And some more on Geoff!

Just wanted to share a photo of Geoff's house - well, what was his house.

See my previous post on Geoff if you'd like to donate to the Geoffrey Hilton Relief Fund.

Geoffrey, we love you!

Book Blurb Friday #13

It’s Book Blurb Friday #13. Hosted by the Lisa of Writing in the Buff. Head to Lisa Ricard Claro’s blog for BBF directions. Write a book blurb jacket in 150 words based on the photo provided this week by Kathy Matthews. And as much as I hate to say this, it may be my last BBF for awhile.

84 words.

Unexpected

The isolated area in Matthews State Park was the favorite make out place for young teens. It was secluded and no one bothered you. Unfortunately it was a little too secluded. Obermoeller and her boyfriend Willis doze after a little romp in the back seat. Find out what happens when Obermoeller wakes up to see snow and hears a constant shrill sound. It never snows at Matthews State Park. The sound is deafening. And to add to her troubles, she can’t wake up Willis.

More on Geoffrey!

Read my previous post on Geoffrey!

A friend of Geoff's, Gwen has set up a relief fund for Geoff where she works. Here's what she wrote:

You can send funds to: Community National Bank & Trust, P O Box 479, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Make checks out to Geoffrey Hilton Relief Fund. Put Attn: Gwen on outside of envelope. Thanks so much everybody. Some kind soul donated a cell phone for him.


THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Geoffrey!

Hi Everyone,

As you know my friend Geoffrey had been missing for several days after the tornado hit and destroyed his home and business. But he made it! YAY for Geoff. I know Geoff is going to have story after story of miracles that occurred.

Some of you know Geoff and he's a sweetheart and well I could go on and on and gush about him because I love him so much.

Another friend of his - the one who actually saw him and told us all he was alive is going to be setting up an account in Geoff's behalf. I know these are hard economic times, but if you have even a dollar to spare, it would be so appreciated. I don't have any info yet, but those who know me can send it to me and I'll make sure it gets there.

If I know Geoff like I feel like I do, I know that he will feel awkward knowing people are giving him money. But I also know Geoff would be the first person to give and would give the last dime he had. And I also know that Geoff will be the most grateful of all.

Geoffrey - sending my love.

Thank you everyone!
xxo

My friend Geoffrey

Dear Mom,

I'm so relieved, my friend Geoffrey is alive and well. Turns out that he climbed into his bathtub during the tornado. I hope I have all these facts straight. A 2x4 apparently fell over on him, then the wall--but that protected him from debris. When it was over, he pushed the wood aside and he got out of the tub. He then sat on the curb of the street when a lady drove by and asked if he wanted to come with her... and so he did. That'd be like Geoffrey, just going with anyone. Everyone loves Geoff. Complete strangers. He stayed with her in another area, which is why no one could locate him.

Miracles.

Just wanted you to know. And I'm sending Geoff love. Anyone who'd like to donate funds to my friend who lost everything--home and business as he worked out of his home--there will be a fund set up for donations. When I get that information, I'll let you know.

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and love.

Pulled In, Pulled Out, Pulling Out

Dear Mom, (Family and Friends),

My pity party has been quite the bash. Hanging on by my fingernails not to be pulled into the pit of darkness, I begged. Afraid to let go that I’d be pulled down, I finally reached up and was pulled out by the hand of Light.

Those entities of darkness are waiting anxiously for my return, but I don’t want to go. I am choosing not to go.

One of the things I’ve decided to do is put my focus on something positive—working on all four of my books. I plan to follow Mary Carroll Moore’s new writing book, Your Book Starts Here.

I’m starting there. One page at a time. One day at a time. One book at a time.

That means pulling out of cyberspace for a while. I have some posts already scheduled and after that, we’ll just see what happens. It’s going to take a huge amount of discipline and I hope I don’t disappoint myself.

Although I love people and want to stay connected, I’m never going to accomplish my goal unless I take the initiative and do it. I’ve been reading other bloggers who seem to be faced with the same dilemma, so I’m hoping you’ll understand. For my own sanity right now, I have to do this.

Love you all. If you want to get a hold of me, you know where to find me.

PS I wrote this blog before the tornado touched down in Joplin. My dear friend, Geoffrey Hilton lives in Joplin and I found out from one of his patients (as he's a chiropractor) that his house is no longer standing. I can only hope that he is still out there among those in Joplin helping everyone as it'd be like him to serve. And so I said I was going to stay off cyberspace, but cyberspace has been a God-send in finding out information about Geoff. I still want to follow my plan as above, but I am going to be doing what I can to find Geoff. If anyone hears anything, please let me know. Bless you and love to all in Joplin.

