Take a look...

I finally posted a new blog on WordPress. Whoo-hoo.  Read it here. Warning, I have a lot to do to make it more like I want, but decided I've waited too long as it was and so... went ahead and posted. Any WordPress fans out there that have any input, I'd love to hear it. My plan is to take the tutorial and get more familiar as I don't know much.  I kept the same name. Do you think that's a good idea or not? How long do you keep posting something at the old site? What are the important widgets to have included in your site? Well, those are just a few questions...

Oh and who is doing NaNoWriMo this year?

Singing HU

I know my spiritual path is not for everyone, and that's okay. I completely respect everyone's religion, faith, or whatever they find that helps them in having a better life, being happy, feeling fulfilled, having a greater connection with God or a higher source.

I wanted to share with you about an event where I will be the facilitator. If anyone is in the St. Louis area and would like to join me, I'd be most honored.

It's the Community HU, sponsored by Eckankar, as a community service.  I have the privilege of leading this love song to God.  That's all it is, singing HU, a love song to God. It doesn't matter what your faith, background, or anything... it's universal. Singing HU can be sung by anyone with an open heart... and that's what it does too, it opens your heart. You can also check out the HU here. And if you are on that site, I'd recommend watching the video, "Miracles in Your Life." It's one of the most stunning videos I've ever seen. Really. Okay, well, that's my opinion.

The Community HU is held every third Sunday at 11:00 AM, so if you can't make this one in October, there's always another.

Sunday, October 16, 2016
11:00 AM
St. Louis Eckankar Center
14538 Manchester Road, Suite 202
Ballwin, MO  63011

There's a big sign on the road to your left, about a mile west of 141. The building sits behind another building, so you can't see the St. Louis Eckankar Center when you are on Manchester. If you pass the entrance, you can turn left onto the next street (after the little shopping center that has a BreadCo) and then you'll turn left again at the first street. Take that down to the side parking lot (on your left). You'll then see the Eckankar sign on the side of the building.

There’s a beautiful book about HU, and its title says it all:  HU, the Most Beautiful Prayer.

It's filled with beautiful words and comes with a CD where many folks are singing HU. I have this CD in my car and I play it every time I get into my car.

Tell me what works for you when you are feeling down, stressed, worried, lonely. Or what you do when you are looking for guidance and protection.Or what you do to open your heart to more love and connect with God.

Sculpture on Campus 2016 SIUE and other stuff

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share that my daughter Jessica will be one of the 12 artists who will be a part of the Sculpture on Campus 2016 at SIUE. I wanted to include a poster here, but I can't figure out how to do it. Durp. You know taking it off Facebook--for me can be a bit tricky.

So here is the info:

Afruz Amighi: Visting Artist and Juror

This Friday, October 7 (yes, that'd be tomorrow)
4:00 PM Sculpture Walk
Departs from Art and Design West
6:00 PM Awards Ceremony and Reception

In addition there is an Exhibition Opening
Sculpture on Campus Revisited
SIUE Art Gallery, Art & Design West Building
6:00 PM

And if I'm not mistaken, or if it was the same place as last year when I attended as Jessica's friends were in the Sculpture on Campus, the gallery will be just across from the reception area.

The address:
Art & Design Building at SIUE - doesn't really have a numbered address, other than it's on Circle Drive.

Here's how I go:

I take 270 North to exit 9 which is IL-Route 157, go left and then that takes you right into the campus, and the Art & Design is on your left, so you have to go to the first place where you can turn left, and then head back the opposite way—you're kind of making a Uturn so to speak because as soon as you turn, then the road to Art & Design is the next one (Circle Drive). Go to Parking Lot B (on your right). Parking is free.

Take the sidewalk (by the parking kiosk) at the edge of the parking lot and you'll see a dome-like building (on your left) that you will pass. You kind of go down a bit of a hill and the first building past the dome building is the Art and Design building - and people should be hanging out in front of that building.

You can text me or call me if you get lost and need further direction. I'll keep my phone handy.

And my younger sister is going to be in a few craft shows and here is her info:

Fiber Arts House (that's the name of her business) will have a booth at the Florissant Old Town Fall Festival on Sunday, October 9, 11 am to 5 pm

Below is a flyer with the details of the festival.  

