Thursday, November 4, 2010



I couldn't believe it when I saw this squirrel's nest perched on the very end of this tree branch. I wonder what makes one squirrel choose a secure fork in the tree near a supportive trunk, while another, perhaps, more inexperienced squirrel builds its nest on a dangling branch near the edge. It brings to mind a couple of quotes.

Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.~ George Seaton

Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond our control. ~Richard Kline.

Building a nest is sort of like writing and submitting. You do your best, you kiss it goodbye and you hope it's substantial and holds up, but it is really beyond your control.

This evening I'm doing the happy dance. I received a completely unexpected acceptance from well-published author, Linda Dominique Grosvenor from North Carolina. My essay (submitted six months ago) will appear in an upcoming anthology about women who love shoes. There was a time in my life when three girlfriends and I danced the plastic caps off of our high heeled shoes. We referred to that time period during the '80s as the summer of our lives. The book, as yet untitled, will be released in 4/11. As soon as I know, I will announce it.

12 comments:

Lynn said...

I really need to come up with another way to say CONGRATULATIONS! You are something else!

Linda O'Connell said...

Aww, Lynn, thank you. You are on your own roll!

Bookie said...

Good for you, LInda! A great way to begin November! I just got home from Writer's Guild...glad to hear a success story right after hard work critiquing! :)

I also note that the comment I left on hedge never showed up...rats!

Chatty Crone said...

Well, I'm wondering if that is going to 'hold' all winter long myself.

Sandie

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Claudia,
Were you the critiquer or critquee? :) Either way it is a load to bear.

Linda O'Connell said...

Hi Sandie,
Yeah, I expect the first big storm will send that squirrel spiraling down. It will get up again and start all over. That's what we all have to do at some point.

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful surprise!
Have a great weekend,
Karen

Anonymous said...

I'm with Lynn on this! Congratulations doesn't do you justice! By the way, I think I'm the only woman in the world who really doesn't get into shoes much. I'd rather go barefoot any day! But I'll bet your story is fabulous as always, because you're a fabulous story teller.

Barb Hodges said...

Cheers for Linda! An acceptance is always good for the sole. Oh, I mean soul. (smiles) Great news

Tammy said...

Congratulations! Time for more happy dancing!!!

BECKY said...

Congrats, Linda! I remember seeing the calls for submission on that one. I'm not really a shoe person, either...like Dianna...so I didn't really try very hard to write something for that one! That ought to be a fun book to read!

Linda O'Connell said...

Thanks for your comments (that was funny, Barb)about the shoe anthology. Oh, believe me, these days I am into flats and flip-flops, but back then, my girlfriends and I shared high heels and danced every night.