Writer's Festival at Tunxis

Well, I'm kind of back. Still am stuffy, but not as bad. Still a little fuzzy brained, but am getting better.

I had a nice day off today. I went to the Annual Writer's Festival at Tunxis Community College. I discovered this last year and enjoyed it so much that I stayed the entire fourteen hours! This year I did seven hours. The speakers were better last year, but this was still enjoyable.

First speaker was Lauren Baratz-Logsted, a small Jewish woman, who has written nine books. She was very informative about the writing process and she was also entertaining. One piece of trivia that I learned from her was that the teacher in "Dead Poet's Society" (one of my favorite movies) was modeled after Samuel Pickering, a teacher from UCONN.

The second presenter was Danny Cahill, a motivational speaker, author, playwright, etc. He gave a reading of his new play--let's say it was not my cup of tea and only could be put on in a liberal setting--pretty vulgar.

M. William Phelps was a crime expert, author and investigative journalist. He's written about that nurse in a nursing home who killed many of her patients and some other true life crimes. He had insight into the differences between male and female murderers. He also was entertaining and informative about the writing process. An author of 8 books to date, he is a high school drop out!

The movie, "Riding in Cars with Boys" with Drew Barrymore was based on the memoir of Beverly Donofrio, the next author. I thought she was pretty good. She was disappointed how different the movie came out from her book and her biggest disappointment was that the movie did not say that she went on to college. Unlike the speaker before her, she encouraged everyone to go to college. She was lucky enough that someone was able to work it out so that she could be on welfare (a single mom) and go to college too. I liked one of her quotes when she was talking about getting older and not writing. She said it dawned on her, "This is the ballgame, it's not the warm-up any more." Words to live by no matter what you want to do.

The final thing I stayed for was an impromtu panel when one speaker couldn't make it. I could have left earlier.

I was glad to have my son accompany me on this day. He enjoyed the cultural outting and wanted to stop at Border's on the way home for research material for a book he wants to write.

I have to also add that the newly renovated campus at Tunxis Community College is BEAUTIFUL! We were quite impressed.

So, this is a new annual treat for me. My only regret is that I didn't know about it 5 years ago when they started it.

Temporarily Out of Order

I have a stuuufffy nose and all the other spring cold symptons--headache, body aches, rundown. Last weekend we spent 8 hours doing the taxes--our accountant quit and we bought a computer program--not as easy as we thought.

That's why I haven't been blogging. When my head clears, I'll be back.

Stay tuned.
You all come back now you hear.

When counting sheep doesn't work...

First, why count jumping sheep? Has anyone ever seen a sheep jump a fence? Can they jump? Wouldn't it make more sense to count jumping frogs or kangaroos or grasshoppers? Maybe subliminally the fluffy sheep make us think of our pillows? Hey, you come up with a better idea!

Anyway, I was tossing and turning one night and then I started to compose this poem and fell asleep--side note: a dear friend used to tell us if you want to go to sleep, start naming your blessings by letter ex. A for apples, B for brothers, etc. She said that it would tick off Satan enough that you wouldn't get to Z. I wonder if that's why I fell asleep before I finished composing this. Well, I got it done today and thought I'd share it.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my thoughts to keep
When worries wage war in my head
As I toss and turn upon my bed;
Or anger like a stormy sea
Takes a firm hold of me,
Or tears of sorrow blind my eyes;
Or over again I hear the lies
Lord, take these things that stain my sleep
I pray dear Lord, my thoughts please keep.
When morning comes, help me to know
Which to take back and which to let go.

Remembering A Friend

I believe today would have been the birthday of the nicest woman I ever knew. When I was growing up, she was a mother of one of the boys in my grade. I used to see her at church. I didn't really know her well then.

Then about ten years later, our paths crossed again. Imagine my surprise when I showed up for my interview at the post office and there she was. She wasn't the boss, but she was the only clerk and she highly encouraged the boss to hire me, which, of course happened 28 years ago next week.

Evelyn was the most caring, thoughtful and kind person. If someone was short a little on a transaction, she would put it in for them. There were so many people that never knew the times that they forgot to put on a stamp or did not put on the right amount of postage and she put it on out of her pocket. She was not rich financially, but she was rich in love.