Unfortunately they do not assign booth locations until that morning, so I can't tell you exactly where to find her.

And...

Fiber Arts House will be at the North County Community Church Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, November 19, 9 am to 2 pm

And The Winner is....

THIS IS A DRUM ROLL...

VAL!

Congratulations on winning Love to Win - I know you will love it!  I'll be getting it in the mail soon!

Love To Win

Hey all you book lovers... your chance to win Love to Win!  I have to extend this a few days before I draw a winner.  Pass the word around and tell your friends. Just leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing!  See previous post about Love to Win!  Check back in a few days for the winner!

Garage Sale in St. Louis, MO

I know not everyone who reads different blogs are in the same area, so this is for the folks in and around St. Louis.

There's a "Ten Family Plus Garage Sale" this Saturday... the 17th from 8AM-2PM.

Here is the link for full details and what items will be there!


I had put the wrong date in on the site GSALR.COM, so when it is up again, I will post a new link. Sorry.

Here's in the new link for GSALR. where the post is for the sale.

Mary Karr - The Art of Memoir

I received the email from the library—Mary Karr is coming to St. Louis—debuting her new book The Art of Memoir. I thought that she’d be someone I’d like to see. I love memoir. Next I get an email from my friend Sioux forwarding the library notice, stating she was going. I waffled. And Linda was going too. As an introvert, if I do too many things, my brain can’t take in any more. I knew I’d be busy that week, then life added something else—my brother fell 12 feet from a ladder and was helicoptered to Columbia. My two sisters and I traveled there and back… all is well, considering. He has two fractures in his pelvic bone, but if he got up and could walk, no surgery. He was determined, walked, and miraculously went home the next evening. Not to say he isn’t suffering…

It’s yesterday—the Mary Karr event. Should I stay or should I go? (Ever see that commercial? Once that song is in my brain, it doesn’t let up and I just discovered from my youngest daughter that song is a real song by a band called The Clash. Had no idea.)

I quieted myself and decided to let Spirit decide for me whether to go see Mary Karr as I was too wishy-washy. The answer struck me late afternoon, from out of nowhere—Go! And so I showered, texted my friends that I would be there.

And it just goes to show when we listen and act upon the message given, how valuable it is.

Mary Karr was a delight. I discovered through her talk that I am NOT a fiction writer. I am a memoir writer. If you get right down to it, I am a letter writer. And that’s OK. I have three NaNoWriMo fiction drafts that have weighed me down like a library full of books. I felt like a failure as a writer. I somehow had it in my head that I had to write non-fiction and fiction in order to qualify as a writer. I could at least choose what genre in fiction because I know I can’t write Sci-Fi or Fantasy or a number of other genres. I vividly recall when my critique group encouraged one another to write for fictional romance. I rolled my eyes and thought, good grief, this will be a complete waste of my time. But I decided, oh, have fun with it. Who cares? And I didn’t care. I did work hard on it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t care at all whether or not it got accepted. I knew my chances were zip. Imagine my shock when it ended up published in Fifty Shades of Santa…Oh my. You would think that would have raised my confidence level. Um, no. But that was another thing that Ms. Karr stated – my own interpretation – that after each book she wrote, it didn’t make writing the next one any easier. Whew, what a relief.

And another thing she said was her drafts are really bad. Really. She told a story about it and I believed her—that her drafts were bad. I heard this from other well-known writers who claimed their drafts were bad, but never quite believed it. It was the story she told that confirmed it for me. What HOPE I then had.

She also mentioned that memoirs are what gave her HOPE. She’s right. We do feel hope after learning of someone’s experience and how they survived (in some cases, not only just surviving, but becoming completely transformed in a positive way). Or what magical thing they encountered from the lesson of life.

Now my youngest daughter, Rita said to me about five years ago after asking her to give me some feedback on a fictional piece… she handed me the paper, “Mom, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a much better non-fiction writer.” Naturally, then I was a little disappointed as I wanted to hear, “Wow, I didn’t know you could write such good fiction.” In my heart, I knew she spoke the truth, but wasn’t ready to hear that. Didn’t want to accept that because it meant, for me, then, that I wasn’t a real writer.