Book Blurb Friday #12

It’s Book Blurb Friday #12. Hosted by the Lisa of Writing in the Buff. Head to Lisa Ricard Claro’s blog for BBF directions. Write a book blurb jacket in 150 words based on the photo provided by Sandra Davies.

104 words. Is this my most words? Is this my worst review yet?

The Golden Horn

Obermoeller couldn’t believe the golden horn’s musical notes danced around her arousing feelings. She recognized all the other bronzed statues—Little Ricard who played the flute, her sister in the same position as herself—they always dressed alike. There was Old Man Davies bent over probably tired of listening to Ricard and sick of seeing Sam strut his stuff. Where were we? Why were we turned to bronze? Even the dolphins, and the babies. What was Sandra holding above her head? Why wasn’t the tiger bronze? Could the horn’s notes help her to move? Read The Golden Horn to find out what happened to those living in Claro.

Pity Party

Dear Mom,

I’m tired and sad. That’s all I got.

But no pity party please. I’m having one heck of a pity party all on my own and I need no encouragement. Smiley face.

Just like the tattoo that is on the top of your granddaughter’s foot – This too shall pass.

And it will.

It always does.

Then on to the next thing.

All I can say is I love you and wish you were here.

xxxo

Book Blurb Friday #11

It’s Book Blurb Friday #11. Hosted by the Lisa of Writing in the Buff. Head to Lisa Ricard Claro’s blog for BBF directions. Write a book blurb jacket in 150 words based on the photo. Yours truly (that'd be me) provided this photo.

My attempt in 83 words.

Grandpa Obie

What Obermoeller didn’t know when she found her grandpa’s old Model T was the skeletons that were inside. Were they Grandpa Obie’s? But who was the other skeleton? Grandma said he left one morning alone and never returned. Was Grandpa Obie having an affair and ran off with his love? Or was there truth to the gossip she overhead in town about Grandpa dealing with some shady people? Will Obermoeller find the truth about her Grandpa or was the evidence too far gone?

(Okay, this sounds hokey and I have no idea if this is a Model T - he he he, I don't know anything about cars! It's been a crazy week and maybe I'll do better next time! It's all for the fun of it, right? Oh, and I'll get around to reading everyone's blurb, but I may not get to it until Monday - that crazy week is for this weekend!)

The Versatile Blogger Award

I have a lot of blogger friends—well I hope they all consider me a friend like I consider them as friends. Some I’ve known before blogland and know in person. Others I’ve met through blogging.

Dianna of Write in the Midwest I met through St. Louis Writers Guild. She’s as sweet as they come. She awarded me with—we had our pick: The Versatile Blogger or the Stylish Blogger. I think I’m more versatile as I’m definitely not stylish. Just ask my girls.

I’ve been putting off this award, not really knowing what seven things I should share. I’ve done a few of these before, but then I saw Becky’s list of seven and I decided to copy her idea of having a “theme” and that is music.

So here are 7 things about me that are related to music in some way:

1) Ever since I was little I wanted to play the piano and the drums.

2) After my mom died, either the day I found out or the day of the funeral, I went into the spare bedroom where there was a small organ that my Uncle Harold and Aunt Mary gave to my little sister and me, and I played “Onward Christian Soldier” over and over and over. I can’t believe no one told me STOP ALREADY! If I hear that song, I’m immediately taken back to that moment.

3) I had a slumber party at my house with my friends, Laurie, Lisa, Mary and Susan. I think we were in 7th grade. My sister Sue and brother-in-law Frank were living in our house while their house was being built. The five of us girls practiced and sang Downtown. We stood in front of the dresser mirror in my bedroom, from shortest to tallest. I was in the front. (I’m still in the front.) Our arms would sway from front to back on cue with the word downtown. We performed for Sue and Frank and we all thought we were something. Okay, I thought I was something, but I'm pretty sure they all did too.

4) I always wanted to sing in school, but the nun who taught music clearly saw there wasn't any talent. I’m pretty sure she told me to just mouth the words. That's all I remember doing.

5) Again, after my mom passed, we had the opportunity to get a piano from my brother’s wife at the time. My dad said no. I was crushed and resented him for the longest time after that, but I began to see how unrealistic it was—we were moving into my stepmother’s house. I was clueless as to what it takes to move pianos.

