jabberingjo-josjabbers

A New Year

2012-01-05T13:10:00.000-08:00

I remember when I eagerly looked forward to the new year. Now it seems time goes too fast.
I guess that's what happens when you stop and realize there aren't too many New Years left in your life. Nick always told me, "Twenty years from now you'll forget all about it," when I would get into a snit about something. Twenty years from now I'll be almost 100 and will probably have forgotten everything. I love to visit with my grandchildren, but when they tell me about their life's ambitions including their retirement, I think "I won't be around then."
So I better just think about the present year and set goals for it.
1.
I will be great grandmother in February. I must think of something unique to honor her arrival. I don't scrapbook,paint, knit, crochet, or quilt. All I do is write. I pray the muse will be kind and inspire me.
2.
One grandson will graduate from high school in POrtland this spring. If I can't be there in body, I will in spirit.
3.
we will be celebrating our 60th. anniversary. HOpefully in Sturgis SD in the church where we were married in JUne of 1952.
4.
My new novel "Andy's Shock" will hopefully be published this year.

Ups and downs

2011-08-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

When returning from a month-long vacation I went through my e-mails and learned that my royalty check was so small the publisher decided to wait to send the money until the next quarter in case some more of my books were sold.
I can't believe I only sold six books!
I went into a real funk and decided I would never write again.

Later I resumed going through more e-mails and found one from another publisher. She stated that they had received my latest revision and will be sending out further critiques. Guess that means they are still interested, right?

Maybe I won't quit writing after all.

Disagreeing With Editors

2011-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

In my personal opinion, an editor must like your genre or they will not do a good job editing.I could never edit a vampire or paranormal book. (I was afraid of the story about the three billy goats and the troll when I was in school. The teacher finally burned the book so I would come back to school.)
I did have one editor who seemd to not like my book. She never once said anything good about it. We persevered, and it is now published.

y contribution to Letters to My Mother published by Adams Media begins with "Dear Mom, today my daughter, Jayna,..

I argued with the editor that I didn't need the words,'my daughter' as my mother was her grandmother and knew perfectly well who Jayna was. He insisted, and that is the way it was published.

I fussed about it to a friend one day. "But the reader didn't know Jayna was your daughter," he said. All of a sudden it made sense to me.

Aanother time in another anthology, the editor changed my protagonist from the younger brother to the older. I had to take a walk and calm down until I realized she was right. My story is in Summer Shorts published by Blooming Tree Press.
Please read the coomments given after my postings. They are informative as well.
Please tell me about experiences working with your editor. I will post again at eleven.

insomnia thoughts

2011-05-27T01:16:00.000-07:00

It's midnight and thoughts keep flying around in my brain.
So, I am working on my workshop on EDITORS I will be presenting on June 4th on museituppublishing.blogspot.com/p/muse-blog-comference.htmlhttp:/
It will be on most of the day, but it can be accessed anytime after, I think.
I'm kind of excited about it. It will be the first of an e-line workshop I have done.
If you can log on for any of it, I would be glad to have you and any comments you would like to make.

Now I am going to work on RUNNING STRONG, a novel that has been on the shelf a long time. I will heed my friends advice and expand my plots. (I have some characters sitting down, but don't tell what they sat on.) The reader may think they sat on the floor. I don't use enough words

This and That

2011-05-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

I got an e-reader for MOther's Day. Yeah! ( and I had posted a message saying my kids didn't support my writing. )Anybody have chocolate? I need to eat my words!
I also got chocolate covered cherries, flowers and cards. And dinner out with NIck.
I'm having fun with the reader , spent all morning at Radio Shack getting it programmed.
I now have my book Jeri Bittle and Aesops Fables, and a couple of other free books at my beck and command.
I submitted a short story to Alongstory Short. Haven't heard if they got it yet.It may be in cyberspace.
NOw I'm back in the mood. Recusitating a novel I wrote in 2008. J. Rose Knight Joan

marketing my book

2011-04-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

I tried to get the form letter from muse pub to go on myblog.I think I got it, anyway it said it was successful. My grandson, robert came up from Phoenix and gave me a few pointers on the computer. Thank god for grown-up grandsons! My novel, Jeri Bittle by my alias J. Rose Knight was released Friday. I do so hope some people will buy it. I had fun writing it. Now I'm writing a sequel. You can find out how to buy the book by acessing htpp//museituppub or by going to publisher@museituppublishing.com Be sure to ask for Jeri Bittle by J. Rose Knight

