Sometimes it is a person who can listen more than they talk and for some people that’s a pet.But my experience as a pet owner has me believing otherwise.Ruth a jack-a-poo had selective hearing, she could hear me eat a marshmallow and appear within an instant, but if I said, “Want to go for a walk and hear about my day?”The dog disappeared and even the sound of additional marshmallows being eaten couldn't coax her from her hiding spot.So, sometimes a good friend is just someone who is willing to hang out with you.
June 8, 2011
What makes you miserable?
Gossiping, no good ever comes from telling another person about someone else’s flaws or short comings.I love to hear stories and I love to tell stories, but when the main point of the story is show another person in a negative light, or to feel better about yourself, or to gain favor with the listener … it’s wrong – unless of course it’s fiction.
My story… I listed my house on March 7, 2011, received a purchase agreement on March 31st for $5,000 less than my list price and I closed on May 26, 2011.
Of course I de-cluttered my home, painted the walls and removed personal items…interviewed 4 real estate agents and went with the one who offered the most free stuff: home warranty, professional stagger and professional photographer.
I listed my house for sale using the price listed on my 2011 Property Tax Statement, $155,000.
I buried St. Joseph in the front yard. St. Joseph is a Catholic Saint and the story goes if you bury him in your yard, say a pray and have faith, St. Joseph will sell your home.
I also said a pray to St. Anthony who is the patron saint of lost or stolen items. In the past whenever an item is missing I say, “Tony, Tony, turn around and help me find __________it lost and can’t be found.” Sure enough the item appears. So, I asked Tony to help me find the lost buyer.
And lastly I placed “For Sale” signs on my vision board. Ten years ago I took a ‘one day’ management class where the teacher spoke of vision boards and how if you have a “vision” and add “Passion” you would create a realty…not sure what vision boards had to do with management but I’ve been using vision boards for the past ten years and I believe they work just like prayers to St. Joseph and St. Anthony.
But the reason I started blogging… was not just because I have a new story coming out…”Looking for Henrietta” which will soon be released by The Wild Rose Press…
I received a great gift from my good friend Joe, a five year journal with 365 questions…
So, it is here that I begin:
June 8, 2011 What makes you miserable? Gossiping, no good ever comes from telling another person about someone else’s flaws or short comings. I love to hear stories and I love to tell stories, but when the main point of the story is to show another person in a negative light, or to feel better about yourself, or to gain favor with the listener … it’s wrong – unless of course it’s fiction. All is fair in fiction.
Busy...tonight I buried St. Joseph and I have faith that he will sell my house. But what I have started contemplating is...Do you think St. Joseph will work on selling stories?
I'm so thrilled to announce - The Perfect Country and Western Story is a finalist for the Booksellers' Best Award.
The judges are booksellers and librarians and the contest is sponsored by the Greater Detroit chapter. In July the winners will be announced at the RWA (Romance Writers of America) National Conference in Orlando.
What fun it is to see other Midwest Fiction Writers: Helen Brenna and Ann Hinnenkamp Congrats to Everyone!
TRADITIONAL
Helen Brenna From The Outside
Lucy Gordon Italian Tycoon, Secret Son
Fiona Harper Invitation to the Boss's Ball
Glynna Kaye Dreaming Of Home
Joselyn Vaughn CEO's Don't Cry
SHORT CONTEMPORARY
Christine Columbus The Perfect Country and Western Story
So, after much research and indecision…I decided on purchasing a car. I don’t know why it is – some decisions are so easy – after 27 years at the gas company – I walked away with no regrets…giving my favorite car to my son…no big deal… Purchasing a Car…Tough. I test drove 27 cars… and No I don’t love my new vehicle… it’s more like a marriage of convenience. I needed a car… and I thought this one will work…no fireworks in the sky, no thrill, just an okay – I will take you home.
I really thought I’d find a car that thrilled me… I wanted to find a car that made a statement about who I am. Instead I got a car that says…who I’m not.
