* 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'

Book Blurb Friday #2

I'm participating in a brand new meme, Book Blurb Friday, hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro over at Writing in the Buff. Lisa supplies a photo to be used as the book cover of an imaginary book. Those who participate are to give the book a title and to write a blurb of 150 words or less, in an attempt to entice readers to purchase the book.This is Week Two and I had a lot of fun taking on this challenge!

Unfamiliar Gleams

Alone, frightened, and feeling lost among the shadowy trees, Barb felt perspiration trickle down her back. What made her think a walk in the woods would clear her head? The only result, so far, was her realization that she had no navigational skills. She should stick to what she enjoys and what she's good at….sitting and reading.

As she continued to wander, so did her mind, analyzing her last conversation with her dad. Why had he said those things? What did he hope to prove?

Barb stumbled over a small, rotting log, barely keeping her balance. She began to cry, out of fear and anger and hurt. After steadying herself, she looked ahead and noticed sun rays streaming through the leaves. Running toward the dazzling light, joy and relief spread through her body like ripples in a stream. There in the brightness stood her dad.
(145 words)

All Things Writerly

On Sunday's post, I mentioned attending a writers workshop the day before. One of the best tips I came home with was to find a Writing Buddy, someone who would help me stay motivated, on track and keep me accountable. I asked my good friend Sioux if she would do that for me and fortunately she said yes. I won't go into all the particulars yet, because we just started, but I can tell you that it has already helped my immensely! (And no, despite rumors you may have heard, she didn't threaten to take away all my diet soda, hand lotion or chapstick if I didn't reach my daily goals!) Another bonus of that afternoon was meeting three new writers, which reminds me, I need to e-mail those lovely women.

(photo courtesy: google)

A few days ago, I asked one of my male writer buddies to critique one of my memoir chapters. All I can say is "Wow." Having other people....who you trust, and who aren't your family members....read your work and then say what they liked and didn't like, plus offer suggestions and ideas....It's THE BEST!

Monday night, our writing group Saturday Writers, hosted its first "Meet & Greet." Usually we members only get together once a month, which is at our meeting and is more of a class room atmosphere. It was great to just talk with other members and find out what's going on with them, etc.

Which brings me to a post I want to share with everyone, written by blog buddy Paul Joseph. This is SO true and funny and insightful and semi-sad and, did I say "SO TRUE"? This is why I LOVE to hang out with writer friends, and realizing that it doesn't matter what age we are, whether we're male or female, what genre we write...."we are writers"....and we "get each other"!! Happy, happy. Joy, joy! You keep on keepin' on, Paul Joseph! You are one cool guy!

** Oops. I forgot to say Hello & Welcome my newest follower: Thisisme! Thank for your wonderful comment. I'm happy to hear you love the quotes...as you can tell, I LOVE quotes! I hope you always enjoy your visits! ** (added at 11:25pm)


"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day that your life really begins." -- Bob Moawad