I’m here to tell you… I am a writer. The Queen of Letter Writing, for sure. Not that it’s great writing—it’s a lot of babbling, but it’s honest, it’s from my heart and mostly, I absolutely love to write letters. Perhaps love is the key, too. I didn’t love to write fiction. It gave me a headache.

Oh yeah, and another revelation from Mary Karr. She doesn’t like to disclose the next project she’s working on as it diminishes it in some way, and I know exactly what she’s saying. I loved her answer when someone in the audience asked her what she was working on. Couldn’t tell you what it is at the moment. When people ask me, it feels so awkward to say, ‘oh, I don’t really want to talk about it’ because then I think they think I’m not really working on anything. How do I know what people think anyway? I think I think too much. But now I’ll just say, ‘my creative process works better if I don’t talk about it until I’m finished.’

Thanks Mary for all the hope.

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a comment to win a copy of Love to Win (see above post). You have until September 17^th!

Love To Win

First on the list – Lisa Ricard Claro’s third book – Love to Win – is out… ha, well, it’s been out. I’m just behind in posting. I read the book immediately. I loved, loved every page. Usually in a series, the last book falls a bit flat and I’m a tad disappointed, but no sirree, not this series. You’ll love all three! Love Built to Last, Love to Believe and Love to Win. Get a glimpse of Love to Win here.

Haven’t read it? Well, now is your chance as I’m going to be giving away a free copy of Love to Win to anyone who comments. Since I’m slow these days, I’ll give y’all three weeks and announce the winner on September 17.  Bravo, Lisa!

Here are some other highlights I’ve wanted to share.

•  My son Casey was in town for two months from the Netherlands. Not sure if I ever shared the road trip that my daughter, Rita and her two dogs and I took to pick up Casey from Los Angeles, California, where he resided for the past 11 years. He was home briefly before heading to the Netherlands. Was there for about seven months, then came home for a few months… until he left for Iceland for a week, where he met with other artists. You can see more about Light Grey Art Lab that held the event. One thing all the artists did was give a workshop—Casey did his workshop on dreams. He practiced on me and all I can say is Bravo, Casey! When he comes back in town, I’d like him to do this workshop for anyone interested. Let me know if you are. From Iceland, he went back to the Netherlands and he’s now in Spain. (It's hard getting a good picture of my son who doesn't like his photo taken - what can a mother do?)

• Sometimes you just need an extra pair of hands and I loaned mine to my daughter, Jessica as she worked on her full size woman sculpture—which is going to be a part of “Sculpture on Campus” at SIUE on Friday, October 7, at 4:00 PM. The sculpture will be up for a year, so if you can’t make the opening day, you can always visit another time. But this event allows you to meet and hear what the sculpture artist has to say about their piece. I have a new respect for welders and for sculpture artists as well. Bravo, Jessica!

  

•  And I can’t talk about two of my children without mentioning the third, the baby—the baby who just turned 29. I wonder if that means I’m getting older? This one transformed her front yard into a vegetable and dye garden. And oh, those veggies! What’s a dye garden? Plants you grow and use for dyeing materials… like fiber. Rita is a Fiber Freak, along with my sister Ruth. They sometimes sheer their own fiber (off sheep). But they dye it, spin it, make their own yarn and knit it, too! Bravo, Rita!

•  The three kids and I spent the day/night together at a Treehouse in Grubville. What a treat. It was a great way to relax and spend time with loved ones. Bravo, Laura Lynne!

•  I got to hang out with this cutie one day – my granddaughter. She’s a rock climber superstar. In the photo, she is hanging just the way you see it. She has as much strength as anyone else who was there. Bravo, Logan!

• Friends invited us to AZoo-Ado - a fundraiser for the polar bears! Thank you Jim and Alice!

•  A friend invited me to a Chicago concert. Something I hadn’t done in a LONG time. It was such fun. Thank you, Alice!

•  Speaking of concerts—two in one year is a record for me. I think I can count on two hands the number of concerts I’ve been to in my lifetime. And this last one was the concert of all concerts. Paul McCartney. I’ve never seen so many people in one place before. My husband took me and his two kids, Todd and Robyn. We had a lot of fun. We’re all Beatle fans. It was quite the experience especially being in the 8^th row! Thank you, Norm!

