Pot Luck

It takes a long time to grow an old friend.

John Leonard

Wishing a Happy 50th birthday to my long-time friend, Savannah, the Oil Baron. Here we are last Saturday night in Dallas. Vanna and I met playing softball in Denver back in 1981. She pitched and caught. I played short stop. We were both in the oil biz, young, and I was much skinnier.

Happy Birthday Vanna!

Last week, ds, who produces the beautiful blog third-storey window, passed me the award/meme for Honest Scrap. I thank her. Please check out her blog as I label it one of my great finds. Part of the crowd reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier right now.

The award has requirements:

1. “The Honest Scrap” award must be shared.

2. The recipient has to tell 10 true things about themselves that no one else knows.

3. The recipient has to pass along the award to 10 more bloggers.

4. Those 10 bloggers all have to be notified they have been given this award.

5. Those 10 bloggers should link back to the blog that awarded them.

As appreciative am I of receiving awards, I'm not the best at fulfilling the pass on part. And I hate to follow directions, but will attempt it here on a shorter scale. I'm such an open book, I seriously doubt there are ten true things about me that no one knows.

1. I can waste time better than anyone.
2. I sometimes turn on Fox News just to see if they are thinking.
3. My favorite TV shows are Deadliest Catch and Lost.
4. I can float on my back and meditate, and almost fall asleep.
5. I've been in 49 states. (Washington remains.)
6. I love the morning, but I think that is when I get my best sleep.
7. So far this week I've swum, swam, swimmed 3 miles. (Ruined it all drinking margaritas last night.)
8. I just joined NetFlex and am watching the last two seasons of Six Feet Under. For some reason, funeral homes don't seem so scary anymore.
9. I have a terrible habit of not beginning a book I really want to read as I want to savor each word. Waiting for my hammock, which has eluded me of late.
10. I fart a lot if I eat bread.

There - took way too much to get all that out.

Honest Scrap now awarded to:

128 Sticks of Butter - because she has lost 11 pounds and I haven't
Catbird Scout - who has bravely given up her job to pursue her writing
Ladybird World Mother - who makes me laugh
WZ Snyder, #167 Dad - for always fun posts and providing a different perspective

And an invitation from a couple of friends:

You are cordially invited to attend an "open house" beginning Wednesday, October 14, in honor of the newly renovated Rose &Thorn Journal: http://www.roseandthornjournal.com

Drop by, sign up for the newsletter, check out the new digs (and blog!), follow us on Twitter and Facebook, leave us your comments/thoughts, and wish us well!

Rose &Thorn is a quarterly literary journal featuring the voices of emerging and established authors, poets and artists.

Now...go enjoy the open bar and appetizer spread!

Angie Ledbetter & Kathryn Magendie
Co-Editor/Publishers
Rose & Thorn Journal

Note to Self

Dear Julie,

When writing a quick post, seek better examples. For instance, your kitchen table. As a long time advocate of nightly family dinners, your kitchen table contents have easily been shuffled to the side desk*** to accomodate many a family meal. Therefore, it does get washed daily.

***Don't show desk.


Let your friends know that it is always safe to use your bathrooms and eat in your kitchen. That your husband is a master at cleaning a kitchen. That with so many boys in the house, you have learned to check the toilets for errant sprays on a daily basis. Hand towel changed frequently. The dust may be a little thick in your living room, but the health inspector will gladly eat at your table or poop in your bathroom.

Mention that clean sheets are provided for all night visitors, unless you're a teenage boy sleeping in a bed where a middle-aged woman has spent one night.

Consider that even though he hasn't said anything, your husband might worry that everyone now thinks he has to live in a pig sty. Hmmm. Figure out if that really bothers you.

Gather the names of all those offering to organize your bookshelves and set the date. Don't show them the other six book shelves in the house until they arrive.

Probably 5000 more notes to improve self, but all for today.

Love,
Julie

P.S. HelenaHalme of the United Kingdom has awarded me one of the most beautiful awards - One Lovely Blog. Helena, I thank you. Please visit her site. As she says, she "writes about Finland, Sweden, fathers, daughters, spies, love, betrayal, trust, loneliness." Great stories and essays.

Helena, I thank you.

I'm Humbled to Accept

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. Henry Ward Beecher

In the past couple weeks I've had the pleasure of accepting several commendations. With so many incredible and prolific bloggers out there, I'm surprised and flattered when I'm awarded with these honors. I am most grateful.

The Super Comment Award/You Don't Say Award is given to bloggers who leave comments worth discussing on other blogger’s posts. It may also be because those comments are great in quantity, great in substance, or just great in general.
An award that recognizes great commenters is a brilliant idea. And that's the idea behind this You Don't Say Award.

Pam's Perspective and Words of Wisdom from a Smart Mouth Broad were both kind enough to send it my way. Getting awards is always an honor but an award that recognizes those bloggers who consistently comment is a high honor indeed. The You Don't Say Award "... is for beautiful people who practice blogging etiquette by visiting or visiting back, and leaving comments. Their observations are apt and helpful and it's a pleasure to have them comment on your posts..."

I'd like to pass this award on to Linda at Wander To The Wayside . Her comments are always thoughtful and giving.

From Missy at Missy's Book Nooks The Heartfelt Award came into my life:

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and freinds? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.


And also from Missy, The Proximidade Award



Being a recipient of this award affirms that this blog invests and believes in the Proximity – nearness in space, time and relationships.

I am honored and humbled by the attention of these fine bloggers. I thank them.