Ponderings On a Monday Morning

Vern and I spent some time on the deck this morning, and as he snoozed I sipped coffee from one of many favorite cups! 

Within the first few minutes we were there, five different prop planes puttered across the sky above us. I've never seen that many in such a short period of time. I noticed they were different too, so it wasn't a couple of planes flying in circles, tricking my mind.  

If you're new to my blog, you're probably wondering What's so special about propeller planes? I don't just "notice" them, I'm kind of obsessed with them! They carry a very special meaning to me. You can learn more about it from these two blog posts: 

http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2012_02_18_archive.html

http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2012_02_19_archive.html

This time along with the instantaneous, "memoir reminders," other thoughts came to mind.

I don't know if there is any kind of afterlife, but I remember being taught as a young child that when we got to Heaven, we would find out and understand all those unknown marvels; all those mysteries in life that I couldn't understand then....or now. 

As I sat and wondered about those countless prop planes I've seen and heard during the past year, a new thought came to me. IF there is a Heaven, and IF I get there someday, I don't need or want to know all those mysteries of the universe. All I want is to know everything about my parents. But I have some guidelines... (I don't dare refer to them as "rules" in Heaven!) I won't want to know everything right away. No, I want to be able to talk with them individually and hear in their own words why they made the decisions they made, all through their lives. 

Why? Because I never asked the difficult questions when I had the chance....after my parents' divorce.The ones I did attempt to ask my mother were usually shot down with, "Oh, I don't remember about that." -or- "I don't want to talk about that." 

And when I was in my dad's presence, rare as it was, I never had the guts to ask those persistent questions that haunted me for so many years, and still do at times.

If you have the time and opportunity to ask your parents, or any other relatives or friends, those important questions you need and want answers to, please do it while you still can. I wish I had.


“You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute.” 
― Mitch Albom, For One More Day


(Quote from my favorite Mitch Albom book)

* Decoration Day 2013 *

In America, today is Memorial Day, 2013. 

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember why we celebrate. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men came home from wars, but many others did not. I am alive today because of one man that did not make it home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and although that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters, my brother, Mike, and I wouldn't be here if that hadn't happened. A few years later, she met and married our father. When Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!

During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that all of us are here today. 

I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights. You will surely have chills......


*I will announce the winner of the book give-away tomorrow, May 28th *


"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

Listen To Your Mother - Update Only

I just received an e-mail from Listen To Your Mother. It was an "Audition Update Only." The four women organizers are going through the process of choosing the ones who will make it to the final cast. 

I should know by March 15th, if I'll be included or not.

blurry photo taken by Becky!

I'm so glad to know the decision date, because I hadn't been sure before. 

blurry photo taken by Becky!

Now I can concentrate on other things.......

"Listening is not merely hearing. Listening is reacting. Listening is being affected by what you hear. Listening is active." -- Michael Shurtleff

"The more personal, the more universal." -- Gary Ballinger

* LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER *

This afternoon I decided I would share my exciting news about being one of 30 women in the St. Louis area, chosen for a reading audition, for Listen to Your Mother.

Approximately 12 out of the 30 women will be chosen to read their true story in front of a live audience on Saturday, May 11.....the day before Mother's Day. 

My story is titled: Were Those Salad Tongs?  

I didn't want to mention it any sooner because I wanted to wait and see how it went today. Fortunately, it went well!

* I am friends with three of the other women who were also chosen to audition! Patt, Kim, & Linda. 

Patt, Kim, and I are also members of Saturday Writers! 

~~~~~

The Mission Statement

The mission of each LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER production is to take the audience on a well-crafted journey that celebrates and validates mothering through giving voice to motherhood–in all of its complexity, diversity, and humor.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER aims to support motherhood creatively through artistic expression, and also financially–through contributions to non-profit organizations supporting families in need.

