What are the little things in life that bring you the most joy?

Can I tell you a little, tiny story, oh please?

Animals often make me laugh, especially this one. I am the aunt to this adorable dog, Rex. Full blown German Shepherd and damn proud of it. Here’s the funny thing: He has a favorite TV show. Every Saturday he watches a show called Lucky Dog. He LOVES it. He can barely contain himself and his excitement. It is a glorious day when Lucky Dog is on!

Sometimes he tries to scratch the TV screen so he, too, can play with the dogs on the show. He also runs around the back of the TV to FIND them, as if they’re hiding.

He reminds me, once again, that it’s the little things we love to do in life that bring the most joy. For me, it’s books, gardening, the beach. For Rex, it’s Lucky Dog.

What is it for you?

Responses from facebook….come join me there, too!

Joleen Wheeler Driving my family crazy brings me great joy! Doing outlandish pranks that makes them laugh’

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 25 at 10:14am

Marina Elias Starbuck I am the proud owner of a German Shepherd, and they are goofy dogs! smile emoticon

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 10:32am

Marina Elias Starbuck

Unlike · Reply · 5 · May 25 at 10:32am

Cathy Lamb Absolutely adorable, Marina Elias Starbuck. Look at that rabbit!

Marina Elias Starbuck It’s one of her many ‘babies’ that she cares for. She carries them around, and grooms them! She never chews them

Alissa Schad Almost anything i get to do with my Adam. He is so special and i LOVE his innocence on life. I believe they are here to teach us. One of my favorite is candy cigarettes @ Kareoke, concerts with him (this one Lynard Skynard pulled him on stage during a Simple Kind of Man ) and the beach

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 25 at 11:29am

Alissa Schad

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 11:30am

Adria Cimino That is adorable, Cathy! Our cat’s favorite movie was “Microcosmos” a French movie that showed bugs up close in their natural environment. Lelee would look behind the TV, thinking that’s where the ants had gone… smile emoticon

Cathy Lamb Terry Torres Maloney They are at my house now too!

Jaymi Couch This is Jackson. He is a rescued Plott Hound and he is such a love. But he’s got this very strange habit. He likes things touching his head and/or back. He will slo-o-o-wly walk around and under a fake ficus tree (to the point where you kinda have to l…See More

Unlike · Reply · 8 · May 25 at 12:19pm

Kimberly Brock My dachshund does this smile emoticon

Sonja Yoerg When I’m writing I often feel like a rescued plot hound.

Kim Spensley My favorite show is Lucky Dog too!!!! smile emoticon

Cathy Lamb Kim Spensley You should watch it with Rex!

Like · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 9:46pm

Kim Spensley I would love to!! wink emoticon

Like · Reply · May 25 at 9:51pm

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Sherie Nash That is so sweet…I love watching ‘Rizzoli and Isles’, reading…of course, my granddaughter is my heart…I love baking. I love going to church…I love my girls, my ‘girls’ and I love yard sales and going to Value Village and Frenchies, it’s like a drug really…totally relaxing for me….especially finding perfect baby clothes…doesn’t even matter if I have a baby…someone does.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 25 at 12:55pm

Kelly J. Phillips I have an old overstuffed chair I bought from a friend for $25. I keep my favorite Redskins Football blanket on the broken footstool. (One of the small legs are missing) but it’s awesome and so very comfy. I have a side table for my coffee and everyon…See More

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 25 at 1:46pm

Cathy Lamb I so need a “reading chair,” Kelly J. Phillips

Jeannine Mallory Since I never had children, I find great joy when I am with dogs. I love to watch their faces , their antics, and just about anything they do. A dog can lower my blood pressure.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 2:05pm

Cathy Davis These 3 and of course reading!!!!

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 25 at 4:01pm

Cathy Lamb You betcha, Cathy Davis

Like · Reply · May 25 at 9:47pm

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Dusti Douglass This is Parker, one of my greatest joys since I have no children. I love good stories in any form, crafts, travel, and cooking. These and my partner, Tracy, bring me most of the joy in my life. 😀

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 25 at 4:49pm

Jeannine Mallory Good-looking kitters.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 4:55pm

Dusti Douglass Thank you – she’s a diva. 😉

Like · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 4:59pm

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Cynthia Dix I wish I had pictures of Family Cat #2 watching Rin Tin Tin Canine Cop! He would hear the theme music and come streaking through the house! He’d sit, bolt upright, in front of the tv, and Watch! You could see his head move as he tracked the action across the screen, and his ears flickered as he paid attention to the sound. Cracked me up!!

