* The Life Sherpa Guy Really Knows His Stuff *

From what I've heard through the grapevine and read on some of today's blog posts, I'd say our Guest Speaker yesterday at Saturday Writers was a Huge Hit! I haven't written much about our meetings on my personal blog, because I write about it on its own blog.

Joe Holleman

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

Whenever someone books a speaker for a presentation, the outcome isn't guaranteed. You choose people you either know well and/or admire greatly, make the request, and go from there. Yesterday's speaker was a well known reporter from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. His name is Joe Holleman and he writes a humorous column, Life Sherpa, in the Life & Style section, which can be read online at the link provided. I hadn't met Joe or knew anything about him, other than reading his column. It occurred to me that he'd most likely give a great presentation on writing, and in particular, writing for a newspaper. I e-mailed with my request and voile'... he accepted. He did not disappoint us. He energized everyone with his presentation. He educated us, entertained us, and answered questions.


Being the president of any group takes quite a bit of time and work, but I am loving every minute of it. I titled my latest column in our newsletter: Work + Great People = Fun.That's the way I look at most things in life. If something requires a lot of work, then I want to be able to enjoy it and the people I work with.

These past three months have been great. Our board members are awesome, hardworking individuals. A few of them have been on the board in the past, which is so helpful to me. Whenever I have questions, I can turn to them. Our new board members are also very helpful. Because they are new, they particularly have enthusiastic ideas.

I'd like to publicly thank them, plus the previous years' board members. Saturday Writers is an awesome writers' group, because of hard work, innovative ideas, great speakers, educational workshops, and talented members. If is wasn 't for all of you, Saturday Writers wouldn't be what it is today.

Joe also shared some of his favorite writer quotes with us. The following is one of my top choices!

"My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave the stuff out that people don’t read." – Elmore Leonard

* Thursday's Tidbits *

Things I've forgotten to do or say:

→  My friend who fell from his deck a couple of weeks ago is doing really well. He had/has a couple of broken cheek bones that will just heal on their own, very sore ribs (still), and the stitches he had on/around one of his ears have disintegrated. I saw him briefly Tuesday night and he was much more mobile and just looked better. No more black eyes, either! Thank goodness he didn't get hurt much worse. He's a heck of a nice guy. Addendum: He was in Vietnam, he's a retired policeman, and I think he must have an angel on his shoulder. 

→  I'm finishing up my "Pay It Forward" gifts. It's taking me longer than I thought it would, but hopefully I'll still have the rest sent by March 31st.

→  I haven't had a "Contest Give-Away" in awhile, and I think it's about time, don't you?! There is only One Rule to this one. Shipping only to Continental US residents. I'm sorry, but postage is so expensive overseas and in Canada.  Just leave a comment. No need to be a follower, or post it on your blog, etc. But, of course, the more, the merrier! Winner will be drawn by random at midnight Friday, April 1st. She/he will receive the following:

→  This brand new, never been opened, still has the shrink-wrap on it 6-Disc Set of the First Season of "Joan of Arcadia"!  Somehow I had 2 sets of this. I remember buying it as a Christmas gift a few years ago, but I don't remember where this other set came from!

→  This show began in the fall of 2003 and only lasted 2 Seasons. When I first saw it advertised, I thought How dumb. How corny. Yeah, they live in a town named Arcadia and her name is Joan and she sees and hears God. Silly & Gimmicky. But you know what? The first time I watched it, it grabbed me. One of the coolest twists in the writing is that each time God appears to Joan, he is someone different. I don't remember any particular character, but it was always someone common. The bus driver, the janitor, a young child, etc. Amber Tamblyn (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 & 2, and other movies.) was the main attraction, for lack of a better word. Her portrayal of 16 year old Joan Girardi was simply beautiful to watch. If you want to know more about the series, check out Amazon. AND, you don't have to be a "religious" person to enjoy this show. Everything is not always easy for Joan, her family and friends. There are conflicts, stresses, real life issues.

→  Trivia:  Amber is the daughter of actor Russ Tamblyn, best known for his role as Riff in West Side Story.    

Hello and Welcome to my two newest followers: Melissa Ann Goodwin & Kathi at like a box of chocolates! Thanks so much and I hope you always enjoy your visits!                                                                      

Below is a short piece of dialogue. This is typical of Joan's sarcasism, and God's humorous replies.

Joan: "Let's see a miracle."

God:  "How about that?"

Joan:  "It's a tree."

God:  "Let's see you make one."

* I Just Can't Help Myself *

Yep, I just can't help myself. I just have to post a few more pictures of sweet Vern!

This first one is a little blurry, so, NO, it's not your eyes!

This second one is Vern in the back seat of my car. I put an old quilt on it so he'd be more comfy!...And, also not get so much lovely, tan hair all over the place!

We'd just finished our walk in the park, and doesn't he look like he's smiling?!

Ahhhh, here he is at home, getting a good drink of fresh water.

And lastly, Vern stopping to chew on his rope, during a tug-of-war game.

He surely brightens my life!!

*Hello and Welcome to my newest follower: Carol! Thank you for your wonderful comment and I hope you always enjoy your visits!

"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." ~ Samuel Butler

* Feelin' Comfy and At Home *

 Here's Vern lying in the kitchen, next to the patio door, basking in the sun. He only began doing this the other day which seems funny to me. It's as if, day by day, he's feeling more and more comfy, cozy and at home here....his new Forever Home.

He is such a joy. I couldn't have gotten a more perfect dog, even if I'd ordered him from "Perfect Dogs for Lonesome Empty-Nester Moms Dot Com." 

He loves to ride in the car with me when I go on quick errands. He LOVES to go for walks on his leash, which is a very good thing for me too, since I love to walk and definitely need to lose quite a few pounds.

