The design is created by Judy Hand- Judy Hand Painting Studio http://www.judyhand.com/ and published on a card by Barrington Studios Limited http://www.barringtonstudioslid.com/. If you are interested in submitting art work or verse check the information on back of greeting cards and go to their websites for submission guidelines.

Dear readers,
Farewell, the sunshine and the light of days are growing dim, darkness is coming. This is the time to slow down, go on hold – watch and wait. This I will do – for I will not be writing on my blogs and website which I haven’t been able to conquer. If by some miracle, I will return in a few weeks.
Thank you for dropping in. I do wish each and everyone a blessed and prosperous New Year 2009.

“For a long time now I have tried simply to write the best I can. Sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.” Ernest Hemingway.

P.S. In the meantime I will leave some suggested websites and information for you to check out when you have time – Once upon a time http://www.onceuponatimemag.com/.

JB Cheaney http://www.jbcheaney.com/, Louise Jackson http://www.louisejackson.net/ ( both write books for teens)and Judy Young at http://www.judyyoungpoetry.com/ (Children’s Book author and poet), are three authors belonging to SCBWI Springfield, Missouri Writers who meet the first Saturday of each month in the Story Room at The Library Station starting at 9 a.m., for information get in touch with Naomi Shaw providencepark@wildblue.net..

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent http://www.dorothyhinshawpatent.com/ a nature writer for children who writes from the beautiful area of Missoula, Montana, Eric Pinder http://www.ericpinder.com/ who lives in New Hampshire, Bethany Roberts http://www.bethanyroberts.com, Jan Brett http://www.janbrett.com/ author and illustrator, Gail Gibbons http://www.gailgibbons.com/ a non-fiction writer and illustrator and Nancy I. Sanders http://www.nancyisanders.com/ who has published a book, Christians Dealing with Depression.

I will be attending Authors' Day book sale and signing with 18 other authors at the Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday December 7th.

Thanksgiving Blessings are not only one day a year,

they are every day of the year. Give thanks to God

for our daily freedoms and joys of family and friendships.

Photo (c) by Mary Nida Smith

Wildlife in my world: Redheaded woodpeckers, spiders, deer and humming birds.

The days are rushing toward next month as I continue to make changes in my lifestyle. Day’s pop-up as I look over my list of things to do. Each day the plans take small detours. Some are a welcome surprise to move me in new directions in 2009 and others detain my daily chores from being productive.

The Redheaded woodpeckers have returned from up North. They and a squirrel delighted me with special photo opportunities. They seem to know I had left my camera in the car. Yesterday, I didn’t leave it, so a couple of big does posed for me.

People are complaining we have too many deer in this area. Just a couple of weeks ago before deer hunting season, people were asking, “Where are all the deer?”
This is what I have observe - Deer go into hiding after rutting season, come out in May and June after the fawns are born to fatten up and teach the fawns how to survive. Hunting season will drive the deer in around homes hoping for protection from being shot. After hunting season they disappear, except if someone is feeding them corn.

Yesterday, the little chippy that lives under the deck was standing looking in the patio window. I had brought in the potted plants where it had planted sunflower seeds. They are growing in every pot. I think it was trying to figure why it couldn't reach them.

The woodpeckers and other birds have been staying away. The suet wasn't touched so we come to the conclusion the last patch of suet was bad. We’ll have to try another store and hope it has good suet. Leaving food out for the hummers into November will help a youngster that wasn’t ready to fly south to grow and follow in a couple of days, or provide food for one traveling through.

In the garage I killed a large spider with two white dots on its back. I looked at a lot of photos on different websites, but I have been unable to identify it. There must be a million species. Spiders frighten me, yet I love to watch, photograph and identify them.

Velda Brotherton www.veldabrotherton.com
http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com
velda-brotherton.blogspot.com
Documentary: http://vimeo.com/354804
FLY WITH THE MOURNING DOVE 3/07IMAGES IN SCARLET 1/08

If you love to write and you have been doing it for a few years, but you feel discouraged and maybe, thinking of giving up because you feel like you are spinning your wheels and going no where, read Velda Brotherton's blog http://vbrotherton.blogspot.com. Now, don't give up reading her website and blogs for you will find new energy to continue your writing. What a lady! I have known Velda for over 12 years. I keep wondering where does she get all that strength and encouragement.

Children's Writers check out Children's Book Council at http://www.cbcbooks.org/, JacketFlap http://www.jackflap.com/, The Children's Book Council http://www.cbcbooks.org/ and the many Independent Booksellers websites. Check these sites and the different SCBWI chapters sites to keep updated and inspired.

Lynn Carney is honored to announce her short story, THE SHORES OF OBLIVION (VOICES, High Hill Press May '08) is nominated for a Pushcart Prize, the most honored literary award in America.

