HALLOWEEN IN THE WOODLAND GARDEN
(c) All photographs copyrighted by Mary Nida Smith

Children's Story contest associated with the book and movie "The Help" was won by Darcy Pattison. Her story was tiled "11 Ways to Ruin a Photograph." To read more click on http://11waystoruinaphotograph.com and http://susieyakowiez.suite101.com/the-help-movie-inspires-new-childrens-story-contest-a382884 Suite101.com Don't forget Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., on PBS.

CHECK OUT MY NEW BLOG: http://marynidasmithbooks.blogspot.com

It is a beautiful time of the year to enjoy and take photos. The landscapes colorful display is brighter and fuller this year. I did a lot of mess-ups yesterday trying to create my blog to promote my published & unplublished books/big and small. I am now following and talking to three Gray Treefrogs hanging around my house.

Did anyone see author Darcy Pattison last Friday night on PBS "On the Same Page?" She was wonderful. Her lastest book is "Prairie Storms" from Sylvan Dell Publishing. She will be on again this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss it! Darcy started the first SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrator) in Arkansas.

Don't forget OWAIC (Ozarks Writers and Illustrators for Children) will hold their meeting
in Springfield,MO.

Kim Crow Sheaner, Community Outreach Coordinator for Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home , Arkansas did a great job taking a picture of the Friends of the Library officers. It was on KTLO.com, k26tv.com, and in The Baxter Bulletin newspaper.

I picked up my books today: Ozarks Sunrises: photos & free verse poetry - A small gift book to be given for all occasions. This was something I could accomplish using one hand after I had surgery May 13th on my broken arm. It was a bad break that can take up to a year to heal. I still may need to have another pin put in. But, I am pushing forward.

Now, I need to create that new blog I had mentioned before just for my books, I have published and I am working on. I will share my mistakes and my progress. I'll place the price of my gift book and where to purchase it. I haven't figured what I will charge yet. We all need encouragement. When I need it a writer or illustrator will call or email me, and I will be encouraged to keep doing what I love to do, and to share with others.

Deer grazing in my woodland garden

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FREEDOM LIMITED

© By Mary Nida Smith

In zoos

animals

run free

behind fences.

Antelopes

on open range

no longer roam.

Deer run free

in restricted forest.

Buffalo roam free

not near ranches

where cattle feed.

Wolves run free.

All the people said,

not by me

Poll: 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Poet, Adult