Thinking of getting another blog

2011-04-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

My grandaughter suggested I get a new blog for my psuedynom, J. Rose Knight. I think its a good idea. We'll have to get together by computer as she lives in the middle of South Dakota and I live in Havasu AZ I'm working on my sequel to Jeri Bitle. My group The Four Goddesses is meeting tonight at Denny's. They are reviewing the sequel as it is written. I haven't heard from the publisher concerning my newest submission. Snap Decisions. I hope they will accept it.

looking for publishers

2011-04-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking I shouldn't put all my eggs in one basket. (I know, it isn't cool to use cliche`s) What I mean is I have two more novels ready to go. I submitted another one to Muse, but haven't heard yet. I think they are very busy. My novel, Jeri Bittle will be released on April 12, e-line only. I went through my submission opportunities folder and found that most of the publishers are either no longer taking submissions or are out of business I may bite the bullet and submit to Harlequin again. (It took them six months to reject the last one I sent them.) Is that good or bad? I really like Musepub. they edit, and suggest changes, and promote the book. I guess I'm just anxious to get my books out there. My sequel to Jeri Bittle has hit a wall. Got the prologue and three chapters. I''m sitting here thinkin, "Now what?" there are so many directions I could take it. romance? Mystery? aliens from outer space? guess I better sleep on it. Goodnight

Busy, Busy

2011-02-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

Went to a granddaughter's wedding in Denver last week-end. It was beautiful came home to company from SD. Got my manuscript back from the publisher with a work sheet to proof-read one more time. I haven't been able to find much time, but am about one-half way through. It has been edited by me several times and the line editor several times and the context editor several times and the publisher at least once.
This is the final time before it goes to print and so far I have found six errors.!!
Now have more company from San Jose and Milton Freewater Oregon. (relatives, glad to see them. )they went to PHoenix to spend the night with their grandson. I almost went with them, but have to go to the goddesses meeting tonight and must get this novel fixed and sent back. Also need to get color ink and photo paper to down-load wedding pix my daughter in law sent on the computer.

And people ask me what I do now that I'm retired!!!

My novel

2011-02-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

My book is to be released in April Yea! It will be by museitup publishing co and ezine only.
I will tell you all the details later. The name of the book is Jeri Bittle
She is a Wyoming rancher's wife. She drives on I-80 west as she returns from Gillette after visiting her ailing father.

Events occur that change her life forever.
An attempt is made on her life, but she survives. Her husband is killed and she knows someone wants her dead. but who? and why? She struggles to provide for her three-year-old twins.

The old county sheriff and his wife support and encourage her, but things in the county are not what they seem.

How old is too Old/

2011-01-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

I mostly lurk at my groups e-mails, but one got my attention this morning. It seems the authors group is having a conference in Montreal next November. I almost signed up, and then I thought, Are you crazy?
I would be with utter strangers, sharing a room with a stranger, in Montreal (where is Montreal?)
I would love to meet my editors, Nancy and Penny, and the publisher, Lea, and all the others. But I'll be 79 in May. would have to save up my money, and talk my better half into accepting my plan. what do you think?

WHAT TO DO NOW?

2011-01-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

I just got an e-mail from my publishing company offering to reverse my rights as neither book has sold in the last year.
However, they want 149.00 per book. That is 298.00.
I can leave them there for the remainder of the contract (four years) if I would prefer.
I would like to get the rights to them back and after revising, submit them to another publishing company.
The reason they haven't sold is that I have to buy the books from them and sell them on my own.I can't afford to buy them. I have sold to all my friends and relatives. Book Signings have not worked for me. They charge too much for the books.
Thank you to those who commented on my last blog I am using your suggestions on how to remember my ideas for writing.

