tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69043567057351200702024-03-13T06:03:44.939-04:00Carolynn with 2NsCarolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-27952388168516461952024-03-04T11:46:00.000-05:002024-03-04T11:46:37.273-05:00<p> Yup, still available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and working on another.<br /></p><p>Heavenly Mom and Dad are proud. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-8ct48CzRaHBfTsXIzg5Eb_LozE9QAu_LkEkMohyphenhyphenwaj89cL-CsUB6ANaVHEhRnvlfjIRmRC823sOQ-PxWKHiUZA0IbEGQlZuEsttfwL-zjrv0a9F8nZrKVrnMxrGKhQb_gXAtp9GUnNuygYsm94_rSEO079iaZiGLLgFUm8hE1iWV4xMGHY1LpElBAQ/s1198/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-8ct48CzRaHBfTsXIzg5Eb_LozE9QAu_LkEkMohyphenhyphenwaj89cL-CsUB6ANaVHEhRnvlfjIRmRC823sOQ-PxWKHiUZA0IbEGQlZuEsttfwL-zjrv0a9F8nZrKVrnMxrGKhQb_gXAtp9GUnNuygYsm94_rSEO079iaZiGLLgFUm8hE1iWV4xMGHY1LpElBAQ/s320/IMG_0652.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-84983116396041403502023-06-29T08:55:00.000-04:002023-06-29T08:55:40.308-04:00<p> <span> </span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
text-indent:.5in;
line-height:200%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-font-kerning:1.0pt;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</p><p style="margin: 0in;">Well boys and girls I finally did it. I published a
book. </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;">Rather than rue the truth of age bias in traditional publishing
(ya can’t fight big business common sense) I decided to embrace my age as a
huge positive. Can’t write most of the stuff I write and not have history, experience,
and wisdom. Life is not made up, it’s real.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNc0mLY1fG5jGpdkJXyqL4-JrbTbN2mz_xbUFmvZbQNgqT-CwnwG_Rwu3FrcX474IvYG3YS4IRmuvD0A2Pw90ncTtODmdvBRnyumVl0uWyzAcQnuVvv-0V8oLxHvsUkqwF-Cu8cWuaEsJrzqAEEEX_DM5C-dlQyXkkg4L-hQWKjjpLtSGfDl-W7kGTtU/s4032/IMG_0652%20book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNc0mLY1fG5jGpdkJXyqL4-JrbTbN2mz_xbUFmvZbQNgqT-CwnwG_Rwu3FrcX474IvYG3YS4IRmuvD0A2Pw90ncTtODmdvBRnyumVl0uWyzAcQnuVvv-0V8oLxHvsUkqwF-Cu8cWuaEsJrzqAEEEX_DM5C-dlQyXkkg4L-hQWKjjpLtSGfDl-W7kGTtU/w150-h200/IMG_0652%20book.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p style="margin: 0in;">For thirty-five years I’ve been casting my words upon the
waters. For the last couple I’ve put together what I think best communicates
what I am about and what I feel best describes what life is about, with humor
and a few tears. I’ve been told this book is for all women…almost, and for
writers, for sure. It’s an honest book. Not all I have communicated soothes my
writer’s soul. Some foolish and even heartless pieces have changed me. I do not
have a problem admitting when I am wrong. I was wrong. But being on the mark makes
me soar. </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;">I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing in the past few
months. Asking for help, accepting that I don’t know everything and being
patient says it all. Side note: Because you don’t know how or where you are
going is not a reason to hand in your ticket and get off the train. Find a travel
agent and a conductor who have taken the trip before.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;">Not to bite the hand that doles out snacks along the ride,
I learned that the behemoth of book sellers (who offers everything else too) is a
difficult and not always best track. Barnes and Noble and sites less known have
offered wonderful opportunities. I’ve learned that word-of-mouth from old friends
and new readers is a strong and steady route. I’ve also come to recognize when it’s
time to shut up and listen.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in;">It’s been a long time since posting here. It’s great to
be back among old friends in a place that has always felt like home. </p>
<p></p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-17599498961092895142022-07-29T08:04:00.000-04:002022-07-29T08:04:37.535-04:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember Cher in Moonstruck , kicking the can down the road. That's me. Well not actually. I'm not Cher, and no where near looking as good as Cher on her worst day but I'm still kicking, that can, down the road. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2rctz_RAylQ_xYID2dxMKqALvdTkK8RL6jmEo0mpWjc7AYISrHWrQpUg2Qgjj_nF40lsgGkMLWywhmS25ycd8-pAicHYTt0_Eu6fpbaTmUoR57dSbQA_bAyX_kGtd5VkTzyyRrqnp_OchZ2WIHlcNZGS6D3thikIOGDXe4_GbNInHNcd4V1B6ED4/s305/cher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="305" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2rctz_RAylQ_xYID2dxMKqALvdTkK8RL6jmEo0mpWjc7AYISrHWrQpUg2Qgjj_nF40lsgGkMLWywhmS25ycd8-pAicHYTt0_Eu6fpbaTmUoR57dSbQA_bAyX_kGtd5VkTzyyRrqnp_OchZ2WIHlcNZGS6D3thikIOGDXe4_GbNInHNcd4V1B6ED4/s1600/cher.jpg" width="305" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-64028971660556608542021-03-01T08:49:00.001-05:002021-03-01T08:53:14.556-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pvQOzCPShMYZ1N9gE9a2FgjQQ15a63tSy1qB_-B0Ll_TDAU30hbtj9bMLOtdW9H4M4HkKE4YCjWrb7GFMdJ51PDVz0y-OJ3OMFxZNRjr8johDgBWPtVLvAz8-q34fochoD8HqWxoaKU/s1500/mantle+clock.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pvQOzCPShMYZ1N9gE9a2FgjQQ15a63tSy1qB_-B0Ll_TDAU30hbtj9bMLOtdW9H4M4HkKE4YCjWrb7GFMdJ51PDVz0y-OJ3OMFxZNRjr8johDgBWPtVLvAz8-q34fochoD8HqWxoaKU/s320/mantle+clock.jpg"/></a></div>My God it’s been a year.
Is anybody out there?
Does anybody care?
Yes, we were locked down. Two weeks, just us and our pain-in-the-ass mini wiener dog who is sweet and quiet only after the sun goes down. (They haven’t found my husband’s body yet.)
Actually we did OK. We pretty much stuck close to home. Had food delivered until stores set rules in place and the state set mandates. Even now we do not go often. On-line shopping saved Christmas.
Early on not visiting two of our grandchildren was heartbreaking. We got as close as hands against the glass and cried all the way home. Our other Little-One is part of our next-door-nest so we got to spend time with her. We played by the rules, watched the news, and rejoiced when change came in November. We’ve gotten our first shots and are waiting impatiently in line while jittering up and down for our second double dip dish of rocky road. I’m hoping the shots are our get-of-jail-free cards?
What a heartbreaking year it has been. When I think of the fear, suffering, and loss that has taken place I am overwhelmed by it all. How can something so minute loom so large while seeking to annihilate our species? Comprehending the immensity of it is like trying to fathom the depth of the universe. It is just too vast.
When I think of all the time I’ve had to write, and how I used those endless hours for something else, I feel profoundly guilty. Sustaining focus became impossible, editing became a nightmare, the dream of a title page became a stopped clock.
Okay, enough of looking backward. Enough of wondering why, or how, or WTF.
So here I am a year later replacing the double A’s, setting the hands, and listening for the heartbeat of the little mantle clock. Its rhythm is the song of my life. The title of the song? Write.
Ever vigilant, and thankful, and grateful, and cautious, stay well my writer friends, stay well.
