* The Books are Here. The Books are Here! *

My Chicken Soup for the Soul books arrived yesterday! Ron took some pics of me, and most of them weren't too awful. (I usually hate the way I look in pictures!)

This particular book would be a perfect gift for just about anyone. A belated Mother's Day gift, a birthday, graduation, a gift to yourself, etc. It's available online and in book stores. 

Next week, someone from my local newspaper is going to interview me for an article next month. I'm still waiting to hear from a few other people, too. 

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAYS *

 

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

This Nostalgic Sunday post is going to be about my beloved dogs, because I recently heard from my pal, Tracie Hotchner, about this upcoming Dog Film Festival in New York City, which is her project! (Sure wish I lived near there!)

"THE FIRST ANNUAL DOG FILM FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK IS A CELEBRATION OF THE REMARKABLE BOND BETWEEN DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE. The Dog Film Festival is a project of The Radio Pet Lady Network and Tracie Hotchner. - See more at: http://dogfilmfestival.com/#sthash.9gogg1ju.dpuf "

My nostalgia today is about the three dogs I've had in my life...yes, only three, including my current old guy, VERN! We didn't have pets when I was growing up except for an occasional gold fish which is NOT a pet..at least in my opinion! (In my memoir sequel, I'm including a story about having a puppy for only a couple of days, until I had to give him back.)

Anyway....My first much-loved dog was Rocky. We got him as a 6 month old puppy when The Ronald and I were newlyweds - (1983 or '84)



This is my oldest son, Scott, holding Rocky soon after we got him.

Awww.....aren't they both adorable?!

We knew nothing about having a puppy, especially living in a small apartment, where nobody was home except in the evenings and on weekends! I wrote about our episodes with Rocky in my memoir, and also for NYMB ...On Dogs https://laughuntilyoupee.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/rocky-loses-by-a-tko-by-becky-povich/ 


A few years later, the minute we brought newborn Mark home from the hospital, Rocky was there looking out for him. He didn't want to let people get too close to him in the bassinet! Rocky lived to be almost 14 years old and was always Mark's companion.

Rocky and Mark 1988

 

~ ~ ~

 

 

Here is beautiful Tiger Gal. We got her at a shelter when she was 6 months old, just a month after we said goodbye to Rocky. Part of why we chose her was because she resembled Rocky's markings. She, too, lived to be 14 years old. We had to say goodbye to her just a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2010. I wrote about her on my blog here: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2010/12/tearful-goodbye-to-tiger-girl.html

 

~ ~ ~

 

And now....here is Vern. (June 2015)

 

Those of you who don't know the story about Vern, here's a condensed version: Three months after we had to say goodbye to our beloved Tiger, I was ready to look for another dog. Wanted an "older" dog....a companion, and not a frisky puppy. Found Vern, a lab mix, online at a shelter. His age was listed as eight, but found out he was really nine and a half.....big difference in dog years! But, we brought him home with us (in March 2011) and have been in love with this fabulous dog ever since! He is sweet, loving, smart, funny and just plain perfect. We will celebrate his birthday next month - - he'll be 14 years old, and our hopes and prayers are that he lives to be 20! (as long as he is healthy and happy)

 

 

 

 

* ANOTHER YEAR OF WEDDED BLISS *

* This blog post consists of some previous anniversary posts! *

The Ronald and I are celebrating a wedding anniversary today: 32 Years! I don't know how this can be possible since I'm only 35 years old! J

Seriously, where have the years gone?? Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but managed to always work things out, and keep loving each other. A story I wrote about our marriage is in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Love Stories (2007)

Notice the jagged edge on the left bottom? Our big, ol' puppy at that time, Rocky, decided a few of our wedding pictures were quite tasty. That little bit of information is included in a story I wrote for NYMB...On Dogs (2012)

Two more photos from that special day in 1983.

Have I mentioned The Ronald is a foot taller than I am??!! That comes in handy when I need something from the top shelf! ☺

 

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." ~ Martin Luther

 

"I couldn't be me, without you being you, allowing me to be me." - Becky Lewellen Povich (said to The Ronald one evening when discussing my writing)



** P.S. I forgot to mention that the two stories I referred to are also in my memoir. **

An Anniversary, More Laptop Problems, Free Books, & More

Today is a wedding anniversary for The Ronald & me: 31 Years! I don't know how this can be possible since I'm only 35 years old! J

Seriously, where have the years gone?? Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but managed to always work things out, and keep loving each other. A story I wrote about our marriage is in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Love Stories (2007)

(I think he has something planned because last night he said, "We can exchange our anniversary cards later this week, ok?" And I replied, "Sure!" Good idea since I hadn't gotten anything for him yet...either!)

