* IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES *

My title kind of says it all, doesn't it? It's spring time, or autumn, 

depending on what part of our beautiful world you live on. 

That's the "Best" part.

~~~~~

Then, we have the COVID-19 virus....

Obviously the "Worst" part. 

~~~~~

I sincerely hope all of you are well and staying 

away from people as much as possible. 

~~~~~

I hope this isn't the New Normal because

I can't imagine living the rest of my life 

as a germaphobe!

(And I love to give and receive hugs!)

~~~~~

I have some photos to share of outdoorsy things

and will post them when as soon as I get them ready!

* THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN? *

Hello All ~

Although tomorrow, September 22nd is the first day of autumn, it certainly doesn't feel that way in my little part of this great big world. In fact, we're having a heat wave...We did have cooler temps here and there a while back, but we knew it wasn't time yet for that to continue. It's been 90⁰F + here, plus very humid! I am SO ready for my favorite season to return...and fast.

Hopefully, to help make it feel a bit cooler, here are some favorite photos I've taken over the past few years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

 

I found this quote online somewhere

and it just spoke to me...

 

Goodnight!

 



* SO MUCH TO DO - SO MUCH TO SAY *

How have you been?? What all is happening in your lives?

I'm really looking forward to getting caught up on everyone's blogs! (or I should say "attempt" to get caught up, because we all know how bad I am at actually making the rounds.)

I have photos and fun tidbits to share so I'll be back as soon as I can. First, I must begin laundry and other household-like duties, while I listen to my 2-Disc copy of.... The Best Summer Songs......Ever!

                 Meet Me In Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection

 

~~~

 

P.S. At approximately 9:30 pm CDT, I sent out my Inaugural Edition of my E-Newsletter!! Finally! I intend to send one monthly from now on. AND it does contain different information than I post here on my blog, so you may want to sign up for it. There's a place on the right side to do that, but it can also be done here: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html

 

 

 

Thanks and goodnight!

 

 



An Anniversary, More Laptop Problems, Free Books, & More

Today is a wedding anniversary for The Ronald & me: 31 Years! I don't know how this can be possible since I'm only 35 years old! J

Seriously, where have the years gone?? Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but managed to always work things out, and keep loving each other. A story I wrote about our marriage is in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Love Stories (2007)

(I think he has something planned because last night he said, "We can exchange our anniversary cards later this week, ok?" And I replied, "Sure!" Good idea since I hadn't gotten anything for him yet...either!)

Notice the jagged edge on the left bottom? Our big, ol' puppy at that time, Rocky, decided a few of our wedding pictures were quite tasty. That little bit of information is included in a story I wrote for NYMB...On Dogs (2012)

~~~

 

My son, Scott, worked on my laptop for a couple of hours last night, figured out what the problem was, and fixed it...

(image from Google)

 

BUT the never-ending-saga of my computer problems continues....Late last night I began having problems sending and receiving e-mails. So, if you are expecting an e-mail from me, please don't fret. I'll get this straightened out as soon as possible.

I'd finally realized, too, I was getting down in the dumps, not because of the frigid temperatures, but because I couldn't use my laptop properly! Yes, it's a large part of my life!

No wonder I feel like this!

And I pretty much look like it, too!

~~~

* To those who are interested in winning a print copy of my memoir, either click on these words: GOODREADS GIVEWAY 

Or, go to the gadget on the right column and click on just these 2 words: giveaway details right above the Enter to win box.

I'm giving away FOUR print copies, so stop on over there! *

~~~

** Welcome to my two newest followers, B.A. Wilson & Carrie at Cottage Cozy. I hope you both will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! **

~~~

I have so much more to post, but won't do anymore here. I don't want information to get lost due to TMI. I'll just say some topics include: Melissa Goodwin, Jack Zerr, Shirley Showalter, Women's Memoirs, Under the Tiki Hut, Karen Lange, Juanita Nobles, & more!

 ~~~

And now a few humorous quotes.....

"Helpdesk: There is an icon on your computer labeled "My Computer". Double click on it.
User: What's your computer doing on mine?"