Today is the beginning of his 2nd week with us and The Ronald and I are just crazy about him! So is our 23 year old son and his girl friend. They both want to come over and dog sit for us, which I'm sure we can arrange sometime.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." ~ Roger Caras

* Deadlines...Those Awful Deadlines *

I've always met my writing deadlines when it came to my newspaper columns. I submitted stories in time for contests and anthologies that I cared about. I continue getting my Searchlights & Signal Flares sent to Susan Bono as requested every month. SO, what is it with me and my self-imposed, complete-my-memoir deadline(s)??

Many times I've pondered this, talked about it with The Ronald, and discussed it with writer/blog friends. Last night while lamenting about it with a very good, non-writer friend, she spoke volumes of wisdom in just a few words. She told me I should be enjoying myself and having fun writing my memoir...make it a pleasure, not a burden. WELL! Although I've heard similar words of advice many times before, these really hit home. Sometimes it's the speaker and sometimes it's the listener, for the words to make sense and ring true at any given time.

Besides not making my deadlines, each time I would feel more foolish for writing about it here. I felt that besides letting myself down, I was letting all of my followers down, as well. That won't be happening any longer. I vow to enjoy writing my book and anything else I want to write, from now on.

Therefore, I will not be announcing any more book deadlines on this blog! I may share news of chapters being completed, or I may just wait until it's been sent off for galleys.

My apologies, too, for not getting around to blogs and commenting as much as I used to (try to) do. I know I haven't answered e-mails as promptly as before, either...or many missed replying at all sometimes. My mind has been in a fog, but like this beautiful spring weather we're experiencing today, I'm starting to bud and sprout again. Soon, I'll be blossoming!

(Photos from my front "garden" in 2008)

"You can't turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again." -- Bonnie Prudden

“Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

* To Tell The Truth *

Okay, I'm going to fess up today. I think I'm really supposed to wait a bit longer, but since I may have mislead people on Number 2, I feel the need to clear things up.

1) Yes, this happened.

2)  Yes, this happened, too. Long story short: I cried when I was in the exam room, the nurse gave me kleenexes and looked scared, herself, telling me to please not cry. The "big, mean-looking dentist" came in and when I wouldn't quit crying, covered my mouth with his hand, pressing hard and kept telling me to shut up!! Can you imagine?? He was a pediatric dentist, and supposed to be so good!

3)  Yes, this happened. Another LONG story, but while playing in the basement of the apartment building we lived in at the time, the old neighbor lady had an old stove stored down there. Another friend and I played in the basement and pretended we cooked on the stove, etc. Somehow, a heating element was missing and she accused ME of taking it. Like I had a use for THAT! Another tearful episode...

4)  NOPE! I did bowl for many years and loved it, but never got a 300. My highest game was something like 225.

5)  Yes, this happened, too. We were trolling for fish in my brother-in-law's boat, and a huge barracuda just happened to get hooked onto my fishing pole. It was really exciting and scary, both, and he had to do most of the work because I wasn't strong enough to reel him in!

So, there you go. I had a difficult time with this, especially after reading some of the others. I'm amazed at the adventures and/or scary things that happened to my friends!


*Hello and Welcome to my three newest followers: Patricia Preston, Deb Chitwood & Virginia Grzech!Thank for your wonderful comments and I hope you always enjoy your visits!


"I am such a bad liar. I would like to lie, though." -- Natalie Imbruglia

* Well, I Guess I CAN Write Fiction *

Thank you to blog friend, real-life-in-person friend, writer, and humorist: Sioux...for bestowing this award upon me. I must tell 4 truths and 1 lie about myself and you, dear readers, can guess which one is the lie. I've been fretting over this ever since I received this prestigious honor, for several reasons. One is the fact that I've shared so many things about my life, I'm having a difficult time coming up with things that aren't already known. The other problem is that I always say I can't write fiction, although I have been able to do fairly well on micro and flash fiction stories. So, here goes. Four Truths and One Lie:      
                                                       

1)  When I was 12 years old, I rode a Greyhound bus by myself from St. Louis to Columbus, Ohio for a vacation with relatives. On the trip back home, I was so busy browsing in a stop-over gift shop that I missed my bus. When I finally realized what happened, I cried and cried. I had to wait for the next bus going my way, and got home four hours later than scheduled.

2)  When I was 5 or 6, I was molested by a pediatric dentist. * I feel the need to say I didn't mean a sexual molestation....It was more of a physical abuse. Sorry if I mislead anyone.* (added at 9:06pm & 10:30pm)

3)  When I was 10, an old neighbor lady accused me of stealing something from her stove.

4)  I was on various bowling leagues for many years, and I bowled a perfect game (300) once.

5)  I caught a 5 foot long barracuda, when fishing in the Florida Keys.

I'm also supposed to pass this award along to other blog friends, but you know what? I really can't do that! I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings and/or award it to someone who doesn't care to participate. SO, if anyone else wants to join in.....please do! Just leave a comment here, so we'll know where you find you.

I'm also supposed to post a photo of myself blogging....that will appear later.....!

"What is a friend? I will tell you...it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself." -- Frank Cane

* IT'S A BOY! *

We added a new member to our family today. We adopted an 8 year old sweetheart from the Heartland Humane Society. He's a Lab mix and his name is VERN! He is the sweetest, laid back dog and he's perfect for what we wanted! Yes, he likes to get up on the couch and yes, we let him! (*We found out a little later that Vern is actually 9-1/2 years old, but that's okay, too!*)

It will be 3 months ago tomorrow that we had to say good bye to Tiger-Gal. I've missed her so much and I'm so glad I finally was ready to accept another dog into my heart and home. Can you see me smiling while I type these words?!

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." -- Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'