~~~~~

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

* I loved you enough to ask about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home." -- Erma Bombeck

* I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes." -- Erma Bombeck

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)

* I WONDER *

It's another I Wonder Friday.

There's so much I'm wondering about today, that I have no particular theme. Just thoughts, questions, and information.

First: A HUGE Thank-You to ALL the Veterans of War from our country, and also to the military serving today. Just think how all of our lives have been affected one way or the other by these men and women. Some of us are alive today because our fathers or grandfathers came back from a war. And some of us, like myself, are alive because someone didn't make it back home. Seem impossible??

My mother's first husband did not make it home. For a few years, she was a war widow, and eventually married my dad. So, there began another branch on the Family Tree.

Second: My bloggy friend, Sue over at Sue's News, Views 'n Muse is having the most fabulous Blogaversary Give-Away that I've ever heard of! All you have to do is leave a comment and be her follower. That's it! AND...you could be one of the TWO winners of a HANDMADE QUILT! Is she crazy, or what?? And here I was, trying to decide what kind of give-away to have for MY blogaversary. No matter what I decide, nothing could ever live up to hers! So, hop on over there for Pete's sake and leave a comment and become a follower! She's a great gal and wonderful writer, too.

Third:   Here's a couple of reminders about a Writing Call Out and a Contest.

              The Mona Schreiber Prize for Humorous Fiction and Non-Fiction. Every year I tell myself I'm going to enter this contest and I never do. Why, I don't know. The entry fee is only $5.00. And from reading winners of previous years, the wackier the humor, the better! Give it a try! All entries must be post-marked by December 1st, and the winners will be announced on Christmas Eve! *Mona's son, Brad, has kept his mother's memory alive through this contest for quite a few years.

               Silver Boomer Books has a call out for a book about widows. When I first heard about it, I thought, Well, that leaves me out. I'm not a widow, and I never have been. BUT, when Becky Haigler; writer, editor and publisher (of Silver Boomer Books) spoke at our Saturday Writers Workshop last month, I had the opportunity to talk with her about various topics. I found out that the writer of the story doesn't necessarily have to be the widow in the story. Ahh...now, that's different! I'm going to submit a story about my mother's life when she suddenly became a young widow, along with thousands of others, during WWII. Submissions accepted from December 1, 2011 until March 30, 2012.

Wishing all of you a Happy, Blissful, Beautiful Friday.

 

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” -- John Lennon

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Happy Nostalgic Sunday, Everyone!

After looking at some charming "way back when" photos on Kathy's blog yesterday, I decided to attempt to post some of my own here. The problem is....trying to take a picture of a picture, and with MY camera, the results aren't very good. I couldn't get half the ones I wanted because it just wouldn't focus. But...for Nostalgic Sunday.......

This is my mom. Isn't she adorable??
She has on a tiny necklace and what looks like a mesh shawl.
This would've been taken in early 1916.
(Yes, she was almost 40 years old when I was born.)

These are my two (older!) sisters and me. I'm in the middle.
[I think it's obvious we hadn't fixed our hair yet!]
To my left (purple shirt) is my deceased sister Jo Ann.
To my right (navy shirt) is my sister Marian, who lives in Atlanta.
This was taken in March of 1983 when we were in Iowa.
A little over a year later, Jo Ann died from a brain tumor.
(She didn't even know about it at this time.)

Remember my Illinois neighbors I wrote about on October 9th?

¸ ¸ ¸¸¸

Well, here they are at my 3rd Birthday Party!!

The little boy in the striped shirt and the girl in the checkered dress next to him.
I don't know if that's me in the back right corner, or not.
But the little boy in the back, by the door, is my brother, Mike.

 
"Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money." ~ Author Unknown

** Bits & Pieces About My Mother **

As I said last week, I posted a lot of memories and photos for my (deceased) dad's birthday, but I kind of just skipped right past my mom's and I certainly didn't intend to do that. She was born on August 6th, 1915. (If you noticed the date of my dad's birth, she was nine years older than he was.) She would've been 95 years old! Happy Belated Birthday, Mom!