2Ns
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-84035191930012434142020-03-02T08:00:00.002-05:002020-03-02T08:03:25.682-05:00Fate in the cards<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwJxmpujthJbt_aDPW7-LiaLtareKCL-LxLaRKXCttNy_NnaEe9UU51uPM-wwQ8HpBSsz9eq-QdGV9qRFT6MGblXly_FXpsOfAe1zNEGOmET54AFM7iAy7W5xYnRgzKinles4KravQgw/s1600/Wild%252520Card%252520Logo.jpg+wild+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwJxmpujthJbt_aDPW7-LiaLtareKCL-LxLaRKXCttNy_NnaEe9UU51uPM-wwQ8HpBSsz9eq-QdGV9qRFT6MGblXly_FXpsOfAe1zNEGOmET54AFM7iAy7W5xYnRgzKinles4KravQgw/s320/Wild%252520Card%252520Logo.jpg+wild+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So…here I am on March 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
sitting at my kitchen table writing. All I can think about is how our world,
yup the entire world, has changed regarding the possibility of a pandemic. Some
say we’ve already jumped the fence and some say not quite yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where I live we have not been touched just
yet but considering how (cliché alert) few and far between my posts have been,
by the time I jump on again the world may have gone to a dark and scary place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Though I am one of those so
called high risk mature-types if the monster mounts my porch and slithers under
my welcome mat I will deal. If for some reason our little town were to be
locked down for two weeks (and staying indoors was the order) the biggest risk
(and I can’t understate this) my husband and I would be at each other’s throats
by about day 3.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So…here I am on March 2nd sitting
at my kitchen table, setting aside the news and working on a family tale-of-truth.
This new project chronicles a financial miracle which came down our little
country road almost 20 years ago, knocked on our door and changed our lives. It
is the stuff of dreams. I AM NOT UNDERSTATING THIS. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Fate plays an amazing game with
our lives sometimes. Whether it be a virus the size of a nightmare or an
unimagined life changing incident…my advice…never ever discount the possibility
that at your darkest hour a wild card may be flipped your way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-12232227932244590652020-01-01T12:03:00.000-05:002020-01-01T12:03:51.693-05:00A glossary of terms for writers (UPDATED)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVQMP1AM9BMVB40PY6AcJTv4iSoMD11rCjhpynmaCCIdymzfqOd2dL0OUiAZJv-8nvg3ocneqa7pZrOMpRpgofHwAgn-uZxeJOhsmuBdZyPyw41D1GSZcOeYgg7o2lGon6PGEgPxaiSQ/s1600/punctiuation+marks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="344" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVQMP1AM9BMVB40PY6AcJTv4iSoMD11rCjhpynmaCCIdymzfqOd2dL0OUiAZJv-8nvg3ocneqa7pZrOMpRpgofHwAgn-uZxeJOhsmuBdZyPyw41D1GSZcOeYgg7o2lGon6PGEgPxaiSQ/s320/punctiuation+marks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the New Year I have resurrected and updated my </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR WRITERS </strong><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Glossary</b> – a really lame dictionary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Writer</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> - a person who thinks they
have something to say so they write it down even though they are afraid to have someone read
it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Fiction</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – brain drivel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Non-fiction</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – brain drivel by an expert
or by someone who claims to be an expert. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Memoir</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a written document with the
consensus that your boss will fire you, your friends will shun you, your family
will disown you and your children will claim to be orphans. When it becomes a
movie you will be tapped for loans or sued, by all of the above. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Novel</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – clever untruths built with
a lot of words. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Short Story</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – clever untruths built with
less words than a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Essay</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – clever truths. Less words
interesting. A lot of words boring. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Cliché</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a smartass use of someone
else’s smartass phrase.<br />
<br />
<b>Spell check</b> - the penicillin, Salk vaccine and morning after
pill for all writers.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Edit</strong> - leaving the fancy outfit on the floor for the perfect jeans and T.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Punctuation</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – all the little marks
writers use to convey speech patterns on paper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Period</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – the 28 day dot (.) to denote when
the writer runs out of thought. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Question mark</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – do you think it is a hook with a
dot (?) to denote when the writer doesn’t have an answer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Exclamation point</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a line with a dot (!) used
sparingly to denote, really, really, and I mean really, exciting wow-words!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Comma </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">– a tiny, little, itsy bitsy curve of
a line (,) when the writer takes a big breath.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dash</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> - that little line (-) right after
the word “dash” that most writers don’t know when to use.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Preposition</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a word, which by its use at
the end of sentence, illustrates a writer’s frustration such as, finding an
oven in which to place one’s head in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bold – this.</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Italic</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – that.</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Title -</strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong> </strong>a royal’s preface.<strong> </strong></span></span><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Preface</strong></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong> – </strong>what a writer really wants to say first-off which no one wants to read.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Title Page</strong></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong> – </strong>depending on sales, a birth certificate or obituary.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Plagiarism</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> - stealing someone else’s
drivel and calling it your own drivel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sentence</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – amount of time a writer
spends in prison after stealing someone else’s drivel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Agent</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a writer’s love/hate all-in-one
vice-principle, first-mate, heir to the throne, sentry/bouncer who reads
really fast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">New York Times
Bestseller List</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">– If your book is on it you will have the title tattooed on your ass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Oprah’s Book
Club</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – like
being the first to be picked for dodge-ball.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Oprah’s Book
Club Update</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> -
Is there still an Oprah’s book club. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Query</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – a writer’s post-it bio combined
with Tolstoy’s War and Peace as a Hallmark Card. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No Response Means No</b> – a Dear John
letter lost in the mail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Form Rejection </b>– a Dear John letter
not lost in the mail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Personalized Rejection</b> – if you lose
weight and have breast implants John might ask you out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Publisher</b> – a cross between God with
a small “g” and your freshman English teacher. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Call</b> – comes when phone lines are
down, your cell phone is dead, your computer has a virus and the garbage truck
runs over your mailbox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Publishing Deal</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – comes moments before you
decide that writing is a sucky waste of time and head for the tallest building
in the city from which to throw yourself off of.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The End</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> - this.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-1321171524618888612019-11-11T10:22:00.001-05:002019-11-11T10:22:13.398-05:00Time, use it wisely <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_8ld182L4bGmSNUaCPec9svcLRCMfG8N7RtathQj57S5VTn0t_MKrbjMxgLk0h-O_fCbp15QEl7X6w6Ml518vfDZbRYdcvQyjul2pYA6VHpwLQSpHuezm5aPXCXlteCkOOC-fNahX8c/s1600/sheered+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="900" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_8ld182L4bGmSNUaCPec9svcLRCMfG8N7RtathQj57S5VTn0t_MKrbjMxgLk0h-O_fCbp15QEl7X6w6Ml518vfDZbRYdcvQyjul2pYA6VHpwLQSpHuezm5aPXCXlteCkOOC-fNahX8c/s200/sheered+sheep.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
We’re in. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It is heaven to finally be
surrounded with our things. Heaven to be back to just us. Heaven to cook for
two people only.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Living with our daughter, her
husband and our three year old angel of a granddaughter was a privildge but
now, living in our new and spectacular in-law apartment has us settled in,
finding a new routine and loving it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
My biggest revelation is how easy
it is to live with less. I’m amazed by how the once seemingly unimportant has
been pushed to the front of the line.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Things hold memories. And not
simply things that enhance our limited space. The nonsensical, the battered,
the broken and repaired little things that speak of someone dear or of an
incident to precious to risk ‘forgotten’ I saved and display and use and
remember. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We live in a mere 620 sq. ft.
That’s a smidgen bigger than a two car garage. But sweetie, this ‘ain’t’ no
garage. The ceiling in the living area soars above us almost fifteen feet. The
space has a wow-factor that still surprises me every time I enter the room. The
kitchen is bigger than my former kitchen and shares the wow-factor vaulted
ceiling. The bathroom is huge. No sharing laundry facilities with the big house
or traveling to a laundromat, my stackable washer and dryer tuck in their own nook.