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 25 at 5:02pm

Brandi Megan Granett Archery. Pure joy.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 6:35pm

Cathy Lamb Brandi Megan Granett Geez. Look at those arrows!

Like · Reply · May 25 at 9:47pm

Brandi Megan Granett I love my sport wink emoticon

Like · Reply · May 26 at 6:58am

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Robert Andweave This. These two.

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 25 at 6:45pm

Cathy Lamb Both adorable Robert Andweave

Like · Reply · May 25 at 9:47pm

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Mandy Boelter Lange My husband, my kitties, my books. A few of my joys in life!! This picture is one of our kitties, Lacey, enjoying a show about big cats. I think those are lynxes on the screen. 😻😻

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 25 at 7:42pm · Edited

Karen Sconiers White 😂😂😂😂Sweet boy!!!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 7:57pm

Cathy Lamb And where is the photo, Karen Sconiers White? Hmmmm????

Like · Reply · May 25 at 9:49pm

Karen Sconiers White Sadly I’m on tour and away from my funny furry people or I would send a photo of my puppy staring at the screen on the back porch thinking she has a chance at all the birds flying by. 😂🐶🐾

Like · Reply · May 26 at 4:48am

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Natalie Ivory These two most of all bring the greatest joy.. (hence why her middle name is Joy lol).. Also working on my genealogy, walks in the woods, gardening, and reading. I love how all the things I love keep me grounded. (also naps, I love those too.. They make me happy lol)

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 8:01pm

Sandra Jean Lawrence I would post a pic, but I’m at work. My chocolate lab, Dixie, LOVES the laser pointer, to the point of quivering and drooling when we reach for it.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 25 at 8:58pm

Susan Gloss Parsons Right now, for me, it’s smiles from this little guy

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 26 at 5:14am

Cathy Lamb replied · 1 Reply

Ruchi Brunvand Too funny!

 

Amy Rogers My 3 year old’s angel heart, my horses, coffee, and being back in the West. When we moved back from Georgia, my husband bought me a coffee at McD’s in Laramie, WY on the drive. The cup said, “Welcome Home”. I cried. My daughter’s heart transplant i…See More

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 12:29pm

Cathy Lamb Amy Rogers So glad your daughter’s heart transplant went well. Best gift ever ever ever. Post her picture!

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 25 at 9:52pm

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Ginger Cabrera They bring me the most joy in life.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 2:16pm

Cathy Lamb Ginger Cabrera And they are all adorable.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 25 at 9:53pm

Barbara McGrath My artwork does it for me as does reading!!!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 12:33pm

Cathy Lamb Barbara McGrath WOW and WOW and WOW. I love that!!

Like · Reply · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 25 at 9:53pm

Lenisa Alvey That dog is adorable. For me it is books, most definitely, as well as gardening.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 11:23am

Cathy Lamb Lenisa Alvey Yep. Me, too.

Like · Reply · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 25 at 9:53pm

Molly Duncan Campbell Here’s one of my heartthrobs.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 10:26am

Cathy Lamb I love him, Molly Duncan Campbell!!

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 25 at 10:27am

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Rochelle Deans What an awesome dog. Right now, many of my small joys come from my two-year-old. When she’s not driving me up the wall, she is adorable, and says the most… interesting things. I have a feeling she’ll be a great storyteller one day.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 10:40am

Sheri Poff My four year old basset hound Todd. He brings joy to the family! He is boss! Very stubborn! He loves to play and do little mischievous things for fun! He is very smart! He actually catches on to names of people and things very quickly! He is one spoiled rotten basset hound! We love him!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 26 at 9:15am

Anne Hovey Brandolini Reading on the porch with my dog curled up next to me. My 65 pound lab pit mix who thinks he’s a lap dog.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 1:11pm

Kathleen Bylsma Poor 17 year old Rascal atands patiently staring into the conor on the front porch, even thought the door is open wink emoticon He still loves his walks and is very spry!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 11:58am

Dana Kennedy Criger This is my baby, River. She is totally like a little human with 4 legs. Love her!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 3:17pm

Tammy Anderson Good story. Our loves are the same three but I have to add in shopping and movies.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 10:18am

Jill Hammond This is a pic of my dog Bogey watching DogTv.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 25 at 10:36am

CharmNal Nsmartalec My most favorite beings in this world – fun at the lake !

