* 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

* CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL *

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul is now offering these "Contributor Badges" for anyone who has had a story published in one of their many anthologies. They begin at 1+ and go all the way to 20+ (as in how many books your stories are in!) So, since I have stories in four books, I was able to choose the 3+ badge.

 

I only know a handful of writers who can proudly display the 20+ badge, and I'm happy to say that one of them is my friend, Linda O'Connell. AND Linda and I became friends because of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Linda and I both had stories in the 2007, Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul. When she read the authors' bios in the back of the book, she saw my name and that I too lived in the St. Louis area. She e-mailed me and a wonderful friendship began.....Linda was also my first writing mentor and I know with all certainty that I would not be the writer I am today if Linda had not reached out to me. She introduced me to other writers at St. Louis Writers Guild functions...and the rest is history!

 

Regrettably, I forgot to thank Linda in my memoir's Acknowledgements. Acckkkk! (As you can see, this has obviously bothered me for quite some time!) Linda, please remind me when I begin talking about publishing my next book, ok??

One more thing...if you've ever thought about writing and sending your story to Chicken Soup for the Soul, what is stopping you? Go ahead! Write it. Submit it. They're looking for quite a few stories right now, too. Go here to see the upcoming books.



"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." - Margaret Drabble

* WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG BREAK FOR WRITERS EVERYWHERE *

Happy October 1st 2014!

Writerly News

 

Hello Everyone ~ Although I have missed blogging, being away from it this past month has been good for me. One less thing to stress about.

 

I'd like to be able to announce that I've gotten tons of writing accomplished....but I haven't. I HAVE, though, succeeded in doing some really good marketing in my area. My memoir is now being stocked in two more local gift shops, J and I have many more places to call on.

 

More about all that at a later time. Today I want to share contests and calls for submissions I've recently come across. 

* * Note: I will be sending out my 2nd newsletter sometime very soon. If you haven't signed up yet and would like to, please go to my website and fill out the info: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html 

 

 

 

Publishing Syndicate: This is the Not Your Mother's Book On... _ _ _ _ _ publisher. They always have call outs but the current ones look like these three.

NYMB...On Sex: Immediately!

NYMB...On Military Life: January 1, 2015

NYMB...On Menopause: January 1, 2015

 



 

Page & Spine; a weekly literary magazine, is having their First Annual Christmas Contest!  They will pay $100 for the Best Story, plus another $100 for the Best Poem! There's only a $5.00 entry fee for each item submitted. Their website also says: showcasing emerging writers. I really don't know anything about them, but it's a legitimate site! So, go for it! I'd love to hear from anyone who enters!

 

 

The Copperfield Review; A Journal for Readers and Writers of Historical Fiction, is now accepting historical short fiction, poetry, and history-based nonfiction for Copperfield‘s first anthology. I think this sounds so exciting, because I don't remember ever coming across an anthology for historical fiction writers! (It also says they have changed their guidelines, so be sure to read everything. I didn't look enough to notice if there was an entry fee or not, either.)

 

 

The Furious Gazelle; Halloween Contest. Deadline October 24th. (I'm getting lazier as I type, so look it up for more info!) J

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul FOOD Contest: Yes, Chicken Soup has a food contest! This link takes you to the information which is listed on Facebook. The deadline to enter is December 29th. It sounds like a lot of fun. I keep forgetting about it, but I want to enter, too.

 

 



Chicken Soup for the Soul: Calls for Submissions (Writing!) 

 

Dreams & Premonitions - Deadline 12/31/2014

Hope & Miracles - Deadline 10/30/2014

Inspiration for Nurses - Deadline 11/30/2014

Living a Life of Purpose by Volunteering - Deadline 12/31/2014

Stories about the Christmas Season - Deadline 1/31/2015

Support for Therapists/Mental Health Professionals - Deadline 12/31/2014

Thanks to My Mom - Deadline 10/20/2014 (I think this is a new, extended date.)

Time to Thrive - Deadline 12/31/2014

 

 

 

Okay everyone out there who writes or even thinks about writing - -  there's a little bit of everything right here for you to try!!

 

 

I've noticed I have some new Blog Followers and as always I want to acknowledge them. I'm not sure but I think I have three new wonderful blog friends......

 

 

* Welcome to my newest followers: Beauty Ink, Michael Mixerr, and Sherri Ellis at Mama Diaries. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *

 

 

In honor of it being October 1st, and because of my love of autumn and the stunning colors the leaves become, I'm ending with a quote about....Trees!

