* SHARING OLD POSTS *

While trying to decide what to write about in my "new" blog posts, and not being able to come up with much of anything, I had the most scathingly brilliant idea!  (Yes, Cathy C Hall! https://c-c-hall.com/ )

I'm going to re-post some from the past, at least for now or until I feel as if I can write something decent again. When I look back and read some posts from my early blogging years, 2009-2013, I feel as if I'm reading someone else's writing. I truly mean it! I think to myself, Wow, that is some beautiful writing, and then I remember that I'm the one who wrote it! 

Oh, and you know what else was wonderful to read? All the comments, and some from people who aren't blogging anymore, which made me sad. Their blog either is totally gone, or they haven't posted in years. It makes me want to go back through emails and see if I have one for many of them, and see if we can catch up with each other that way. 

And, maybe I'll have contests again where I give away a book, or bookmark, or fancy pens, etc.

Thanks to all who stop by to make sure I'm still alive and bouncing off the walls! 😄

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And I'll end with a couple of favorites from Maxine:

"Ever feel like you've had too much coffee? Me neither." 

"Fashion magazines are society's way of saying 'If you don't feel inadequate already, read one of these!'

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.

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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

* Merry Go Round *

I've been on a self-propelled Merry Go Round for quite some time. Pushing and striving to accomplish all the things that are important to me as I go faster and faster without really getting anywhere.....just going around in circles.

Writing my memoir is THE most important thing in my life right now. Add to that blogging and my blog friends, my family and writer friends, handwriting letters, reading as much as I can, entering writing and photography contests & calls for submissions, attending writerly functions, trying to keep up with e-mails, etc.

I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I love being busy, but I'm not talented enough to successfully do everything, so what I've been doing is lots of things inadequately. I feel badly that I haven't kept up with reading everyone's blogs, and/or leaving comments. And I haven't even kept up with thanking everyone for the comments left for me.

(photo: courtesy Google)

So, I'm taking another Blog Break to concentrate on my book. I plan on posting Nostalgic Sundays as often as I can, because those will fit right in with my memoir. And if I come up with something that I feel is important to mention on my blog....I definitely will.

Thanks for your understanding, and I truly hope everyone won't forget about  me! (I will keep in touch by e-mail, too!)



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

Wandering Wednesday

As far as my rant yesterday, I really don't know what all the changes will be when all is said and done, and I decided to Go With The Flow and not waste [any more of] my time stressing over it! (But I can still be mad, right?!) AND, I googled Free Blogs, and found a couple that I messed around with yesterday. Also found a couple that weren't free, but were reasonable. I'm ready to just wait and see. And as Doris Day always sang  --  ♪♫ Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be.. ♪♫


* Also, I apologize for not responding to your comments lately. I honestly appreciate everyone who reads my blog, and especially those who take the time to leave a comment. AND, I've also been terrible about getting around to read all the blogs I love. I'm going to try to do much better on that. *

~~~~~

I won't be posting anything new until at least Sunday night. One of my cousins and her husband are coming to town. I'm SO excited because we've only seen each other twice since we were little girls, and I've never met her husband! She's bringing some old photos to share, too. ☺

  ~~~~~

(photo taken by Becky)

The Ronald and I are really enjoying bird watching. We have one bird feeder in our back yard (in above photo) and three in the front, all hanging from tree branches. My favorite is the cardinal. The males seem to have a particularly brilliant color this year. I have no idea if it's mating season, or what...but when I see and/or hear one, I must stop and revel in their charm and beauty!



Do you have any plans for the weekend? What brings you joy?




"In memory everything seems to happen to music." - Tennessee Williams

Blogs and Books and Give-Aways

One of my favorite blogs is WOW! Women on Writing Blog - The Muffin. Today's post is about a new book (and interview with) Pesi Dinnerstein. I love the cover and title! A Cluttered Life: Searching for God, Serenity, and My Missing Keys. The interview is really interesting and Pesi seems like someone I'd like to have as my best friend!

The Muffin is having a give-away for Pesi's book and all you have to do is leave a comment, but be quick, because you must do it before Thursday, January 19th, at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another new and innovative website & blog is: Celery Tree and Celery Tree Blog.  Also, check out: Coming Down the Mountain: A Writer's Blog, by Karen Gowen.

Here's what it says on the Celery Tree Blog: A website for authors to network, market, and sell your books. Leave the jungle. Join our village. Sounds awesome!

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I'm excited to announce that I'm finally buying a memoir I've been so curious about. It's written by one of my wonderful writer blog friends - Ann Best. The title is In The Mirror and has received rave reviews on Amazon. I'm sending the check directly to Ann, though, so I can get a signed copy!

