* Suffering from Wanderlust *

Have I mentioned lately that I've never felt such a desire, in my entire life, TO GO SOMEWHERE! Just about anywhere! This powerful force grabbed me a few days ago and hasn't lessened its grip, even a smidgen. I could go on and on as to the whys and wherefores, but I know for sure that my desire to get away and to WRITE is a huge part of it. (Oh, is it coming through loud and clear that I want to go alone?! Although I would take Vern if it was possible!)

Sweet Vern napping on his bed by the fireplace.

Part of me would love to go to a darling, beach side cottage, where the ocean waves would lull me to sleep at night, after a long, glorious day of research and writing.

Part of me yearns to visit the small town in Iowa that I love so dearly. It was the home of my grandparents and parents, long before I came along.

Right now I'd settle for a little 2 or 3 day get-away. Less than 50 miles away if that's all I could have. I just want to get OUTTA HERE! 

(courtesy: http://www.modernkiddo.com/)

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Got any luxurious time-share places I could visit? ☺

“He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left” -Chinese proverb

* A Wonderful, Writerly Day *

Yesterday was a really productive day, again! If this keeps up much longer I'll believe I'm actually a New Woman. One who is getting organized and accomplishing minor tasks around the house. And I'm writing so much more. And yes, it's still a struggle most times, and yes, it's hard work. But I've learned from a favorite blogger and very intelligent woman, C. Hope Clark, to keep at it. To make your writing your Number One priority.

I've had quite a hard time fighting off self-sabotage, like so many writers do, but Hope and others like her, have taught me to keep at it. Just...Keep...Writing! I'd like to share part of Hope's blog of May 24th:

"Every day you make choices what to accomplish and what to put off. Chances are, your writing is in the latter category. Simply swap it with another task. Neglect something else.

One day you'll look back. You'll see all those precious moments spent dusting, watching American Idol, and eating seconds. The times you gossipped too long, cleaned unnecessarily, and Facebooked beyond reason. And you'll wish you'd written."

Amen, Sister! I think I finally have the resolve, the determination, and the tenacity to complete my book before the end of summer. Please send well wishes and good karma my way! ☺

I'll have more writerly news tomorrow, so please check back then.

I'd like to say a special Thank You to Mo at Rose Petals from Heaven. She is so happy and excited with her winning prizes from my 200th Follower Contest, she wrote an entire post about it. Please stop by and say hello to her!

Hello & Welcome to Ali, Antiques and Teacups, prettylace4me, and Michelle Ridgway.. my four newest followers! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much!

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any." - Orson Scott Card

* Tuesday's Tidbits *

As some of you know, I like to participate in different blog memes. At times, they're about table settings (tablescapes), or tea cup collections, which of course require photos. And as some of you also know, I've been lamenting for a LONG time about the pictures my camera takes. Very Poor Quality. Yet I still love to play around with it and take photos, especially when sunlight and shadows are involved. Below are some I took in my dining room, as the sun was going down Sunday evening. (if you click on each photo, you'll be able to view a really BIG picture!)

The one above was taken at table level. I love both the light and shadows.

I like the way the sun shown on the goblet and napkin in this one.

This one has nice sunlight and shadows, as the sun came through the blinds.

I had a great weekend, just doing the usual things around the house. I also attended our Saturday Writers meeting and had lunch afterwards, with writer friends of course! Anything relating to writing is fabulous, you know! 

I truly hope all of you had a wonderful weekend, no matter where you are or what you did. 

Hello & Welcome to The Thumber, my newest follower! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." ~ Ansel Adams

"Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong."  ~Jeb Dickerson

* Memorial Day 2011 *

Quick post for today: I just wanted to say that every Memorial Day I honestly remember why we "celebrate." It used to be known as Decoration Day years ago. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on loved ones graves....those who died in wars.