Notice the jagged edge on the left bottom? Our big, ol' puppy at that time, Rocky, decided a few of our wedding pictures were quite tasty. That little bit of information is included in a story I wrote for NYMB...On Dogs (2012)

~~~

 

My son, Scott, worked on my laptop for a couple of hours last night, figured out what the problem was, and fixed it...

(image from Google)

 

BUT the never-ending-saga of my computer problems continues....Late last night I began having problems sending and receiving e-mails. So, if you are expecting an e-mail from me, please don't fret. I'll get this straightened out as soon as possible.

I'd finally realized, too, I was getting down in the dumps, not because of the frigid temperatures, but because I couldn't use my laptop properly! Yes, it's a large part of my life!

No wonder I feel like this!

And I pretty much look like it, too!

~~~

* To those who are interested in winning a print copy of my memoir, either click on these words: GOODREADS GIVEWAY 

Or, go to the gadget on the right column and click on just these 2 words: giveaway details right above the Enter to win box.

I'm giving away FOUR print copies, so stop on over there! *

~~~

** Welcome to my two newest followers, B.A. Wilson & Carrie at Cottage Cozy. I hope you both will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! **

~~~

I have so much more to post, but won't do anymore here. I don't want information to get lost due to TMI. I'll just say some topics include: Melissa Goodwin, Jack Zerr, Shirley Showalter, Women's Memoirs, Under the Tiki Hut, Karen Lange, Juanita Nobles, & more!

 ~~~

And now a few humorous quotes.....

"Helpdesk: There is an icon on your computer labeled "My Computer". Double click on it.
User: What's your computer doing on mine?"

 

"See daddy ? All the keys are in alphabetical order now."

"I realized I was officially a professional writer when all my plans began with "drink coffee" and ended with "take a nap." -- Cassandra Duffy

* Books * Dogs * A Give-Away *

It's been such a long time since I've had any kind of contest or give-away, I decided the time is NOW!

Do you love books?

Do you love to read books?

How about dogs?

Do you love dogs?

Do you love to read books about dogs and the people who love them? 

~~~

If you answered YES to any of these questions, please keep reading!

A true story I wrote about our first dog, Rocky, ("Rocky Loses by a TKO") is included in this fun and fabulous anthology. I will give one away in a random drawing consisting of people who leave a comment (and also become my follower if you aren't already) on this particular post.

My oldest son, Scott, & Rocky - 1982

We got Rocky when he was just a pup! 

And, boy, did he get into all kinds of trouble!

A couple of wedding photos that Rocky tried to eat! 

I mention this in my story.

Rocky and me - 1988

By this time, my youngest son, Mark, was 6 months old.

Rocky and Mark 1988

When we brought little, newborn Mark home from the hospital, Rocky immediately became very protective of him. They were pals until the day we had to say good-bye to Rocky when Mark was 10 years old. 

If you read my blog post from May 1st,you'll remember Tracie Hotchner, the Radio Pet Lady. I'll be calling into her show It's a Dog's Life ** A Brand New Show **"Your Dog's Best Friend" tomorrow evening, May 23rd, around 7:05 pm (CDT). If it's at all possible, please be sure to listen to the live podcast!

You don't have to listen to be part of the give-away, though! (If you'd like, you can always listen to show archives on Tracie's site, too.)

* Adendum Thursday, May 23rd 10:35pm CDT:
As you can see, I crossed out the name of the originally planned show, and added the Brand New Show: "Your Dog's Best Friend", which had its first broadcast this evening! I was "on" between 7:30 to 7:43pm. Please listen to the archive show, which should be posted on the podcast archives soon!
In this case, the "best friend" of your dog, is Sarah Hodgson: "dog trainer and people trainer for dogs"!

SO.....what do you need to do to be included in the give-away drawing? I'm making "the rules" very easy. You don't have to repost it, twitter it, facebook it, or go to any trouble. 

I just ask that you leave a comment at the end of this post, and become my follower, if you aren't already. That's it! 


Comments can be left until midnight Saturday, May 25th. (CDT) I'll make the random drawing after that and post the winner on Sunday's post. Any questions? Just ask!

