I Get By With a Little Help From My Friend, Vern

Vern, by my side this morning, as I continue moving forward with my memoir. I couldn't do it without him!

(And yes, there are tons of paper, books, and folders all over the floor next to my desk!)

"People teach their dogs to sit; it's a trick. I've been sitting my whole life, and a dog has never looked at me as though he thought I was tricky." -- Mitch Hedberg

Autumn is Here!

If you've read my blog in past years, during fall months, you know it's my favorite season. Not everyone loves fall, in fact, some people downright dislike it! I've heard the expression, "Everything is dying in the fall. How can you like it?!"

Pardon me, but the trees and other living plants are not dying! They are going into winter hibernation, so they can bloom again in the spring! You know....that long winter's nap?

I'm looking forward to witnessing and reveling in, the changing colors of the leaves here in our new neighborhood! My anticipation is like waiting to see a beautiful painting.

Photo taken by Becky 11/2010

Below are some of my favorite quotes about autumn:

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." -- Emily Bronte

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration 

* I'M ALIVE AND WELL *

Hello Blogger Pals! 

Just a quick update to say I am indeed alive and well. 

I'm almost to the Finish Line! I'm in the very last editing stage (which means: I will not allow myself to read through my manuscript again!) 

A wonderful writer-friend is helping me with my cover and formatting, so everything will be ready to submit to Createspace...as soon as I'm finished with my part!

SO, hopefully, the next time I write a blog post, it will be because I have the news to say, "I've received my printed copies of From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More." (♫♪ What a day that will be! Happy dance, Happy dance, and maybe a glass of wine...or two! ♫♪)

Please keep sending your well wishes and happy thoughts my way. I feel them encouraging me on my blissful, long & winding, and many times ziggy-zaggy path to publication. 

P.S. I didn't hear back from the New York agency, but I'm really fine about that. I didn't have any great expectations! It was an awesome experience and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to submit my memoir to them. 



"Becky, you haven't been the same since that crowbar fell on your head." -- my mother

* BLOG BREAK! *

Google image

Be back sometime soon!


Addendum Monday, September 9th

Y'all are so thoughtful! I'm fine....just taking a break from blogging, to get some much-needed things accomplished!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Cinnamon Sugar = Comfort Food

When I was a little girl, my mother would fix cinnamon sugar toast for me. I seem to remember the only time she did that was when I stayed home, sick, from school. It doesn't exactly sound like a bland snack, does it? I know I didn't get it when I was really ill, like with a fever or upset stomach. No, it was only for that stuffy-runny-nose-and-cough kind of sickness. I associated that crunchy toast, its taste and aroma with being home, covered with a blanket, and feeling the warmth of my mother's love.

That toast, along with her for-no-particular-reason homemade cinnamon rolls throughout the year, signified comfort food. 

I can assure you that after all these years, every cinnamon sugar recipe grabs my attention and any whiff of its magical aroma carries me back to those wondrous days. 

(It doesn't surprise me one bit that I crave cinnamon sugar much more than any kind of chocolate! Show me a huge chunk of chocolate cake, or candy, or fudge, etc. and then a big ol' Cinnabon, and I'll choose that Cinnabon every time!)

I'm getting hungry for an afternoon snack....think I'll look in the pantry and see if I have any cinnamon swirl bagels left! I'm feeling much better than I did on Friday, but I think I still need a bit more comfort food, don't you?!

P.S. While doing....ahem...research for this blog post, I stumbled upon a great recipe on a great site! http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/01/cinnamon-roll-sugar-cookies.html  You know I'll be making these, right??

How about you? What are some of your Comfort Foods?  

Addendum Tuesday, Sept 3rd: I realize I should've specified I was only referring to sweets when I wrote this. My "main dish" kind of Comfort Food is a tie. Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots - OR - Meatloaf with any kind of potatoes! Mmm...

"Food is a lot of people's therapy. When we say comfort food, we really mean that. It's releasing dopamine and serotonin in your brain that makes you feel good." -- Brett Hoebel

* I GOT NOTHIN', FOLKS....Again *

I've been racking my brain for days, trying to think of something to write about for a blog post. I haven't been in my usual upbeat mood and that puts a real damper on most topics. So, I made the decision to repost something humorous from a couple of years ago.

~~~~~

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

A Dog and a Cat Go Into a Kitchen...

On Sunday, August 11th, I posted pictures of a darling set of S&P Shakers:  a miniature teapot and tea cup. A very good friend gave them to me as a house warming gift. The same day she gave those to me, she also gave me my (belated!) birthday gift: a Hallmark gift book, Humor for Boomers, Older and Wiser, (and Funnier!) It's full of humorous sayings and cartoons. The one below is one of my favorites!

Have a wonderful Sunday and blissful last week in August!

Books & Writers & Blogs & Friends

Before I let another day go by without acknowledging something important......

There are many of you who have cheered me on during this long road to publication, (and I'm still not there yet!) and have also said you want to buy my memoir when it's "out." I appreciate every one of you! 

And there are many of you who have already published a book, or two, or more, that I have not purchased. I want you to know the only reason I haven't done so is a lack of funds for any "extras." But I've been saving my pennies (just kidding!) I know I'll be able to buy at least one book a month, beginning very soon. 

SO, if you're one of my published writer friends, please leave a comment or e-mail me the title(s) so I can put your book on my list of Books to Buy! 




“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” -- Gloria Steinem