 

 

 

 

 "Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration



WRITER'S BLOCK PROBLEM SOLVED!

I discovered why I had such debilitating writer's block! I was trying to write a story for the wrong book. Yeah, me! Can you imagine? No wonder I couldn't come up with the right words. 

My story would've fit quite nicely in the "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven," but not in "Miracles Happen." That deadline and publication date swooshed by ages ago, so I have no idea why or how I got the two mixed up.

~~~

Along with that discovery came another light-bulb-moment. In this case, the wrong book isn't just about anthologies. What I really want to do is to continue on with the sequel to my memoir! 

~~~

So in a winding, cosmic kind of way, I've gotten back onto the right path. I should know better. In fact, I do, but I have a tendency to believe I should also be submitting stories to contests, anthologies, and magazines. That is just putting way too much pressure on myself. Sometimes it takes the proverbial whack on the head to wake me up. And I can honestly say, "I have been awakened!" The sequel is my only priority. 

Thank you again to all the kind souls who took the time to offer advise and suggestions about my writer's block. 

~~~

* A side note: I received an e-mail from my contact at the literary agency. She said I... "will hear back in the next several weeks, depending on the schedule of those in the office." I'm grateful for that because although I don't know how many is considered "several," I do know I can relax, put it out of my mind for a month or more, and continue on. 

~~~

My quote for this evening is one I saw at my chiropractor's office last week. I liked it so much, I jotted it down because I knew I'd never remember it by the time I got home!



"I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense." -- Harold Kushner

* I'M DRIVING MYSELF NUTS *

I'm driving myself nuts. And yes, I know it's a short trip... Buh dum, dum.

Google source

It happens fairly often, and this particular case of nuttiness has been brought on by.....what else? Writer's block. 

Google source 

I've been attempting to write a story to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul, for the upcoming anthology, "Miracles Happen." 

Google source

I have a story that is perfect for this book. I'm not trying to make myself write it. I really do want to write it, submit it, and I hope it gets accepted. The deadline is August 15th: that's NINE days from now. 

And the biggest part of the "driving myself nuts" has to do with the magnificent Oscar Wilde quote below. It has taken me DAYS to write the first paragraph - three sentences. Only I wasn't arguing with myself over a comma. I was trying to figure out what the word was that I'd been searching for, and as I scanned through various thesauruses, a word finally stood out. Ahhh, victory! At least for today. I now have 79 words (the first paragraph). 

I'd love to get some suggestions from other writers. What do you do for writer's block that usually works? Or what doesn't. I could use some laughs! 



"This morning I took out a comma and this afternoon I put it back again." -- Oscar Wilde

* Calls for Submissions *

Calls for Submissions to Share

Publishing Syndicate is looking for more Pets stories: http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/pets.html

Also for: My First Time http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/my_first_time.html

(What the website says about this title: This book probably isn't what you think it is! There’s a first time for everything, from a first date to a first car to a first job. Embarrassing, silly, entertaining and funny stories will fill this book about everything “first.” What’s your first? Please, no sexually-explicit stories, even though first kiss stories are welcomed!)

Also for: On Family

http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/family.html

Also for: On Being a Mom

http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/moms.html

Also: On Dieting

http://www.publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/dieting.html


It's almost midnight and I'm about to fall asleep at my laptop......

To Be Continued!

P.S. I'll be having a Give-Away next week, so please be sure and drop in!

* 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

Writerly Advice & Calls for Submission

Two weeks ago, I met online a most amazing, writerly woman. She is very talented, funny and supportive...and I'm extremely grateful for some advice she gave me concerning my memoir. More on that at a later date.......

~~~

*Calls for Submissions for NINE books:

From Chicken Soup for the Soul

Click on the link above for complete information on each book. Surely at least one of these book titles has your name all over it! ☺

Miracles 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is July 31, 2013

Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is July 31, 2013

O Canada The Wonders of Winter 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is June 15, 2013

Overcoming Challenges 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is October 31, 2013

Reboot Your Life 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is November 30, 2013

Stories about Cats 
The deadline for story and poem submissions is August 31, 2013

Stories about Dogs 

The deadline for story and poem submissions is August 31, 2013

The Dating Game! 

The deadline for story and poem submissions is July 15, 2013

Think Positive for Kids (Stories to be written by adults about their own childhood, or about a child they know now.)

The deadline for story and poem submissions is June 30, 2013

*Give it a try! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! If your story (or stories) are chosen, you receive a check for $200, plus 10 free books! (for each story that is accepted)

~~~

Another busy week has flown by and there's always something that still needs to be accomplished.....Hopefully, I'll have photos to share soon.