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 3:55pm

Christy Leigh Thank you for the story. This is precious !!!! ❤️

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 10:15am

Carol Woods Poppy the wonder dog!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 5:03pm

Sheri Poff My 4 year old Basset Hound Todd –

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 26 at 9:21am

Molly Duncan Campbell Love!

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 25 at 10:25am

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I love writing.

Usually.

But what you are looking at now is the first page of a stack of pages that makes my brain short circuit.  It makes me think about holding a paper bag over my face and having an elephant sized anxiety attack.

It makes me wonder why I did not train to be a trapeze artist instead of being a writer. (True reasons I can’t do that job:  I am way too heavy, not flexible, scared of heights, and don’t like flying through the air while spinning.)

These are page proofs.

That is their official name. “Page Proofs.”

The unofficial name is “Welcome, Writer, To 10 Days Of Editing Hell.”

This is the last chance  for a writer to find and edit errors before the book goes to print.

This is chapter one, page one, of my next book The Language of Sisters, out in September.

Here are the things I’d rather do than edit page proofs.

1. Chase a jaguar.
2. Run from a jaguar
3. Learn how to get a rattlesnake to dance out of a basket
4. Dress like a ghost and parade around town while cackling.
5. Eat dandelions.
6. Dance around a pole in a bikini though I have given birth to three children.

By the time I get this intimidating stack of pages I have edited my book eleven times. Yes, eleven. It is obsessive, I know.

I don’t want to read it a twelfth time, bash me in the head, jangle my bones, slap me on the butt with a banana, I so don’t.

I edit about 50 of these pages a day.  This should not be compared to reading, for fun and games and delight, a book. Especially a book that is so scary you go hide in a closet or a book so gripping you are out of your own head and in a different world.

No, this is 50 pages I have to read as if I am pulling a fine toothed comb through every word on the page while reciting, by memorization, every word in the dictionary and all American grammar rules.

I cannot miss a missing ‘to,’ in this manuscript.

I cannot miss a needed comma.

I cannot miss a comma that SHOULDN’T be there.

I cannot semi – sleep through a passage, especially when I realize to my UTTER HORROR that I have made a HUGE mistake in my story. (Hear me scream, beat my chest, say bad words!)

When I realize that I truly, utterly SCREWED UP, I have to write a pleading note to, in my case, Paula, my copy editor, who is a saint, and BEG her to make the change. I beg and beg and beg. I am pathetic.

And when I find ANOTHER ERROR and I realize I have SCREWED UP AGAIN, despite already editing the book eleven freakin’ times, the begging begins once more.

(Please, Paula, please. Whimper. Sob. Whine.)

It’s quite humbling.

One time I brought a dead girl back to life at the end of the book when I accidentally gave her something to say.

Another time I changed the race of a character from the beginning of the book to the end.

I have messed up names and locations.

Still another time I…well, let’s not talk about THAT error.

Everything must be perfect. Perfect is extremely difficult. Unattainable. But I try.

When the proofs are mailed back, there is a sense of relief.

The book is done.

I am done.

My eyes are fuzzy, my hair unwashed, and I have odd nervous ticks coming up here and there. I am sleepless, my insomnia a living devil in my bed, but the book is off and I can do no more.

On to the next story until the hellish page proofs arrive at my front door, giggling evilly at me in that really mean way only page proofs can do.

But I do hope you enjoy The Language of Sisters, I truly, really, totally do.

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In March, Innocent Husband and I celebrated 23 years of marriage.

Twenty three years.

Three kids, one cat, two birds.

We’ve loved and laughed and had some thunder and lightning type arguments, although in our latter years we’ve really mellowed out.

We’ve gone through beautiful years, tough years, and a few that were brutal.

We buried our mothers in 2002, after both wonderful women fought cancer with strength and courage.

We buried our beloved fathers in 2007. One died from cancer, one from kidney and heart failure.

We’ve gone through the teenage years with our kids.

We’ve addressed all the problems that come with life, sometimes agreeing, sometimes not. We have never pretended our marriage has been perfect, because it has not been.

But we’ve fished, hiked, and skied, although I am a bad skier. We’ve had great Italian food and Thai drunken noodles. We’ve seen glowing sunsets along the beach and up in the snowy mountains.

We have loved and adored our dear children, the number one focus of our whole lives.

So one would think that we would celebrate our 23rd anniversary. Do something fun and exciting. We are still married, despite it all. We still laugh. We are a family, we are the Lambs.

But we were sick on our anniversary.

I brought soup to my brother, who was sick, along with his wife and son, and brought their wretched cold home with me.

