to help me, and my husband...is gone tonight?"

Nina knew it wasn't funny, but she couldn't help laughing. 



"Sometimes when you open the door to your mother's past, you find your own future..."

Inside Winter Garden book flap

* Where Has the Time Gone? *

Gosh, I can't believe I haven't posted anything or commented on anyone's blogs since August 3rd!

Most of what took up a lot of time was looking online, trying to help Mark find an apartment in New Orleans that was in a safe neighborhood, fairly close to Tulane....and here's the kicker...affordable! 

I've never searched for a place to live without actually seeing the area, nor has Mark. He's been in our area all his life (which is why I'm SO sad to see him move away. And yeah, yeah, I know it's a wonderful opportunity, etc. and that he's certainly an adult...but a mom can still cry, can't she??)

Between him searching online, along with Ron and me (and thanks to a professor friend he already has down there) we found what looks like a great place! His prof friend told him which areas to stay out of and which were better. I hope the complex is everything it looks like in the photos! He's getting a tiny, studio apartment which is fine with him. I think he's most excited about having a washer/dryer in his own unit! It's a stackable, otherwise a side-by-side would take up half the apartment! Ha!

He's leaving this Thursday and a friend is going along to help drive and keep him company, which I am SO happy about. Not sure how the friend is coming back here...

Yesterday, Ron and I (and Charlie) drove to his current apartment to say our Goodbyes. I thought it would be less emotional than watching him drive away...which may or may not be true, because I cried my eyes out, and have been off and on for days. 😢 

I'm at work, so I better get back to...work!

* I'm So Proud of My Son, Mark! *

OMG! Fabulous news!!

Our son Mark just got hired to teach at Tulane University in New Orleans!! 

He has a one year contract to teach two philosophy classes and one cognitive science class. His title will be Visiting Assistant Professor. It's possible his contract could be extended, too. He'll be earning more money than he was getting presently at Washington University, and also free medical insurance!

He is very happy and excited, as are we. Classes start Aug 26, so he'll be moving soon! I'll share more info when I know more. (Obviously we will miss him, and even though we don't see him that much, just knowing he's only a few miles away has been wonderful.) 

I know I'll cry when I say goodbye to him. 🤧 I told him we'll have to Skype a lot.

* A GLORIOUS SUNRISE! *

The clouds were so beautiful this morning as I was leaving my subdivision to drive to work, I just had to pull over and take this photo. (It's not that good. I took it through the front windshield!) 

But I wanted to share it with y'all 

If you click on it you'll see a large view. 

Wishing everyone a restful weekend. 

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things." -- Author Unknown

* AN INTERESTING FIND AT THE LIBRARY *

What made me pick up this book at the library? 

There were a couple of reasons, but mostly because on this cute book cover is the exact same recipe box that my mother had! Just seeing it brings back so many happy memories of my early childhood...yummy aromas from the kitchen, my mother letting me "help" with cookies and cakes. 

I also saw a photo of this box in a recent woman's magazine. I don't remember the name of it, but I wrote to them about it and was just sure they would print my Letter to the Editor....Hmmffp! LOL

I hadn't heard of this author before, but I like her writing (it's another light and easy read, similar to what I just finished "Good Riddance") and I will definitely want to read her other books. 

What about you? Do you pick up a book because of the cover? And how many times have you just skimmed a couple and pages and thought either

a) Wow, I think I'll like this! 

       ~~~ or ~~~

b) Ick, what an awful book!

I can usually tell by just the first few pages whether I would like a book or not. And I definitely don't read books I don't like! 

~~~

Our heat-wave has finally taken a break for at least a little while. High temps in the 80's this week and lows in the 60's! Turn off that a/c and save some $$$. 

That's it for now, folks! See you soon.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." -- John Lubbock

* KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED *

Yesterday afternoon, after a long day at work (thank the Lord for air conditioning!), I received an email from Chicken Soup for the Soul that a story I submitted had made it to the first phase of their selection round! (It's a book about forgiveness.) Wow! I had a story accepted for one of their doggie books in 2017, but this soon for another one is surprising. (It was back in 2007 and 2008 that I had four stories accepted. As I've mentioned many times, I just can't get back into it very much.)

So, anyway, don't know when I'll hear for sure, but for now I'm honestly putting it out of my mind, which isn't difficult because I'm so forgetful anyway. Ha!

Oh, this isn't what I was eluding to in my July 9th post, either! 😃

~~~~

Speaking of books...I finally made it to the library today...BUT I forgot to take my list of books and authors I wanted to find. Duh. (I've been blaming my forgetfulness and other silliness on the effects of anesthesia, but that might be getting too old, so now I'm going with the excessive heat we're having and it's not supposed to end anytime soon.)

I did get three books. One from a familiar author that I like, Elizabeth Berg, and 2 others I haven't heard of: Tara Conklin and Dana Bate. (Oh and I dropped off a copy of my memoir for them to send to their "marketing department" or something like that.)

