* OUR DEAR FRIEND, CLAUDiA...AKA BOOKiE *

This is kind of a long blog post, but please don't glance at it and think you don't have the time to read it.

Many of my readers have certainly come across a dear friend's blog, Claudia's Page: http://claudiapage-bookie.blogspot.com/

Claudia and I "met" through blogging probably in 2010. That was during the height of my blogging life, as it was for many others. We connected easily, having the same passion for writing and reading, tea cups and tea pots, being outside on the deck on beautiful days, plants and flowers... We sent each other snail mail from time to time and also little gifts. Nothing that cost more than a few dollars, but something special we knew the other would enjoy.

Somehow over the years, though, many of us also began writing fewer and fewer posts. I'm certainly guilty of that. For some reason I lost my gusto for it. Maybe finishing my memoir had something to do with it, but I also know the hard times I was going through for quite some time had a lot to do with it, too. I shared some of my troubles with Claudia via emails and she was always so supportive and encouraging.

(Some left blogging for the ease of quick interactions on Facebook...something I still do not care for, but feel compelled to do from time to time. I haven't let it take over my life, though, by any stretch of the imagination.)

I was thrilled in 2010 when she and I both had stories accepted in an anthology, Patchwork Path: Treasure Box. Here's the link to one of my blog posts concerning that: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2010/12/anthologies-friends-book-store-food.html

Claudia on left. Becky on right.

Claudia and I met in person, quite by accident, during Christmas time in 2014. I was working at Thistle & Clover on Main Street in old St. Charles, Mo. (one of Claudia's favorite areas!) When I got off work that evening, Ron met me for dinner at a great restaurant just down the road. We ate and talked and during our dinner, I saw a woman walk by who I thought looked a bit familiar, but I wasn't sure from where. I hardly remember names, but I almost never forget a face. Maybe she was a store customer, maybe I knew her from writers' meetings, etc. So, when she walked back toward our table, we looked at each other and she said to me, "Is your name Becky?" And I stood up and immediately said, "Claudia! Yes, it's me!" We hugged and talked and Ron sat there looking at us like we were nuts. We recognized each other just from various photos we'd seen of each other...She knew I lived in the general vicinity, but she and her DH (dear husband) had driven from near Joplin, Missouri to be there....which is quite a LONG way. Unfortunately they had to leave to visit some other people, so we only talked for a couple of minutes. Ron took a couple of pictures of us...and can you believe this is the best of the two?? Even though the coloring and focus is bad...Claudia looked so cute, and I looked....well, just awful. LOL

So, why am I writing about Claudia today? I'm writing a post about Claudia today because of her blog post of May 27th that I just came across yesterday. What she wrote hasn't left my mind for one second in these almost 24 hours. Claudia has cancer. And it doesn't sound good. I am stunned. I am in shock. This can't be happening to such a sweet woman.

Here is a portion of her post: "...this week, my world crashed. I got very sick and had to go to the hospital. I am home again but not for long. I have cancer, one of the worst with no hope. Now my time must be spent tending to wrapping up a life. If you are a writer, you know that means among other things hundreds of folders for research, new ideas, and manuscripts! I never knew this office was SO full of paper!"

Whether you know Claudia or not, please visit her blog and read some of her beautiful posts and see the lovely photographs she took during road trips she and DH went on. Leave a comment, or send an email to the address she gave. And maybe become her new follower...I would love to see her finally hit the 100 mark!

If you believe in prayer...please say a ton of them for her. If not, please send well wishes, think healing thoughts, or anything else you would like to do.



"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one." - C.S. Lewis


"A good friend is a connection to life...a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." -- Lois Wyse

* THIS MONTH WILL BE HALF OVER BEFORE WE KNOW IT *

My previous post was on December 30, 2014. And here it is January 9, 2015.

Gosh, this month is almost half over already!

My apologies for yet another very brief post. I just wanted to say Hello, and share the news that my "seasonal" part-time job (at Thistle & Clover) is continuing....indefinitely!

The owner asked me to stay on, and I said "Sure! Thank you so much!"

I hope everyone is having a blissful beginning to the new year.

More news will follow soon. I promise!