"The only way to learn to write is to write." -- Peggy Teeters 

* Unique Call for Submissions *

Those of us of a certain age surely remember Carly Simon's hit "Anticipation" from 1971. Although I loved the song, I never knew if it was written about anyone or anything in particular, until just this morning. I looked at Carly's official website and here's what it said: ...was written by Carly while she was waiting for Cat Stevens to pick her up for a date. How cool is that? (I want to remember that from now on, and not think of the Heinz Ketchup commercial from the late 1970's.)  K

Okay...you're probably wondering what does all that have to do with a "Unique Call for Submissions."

Becky Haigler of Silver Boomer Books recently reminded me of the current call for submissions for their anthology about.....Waiting, which I think is a very unique subject for an anthology! The working title as of now is: Longest Hours -- thoughts while waiting.

Becky also said ".....we have a lot of submissions about hospital waiting rooms and hospice situations and are needing some more light items about waiting to balance the collection. A well-written light piece will actually have a better chance of being included." And although the website says the deadline is April 15th, she said through the end of April is okay.

I actually have a couple of different occasions I could write about for this. Now, if I can just find the time. (I'm still packing!)

Be sure to read all of the Guidelines before submitting. Good luck to everyone!

"Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired." -- Mae West

Special Wednesday The Next Big Thing

I've been tagged by Margo Dill in a blog game called THE NEXT BIG THING! (Writer bloggers answer questions around the web about the next big thing in publishing....because aren't we all writing that hugely popular, next best seller?!

Here are the rules per author Ey Wade’s blog:

“If you like the game of Tag, this is the game for you. If you’re tagged, you’re “it,” and you have to answer 10 questions about your WIP (work in progress) on your blog and then pass the baton on to 5 author volunteers who will answer the same questions the following Wednesday on their own blog.”   *After searching through all the blogs I follow, I'm not really sure who I could pass this on to. I have plenty of writer/blogger friends, but not many who have a WIP, that I know of. *

~~~~~~

Here are my 10 answers!

What is the working title of your book?

From Pigtails to Chin Hairs; A Memoir & More 

Where did the idea come from for the book?

After I'd been writing newspaper opinion columns and had a few stories published in anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul, the idea of a memoir came to me. I felt really motivated to write about various times in my life and I believed others would enjoy reading about them, too. 

What genre does your book fall under?

Memoir.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

This is a great question. I was asked once who I thought should portray me in a movie and my answer was Janeane Garofalo. I love her sarcastic sense of humor and I'm a lot like that at times. As far as the child or teenager version of me, I can't think of anyone. I'll have my people get back to your people!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

From Pigtails to Chin Hairs; A Memoir & More contains snippets of my life, vignettes that tell the tales of an ideal childhood, shattered by my parents' divorce; plus teenage angst, unrequited loves, grown-up years, and humor when you'd least expect it. 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It is being published by a small press in Missouri, High Hill Press. 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Uh...how about 10 years and counting?? I'm trying to get it completed asap!

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I really don't like to compare my writing to anyone else's. I'm still a beginner and wouldn't feel right saying, "Oh, my writing is similar to - - - - -."

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My estranged dad and reconnecting with him again after MANY years. 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I grew up in the 50s and 60s. My life was right out of "Father Knows Best" until Dad divorced Mom. It's real. It's funny. It's poignant. It's sad. And it's not just about my growing up years. There are also chapters from later on in my life. Thus the "& More" part of the subtitle. 

** Thank you, Margo, for tagging me! **

*Welcome to my newest follower, Mevely317. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *   

  

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." -- Graham Greene

Writing Contest & Calls for Anthologies

As promised yesterday, I'm sharing some contest information and calls for submissions. I've already mentioned some of these in the past, but want to post a reminder since deadlines are coming up. 

First: Lynn Goodwin at Writer Advice has a fascinating contest with a deadline of October 15, 2012. That's just a little over a month away! Can you believe it? The name of the contest is Scintillating Starts. Isn't that cool? If that doesn't spark your interest, I don't know what will! 

                                WRITER ADVICE ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST-EVER

Scintillating Starts

A new contest from Writer Advice

*Winners will share prize money and have their first paragraphs published on the website.*