The Perfect Country And Western Story Review by Melinda from Night Owl Reviews on May 4, 2010.
Alexandra is ready for a second chance. Not just any second chance but one that will change her life forever. She’s changed from head to toe and in and out. Everybody has known her as grease monkey Alex always under the hood of a car except this time she is in for a big surprise. She’s tired of always being a third wheel and wants true love in her life. Her mother always believed good things would happen for her. Imagine her surprise when a cowboy hat and Toby Keith brings her a true prince in the form of Ben. Well at least she thought he was a prince. Meeting him again backfires on her and instead of finding happily ever after she is dodging people’s looks of thievery. Everyone is accusing her of thievery, which is not true yet she is determined to prove to Ben that her love is real. Can she change his mind that what they shared before is real and not fake like everyone thinks it is?
Ben found real love last summer at least he thought it was love. He never expected that the woman of his dreams would steal his Toby Keith signed hat. One minute he saw a future with her then he saw hatred. A beautiful woman like Alexandra bewitched him like no other woman yet he is confused. He knows she is unlike any woman he has known but something about her speaks of a second chance. Each time he sees her Ben remembers the passion he shared with her. The couple of days he shared with her proved that no other woman can compare to her. Is he crazy to give Alex a second chance? Is there more to the theft?
The Perfect Country and Western Story is truly a romantic story of two people getting second chances in an unusual way. Two people who only had one summer to get together find out that it is a summer of unforgettable memories. Alex has waited all summer to get her man and won’t let anything stand in her way. I liked that Ben had all these doubts all year long and when he sees Alex the chemistry explodes between them. I loved it. Great job to Christine for showing a reader that everybody deserves a second chance and Alex is definitely one woman who deserves all the love she can get.
Although the last time I blogged was March 21st. and the last time I wrote was March 31st.
It’s Not a Mid-Life Crisis – although I did celebrate a birthday and I turned 51.
It’s Not Spring Fever…Although for the first time ever – Minnesota experienced a March with no snow.
It’s Not Lack of Time – I still have 24 hours in a day and my kids are no longer living at home.
No the only explanation I can find is … Parker’s Butt.
After 40 hours of sitting behind a computer and answering the phone, “Manager’s Office, Christine speaking,” I find the idea of sitting down distasteful. And when given a moment a free time, I hoola hoop, go to Pilates, pluck dandelions, go for long walks and occasionally do enough laundry to get me through another 40 hours of “Manager’s Office, Christine speaking.”
I even paid to have my Aura read, hoping to discover a cure for Parker’s Butt – but the only thing I learned was I’m yellow – very creative…but low on energy – which is the number one symptom of Parker’s Butt.
Now this isn’t the first time I experience Parker’s Butt – a long, long time ago I had a husband and he took one look at me and said, “You know what your problem is?”
Being Young and Naïve, I shook my head, opened my eyes wider and waited for enlightenment.
He voice was steady and sure. “You are afraid of success.”
For many years I thought that I had a strange defect and that I was afraid of succeeding…until the day I realized … I wasn’t afraid of success and I wasn’t afraid of rejection. I wrote and I submitted a number of writing projects – some were accepted and some were not.
Now a person who is afraid of success – would stick all of their writing in a drawer – or on an external hard drive…but not me I was submitting my work – clearly I was not afraid of success…
If my ex-husband had any insight fifteen years ago he would have said, “Honey, the only thing wrong with you…is a little Parker’s Butt.”
If I could park my butt down in a chair – I could write.
So, first thing tomorrow, I’m going to start looking for a cure for Parker’s Butt.
Tonight’s blog was accomplished with the following aids… Big Bowl of Popcorn and Little Glass of Wine.
Tomorrow, I might try Big Glass of Wine and Little Bowl of Popcorn…
Stayed tuned to see how this author cures her Parker’s Butt.