  

•  Some time back, Robyn and Logan stayed with us for a week or so in between a move and we watched this little stinker…

•           We – my three siblings and I had Sibling Day. We picked the town of Fulton to visit. There’s a piece of the Berlin Wall on the grounds of the Winston Churchill Museum. Fascinating place.

•  In a few weeks, it’ll be one year since I gave up refined sugar and flour, thanks to Dr. Susan Peirce Thomson. A writing blog friend Robin Brande had a post about it and all I can say is, it changed my life. Thank you, Robin! Thank you, Susan!

•  In October, I will be facilitating the Community HU at the Eckankar Center (14538 Manchester Rd.). If you haven’t experienced the HU, and are looking for something to help you open your heart, find peace, or a new way to connect with God, well… join me on Sunday, October 16 at 11:00 AM. The HU is my life line. Thank HU!

•   Even though I’m a bit out of touch with social media of all sorts (except Snap Chat – to my family—I utterly annoy them),  I still hand-write letters. That’s the way I love to stay connected. I know I don’t write all of you, but if you want me to, just send me your address.

•  I do enjoy the wildlife in our yard... that's my kind of social media.

 See the deer sitting in our woods?

• And this right now is about the prettiest thing in our yard… errr, jungle. The weeds have taken over. Actually this blooming vine, once upon a time I thought was a weed. I don’t pull it anymore and it’s in many places in the yard and I love it.

• Do you love garage sales? I know of one coming up and if you’re interested, send me a note.

• There have been a lot of loved ones in my life who have been experiencing or have experienced some major issues in their life. Bravo to All of You! You know who you are. Send them love, won’t you?

 ·         Speaking of love, don’t forget if you LOVE TO WIN, leave a comment, even if it’s just a Hi, and your name will go into the drawing.

Contact me at lober13(at)gmail(dot)com if you want to send me your address or need some info from the above.

Time Sure Flies

Time does fly. I've been practicing being in the present moment. Not always successful. I wanted to send out love to all those who need it. Wait. EVERYONE needs love. So love to all (especially those whose lives have changed in ways they didn't expect).

One way that fills my heart with more love is when I sing HU.

Hope everyone out there is okay.

Sioux's Book Blurb Friday #12

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #12. Check out Sioux’s blog for all the details to play along. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

My 59 word blurb: (okay, I’m slipping – I think this is my lowest count to date)

MEMOIRS of ELTON JOHN

We all know the crazy glasses and outfits of musician extraordinaire, but read about all the crazy things Mr. Elton John has done in his life. You’ll be sure to find not only the words interesting, but the photos are out of this world. Put on your favorite song of Mr. Elton John, sit back and enjoy the read.

PS – I have no idea why this photo reminded me of Elton John. What can I say?

Sioux's Book Blurb Friday #11

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #11. Check out Sioux’s blog for all the low down. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

 

My 97 word blurb:

HOWDY PARDNER

“Y’all should’ve seen him… flying through the air like a bunking bronco but without the bronco. I’m tellin’ y’all, I never saw nuttin like ‘er before. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. I done rubbed ‘em and everything, figgered I was, what do that call that thing, hallucining or sumpin.” This is just part of the tale that Billy gave when his ole buddy disappeared. Is that what really happened? Or is Billy playing the dumb cowboy? Hang on to your hat as you delve into this Western Mystery that’s sure to throw you for a loop.

Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #10

Okay, didn't think I was going to play this week as I've been watching a 9 part episode on "Truth About Cancer." It's been quite an eye opener. Did you know that cancer is not a death sentence and that there are natural means to heal and prevent cancer?

And now for Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #10. Check out Sioux’s blog for all the nitty gritty details.

(My daughter informed me that I needed to be a bit more creative with the character's names. Easy for her to say. I decided I'd start using the names of my relatives. Brilliant, I say.)

You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture for that week:

My 82 word blurb:

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

When asked to be a part for a statue, Alicia and Mart readily agreed thinking they were posing for the town square. Famous at last. They had no idea a liquid would be poured over them, capturing forever their position. The weird thing was that they could communicate with one another—not with their voice, but by mental telepathy. Oh the conversations that took place. Find out the story behind the scenes and what transpired in hilarious tale of egos run amuck.

Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #9

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #9. To learn more about Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday, check out Sioux’s blog. And come on, you know you want to play. Have some fun. If I can do this, anyone can.  Really.  Clearly you can see how creative I am with my title.  No mystery there. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

My 104 word blurb (my word count is climbing):

CAT’S IN THE BAG

You all know Tashia Bleu let the cat out of the bag, as the ole cliché goes, and good ole karma came back to bite her when her best friend’s cat slipped into the gift bag that she left for Tashia. Little did Tashia know that on Felix’s collar was a hidden camera. Her best friend, Regan placed it on Felix when she was trying to figure out who was eating all her vegetables in the garden. What karma came back to bite Tashia? What other cat was let out of the bag? Will Regan still be her best friend after all is revealed?

Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #8

 

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #8. To learn more about Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday, check out Sioux’s blog. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

My 100 word blurb:

SINGING THE BLEUS

Right after being pronounced Mr. & Mrs. Bleu, FBI agents had the newly married couple up against the wall. In this fast-paced love story of passion, heart ache and not exactly happily ever after, learn what FBI agents suspected of the blissful couple. Or did the FBI agents have it right? Why did they wait until after they were man and wife? Mr. & Mrs. Bleu were sure their jokester wedding party had something to do with this or did they? Find out whether Mr. and Mrs. Bleu were having second thoughts now that they said the big, “I do.”

And The Winner Is....

Drumroll please....

BOOKIE

Congratulations Bookie!  I'm sorry the others didn't win, however, you can get a copy by going to Lisa's blog to find the many ways to purchase her book.

Have a Happy Easter!

P.S. I used random.org to pick the winner.  Bookie, I have your information from a previous win, so I know where to send it!

Sioux's Book Blurb Friday #7

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #7. To learn more about Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday, check out Sioux’s blog. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

 

My 94 word blurb:

THAT’S IT

A pair of shoes. That’s it—all that remained of Timothy Bleu. Some speculated he was taken in an alien spaceship. Some said he had to be abducted by the serial killer that only left the shoes of the victim. A few felt Timothy planted his shoes there on purpose to let the town know he wasn’t just an ordinary boy. Most of the townspeople didn’t want to believe Timothy really had invisible powers and that he was skilled at body projection. Read along and find clues to discover the disappearance of Timothy Bleu.

DON’T FORGET – tell your friends, neighbors, family to check out my previous blog post about winning a book! Just comment and you’ll be in the drawing – to be announced on Easter!

You Know You Want to Win...

Okay folks, don't forget to comment here or on the blog post Love to Believe - Book Giveaway to win a copy of...

Check out the blog post to find out more about the book and the author.

Already have a copy? Try and win anyway and give to a friend. What gift is more beautiful than a book? I will announce the winner on Easter!

Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #6

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #6. To learn more about Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday, check out Sioux’s blog. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

My 60 word blurb:

WOMAN POWER

Tashma Bleu was told by the garden shop that if she placed this ancient brass statue in her yard, she’d never have to worry about men controlling her again. Since Tashma Bleu just ended her seventh marriage, she was willing to try anything. Find out in this intriguing tale the men that come into Tashma’s life and what happens.

****

NOTE:  As you can see, I’m not good with names and used the same one I did last time (which I'll admit, I had help on!)

ALSO, check out my previous blog about winning a book! Just comment and you’ll be in the drawing – to be announced on Easter!

Love To Believe - Book Giveaway!

Yes, that’s right. I’m giving away Love To Believe – the second in a series of three by Lisa Ricard Claro. Just so you know, I’m not a romance reader, but I love Lisa’s style. The first in the series, Love Built to Last, I fell in love with and couldn’t wait for the second—the one I’m giving away. Now, I can’t wait for the last Love to Win scheduled to come out in July. Below is an excerpt I received from Lisa to print. But first, in order to win your copy, if you’re the lucky one, leave a comment. I’ll use a random draw and announce the winner on Easter! So tell your friends!

Love to Believe – Excerpt #3

Rebecca patted Sean’s chest with her hands and stepped away from him. “You know what? I’m sorry I asked. That is absolutely not my business. We’re alone in a hotel room and I, for one, don’t want a third person sharing the space with us. I apologize for inviting her in after you tried to leave her out. C’mon.” She took his hand and tugged him, unresisting, into the room, and closed the French doors against the night air. “Have you seen that tub? Jetted and big enough for two. Let’s turn on the hot water, pour some wine, and get naked. What do you say?”

