Love, Friendships & Inspirations

I'm not ignoring the fact that today was/is Valentine's Day, but since the 11th is our wedding anniversary, The Ronald and I always celebrate the two Love Events at the same time. We don't give each other gifts anymore, either, because after all.....we ARE each other's gifts!

A big Welcome and Thank You to my newest follower: Zev! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you continue to like what you read and see here.

I've been trying to remember which blog friend's book I was planning on buying next....Does anyone remember if I even mentioned it? I may have to change my plans and buy one every other month or so. I still have such a huge stack of books in my To Be Read pile, I feel as if I should tackle a few of them. I've got two in mind, in particular, that I really want to start, and they're both on my night stand. Hmmm, which one will win out?

Wonderful friend, Tammy, presented this awesome "You Inspire Me" award last month and I kept forgetting to post it...until just now. Thank you so much, Tammy. You inspire Me constantly. Below is what Tammy said about me on her blog:

"And finally, to Becky, great friend and writer, who inspires me as both...even though my stupid computer won't even show me most of her blog page. SIGH...."

Thanks again, Tam. And I hope sometime soon you'll get rid of the gremlins in your computer!

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Book Review - "The Somebody Who"

Last night I finished reading a fabulous novel, The Somebody Who, by my blog friend, Katie Gates.

I think it was last month I declared that I wanted to buy one book a month, from one of my published blog friends. I don't recall if there was any particular reason I chose Katie's....but somebody had to be first, right?!

I am not good at giving book reviews, in the proper "being-paid-to-write-book-reviews" sense. In fact, sometimes I don't even read book reviews, or the inside flaps of books, because I've been disappointed so many times by being given "TMI"....too much information! I don't want to know the beginning, the middle, and the end of a book before I even read it! Duh!

So, here's my thoughts on: The Somebody Who. I am an impatient reader. If a book doesn't grab me in the first couple of paragraphs, or pages, or at least the first chapter, I'm putting it back on the shelf. This book grabbed me from the very beginning.

Katie's descriptions are wonderful. I could visualize everything. I became friends with Evelyn and her housekeeper, Claudia. I felt the sadness and sense of loss, knowing that Evelyn's husband, Davy, had once been not only a brilliant man, but a loving husband and father to their four now grown children. Davy has Alzheimer's. Most of the book takes place around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Evelyn's love for Davy, her children and grandchildren is shown so well. There's also a touch of mystery, in the sense of questions that haven't been satisfactorily answered.

If I were giving out ratings for books, I'd give this one the highest rating -- ☺☺☺☺☺ Five Happy Faces!

I e-mailed Katie shortly after I began reading The Somebody Who, and told her it was one of those books I couldn't wait to get back to at night. I read and read until the words were so blurry, I had to stop, even when I wanted to keep on reading. I highly recommend it!

An Anniversary: Through the Years

28 years ago today, The Ronald and I were married.

We have the kind of marriage that I dreamed about when I was young. A loving, kind, appreciative husband. One who thinks I'm a talented writer. One who laughs at my jokes, and at my crazy singing and dancing. One who listens (when I tell him "I need your attention. This is really important!") One who holds me when I'm sad and need comforting. One who is darn near perfect....

(a story I wrote about our relationship, "Through the Years" is included in this Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology. Published in December 2007. Page 94)

"We don't need to win the lottery, because when he and I chose each other, that's when we hit the jackpot." -- Becky Povich

* Uptight, Twitchy & Disturbed *

First of all I'd like to thank my three newest followers: Aine Tierney, Marissar and Jan! Thank you so much. I hope you'll continue to stop by from time to time and enjoy what you see.

As I wrote in the previous post, my life has been crazy busy, and I was feeling a bit....agitated. I laughed at some of the synonyms Mircosoft Word 2010 offered for agitated: Uptight, twitchy and disturbed were my favorites! Just reading the word disturbed made my mind break into song... Gee, Officer Krupke from "West Side Story". See how I am?? My brain jumps from one subject to the next. I'm typing about life being crazy busy, and I start singing in my head!

The Wise, Witty & Wonderful Mr. Robert Brault left a comment on that previous post of mine: "Becky, You describe a thoroughly involved life that many would kill for. Enjoy it to the hilt. You can do as many do -- catch a few winks while driving." Well, then I'm sure I'm living an almost perfect life and I'm following my bliss. Thank you, Robert, for pointing that out to me.

One more thing. Yesterday morning, since I was already in the Land of Uptight, Twitchy & Disturbed, and I was talking to The Ronald while putting on my socks, I wasn't quite paying attention to what I was doing:

Oooh, my feet are so embarrassed!

