** PITTSBURGH......WHO KNEW?? **

My son, Mark, and I arrived home last night after a whirlwind trip to Pittsburgh, Pa. He wanted to meet 2 profs at the University of Pittsburgh, where he may want to apply for grad school.

We flew Air Tran because it was the most economical way to go. (Interpretation: Cheap!)But that also meant, long layovers. We didn't fly the way the birds would. Oh, no! We flew to Pittsburgh via ...... Atlanta....with 4 hour layovers both ways! ugh... BUT, my lovely niece, Tammy, was able to visit with us at the ATL airport on our trip home, so that was really nice.

The city of Pittsburgh is really very pretty! And the area where U of Pitt is (plus Carnegie Melon U) was absolutely beautiful. I really want to go back sometime, when I can spend more days, and also visit old friend, Debbie, who lives near there.

** Habitat Groundbreaking Ceremony **

As girls we played house. As women we build them!

This morning was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Habitat for Humanity, St. Charles County, Mo.........................................."Divas Building Dreams"......Lot #9. It was partly sunny, partly cloudy, very windy and quite chilly! But hundreds of lovely divas showed up, all wearing their Pink Diva Shirts. It was really impressive!
My only silent question though, was......Where's the hot coffee?? Luckily, wonderful friend, Jennifer lives very close to the Habitat lot and we met there for hot coffee and bagels!
The bagels were compliments of another wonderful friend, Sherry.
We're all pumped and ready to help build this house!
(Photo: Jennifer, Becky & Stephanie)

** Habitat Groundbreaking Ceremony **

Go, Jennifer!!! Taking part in a little hammering practice!!

** Career Day at Castlio Elementary **

I was one of the speakers today at Castlio Elementary School (Francis Howell School District, St. Charles, Mo.) It was Career Day for all the 4th grade classes. There was at least one fire fighter, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer from Boeing, etc......But I was the only writer.

I told each class right in the beginning that I certainly was not a famous writer (yet!) and that's why they'd never heard of me! I talked about pursuing their dreams in life, no matter what they were. I talked about the Chicken Soup for the Soul books I have stories in, the Iowa newspaper that I write the weekly column for, other anthologies, etc. I had a couple of hand-outs and specifically told them about the Big Read and the youth writing contest this fall.

I think some of them actually enjoyed what I had to say.... :-)

* Pet & House Sitting *

Just letting everyone know that I have a friend who recently began a Pet & House Sitting Service. She's a great person! Fun, honest, hard working, etc. She'll watch your pet at your house, or hers. She doesn't limit pets to just cats and dogs, either. Although, I'm not sure what all she will take care of!

Name of Company: Irish Sitter, LLC
Her name is Christine Frank.
Phone: 314-540-0575
e-mail: irishsitter@rocketmail.com

REJECTED BY A CHICKEN WITH A SOUL.....(?)

I just found out today that my doggy story wasn't chosen to be included in a new, upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul book. And what's truly odd about it is....I'm not even upset, disappointed or sad!! I'm so busy with other writing projects, speaking engagements, and Habitat for Humanity assignments, that I just thought...."oh well".....and went on about my day! Now that's what I call a great way to accept rejection!

** QUIT COUGHING ON OTHER PEOPLE!! **

I swear....some people are just plain dumb! I know that's not "politically correct" to say, but they really are!

Plain old-fashioned manners and courtesy tells a person to not cough all over someone else, and especially without covering their mouth!

While working at the check-out counter the other evening, 2 women (who were way old enough to know better!!) coughed all over me!! Neither one put their hand over their mouth or even said "Excuse me" or "I'm sorry!" One of them did begin to tell me about just receiving a "pneumonia shot".....Oh, that makes me feel even better about their germs flying through the air at warp speed directly at me!

Now, don't get me wrong.....I'm not germophobic....but it's just common sense and courtesy...and especially with the H1N1 (oink-oink) Flu going around....Come on people....geeez!

And truthfully......I woke up the next morning with that scratchy throat, sniffly, icky feeling that I get every time I'm beginning to get a cold....and I've been fighting it ever since! I'm just soooo tired...and in fact....I've been up for 4 whole hours and I think it's time for a nap.

** Update on Parks College & NASA Connection **

Earlier in my blog I wrote about my dad, James Lewellen, who graduated from Parks Aeronautical College in 1952, and also about Gene Kranz, graduate of 1954, who went on to NASA and had a major role in getting the astronauts safely back home during the Apollo 13 crisis.

I just discovered that my dad also had a very important role in NASA's history. He worked at Cape Canaveral during John Glenn's 2nd flight in 1998. (The comment around some family members' houses at that time was: "Who's older? Dad or John Glenn??")

It appears that dad was one of the few remaining computer guys around that could "read" old computer language and translate it into the modern. He moved around his desk and work areas on a scooter of some sort, because his health was already deteriorating.

Even though his body was slowing down, his mind was still brilliant.