I love not having to go to the basement to wash clothes. Our bedroom is
small. Queen sized bed, a couple of end tables and shelves for books, TV and
memorable pieces. No dressers because our HUGE closet holds all our clothes and
whatever else has to be stored away. We even have an attic above (almost full)
and a half-high basement below. Amazing what less-used things we have stored
down there even though we have to stoop over to move around.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I designed our small home and I’m
so proud because it, (cliché alert), suits our needs to a T. I can’t think of
one thing I’d change. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Living with less has become a
blessing. We are sheered sheep. We have shed all the snarls and are brushed
smooth of snags.<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As I sit here writing, listening
to beautiful music and looking out a window that slopes down a gentle hill to
the road I realize how much my life has changed. I am grateful that a little over
eight months ago I survived, grateful that I acted fast and had a medical team
whose only task at the time was to save my life. Grateful that my family has
taken on the huge changes we have made and forever in debt to the higher being
who contemplated my existence and said, “not tonight Carolynn.” You have some
time left. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I hope I use it wisely.<o:p></o:p></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-41184678532558296072019-09-30T11:06:00.000-04:002019-09-30T11:07:16.627-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxPtkC5DohyfLwNRlfflLHCUymkzuZuRDq8u3-Lj2hAOvfeMi50oxWFE9sfeCbTKToFmaTioFSPvMy119u9BcSw4z7CVEPJX_aHr_09geGDmH2QnImRHxKEUBqkXX-xlWwLS_vj2IHaY/s1600/mla103704_1108_napkintie_vert.jpg+fall+setting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1040" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxPtkC5DohyfLwNRlfflLHCUymkzuZuRDq8u3-Lj2hAOvfeMi50oxWFE9sfeCbTKToFmaTioFSPvMy119u9BcSw4z7CVEPJX_aHr_09geGDmH2QnImRHxKEUBqkXX-xlWwLS_vj2IHaY/s200/mla103704_1108_napkintie_vert.jpg+fall+setting.jpg" width="160" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I
cried. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I got to
unpack the boxes we have stored since the beginning of our new beginning. The
in-law little home in not complete yet but we are almost there. I loaded the
kitchen cabinets with all my kitcheny stuff. Pots, pans, dishes and glasses it
was like seeing old friends after being apart for a long time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
I cried
because I am so grateful to hold close the ‘things’ I have held, offered and
washed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for decades. Yes they are simply
things but they tell of dinners and get togethers. They tell of family.
They tell of holidays, birthdays, wedding and baby showers. They speak of a
houseful of friends and family after funerals too. They speak of the planned
and the spontaneous. They speak of the "us" I got back yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Oh how I cried
to touch them all again and bring back that which fills our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Soon we will
move into our little forever home. It has been more work than we could have
imagined. Like I have said before, thank God we’re doing this now because we
want to, not because we have to.<br />
<br />
This experience from the unexpected and unimaginable, to a new home, from separate islands, to family living a blanket away has been more than a day at the beach. It has been a journey of enlightenment. Maybe I should write about it.<br />
<br />
How lucky we are.<br />
How damned lucky we are.Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-75770787092496459182019-07-28T10:09:00.001-04:002019-07-28T10:09:11.029-04:00I am a book in a blender
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWV3gpaMFqhozRDKrErJAOJkmuGJ6Q8sSo0PZIMxdCoZW0DishyKRFTH1Yq0B1Tg3QmRd8nOueywvnW0X9blxQtLr3bGXZ8t402TlojkZUXcYhjukHtaw-30YKYh683uHk-8yT5x36Gs/s1600/blender+SM-Full-off-98a90442cff37151bf19bcb68aedd1e91d0b8e0fa1fabc9d9c12efd01a9c433b.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="872" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWV3gpaMFqhozRDKrErJAOJkmuGJ6Q8sSo0PZIMxdCoZW0DishyKRFTH1Yq0B1Tg3QmRd8nOueywvnW0X9blxQtLr3bGXZ8t402TlojkZUXcYhjukHtaw-30YKYh683uHk-8yT5x36Gs/s200/blender+SM-Full-off-98a90442cff37151bf19bcb68aedd1e91d0b8e0fa1fabc9d9c12efd01a9c433b.png" width="116" /></a>Life for me (for us) has been
tossed in a blender. Right now it is switched on hi. If I wasn’t so afraid of
boredom and lack of purpose I’d probably jump out of the jar and head for the
couch. If I wasn’t so concerned about time running out I’d probably stop the
quest to move forward. If I didn’t have a wake-up call in March I’d be going
along as if I didn’t have a f-en care in the world. But that smack in the face
by the reality of motility still raises a welt from time to time. <br />
<br />
So I ask myself:<o:p></o:p><br />
Why write? <o:p></o:p><br />
Why dream? <o:p></o:p><br />
Why try?<o:p></o:p><br />
I’ll tell you why. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
Because writing seeps out of the
soul like no other art form. Through symbols it is a silent communication of spirit
from mind to mind, heart to heart. It is said that a picture is worth a
thousand words. I say a simple phrase can paint a gallery of pictures. <br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
I am not proclaiming a competition among
art forms. I paint and have won first place ribbons. I play the piano and have
written music for a band and have basked in applause. <br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
For me the last thirty-plus years of
writing has been the most meaningful. Published hundreds of times as an essayist,
op-ed writer, and columnist has taught me the power, the joy and the responsibility
we must realize as writers. And I have come to know how much I still have to
learn.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
That’s why I continue to write,
dream and try to tell my story.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
I am a book.<o:p></o:p><br />
So are you.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Sometimes the pages are flipped
fast and sometimes they turn slowly. I’m not ready to shelf my book of efforts
and dreams. I’m not willing to give up. <o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
My latest project?<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
It is about that one thing families always
hold close until the very end, secrets. Not the nasty ones. Not the controversial.
This multi-generational story is about that one thing we hold so dear, survival
of the spirit when the last wisp of hope departs. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpn-s6Wt_7SH7rahTBqiB4Uxbsr5JeDj33AFnJCLmGQnEg1R2O4adKtgXUO29MR_p18POIqrLfwafR17VNZYC7YchIC7YrAQop93F8Mqqk60Bwqo7WhLehb4R-g2HTLuV5XKloTElxTw/s1600/pictures-of-cabins-in-the-woods-green-rooftop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpn-s6Wt_7SH7rahTBqiB4Uxbsr5JeDj33AFnJCLmGQnEg1R2O4adKtgXUO29MR_p18POIqrLfwafR17VNZYC7YchIC7YrAQop93F8Mqqk60Bwqo7WhLehb4R-g2HTLuV5XKloTElxTw/s200/pictures-of-cabins-in-the-woods-green-rooftop.jpg" width="200" /></a>This project has taught me that sometimes
hope hides just beyond the tree line. A walk in the woods, taking an old path, creating
a new one is what sustains my effort to make it to the place I never knew
existed. <br />
<br />
Come on. Wear comfortable shoes and
walk with me. Discovery resides where we have never been.<br />
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-76445361796250580832019-07-28T09:54:00.004-04:002019-09-30T11:06:45.530-04:00
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Life for me (for us) has been
tossed in a blender. Right now it is switched on hi. If I wasn’t so afraid of
boredom and lack of purpose I’d probably jump out of the jar and head for the
couch. If I wasn’t so concerned about time running out I’d probably stop the
quest to move forward. If I didn’t have a wake-up call in March I’d be going
along as if I didn’t have a f-en care in the world. But that smack in the face
by the reality of motility still raises a welt from time to time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
So I ask myself:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why write? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why dream? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Why try?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I’ll tell you why. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Because writing seeps out of the
soul like no other art. Through symbols it is a silent communication of spirit
from mind to mind, heart to heart. It is said that a picture is worth a
thousand words. I say a simple phrase can paint a gallery of pictures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I am not proclaiming a competition among
art forms. I paint and have won first place ribbons. I play the piano and have
written music for a band and have basked in applause. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
For me the last thirty-plus years of
writing has been the most meaningful. Published hundreds of times as an essayist,
op-ed writer, and columnist has taught me the power, the joy and the responsibility
we must realize as writers. And I have come to know how much I still have to
learn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
That’s why I continue to write,
dream and try to tell my story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I am a book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
So are you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Sometimes the pages are flipped
fast and sometimes they turn slowly. I’m not ready to shelf my book of efforts
and dreams. I’m not willing to give up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
My latest project?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about that one thing families always
hold close until the very end, secrets. Not the nasty ones. Not the controversial.
