Is it worth your time?

http://www.literal-latte.com/contests/ This is a link to several contests, which means there is a fee, but there are also prizes. It's up to you. I usually do not pay reading fees.

I did spend $15 to enter the Erma Bombeck contest and also to enter Missouri Writer's Guild Conference contests. I know my chances are as good as the next persons and I am willing to take my chances.

I just saw a call out for "car-free" poetry. Attach a PDF file of your poem and email to Kelly.Nelson@asu.edu with a short bio. Write Poetry submission in subject line. Google "Car free poetry" to read one of Ted Kooser's entries.

Not a poet? Neither am I, although I write poetry. I am not a trained poet. I am not educated in how to write poems. I just write from my heart and try to connect with the reader.

If the editor happens to have high academia expectations, my poem will be ruled out. But if it is a person looking for a poetic experience with word play and meaning, then mine might be considered. Either way, I am willing to take the chance.

It is a new year, folks, and you should try something new and different, stretch your writing muscle.

What are you working on? I personally am working on trying to stay warm. It is -7 degrees.

Those of you who like winter, help me see your point of view.

http://flailingleap.com/ Would you please take a look at this gal's blog and leave a comment? On the recommendation of C. Hope Clark Funds for Writers. Thank you!

Wow! what a weekend

What a glorious, balmy day, temperature 75 degrees, partly sunny, leaves bursting in tangerine, amber and ruby, nature's jewels. The wind kicked up and it became blustery; the leaves started raining down. Oh, the little girl came out in me and I just had to dance and spin and toss the leaves.

The leaves are breathtakingly beautiful and I am so thankful for my eyesight. This tree was one of my favorites.

I could have sat on this bench all day.

But, we moved to the river overlook and watched the Mississippi roll down to the Gulf. We also saw an older woman get out of her car, walk over to a bench and pull a chocolate cupcake and container of milk from her purse. She looked up and said, "What a fine place to eat my lunch." I agreed on all accounts,especially since she was eating my kind of lunch.

This is the perfect tree, the symmetry, the depth of colors, truly God's masterpiece.

I have the best husband; Bill makes me smile and laugh. He holds my hand, my heart.

The tree blew him a kiss! I love being outdoors and this was fun, but the whole weekend has been great. Friday evening I attended a poetry reading by Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser. His work is free verse and down to earth. He is the master of metaphor:"He was a balloon of a man who deflated when..." Those words made my brain ping!

Saturday night we volunteered at the cemetery for the last weekend of Voices of Valhalla hayrides. Valhalla Cemetery (provided the venue), St. Louis Genealogical Society (did the research), The St. Louis Writer's Guild (wrote the scripts), and the Hawthorne Players (acted out the scripts) collaborated on this first time event to bring St. Louis history alive. The hay wagon made ten stops to visit with the dearly departed and learn about the significant contributions they made. When I was a child we lived across the street from a large cemetery. I was never spooked.

At the end of the evening, just before the witching hour, I left Bill and writer friend, Mary(who had written one of the scripts) standing near the bonfire while I escorted a handicapped couple down the sidewalk. I had mentioned earlier that my grandparents were buried in the cemetery. As the full moon went behind a cloud, Mary came up behind me unexpectedly and called, "LIIIINNNDDDA." Holy moly! It sounded like my grandma, and now I know exactly what they mean by the hair standing up on the back of your neck. I had goosebumps!

As thunder rolls across the sky and night darkens this beautiful day, I am inspired to write. I am so thankful for my blessings and for all of you who stop by and leave a message, and to those who prefer to just read and not comment.