* Hodgepodge *

Tonight's Blog Menu: Hodgepodge!

This Week's Happenings

I entered a local art contest, in the photography catagory. I didn't win anything, but below is one of my entries:

I received (still!) some ideal birthday gifts from a dear friend this week. Below is one of them:

Awww...look at the books, growing in the garden. And the sentiment inside the cup.

I'm doing pretty well in the "Month of Letters Challenge."

(courtesy: Clipart)

I'm writing quite a bit: memoir chapters and/or calls for submissions. (This is an old photo. My desk hasn't looked like this in a LONG time. I've now taken over our dining room table...for a while!)

However your week has been, I hope you've managed to enjoy a few simple things; whether it was watching the Sunset, going for a walk, or drinking from a favorite cup!

 Welcome to my newest followers, The Elephant's Child, Jo's This and That, and Karen W. Berner. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

 

 

 

“Some people have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” -- Abraham H. Maslow

* GROUNDHOG DAY *

(This is a repeat from a 2010 blog post, with just a couple of tweaks. I LOVE this movie and it just seems appropriate to repeat it, repeat it.....ba-dum-dum!)

And now, a few words and photos from one of my favorite movies: "Groundhog Day", starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.

"Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cold out there today."

"Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?"
"I don't think so, but I could check with the kitchen."

"Hey now, don't you tell me you don't remember me 'cause I sure as heckfire remember you."



"NEEDLE-NOSE NED?...NED RYERSON?" ..... "BING!"

"IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! ..... LET'S LIVE HERE!"

(photos courtesy imdb.com and archive.dailypicture.net)

Welcome to my newest followers, Laura, Jenny and Teresa. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

"Love is the answer. Shine on us all. Set us free. Love is the answer." -- EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

(P.S. I know this song isn't used in the movie, but I love the music & lyrics. Bill Murray's character is finally set free, when he realized love was the answer.)

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

I'm very excited about today's Nostalgic Sunday, because it pertains to Handwritten Letters!

If you've been reading my blog for quite a while, you know how I feel about the lost art of handwritten notes and letters. Yes, I love technology and the wonder of it all, but isn't it delightful to receive some snail-mail that isn't a bill or junk mail? You open up your mailbox and there's an envelope with your name and address written on it? It's from a friend or relative and it's not even Christmas or your birthday?? Fabulous, dahhhling!

I first learned of this from my sweet friend, Lynn, over at Present Letters. Lynn not only writes letters, but she also makes lovely note cards! Check out her blog. Here is what Lynn said about herself on her profile: "My favorite form of writing is epistolary - I love hand writing letters to people. I also love to cook, garden and do anything creative."

After reading her blog post about The Month of Letters Challenge, I searched and found the website for it and immediately e-mailed Mary Robinette Kowal, telling her how much I loved her idea and that I AM IN. I told her she would be one of the first I wrote to and she replied that she would, of course, write back to me.

So, if any of you would like to receive a handwritten note from me, please e-mail your address to me. (Don't include it in the comment section, unless you want the entire world to know!) If you don't already know my e-mail, it is listed in my profile info.

If YOU want to join in, just grab the participant badge and post it on your blog.

I may not be able to write and send one every single day in February, but I'm certainly going to try. I won't feel like a failure if I don't, because it will be fun and rewarding, no matter what.  

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart." ~ Phyllis Theroux

"What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp." ~ Author Unknown



Poetic Song Lyrics....Not!