Getting it Down

2010-11-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

ON paper, I mean. don't you just hate it when you're out and about and all of a sudden a great idea about a story pops into your mind.Sometimes I quickly squiggle the main part of it down on a receipt or something, but can't read it when I get home.I'm so sure I'll remember it when I get home I put it out of my mind..and that's where it stays.
I confess that occasionally when a friend is telling me something important to her in detail, my mind wanders and I am writing a story in my head that has nothing to do with her problem.
Back to the real world I go and lose all the ideas I had at that time.
My oldest son bought a recorder for me so I could talk into it while I did dishes etc. but I'm not a multli-tasker, and It didn't work out for me.
What do you suggest?

fairness

2010-10-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

I had been having problems sending my manuscript to the editor.finally got out the book that accompaied my computer. My daughter-in-law in Portland and I worked together on the phone and now it seems to be working better.I read over a hundred e-mails from my Museit up group and was dismayed to see some friction about religion.
I seems unfair that a religious person cnnot refer to his beliefs at will.
but unfair as it is, I guess it has to be.
MY concern is that some religions are still being attacked.
Political correctness and religious tolerance apply to everyone but Christians, it seems. amopmg the 20 too 30 year olds I know, it is considered cool to blame everything on the Christians.

Frustration

2010-10-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

I don't have this blogger thing figured out.Just when I think I do, something happens. I get so happy when someone leaves a comment! When no one leaves a comment I think no one is reading it.
I just sent in a revised novel, Andy's Shock, to Write Life Pub and almost ready to send a revised Jeri Bittle in to Muse it up pub. MY little group, the Goddesses, are editing Snap Decision, a novel rejected by Harlequin I may send it to Museitup pub.

Yesterday I sent a query to the local paper by e-mail offering to send them BEa and Ben stories, but haven't heard from them.
The October issue of alongstoryshort printed my Halloween Bea and Ben story.
I made a quick trip to SD to celeb rate my son's birthday. Surprised him!

Working on organizing my office

2010-07-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

I am sorting through old submissions, rejections, and stories I never sent anywhere.
I intend to get organized and submit, submit, submit. also finish revising Running Strong and submit it!
I've been wondering why no one leaves a commennt. For one thing, I didn't have the correct address. It is jabberingjo-josjabbers.com
Also, in order for others to read my blog, do they have to have an account?
I will be a guest at an authors blog on September 10th. Already sent itin. IL'll ppost her blog address when I get it.

why Japanese?

2010-07-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

the only ones who comment are Japanese in Japanese. I pushed translate and it just turned my whole blog into Japanese. I wonder what they are saying.

Well, I haven't heard anything from Write Life, so I think they don't want my story, but I wish they would just say so. I sent a manuscript to Dorrance Pub, but I think they'll want money to publish it. I like it the other way around! My friend Lois came over today and she is reviewing my novel, Running Strong. I may send it to Muse-it-up. My novella, Jeri Bittle is contracted with Muse and will be released e-book only in april of 2011

Ziip My Mouth

2010-07-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had lunch with three friends from church. Before I went I admonoished myself that I would listen, not talk. I started talking the minute I got there and didn't quit until we left. I play it back in my mind and wish I had let the others talk even though they didn't seem to have anything to say. Oh, well, I'm going out with a friend to do some shopping this morning and I will listen this time. I have free coupons for a free frappe at McDonalds. Yum
I am revising a story I got rejected and I think I'll send it back to the pub who rejected it. Is that wise? WE'll find out.
My friend was in the hosp and the one who has you sign papers asked him if he had a good life. "Yes," he said.
Are you interested in continuing your life or are you finished?" she asked.
"What kind of question is that? We just got back from a trip in our motor home and I have to do alittle maintenance before we take off again to see our grandchildren."
what would the hosppital have done if he had said he was finished living? Yikes, he's younger than I am. I still have several novels in the works.

Hot sunday, July 18

2010-07-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

And I mean hot!. I can't wait to go to SD the first part of August. It gets hot there, too but cools at night.
On my authors group some are complaining about not getting comments on their blog. Well, I get some, but they're in Japanese! I do have a translater button on my computer (that's not computereze, I know) but anyway I haven't used it. My friend Sharon said she used hers and it was mostly viagra advertisements etc. Has any one else had this problem?
Also got a n e-mail from Dorrance Publishing saying they want me to send them my book. didn't say if they pay or I do, I'm publisher shy since my experience with Publish America.
I have four novels done and ready for the final editing, before I send them in, but I don't know where to send them. I admit I'm getting discouraged. Maybe I should go to the bars and drink cold ones and forget writing! (Just kidding)

writing doldrums

2010-07-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Just can't get in the mood to write lately. I have some novels that need revising, but I'm tired of them. I tried to send a Holloween story to longstoryshort,; but it keeps coming back. I have two ideas for Bea and Ben collection, but haven't written them up.
One is from my neighbor (retired) she sent her husband to the store with a list.