This multi-generational story is about that one thing we hold so dear, survival
of the spirit when the last wisp of hope departs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This project has taught me that sometimes
hope hides just beyond the tree line. A walk in the woods, taking an old path, creating
a new one is what sustains my effort to make it to the place I never knew
existed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Come on. Wear comfortable shoes and
walk with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-11575398561568768132019-07-20T08:41:00.001-04:002019-07-20T08:46:43.941-04:00Boxed and Waiting<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGNjx4iCvJp-3woG41zF9iJ8wI7o9tBmoPlW0E1noiGbqRuX_XCfxYfv3RCFmeutuNkE3CvyKW8Zkc8t-3OJsnJvBiGEwj275x3G2I3sRHdea-nDjy_bULUbAdBs030MYULKxswIc_8o/s1600/Staples-storage-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="380" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGNjx4iCvJp-3woG41zF9iJ8wI7o9tBmoPlW0E1noiGbqRuX_XCfxYfv3RCFmeutuNkE3CvyKW8Zkc8t-3OJsnJvBiGEwj275x3G2I3sRHdea-nDjy_bULUbAdBs030MYULKxswIc_8o/s200/Staples-storage-box.jpg" width="200" /></a>Imagine a
stack of white Staples storage boxes six high and six long. Then imagine it as
the front stack with another stack of mismatched liquor store boxes behind. Add
a small china cabinet, a couple of dining room chairs and a few end tables and
that was our family room divider until we decided to rent a storage unit. I
would not have taken on that extra expense, let alone the monumental task of
moving the hastily built room divider, except that the kids said they’d haul it
all there and back once we moved out and into our new in-law tiny house. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
It was nice having the boxes gone
because that room and the whole downstairs was beginning to look like an office
building storage room run by a bunch of hoarding accountants.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I stripped
the kitchen of everything that belonged to us. Because kitchen, food prep and
table-top has been my retail management specialty for over twenty years there
was a mountain of stuff to store. With cabinets and drawers empty I went through
kitchen withdrawal. When I arranged my one cabinet delegated to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> food I felt much better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
For the next couple of months I
realized I’ll be cooking with my daughter’s pots, pans and utensils and we’ll
be eating on her dishes. I’ll be cutting with her knives and drinking out of
her glasses. It’s not like I cook every meal. We trade off and there is take-out
of course. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
We have delegated the dining room as an office
for my husband (he’s self-employed) and a place for me to write. Next to my
laptop one of my coffee mugs is filled with a stainless steel bouquet of a few
pieces of our flatware. The mug and utensils were not stored away because they
were in the dishwasher when I packed up the kitchen. It reminds me of how
eventually I will use them in a new kitchen filled with our old stuff. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I’m as excited to move on as my
daughter is excited to have us move out. Don’t get me wrong, we all get along,
laugh a lot and are respectful of boundaries. But, the culmination of the big
change, which I define as settling in surrounded by our familiars is on hold.
Until the two huge flat beds pull up, unload the modulars, and we hook up to the basic
amenities of power and indoor plumbing we wait. All that stuff packed in boxes
and stacked in the storage unit, waits. My daughter having her parents under
foot, waits. Us living in the guest room, I call our dorm room, waits. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Waiting is hard for some folks. For
me it’s a process by which we shift our thinking. Waiting is not like
anticipation which is the time between buying a lottery ticket and eventually
checking the winning number. More often than not, that dreamy interlude is the only
win we get. Waiting for our little house to be built, delivered and hooked up
is already a winning ticket. All of us just have to wait until it’s cashed in.
That’s when the boxes of old stuff in the storage unit come home to a new
house. That’s when we get to settle in our forever-home. That is when I get to
empty the mug and place the flatware where it belongs…in our house.<o:p></o:p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-28491827896397146172019-06-25T11:26:00.002-04:002019-06-26T11:18:12.876-04:00Where did I go and am I still there?Well, where the hell have I been?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFaSMnuPDiXQVI9NWUUtZGuvKBHZZMkwggUPzlv1pcHwNWcvf6kdaD4XDU6Rs3-MMqEyCn0u-czlgJjBnI0ymb1TS58aT7KNWrxqe1a0rT6iBu2IgIEODhHrkZaCFU1VH5f8fq2FUQVc/s1600/a+double+decker+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1000" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFaSMnuPDiXQVI9NWUUtZGuvKBHZZMkwggUPzlv1pcHwNWcvf6kdaD4XDU6Rs3-MMqEyCn0u-czlgJjBnI0ymb1TS58aT7KNWrxqe1a0rT6iBu2IgIEODhHrkZaCFU1VH5f8fq2FUQVc/s200/a+double+decker+bus.jpg" width="200" /></a>Packing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Drastically downsizing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We’re moving from a 2150 sq. ft.
colonial into a 600 sq. ft. in-law apartment. (Tiny house.) That’s like fitting
a double decker tour bus full of friends and family into a Smart Car. I’ve
been going through stuff I haven’t gone through in decades. It’s heartwarming
and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s freeing and yet the constraints of living
with little to no space is frustrating. I might add though that the idea is
very welcome. <o:p></o:p></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDVQeBH4170LcKEvmh_GGDrNm435izuLDbhp3__iTUap84F8BxgHgszG_WugMbG9ToEiE8GS_0UvbOMiAnuuTh6bCyFyEI5QzoJ-7hIloxSFNd4Qt53MijrblF8njIQhlmUK8W7WFH8c/s1600/a+smart+acr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="64" data-original-width="64" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDVQeBH4170LcKEvmh_GGDrNm435izuLDbhp3__iTUap84F8BxgHgszG_WugMbG9ToEiE8GS_0UvbOMiAnuuTh6bCyFyEI5QzoJ-7hIloxSFNd4Qt53MijrblF8njIQhlmUK8W7WFH8c/s200/a+smart+acr.jpg" width="200" /></a>Because of the many fires and
floods this year across our country a lot of families have lost entire
households of precious memorabilia as well as their day to day stuff. They didn’t
have time to choose. The only choice they had was to save the ultimate, their
lives. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m lucky because I’m making the
choices of what stays and what goes. The choices have been relatively easy
because almost all is going. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photos
stay but the “things” used by the people I have lost are on the way out. I’ve
had time to explore the memories attached to each object and say a sweet
goodbye to what once was. There have been emotional moments, like when my
mother’s favorite blue bowl and vases which graced the center of our dining
room table, sold at our yard sale. Sad to see it go but glad someone else would
love and use them. I’ve come to believe that what we store away because of attachment
should not be shut away but set free and shared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Because our new in-law apartment
is being built we have a couple of more months of living on the sidelines of a
settled life. And until then, I have started writing again. (The novel is still in the works.) I have finally
found a small spot in my daughter’s home (which was once ours) to claim as a
space in which to write.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">So hello. I’m here and counting
down the days to resettlement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually
it’s kind of fun living in the guest room which my husband and I call our dorm