So on our anniversary, we sniffled and coughed and exchanged cards.  We felt like hell. We looked like hell. We got coffee and went on a drive through the country. We saw the big red barn, a golden field, a hawk. Then we came home and collapsed on the couch.

We both agreed it was a relief to celebrate simply, to celebrate easily, to have no stress or expectations for a party or romantic dinner, that we could sneeze and hold hands and wish each other, “Happy Anniversary, baby.”

You’re still sexy, Innocent Husband, yes you are. Looking forward to a few more decades with you.

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I have 897 more words to write on this blasted book before I can go outside and garden and I swear I’m going to throw this blasted laptop if I cannot think of something quick to write and get this word count done for the week. Blast me, just do it. Ugh – wait for me, Petunias! Wait for me Wisteria vine! I’m coming!!

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I recently asked, on Facebook, “Where is your favorite place to escape to for a few days?

One of my favorites is Montana. Sometimes ya got to go out into nature to get your head on straight again.

If you have a photo of your favorite place, PLEASE POST IT. Let’s travel together.”

These are the responses I received. Let me know your answers, too.

Cathy Lamb I tried to get one of my sister’s sweet horses to give me some advice for life, but all he wanted to do was talk about the joys of hay.

Like · Reply · 6 · May 2 at 10:30am

Regina Mae I run to the beach. Amelia Island, Saint Augustine, Hilton head. Almost any beach will do in a pinch. smile emoticon

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 10:38am

Amy Nathan Tucson. Any place with mountains.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 10:39am

Amy Nathan Hudson River valley

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 10:39am

Cathy Lamb Gorgeous, Amy Nathan and let’s hope we’re both in Tucson together next year, too.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:30pm

Amy Nathan Me too!

Like · Reply · May 3 at 4:01am

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Liz Grabber I go to the mountains. The past few years it has been to a cabin in New Hampshire.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 10:41am

Amy Nathan Montana is one of the places I’d really like to go one day.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 10:43am

Cathy Lamb Amy Nathan Wild and open and free and wonderful. Montana would love to see you.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 11:12am

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Deborah Murrill Blanchard I love the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Fresh, clean air. It is so calming there.

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 2 at 10:43am

Cathy Lamb Oh my gosh, Deborah Murrill Blanchard It looks like a snow blanket. Gorgeous.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 11:12am

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Robert Andweave I tried to pick a favorite: Tahoe, Hawaii, San Diego, Palm Springs, the river, the backyard, etc.
But… I decided that my favorite place to be is anywhere we can go together.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 10:49am

Cathy Lamb Robert Andweave Susan, look at that son of yours! And that photo! Wow!!! But, you’re right. Going wherever with the people you love is hte best.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 11:12am

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Wendy Webber Deloge The Great Smoke Mountians, one of our favorite getaways. We get a beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg TN!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 10:59am

Cathy Lamb Wendy Webber Deloge I have always wanted to go the Smoky Mountains. I absolutely have to get there.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 11:13am

Wendy Webber Deloge It’s the absolute best Cathy Lamb. My husband and I have gone twice and we definitely want to go back, but not until my children are married off. We have 2 wedding within 7 months of each other. One in October and the the other gets married in June of 2017. So needless to so we are quite busy with weddings. It’s very exciting though!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 11:16am

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Gretchen Ross Any five star resort with maid service and my husband any place in the eorld. This is in Santa Barbara.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 11:12am

Cathy Lamb Gretchen Ross You crack me up. But, you’re right. An excellent hotel ANYWHERE, to relax, soak up some sun, no housework, no work, no distractions, perfect.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 11:14am

Robert Andweave I want to see the AFTER picture. Did they treat the place like drunken rock stars or were they one of those neat freaks that cleaned before they checked out? (Please, Gretchen…tell me you live like a rock star).

Like · Reply · May 2 at 11:18am

Gretchen Ross More like a porn star.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 11:33am

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Gretchen Ross Look at that picture more closely. You will notice no piles of crap around. I love hotels. I always wanted to be Eloise and live at the Plaza. I did get to stay there once. Let the kids jump on the bed and stole a bath mat.