Mother was a true homemaker in the 1950’s kind of way.

(courtesy: countryinthetown. blogspot)

She cooked homemade meals and made wonderful baked goods. She always let me help, too, even if I really was more of a hindrance. I couldn’t have been happier for those first few years of my life, but then my carefree days came to an abrupt end when my dad decided to leave.

(Mid 1950's - summer vacation)

She had already endured the loss of one husband. Her first husband was killed in World War II. And then, her second one decided he didn’t want to be married to her anymore. I know she was devastated by both losses, but probably more so by my dad, because he chose to leave. She never did get over that. I remember feeling sad and helpless sometime because I couldn’t do or say something that would make her happy again.

Looking back on it now, I'm sure she suffered from depression. There wasn't a whole lot of joy in our house from that point on. There weren't the kinds of medications to help then, either.

There's so much more to the story, but that my dear friends, is all for now. The rest is in the book.....

**After reading the first few comments, I decided to post the link to the story I wrote about my parents, that was accepted and published in Chicken Soup for the Soul; Divorce & Recovery. I've mentioned it before, but many readers may not have seen it.  It was also chosen to be published on Belief Net.

"I was very mad at my father and I wanted him to die so I could remember him the way he was before he left us, not what he had turned into." -- Written by a nine year old in www.divorceandkids.com

( I can remember thinking the same kinds of things....It took me many years to forgive him.)

** Fractured Friday **

How many remember the Fractured Fairy Tales? It was a segment on the Rocky and Bullwinkle TV Show, in the 1960's. That cartoon show was a classic! I guess it was meant to be geared toward children, but the humor was really hip! Each one was loosely based on a "real" fairy tale (isn't that an oxymoron??), but was slighty fractured!

That's what popped into my mind when I thought of a title for today's post. Yeah, my mind works in funny, fractured ways sometimes....groan!

Today was fractured because:

a)  My son, Scott, spent another night in the hospital last night, due to pains and swelling in his abdominal area. I didn't know much for over 24 hours and was quite frantic, to put it mildly. Turns out it's still issues from his ruptured appendix and resulting surgery in June. More tests were done, and so I (guess I)  feel better about it all.....for now, anyway.

b)  Today was my mom's birthday. She's been deceased since 1989. I'm so glad she was able to see Mark a few times before she died. She lived in Iowa and we drove there a few times and she traveled here a time or two, also. She would've been 95 years old today.

c)  I'm really perturbed at AOL. It seems they have decided to LIMIT some of the e-mails we AOL users can send, in a given amount of time! I first noticed it yesterday, when I tried to send an e-mail, I received the following error message: You are blocked from sending email messages. See KW:RATE LIMITS for details.  And, of course, I immediately thought, Huh?...Well, that's obviously a mistake. I'm not on any kind of rate limit on my Aol account. But, when it continued, I put my mail in the "Send Later" folder. After a while, I could go into that folder and click "Send" and off it went.  BUT, this evening, after attempting to send 5 different e-mail.....mostly my "thank you for your comments on my blog" e-mail,  I decided to see if I could find the "rate limits" info. Long story short.....(I know, it's already too long)......It has to do with some kind of spam problems associated with Aol Instant Messaging and Chat Rooms. (which I don't even use)  I then contacted AOL through their Live Chat System and after the usual niceties was told, quote: "Meantime, if you really need to send mail I strongly suggest to use the AOL webmail.On the Internet Explorer address bar please typehttp://mail.aol.com/lite
Sign on with your AOL screen name and password to send the E-mail."

WHAT?? If I wanted to send mail that way, I wouldn't have AOL! Acccckkkkk!!!  I have a new abbreviation for them......SOL

“We have no reliable guarantee that the afterlife will be any less exasperating than this one, have we?” -- Noel Coward