Hanging In
W ell – It’s been a rough few days and I’m definitely mending but not fast enough for my liking. Everyone around seems to have this chest congestion and I’m only one among the many. I have been taking Muscilex for a few days and although I still have a cough I don’t have any other cold/flu symptoms. Today I started boiling water, covering my head with a towel and breathing in the vapors. I think I’ll try that a few times a day and see if it helps. Can’t hurt. This will probably be my last winter in Yuma. I love the size of the city and all the craft shows but I’m not happy with the campground. The regulars have been there WAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long and not the least bit friendly. They have their...
A Fly in the Ointment
I spent an entire day writing about the Chicken Soup story that I was going to send to Writer’s Weekly. Although owner/editor ended her note with HUGS – she actually tore a strip off my hide telling me that she did NOT consider Chicken Soup to be a success, that they exploited writers by not giving them a contract or promising to pay, which, of course, is bull….. I just sent her my answer and I’ll tell you word for word what I said so you’ll know how really snide I can be: “The good thing about running your own business is that you can make up your own rules – no matter how stupid they are. AND I’m sure the followers of WRITER’S weekly are far more interested in stories about your children’s school,...
A New Year
W elcome to 2012 and from the looks of it I’m going to be busier than ever and I love it. I called Barnes & Noble this morning and they have ordered 15 copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada – and I’ll be doing a signing at their Yuma store on Saturday, February 18th. I called Hastings Book Stores and was told that if my name was on the cover OR if I was doing a signing with someone whose name was on the cover they could accommodate me but otherwise – NAY – so NAY it is. I’ll be contacting the local newspaper to see if they’ll do a story about me. I also learned from my friend Edith that Chicken Soup for the Soul – O Canada – is now available in Costco……now how cool is that. ...
End of the Year
I have no idea where 2011 went but tomorrow starts an entire new one AND I hope it’s as good as the last. I remember an old friend saying that “every day on this side of the grass is a good day.” And he is right. My year has been great. I have been in good health and so has everyone in my family – despite the fact that we are all a year older. I have added some new friends both at home in Surrey, BC and here in Yuma, Arizona and have enjoyed hearty laughs, great conversations and good meals with more to come in the new year. I don’t seem to be writing quite as much as I used to (and perhaps that’s just my way of recouping) but had my first story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and immediately sent them 4 more...
Running out of Year
I attended my last craft show of the year this morning. It was in my home park so it was REAL easy to get to work. I rolled out of bed around 7:00, had coffee and breakfast, walked across the road to the club house and went to work. I sold a few books, some earrings and a bookmark and then spent most of the money earned on strands of beads that my friend (Jean) at the next table was selling. The strings of beads will be taken apart and made into bookmarks – I love having new beads to play with. I also purchase 2 strands with Jesus on the cross at the end…..not something I generally do…..since I’m Jewish but it reminded me of a VERY funny story that I had to tell Jean. I was 23 years old and having my gall bladder removed. My...
Rain, Rain, Rain
I was told that they have a 12 inch rain rule in Yuma, Arizona – the sunniest place in all of America. You draw a 12 inch by 12 inch square on the ground and then you count the raindrops that land in the square. Now that’s the kind of “12 inches of rain” that I can handle – after all I do live in British Columbia so I know what rain is……..BUT yesterday afternoon and last night it rained buckets and buckets and buckets. If I wanted to see that much rain I would have stayed in British Columbia……ah heck who do I think I’m kidding – I would have left anyway. Today – Wednesday, December 14th, rain is over and it’s sunny so all is right with the world. I have been working at craft...