Unlike · Reply · 5 · May 2 at 11:19am

Prudence Henderson Grubb Boothbay Harbor, Maine for this mermaid! Enjoy and may you relax and get grounded.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 11:31am

Stacy Walker Sedona AZ is my favorite. Hiking and unplugging is my favorite thing to do.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 11:40am

Cathy Lamb Stacy Walker Love to hike. Totally get ya.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:32pm

Stacy Walker Me too and take pictures

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:34pm

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Alissa Schad Love my time share week in Oceanside. This is from my bed before i even put my feet on the ground

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 11:46am

Cathy Lamb Love the ocean. One of my favorite places ever. Was just there today, in fact! You can THINK at the ocean.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:33pm

Alissa Schad Exactly. I always feel like my tank is almost empty and then i go to the beach to “fill up” and I’m ready for the life drive again. Of course, I’m usually reading one of your books when I’m there smile emoticon

Like · Reply · May 3 at 7:05am

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Laurice McClung I want to go to Montana some day. Would love to own some land there.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 12:07pm

Cathy Lamb Laurice McClung Yep. Me, too

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:33pm

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Camille Di Maio Maui is my happy place!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 12:18pm

Cathy Lamb Oh, for sure. I love it there. Lahaina, the sunsets, that iced treat….

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:33pm

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Donna Reed Montibello Cape Cod , riding my bike along the canal

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 12:48pm

Cathy Lamb Donna Reed Montibello Oh, I love Cape Cod, too. My sister used to live there so I could visit! Love all the water there, the lakes, the ocean, etc.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:33pm

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Joleen Wheeler Arizona back country ATV and camping

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 12:54pm

Barb Dowdell MacKenzie Martinique Beach in Nova Scotia

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 1:33pm

Elaine Donoughe Allen Big Sky, Montana is our favorite place . That and Jackson Hole! We go every year! I will find a photo and post!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 1:36pm · Edited

Cathy Lamb Elaine Donoughe Allen You are a montana sister, then.

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:34pm

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Mich Lueken My favorite place in the world was our little cabin up in the mountains of Canada in Notre Same Due Laus. We would go there for 5 weeks in the summer and fish. That place was heaven.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 1:44pm

Jennifer Tropea O’Regan St. Lucia! ☀️👙👓👒

Like · Reply · 3 · May 2 at 2:51pm

Jenny Collins Belk well yeah Jennifer, I guess so ! LOL

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 3:28pm

Cathy Lamb Jennifer Tropea O’Regan Oh please. I must go with you next time. I beg of you….that is just gorgeous

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:34pm

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Amy Yeager My grandparents house and property in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania. It is now my uncle’s house and our family homestead. This is the homemade wooden bridge that my grandpa built and taught us how to maintain. You have to go down the lane, cross the bridge, and go up the lane to get to the house. Being there on the property or in the woods behind it just settles my soul.

Unlike · Reply · 5 · May 2 at 2:51pm

Barb Dowdell MacKenzie This looks like a slice of heaven!

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 2:53pm

Amy Yeager Thanks! And that’s just one pic! It truly is the most peaceful, relaxing place on the planet….for me.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 2:57pm

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Amy Yeager My 2nd favorite place to escape is the beach….but my favorite beach is Tybee Island, Georgia. The rhythm and air of that beach breathes life, freedom, and an sense of centeredness in the universe….moreso than any other beach I have ever visited.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 2:56pm

Cathy Wisilosky My favorite place, Davistown, PA.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 4:01pm

Cathy Lamb I could write there, Cathy Wisilosky!

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:35pm

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Cathy Doces Foster Orcas Island, WA. ( Or better known as Charlotte’s Island off Washington’s States coast in My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb)

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 4:56pm · Edited

Cathy Lamb Cathy Doces Foster Ha. You know my secret now. You’re right. Charlotte in My Very Best Friend was on Orcas Island.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:36pm

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Barbara Khan The Old State House, Boston. I lived there for 12 years. Went back for a visit most recently in Dec, I still remembered my way around on public transportation.

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 2 at 5:17pm

Amy Yeager That’s a fantastic spot! Very captivating! I’ve visited that spot twice smile emoticon

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 5:33pm

Barbara Khan Amy Yeager I loved living there surrounded by history. This building houses a subway station down below.

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Robin Mooney Right now it’s our cozy cabin in the mountains.

Unlike · Reply · 4 · May 2 at 5:22pm

Cathy Lamb Robin Mooney You are totally snowed in, aren’t you?

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:37pm

Robin Mooney We weren’t…lol Looks like we were, now that you mention it.

Like · Reply · May 3 at 2:43pm

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Joyce Ferrell ocracoke island nc

Unlike · Reply · 3 · May 2 at 5:49pm

Cathy Lamb YOur cat, Joyce Ferrell

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:37pm

Cathy Lamb ???