room. From that double-decker bus to a smart car we are traveling an alternate
route to a lighter and less stressful life. Now if I could just remember where
my bathing suit is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-85087354106500090342019-03-21T09:48:00.000-04:002019-03-21T09:48:32.120-04:00Planted without a sell-by date
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1uTpx3KCqZgU2E5_5k4qkgF0EdR0vHku4HUeU8lh0Yv0LFyPmUfhrejr2bXg9cAiC4pUfhyCKihiQ3HU1a2IW6gc5zPzUxpFV6Xhcf18yVRTpVjSv8vOCCZL8wH4sGzSLJEUqUSYjhY/s1600/avenueoftrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1uTpx3KCqZgU2E5_5k4qkgF0EdR0vHku4HUeU8lh0Yv0LFyPmUfhrejr2bXg9cAiC4pUfhyCKihiQ3HU1a2IW6gc5zPzUxpFV6Xhcf18yVRTpVjSv8vOCCZL8wH4sGzSLJEUqUSYjhY/s320/avenueoftrees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Recently I faced a life and death
situation that had me reeling. I went from mundane-everyday-WTF to I’m going to
die in 5 minutes. Pretty damn scary, pretty damn life changing. Rather than go
into the specifics let me just say that when something like that happens, you
change how you view your existence, your purpose, and how tenuous your
eye-blink of time is here on this great earth. This is serious stuff. It’s
severe. It’s cataclysmic. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
That the door unexpectantly opened
for me to pass through and then was slammed shut has left me contemplating
experience and effort. “Experience,” as in my belief that I have been blessed
with a wonderful life of family and abiding love. “Effort,” as in, is the
determination I spend on dreaming and achieving writing success, worth the bits
and pieces and huge chunks of the time it will take to get there? And if my
answer is no, what do I do instead.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It’s like something I remember reading
years ago in (I think) Chesapeake by Michener. An epic for sure. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The one thing that has glued itself
to mind from that book is about trees. It’s about the men as visionaries and dreamers,
who put forth the grand effort to plant trees which they knew they’d never live
long enough to see as full grown. They would never get to sit in the shade
under the lush canopies, never get to shelter under them in a storm, and never
get to see how spectacular they’d look while lining the broad roads leading to
the mansions by the sea. If I remember correctly I believe the full grown trees
were eventually taken down by a fierce storm. But that doesn’t matter because
it is the planting of them that was so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
For a few days after my own
personal hurricane I stared at the full manuscript of my WIP, printed and ready
to send to an editor who likes to work with paper pages, not on screens. I had
already bought the envelope in which to send it, already addressed it and then
thought about how futile the continued effort to find a traditional publisher
for that book is. Or should I say, might be. It’s the fourth book I have finished,
the others are shelf novels. Should I set it aside? And then what do I do, take
up knitting or shuffle board?<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I mailed it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It’s planted. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Though I am aware that I may never
see its branches lush with leaves, (but then again I might), I know that I have
at least continued forward, one foot in front of the other, a day at a time.
Even though I don’t know how many days, or if any, will stack up behind me,
writing that book has brought me immeasurable joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not ready to give up on joy just yet.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I’m still in the stages of making
sense of what happened and vacillating between I may live to a hundred or drop
dead a minute from now. None of us, and let me repeat, NONE OF US has a sell-by
date. Trees don't either.<br />
<br />
I’ve been given a second chance and
I’m taking advantage of it. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Wouldn’t you?<o:p></o:p><br />
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-81768255499147467162019-01-04T09:33:00.000-05:002019-01-04T09:33:53.528-05:00Your future? Discounted.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharEeQPtUPc_tOmFgbPNtADPavmjhvg7YZWcZYWQsfSO2CNJ4ek2A01imGenct3sRWLbQN0Itt65royQ2xCi5x6vq8OzoqJQoY_Esn7pTSPzT5vfrVYcSAZjhBwzGM2xE_K4vnkJr2xxI/s1600/senior+card.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharEeQPtUPc_tOmFgbPNtADPavmjhvg7YZWcZYWQsfSO2CNJ4ek2A01imGenct3sRWLbQN0Itt65royQ2xCi5x6vq8OzoqJQoY_Esn7pTSPzT5vfrVYcSAZjhBwzGM2xE_K4vnkJr2xxI/s200/senior+card.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Finally an update on this New Year. Not sure why I have been so absent because
time has become my friend again. Maybe it’s because my conversation here is
read by so few. (My fault.) Maybe it’s because what I want to say doesn’t seem so
important regarding our brave new world as it was, as it is, and as it may be.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
Well anyway, my novel is complete and has been off to first-readers for quite some time. I have learned that the holidays are a lousy time to expect reader-feedback. Hopefully off to an editor soon. (Hello Jennine.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am on to another project that
lit a fire which has been smoldering for a long time. I have hesitated on this
one because the scope is imposing and counter to every other project I have attempted
and completed. But I love the genre and read it all the time. Don’t have a log line yet, and the outline looks like the sparse
road map in and out of Death Valley. But, I’m 10-grand in and hoping to hit completion
before Christ is resurrected (again). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Within this new story the what-if
questions are enormous. Let’s just say, (and I probably shouldn’t at this
point but I will anyway), I’m combining an imagined J.K. Rowling kind intricately
detailed world with a Suzanne Collins Katniss-like senior character. Dare I say
it’s a dystopian novel for senior citizens? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I hate the term “senior citizen,”
but if you are one this story will scare granny pants off you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In our daily cycle of news which
is proving by the hour how easily millions can be swayed by falsehoods and
shallow promises, “70Y70D” will be your road map to heaven or hell depending on
which side of the 10% senior discount you are on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So there you have it. A futuristic novel for readers with
futures far shorter than their pasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Happy New Year everyone. Hope all is well, for all of you, and if it’s
not, write about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-2598850281121554142018-10-17T08:59:00.000-04:002018-10-17T09:01:19.201-04:00Ginger Ale in a green bottle<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am nine
years old, sitting in the backseat of dad’s Studebaker <o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l9y2ycAZPUU8jNAWWwwNT6RBurfFsVNE-z9_glyf7DDmWps-6RbVE3vrYvn8jO1dL2VMCicOSM2nwgHO8H8vU1YVX6CVGjK3AYRQBPUE6aF1peQUqvfVqbi54sWJQ9ZreAOYizcwl_8/s1600/s-l300.jpg+ginger+ale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="151" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l9y2ycAZPUU8jNAWWwwNT6RBurfFsVNE-z9_glyf7DDmWps-6RbVE3vrYvn8jO1dL2VMCicOSM2nwgHO8H8vU1YVX6CVGjK3AYRQBPUE6aF1peQUqvfVqbi54sWJQ9ZreAOYizcwl_8/s200/s-l300.jpg+ginger+ale.jpg" width="100" /></a>Station wagon. We are on
our way from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Nana and Pop-Pop’s house in Norwich,
Connecticut. The drive seams endless (interstate highways are not yet complete).