During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that we're here today. And although I think it's necessary to remember and thank those who have died (and those hundreds/thousands who have been maimed in wars), I also believe in the quote below:


"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" -- Holly Near

* I Wonder *

I WONDER ....



This is my 3rd "I Wonder" posts, which I'll try to do on Fridays. (Yes, unfortunately that is me on the right....without any makeup, and my glasses are on top of my head. Not one of my better photos I must say, but hey....I've shown bad photos of myself before.....and at least some of you keep returning!)

I Wonder : What would I be doing at this stage of my life if I hadn't discovered that I could actually write, and that I wanted to be a writer?? ...... It was ten years ago this month when my estranged dad was very ill and not expected to live another 24 hours. After it was obvious it wasn't his time yet, we came back home from Iowa and I sat down at my computer, feeling compelled to write. The story just flowed out of my fingertips.....And that story is what landed me my first writing "job"....a non-paying position as a guest columnist in our local newspaper! A few years later, an updated version of it was accepted by Chicken Soup for the Soul; Divorce & Recovery. Some of you have read it. It's the story about my parents' divorce when I was a young girl, some of the effects it had on me, and the resulting estrangement from my dad.

I've said that when my memoir is finished, I'm going to dedicate it to him in this way: "For my dad, because if it wasn't for him, both literally and figuratively, I wouldn't be a writer."


"If you look for and discover the meaning in the random events that happen in your life, everything will change. You will be empowered in a new way, feel a greater connection to the Universe and will step forward with confidence and clarity to live the life of your dreams, knowing that everything does indeed happen for a reason." -- Gail Lynne Goodwin

* Blogger Observations *

* And I see that we all seem to have "lost" our followers for a couple of days now. Hoping to see all your lovely faces or icons again very soon!

* I've read on several blogs that some of you are still having difficulty trying to leave comments, even on your own blogs. I think I know what is happening, because I noticed it, too....and I figured it out....at least for me.

If you sign-in immediately at the top right corner of your blog, and then go blogging and commenting, everything works fine. If you wait until you're in the comment box and try to sign in....it usually takes me 3 Times to click on "Publish Your Comment", until the sign-in box pops up! I don't know why, but it's as if the Magic Number is 3! 

I'll be interested to find out if any of you try that, and if it also works for you!

"Never let a computer know you're in a hurry." ~ Author Unknown

* The 200th Follower Winner Is.....*

Thanks again to everyone who entered my 200th Follower Contest! It was great fun reading all the different comments and knowing that there are people out there who enjoy reading my blog.

And so without further ado....the winner, according to random.org is....."Mo" of Rose Petals from Heaven!!

(courtesy google)

Congratulations, Mo!! Please e-mail your mailing address and I'll send the goodies asap!

** Added Wednesday, May 25th: I committed a big faux paus! I forgot to acknowledge my newest followers: Dayle & Lazarus! Thank you so much. I hope you will stop by often and enjoy what you see and read. **

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." ~ Ruth Ann Schabacker

A Blissfully "Normal" 24 Hours!

If you read my post of Friday, May 20th, you'll understand the "normal" I'm referring to. And yes, I'll write about it later. I just wanted to mention the joy I experienced yesterday....enjoying the beautiful sunny, summery day....sometimes out on my deck, but mostly looking out through the windows as I did the cleaning, organizing, rearranging...listening to music or the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. I know that many of you will think I've truly lost my mind this time, but don't you ever take delight in those kinds of days? Believe me, it probably won't last very long, but my mood has already continued on today!

OK...the other thing is this: Please don't forget about my "200th Follower Contest." You have until midnight  (CDT) tomorrow night the 23rd of May. I'll announce the winner sometime on May 24th. ALSO, if you think you already commented on the link to enter, please go back and check. I know of at least one of those comments that got Lost in Outer Blogger Space. Fortunately, Lisa went back and checked!

Until later....Please remember:



"I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It's amazing how it cheers one up to shred oranges and scrub the floor." -- D.H. Lawrence