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Joyce Ferrell great pristine beaches no big box stores or traffic

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 5:51pm

Jill O’Connor Anderson Really, the end of our dock or on our lake, when the cabin people are gone during the week… you can hear a fish jump out of the lake, a Loon call, the eagles swooping into the water to catch fish. It takes me “away”, yets lets me be at home!

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 6:19pm

Cathy Lamb Where are you, Jill O’Connor Anderson?

Like · Reply · May 2 at 8:38pm

Jill O’Connor Anderson Cathy Lamb central Minnesota. We live on a lake, and have another lake across the street from us. Pretty darn nice!☺️ I can see that now, but come winter time… Not as nice!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 3 at 4:32am

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Karen Katchur Avalon, Jersey shore.

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 6:30pm

Cathy Lamb Wow. That sunset, Karen Katchur. that is just a sky gift.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:38pm

Karen Katchur Sky gift-I love that! Can’t wait to go back. smile emoticon

Like · Reply · May 3 at 4:50am

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Carla Dilger Stark St Thomas, USVI

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 6:41pm

Carla Dilger Stark My son stole my hammock

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 6:42pm

Cathy Lamb Carla Dilger Stark Sons do that sometimes.

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Aimie Trumbly Runyan Baie Orient, St. Martin!!!!See Translation

Unlike · Reply · 2 · May 2 at 8:35pm

Cynthia Dix The Oregon Coast–whether it’s Cape Kiwanda/Pacific City (pictured), Cannon Beach, or Lincoln City, this is where I unwind.

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:37pm

Cathy Lamb Yep. Cynthia Dix Just got back from Lincoln City today. Loved it. You can really relax here.

Like · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 8:39pm

Cynthia Dix Lincoln City just after Memorial Day (for Wedding Anniversary #6), hoping for Cannon Beach on Sunday!

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Keily Davis Derrick My favorite place for a few days is at OSU for moms weekend!

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 2 at 9:02pm

Cathy Lamb Now that was the best, Keily Davis Derrick The best. So much fun. You dance good, friend. You can really shake it.

Like · Reply · May 3 at 3:35pm

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Diane Russom Harrison Destin, FL

Unlike · Reply · 1 · May 3 at 12:33am

Laura Drake Mammoth, CA, fly fishing. Ahhhh….

Like · Reply · May 3 at 3:33am

Kathryn Craft I’ve always wanted to go to Montana!

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Lori Taylor Fun little hike

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Marta Jackson I love Santa Fe, NM!

Dusti Douglass It would be the French Quarter for me. It’s just a few minutes away travel time but it feels as far away as a vacation. There’s nowhere else I know that has the music, food, art, and culture that the French Quarter offers in such a small space. It has and always will capture my heart.

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Cathy Lamb Oh my gosh, Dusti Douglass I was just thinking that I MUST get New Orleans on my bucket list. Now I know it.

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Michelle Murphy I just “escaped” with my besties for a weekend at the oregon coast–its our favorite getaway destination:)

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Cathy Lamb Michelle Murphy Was just at Lincoln City today. You are so right. It’s a beautiful getaway.

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Cindy Lawson Seabrook Island, S.C. sunrise or sunset gets me everytime. Nothing like a renewal with Mother Nature to get one’s priorities straight.

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Cathy Lamb Don’t you just love sunsets that are reflected in the ocean? It’s like a double gift from nature, Cindy Lawson

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Amy Yeager My 3rd and final place that I love to escape to is Dear Old State. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of attending Penn State. When my Mom moved me to Illinois in junior high school, I was devastated for many reasons. I was an excellent stude…See More

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Cathy Lamb Love that story, Amy Yeager

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Bianca Mace Jorgensen This is Green River Wyoming. It’s actually my home town. But this river valley on the west end of town is beautiful. The river soothes me.

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Cathy Lamb I have never seen a sky like that, Bianca Mace Jorgensen Wow. I mean WOW.

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Julie Seehusen The beach, I don’t care where. Just by the ocean. So calming

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Cathy Lamb Julie Seehusen Relate to you, yes I do.

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Amy Rogers Home. I might be stuck in the lower 48, but Alaska will always be the home of my heart.

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Cathy Lamb Cold and beautiful, Amy Rogers

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Lillian Aman Nedeau Upper Peninsula of MI. Our family camp, my happy place.

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Cathy Lamb Picture perfect Lillian Aman Nedeau It looks like a postcard.

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Mary Gaby Matheson The Oregon coast is beautiful !!!