1. bread
2.milk
3.lettuce
4. crackers
5. tea
6. orange juice

He came home with 1 loaf of bread, 2 cartons of milk, 3 heads of lettuce, 4 boxes of crackers, 5 boxes of tea, and 6 bottles of orange juice.

she was so glad her list wasn't longer.

Another idea is when Rose was to bring a potato salad for the fourth of July picnic. She planned to cook the potatos that afternoon before the fourth and make the salad that nighW.
She felt tired in the afternoon so she took a nap. when she woke and went to the kitchen she found her husband happily peeling five pounds of potatos. "I knew you're tired, so I thought I'd help" he said. Poor Rose, she had to make potato salad from peeled potatos. She always cooked them in the skins and peeled them later. they seem to have a more potato flavor, she tried hard to praise her husband, because he was thinking of her and trying to help, right?

Who is commenting?

2010-06-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to get comments, but don't know the language. Oh well. I need to learn more computerese. I know how to do stuff, but I''m not using the correct terminology. Maybe I'll get out my learning disc. I bet it will make more sense to me now than it did when I took the computer course.
I'm torn between editing my novel snap Decisions and sending it to a different publisher or start a sequel to Jeri Bittle. Also haven't even looked at Running Strong or Jeremiah for a long time.

Contract

2010-06-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted for a long time. I haven't received comments, so I wonder if anyone is watching!
I received a contract from Muse itup publishing for a book I wrote some time ago. I took it down, dusted it off and revised and tightened it up and sent it off. It will be published on-line next year. wish me luck. The title is Jeri Bittle, I wish I could think of a better one and may before it becomes final.
It is about a Wyoming ranch wife, a light mystery. Mostly really into the characters. I like them so I may start a sequel.
I had some problems with my e-mail, but I finally got the manuscript and contract signed via e-mail
OUr four goddesses will not meet until August I won't be here. Plan to visit friends and relatives in SD the later part of August. I really enjoy the group and they give me lots of pointers. They are all published authors. I hope someone reads this

December

2009-12-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

still no comments on my blog. I got a rejection for my Snap Decisions submitted to Harlequin, they made some suggestions. My group, the four Godesses are kindly going to critique that novel.
Lois is critiquing a short novel of mine titled Jeri, I want to change the title, but don't know to what.It's about a Wyoming rancher's wife.
I haven't heart from Andy's Shock. iI is being critiqued by Fine-Lines editor, David Martin.It is about a young man who became a preacher inspite of being struck by lightning three times one day.
I've been fighting sinus infection and with all the head aches haven't written much. after reading TEri and Apple, my friends think my latest stories are much too dull.
I have written a church devotion and presented it to the Presbyterian women's group. got mixed reviews on it.somebody please read my blog and comment! Joan

November thoughts

2009-11-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

another year almost gone. I see I must speed up on writing or I won't get all accompished I want to.
for one thing, I plan to give up on three organization meetings that are time consuming and non-productive. I quit! also I will take more time in my writing. It still seems like I'm rushing to the end.
My friend Dorothy says "Don't tell they had dinner, tell me what they had for dinner,"
My third book is being edited. I'll bet he will say the same thing only more specifically.
Two of my friends are so good dragging me out of my self-pity wallowing pen and getting me out to do book signings etc.
Maybe I'll become more active in my on-line writing groups, I'm a lurker at this time.
by for now, thanks for commenting, Sharon.

October blues

2009-10-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

I''m a little depressed. The novel, Snap Decisions that I sent to Harlequin is just sitting there, I guess. I received a letter saying they would consider it and let me know in due time. the letter was sent in June and no more communication. They gave me a reference number, so I can write and ask their decision. I might send it to another publisher.
I didn't receive a royalty check from Publish America for Teri. Guess I need too contact them, too.
I'm about half-way done with the one the preacher wanted me to write. It's been slow, I want to get it sent off by the end of October.
Then I think I'll take a breather from novels and try some short stories again.
Joan

august 20

2009-08-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

Here I am messing up my blog. I hope someone reads it. We had a lovely six thousand mile road trip. My husband is ready to go again, not me. I'm tired of traveling and am anxious to get back to writing. I want to finish at least one of the novels sitting on the shelf before the first of the year. I got a rejection slip on a short story so guess I'll stick to writing novels.
I'll be glad to get in touch with my writing friends.