She was the best example of how a Christian should live and she was a wonderful example for me. I have never forgotten the day that an angry customer was rude and hurtful to her. I felt myself growing so angry and wondered why she did not defend herself or say something other than apologize. After the person left, she told me that she felt sorry for that person because they must have something terrible going on in their life and I know that right then and there, she said a prayer to herself for them. She was the perfect example of God's unconditional love for us. The people from her church knew to come to her if someone needed prayer. God was first in her life.

I wish I could say that her life was trouble free, but she lived through many crises such as her house fire, her husband and son's death and the death of a sibling. She still remained faithful to God and steadfast in her faith. She was an amazing person and I have been so blessed that she was in my life. Many were blessed to have known her and many others did not even know that this woman was praying for them. How blessed we all were.

"On Cloud Ten"

--not nine, ten...That's what my Uncle said about his first book signing for his joke book at the nursing home on April Fool's Day. He was in three newspapers and the local TV news. I am so happy for him and proud of such an accomplishment at age 83. I see my cousin has been busy helping him out--I saw the book online at Amazon and Target.

The good news is that the nursing home says as long as he doesn't get rich, he will be able to keep the money!

I have to tell you the last time we saw him, he didn't look so well. When I saw the picture of him in the Lawrence paper, he looked great! I think this has had such a good effect on him emotionally and probably physically.

At one time we were afraid if this got published that it would take away a reason to live--that's not the case. He's working on book two! I am so happy for him.
I haven't been able to find out the names of the other newspapers, but if you want to see one article, here's the site: http://www.eagletribune.com/archivesearch/local_story_092061856.html

I can't wait until I get up there to get my personally autographed copy of his book.

I guess there's still time for me to get a book written--though, I don't really want to wait that long--but certainly better late than never.

I can see my finger now!

Okay, I bet everyone is saying, "not her stupid finger again!" I wish I could say this would be the final "chapter" on it, but the case is not closed. The bandage/splint is off, stitches are out but I go back on May 1st for him to look at it again. It is still sore and swollen and he said I could be justified staying out of work for a few more days, but I'm going tomorrow. I have extra help for my first day back.
Dr. Wisch has been chosen as one of the best surgeons in Connecticut, so I feel pretty good about him. He says my finger has so much arthritis in it that I only have 30% usage. He's surprised that I don't have more pain. He said he can do surgery to fuse the bones. I had read on the Internet about that and I told him that I thought I would lose some usage. He says that his patients have gotten back 100%. Now that sure sounds tempting. So, I believe I will be having more surgery in the future. After that, maybe we'll persue the wrists one day. I didn't know that they had surgery to help with some arthritis. I'm glad there is help.
I am typing with 7 fingers and 2 thumbs. I am learning to use the keyboard without that one finger.
Well, hopefully that's the last you'll hear about my finger for a while.
My cat, Joshua, is on my lap as I type. He has been so affectionate and happy to have me home. He's going to be sad to see me go back to work. Me too.

"You're Never too Old"

Well, my Uncle's Book is on Amazon.com. It was exciting looking it up and seeing excerpts. His book is called, "Now THAT'S Funny: Casey's Classics" by Joe Casey. I am so happy for him, in his 80's and getting a book published. His book signing at the nursing home is on April 1st (what better day for a signing for a joke book?). I understand he's going to be in the newspaper and I believe a TV news crew will be there too. This is in New Hampshire, so we won't see it. We plan on going up sometime in a few weeks to get our signed copy. 

We did visit him when he was living in senior housing and working on the book. He had papers with jokes on them on his kitchen table, his couch and his coffee table--all spread out so he could organize them. We got a preview of some of the jokes he used and very carefully put each paper back to the correct spot.

I'm sure that all this has brought such joy and fulfillment to him. I believe he's thinking of starting a second book. Good for him! I don't know how all this will affect his wallet for sure. Being in a nursing home, I think they will probably lay claim to any income he makes. I don't know if he'll be allowed to keep any. At least he will have the satisfaction of having become a published author and enjoy the attention that he is getting right now. Most writers don't get rich anyway. Uncle Joe has always had a wonderful sense of humor. It's too bad he didn't write his personal tales--he always seemed to have humorous things happen to him. Maybe it's just a healthy outlook on life that made him see the funny side of life. I've always enjoyed our visits with him. Not only is he funny, he was also talented and created many different unique crafts that he used to sell. He was also a good ballroom dancer in his day. He's quite a guy and I am so happy for this great chapter in his life.

Now That's Funny: Casey's Classics: Casey, Joe: 9781434839107: Amazon.com: Books