"Before I speak, I have something important to say." -- Groucho Marx

Hanging On for Dear Life

I feel like this gray bear, hanging on for dear life, while my days go speeding along.

(photo courtesy: artymiss.com)

 I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. I'm grateful for my busy life. I love what I do. Every now and then, though, I get a little overwhelmed with so many things on my "To Do List." Prioritize, you say? Sometimes that's easier said than done. Lately the worst part is that even when I'm exhausted at night, and climb into bed, my mind won't shut down. Not only does it not shut down, it zips from topic to topic, staying barely long enough for me to promise myself I'll remember in the morning, or to sit up and jot myself a note:

I really need to finish that greeting card I started making last week.

Don't forget to call so-and-so tomorrow.

Oh, remember that e-mail that needs a reply.

How many bills do I still need to pay?

I've got to get back to that one chapter I'm trying to complete.

There are about 5 contests I wanted to enter....When were those deadlines?

I think we're out of clean bath towels. Better throw a load in the washer when I get up.

And sometimes I do get up and begin any number of those projects, even if it's 3:00 am.

I think this is something many of us have in common. What are the answers? I'd love to hear suggestions!

Oh...Hello & Welcome to my two newest followers: DeanO and Amanda Holtom!

“Chance can allow you to accomplish a goal every once in a while, but consistent achievement happens only if you love what you are doing.” -- Bart Conner

Saturday Night Thoughts

Have you ever written to a famous writer? I have, and to more than just one. And guess what? More than just one actually wrote back to me!

Before the days of e-mail, I either hand wrote or typed letters, expressing my love of their newest book, or their writing style. In one case, it was to tell the author how much her autobiography meant to me. How after reading what she went through in a terrible point in her life, helped me to have the courage to do something I desperately needed to do. And I did hear back from her!

There were a couple of others that besides expressing my love of their writing and their fictional characters, I included sample writings of my own, asking for advice. (Sometimes it helps to just be plain naive' or a little self-promoting!)

In the past ten years or so, I've written to seven authors.....and I heard back from five!

*Sunday afternoon note: Just wanted to add that I would never send an entire manuscript to anyone, without a request for it. I knew not to do that, even when I was a new and naive writer....now, let's say a 400 word story, that's different! And I'm NOT suggesting anyone should do that sort of thing, either. I'm just sharing something that I did when I didn't know any better....But hey, sometimes taking the road less traveled is the best road in life. 

What about you? Have YOU written to any famous writers?

"How can I believe in God when just last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of an electric typewriter?" -- Woody Allen

Writers News Shorts

Why is this post called Writers News Shorts? 'Cause this is all I got for tonight! ☺

WOOF (Women Only Over Fifty!) They're looking for stories!!

Six Questions For... On this blog, Jim Harrington asks...you guessed it.....6 questions, and gets 6 awesome answers from editors, agents and publishers. If you look at his right column and scroll to Past Posts, you'll discover small presses and publishers you've most likely never heard of. If you've had trouble finding "the right place" to submit your writing....you might just find it there.

"A single dream can launch the journey of a lifetime." -- Unknown

Paying It Forward & Winter Contests

A week ago today I wrote a post about Paying It Forward and Random Acts of Kindness.  The first five people who responded with a comment, saying they would like to participate, will be receiving something homemade from me. They are: TK Richardson, Kathy Matthews, Estrella, Sioux, and a new blog friend, Jen Daiker! I'm not super creative, so please don't expect anything fancy!  Also, please e-mail your mailing address to me, and I plan to have your items made and sent by the end of February.Ooooh, the pressure is on!

Also, Hello & Welcome to my two newest followers: Rose Cooper, and Antonio! I hope you always enjoy whatever you see here.

I have different topics I wanted to include tonight, but I recently found out about 2 contests that are nearing their deadlines. I'm sure that every one of my writer friends could come up with something to submit, because there's both fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, essays, articles & prose. Give it a look. You just may start off your year with a winning entry!

Winter Flash Fiction Contest: Short fiction, open theme (no porn or gore) 500 words or fewer. Free critique upon request. Enter online or by mail. Fee: $7 per entry or 3 for $20 (limit 3 entries). Prizes: First - $100, second - $50, and third - $25. Winning entry posted, winner profiled on website. Deadline: postmarked Feb. 10. Info at: www.thewritehelper.com.

Dead of Winter Nonfiction Contest: Memoir, essays, articles, prose. Must be nonfiction of 2,500 words or fewer. Free critique upon request. Enter online or by mail. Fee: $10 per entry, limit 3 entries. Prizes: First - $150, second - $75, and third - $50. Winning entry posted, winner profiled on website. Deadline: postmarked Feb. 10. Info at: www.thewritehelper.com.

"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