Jo's thoughts.

2009-05-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

Well, now, no comments, does that mean no readers?
MY novel Apple was released in March. It is a sequel of Teri. Damsels in distress type of books. I'm not happy with Publish America because I have to promote the sales myself. My royalty check was under two dollars!
I'm going to try another publisher for my finished novel Snap Decisions. We'll see if that goes better. I rec eived a sheet that told specifically what they want. I have no problem with that except the length. I told my story in under 40 thousand words, but they want 50 or over. so I have to use the dreaded ly words to take up space. also may go to longer lengths with a minor character.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Here I go again.I hope I have better luck.for some reason or other I get stopped. today, Valentines Day Feb. 14 2009 I attended an authors fair in LHC.
met other fellow authors. sold one of my books and traded two authors for their books.
I love my book, Teri about a damsel in distress, but wish I hadn't been quite so ecplicit in the sex scenes. MY sequel, Apple, will be out in March.
I held back a little on the sex scenes.
I have begun novel three. This will be about a young man. I have b een reclusive as I wrote my novels, but have asked to re-join the writing group on-line for short stories.
Soes anyone know the diffdrence between critiquing and editing? I met with fellow authors trhe other night and it seems to me we have fallen into editing . That is a little more time consuming, but nice to have.
also enjoyed a trip to quartzite to the naked mans bookstore. My good friend Sharon took me with her. I sold three books there. I hope I get some comments sonetime.

Success

2009-01-19T13:42:00.001-08:00

At last a novel TERI has been published. It came out in July by Publlishamerica. They did a fine job and it didn't cost me. ow I'll see if any of them sold. read that the best way to get your book published is to write another.

fourth try it freezes up after two sentences??

2008-11-29T10:31:00.000-08:00

Here I go again. sharon if you read this you may have suggestions. I just get going and the computer won't let me type anymore. I am concentrating on my sequel to Teri a novel published in June under an alias. This one is titled Apple and I'm about finished with it. Am getting tired of it.I have ideas for Ben and Bea and would like to get it published as a collection of stories. Also have fun meeting with friends to discuss writing.

third try at posting

2008-11-29T10:18:00.003-08:00

third try at posting

2008-11-29T10:18:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-05-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

yep, seventy-six already. when you consider the alternative I guess I'm happy to be 76.
I'm bummed out because my story The Quiet Hero was not accepted in the anthology My Dad is MY Hero. I really worked on it, but I guess there were other submissions better than mine.I must get going and submit some more stories. It gives me a much needed ego boost to see my name in print.
To celebrate my birthday we are going with our church group in a van to Phoenix to see the DiamondBacks play Detroit.
We plan to spend the summer with our daughter in South
Dakota we will enjoy the weather there and our four-year-old grandson. We haven't seen much of him. We should get good and acquainted.My writing may take a back seat, but maybe I'll write a few children's stories.
I will drop out of my on-line-writing group. Don't know if I'll rejoin in the fall or not. The critiques are not as beneficial as I had hoped they would be. They are mostly critical of the story line rather than the actual composition. I don't like science fiction, but I have a friend who writes it I critique it for construction , hook, plot , and ending. I think that is helpful. by for now. Joan

It's a beautiful day

2008-04-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

If you don't mind the wind. The Author's Fair at the community college went rather well.It was the first presentation. About 20 authors were there and about that many people showed up. I didn't talk to as many as I would liked to have. I hope they have it again sometime.Some people seemed quite interested in my work in anthologies.

I am excited. A friend of mine is hosting an anthology signing for me at Hastings April 30th NINE IN THE MORNING. she will have some books on hand. she chose lETTERS TO MY MOTHER SINCE IT IS CLOSE TO MOTHER'S DAY. There are a lot of good stories in it. Someone mentioned that there were so many letters written posthumously that it is a shame we don't write them while the mother is alive. So true.

I haven't heard from the new anthology : My Dad is a Hero. I did submit a story, but have not heard if it has been accepted.
I am amiss in my writer's group on-line. I still can't get it to post to the forum.

MY writer friend,LOis, and I met this week to crtique each other's work. I had printed out some information about critiqing and she asked for a copy. Some of my on-line friends just don't get it. They try to re-write my story!