I finished Good Riddance a couple of days ago. It was typical Elinor Lipman, a fun, not profound, easy read.

~~~~

This photo makes me really happy, for various reasons...

I want to visit Switzerland and/or Austria so much some day, to see sites like this, 

AND it makes me feel I'm in a much cooler temperature! 

Stay cool or warm, depending on your part of the world!!

* I FOUND IT! *

I found it, I found it! The cute header I used years ago. Still trying to make it the correct size, but this works for now.

I've been reading A LOT and getting close to finishing Good Riddance. Even though it's about 10,000 degrees here today, I might venture out to the library...although I do have that stack of TBR books 😉

Have I shared any photos of our view? 

Here's our view from our front porch! 

(This is an enlarged photo. We're not 2 feet from the lake, but close!)

Part of our screened-in porch. I've wanted one all my life!

And white wicker? Yes! One of my best friends, Sherry, got two chairs,

a love seat and a coffee table for FREE.

  A neighbor of hers was throwing it all away!

Sherry and her husband live a couple hundred miles away now 😥 

but she comes "home" quite often. She piled all the furniture into 

her car and brought it to us. 

Note: I got the beautiful armoire on Facebook's Market Place

which is where people buy and sell used items.
I got it for an amazingly low price!

It obviously opens and has so much storage space!

Looking forward to checking out all y'all's blogs! 

* MY BLOG LIST! *

I've been wanting to add the List of Blogs I followed back in the hey day of blogging, and after much searching and a bit of swearing, I found them! 💓 (If I used to follow your blog, and don't see yours on the sidebar, please let me know. These aren't all of them, just ones I seemed to recognize!)

They are on the right side bar and I plan to go through every one of them. (It will definitely take a while!) The ones who haven't written in years, I'll still try to contact as I've done in the past. It makes me sad when there's no reply and I wonder about them...

I guess this means I'm really going to try to get back into blogging again! (I'm getting so tired of FB)

Remember when I had this cute clip art as my header? I loved it and haven't been able to find it for quite a while, plus make it the correct size. 

Well, tomorrow is another day!

This sounds like me lately...I'm trying, but...

                          I DO have some exciting news...I think...about an upcoming publication!

                                         I'll post more about it when I know more info!

I'M ALIVE AND ALMOST "ALL BETTER!"

I skimmed through my last post....did I mention that I have perfect vision now?? It's wonderful!

Still at the final healing of my second surgery, the one I had June 10. Geez! (I forgot to say the second surgery had nothing to do with my eyes.)

Just wanted to say I'm still here!!

I really appreciate and love all you wonderful people who continue to check my blog and see if there's anything new!

What are y'all reading now? I finally have begun reading again after getting my eye fixed and being "in the mood" again to read!

I'm reading "Good Riddance" by Elinor Lipman. I think I've read almost all of her books. They're easy reads, light fiction, with humor and drama.

Hope to be back in blogland soon!

* RECUPERATING FROM EYE SURGERY *

Have I mentioned anything about needing eye surgery?? I don't think I did...

I have had double-vision for SEVEN MONTHS. I was given every test imaginable, had 3 MRI's, and tons of blood tests. After seeing all kinds of specialists, and wearing my prescription glasses with special "prisms", it was determined that I needed eye surgery to correct the problem. 

This photo shows what the "prisms" look like on glasses. It amazed me that looking through these lines gave me correct vision, although it wasn't perfect. They are made out of soft plastic and just "stick" to the lens...only one lens. 

After going through 3 different kinds in a short period of time, that's when it was decided I needed surgery. I am healing well and haven't been in any pain, although I look awful! 

I'd never seen any other kind of "prism" other than the pyramid shaped ones we had in school...

~~~~~~

AND the ones in the movie "Pollyanna" 

with Hayley Mills!

I LOVE that movie and as a child I never could figure out why all the grown ups didn't like her cheerfulness! I'm also a Pollyanna and proud of it! 💗

"If you look for the bad in people you're sure to find it, so look for the good in them instead." - Pollyanna

ENJOYING OUR SCREENED-IN PORCH

Charlie finally believed me when I said he'd see much better from the love seat than standing on the floor.

If this works, you'll see part of the porch, my feet, a cup of coffee and the beautiful chirping of birds. 

We just love it here. 

So relaxing, beautiful, great neighbors.

Exciting News!

Three French Hens 

Wildwood, Missouri 

 

"This would be a great Mother’s Day gift."

"We all end up with chin hairs." 

"Sold exclusively at Three French Hens."

-- Jeanie Hood, owner

https://www.facebook.com/ThreeFrenchHensAntiques/

Recently I reached out to the owner, Jeanie Hood, about selling my memoir on consignment at her beautiful store. 

She said "yes!"

I dropped off some books yesterday in hopes of sales for Mother's Day gifts. 

She loves the title and will read it as soon as possible so she can talk to her customers about it. 

I'm doing happy dances because in addition to the opportunity for more book sales, I know I have met a new friend, a kindred spirit, and that means more than any dollar amount...

Please click on the link above to their Facebook page and learn more about Jeanie and her store!  

snapdragons - one of my favorites 

And to all the Moms out there...Happy Mother's Day!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

You know you're having a great day when your new electric bill arrives and it's $100 less than last month's! 

Renovations, insulation, meditations, irritations, frustrations, recommendations, and celebrations: 

Purchased and refurbishing a _ _ _ _ home, lake side. What a beautiful place to retire! 💗

I'll post some before and after photos sometime soon. 


I never imagined that my Dream Home would be a double-wide mobile home!!