Sean regarded her for a moment, those gorgeous eyes midnight blue in the lambent light and as inscrutable as deep space. The rules of their arrangement played in her mind, and Rebecca sweated the seconds, hoping she hadn’t gone too far, and that she had self-corrected before screwing things up.

“I’d rather not,” he said.

Her heart plummeted. Chest tight, she nodded and began to turn away. She still wore Sean’s jacket. He grabbed the lapels and drew her close, his mouth a heartbeat away from hers. “First we have the matter of indulging my get-you-out-of-that-little-black-dress fantasy.” He slid his jacket off her shoulders and tossed it on the bed.

Relief pumped through her along with a healthy wave of lust and, had she been inclined to dig a little deeper, something far more potent. “And after that?”

Sean took her face in his hands, his gaze serious and steady on hers. “I’m all yours,” he said.

She closed her eyes and pretended it was true.

About the author:

Lisa Ricard Claro is a professional editor, award-winning author, and Pushcart Prize nominee with published articles and stories spanning multiple media. She resides in Georgia with her husband of more than three decades and counting, is mother to three (a ruggedly handsome son and two stunningly beautiful daughters—Lisa might be a little biased), and dreams of one day living at the beach. Seriously dreams of it. As in, she’s already decorating her dream beach house. In addition to an array of sand dollars and seashells, she keeps a framed sign hanging in her office: Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses Welcome Here.

Lisa is also a lover of dogs and cats, and has a heart for rescues. This is why you will find a rescued pet companion in every one of her books. Sometimes they are part of the story line (Pirate the dog, in Love Built to Last), and sometimes they’re already ensconced in their forever home with one of Lisa’s characters (Pavarotti the cat, in Love to Win). As you read Lisa’s books, watch for the rescues!

Sioux's Book Blurb Friday #5

It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #5. To learn more about Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday, check out Sioux’s blog. You basically write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

 

Years ago when Lisa Ricard Claro did this Book Blurb Friday, I stressed so much about it that the fun was lost. I vowed this time it would be F.U.N. I write the first thing that pops in my head (when it pops in my head). I usually fall short on the word count, but that’s okay. 

66 words this time around for the blurb below:

DREAMLAND

Enamored with the red bird, it was all Tashma Bleu thought about. She dreamed of flying to far away places, and one night it happened—she was the red bird. In this tale of dreams turning into reality, find out the advantages and near mishaps—now Tashma Red Feather—encounters. What becomes of Ms. Bleu? Will she remain Tashma Red Feather—trapped in dreamland? Or not?

Book Blurb Friday #4

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It’s Sioux’s Book Blurb Friday #4, check out Sioux’s blog for all the details. Four? Wow, can’t believe it’s four already. Write 150 word book blurb based on the picture:

-->

 

Okay, I seem to be upping my word count.

Here is my 108 word book blurb:

THE AWAKENING

When Norma Oberdope woke up and found herself tied to the railroad tracks, she was sure she was dreaming. Norma looked into the distance and hoped and prayed that this track was not being used and that someone played a really mean joke on her for partaking of the sauce. When Norma realized she had to pee, that’s what caused the chain of events that she thought would surprise even Superman himself... in her Superman world anyway. Read to find out how Norma ended up on the tracks and if she was able to free herself when she heard the shrill sound of the whistle in the distance.

Here Kitty Kitty

We have two cats. Kitty and Smeagol. Smeagol is the black and white cat. I’m not sure what to call Kitty, except sweet. Smeagol, not so much. But they do love me. Follow me around where ever I go, like:

when I’m cooking,

 

 

 

doing laundry,

 

 

writing,

 

 

 

 

 

painting,

 

going to the bathroom,

 

 

after grocery shopping,

 

when outside walking,

 

 

getting ready to travel,

 

unwrapping a gift,

 

working outside

 

or whatever I’m doing, they are not far away, usually sleeping or trying...

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes Smeagol wants my attention and does so by tearing up paper. Do you want to know what that’s like for a writer/trying-to-be artist? Heaven help me if he ever figures out that books are made of paper. So far he only chewed a corner of one that had been sitting out in the open. If they are on the shelf, he’s not bothered.

 

 

Well, they are cute stinkers, aren’t they?