Thanks and maybe you could tell your dog-loving friends about it, too! 
~~~

P.S. If you're a writer, the publisher, Publishing Syndicate, is accepting stories for a multitude of various upcoming anthologies. Check it out!

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

* Nostalgic Sunday * (With Pets)

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Lately I've been thinking about my age, (I just can't be that old!) and the wedding anniversary coming up for The Ronald and me in February. (Can it really be 30 years?!) And during all these years of marriage, we've had three dogs (not all at the same time!) who quickly became part of our family.

First, there was Rocky. (1983) We got him when he was just a pup, a mixed-breed. As I wrote in a story about him, I said he was "part Gordon Setter and part some kind of big dog."

Rocky, and my oldest son Scott, and a much younger, thinner me!

Rocky lived to be about 14 years old and I was so sad when we had to say good-bye to him. I didn't even want to think about getting another dog for at least six months,

but a month later we brought Tiger (Gal) home from the Humane Society. She was 6 months old and we fell in love with her, partly because she resembled Rocky so much.

(Tiger: January 2009)

Tiger was such a sweet companion. I worked from home most of those years and was even more attached to her than I had been to Rocky. When we had to say good-bye to her a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2010, I was devastated. I couldn't even think about getting another dog, yet I knew we would someday because our home was empty without a beloved pet. 

          On March 12, 2011 we brought home our newest family member: Vern!

Vern is a Lab Mix and is the sweetest, smartest dog. He has a real personality & we get such a kick out of him. (As you can see, I've always preferred larger mixed-breeds, bi-colors, and with long noses!) And we've always been so fortunate to have good, healthy, well behaved dogs, who lived long lives. We adopted Vern from the Humane Society when he was almost 10 years old, and we obviously hope he has many more good years ahead. 

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!” -- Dave Barry 

“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” -- Dean Koontz, False Memory

Writerly Tidbits

I know..... I'm supposed to be on a Big Blog Break....which I'm really doing, but I wanted to share a couple of Writerly Tidbits.


Remember three weeks ago when I wrote about my dog story "Rocky Loses by a TKO," not making it into a Chicken Soup for the Soul book? Well, I submitted it to Not Your Mother’s Book…On Dogs by Publishing Syndicate. On Tuesday afternoon I received an e-mail and Permission Release Form announcing it "made it through the first consideration round." 

So, since I believe in my story and I enjoy a virtual roller-coaster ride every now and then, I'm very happy I resubmitted it. Time will tell whether it actually makes it into the book or not, but that's okay, too. I've learned to add patience to my list of qualities I'm trying like crazy to learn to be patient, which is so necessary for writers...and people in general!


If the series Not Your Mother's Book.... sounds familiar, it might be because you've read about it on other blogs recently. Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell are working with Publishing Syndicate on three of their many upcoming books. Be sure to visit the website and/or the two blogs.

~~~~~

My other Writerly Tidbit is that I won a book on Writer Unboxed! I first heard about this blog/website when I attended the Donald Maass Workshop last month in St. Louis. He is one of many contributors. 

My name was drawn by random in the post by Chuck Sambuchino, titled What Are the Best Writers' Conferences to Attend? I left a comment along with lots of others, and my name/number was drawn!

I had two choices of books: "2012 Guide to Literary Agents," or "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Ed." I chose the manuscript book and will be happy to share info here on my blog....when I can! 

If you're a writer and/or love to read, please check out all the links I've provided. There's a wealth of information there.

Thanks for stopping by. Now, I'm really not going to post for quite some time. I mean it! 

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked." -- Anais Nin

A Rejection: Ouch! But I'm Okay

We interrupt this Blog Break (again!)  ~~~~~~

In December of last year, I received an e-mail stating that one of my stories had made it to the Final Selection Round for a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I was really excited because I hadn't submitted anything to them in a couple of years. (And why had I not been sending them stories? I guess it was because of my awful writers block, self-sabotage, etc. etc.)

Below is the first paragraph of that December 2011 e-mail:

 Your story “Rocky Loses by a TKO” has made it to the final selection round for Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Dog Did That! Only a small percent of the submitted stories have made it this far. The vast majority of stories in this “last round” will appear in the book, but we do not make the final decisions until about a month before the publication date.

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! I signed that contract and sent it immediately, and obviously being aware I wouldn't know for sure if my story would make it into the book or not, I still had confidence. I thought of so many ways to spend that $200! The other times that I'd made it this far, my story was selected.

Well.....not this time. I received this e-mail today:


I am sorry, I just received the final TOC (Table of Contents) from our editor and unfortunately your story was not selected.

And of course, my initial reaction was WHAT? Huh? How can this be?


