Thanking Others For Their Kindness

Blogger Joyce Lansky wrote a nice review about the book she won from me: "Gone With a Handsomer Man" by Michael Lee West. You can read it here: Book Review. Thank you, Joyce! That was very kind of you.

Another Blogger friend, Patricia Preston replied to one of my comments and mentioned she was drinking her iced tea from a pretty goblet, as a little treat for herself that day. I thought that sounded wonderful and so I'm doing the same thing tonight! Thanks, Patricia! I'm using the goblet I recently took photos of, with shadows and light. I may have shown them before, too. I bought them at Goodwill a few months ago, grabbing every single one they had, (nine) in the same pattern, of course! They were only 50¢ a piece!

The newest Searchlights & Signal Flares is online at Tiny Lights. I've mentioned this wonderful site before. The editor, Susan Bono, is a very talented writer, teacher, editor and just plain great friend! Please check out this site. It's your chance to be published online, no fees, no fuss! (and yes, No Payment, but I believe that when you're a new writer, or even an experienced one, having something published and getting your name "out there" is sometimes a very good thing, even if once in a while you don't receive a payment for it.) Susan's printed and online journal is a class act. Check out all the details there. Susan is also presently looking for stories for her quarterly Flash in the Pan, 500 words or less. Check that out, too!

Oh! One more thing.You know how I've been searching for a quiet, out of the way place, for a personal writer's retreat?? A fabulous, very generous relative is permitting me to stay in her condo at no charge, although I offered approximately four times, to pay her something for it! Isn't that wonderful? I'm not going to divulge any other info. Just know that I'll be writing, writing, writing...and hopefully come back home with a much-closer-to-being-completed-book!

"Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes." They will say, "Women don't have what it takes." -- Clare Boothe Luce

* I WONDER *

I've mentioned before that I love to listen to music, especially when I'm cleaning....usually '70s Rock, Oldies, Country...doesn't matter, as long as it's not Easy Listening. Oh, I like that kind of music, too, Just not when I need to do physical work! I gotta be Movin' & Groovin'!

I turned on the kitchen radio this morning while I made coffee and unloaded the dishwasher. (Yes, we finally got a cheapie one quite a long time ago!) I tuned in to one of our local independent radio stations. They play a wide mix of music genres, depending on what day it is and the time of day. As I listened to some really great music and vocals, it occurred to me that musicians and writers are so much alike. The Big Name Record companies only want to stay with the tried and true singers....just like the Big Name Publishers want to stay with their best selling authors. And this is understandable.....BUT....every now and then, that singer with the fabulous voice appears out of nowhere and is the new sensation. The same goes for writers. It can happen. It's possible. We've seen it happen to others.

I Wonder: What will the future bring for us Unknown Writers?

(The Unknown Comic from The Gong Show)

I Wonder: Will we emerge from obscurity after our self-publishing or small press publishing? If we're talented enough, if we write a book worth reading (to at least thousands) then I say a resounding, "Yes!"

(I found so many great quotes for today's post...I chose to post three of them!)


“Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” -- Robert Collier


“Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.” -- Alan Alda


Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” -- Malcolm S. Forbes

I'm Goin' Wacky, Along with the Sun

Hey Everyone. I've been really busy with my writing & editing.....Yay!... plus other projects. Every day I say to myself that later tonight I will stop by and comment on many of your blogs! It just isn't happening, though. If I haven't been by in a while, please don't think I've forgotten about you or any other negative reason! Sometimes I stop to read a little, but just don't leave a comment.

Until later, hope you're having.... Hot Fun in the Summertime!

Also, Hello & Welcome to my newest follower: Val Thevictorian! I hope you'll stop by often....unless you don't have time! ☺... and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much!


"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part." -- Shirley MacLaine

Hot Fun in the Summertime

My blog friend, Carol, at Under the Tiki Hut (which is an awesome blog, by the way!) is looking for guest bloggers this summer. I asked to be included, and Carol graciously said "yes." Please check out her post with the specifics and maybe YOU can be a Guest Blogger, too! (I'd like to be under a tiki hut somewhere right now!)

Speaking of something as lovely as a tiki hut, I'd like to share a little weather tidbit, since it's been such a Wacky Weather Year so far. We've been having record breaking, or near record breaking high temperatures here the past few days. I swore I would not complain about the heat and humidity, once it got here, after all the cold, yucky, rainy, dreary, cloudy, dark, disgusting, depressing weather we had for so long....AND I'M NOT! At least not out loud, anyway!!

One more thing about summertime and hot weather: I've changed my Play List to one of my Summer lists. Enjoy!

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it." ~ Russel Baker

* If It's Sunday, I'm Mixed Up...Again *

I totally forgot about my "I Wonder" post on Friday. I'm blaming it on the fact that last Monday was Memorial Day and I've been all discombobulated since! I'll just wait until next Friday now, and hope I remember. Hmmm....time for another Post-It stuck to my forehead?!