 

"See daddy ? All the keys are in alphabetical order now."

"I realized I was officially a professional writer when all my plans began with "drink coffee" and ended with "take a nap." -- Cassandra Duffy

Here's What You've Been Waiting For!

I'm only posting these photos now because I know my family and friends will understand my non-perfect house! So far, the only two rooms that are showable are the living room and the kitchen! 

One wall of the living room. This is my favorite part of the room! A comfy chair, large bookcase, and behind the chair is a small radio/CD player. The paper wreath over the chair was made by one of my daughters-in-law! Click on the photo for a larger view. After my book is in print, she's going to make a different one from its pages!

Another wall in the living room. As you can see, to the right is the kitchen and to the left is a hallway. The three pencil sketches above the love seat were drawn by my deceased sister, Jo Ann, in 1973. I had them hanging in the upstairs hallway in our previous house, which was silly because nobody ever saw them.

Another wall in our living room...complete with Vern on the couch! The Peace Sign blanket is his personal one! From the moment I saw that framed picture years ago, I was in love with it! But again, it had been hanging in a room where it wasn't seen very often. It's as if we have new furniture and accessories here!

Here's one view of our kitchen. I really love the huge windows we have in every room. (The Baker's Shelf is NOT finished being "decorated." Right now, it's full of junk!)

~~~

That's about it for now. Every day seems to fly by and I get a few more things accomplished. It's probably going to be a LONG time before I can post any bedroom/office photos!

* Welcome to my newest follower McGuffy Ann, from McGuffy's Reader. It hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

"A house that does not have one worn, comfy chair in it is soulless." -- May Sarton

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." -- Jane Austen

"Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn't done it." -- Evan Esar

"Home is where you can say anything you like 'cause nobody listens to you anyway." -- Author Unknown

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

It's been a LONG time since I've posted a Nostalgic Sunday. There's no particular reason, really....I've just been so busy......

Carrying boxes from one room to another
Unpacking & putting things away
Writing
Doing some laundry
Walking Vern
Writing
Eating
Walking Vern
Sleeping
Writing

The Ronald and I worked in the living room a lot today and it really is beginning to look like home! (Our son, Mark, came over and helped a lot, too!)

What about this post makes it a "Nostalgic Sunday" post?....

Well..since we don't have TV yet, I've been watching some Andy Griffith Show DVDs.

I've been feeling very nostalgic because I've been going through old pictures to include in my memoir.

And....below is a picture of the wall plaque I mentioned on April 13th.

I wanted y'all to see that I did cross out "Begins" and wrote "Continues!" ...and that makes me feel nostalgic.

I promise I'll post pictures when boxes aren't overtaking rooms!

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

"Home is the nicest word there is.” -- Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Splendor of Clouds and Sky

I think I've mentioned before how much I love to take pictures, and how I keep asking Santa to bring me a really good camera for Christmas. I guess he actually does know if I'm good or bad, because it's been three years now, and I still haven't gotten one! Oh well. I can make do with my cheapie camera until the real thing comes along. La Di Da...La Di Da....

Below are some of my favorite clouds photos. 

These first two were taken from my front porch. Beautiful dark clouds along with the sunset.

The next two were taken from my deck. I don't know why, but that afternoon, these white, puffy clouds were bright white, so bright they hurt my eyes to look at them very long.

I thought these next two were so unique, like pulled taffy, or paint strokes.

Dark, ominous clouds but nothing developed. The first one looks like the Loch Ness Monster is on the left. I love the second one because it appears as if there are dark mountains behind the houses, and weird clouds above them. 

This is one of my favorites. I took it from my window seat in an airplane .

This was just a few days ago. It was after some storms and the sky was this gorgeous color of violet and the street reflected it, too, just as it shows. It was unbelievable.  

Last, this picture is from tonight. I was on the deck with The Ronald and Vern. It was close to sunset and I walked over to the edge and saw these clouds, ran into the house, grabbed my camera, and took this. 

"You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds." -- Henry David Thoreau