** If It's Thursday -- Part 2 **

Just a couple other things I wanted to mention.

1)  I'm probably going to begin responding to your comments by e-mail, whenever possible, instead of in the comment section. It seems like the logical thing to do, because I can reply faster and directly to the lovely person!

2)  Are you one of C. Hope Clark's blog followers? If you're a writer and you're not reading her blog often, you are missing out on lots of great information. She always has info about Calls for Submissions, Contests, the rights and wrongs of writing, etc. She is also going to be one of the key note speakers at the MWG (Missouri Writers Guild) Conference, in St. Louis next spring.

3)  Another interesting Call for Submissions I came across, and I honestly do not remember where, when or how I saw it....but it's called Shaking Like a Mountain. (And if I've already posted about this, please forgive me, because as you all know, I'm losing my mind!)

4)  And, the ever famous, Chicken Soup for the Soul, has Call Outs for 4 books right now. They pay well, give free books in addition to the money, and it's a quality name that everyone knows and respects.


"There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential." -- Rusty Berkus

** If It's Thursday, I'm Way Behind On My To-Do List **

Okay! Here are various interesting tidbits, in no particular order.
Nick Nixon: Writer, singer, song writer extraordinaire, is on a local radio station every first Friday of the month. That would be tomorrow. KWRE, 730 ON THE AM DIAL. 3:00 to 5:00PM, CDT. I checked out their website yesterday. They are not streaming online yet, but it's coming soon. You'll definitely want to listen when it's available. And if you live "here", you can listen on your radio and enjoy Nick's easy going ways, good natured jokes, and beautiful singing. Nick is a memeber of Saturday Writers and the Coffee & Critique group. I'm proud to know him and call him my friend. Following are 2 links from the late 1970's (I'm pretty sure!): One is of Nick singing and the other is Barbara Fairchild singing "The Teddy Bear Song", a song Nick wrote. Even though I wasn't a big country music fan at that time, I certainly remember hearing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UugW9yo8Idg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeiA2XTca9g&feature=related 


Robert Brault has a new post on his blog and saying it has been worth the wait doesn't do it near justice! Jump on over there as fast as you can and see what I mean. I read and reread every quote and just savored them all. Thank you, Robert, for sharing your wondrous thoughts and words.

June Freaking Cleaver e-mailed me this morning to notify me of her very first acceptance, anywhere! And what's even better is that this was the first time she ever submitted anything, anywhere! Yay for June! I kept telling her how talented she was and how much I loved her writing, and that she should submit something....somewhere! And gosh, she actually took my advise! Go over to June's blog and congratulate her! I think it's just the start of an awesome writing career.

Patchwork Path has story call outs. I received an e-mail yesterday from the editor about this, plus the news that Treasure Box is being edited and due out this November, as scheduled. (That's the one I have a story in. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.)

Okay, that's going to be all for now. I don't want to make this too long and scare everyone off!

Thanks again to everyone who reads my blog, has become a follower, especially recently. It took me about a year and a half to just reach 50 followers, which was May of this year. In less than 3 months, the number has almost doubled! I am truly in awe of that, and I am touched and honored. Thank you!

And you know I must end with one of Robert Brault's newest quotes:

"Who does not wish to be beautiful, and clever, and rich, and to have back, in old age, the time spent trying to be any of them." -- Robert Brault

** Wonderful Wednesday **

Originally I was going to post a lot of different information this evening, but time got away from me (how does that happen, exactly?) One reason is that our electricity was out for some time, most likely due to all the air conditioners running on TILT!  It went off around 7:55 pm and came back on at 9:30 with a blast of lights and TV noise! I rather enjoyed the quiet and candle lit rooms for awhile. I even have a little transitor radio I listened to for a short time, but that, too, got old....

So, I'll wait until tomorrow to share various tidbits of news. Until then, wherever you are, I hope you are staying as cool as you possibly can.

(photo courtesy: savagechickens.com)

“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance” -- Jane Austen

** AND THE WINNER IS....... **

JENNEE!! Congratulations to my July Contest winner, Jennee, from Cheap Therapy.

I really enjoyed having this contest and reading all the resourceful reasons why everyone wanted to win. As I said, though, it was purely a random drawing contest.

As soon as I hear back from Jennee with her mailing address, her goodies will be on their way!

(photo courtesy: history.utah.gov)

Now...I just have to come up with another inventive contest for August. And don't worry, oh fabulous Miss Cathy C......I'll try to get my act together and post it before the end of the month!  ☺

"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." -- Charles Kingsley

** The Dog Days of August Are Upon Us **

I've had so much going on the past few days, and all of it's been great.....well, except for that car repair bill, which made me go: *BOING*

Just a few of the highlights.

Our Saturday Writers meeting yesterday was a fun-filled, action packed, marvelous event! I could write volumes about it, but luckily for you, I don't have time. I'm sure Donna will post lots of information on the site soon, telling more about it...and other upcoming meetings, contests and events. (Speaking of Donna, I've been a follower of her personal blog ever since I met her. I don't remember exactly when or how we met, but she is a wonderful writer, critiquer, and friend!)

I received a very favorable e-mail from Susan Bono at Tiny Lights pertaining to my book!! Still doing dances about that one! (If I could do cart wheels, I'd do them, too, but I never could perform any gymnastic type feats. There's a lot I can't do, and couldn't do as a child. I always thought I was born without any talent whatsoever. I didn't realize until I was 40-something that I could at least do a little writing!)

