* IT'S JULY 10TH ? *

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family. I think of all of you every day and hope all is well in your lives, as well. 

The only one who's doing a bit "poorly" is Charlie. He has some issues with his liver AND thyroid, but he's on some meds, so hoping he will be all better soon! (If these don't do the trick, he'll need an ultrasound, which costs a lot of $$$) 

Oh, our son, Mark, who moved to New Orleans last year for a teaching job, drove up and surprised the heck out of us on Father's Day!! I've never had such an awesome surprise. He stayed with friends and was here for 2 weeks, so we got to see him quite a bit. Next, he's on to Rochester, NY for a new teaching position. Nothing like going from hot and humid, to cold and snowy! But he LOVES snow, so he should love it there! 😃

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family.

* A GLORIOUS SUNRISE! *

The clouds were so beautiful this morning as I was leaving my subdivision to drive to work, I just had to pull over and take this photo. (It's not that good. I took it through the front windshield!) 

But I wanted to share it with y'all 

If you click on it you'll see a large view. 

Wishing everyone a restful weekend. 

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things." -- Author Unknown

* 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

* WHAT ABOUT A GIFT CARD GIVE-AWAY? *

Happy Wednesday, y'all ~

I've had 392 Followers for a LONG time, and I truly appreciate every single one, from the moment they decided they liked my little blog, right on up to the present. I've lost a couple here and there, but that's okay, too....especially since I haven't been blogging regularly for a LONG time, either.

Remember the excitement each new follower brought? I do. I miss that, and since I'm getting back into blogging again, I hope more people will somehow find me. Can you help me? I've been thinking of some kind of give-away to have (it won't be for my memoir, unless someone specifically asks for it. And only because some people may be tired of hearing about it!) Any ideas?? I'm thinking that everyone likes gift cards! I could offer a gift card (to just about anywhere) to anyone who sends the most friends my way, or something like that.

What are your thoughts? ...And yes, I know the number of followers isn't really important, but it's like the number of reviews I've received on Amazon....S L O W!

~~~



Wishing everyone a beautiful, blissful day wherever you are and whatever kind of weather you're having. We're having HOT and HUMID....but hey, it's summer and that's how it's supposed to be around here!

source: mediacitygroove.com

 

~~~

* I just thought of something else. Remember when blogging was really popular, around 2009 and 2010? So many of us had Play Lists with tons of our favorite songs. I miss that! I don't think there's anything available like that anymore, is there? ....You know, that's free!

"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

* SO TRUE *

Random Thoughts - Now It's Friday?

Okay, this week just disappeared, and I'm pretty sure the same will happen to the weekend.

After thinking about the "next part of the story" that goes with the Windy Day Downtown, I don't even remember what else I was going to post about it. Oh well. As Annie Hall always said, "La-di-da la-di-da."

I find it strange how my "Follower numbers" fluctuate from time to time, and especially when it happens so fast. Just the other day, the number had reached 368. Then in a couple of days, 367. I logged on this evening to see that it's now 366.  (I wonder if some people are ticked off at me? If so, I honestly have no idea why.

I'll post something as soon as I can. I'm thinking it might be a Nostalgic Sunday one. I haven't done one in quite a while and have some ideas....We'll see....La-di-da....la-di-da....

Have a wonderful, blissful, and safe weekend everyone!

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." -- Bernard Meltzer

* Grandpa Had a Perpetual Calendar *

Grandpa had a shiny, brass perpetual calendar. He kept it on top of the ornate, built-in wooden cabinet that separated the living room from the dining room. (It was similar to the one below.) As a young child it intrigued me because it was something I didn't see in anyone else's house. I always looked forward to getting up in those summer mornings....to go outside and play, of course....but also because grandpa would let me turn the little knobs and make the correct day and number appear. How fun it was!

Google source

(And how cool is this that I found one with yesterday's date??)