** Announcement ** 

I'll be having a give-away later this week or first of next week. Stay tuned for all the info!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Sometimes people say to me, “I want to write, but I have five kids, a full-time job, a wife who beats me, a tremendous debt to my parents,” and so on.

I say to them, “There is no excuse. If you want to write, write. This is your life. You are responsible for it. You will not live forever. Don’t wait. Make the time now, even if it is ten minutes once a week.” -- Natalie Goldberg



* Writing, Journaling, & Self Growth *

Yesterday I wrote about the 2012 desk calendar, Bylines, and what a wonderful aide it is for writers. Even though I love the technology and ease of my laptop, I still have to write things down if I'm going to remember them. Yes, I know there are calendars on the computer and on my Blackberry, but I am old-fashioned in many ways. I must write important notes, appointments, deadlines, etc. Then the words are right there, for me to see, in black and white (or whatever marvelous ink color I choose to use!) And because of my need for organization, I've just ordered my Bylines Calendar, and I'm establishing my goals.

*Note added 12/30/11 at 10:30am:  I just realized that Tama Kieves' photo looks remarkably like my profile photo! Mine was taken years ago. I swear I did not copy her pose!!

"My Life in 2012: Accomplishing My Goals." 

Part One:  Using my Bylines Calendar.

Part Two:  Writing Daily.

(And I don't mean blog writing, but there will be time for that, as well.)

My plan for daily writing will begin on January 2nd, (because it's Monday) and will involve Mari McCarthy's journaling book, "Peace of Mind and Body." Mari is a writer, singer, and journaling guru.
I received her jouraling book in a blog give-away a few months ago, but I never "found" the time to begin writing in it. I'm SO ready to begin now.

Tama Kieves is the author of "This Time I Dance! Creating the Work You Love." Tama's book was given to me a few years ago by someone who knew my dream of being a published writer. That book changed my life! Since then, I've purchased it once or twice to give as gifts to writer friends. It's one of those books you go back to from time to time, to re-read the inspiring words, to jump start that fire in your soul!

There are other writers and speakers who've written valuable books on these same subjects. I'll try to share them tomorrow.

Also, I've been reading blogs of other writers and their goals for next year. I'll try to share some of their ideas and suggestions tomorrow, too.

Instead of quotes this time, I'm posting two of the Sub Chapters in Tama's book:



"Just Start Dancing and The Band Will Find You."

"When You Nurture Yourself, You Nurture Your Dreams."

** Comment Like Crazy Wednesday **

Hey Everybody! It's Comment Like Crazy Wednesday!  The fabulous TK Richardson, of My Writing Masquerade, came up with this wonderful meme, as a way to keep up with blog reading and commenting! She asked if I'd like to join along and I said "Sure"!

I believe many people struggle with issues about trying to write something on their blog every day or every other day. Some maybe don't have much going on at the moment that seems "Blog Worthy", or in most cases, don't have the time! SO, instead of struggling, trying to write something to post, how about taking the day off, and go visit your blog buddies....Read...and.... Comment Like Crazy!

(I'm not sure yet if Comment Like Crazy will be a weekly feature on my blog, since this is my first one, so I'll see what happens! TK said she will be doing it weekly, but not necessarily every Wednesday.)

 Here's how it works:

1. Instead of writing my normal blog post for (maybe) one day of the week, I will Comment Like Crazy on your blogs! (sounds simple, huh?)

2. The purpose of Comment Like Crazy is not to gain more followers, but to connect with those who follow me and those I follow. After all, how will you know I've read your blog if I don't say something?

3. It doesn't matter which day of the week I choose as long as I Comment Like Crazy when I do! So, this week it's Wednesday. Next week who knows?

4. I encourage all of you to grab the Comment Like Crazy button, and join in. The "rules" are simple and you'll be interacting with one of the best communities out there - bloggers! It's like hanging a "Gone Fishing" sign on your blog....only you won't be fishing! Readers will know you'll be back the next day, with one of your "scathingly brilliant" posts! (Thanks, Cathy C. for letting me borrow one of your/my favorite expressions!..and thanks to The Angels!)

Blogging takes a lot of time, energy, and thought. We put more into our blogs than people realize, and when we leave comments it gives us the fuel we need to keep on trucking - er, I mean blogging!

Thanks again to TK Richardson for suggesting this fun, interactive meme!

Ahhh, the pressure is off for today. No fabulous post to write. No photos to search for and download. I get to do one of my very favorite things: Visit my blog friends and let 'em know I was there! I can't wait!☺

"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.” -- Unknown