Dog Sitting

I agreed to dog sit for my daughter's four pooches over the weekend. What was I thinking? They each have distinct personalities. I guess you dog lovers out there know that.

The two pugs were rescue dogs, and Doc is the needy, jealous one. You can't pet the dogs without his little snoot snorting her way in.

 Doc

Gramma is Miss Loveable and easygoing. All of the dogs run right over her, take her bone away, push her and she just takes it all with complete ease.

  Gramma

Computer is Rita's first dog and in a dream she was told to name her dog Computer. He's part pug and shitzu or something. He looks like a little ewok. He's the guard dog... of everything. He guards his food, his bone, his blanket, and if someone comes in he barks. And barks. But not a constant... a rythmic type. Bark. Wait a few seconds. Bark. Wait. Bark. Wait. Come to think of it, I've never heard any of the other dogs bark.

Computer

Goddy is a beagle and he's a combination of all of them. He's loveable, protective, takes what he wants with slyness and I have no doubt that he'd growl if anyone tried to do anything to me.

  Goddy

I cleared my entire schedule to give my full attention to the dogs... other than a commitment to a 50th Anniversary party. The whole time I was at the party I worried about the dogs... and my house.

  Computer and Goddy play fighting

Even though they were good and they're funny and loveable, I look forward to my quiet space. Oh and our cat - Smeagol.

  Smeagol - The Prince is upset!

He hid under the bed as soon as the dogs came in and stayed there for eight hours. When they all napped, he hightailed it, jumped the gate and has steered clear. He came up last night and meowed, but as soon as he smelled dog on me, he hissed and ran away. Smeagol will also look forward to some quiet space.

And The Winner of Well Versed Is...

Congratulations to:

BOOKIE AND LISA

...randomly drawn from a hat... yes, really a hat.

Two pieces of paper got hooked together, so we have two winners! Thank you all who participated.

Stay tuned for the future give-away of Gloria Gaynor's new book, We Will Survive. I've been fortunate enough to have a story in that book too!

If you don't want to wait for the drawing on We Will Survive, you can pre-order now. For those of you in St. Louis, there are four of us St. Louisan's in her book: Linda O'Connell, Cathi LaMarche, Alice Muschany, and me!

You Can Win a Book!

Of course anyone who reads this blog knows that I have a story published in Well Versed 2013 and this past weekend was the book launch and reading. My story had references of my old grade school and what a surprise when a grade school friend came to the event. It helped that she lives in Columbia! Thanks Debbie - it was nice to see you and it was fun catching up.

For those of you unable to make it, who may live out-of-state or had something else going on, you have a chance to win a copy of Well Versed 2013.

How do you win?  You leave a comment after this blog and read every single blog I ever wrote.  HA. Just kidding. All you have to do is leave a comment or sign up to follow me. If you sign up to get my blog via email, you'll need to let me know as I'll count that too - and I'll add your name to the drawing. In a week, I'll announce who won by randomly drawing a name.

Two of my WWWP buddies, Sioux and Tammy came to the event. Sioux snapped this picture of the four of us from St. Louis who have stories in the book. I snagged it from her site.

From left to right: Donna Volkenannt, Marcia Gaye, me, Sheree Nielsen

Would like to also thank the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild for hosting the event... especially Linda Fisher, managing editor of Well Versed 2013. Everyone did nice job and everything was lovely!

I Don't Remember

I’m happy and pleased to announce my article, “I Don’t Remember” will be published in Well Versed 2013.

A little back story.

I had been preparing for a 40^th grade school reunion, took a trip down memory lane and was looking at my 7^th grade class photo. 

I had no recollection about anything during 7^th grade, specifically on “picture day.” I wrote a short piece beginning with, “I don’t remember…” Shortly after I completed the essay, Donna Volkenannt announced on her blog about a submission/contest and I decided, what do I have to lose?

Imagine my surprise. But it's no surprise that Donna took 2nd place. I'm among some wonderful writers in this anthology.

A book launch takes place in Columbia, MO on Sunday, July 14^th if anyone is interested… or if you’re interested in a book, let me know. Here’s the flyer on the event:

 

 

Here’s the cover of the book. Isn’t it a beautiful?