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Cathy Lamb Mary Gaby Matheson So, so beautiful. And surprising. Looks different all the way up and down the coast

Like · Reply · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:45pm

 

Katy Johnson-Shandil Depoe Bay, watching the waves crash on the rocks . Beautiful, nature at her finest

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Cathy Lamb Katy Johnson-Shandil Yep. So true. Took R to Lincoln City today for a breather and beach peace.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:44pm

 

Erin Mast In are woods by the stream, alone with the trees

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Cathy Lamb Trees. Coffee. Books. Erin Mast that is perfect

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Tracey Blackburn Or Old Man’s Cave in Ohio

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Cathy Lamb Well look at taht, Tracey Blackburn That is so cool

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Katie Malik The california coastal Redwoods

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Cathy Lamb Katie Malik My parents took me there as a kid. When I returned a few years ago, after they’d died, it was such an emotional trip for me! Thanks for that photo. Those redwoods are forever.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:43pm

 

Robin Davis Oregon Coast, Coos Bay on this particular trip.

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Cathy Lamb Robin Davis My husband and I were just talking about how the Oregon coast changes so dramatically, north to south.Michele Greer Goertzen I see your photo of Depoe Bay. We are lucky to have these places close by for peace and beauty.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:44pm

 

Allyson MacMillan Reid State Park in Maine – one of my favorite places

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 2 at 10:49am

 

Cathy Lamb That is gorgeous. I was in Maine last year, Allyson MacMillan and I loved it. What beautiful colors.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 11:14am

 

Lorna Krszwda Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

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Cathy Lamb I am tired of this. I MUST go to Nova Scotia. I must!!!

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Tina Hengen The sea!

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Cathy Lamb Tina Hengen What a picture. That is so pretty it almost looks fake – but I know it’s not. The ocean always presents such gorgeous sunsets. Where are you?

Like · Reply · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:46pm

 

Juliyanne McLemore My garden

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 2 at 7:37pm

 

Cathy Lamb Juliyanne McLemore As my addiction to flowers grows, that is one of my favorite places, too. I see a flower and I think, I MUST have that. It’s strange.

Like · Reply · 1 · Commented on by Cathy Lamb · May 2 at 8:46pm

 

Molly Duncan Campbell Nantucket

Like · Reply · Message · May 2 at 10:33am

 

Cathy Lamb Ha. Molly Duncan Campbell Never been. Been to Cape Cod, but definitely need to put it on my list.

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Joanie Mack Assateague Island, MD.

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Cathy Lamb Are those horses having a bonfire? Joanie Mack

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Alice Gutshall Going to Montana next month. I like the ocean, mountains or deserts of Oregon. Such a beautiful state to live in.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 1 · May 2 at 6:07pm

 

Michele Greer Goertzen Whale watching in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Heaven on earth.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 3 · May 2 at 12:36pm

 

Tracey Blackburn The Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 2 at 4:35pm

 

Carissa Winter Top of the Big Horn Mountains looking down on Big Horn, Wyoming. Best place on earth.

Unlike · Reply · Message · 2 · May 2 at 5:42pm

 

Tracey Blackburn Or the Chesapeake Bay

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Fran Wagner Cedarburg, Wisconsin

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Victoria Powell Hiking in Arizona…

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Keira Zapien Ouray, Colorado!

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Kathleen Bylsma Cannon Beach OR

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Kathy Kirkendall Estes Park Co.

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Colleen Lohman Beach

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Cindy Walker The upper peninsula of Michigan – a place called the Les Cheneaux Islands. It is peaceful and beautiful and not developed…..

Like · Reply · Message · May 3 at 6:03am

 

Driver Jackman Ocean Shores Washington for a little kite flying

Like · Reply · Message · May 3 at 8:12am

 

Judy McWhite Pitts Anywhere on a sailboat. Nothing quite like being out there with the wind filling the sails. Absolutely the best!

Like · Reply · Message · May 2 at 9:04pm

 

April Smith Ciolek Michigan. Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.

Like · Reply · Message · 1 · May 2 at 9:33pm

 

Kathy Richardson Looooooove Rhode Island ocean

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Michelle Prohoroff Jerome, AZ.

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My nana, Mary Kathleen, was orphaned at the age of four in Texas.

Her mother died a few weeks after my nana’s brother was born, of what they then called “blood poisoning.”

My nana’s father decided it would be best if he took off into the wild blue yonder after his wife’s death, rarely to be seen again by his abandoned children.

Mary Kathleen and her brother were shuttled from relative to relative and never felt, according to my mother, wanted. Her brother, tragically, ended up an alcoholic.

