Halloween Retreat

Trick is the treat

treats that eat teeth

Right now, it can't be beat

Halloween treats to eat.

Poem & photo (c) Mary Nida Smith

My world keeps spinning. I never know how the day will end by sunset.

Early Spring I changed my studio and guest room to be able to be more productive.
Plus, I wanted to be able to do some drawing and painting that I hadn’t been able to accomplish since moving here. So the guest room became my arts & craft room.

In my studio I added an area for guest to sit to talk about writing and illustrating.

Soon both rooms needed to be slowly revamped again. I didn’t mind for it was for a love one’s upcoming visit. The room still worked for me. I became excited as I started drawing and designing posters for one of my writers’ groups.

But it wasn’t to be. It was to change for my son that I love dearly. I have been concerned about him after he lost his job and his health was failing. He had made plans to move from out West to our home. So, everything in the guest room and bath was removed. I do love having him live here.

My studio and two-car garage became storage rooms. We had three to four yardsales, placed ads in newspapers and gave items away. It was quiet for a few days. Then the bottom fell out for there was water damage in both bathrooms. I have always been the one who has to take care of any problems. I had to hire plumbers, carpenters and vinyl layers. After three weeks that was under control.

Thank goodness for writers & authors on my blog rolls who kept me inspiration to write when time permitted.

I am involved in as some people would say, “too many thing.” But, I have been able to eliminate one. I removed myself from the Ozark Regional Arts Council board. I hated to, for I hadn’t been involved very long and I believe in what they are doing.

I have been involved with our library since we moved here in 1998. It was very busy before and after we opened up our new Donald W. Reynolds Library. It was all worth while. Both writers groups, Twin Lakes Writers (1998) and North Central Children’s Writers & Illustrators (June 2019) I founded and I am the president meet there each month.

I am our church historian and photographer. Trunk & Treat is coming where I take pictures of every costumed person. Plus, I sing in the choir which means I have choir practice.

I try to post regular on my blogs for it is important to me to connect with other writers.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR WRITERS: Read blog: Writing and Illustrating. Kathy Temean provides daily information to help writers & illustrators. Today's post "Revising Your Book? Check This." http://kathytemean.wordpress.com

Speaking Engagements: Mary Nida Smith is a freelance writer,
author, founder and president of Twin Lakes Writers, founder and
president of North Central Children’s Writers & Illustrators, a
member of Ozarks Writers League and Missouri Writers Guild.

She wanted to promote herself as a writer and her first book.
After a lot of research she started with a website and found it too
difficult to manage. After learning that authors, businesses and other
important people were blogging and receiving attention she discovered
information about different free blog sites. She choose Blogger.com.
At Blogger.com she created “Life’s Beautiful Path” to promote
herself as a writer. This is a wonderful advertising tool.

The second blog was titled after
her new book “Submarine Stories of World War II.”
Mary will share how important a blog is and what an exciting adventure
it has taken her on connecting with people with the same interest. And
where “Story House Productions” came to her for information about a
series they had in the planning stage for the Discovery Channel.
She has created blogs for different interest: Writing, crafts & recycling,
and workshops, and has published articles on the subject of blogging.

The White River Writers will meet the third Tuesday of each month from 10 to noon. A guest speaker every three months. The meetings are Oct. 19 and Nov. 16 in the Annex behind the main Citizens Bank in Batesville. Turn right on Harrison St. The bank is about one mile down the road, on the right. For information call 870-283-3245 Earl Belcher junie.bell123@gmail.com

Twin Lakes Writers had 21 writers at our Saturday's meeting. So many styles of writing. What a fun group. We missed some of our regular members that couldn't be there.

Check out Ozark Writers League member Mike McArthy. He is a promoter and nice guy who takes great photos.
*The title of the episode is Exploring The Ozarks: A Photographic Journey.
It's a 30 minute show and airs on Ozarks Public Television (OPT), stations KOZK channel 21 in Springfield, and KOZJ channel 26 in Joplin.
Sunday, Oct. 24th, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25th, 10:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3rd, 1:30 p.m.
Check out his book about mills and other items at http://www.photozarks.com

TWIN LAKES WRITERS MEET SATURDAY 16, 1-3 P.M., AT THE DONALD W. REYNOLDS LIBRARY IN MOUNTAIN HOME, AR.

Donald W. Reynolds Library Dedication October 9, 2010. This day was my walk in the world of dreams. It started when I attended the Champagne Brunch at 9:30 a.m., followed with the tear stained dedication.My name is listed in the dedication booklet with the golden tassel under board members of the Friends of the Library.

Afterwards I wandered down to the children's library where I met Kim Doner, children's author & illustrator. Kim and her husband are wonderful. I took a lot of photos. She painted the wildlife mural on a corner wall.

I spent all day at the library & art gallery meeting and photographing some of the artist and more. I came around a corner where I ran into Governor Mike Beebe and his bodyguard. He shook my hand while I thanked him for coming. It was a warm (from shaking hands) firm hand shake that he delivered with a broad smile as his blue eyes sparkled.

I will share more, much more later for I spent all day at the library. Oh, how I hated to leave for I didn't want to wake-up and learn that I had been dreaming. I have been blessed to be a part of all this.

MY WORLD:
Saturday October 2. North Central Children’s Writers & illustrators had their meeting. We were few in numbers but we read & critique manuscripts, discussed illustrating and writing a picture book and how to form your own publishing company. At the last meeting Lonnie had handed out a few sentences stating telling and we were to rewrite each one showing. We took them home, rewrote the sentences to get the attention of the reader. Show don’t tell - in learning how to write interesting stories. Our group was formed four months ago. It has been fun and interesting.

Oct 3, Church, choir practice and I took photos for the church of our guest, “New Destiny,” singing family from Mississippi. http://newdestinygospelsingers.com/ The children are so young with powerful voices. We enjoyed them and their music.

Oct 4&5, work is still being done in both bathrooms. They worked on it last week also. We had water damage and hopefully it will be finished by next week.

Oct 9th is the opening of our new library. The Donor Celebration – Champagne Brunch – 9:30 a.m. Invitation only, followed by the Dedication Ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

As the historian & photographer for our church I am continually taking pictures, so I need to get it updated before Halloween “Trunk & Treat” where I take a lot of pictures. Last year I placed them on a CD & the pastor placed them on a DVD with music. It was fun.

I squeeze in my writing. I must not complain for I know writers that were unable to do this and they had to give it up. It makes me sad when I see/hear writers or artist having to quit because of the demands on their time. I know how hard it is for I no longer draw or paint. I have always loved to draw.

Ozarks Writers & Illustrators for Children meet Saturday in Springfield, Missouri http://www.OWAIC.org