I also received an e-mail from Stacey Battat at Kiwi Publishing. She e-mailed just to reconnect and said a story I submitted last year for her Thin Threads anthologies was still in the running. I really hope that story makes it, but regardless, I will include it in my book.

I found out today that I won a fabulous blog prize! Linda at A La Carte hosted a very unique contest. Click on over there and read all about it.

I'm probably forgetting people or events that I wanted to write about tonight...which is now Monday morning.....But you know me....I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about at a later time.*

*Addendum: 7:00 AM Monday is now a "later time":
I forgot to mention something else about Saturday Writers....its President, Lou Turner. She is probably the most energetic, hard working, intelligent writer-gal I've ever met! Anyone who knows her, believes that her day must consist of 48 hours, instead of our measly 24. She gets more accomplished in that period of time than anyone else I know! How she can include being President of our writers group into her life is beyond me.   And I'm not just saying that because she is my publisher, either! ☺ Lou has been a world of help to me and other writers near and far. Check out High Hill Press and learn more about it. There are contests to enter, calls for submissions, etc.



Don't forget to Follow Your Bliss, (and that my contest ends tomorrow, Tuesday, August 3rd at midnight, central daylight time) and have a wonderful week!

Tonight's quotes....2 from the Mahhhhhvelous Maxine!

"Ever feel like you've had too much coffee? Me neither."


"Fashion magazines are society's way of saying 'If you don't feel inadequate already, read one of these!'

* Fatigued Friday *

It's been a wonderful day, a wonderful week. About 2:30 this afternoon, though, it hit me. The tiredness that envelopes me. The tiredness that makes me feel as if I took one of those "non-drowsy" sinus pills. Non-Drowsy? For who? (or it is whom?) But, I hadn't taken any kind of medication, or any other substance that would make me so sleepy. It's just the way I am. And grateful that I'm at the point in my life, I can take naps pretty much whenever necessary. This wasn't a little "couch nap"....no, this was a go upstairs, crawl under the covers, and take a long nap, nap!

Although I slept well, I really don't feel like posting much tonight. I also still have some things to gather for an all-day Saturday Writers meeting tomorrow. From the agenda, it sounds like we'll have a fun-filled day!

So, I decided instead of my usual quote at the end of my post, the majority of this post will be various quotes. Some are inspirational, some humorous, and some are just my favorites!

"Summer days call for light reading." -- Anonymous

"If you believe you can make a living as a writer, you already have enough ego." -- David Brin

"The only thing that is ever foolish about a dream is not to act on it." -- Pat Croce

"Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee." -- Stephanie Piro

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words." -- Goethe

"Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen." -- Goethe

And last, but not least....one of my all-time favorite quotes, by my all-time favorite writer:

"My second favorite household chore is ironing; my first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."--  Erma Bombeck

* Finally -- I'm Having My July Contest! *

 I've finally come up with my July Contest! It's going to be my biggest and best so far. There are many prizes and they will all go to ONE WINNER. All of the items are new, never been used. As I browse and shop, I always come across things that I think would make neat gifts for friends, and that's what these prizes are.

These all match: 6 file folders, darling little sticky notes, 4 pens, & a set of 8 note cards.

If you love pink and florals....you'll love these!

A closer look at the sticky notes: 2 sizes and different patterns.

2 cute little hard cover books. Both are 5½" x 6".

This book is awesome. I've given quite a few as gifts, and I have one, too.

It's the perfect book for keeping track of the books and authors you've read.

There are dozens of these kinds of books, but I've always liked this one the best because it gives you an entire page for one author. Then you list all the books you've read by that person, and can rate it, etc.

Some of the other books to keep track of your reading just aren't set up the same.

It also has an area to write down the books you've loaned out to friends.

This is a great area to keep track of readers groups, clubs, meetings, etc.

Just a closer look at the 4 pens and the note card set of 8.

This book looks really cute. I barely opened it because I didn't want it to look "used"!

It says" A story for anyone who thinks she can't save the world".

This little book is full of homemade tea recipes and yummy treats to go along with your tea!

Well, there you have it! You could be the winner of all these items. The rules are very simple.

1) You must be a follower of mine.

2) You need to leave a comment & say why you would like to win these items! No particular word count required. You can be as long-winded or micro-minded as you wish! Creativity is a PLUS. Winner will be drawn randomly, but hey, let's make it fun and interesting, okay?!

3) Contest will end on Tuesday, August 3rd, at midnight CDT. Enter soon, before you miss it.

Have Fun and Good Luck!

** A little P.S. to this. You don't necessarily have to be a grandma to enjoy the "grandma" book. It's about how one person can make a change in this world! **

"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." - Mark Twain

** Happy Birthday, Scott! **

Today, July 28th, is my oldest son Scott's birthday. About 5 weeks ago, when he was in England on business, his appendix burst and he required emergency surgery. I posted about him quite often during those days and weeks of worry. I remember thinking then that it was possible he may not be alive when his birthday arrived this year. It's still hard to believe what all he went through, and all of it being so far from home & family. I'm so very grateful that he is indeed here, to celebrate his birthday, in 2010.

Scott and me the night before he left for London.

This is Scott at Stonehenge on June 21st.

The next day, he was in the hospital.

Scott, 5 years old, holding the little cage with his little gerbil!

This picture was taken the same day. He was proudly showing where he lost a tooth.

I was newly divorced that summer and the two of us lived in a tiny apartment, but he knew his mom loved him soooo much!

"There is an enduring tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart." – Washington Irving , writer