But for the first time, my surprise, hurt, and disappointment only lasted mere seconds. And I truly believe it's because I'm doing so well with my memoir! Thank goodness for that, or I may have moped around for too long!  I've had my writing rejected before, several times, but that happens to ALL writers, and I always say it's like that slogan for the state lottery: "You can't win, if you don't play."


So, the reason for this blog post is to advise all writers, artists, photographers, etc. to keep on submitting! Don't let a couple of rejections knock you down. Keep on, keepin' on!

Happy Weekend, Everyone!

"I think that you have to believe in your destiny; that you will succeed, you will meet a lot of rejection and it is not always a straight path, there will be detours – so enjoy the view." – Michael York, actor

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Thoughts about Nostalgic Sunday:

When I was a young girl, Sundays meant going to Mass. Sometimes my mom made homemade donuts after we got home. That was a special treat. Other times, we had bacon and eggs, or pancakes. No plain old cold cereal on a Sunday. (We never went out to eat for breakfast! Whoever heard of such a thing?! In fact when I was really young, I'm pretty sure the only times we ate out was when we were on summer vacations, and stopped at those roadside restaurants. That, too, was special.)

Sundays meant the "funny papers" or just the "funnies." Even when I was too young to read, I still loved to lie on the floor and look at all the colorful drawings, trying to figure out what each little story was about.

Sunday evenings also meant certain TV shows: The Ed Sullivan Show. The Wonderful World of Disney. Lassie. I wasn't very old when I'd already figured out that Lassie lived with a bunch of not-too-smart humans. (Whenever our previous dog, Tiger-Gal, would bark at us because she obviously wanted something, The Ronald and I would say to her, "What is it girl? Is it Timmy? What?? He fell down the well?! OMG!")

And that brings me to the submission I sent Friday evening to Chicken Soup for the Soul. It's the humorous story about our first dog, Rocky, and his encounter with a houseplant. ☺

(I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!)

"Now, Andy, before you go traipsing around the country on any manhunt, you come along home and have dinner first." -- Aunt Bee        

* A Waggish Wednesday *

I'm in a silly mood tonight which is usually quite common for me. It made me think of the word "waggish" which I discovered a year or so ago. I looked back through my old posts just now and noticed that not only was it one year ago, it was in the month of September! I used it for two post titles. One on the 15th of September 2010, and one on the 30th.


If you've known me for very long, you know I love it when these ♪♫ Twilight Zoney ♪♫ things happen to me. These Cosmic Sensations. These Serendipitous Happenings. You get the idea.

So, what is my waggish post for tonight. (By the way, "waggish" mean roguish in merriment and good humor, mischievous, merry, droll, comical, and funny.....Pretty much describes me!)

Uh...maybe THIS is why I'm feeling so kooky tonight!

I'm feeling good because I'm writing. Last night I submitted a short-short fictional story for a contest.

AND I'm writing a story for "Chicken Soup for the Soul; I Can't Believe My Dog Did That!" I'm working on a humorous story I began some time ago. It's about our first dog, Rocky. I don't have any digital photos of him, but he looked very similar to Tiger Gal. I would be thrilled, obviously, if the story was accepted for publication!

Welcome to my newest follower, Kelley. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!


"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja-vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." Steven Wright

** Happy Birthday To Our Beloved Dog! **

A few years ago, we got our beloved dog, Tiger, at a local animal shelter. It had only been about a month since we had said good bye to our first and only dog, Rocky. He had lived to be fourteen, I missed him terribly, and said I did not want another dog for at least six months. Well, that all changed when my husband told me about a dog he'd seen at the shelter and that I should come see her, too. You've guessed the outcome: We fell in love with the puppy and took her home. We let our youngest son, Mark, name her, and he chose Tiger. His reasoning was because of the movie: Rocky and something about the name of a song in the movie was "Eye of the Tiger". (although "Tigress" would've been more appropriate!)

Since Tiger's exact age was unknown, the vet estimated her age to be six months. It was summertime and so we chose her birthday to be January 1st. Over the years, none of us have really thought about her birthday or having any kind of celebration for her. I had even lost track of her age, but knew she was getting pretty old, so I looked on one of the past vet bills.....we have plenty of them!....and saw that she was born in 1997!!....And so, Happy 13th Birthday, Tiger!!

I will continue to spoil her, enjoy her, and love her every single day, as I have for the past 12 years.

(P.S. I finally got my photo program to work correctly, and this picture is brand new and current....taken during the evening of Tiger's 13th birthday)

"Happiness is a warm puppy." -- Charles M. Schulz