After half a day on the road we pay a 10 cent toll over the Connecticut River, and
the anticipation of being nearer Nana’s, far outweighs the hackneyed “are we
there yet” my mom and dad became deaf to 15 minutes after we left. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Being
almost there has my brother and me sitting straight, not slumped in our respective
corners. Being almost there has him hanging over the back seat blabbering into
my father’s ear, and me drumming my hands on my thighs until my mother says playing
percussion is not for girls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anticipation
of visiting my grandparents, my aunts and uncles and cousins begins to effervesce
like a green bottle of all-shook-up ginger ale on a summer day. Almost there
and the cap is ready to blow, almost there and I can taste the Saturday night
beans and hot dogs. Sitting on the front porch after dinner with the family, (there are
dozens of us), waiting for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Humor</i>
truck to stop, is the exclamation point to a perfect day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
I am not
nine years old anymore but that bubbly feeling of being almost there feeds my (on
a keyboard) drumming hands. Today, years of thought and planning and writing
and months of self-editing - done. I will complete a last read-through and
later today my novel is off to a first reader (many states away) that is tough,
kind and beyond brilliant when it comes to books people want to read, can’t
wait to read, and spend money to read. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She wants a
hard copy so on my way home from the post office I will buy ginger ale in a
green bottle.<o:p></o:p></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-65445514384248456142018-09-13T11:14:00.000-04:002018-09-13T11:14:01.308-04:00balls...Balls...BALLS
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh574uQKJWWExhHADg2UvagJWGwvfBAxw_fxVPVV4YJ9fLtPX5MzZ_e9GAmcKgi094oBx7IE3O2oMOnCwr_hYS0ELWMNBxnIzirZDg1NVWv70h5dlMVvG7FZgrpa-G0uEPpFLMhlZqBEDs/s1600/golfballs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh574uQKJWWExhHADg2UvagJWGwvfBAxw_fxVPVV4YJ9fLtPX5MzZ_e9GAmcKgi094oBx7IE3O2oMOnCwr_hYS0ELWMNBxnIzirZDg1NVWv70h5dlMVvG7FZgrpa-G0uEPpFLMhlZqBEDs/s320/golfballs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
omg…OMG…OH MY GOD !<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m tooling along finishing my
WIP, with only a few thousand words left to go, and in the back of my mind the
reason why two characters pretty much can’t stand each other eluded me. That there was an issue kept bumping into
my thoughts like a golf
ball rolling around in a bowl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
why…Why…WHY? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then, a few days ago I’m writing
a sentence and<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
boom…Boom…BOOM !!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There it was spilling out onto
the page like water down a slide into the deep end. It's a stunner.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wow…Wow…WOW !!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Okay so enough of the three word fancy reactives.)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Anyway:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The result is that I have had to
go back and plant seeds (hints) that are restrained enough, so as not to be
obvious, until the reader discovers the surprise. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This throws a bag of shiny new Titleists
into the bowl because now I have to make sure I keep the readers engaged enough
to get to the heart breaking and mind blowing surprise. Wait a minute I was supposed to be doing that already wasn't I.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(And I thought I was almost done).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Oh well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ain’t writing...fun…Fun…FUN?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sorry couldn’t resist just one more.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-49672466623395588172018-09-01T09:30:00.000-04:002018-09-01T19:37:12.029-04:00I'm not a leaner...yet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9bcdkVq00CVjHIHYtWTDZoJNBZ1Vc6t8u5nQmW9VpzwH8KxsvwpFYGSIOwS8qTlENi3S3nKkQ79VjbVNK40Y4UMoNFJx2dkNnAGsuRqWkBiDSn90rKw4DNNBVzZE5RxKeEqgSBe820Q/s1600/grumpy-old-woman-shopping-cart-cartoon-character-wearing-sunglasses-pink-dress-pushing-54284529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1233" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9bcdkVq00CVjHIHYtWTDZoJNBZ1Vc6t8u5nQmW9VpzwH8KxsvwpFYGSIOwS8qTlENi3S3nKkQ79VjbVNK40Y4UMoNFJx2dkNnAGsuRqWkBiDSn90rKw4DNNBVzZE5RxKeEqgSBe820Q/s200/grumpy-old-woman-shopping-cart-cartoon-character-wearing-sunglasses-pink-dress-pushing-54284529.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="goog_509041784"></span><span id="goog_509041785"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So…what
is retirement really like?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
And, have I retired
from everything?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
It’s awesome and
no I have not.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In
the middle of the day I see them in the super market, gray hair, or no hair, pushing
a carriage with a grandchild in the seat. Or maybe there is no child and dinner
and a snack in the seat portends of the rest of the day’s repast.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">When
I see a shopper bent over and leaning on the cart for support I wonder, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do they really need the cart to hold them up
and help them on their way, or have they always shopped that way. And, why do I
analyze how they shop the way they do? Is my life so boring? Am I hyper-critical
because I see myself that way years from now, months, next week or tomorrow?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I
am not a leaner. I straighten up, walk tall and fast because I do not consider
myself one of them yet. Yes, I may shop in the middle of the day, and yes, there
is often a grandchild in the seat, and sometimes a second one walking along
side me, or perched on the front of the cart like a hood ornament. Yup, I am
one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">When
we eloped, almost forty years ago, I loved being considered a member of the
married club. Once we had children I relished being a card (and baby) carrying
parent club member. Defined as, parent of a “toddler”, “teenager”, “college
student”, and eventually “mother of the bride”, enrolled me in all the other
clubs I’ve struggled through and thoroughly loved. The most recent, and
cherished beyond words and feelings, is being a grandparent. It is much more than other grandparents have described to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Until
our first grandbaby was born I only saw the generational gap, from the other
side as a grandchild. My Nanas’ let me have ice cream when my mom said “no.”
They told me I was beautiful even though I knew I was awkward and chubby. They
told me I was smart when I felt stupid and didn’t have a clue what I was smart
at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My grandparents,
(grandmothers in particular), filled in all the gaps my parents left open because
mom and dad both worked and I was not an only child. It wasn’t until I became an
adult, and my grandparents were gone, that I realized the importance of that
generation’s existence in my life and how it influenced the person I have
become today. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The roll they
played is now my roll.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Like them (for
now anyway) I do not use anything to hold myself up. I’m a straight walker, straight
talker and dish out platters of life lessons for the little ones to consume or
discard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with the time I am now
blessed to have with them, to sometimes do nothing but sit and eat ice cream, I
tell them how beautiful, handsome and smart they are. “Yes”, to another little toy,
another cupcake, another movie and another handful of popcorn, even though mom
and dad say “nope”, you’ve had enough. As best I can, I am filling in the gaps
with more than just enough.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And what does this
have to do with writing? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing and
everything.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Evelyn Wilkerson
never had children, and yet, as a gray haired mid-sixties relic of the good
life unexpectedly tossed onto the bottom rung, she fills in the gaps.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They say to write what you know about. I
am not a leaner and neither is Evelyn.</span></span></span></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-86950970352628646902018-07-29T08:55:00.000-04:002018-07-29T08:55:34.966-04:00<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFye0juY1LDM0gJm-dl7qqsJF8jOkTWZz0obGUagivxM3zi74ixJ_dnCSxBCw9BvRXJ8eOF8ESo9gtSYtY5vpKtNOsouIXoCf95vHgVE6uNKHb4g1Zl1BT4CYXU7oAhaHmOh7kMG3FGE/s1600/100339282.jpg+orange+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFye0juY1LDM0gJm-dl7qqsJF8jOkTWZz0obGUagivxM3zi74ixJ_dnCSxBCw9BvRXJ8eOF8ESo9gtSYtY5vpKtNOsouIXoCf95vHgVE6uNKHb4g1Zl1BT4CYXU7oAhaHmOh7kMG3FGE/s200/100339282.jpg+orange+flower.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFye0juY1LDM0gJm-dl7qqsJF8jOkTWZz0obGUagivxM3zi74ixJ_dnCSxBCw9BvRXJ8eOF8ESo9gtSYtY5vpKtNOsouIXoCf95vHgVE6uNKHb4g1Zl1BT4CYXU7oAhaHmOh7kMG3FGE/s1600/100339282.jpg+orange+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFye0juY1LDM0gJm-dl7qqsJF8jOkTWZz0obGUagivxM3zi74ixJ_dnCSxBCw9BvRXJ8eOF8ESo9gtSYtY5vpKtNOsouIXoCf95vHgVE6uNKHb4g1Zl1BT4CYXU7oAhaHmOh7kMG3FGE/s1600/100339282.jpg+orange+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
About a month or so from now, summer
will begin to wane. The myriad of garden colors will be replaced by fading green
and then the ground will be crunchy brown with the leftovers. Not seeking to
wish away time I look forward to fall because it is my season. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Had an awesome vacation with
family and away from words. The breather stoked bonds and mental acuity. Memories
fill my heart. News is depressing and it has been god-awful hot but windows are
open today. Air conditioners resting until tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
This first free of time-clock
summer is a god-send. The writing life is a dream come true. I am blessed and
grateful. And best of all I am making real progress and have not given up on
the belief that regardless of that which may prejudice an agent or publishers
mind (age), it’s all about the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
The title, STANDING IN FRONT OF
SEPTEMBER <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-64704712307291436252018-06-27T12:02:00.000-04:002018-06-27T12:02:14.474-04:00Pen-update, rejection section
Pen-update.