** This is a rerun of my July 25, 2011 post. I just came across it again and it made me laugh. Hope it brings you a smile or chuckle, too.

~~~~~~~~~

While driving to the grocery store this afternoon, with my list of fruits and veggies to buy, the following words popped into my head. I've mentioned before that I am not a poet, and don't y'all know it, as you can see below:

(Hint: Sing out loud or in your head to the tune of ♫♪ Back in the Saddle Again. ♫♪)

I'm back into salads again.
Burgers & fries won't make me thin.
I saw some gorgeous clothes at
the mall last week.
I must fight this war on fat and win.

(courtesy google)

Chorus:
I'm back into salads again.
Lettuce & broccoli are my friends
Also low cal dressing will help
Try to get rid of my chin(s)
I'm back into salads again.

(Forgive me Gene Autry!)



"The two biggest sellers in bookstores are the cookbooks and the diet books. The cookbooks tell you how to prepare the food and the diet books tell you how not to eat any of it." -- Andy Rooney

* Finding My Bliss *

This evening I needed a break from my usual activities of watching TV with The Ronald, blogging, e-mailing, and more recently trying to force a story out of my head that just wasn't happening. In fact, earlier this afternoon, I got a migraine headache, probably due to the stress I've been putting on myself. I decided it was time for a change in my routine, so here's what I did to reclaim my bliss.

Remember the beautiful flowers and "birthday cake" The Ronald gave me for my birthday on January 6th? I finally got around to baking that cake and he said it was delicious! (Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be having a slice or two.)

Then I took some pictures of a salt and pepper set I bought at Hobby Lobby last night. I "sort of" collect them, which means I don't have many. These just shouted at me to buy them and they were 50% off, so what could I do?! Just looking at them makes me smile from ear to ear.

Aren't they just adorable?? So cute and funny, and with beautiful spring colors! They remind me of cartoon characters from long ago.

And The Ronald and I played Scrabble this evening, which we haven't done in ages. I had all the weird letters: Q, Z, V, and Z. I trounced him, too, which hardly ever happens.☺

It was a very good evening, recapturing my bliss!

"Who could be so lucky? Who comes to a lake for water and sees the reflection of the moon." -- Rumi

* Writerly News *

Chicken Soup for the Soul has some new Call Outs. You never know when they will post them, so it's a good idea to check their site from time to time. After you get to the main site, click on "Submit Your Story" on the left column. Then click on "Possible Book Topics."

There are five books listed right now. Two of them have been there for quite some time: Parenthood and New Friends. The three newer ones are: Hooked on Hockey, Independent Woman, and The Power of Positive. Ooohhh, I think I can write something for 2 out of 3! (NOT the hockey one, though!)


Open to Interpretation is looking for stories and photographs. It's a very interesting and unique site. Be sure to READ all the directions CAREFULLY. I plan on submitting a thing or two.

Literal Latte': Another cool site I recently found. They have poetry and pose contests going on.

Nail Polish Stories: I received a nice rejection already for my 25 word story! So, I'll share it here with you. I really hope many of you will give it a try. Have fun and Good Luck!

Torrid

She wondered who the hell was really in control of her life, this horrid world she lived in. It obviously wasn't her. Was it Satan?

"Why do writers write? Because it isn't there." -- Thomas Berger

* Nostalgic Sunday -- Not *

Nostalgic Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVBKO_QM3o 

(I deleted the actual video and posted the link, thinking it might help my blog from slowing down and acting weird. We shall see.....  2/1/2012

I know it's Nostalgic Sunday, but I just had to post this You-Tube video today. It's the newest E-Trade Baby commercial. I've watched it over and over and over....and it cracks me up every time! I hope you like it as much as I do! (if you click on the picture a time or two, you'll get a bigger view.)

(*Note: There is no cursing in this video!)

( And HEY...This is a little bit nostalgic....I was once a baby, and my two sons were once babies!)

Welcome to my newest follower, Rebeca Wise. Rebeca is a new writer friend of mine. She is a member of the critique group I attend on Tuesday mornings, and also the new Vice President of Saturday Writers.

I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thanks, Rebeca!

"Pretty much all the honest truth telling there is in the world is done by children." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Is It Thursday? I Still Don't Know What Day It Is!

Snippets of This 'n That:

I've been working on my entry for the Erma Bombeck contest. The deadline is February 14th. That should be easy to remember.Valentine's Day. Word limit is 450 words or less. Entry fee $15.00. Good luck to all the entrants!

I recently came across a fun writing site: Nail Polish Stories. I've submitted one story so far. Here are the submission rules: Each story must be exactly 25 words, title not included. The title must be a nail polish color. Intrigued? Hop on over and check it out.

Do you know of The Excuse Editor? If not, you're missing out on LOTS of info for contests and other market news. Tina Haapala does a fabulous job keeping us updated. Sign up now to receive her newsletters!


How about you? Are you writing anything? Submitting anything? Reading anything? I'd love to hear any suggestions you'd like to share!



"You become about as exciting as your food blender. The kids come in, look you in the eye, and ask if anybody's home." -- Erma Bombeck