* Book Give-Away Deadline Nearing *

If you haven't entered my contest yet to win an autographed copy of Michael Lee West's newest novel, Gone With a Handsomer Man, you still have a little more time! Entries end tomorrow night, Saturday May 7th, at midnight Central Daylight Time.



Please read the rules here.

Thanks so much to everyone who has already entered. Good Luck!

"Luck is believing you're lucky." -- Tennessee Williams

* Milestones, Readings & Writings *

I just realized my number of followers is approaching 200! So, I decided to check the number of posts I've made since I began my blog. I've seen people celebrate when they reach 500 posts, and I thought I might be nearing that number, too.

Well, guess what?? I now have 505 posts! SO....when I do reach 200 Followers, I'll have some kind of celebration. What kind, you may ask? I don't know yet! But I'll let everyone in on it, as soon as I know!

On a different subject, I attended my Coffee & Critique group this morning and read one of the chapters from my book. I was so pleased with everyone's reactions and their suggestions. When I write something that I think is funny, it's obvious that I also want others to think the same thing....and they did!

For those of you who have just begun reading my blog, I'm writing what I've referred to as my memoir, but it also has current happenings, thoughts & observations.....SO....it's a Memoir + More!

The other day when I posted about books' first sentences....I considered sharing the opening sentences of MY book, but it just didn't seem right at that time. Tonight, though, I'd like to post them and ask what you think. Would the following open lines pique your interest??

My mother told me in so many words she thought I was nuts. She convinced herself that my bizarre accident involving a) my head, and b) a crowbar, caused brain damage, triggering my erratic and uncharacteristic behavior. At least in her opinion.

And finally: Thanks and welcome to my three newest followers: Nonna Beach, Summer Ross, and Ames! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!

** Note: added Monday, May 4th, at 10:00 am CDT:  To clarify Donna's statement and respond to JFC's in the Comments below....I did NOT have a savory past or a misspent youth! Last year, when a few of us writer gals got together during the Christmas holiday, we talked about our critique group and how we were going over our alloted time, sometimes. SO, Donna said she was going to bring a timer, or a miniture asian gong. I knew exactly what she was talking about :   

BUT, in my usual mixed up, dyxlexia of the mouth way, I told her, "Don't forget to bring your bong!"

* It's Only Monday and I Still Think It's Tuesday *

Thanks to Dianna at Write in the Midwest for this lovely blog award:
"Stylish Blogger Award"

I'm going to post Musical Things that some of you may already know about me, but some also may not.

1) I love to dance, anywhere, anytime; even if it's only to the music in my head!

2) I really think that I can sing! ☺

3) When I was "40-something", I took flute lessons. I quit after a few months because my teacher, who was probably 10 years younger than me, yelled at me when I played the wrong notes, and treated me like a child-student.

4) I desperately wanted to take piano lessons when I was young, but we didn't have a piano. I told my mom and the school principal that I'd just practice at school, on their piano. Nobody thought that was a good idea, except me.

5) I played First Clarinet in my grade school band. I really liked it and wished I would've continued on with that for years and years.

6) I tap-danced on The Admiral, a St.Louis excursion boat, in the 1950's. I was only 5 years old, but I still remember it so well. I wore a little satin outfit and my shiny, black tap shoes. It was really exciting!

7) When I was a sophmore in high school, I taught myself how to play chords on my cheapie acoustic guitar, and I sang "folk songs"! I got blisters and callouses on my fingers from playing so often.

Anyone who would like to receive the above award, please help yourself! I'm not sticking to any certain rules, and I don't expect anyone else to, either.

Thanks and welcome to my newest followers! JL, Kathy, Lavender Dreamer, and Once We Were Faeries-Judy! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!

"I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music." --  George Eliot

* Saturday Centus *

Happy Anniversary to Saturday Centus! Yes, one year ago, Jenny Matlock started this wonderful meme. I haven't participated in quite a long time, but tonight I felt compelled to give it a try again. I hope it's acceptable! And Oh, it must be 100 words or less, not counting the prompt....which I forgot when I added mine up and tried so desperately to stay under 100! So, duh.....mine is 95 words, including the prompt!
*These Saturday Centus stories are fictional. *



Like always, Jenny provides us with a wonderful prompt (appearing below, in bold text). And as an extra gift to us on her special anniversary, she's allowing us to add a photo to our submission! My story and photo is below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although the traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper...my fabulous, still-semi-newlywed husband decided to shower me with luxurious gifts. He said, "Bea, I know you love the song, String of Pearls, by Glenn Miller, so I bought you a lovely pearl necklace, with matching earrings and bracelet."



I was so excited, I immediately put the necklace around my neck, and before even trying on the other lovely items, began doing my Happy Dance, which in turn, caused my real....well, actually faux pearls, to fall off the string, bouncing and rolling all over the floor.

And Welcome to my Three Newest Followers: Terra, Donna & Joyce! Thanks so much and I hope you'll stop by often and always be pleased with what you see.

* Favorite Lines in Books *

After posting the opening sentences of "Gone With a Handsomer Man", I started thinking about some of my favorite lines in various books I've read.

Last September, I wrote about a memoir I'd just finished reading. It was "The Midwife; A Memoir of Birth, Joy & Hard Times", by Jennifer Worth. http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2010/09/memoirs-i-love-memoirs.html.

I didn't think I'd like it at first. It was about the poorest of the poor, in 1950's England. But the writing was just beautiful. This is one of those rare books I'd actually read a second time. Fortunately, too, Jennifer Worth has written other books in this series, which I'll look for at the library...one of these days!

Here are a couple that really spoke to me:

"Circumstances bring people together and take them apart. One cannot keep up with everyone in a lifetime."

"What a pity! Life is so fleeting, and the past so rich."

What about you? What are some of your favorite lines from books? Are there any in particular that really resonated with you?

Gone With a Handsomer Man

Isn't that a great book title?! I just love it! And it gives a hint of the quirky story of Teeny Templeton......

Don't forget my contest to win this fabulous book, autographed by Michael Lee West, herself!

See all the infomation HERE. 

** Contest closes at Midnight, CDT, on Saturday, May 7th. You've still got lots of time!

And please pass it along to your family and friends!  (I just finished reading it April 26th and I loved it!)



All I ever wanted in life was true love, a set of copper cookware, and the perfect recipe for red velvet cake. The last thing I wanted was to end up on Charleston’s six o’clock news, accused of murder and a slew of other crimes. --  First two sentences in the book (used with permission from Michael Lee West)

* Tornadoes in St. Louis Area *

Just wanted to let everyone know that where I live is damage free. The St. Louis airport has quite a bit of significant damage and is closed right now. From what I've heard, there were about 5 or 6 tornadoes in the entire St. Charles-St. Louis Counties. Very unusual for us!

I hope all my blog friends are safe and damage free, where ever you are!

“When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home” -- Thornton Wilder

* Saturday Writers Web Site *

As some of you know, I took on the position of president of Saturday Writers for 2011. Although it's been quite a bit of work and time consuming, I've loved every minute of it. We have a great group of approximately 100 members, and  fabulous board members.

Our web site has been under construction for a few weeks and I'm happy to say, it's close to being finished.

The additonal info for Members and Contact pages will follow in the next couple of days.

(image courtesy google)



Our wonderful Webmaster Guru has been living on about 2 hours of sleep every night (well, maybe a few more!) for weeks/months, and is doing this pro bono. When it's finished, it will be awesome.

Click on the link here, or above, to see what's finished at this point.

We've also been posting current Saturday Writers news on our blog, too: www.saturdaywriters.blogspot.com.

I'm very proud to be part of this group. We really do support each other, encourage each other, and have a good time, too.

Anyone and everyone is welcome. No experience required!!

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection” -- Anais Nin