Sometimes I think of shucking everything I learned about POV, genres,similes,etc. and just write! If it makes you want to turn the page or brings out an emotion such as laughter or tears, then it's good writing. Right?

I visited the Havasu Writer's Group Thursday evening reading at Hastings. It was a geat group. The coffe bar was a bit noisy. We managed to shout above it.My book I wrote under a psuedenom is supposed to be out next month. EXciting!! jabbering jo

April already?

2008-04-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

Lots of things happening. I have been invited to participate in the Author's Fair at the community college tomorrow. Twenty authors and four speakers will be on hand. Subjects range from cookbooks to inspirational. I will represent the anthology department. Iwill display the anthologies that have my stories. I was honored to be asked to join in the fair.

I will meet with cohorts tonight at Denny's and maybe they can give me hints as to what to do.
We,
Sharon, Lois, Cindie and I meet once a month to critique our stories and have a gab session.

My Bible Study leader, Sue, is having the last Bible study meeting at Hastings and having a book signing for me for the group. Isn't that nice? I was so surprised. She has also asked me to give a presentation at the church women's group in September.

have signed a contract with America Publishing after all. I have nothing to lose. It doesn't cost anything and they don'[t pay advance but royalities. So we'll see what happens there.

I had computer problems and got behind in my on-line writing group so asked for a month's leave of avsence from that wonderful group.

MY grandson, Robert is coming up at the end of the month and he'll help me renew some of my programs. Joan

Is anyone out there?

2008-03-09T19:15:00.000-07:00
No comments on my blog. Of course that doesn't mean no one read my blog. Just didn't comment.
I read Howard Fast for the book club. I've been reading so many Jonathon Kellerman stories that the one by Fast seemed a little blah, but he was a good writer.
My on line writer's group seems to be fading. I try to keep up my end by critiquing and submitting, but lately I was the only one in the forum!
My granddaughter, Tessa suggested she and I do a book club thing on line. Don't know how it would work, but it might be fun.
I'm thinking I maybe should take a hiatus from the writer's group and do some submitting. I haven't submitted anything since December 2007.
I did get creative, though and wrote another Bea and Ben story. They are my imaginaary retired couple.

Here it is:

The New Garbage Can:

The New Garbage Can
A Bea and Ben story by Joan Hobernicht

Bea finally found a parking place at the big discount store across town from where she and Ben live. The wind took her car door and opened it wide as she maneuvered her large body out of the driver’s seat. She managed to stay upright as the wind whooshed around her. By the time she got to the entrance of the store she was out of breath and out of sorts.

She grabbed a shopping cart, but it stubbornly stayed fastened to the others in the line. A nice young gentleman disentangled the carts and she thanked him. Her list included a trip to the personal health section, the home supplies for a new set of sheets for the guest room, a birthday card for her daughter, Lois, who was turning fifty next week. {I} Better be careful about that one. I think she’s taking fifty pretty hard [I] It took a while, but she finally found one she thought was just right. A woman reached in front of her giving her a dirty look as if to say, “Finally, you’ll be out of my way, you old woman.”

Bea passed the hardware department. They were having a sale on garbage cans. [I] We need a new can, that wind blew our old one away. [I] She found one on wheels. It barely fit on top of her cart.

The lady at the checkout counter suggested she put her other purchases inside the garbage can. Then Bea picked up the plastic can and started out the door. She couldn’t see where she was going. A man sitting on the bench laughed at her. “Ma’am why don’t you set the thing on the ground and pull it?” he asked.

Bea set it on the ground and pulled it outside. The wind immediately took the lid of the can and it went rolling down the pavement. A nice young lady caught it and brought it back to Bea. “Thank you,” Bea said.

She secured the lid on to the can and pulled it to her car. As she approached her car another car stopped, waiting for her to leave so he could park in her parking place. This flustered Bea a bit and she tried to hurry. She opened the trunk and discovered that it was full of stuff Ben had bought at a garage sale. The wind took a piece of paper out of the trunk and swirled it up into the security camera where it remained, blocking it completely.

Bea opened the back door behind the driver’s seat. The garbage can wouldn’t fit. She pulled the can around to the door behind the passenger seat and opened the door. She let go the garbage can and opened the front passenger seat and pulled that seat as far to the front as it would go. She closed that door just in time to rescue the garbage can from rolling back to the store.