~~~~~~

I interviewed Lynn this past March and she shared so much information and "writerly" sites with us. Click HERE to read Part One of the interview. Part Two   can be found on the next day's post. 

~~~~~~

Chicken Soup for the Soul has a call-out for your stories! Click on the link to find out all the details, but until you do, here's a little info:

Lemons to Lemonade - deadline February 28, 2013

Holiday Stories - deadline February 28, 2013

Devotional Stories for Wives - deadline February 28, 2013

20th Anniversary Reader's Choice - deadline January 15, 2013

Raising Kids on the Spectrum - deadline September 30, 2012

~~~~~~

There are many call-outs from Publishing Syndicate for the NYMB (Not Your Mother's Book) anthologies! I'm highlighting FOUR of them below. One for friend Linda O'Connell, one for friend Dianna Graveman, and two for new-friend Pat Nelson!

Linda O'Connell is developing and seeking sassy, snappy, sincere and humorous submissions for, Not Your Mother's Book on Family. Deadline is October 1, 2012! So Hurry!

 http://publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/family.html 

Dianna Graveman is seeking first-person funny and downright embarrassing submissions for Not Your Mother's Book on Being a Mom. Deadline is October 1, 2012! So Hurry!

http://publishingsyndicate.com/publishing_syndicate/submissions/title_descriptions/moms.html 

Pat Nelson is looking for stories about you and your parents or you and your children for the parenting book and you and your grandparents or you and your grandchildren for the grandparenting book.

Pat is offering a free critique of your parenting or grandparenting story. If you would like to receive one, submit your stories directly to Pat:  PatsStorystorm@gmail.com during the month of September. She will return your story to you with her suggestions. Then, make any desired changes and submit to Publishing Syndicate for parenting, and to PublishingSyndicate for grandparenting. OR you may submit them directly to, without Pat's critique. 

These two books have an Open Deadline as of now, but it's always a good idea to submit your stories early! *

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

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

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

Calls for Submissions - Anthology

My fabulous friend, Pat Bubash, is putting together an anthology: "Marriage Blisters.The irritating spousal behaviors that rub you wrong or like a painful blister: raw." 

Isn't that a great title? Doesn't it make you want to read all about it? And, doesn't it make you want to contribute some of your darling, wonderful, and sometimes annoying husband's behaviors??  And don't worry. Everything will be confidential. No real names used.

Here is one of her quotes about her new book: "I refuse to believe that any couple has NO complaints - impossible, when we share space everyday with our other half. I know George Clooney(10 plus that he is) has to have one irritating behavior - maybe smiling too much!"


Pat is an extraordinary woman. Just look at her credentials! Marriage counselor, author, speaker. She published "Successful Second Marriages," in 2009. It can be purchased from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle edition.


Patricia Bubash, M.Ed, LPC
Counselor / Author / Speaker
Stephen Minister
St. Louis  314 842 5460
http://www.successfulsecondmarriages.com 


When thinking about a marriage counselor you may think: Serious, Straight Forward, Soft Spoken.
And yes, Pat has those traits, but she's also a warm, friendly, and funny woman. I'm so grateful that our paths crossed a couple of years ago at.....where else... a book function! At a library!


If you're interested in learning more about submitting a story (or more) for this anthology, please contact Pat at:

patriciathecounselor@successfulsecondmarriages.com


And tell her, Becky sent me! (yes, the very forgetful Becky who was supposed to post this days ago, but I made sure I did this morning, before my cousin and I begin our day.)

* To Do Lists *

What kind of things are on your To Do List? Mine just seems to keep getting more added to it, and hardly any crossed off. Go to post office and mail packages. Pick up photographs from art contest. Type up those notes from that meeting a month ago, that I've promised to different people. Do a blog post about different anthologies and contests I want to mention. Read those three library books I borrowed and already had to renew. Contact so-and-so about a guest blog post and book give-away. Write. Write. Write. Calls for Submissions, Contests, and my memoir. Add a zillion more things I need and/or want to accomplish. There's 24 Hours every day, yet even when I'm very careful about not wasting time, I feel like I don't have much to show for it when midnight rolls around. (Notice I haven't even mentioned house cleaning or laundry!)

Every day for the past week, I've told myself that TODAY is the day I'll reply to comments. I'll answer e-mails. I'll get to many of the blogs I want to stop at, read, and comment on. And another day goes by, and it's 12:30am and I have to get some sleep.

Well, at least I did work a lot on a chapter for my memoir the past two days, and I'm very pleased with myself for that. As The Ronald always says, "I've got that going for me!"

"How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on." ~ Zall's Second Law