You know how I love those "Twilight Zoney" moments I experience from time to time? I asked for comments a while back, for different, better names. Blogger friend, Daisy, had a really good one and of course now that I'm trying to find it, I can't. I either wasn't listing labels at the time, or forgot. She called it "Cosmic-Something-Or-Other." So, Daisy if you read this, let me know if YOU remember!

So, here's my "Cosmic Twilight Zoney" ♫ ♪♫ moment: Just a day ago, I jotted a note to myself to blog about those Misunderstood Song Lyrics we've all heard over the years! Way back in 1968, Herb Alpert recorded and released a song called, "This Guy's In Love With You." It was a ballad, a love song. My oldest sister, Jo Ann, always thought he was singing, "the sky's in love with you" and she said that just didn't make any sense! Too Funny! WELL.....here's the Twilight Zoney part. Today, on one of the few TV shows I tape on my DVR, CBS Sunday Morning, who do you think one of their interviews was with? Herb Alpert! Isn't that wild? He is such an intelligent, multi-talented, philanthropic,very un-celebrity-like man. And on top of that, he and his wife have been married for something like 40 years! Very rare!

What about you? Have you ever misunderstood some song lyrics??

"It takes no time to fall in love, but it takes you years to know what love is.” -- Jason Mraz  (this is one of many favorite lyrics from Jason Mraz)

* Suffering from Wanderlust *

Have I mentioned lately that I've never felt such a desire, in my entire life, TO GO SOMEWHERE! Just about anywhere! This powerful force grabbed me a few days ago and hasn't lessened its grip, even a smidgen. I could go on and on as to the whys and wherefores, but I know for sure that my desire to get away and to WRITE is a huge part of it. (Oh, is it coming through loud and clear that I want to go alone?! Although I would take Vern if it was possible!)

Sweet Vern napping on his bed by the fireplace.

Part of me would love to go to a darling, beach side cottage, where the ocean waves would lull me to sleep at night, after a long, glorious day of research and writing.

Part of me yearns to visit the small town in Iowa that I love so dearly. It was the home of my grandparents and parents, long before I came along.

Right now I'd settle for a little 2 or 3 day get-away. Less than 50 miles away if that's all I could have. I just want to get OUTTA HERE! 

(courtesy: http://www.modernkiddo.com/)

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Got any luxurious time-share places I could visit? ☺

“He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left” -Chinese proverb

* A Wonderful, Writerly Day *

Yesterday was a really productive day, again! If this keeps up much longer I'll believe I'm actually a New Woman. One who is getting organized and accomplishing minor tasks around the house. And I'm writing so much more. And yes, it's still a struggle most times, and yes, it's hard work. But I've learned from a favorite blogger and very intelligent woman, C. Hope Clark, to keep at it. To make your writing your Number One priority.

I've had quite a hard time fighting off self-sabotage, like so many writers do, but Hope and others like her, have taught me to keep at it. Just...Keep...Writing! I'd like to share part of Hope's blog of May 24th:

"Every day you make choices what to accomplish and what to put off. Chances are, your writing is in the latter category. Simply swap it with another task. Neglect something else.

One day you'll look back. You'll see all those precious moments spent dusting, watching American Idol, and eating seconds. The times you gossipped too long, cleaned unnecessarily, and Facebooked beyond reason. And you'll wish you'd written."

Amen, Sister! I think I finally have the resolve, the determination, and the tenacity to complete my book before the end of summer. Please send well wishes and good karma my way! ☺

I'll have more writerly news tomorrow, so please check back then.

I'd like to say a special Thank You to Mo at Rose Petals from Heaven. She is so happy and excited with her winning prizes from my 200th Follower Contest, she wrote an entire post about it. Please stop by and say hello to her!

Hello & Welcome to Ali, Antiques and Teacups, prettylace4me, and Michelle Ridgway.. my four newest followers! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much!

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any." - Orson Scott Card

* Tuesday's Tidbits *

As some of you know, I like to participate in different blog memes. At times, they're about table settings (tablescapes), or tea cup collections, which of course require photos. And as some of you also know, I've been lamenting for a LONG time about the pictures my camera takes. Very Poor Quality. Yet I still love to play around with it and take photos, especially when sunlight and shadows are involved. Below are some I took in my dining room, as the sun was going down Sunday evening. (if you click on each photo, you'll be able to view a really BIG picture!)

The one above was taken at table level. I love both the light and shadows.

I like the way the sun shown on the goblet and napkin in this one.

This one has nice sunlight and shadows, as the sun came through the blinds.

I had a great weekend, just doing the usual things around the house. I also attended our Saturday Writers meeting and had lunch afterwards, with writer friends of course! Anything relating to writing is fabulous, you know! 

I truly hope all of you had a wonderful weekend, no matter where you are or what you did. 

Hello & Welcome to The Thumber, my newest follower! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." ~ Ansel Adams

"Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong."  ~Jeb Dickerson