6) I really have no rhythm, can’t hear notes and it’s just not in me music wise. The only way I would dance is if I was liquored up. Since I don’t drink any longer—clean and sober for around 20 years thank you very much, it takes a lot of courage for me to get up and shake my booty. I have such anxiety and feel so self-conscious that I could throw up. I’ll slow dance with my husband. Once he tricked me and said, “Come on, it’s a slow song.” I got up to dance. I can never remember songs. This one turned from slow to fast and there I was… I seriously wanted to clobber him.

7) When I got together with my current husband, a baby grand sat in his house. For years I wouldn’t even touch it. Here it was all mine to play and I ignored it as if it were diseased. One day I got brave and decided to take lessons. Much to my surprise and with practice, I understood what the notes were on the sheet music and how they related to the keys on the piano.

8) Yeah, this is eight, but I have to say that my stepson tried to teach me how to play the drums. I had no idea how hard that could be… and so I tried the two things that I thought I always wanted to play, but really, I think I’ll stick with writing.

9) Oh my gosh, enough already, someone stop me. It’s like I’m playing Onward Christian Soldier. I just have one more music thing to share. After I divorced husband number two, there was a country and western song that played in my head. I could hear the words and melody and thought it was the weirdest thing. I had a recorder and sang into it (remember, I can't sing--the nun), then wrote down the words. I had no idea what notes were, so nothing there. I made the mistake of letting my kids hear it. Every now and then they’ll remember and belt out the tune especially when I’m sad. They crack up laughing. It does get me to laugh too, but my song isn’t all that funny. My singing, yes. Oh. Wait. Maybe that’s what they’re teasing me about.

If you got through this, I'm suppose to award others. I think all my blogger friends have been awarded, but if you haven't, you're awarded, okay? Let's hear your music truths if you can't think of seven random truths.

Thanks Dianna for being so patient with me to accept my award. I appreciate it. And thanks Becky for the idea!

Book Blurb Friday #10

It’s Book Blurb Friday #10. Wow #10. Hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro, write a book blurb jacket in 150 words based on the photo. Head to Lisa’s blog for BBF directions. This weeks photo is by Becky Povich.

Here it is in 105 words. I believe that’s a record for me… over a hundred.

Landscape Luck

When the yard was demolished due to construction, Obermoeller had a grand idea to create a waterfall. After years of toil, she finally accomplished her getaway paradise. Obermoeller learned quite a few tricks along the way. From beginners to professionals, this is a must have comprehensive DIY landscape book. Save your back and figure out rock stacking techniques. Want to keep those expensive koi alive? Be surprised at what predators eat koi. Algae a problem? Obermoeller’s natural methods for keeping clear water is in here too! Plus loads more… all for $19.95. Act now and get two, yes, two Landscape Luck books for only $19.95!

Postcards

Dear Mom,

A blogger friend, Grace of Liberal Sprinkles talked about postcrossing on her blog. Grace made this look and sound so much fun, I couldn’t help myself and joined.

Shortly before I decided to—when I was thinking about it, a friend sent me a postcard (who had no idea that I was going to do this). Here’s her postcard from a place in Minnesota – Cascade River State Park. I don’t normally receive postcards except when someone travels and since she lives in Minnesota, I thought it was interesting to receive a postcard. To me it was a sign I should join postcrossing.

My first official postcard came from Ottawa, Canada although the postcard is a place in Montreal (Victorians Houses at St. Louis Square). I’ve started paying attention to the stamps on the postcards as well. The stamp pictures look like they are bigger than the postcard. I have no idea why. Did I tell you I'm not all that techy?

Grace and I decided to send each other postcards (not through postcrossing). I received these from her. The second card is Singapore skyline at night with The Singapore Flyer, the world's tallest observation wheel. Grace said it takes about 1/2 hour to do the complete round. It reminds me of what I call a Ferris Wheel. I get the hee-bee-gee-bees just thinking about getting on the world's tallest because baby ones make my tummy flip-flop.

The next postcrossing card I received came from The People’s Republic of China (Ancient Residence at Liukeng).

Today I received a postcard from Portugal (showing Guimaraes).

Since I’m not a traveler, but love to write—postcrossing is a fun way to learn about places, meet new people, and do a little writing too.

Grace does a lot of research on each of her postcards that she receives. She probably knows more about St. Louis than I do. But I’m taking the lazy way out and just giving you the picture.

I plan to save all my postcards. I’m trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe I’ll put them in a photo-like album. Maybe they'll get passed down from generation to generation. I think it'd be interesting to read and see all the places that might not exist or will have changed in the years to come.