<o:p></o:p><br />
I queried two papers for
another column. Sent articles along with the queries. Haven’t heard back. I'm
thinking no response means no. And that’s okay.<o:p></o:p><br />
Submitted to a magazine a rather long
piece about a life event which changed our family in amazing ways, forever. Got
a rejection on that one fairly quickly because the piece is time sensitive (September) and
lead-time is running out. <br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpkSPCMRusM9Z_MTeeqRqjRYqt-Xr4ibInTfaFeB4tQwFXCY-jX-0bOtRi2PjDELYVEOPEQ4LzASkyIft0AgmgFp51fkO9HKKwDr2V5T6MXKmpZmmyjoa3Euy-xAMeC73imq8h_HXLaw/s1600/erin+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="185" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpkSPCMRusM9Z_MTeeqRqjRYqt-Xr4ibInTfaFeB4tQwFXCY-jX-0bOtRi2PjDELYVEOPEQ4LzASkyIft0AgmgFp51fkO9HKKwDr2V5T6MXKmpZmmyjoa3Euy-xAMeC73imq8h_HXLaw/s200/erin+poster.png" width="135" /></a>Pitch points on that one:<br />
I had less than five bucks in my
wallet and a million and a half dollars in my hand. <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVuiIc_1dvOtxkEcjgeSUPmThmQU3Pajxx7rDgGmtTIIO4WN2mLvhTxkpCkajuiPRuPPE5a4lGk1y6Q2wbew0GuSU4QsYqImh8W1dBVA39v7dBOGL82CGgg6Ppb4GnonkMuW2cGEwqos/s1600/it+could+happen+to+you.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="182" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVuiIc_1dvOtxkEcjgeSUPmThmQU3Pajxx7rDgGmtTIIO4WN2mLvhTxkpCkajuiPRuPPE5a4lGk1y6Q2wbew0GuSU4QsYqImh8W1dBVA39v7dBOGL82CGgg6Ppb4GnonkMuW2cGEwqos/s200/it+could+happen+to+you.png" width="135" /></a>It was like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Erin Brockovich</i> meets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It
Could Happen To You</i>. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Am pushing forward to other publications and no it wasn’t an insurance
settlement and no we did not win the lottery.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Right now I am editing my book.
Yup, went back with the joy of time, and utter endearment for a cast of characters I
adore. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So that’s it. That’s my short (as
a short-straw) update because I have editing to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
Lovin’ life. <o:p></o:p><br />
Have a great summer boys and
girls. <o:p></o:p><br />
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-9028033899784637992018-05-09T11:15:00.005-04:002018-05-09T11:15:53.141-04:00Pen on pause
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCCQLISNycVagV_lSmtc4LhDL9DyWaSZkwA7-477QJ0Lb-jWyfJIUSHjQcxXkpE7uq9Kj3S621HyvjirddLaK3TVuCk-98SBKIXhymomp_Qoxbu9cBMhAusTZWwJOiI3U_IDwKpWX-g/s1600/pen+on+pause.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiCCQLISNycVagV_lSmtc4LhDL9DyWaSZkwA7-477QJ0Lb-jWyfJIUSHjQcxXkpE7uq9Kj3S621HyvjirddLaK3TVuCk-98SBKIXhymomp_Qoxbu9cBMhAusTZWwJOiI3U_IDwKpWX-g/s1600/pen+on+pause.png" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Wow!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When life changes drastically, in
a good way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When routine becomes memory and
tasks change from have to, to want to, the everyday takes on new meaning.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That’s life now. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Retired from my
all-over-the-clock 9 to 5 (which never was a 9 to 5) but a nights, weekends,
and holidays ‘must,’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could cry because
I am so grateful to have a normal life back. Um, I have cried with the relief
of it all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The only downside, oh wait, there
is no downside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On a personal note, the past two
months have been filled with family. I won’t go into the particulars but I have
been able to spend time with a soon-to-be two year old and an nine month old,
which has filled my heart in ways I not thought possible. Babies put everything
in perspective.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
But what about writing. What
about the dream?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Still there and back in earnest
next week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When my daughters were little I
never (not once) regretted the business I closed and management career I put on hold for eight years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And now? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not one second am I regretting my
pen on pause.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
BUT<o:p></o:p></div>
Get ready boys and girls. Next
week. I'm lookin' for ink. <o:p></o:p><br />
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-31022048086845777422018-03-21T09:17:00.000-04:002018-03-23T12:32:37.942-04:00It's all about balance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcjlOMZK_cL6jj-NyUPEkuY7cb6kialVVO5iwku9xZ_5snjGp7O6Pd-X1rGDy4rQn0qj949Z_VDuCu9KwQ2-T8RXNKtau_mDxiDYurd5pEQbx79FGQBZcY2z7rMpnxggEkj6E5EpovzE/s1600/snow+flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcjlOMZK_cL6jj-NyUPEkuY7cb6kialVVO5iwku9xZ_5snjGp7O6Pd-X1rGDy4rQn0qj949Z_VDuCu9KwQ2-T8RXNKtau_mDxiDYurd5pEQbx79FGQBZcY2z7rMpnxggEkj6E5EpovzE/s200/snow+flower.JPG" width="200" /></a>update<br />
Update<br />
UPDATE<br />
<br />
That previous post, that I'd be finished and querying by Easter, (and said I'd never make it), I met the deadline.<br />
Book done and querying. But ah ha, it's a different book.<br />
<br />
My only regret, I have none. How could I. <br />
Because of life-circumstances I am able to write full-time. What a joy. What a f-en joy.<br />
I am learning to balance my new everyday with the privildge of time for word-devotion. "Word Devotion" sounds like a religion. Ha, maybe it is. <br />
<br />
I am grateful, thankful, and hopeful. <br />
The worrier in me has me waiting for the proverbial shoe to fall. It is my nature to think that good has to be balanced with bad, pleasure with pain, love with hate, and joy with sadness.<br />
'Write' now life is good - very, very good. <br />
What's next?<br />
Springtime!<br />
Um, it's snowing. Fourth nor'easter at our doorstep. Ya know that balance thing I just wrote about?<br />
I told you so.Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-40926719925249310912018-01-26T08:20:00.000-05:002018-01-26T08:20:17.092-05:00Climb Every Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0JXTSlHVIsr1wxvrXekoyoVNLksRiZPvuavsUztlSvO5X1hEyf0CmCxHVaDKghBoaGDPtb7NLVc_CmUO2q_QE4zT0Rjf0Acrbtsvkd26zWnfgQZwu3Q55Ih2e63rYwd-bU_p6mfljAM/s1600/images.jpg+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0JXTSlHVIsr1wxvrXekoyoVNLksRiZPvuavsUztlSvO5X1hEyf0CmCxHVaDKghBoaGDPtb7NLVc_CmUO2q_QE4zT0Rjf0Acrbtsvkd26zWnfgQZwu3Q55Ih2e63rYwd-bU_p6mfljAM/s1600/images.jpg+valley.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am standing on a mountain, well
not actually a mountain, more like an out cropping on the edge of one. Above
me, slippery rocks, with barely a path. No predetermined route, only the belief
that there is one. Often there is fog which confuses me and blocks my forward
motion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Below me a spectacular valley,
lush with life and words. Yes words. Terraced fields of them ripe for picking. Words
hang from trees like tart macs, sweet bartletts, and lemons so sour they pucker
thought. And elsewhere, there are words as drops, forgotten on the forest floor,
soft and rotten to their core. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Like a part on the well tressed surface
of a globe, there’s a river, dividing the valley. Ambling and wide at one end, narrow
and white-water rushing at the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the surface of the river boats
are filled to overflowing with words, some of which have toppled into the water
and float. They sun and soak in the pleasure of their momentary cruise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the narrows, the words travel
fast, so fast in fact that once seen, if they are not quickly plucked from the
foam and left to dry, they are as forgotten as autumn leaves turned crispy at the
bottom of evaporated puddles baking in the sun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
And here I am, teetering on the
edge of a crag, searching for just the right batch to fill my basket. And I
will fill it, so full in fact, that once I reach the peak I will toss the