Melinda said, “This is one that will enchant you. I loved that Michelle was an average middle-aged woman who has dealt with divorce and betrayal yet still is strong throughout the whole ordeal. This book definitely keeps your attention and I enjoyed the suspense of waiting to find out who gets Michelle’s heart…the new guy or the old guy. Loved it. “
Tootin’ Cowboys Ingredients • 2 cups uncooked wagon wheel pasta • 1 (15 ounce) can chili with beans • 1 can black beans, rinsed • 1 small can of corn, drained • 1 can tomato soup • Shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the chili, tomato soup, rinsed black beans, and drained corn. Mix well; heat through. Drain and rinse pasta; stir into chili. Garnish with cheese if desired.
On Saturday, I spoke about the Journey of The Perfect Country and Western Story from an idea to the novel. The audience was fellow authors at Midwest Fiction. One of the things that I surprised me – besides how long an hour can be when you are standing in front of a crowd.
“I Can Do That…”
I was explaining that my diverse publishing credits come from my “I Can Do That…” If I’m at a Craft Fair and I see something I like – instead of purchasing the item, I always think or say…I could make that.
When I see a posting and someone is looking for Flash Fiction, Poetry, Prose, Romance or Children story. My first reaction is…I Could Write That… and I generally do…
My Latest – I Can Do That… my daughter wanted a Snuggle Blanket… and of course I didn’t buy one… Because I Can Make One – Can’t be too hard.
GREAT READ!, March 7, 2010 *** Posted On Amazon***
"Stacy Dawn" Canada
What a great read! Along with a wonderfully romantic story, there was a fun, underlying use of song references...and I don't just mean by title. I highly recommend this book to any romance lover...or country music lover for that matter!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 The Perfect Country and Western Story by Christine Columbus
T Rating: 5 Diamonds Heat Level: Sensual Reviewer: Starla Kaye Date: 2-18-09 Alexandra found the love of her life at a music fest a year ago and lost him the same day. A family tragedy tore her away from the event while he’d gone to bring friends back to meet her. Leaving so unexpectedly, she took with her a Stetson autographed by Toby Keith that he’d temporarily had her hold. Guilt has weighed heavily on her as much as her longing to see him again at this year’s event. If he comes…if she can find him in a crowd of 50,000…if he’ll forgive her for leaving with his prized hat. So many ifs. Ben thought he’d found ‘The One’ a year ago, but evidently he’d been wrong. He’d left her alone for a few minutes at the fest and when he’d returned, she was gone, along with a prized hat he’d intended to give to his disabled younger brother. And he hadn’t even gotten her name. All he could hope for was that she’d come to this year’s fest, with his hat. He was no longer interested in anything more from her.
But love can be a complicated thing. It can twist a person’s emotions around and make them be stubborn at times. And yet sometimes it finds a way to bring people back together. If you enjoy second chance at love stories as much as I do, then this book is for you. Posted by GOT EROTIC ROMANCE? at 5:59 PM Labels: Christine Columbus, Starla Kaye, The Perfect Country and Western Story, The Wild Rose Press
My book signing on Saturday was a lot of fun and a learning experience. I wish I would have told the local paper that I was going to be signing books and that I had given more thought to creating poster/signs outside of the gallery.
It was great to see everyone, the turn out was good. I had the response I've had to The Perfect Country and Western Story - has all been positive.
A big thanks to everyone who showed up on Saturday, I appreciate your support and next Friday on the 19th - I will be signing books at the Elks 44nClub in Brooklyn Park.
February 13...I'll be at the Robbin Gallery 4915 42nd Ave N., Robbinsdale, MN 55422 (
Signing books from 1 to 3 pm...
If you're in the neighborhood stop by and say, "Hi."
The Robbin Art Gallery is located two blocks east of Highway 100 on 42nd Avenue North in the Robbinsdale Historic Library Building. Look to your right for a high wooden privacy fence, then a beautiful brick library just before the railroad tracks. Turn RIGHT before the railroad tracks and park on the side street.