Meanwhile, the car waiting for her parking spot was holding up traffic and there was a long line of irritated motorists with engines running. Bea’s face was red, her gray hair straggled out of the bun and her pantyhose drooped beneath her skirt.

An older gentleman finally helped her get the garbage can into the back seat. “Thank you,” Bea said.

She was out of breath when she sat in the driver’s seat. [I] I would like to sit here and rest a moment, but everybody is in a hurry. [I]

She imagined there was a big round of cheering when she finally left the parking lot

Ben heard her open the garage door and went to assist her. “Do you need help?” he asked.

“Yes, you can take the #$% garbage can out of the #$% car.”

Ben didn’t say another word. If Bea was swearing she’d a bad day and was better left alone.

Oh yes this story is based on a peronal experience! We've had terrible winds lately. All for now Joan

Musings at The End of The Day

2008-02-11T17:49:00.000-08:00
Another day has passed without calamity, without personal tragedy, without mishap. Days like this must be savored and remembered. All days are not so sublime.

Friends and relatives have contacted me on e-mail. I feel special when they ask for advice or just want to visit.

As for advice: How do you stop a puppy from whining? That's what one grandaughter asked. I don't know. I suggested letting it sleep with them, but I don't think her hubby agreed.

Another grandaughter critiqued my blog, particularly the part about the story. It was a good suggestion. One I will take to heart when I do the re-write.

My new novel group is exciting. We are going at a faster pace. A chapter a week. We all plan to submit sometime this summer. There are four of us and it amazing how varied the topics are.
One is about the mideast. I'm learning a lot from it. One is about a child's endeavor to become a professional ballet dancer. There's a lot more to dancing than meets the eye. The other one is
about a child that is placed in a mental institution at the age of seven. It isn't as bad as you'd think it would be, but the plot takes you into her mind. All of these authors are very good. I am thankful to be in their company.
My novel, by comparison, seems trite. It is about a mother and daughter who through no fault of their own are almost penniless and they decide to go to Arizona to find jobs and enjoy the nice weather. Lots of things happen on the way. Well, they're fun to write. I don't know what they're going to do next. Until next time, Jo

Try, Try Again

2008-02-06T10:19:00.001-08:00
I really worked on a blog last night and when I pushed post it evidently lost it. "Sorry for the inconvenience," my computer said. Won't tell you what I said to the computer! Glad it's not voice activated. Ha, ha, just kidding.

I submitted my poem to the group and got one critique so far. They thought I didn't show enough emotion. I will re-vise it.
Now I must concentrate on my short story. The prompt is: a fractured family attempts a reunion. I think I'll try my hand at a murder mystery. Never done that for this group.
Wish me luck.

Let's see:

Blood spurted from Jason's hand as he nicked it on the mailbox while retrieving his mail. He stopped the flow with a handkerchief and waved the blood splattered letter in the air to dry it.
He read the return address.: Charles Sqaab, Dayton, Ohio.
"I don't know anyone by that name." He shivered in the frosty fall air. A fearful feeling came over him and he didn't want to open the letter.

How's that for a hook? Do you want to read more?

We're getting company from SD this evening and he'll be with us a couple of days. Deadline for this story is the 10th so I must get going.
if you read my blog but don't want to sign up you can comment on my e-mail nicjo@npgcable .com bye for now JOan

Try, Try gain

2008-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm Back Again.

2008-01-30T13:11:00.000-08:00
Yes, I'm going to try to do this again. I have joined an e-line writing group and it keeps me busy. Besides entering a submission to another anthology. I attended a lecture on blogging Monday evening at the local college. I was hoping to learn how to access my blog , but the class was more about the uses of blogs which was informative also. The class was presented by Sharon Poppen, a local author and friend of mine.I can't remember the professors name.
The prompt for My Writing Friends I chose this month is:
A fractured famiily attempts a reunion:
Wish me luck.
It's mandatory that I write a poem this time. There are four categories to choose from. I chose Togetherness. I really need your good wishes on that one. I am not a poet.
Let's see, now.

Togetherness 24/7
face to face on every thing.
across the table, in the bed

know what he's saying
before it's said.
but comforting now

to know I can relax
and not pretend to
be what I'm not

silence is golden
so they say
days pass by

without a word
peaceful times
understood

Well, it needs work, like I say I'm not a poet. bye for now Joan