overused and unnecessary to the fierce alpine winds. The unused will finally settle
on the gentle breezes below to once again, feed the soil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Time to climb.<o:p></o:p></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-61313890827828254062018-01-17T08:29:00.000-05:002018-01-17T08:29:09.873-05:00Easter, the real DEADLINE
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfNa8KiIcn5rsswyUcmWVfFnNxm26KevLOQUxiVq6OaU-LgWvPzsOryRDfoWf5TxgGCJj5hUVda1hZ0l5mjqQyYNZiMSyKIKpgTsszz7sfL41LKHSS3-_H9W9wNznJzurmAIoy1jwIQ0/s1600/deadline-red-720x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="720" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfNa8KiIcn5rsswyUcmWVfFnNxm26KevLOQUxiVq6OaU-LgWvPzsOryRDfoWf5TxgGCJj5hUVda1hZ0l5mjqQyYNZiMSyKIKpgTsszz7sfL41LKHSS3-_H9W9wNznJzurmAIoy1jwIQ0/s320/deadline-red-720x380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On a well known agent’s blog
recently, I promised a group of online writer-friends that I would finish my on
again, off again novel (which has a great premise) and have it ready for querying by
Easter this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Will I live up to my promise?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hell no!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Am I disappointed, am I a
slacker, do I feel like a failure?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
Absolutely not.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
I’ve been working on that ball
and chain, and fitting in my promise to finish it as best I can, and I am not
enjoying a minute of it. Recently I figured out how to handle a huge stumbling
block regarding background and truly got excited about sailing through to the
next port. And then…waves, undertow, sand in my grannies, I wasn’t loving it. No
joy, no pleasure, it felt like a huge anchor weight and waste of time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p><br />
It’s shelved.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Confession time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have always believed that in order
to be a successful writer, I mean a really successful writer, traditionally
publishing novels is the best path between the lines to the end of the pool and
a place on the winner’s stand. Because I meander my words
by drifting, I’ll never be a novelist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nope never. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Don’t wanna be. It’s not in me
and boys and girls that’s okay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I remember reading an article many,
many years ago written by the great Mr. King. To paraphrase, he said…write what
you are best at writing. He added that he wanted to write the great American
novel but knew that horror writing was what he did best. Duh, ya think! So that’s
what he did. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am an essay writer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am a writer of columns and articles.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yes, I am a storyteller but the stories
I write are about me. They are about my family and the collective family I call
all of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have been published hundreds of
times in newspapers and magazines. My life has literally been an open book, written
as validation that we all share the same angst, anger, love, compassion and confusion.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struggle, we fear, we excel, we feel
joy and drink in support like a parched camel with a hump drained dry. (Author’s
note: I know camels don’t store water in their humps but I liked the
comparison.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nope, no more fiction for me. It’s
non-fiction all the way to the <span style="font-size: 8pt;">(tiny)</span> bank
<span style="font-size: 8pt;">(account).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Because I recently retired my column, which ran in eight
newspapers, I now must find a place to place my </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">(HUMBLE)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> brilliance. Workin’
on that. Maybe by Easter this year. Yeh, Easter that’s a great deadline. Did I
ever mention that my mother, a lapsed Catholic girl, died on an Easter Sunday? (God’s
last laugh.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now that’s a deadline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-14026097377936709862017-12-21T06:50:00.000-05:002017-12-21T06:54:16.934-05:00Old, new and and on your way<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFwxDyoVfjezrSQeCkDy5a5syMpWjJ_uKKp47XS-ajKNVcwXiDeIyUEvbEAXN5apwxsF0InbZFkKuvDmfflGRrgk28dWXmIPdFgQB1kN13ToBdpVEc6gGFD2dsZWuwzEQeM62GvFe1rw/s1600/snowflake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1100" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFwxDyoVfjezrSQeCkDy5a5syMpWjJ_uKKp47XS-ajKNVcwXiDeIyUEvbEAXN5apwxsF0InbZFkKuvDmfflGRrgk28dWXmIPdFgQB1kN13ToBdpVEc6gGFD2dsZWuwzEQeM62GvFe1rw/s200/snowflake.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Christmas almost
here and a new year just around the corner. A time for reflection and looking
forward? Yeah sure.<o:p></o:p><br />
When we keep in
mind that we can’t change the past and can’t predict the future why do we even
examine that which has come before and that which lies ahead.<o:p></o:p><br />
Well… that’s what
people do this time of year so here’s my take on the old going out and the new
coming in.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Personally big
changes took place at my end. Retirement from full-time to part-time at my nine
to five and no more column deadline. (Committed to finishing a book.) Life could not be better. Family is everything and wonderful.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Having said that,
let me add this for my writer friends who have never been published and dream
to be. As we all know,
dreams don’t get us where we want to go, hard work and determination do. Here’s
a few suggestions<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Do write with
eyes open and mind attuned. <o:p></o:p><br />
Don’t get caught
up in trends, make your own.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
Do let learning
be you’re your pathway.<o:p></o:p><br />
Stay true to
your core.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
Do follow the bedrock
rules. Writer’s arrogance is poison.<o:p></o:p><br />
Don’t follow all
the rules. Break them wisely.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
Believe.<o:p></o:p><br />
Do.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
And, like a
toddler, look forward with wonder, get back up after you stumble and take naps.
Naps are a writer’s classroom.<o:p></o:p>Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6904356705735120070.post-6359784306658852502017-12-11T08:04:00.000-05:002017-12-11T16:20:26.147-05:00Helloooo ho ho happy holidays<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2B6Xa6oo2XIMOYJP5T827oOWYx13lky9Yr8t1OvKoKwI0P_-R1wYcBEqFNyOOxhT4l_MFgXroE-1is5JGspIGe06aNQXiBmSS1HmE9KD0DpDJCC_DQZ2CP1gH0IDPfSQWfaoJO_pb3Y/s1600/snow+scene+untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2B6Xa6oo2XIMOYJP5T827oOWYx13lky9Yr8t1OvKoKwI0P_-R1wYcBEqFNyOOxhT4l_MFgXroE-1is5JGspIGe06aNQXiBmSS1HmE9KD0DpDJCC_DQZ2CP1gH0IDPfSQWfaoJO_pb3Y/s1600/snow+scene+untitled.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh my. So long since I posted a comment.<br />
I'm still here, still writing and figuring out my next move. <br />
Because I have retired from full-time to part-time at my 9 to 5 and because I have retired my column (it rests but still has a heartbeat), I am immersing myself in family.<br />
For well over forty years I have not been able to devote myself to family and the season because of my job. This year is the first year they have come first. It is beyond wonderful that a time clock does not rule the holiday.<br />
<br />
Next year...who knows what it will bring. Last years horoscope said that THIS year would be one of big changes. It sure was, continues to be and is wonderful.<br />
Still querying.<br />
Finalizing a new/old project and deciding on next moves.<br />
Until then, ho ho, happy New Year and may your holidays be ones filled with what really matters to you.Carolynnwith2Nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.com2