The only calendars I knew about were the paper kind you hung on the kitchen wall, above the bright red step-stool chair. (Like the one below.) Ours was probably the free one that our church handed out after Mass. It had all the holidays and Holy Days already on it, so families wouldn't forget when they had to go to a Mass that wasn't on a Sunday. 

Google source

Many years ago, a wonderful friend gave me a perpetual calendar as a gift. It was either for Christmas or my birthday; I don't remember which, since they're only 12 days apart! ☺ We met when we had young sons in the same school, and attended the same church. We both sang alto in our church choir and those practices were both solemn and loads of fun. I'm sorry to say that as our boys grew up, we drifted apart as happens quite often, but we still send Christmas cards to each other every year. 

photo by Becky

I'm happy to say that I still have this darling little calendar. It's in my kitchen and every time I even glance at it, I think of her and of my grandpa. 

"Elephants and grandchildren never forget." -- Andy Rooney

* It's Tuesday, and I'm Confused *

Yep, I'm confused...but that's nothing new, is it?! The Ronald and I spent most of Easter weekend with wonderful friends who own a house at "The Lake." We came home last night, so today feels like Monday to me.

These pictures were taken last September, because I forgot my camera this time....Grrrr...This is a view from their back deck, surrounded by ancient trees, sun and shade, a variety of birds, and other critters....and in the background, The Lake! Only a few houses separate them from the calming lull and beauty of the water.

 

This is a view while riding in their pontoon boat. Although this weekend, the water was almost continually as smooth as glass....and not a cloud in the glorious blue sky!

Ahhhh, can you say Relaxing?

Tomorrow I'll be back with my review of Lois Roelof's memoir, Caring Lessons: A Nursing Professor's Journey of Faith and Self which I previewed HERE. If you missed that blog post, please click on the link and check it out. To be eligible to receive a free copy of Lois' book, just leave a comment on that blog post, and/or on this one. Two comments  =  two chances to win.

I'm thrilled to say that I read most of it while relaxing on a certain deck Sunday and Monday! I feel as if I know Lois so well and that I'm one of her friends. To find out more about Lois, if you haven't already, please go to her BLOG.

So, come back tomorrow. I'll announce the winner of the memoir on Thursday. For my quote of the day, I'm using a sentence I particularly loved from Lois' book:

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

"I loved teaching theory-based nursing, and in these post-conferences the students' reports played inspiring background music in my mind." - Lois Hoitenga Roelofs

MY FRIEND WON THE ERMA BOMBECK CONTEST!

Although I'm actually still on my blog-a-vacation, I just had to post something short, but very important and exciting!!

One of my friends, who is also a Blogger, Writer, and Critique friend.....Donna, OF DONNA'S BOOK PUB...WON.........

1st PLACE IN THE ERMA BOMBECK CONTEST!!

Can you say WOOOO-HOOOOO?!  I am THRILLED for Donna. She's a great writer (obviously) and a great person and I'm proud to call her my friend. AND, I'm extra excited because I am part of the critique group who first heard Donna's winning story!! Go to her blog and read all about it!



"A friend will tell you she saw your old boyfriend - and he's a priest." -- Erma Bombeck

A Snowy Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yay! We finally had a beautiful snowfall yesterday! So, here's the perfect Valentine, from me to you!

Welcome to my newest follower, Stephen T. McCarthy. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

And now, one of my favorite quotes from Winnie the Pooh.



Piglet: How do you spell love?
Pooh: You don’t spell it, you feel it.

GOOFY FABRICATED NAMES

I've been kind of down in the dumps the past couple of days, and that is SO unlike me! I e-mailed my fabulous friend, Tammy, and told her we need to start making up silly names for ourselves again, like we used to do. She and I can come up with some really comical ones, but some of our favorites are actual names we've seen in newspapers, etc.

Here's one I thought up just moments ago: Snigglefarts Bustapants

Thanks Tammy, also, for suggesting I write about my "issues". Duh! Why didn't I think of that? But I won't be posting them here for all to see....I guess you'll have to wait for my book to come out .... :-)

Just having supportive friends can help women get through anything!