My nana met my grandpa, Thomas Cecil, one of eleven kids, a poor farm boy from Arkansas, fell in love, and got married. They had a lot in common, not all of it happy. My grandpa also lost his mother when he was about four years old. His father, a farmer and sheriff, married three times and outlived all of his wives. The eleven kids were his, hers, and theirs. There was love in that house but not much money.

In his early twenties, my grandpa, who had an eighth grade farm education, left Arkansas and headed to Los Angeles with a few brothers to build homes. They needed work, they did not want to eke out a living on a farm like their father, yanking up crops from an unforgiving earth, and they heard there was money to be made in LA. My nana left with him and the trek began.

My grandpa loved his wife and his daughter, my mother, Bette Jean, and he loved his grandkids. But, as I understand it from my mother, Grandpa had mellowed out considerably by the time his grandkids came along.

When he was a home builder in California, he was a tough, rough man who was not afraid of a full blown fight and letting his temper run around and amok when someone pushed the wrong button, or when the lumber he needed or the electrical wiring that had to be installed had not arrived on his building site.

My mother remembers my grandpa sitting down for dinner with her and her mother, white lace tablecloth ironed, silverware shiny, a properly laid table, and then getting up to take, or make, phone calls for work. “Excuse me please, Mary Kathleen,” he would say to my nana, quite calmly, as he refolded and placed his white napkin on the table.

My grandpa would then yell into the phone, swear, threaten to knock heads together, then slam the phone back into its cradle when he was done. He would sit back down at the table, place his white napkin over his lap, look at my nana across her fine, white, lace tablecloth, and say, “Mary Kathleen, this dinner is delicious,” as polite as could be.

My nana would then continue the conversation as if her husband had not just gotten up and set the phone lines on fire with his temper.

Nana might have grown up poor, but she had gentle southern manners that never failed, no matter what the situation, even when her husband got up and cursed like the devil during dinner after they had said grace and thanked God for their bounty, through Christ our Lord, amen.

Nana was a polite steel magnolia.

But the steel magnolia had a favorite saying when it was someone’s birthday that might have been outside of that polite realm. She would happily add candles to the birthday cake, counting them off as they were squished into the icing: One candle for health, one for wealth, one for happiness, and one for sex.

As most of you know, the original birthday candle saying is “one for health, wealth, happiness, and success.”

Somehow my sweet nana had missed that part and thought the wish was not for success but for sex.

When I was a teenager I remember her counting off my birthday candles as she dropped them into my cake, “Here, dear. One for health, wealth, happiness, and sex.”

This wish for sex, especially coming from my gracious nana, was pretty darn funny. As a gawky teenager with looks only a mother could love, I could only hope that one day I would have sex with a handsome man but it seemed like a remote impossibility at the time.

That my Nana wished for it for me seemed like a good omen. Maybe it would happen one day!

When I light candles on birthday cakes, I often laugh and think of my nana. It was a difficult life she led in so many ways, but she always kept her elegance, her manners, her integrity, and truly wished everyone only the best – health, wealth, happiness, and sex.

Wishing you the same.

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I use at least four or five journals per novel.

Within the white pages I write and scribble, daydream and draw, make lists and plans and tell myself to quit whining and start writing.

I’ll write down random, jumpy thoughts and things that make me laugh.

I’ll sketch out characters and plots and subplots and the most ridiculous things.

The more problems I’m having with a book, the more journals there are.

When I’m stuck in my writing and don’t know where to go, I journal.

When I’m grinding through a twisty scene that makes my cranium crazy or I don’t know how to make it funnier, sharper, more poignant or tearful, I journal.

When I don’t know who an elusive character is or if I should kill him off because he baffles me, I journal.

I’ll let my brain go and hope that something creative falls out of it that I can use in my book.

One thing I love doing is cutting out magazine/newspaper pictures that inspire me or relate to the plot I’m working on or are just flat out interesting.

These are a few photos from my first, of many, journals for my novel, My Very Best Friend. All the photos and pictures were inspiring in some way. Some ended up, in some form, in the book, others never did.

Happy reading, happy writing, happy day to you. And if you don’t journal, try it. You might like it.

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Writing a book? Do you like listening to authors talk and laugh about writing?

Come and join Karen Karbo, Ellen Urbani, Rene Denfeld and me as we talk about strong, flawed, wild, adorable, rebellious, opinionated, quiet, angry, smart, imperfect female characters at the book store, “Another Read Through,” in Portland, Oregon, this Saturday from 1:30 to 3:00. (Free, of course!)

Strong Female Characters

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