* Grandpa Had a Perpetual Calendar *

Grandpa had a shiny, brass perpetual calendar. He kept it on top of the ornate, built-in wooden cabinet that separated the living room from the dining room. (It was similar to the one below.) As a young child it intrigued me because it was something I didn't see in anyone else's house. I always looked forward to getting up in those summer mornings....to go outside and play, of course....but also because grandpa would let me turn the little knobs and make the correct day and number appear. How fun it was!

Google source

(And how cool is this that I found one with yesterday's date??)

The only calendars I knew about were the paper kind you hung on the kitchen wall, above the bright red step-stool chair. (Like the one below.) Ours was probably the free one that our church handed out after Mass. It had all the holidays and Holy Days already on it, so families wouldn't forget when they had to go to a Mass that wasn't on a Sunday. 

Google source

Many years ago, a wonderful friend gave me a perpetual calendar as a gift. It was either for Christmas or my birthday; I don't remember which, since they're only 12 days apart! ☺ We met when we had young sons in the same school, and attended the same church. We both sang alto in our church choir and those practices were both solemn and loads of fun. I'm sorry to say that as our boys grew up, we drifted apart as happens quite often, but we still send Christmas cards to each other every year. 

photo by Becky

I'm happy to say that I still have this darling little calendar. It's in my kitchen and every time I even glance at it, I think of her and of my grandpa. 

"Elephants and grandchildren never forget." -- Andy Rooney

* Thankful and Grateful for So Many Things *

First of all, although there were tornadoes in Missouri this past Friday, nothing in my surrounding area was damaged......but it was a bit too close for comfort. The Ronald was out of town that evening, and so just Vern and I spent some time together in the basement. I am very thankful and grateful for basements!

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I posted some of my "happy" photos on my blog post of May 28th. This is one I would've definitely included, if I'd downloaded it from my camera in time! This is a corner of my kitchen counter-top that I "decorated." I love the small plaque Simple Pleasures! And the tiny block letters underneath it says Coffee Break. Yep....that about says it all! ☺

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We've lived in our new home two months already. I can't believe it....partly because the spare bedroom/my office still looks like a large walk-in storage unit. But, I'm working on it. I've finally gotten past the "overwhelmed" phase and am making progress. 

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When we first moved in, I didn't see or hear prop planes anymore. But as the days and weeks went by, more and more began to fly over...when I sat on our deck, when Vern and I were out walking, when just being inside...and just like before....when walking to and from my car when I am out shopping. BUT, here's the real kicker......Yesterday, while searching through the 12 or so TV channels that we have, (antenna in attic!)...I came across The Flying Nun....and there was cute little Sister Bertrille aka Sally Field, handing a toy prop plane to a little boy. He tightened up the propeller and let 'er fly!

Google Source

Okay. I got it....again! I'd kind of "lost" the desire to do any writing since we moved, but in the past few  days, I'm back to Writer Gal Becky! More memories popping up, jotting notes everywhere, etc. 

I couldn't be happier, or more thankful, or more grateful for the life I'm living. (Well, a little more money would be nice, but hey....ya can't have everything!)

To Be Continued.......

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

Hello Everyone! 

* The winner of my book give-away from Wednesday, May 22nd is.....McGuffy Ann! Congratulations! I also mention it in the comment section of that post: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2013/05/books-dogs-give-away.html 

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In spite of the yucky, rainy, dark, dismal, cloudy, and almost floody weather at my house.....I will NOT let this weather get me down.....(although I hate it!)....I'm following my sister-in-law's example and reminding myself that compared to the recent horrible destruction and loss of lives in other areas, I have nothing to complain about! 

So.....to begin:

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I'll supply my own sunshine!

  

One of my favorite local trails. (2009)

Mmmm....a strawberry dipped in chocolate and chilled. (2011)

A gift from a very good writer-friend! (2012)

Vern snoozing on the deck. What a sweetie!

Lake of the Ozarks...Ahhhhhh (2011)

Beautiful blue sky and huge, puffy, white, cotton candy clouds! (2012)

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AND, how can anyone keep from being happy when hearing this??

Birds chirping, music playing, Julie Andrews singing!

Maria: I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel. 

Mother Abbess: Some people would call that honesty. 

Maria: Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother. 

* Decoration Day 2013 *

In America, today is Memorial Day, 2013. 

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember why we celebrate. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men came home from wars, but many others did not. I am alive today because of one man that did not make it home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and although that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters, my brother, Mike, and I wouldn't be here if that hadn't happened. A few years later, she met and married our father. When Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!

During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that all of us are here today. 

I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights. You will surely have chills......


*I will announce the winner of the book give-away tomorrow, May 28th *


"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

* Books * Dogs * A Give-Away *

It's been such a long time since I've had any kind of contest or give-away, I decided the time is NOW!

Do you love books?

Do you love to read books?

How about dogs?

Do you love dogs?

Do you love to read books about dogs and the people who love them? 

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If you answered YES to any of these questions, please keep reading!

A true story I wrote about our first dog, Rocky, ("Rocky Loses by a TKO") is included in this fun and fabulous anthology. I will give one away in a random drawing consisting of people who leave a comment (and also become my follower if you aren't already) on this particular post.

My oldest son, Scott, & Rocky - 1982

We got Rocky when he was just a pup! 

And, boy, did he get into all kinds of trouble!

A couple of wedding photos that Rocky tried to eat! 

I mention this in my story.

Rocky and me - 1988

By this time, my youngest son, Mark, was 6 months old.

