* 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!

 

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Meeting Pen-Pals in Person for the First Time!

On my July 10th post, I wrote about having pen-pals when I was young, and how I've begun sending snail mail letters and note cards to family and friends again. It's been wonderful, too. There's something magical about grabbing mail from the mail box, and finding something other than bills and advertisements.....an envelope with my name and address handwritten on it! ☺

Well, when I was in the Atlanta area last week, I had the extraordinary opportunity to meet some "pen-blog-pals! I can't say enough about how much it meant to me for these wonderful gals to drive quite a distance to come and see me. And on top of it all.....they brought gifts! Whew...thank goodness I thought to do the same!

First I had lunch with Linda from A La Carte and Sandie from Chatty Crone.

I'm on the left, Linda is in the back right, and Sandie in the front right.

We had a marvelous time at Ted's Montana Grill (owned by Ted Turner).

We talked and laughed as if we'd known each other for years!

Sandie gave me this adorable Santa ornament! She remembered about my small collection of statues of people/critters holding books. How thoughtful! She also gave me a package of scrumptious Ghiradelli Twilight Delight! Yum! (I shared these with family, so there wasn't any to bring home!)

Linda presented me with a lovely journal on the left, and the book on the right.

I began reading "Lost & Found" while still in Georgia, since I'd just finished reading "Best Staged Plans" by Claire Cook. (very cute book and good summertime read!)

"Lost & Found" begins with a tragic event. That's about all I know right now! I've been in such a constant writing mode, I haven't taken the time to read. I'll have to start fitting that into my schedule!

After lunch was over it was time to say goodbye to Linda and Sandie, and meet up with my other two pals from the area: Miss Cathy C. Hall and Lisa Ricard Claro. We were to meet at the same place (talk about making it accommadating for me!) and Cathy arrived in time to meet L & S before they left. Unfortunately, Lisa was stricken with the flu and had to stay home. Although I was disappointed to not meet her, I certainly understood and was so sorry she was sick.  (I'll be down South again sometime, Lisa!) Cathy and I went over to Chik-fil-A and I had to have one of their luscious peach milk shakes...yummy! (Don't even talk to me about calories!)

Here is Cathy with her ever present, Cathy-on-a Stick!

Cathy's hubby, the Beneficent Mr. Hall, took some photos of us. These are the only two we didn't have to pose for. These are the real us.

And here we are....posing!

Cathy brought along a couple of awesome presents that were from both Lisa and her.

Who doesn't need and want a Redneck Dictionary?? I didn't have one yet and here it's Volume III already. Cathy inscribed it, "Becky, may you always talk (and write!) gooder than anybody!" Wow, Thanks, Y'all! Also, these lovely linen napkins are just perfect. They are hand-embroidered, too, not by a machine. I think I might display them on my dining room wall. I'm not sure yet.

I can't say enough about how wonderful these women are! Yes, you too, Lisa! ☺

I feel as if we've all been friends for years and I'm truly grateful to know them.

I'm feeling nostalgic already.... 

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin