* Writerly Thoughts *

I'm feeling very writerly today. It began when I stopped at Carol Kilgore's blog, Under the Tiki Hut. Carol wrote about her excitement and then disappointment over a new book written by one of her favorite authors. She posed the question, "As a reader: What do you do when this happens with you?" She also asked how you, the writer, can prevent readers from feeling let down when they read your work. I didn't respond to that one because everyone felt pretty much the same: Hoping that wouldn't happen to them!

Then I hopped over to check out Tiny Lights, A Journal of Personal Narrative. I write a monthly essay for the Searchlights & Signal Flares section, where writerly questions are posed. Anyone is welcome to submit answers, as long as they stick to the guidelines posted. The question for March was: How do you deal with writer’s envy? I just LOVE being put to the test on these. Most times I stare at my blank screen for awhile and think, How am I going to write about this? And then, all of a sudden, the words start flowing and I complete it fairly quickly. I usually wait until the deadline, which is the 15th of every month, and for some reason that seems to work for me. Also, there is no word count, so it can be short and sweet or long and eloquent. After I submit my essay, I don't go back and read it for weeks. And almost every time, when I finally do read it again, it catches me by surprise, as if I didn't even write it.....and I think, Hmm, maybe I'm not too shabby of a writer afterall...at least, sometimes!

I just remembered something.....Missouri Governor Jay Nixon proclaimed April 3 through 9 Missouri Writers Week. The week culminates with the Show-Me Spotlight banquet and awards to the winners of the annual MWG contests on April 9 at the Just Write! Conference in St. Louis.


No wonder I feel writerly today. I'm attending the conference and banquet this weekend! More on that later this week.

Be sure and check out Under the Tiki Hut and Tiny Lights. I haven't known Carol very long, but I love her blog. And I can't say enough about Susan Bono, the Editor-in-Chief, of Tiny Lights!

Hello and Welcome to my newest follower: Nucleo Espirita Verbo de Luz. Thanks so much and I hope you always enjoy your visits!

"Seeing yourself in print is such an amazing concept: you can get so much attention without having to actually show up somewhere . . .You don't have to dress up, for instance, and you can't hear them boo you right away.” -- Anne Lamott

* And the Winner Is.....*

Thanks to everyone who participated in my newest contest. I found it so interesting to learn that not only many had never watched Joan of Arcadia, but had never even heard of it. No wonder the show got dropped after only two seasons. Thanks to DVDs, though, it will live on and on.



And by using random.org, the winner is ~~~~~ Jeff Campbell! Congrats, Jeff! Please e-mail your mailing address to me and I'll try to get the DVD set sent Monday. I know you'll enjoy reliving those "Conversations with God."

"What if God was one of us?" -- lyrics from If God Was One of Us, by Joan Osbourne

* Do These Folks Look Like Your Ancestors? *

It's a Reunion! Not!

When digging through a drawer of cards, envelopes, and crafty things today, I came across a few of these invitations. You know how you browse in the greeting card aisle at whatever store you're in? You look at the darling ones with the puppies or babies on the front. You laugh out loud at the funny ones. And sometimes you buy a couple of cards, knowing you will save them for the right occasion. 

I saw these in a Hallmark store approximately 20 years ago! They were in a bin of marked down items and the package of ten or twelve cost something like 50 cents. I had no need for reunion invitations, but the photo was just so darn funny, I had to have them. Over the years, I kept thinking that some kind of reunion would come along and then I could use them, but that never happened.

Today, though, I thought of a solution. I'll send them to some writer friends, inviting them to lunch. The invitation will come with just one requirement. In order to attend, they must write a short story based on one of these fine looking family members. And if they'd like to make it even more fun, they could dress in the same attire as their character.

What do you think? Would you like to receive one of these wacky invitations?!

"In my photographs it is apparent that there was no posing at the moment I released the shutter." -- Jerzy Kosinski

* Contest & Cardinals *

Don't forget my contest ends at midnight (CDT) Friday, April 1st. You have until then to leave a comment on the post about the DVDs of "Joan of Arcadia". No other rules! You don't have to be a follower or link me to your blog, etc. Just leave a comment!

Also: If you live in the St. Louis area, you can listen to JC Corcoran's annual program for the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals Opening Day on the radio at 550 AM, or if you live anywhere in the world....other than Outer Space, you can listen online at KTRS. Just click on "Live Listen Now." Why am I telling you this?? Because JC e-mailed me the other day, saying he's going to open his show with the bit about ME winning 2 tickets to a Play Off game....in.....the fall of.....1996!! FIFTEEN YEARS AGO! I happened to call in to the radio show, and talked about Mark, who was only nine years old at the time, and how we watched the games on TV together.The Ronald always kidded me about how I kept stretching my Fifteen Minutes of Fame.....but neither one of us every dreamed it would last for 15 YEARS! JC and I have stayed in touch all these years, too. Be listening by about 8:50 am, CDT, because it's supposed to be played at 9:05 am.



"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." -- Walt Whitman

* The Life Sherpa Guy Really Knows His Stuff *

From what I've heard through the grapevine and read on some of today's blog posts, I'd say our Guest Speaker yesterday at Saturday Writers was a Huge Hit! I haven't written much about our meetings on my personal blog, because I write about it on its own blog.

Joe Holleman

(photo: courtesy Sheree Nielsen)

Whenever someone books a speaker for a presentation, the outcome isn't guaranteed. You choose people you either know well and/or admire greatly, make the request, and go from there. Yesterday's speaker was a well known reporter from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper. His name is Joe Holleman and he writes a humorous column, Life Sherpa, in the Life & Style section, which can be read online at the link provided. I hadn't met Joe or knew anything about him, other than reading his column. It occurred to me that he'd most likely give a great presentation on writing, and in particular, writing for a newspaper. I e-mailed with my request and voile'... he accepted. He did not disappoint us. He energized everyone with his presentation. He educated us, entertained us, and answered questions.


Being the president of any group takes quite a bit of time and work, but I am loving every minute of it. I titled my latest column in our newsletter: Work + Great People = Fun.That's the way I look at most things in life. If something requires a lot of work, then I want to be able to enjoy it and the people I work with.

These past three months have been great. Our board members are awesome, hardworking individuals. A few of them have been on the board in the past, which is so helpful to me. Whenever I have questions, I can turn to them. Our new board members are also very helpful. Because they are new, they particularly have enthusiastic ideas.

I'd like to publicly thank them, plus the previous years' board members. Saturday Writers is an awesome writers' group, because of hard work, innovative ideas, great speakers, educational workshops, and talented members. If is wasn 't for all of you, Saturday Writers wouldn't be what it is today.

Joe also shared some of his favorite writer quotes with us. The following is one of my top choices!

"My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave the stuff out that people don’t read." – Elmore Leonard

* Thursday's Tidbits *

Things I've forgotten to do or say:

→  My friend who fell from his deck a couple of weeks ago is doing really well. He had/has a couple of broken cheek bones that will just heal on their own, very sore ribs (still), and the stitches he had on/around one of his ears have disintegrated. I saw him briefly Tuesday night and he was much more mobile and just looked better. No more black eyes, either! Thank goodness he didn't get hurt much worse. He's a heck of a nice guy. Addendum: He was in Vietnam, he's a retired policeman, and I think he must have an angel on his shoulder. 

→  I'm finishing up my "Pay It Forward" gifts. It's taking me longer than I thought it would, but hopefully I'll still have the rest sent by March 31st.

→  I haven't had a "Contest Give-Away" in awhile, and I think it's about time, don't you?! There is only One Rule to this one. Shipping only to Continental US residents. I'm sorry, but postage is so expensive overseas and in Canada.  Just leave a comment. No need to be a follower, or post it on your blog, etc. But, of course, the more, the merrier! Winner will be drawn by random at midnight Friday, April 1st. She/he will receive the following:

→  This brand new, never been opened, still has the shrink-wrap on it 6-Disc Set of the First Season of "Joan of Arcadia"!  Somehow I had 2 sets of this. I remember buying it as a Christmas gift a few years ago, but I don't remember where this other set came from!

→  This show began in the fall of 2003 and only lasted 2 Seasons. When I first saw it advertised, I thought How dumb. How corny. Yeah, they live in a town named Arcadia and her name is Joan and she sees and hears God. Silly & Gimmicky. But you know what? The first time I watched it, it grabbed me. One of the coolest twists in the writing is that each time God appears to Joan, he is someone different. I don't remember any particular character, but it was always someone common. The bus driver, the janitor, a young child, etc. Amber Tamblyn (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 & 2, and other movies.) was the main attraction, for lack of a better word. Her portrayal of 16 year old Joan Girardi was simply beautiful to watch. If you want to know more about the series, check out Amazon. AND, you don't have to be a "religious" person to enjoy this show. Everything is not always easy for Joan, her family and friends. There are conflicts, stresses, real life issues.

→  Trivia:  Amber is the daughter of actor Russ Tamblyn, best known for his role as Riff in West Side Story.    

Hello and Welcome to my two newest followers: Melissa Ann Goodwin & Kathi at like a box of chocolates! Thanks so much and I hope you always enjoy your visits!                                                                      

Below is a short piece of dialogue. This is typical of Joan's sarcasism, and God's humorous replies.

Joan: "Let's see a miracle."

God:  "How about that?"

Joan:  "It's a tree."

God:  "Let's see you make one."

* 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