Rocky and Mark 1988

When we brought little, newborn Mark home from the hospital, Rocky immediately became very protective of him. They were pals until the day we had to say good-bye to Rocky when Mark was 10 years old. 

If you read my blog post from May 1st,you'll remember Tracie Hotchner, the Radio Pet Lady. I'll be calling into her show It's a Dog's Life ** A Brand New Show **"Your Dog's Best Friend" tomorrow evening, May 23rd, around 7:05 pm (CDT). If it's at all possible, please be sure to listen to the live podcast!

You don't have to listen to be part of the give-away, though! (If you'd like, you can always listen to show archives on Tracie's site, too.)

* Adendum Thursday, May 23rd 10:35pm CDT:
As you can see, I crossed out the name of the originally planned show, and added the Brand New Show: "Your Dog's Best Friend", which had its first broadcast this evening! I was "on" between 7:30 to 7:43pm. Please listen to the archive show, which should be posted on the podcast archives soon!
In this case, the "best friend" of your dog, is Sarah Hodgson: "dog trainer and people trainer for dogs"!

SO.....what do you need to do to be included in the give-away drawing? I'm making "the rules" very easy. You don't have to repost it, twitter it, facebook it, or go to any trouble. 

I just ask that you leave a comment at the end of this post, and become my follower, if you aren't already. That's it! 


Comments can be left until midnight Saturday, May 25th. (CDT) I'll make the random drawing after that and post the winner on Sunday's post. Any questions? Just ask!

Thanks and maybe you could tell your dog-loving friends about it, too! 
~~~

P.S. If you're a writer, the publisher, Publishing Syndicate, is accepting stories for a multitude of various upcoming anthologies. Check it out!

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Where has the time gone? It's been four weeks since my previous Nostalgic Sunday, and seven weeks since we moved. Along with the unpacking and deciding what goes where, The Ronald and I have also come across items that we "brought along" that really "don't belong." So....more trips to Goodwill. (I really like the newest one in our area. It has a Drive Up & Drop Off Door!☺)

It's been interesting how I've felt about giving away and/or selling furniture and decorative items that used to mean a lot to me. This move has been much more than just a physical move. It's also been serendipitous.

I've taken time to sit on our deck, enjoying the beautiful trees and flowering bushes as they sway in the breezes.......and the birds chirping back and forth with their loud conversations.....and to almost meditate about life....the past, present, and future. 

And that, of course, brings the memories from the past, and thoughts about my memoir. I still have no definite publication date, but I can assure anyone who is interested, that it WILL be sometime fairly soon.

I've always proclaimed that patience is not one of my virtues, but during the past couple of years, I've learned to at least accept the concept of patience! 

Ahhh, and here's a bit of nostalgia to share!

Seen on the Adair County Free Press facebook page

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."-- Loire Hartwould

Here's What You've Been Waiting For!

I'm only posting these photos now because I know my family and friends will understand my non-perfect house! So far, the only two rooms that are showable are the living room and the kitchen! 

One wall of the living room. This is my favorite part of the room! A comfy chair, large bookcase, and behind the chair is a small radio/CD player. The paper wreath over the chair was made by one of my daughters-in-law! Click on the photo for a larger view. After my book is in print, she's going to make a different one from its pages!

Another wall in the living room. As you can see, to the right is the kitchen and to the left is a hallway. The three pencil sketches above the love seat were drawn by my deceased sister, Jo Ann, in 1973. I had them hanging in the upstairs hallway in our previous house, which was silly because nobody ever saw them.

Another wall in our living room...complete with Vern on the couch! The Peace Sign blanket is his personal one! From the moment I saw that framed picture years ago, I was in love with it! But again, it had been hanging in a room where it wasn't seen very often. It's as if we have new furniture and accessories here!

Here's one view of our kitchen. I really love the huge windows we have in every room. (The Baker's Shelf is NOT finished being "decorated." Right now, it's full of junk!)

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That's about it for now. Every day seems to fly by and I get a few more things accomplished. It's probably going to be a LONG time before I can post any bedroom/office photos!

* Welcome to my newest follower McGuffy Ann, from McGuffy's Reader. It hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! *

"A house that does not have one worn, comfy chair in it is soulless." -- May Sarton

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." -- Jane Austen

"Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn't done it." -- Evan Esar

"Home is where you can say anything you like 'cause nobody listens to you anyway." -- Author Unknown

Live! Online! It's Wednesday Night!

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Hello Everyone ~ especially all DOG lovers! Tonight, online at Radio Pet Lady, you can listen to a live broadcast about....you guessed it....Dogs! This particular show is "Dog Travel Experts." It begins at 8:00PM Eastern, 7:00PM Central. (Although the website states different times, those haven't been updated yet.)

Radio Pet Lady Network = Tracie Hotchner (daughter of the brilliant, St. Louis born author, A.E. Hotchner, whom I've mentioned before on my blog, and had the privilege to meet!) 

Please check out Tracie's website. She has so many wonderful programs, articles, and interviews about pets, I don't know how she keeps up with them all! So much to listen to, so much to read, so much to learn, so much fun!

She invited me to be a "Special Friend" of Cat Chat & Dog Talk and that's how I received the new blog button. 

Tracie is also the author of two books: 

THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know 

and 

THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know.

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One more very important detail about Tracie......She is the woman I wrote about on April 29th. The generosity and support of others continues to find me as I write, following my bliss as I go...

Thank you, Tracie! 

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Don't forget to listen to Tracie's show tonight!