I hope this fireplace will make everyone feel warm and toasty!

♪ Baby, it's cold outside! ♪
 

"In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold." - Ben Aaronovitch

*HAPPY FRIDAY & PHOTOS ADDED TO PREVIOUS POST *

I just added a picture to my previous post of my friend (and current boss!) in front of Thistle & Clover in beautiful old St. Charles.

And also added a photo of our Christmas tree.

It's less than one week until Christmas!

 

 



One of my all time favorite Christmas albums!!

 

 





* WORKING & LEARNING & DECORATING THE TREE *

WORKING & LEARNING

When I first started looking for a job a few months ago, one thing I said I would NOT do was work in retail. Well, have I mentioned that I'm working in retail?! But it's not in a large department store or discount store. THAT, I swear, I would NOT do!

I'm working seasonal, part-time at Thistle & Clover, the specialty shop I mentioned in a blog post on June 8th. (They carry Scottish, Irish, and Welsh items.) My new friend, Karen and her husband own it, and they are great to work for. The other employees are helpful and fun to work with, too. I'm enjoying learning about some of my Welsh and Scottish heritage which is on my dad's side of the family: the coat of arms, the tartans, the history, etc.

Karen, in front of Thistle & Clover

I love talking with people and helping them find what they're looking for, so it hasn't really seemed much like work.....until I get home and realize how tired I am!

DECORATING THE TREE

 

Over the past week, when I've been home from work, I've been adding a few ornaments to our Christmas tree. It occurred to me that at the rate I was going, it would never be finished before Christmas! So, during the past couple of days I finished trimming the tree! I'm so happy with it!

Our Christmas tree in 2014

Last year we only had a tiny, two foot tall tree, and it didn't seem like Christmas to me. This year we have a six foot tall tree, complete with lights, that we got at Walgreens last year after Christmas for...Ten Dollars! I'll post a couple of photos soon.

 

 

 

 

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis

 

 

* LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE *

For the past couple of weeks I've mentioned that I have lots of writerly info to share, and now I just hope I can remember a good percentage of it all. REMINDER TO SELF: keep better track of all the info I want to blog about!

For one thing, I've been spending a lot of time online, searching for all the different ways to market my memoir. The websites and blogs are endless and overwhelming, but I've gotten to the point where I get "a feel" right away as to whether I think one has noteworthy information or not. And still, I firmly believe the best way for a book to really take off, is by word of mouth. If enough people love a book and shout it from the rooftops, then it will soar to the top of the bestselling lists. (my dream and my goal)

Because my book is a memoir which women would particularly enjoy, I put on my old
thinking cap to come up with unique places to call on about selling it in their stores. For instance, there's a quaint shop near my home in Old St. Charles, called Thistle & Clover. They specialize in Welsh, Scottish, and Irish gifts, jewelry, clothing, etc...and a few books.

Thistle & Clover

 



I really had to talk myself into going inside that store and speaking to the owner about possibly selling my memoir there, on consignment. The owner, Karen, happened to be there the day I walked in. I showed her my book and explained how I thought it would be a great item to have in her store, since I'm part Welsh. She asked if there was anything in particular in my memoir about Wales or me being Welsh, other than my maiden name, and I hesitated for a split second and said "No!" And we both laughed. Long story short: I left a complimentary copy for her to read, stopped back a month later and she apologized for not having time to read any of it yet. I said, "Oh, I understand. No problem. I'll just check with you again in a few more weeks." I purchased a key ring that had my great-grandmother's maiden name on it: MacPherson. Yes, I'm also part Scottish! A day or two later, she e-mailed me saying she'd actually read a few pages, and that she must have my books in her store. I went to see her the next day, we talked and laughed for about an hour, and she bought six copies....full selling price! She didn't want to go the consignment way. She wanted me to have the money. Can you say New Best Friend?

 

We are definitely kindred spirits and will be meeting for dinner sometime soon. We need more time to talk!

 

That's all for this blog post. I'll be sharing much more information soon about * Living the Writer's Life. *

 

 

Welcome to my newest followers Keith Wynn at Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer, Vickie Newman at Musing With My Tea, and Phyllis.  I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

 

 

 

“Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.” -- Alan Alda