Sunday, April 22, 2012

Happy to be alive!

Happy Earth Day! Today hubby and I went out of town to visit a grandson who purchased a lake lot and to see his property. It was drizzling, but we saw a few delightful surprises. A flock of wild turkeys landed in someone's front yard and strutted all around, but by the time I closed my dropping jaw and grabbed my camera, we had driven past. I also spied a blue heron in flight and a vulture standing in a creek. On our return, the skies cleared and we came upon these horses in a pasture. This photo induces tranquility. I am so thankful to be on this earth.

As we strolled the property, I came upon this little sprouting of red fern among the greenery. What a delight. Little things make me so happy.
Discovering this little treasure gave me the same kind of feeling I had last evening at the Missouri Writer's Guild Banquet when my name was called during the awards ceremony. I received 1st place for a poem I wrote about my dad. I received 1st Honorable Mention from Saturday Writer's Chapter Flash Fiction Contest. I took 3rd place for MWG's Best Humorous Short Story Sponsor's Contest (sponsor Jo Anna Dale).

I am very honored to have received these unexpected awards. When I submitted, I thought my poem had potential, but I was up against some heavy competition in all other categories. Dianna Graveman gave me a run for the money. She took a couple of first places! Many of my friends won, and I was very pleased to be in the company of greatness. I sat with a great group of friends and wonderful writers. I believe that everyone who entered these writing contests are winners, simply for having submitted.

I am happy, I am humble and I have been hugging my hubby all day because he took me to breakfast to celebrate.


12 comments:

Debra Mayhew said...

Linda, what exciting news!!! I can't imagine a more fun evening than you had last night. Congratulations on your well deserved awards. Sounds like a great weekend!

Sioux Roslawski said...

Congratulations, Linda. It sounds like the banquet and the awards ceremony was a lot of fun.

And Bill. He's a good egg AND he brings home the sausage. What a wonderful hubby to celebrate your prize-winning prose AND poetry.

Dianna Graveman said...

I had so much fun with you last night, Linda! Congrats again on your awards!

Val said...

Turkeys and herons and vultures are weekly occurrences in my neck of the woods. But I've never seen a red fern.

Congratulations on your trio of awards. And on snagging that good egg of a husband.

Claudia Moser said...

The two pictures are so springly :) you know what I mean right? LOL

Bookie said...

What a great weekend you had!
Congrats on the prizes...now Monday...have a good week ahead.

Claudia Moser said...

Linda, in case I will send you something can you give me your email address? Thanks!

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations Linda! How exciting! And what a blessing to have a hubby who celebrates with you. :) Thanks for sharing the photos. I too, am thankful for this wonderful planet we live on.

Lynn said...

Was glad to celebrate in person with you! YAY!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Congrats on all your wins! I wish this whole submission thing was contagious, so you could infect me!

Janet Smart said...

Congratulations, I am sure you deserved them all. You are a very good writer. It is very exciting to hear your named called out.

Chatty Crone said...

Love your photos and glad you are alive too! Congrats on your awards Linda. sandie