Over 260 judges are considering nominations, including Joyce Carol Oates, one of my favorites - whew! It's an honor to any writer just to be nominated, and I want to thank Delois McGrew and Lou Turner, editors of VOICES, for compiling such a beautiful anthology and for giving me this opportunity. I am so very proud of VOICES - from the cover to cover it's a lovely, lovely anthology. So many great stories from remarkable authors and editors. http://lynncarney.com/

Happy Hallween -

Photo taken in the Woodland Garden 06

Copyrighted (c) by Mary Nida Smith

Nov 1st SCBWI meeting in the Story Room at the Library Station, Springfield, Missouri. The meeting starts at 9am , followed with a critique session. The program "Let's Get Organized" from idea to the finished manuscript will be presented by Beverly Crandell. For more information email Naomi Shaw at providencepark@wildblue.net.

Mary-Lane Kamberg has a new book released by Crickhollow Books http://www.crickhollowbooks.com The title is The I love to Write Book: Ideas & Tips for Young Writers. Mary is a very busy writer of 14 books. She lives in Olathe, Kansas and is a member of the Missouri Writers Guild and the Kansas City Writers Group.

Blog and website protection. I have been checking out different sources that will help protect my writings and photographs, along with the regular copyright (c). I am learning about Creative Commons and Copyscape.

Also, for something new and interesting to help me in upcoming years, I am checking out different digital voice recorders that will easily convert the recorded material into text.

A large flock of vultures have roosted in our nearby woods. As I look up, all I can see is large black silhouettes. They arrive in Fall and leave in Spring. They leave during the day to search for food around 9 am and return a few at a time between 4&5 pm, until the tree tops are darken with large black specks. They are interesting to watch in flight.

This view over my Woodland Garden gate was taken last fall when color was breathe taking. This year the leaves decided to fall quickly so we could use them to mulch the plants with a warm blanket for an early winter. Color is about a month early. Spring came a month early this year, so that throws the regular balance of the seasons off. Enjoy the moments we are blessed with in small things that add to our joys of living.

Autumn leaves are falling like snowflakes in a blizzard snow storm. The trees will carry patches of color, but the hillsides will not be picturesque. My Woodland Garden is quickly depicting a neglected garden. I will evaluate my garden and studio work preparing the changes that will bring color to the garden and new writing projects when the sign of rebirth arrives in 2009.

I am searching for new websites and blogs to inspire me as I read to be informed and encouraged. I love this one of Lynn Carney http://www.lynncarney.com It is beautifully designed and informative.

I have been busy promoting my book, Submarine Stories of World War II, and being involved with submarine organizations and keeping my military blog updated.

Saturday, October 11, the Submarine Veterans Inc, Twin Lakes Base, had a breakfast to raise money. I was involved as a wife of a member and associate member.

The Twin Lakes Base meeting is October 28th at the Elks.
Oct 31-Nov 2 I will be attending the Arkansas Submarine Veterans WWII, Diamond Chapter gathering at Eureka Springs, AR.
The month of November the Twin Lakes Base will have a display of submarine memorabilia at the Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR.
November 26, 1:30 pm, Commander Wayne Kirk Smith, and Mary Nida Smith will be the speakers at the meeting of the Friends of the Library.
Sunday, December 7, 2:00-4:00 pm, I will be one of the authors at the library’s Books Sale & Signing Event.
Naperville, Illinois is next on the agenda to see family and check out Anderson's Bookstore.

Happy 3rd birthday Coco Chanel. Go to http://missyandcocosblog.blogspot.com/ to see Coco wearing her birthday hat and eating her fancy cake.

Do you like to read Ozarks history check out Larry Wood's new blog
http://ozarks-history.blogspot.com

Picture book manuscripts (15), 4 poems and one published book
I am the author of SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II ages ten and up-published November 2007.
NO ONE WANTED ME –DACHSHUND: THE COMEBACK DACHIE (with an editor) Outline for a series of six based on facts.
POLLY WANTS A CRACKER – not just any old cracker. What kind of cracker does Polly want? Does she get her cracker? (With an editor)
THE DAY IT SNOWED
SHADOW FRIENDS
BARN CAT
COUNTING FLOWERS – all four poems are with a children’s magazine editor.
BODOOM AND SCOOTER AND THE WILD TAIL - a story of two squirrel brothers, one with an uncontrollable tail.
TRAIL OF FEARS – a series of four about nature and the environment experience by a deer family - Each book will be based on a blizzard, suburban sprawl, a flash flood and the Yellowstone fire.
THE BATTLE OF THE SEA SERPENT AND HIS PIRATE FRIEND - The battle takes place at sea where they interact with what lives in the sea and above the sea.
JIMMY’S BUBBLEGUM TOOTH – Jimmy tries to keep his older sister from pulling his tooth. The questions are, will she get the chance to pull his tooth, what schemes will she pull, will the tooth fairy ever get that tooth or will it be lost?
TWO NAUGHTY PUPPIES AND THAT CAT – Two puppy brothers were jealous of the cat that lived in the house with them and their masters. They wanted that cat out of their sight. Who wins this fight of removal or do they become friends?
WHAT WOULD CHRISTMAS BE WITHOUT A TREE - is about a two children who’s mother is divorce, they move far away to a small town where they know no one and are very poor.
TOY BEAR CIRCUS BEAR – a story of a little girl and her best friend who wanted to become a circus bear, but he would have to leave her.
RAT ATTACK – a silly, funny rhyming story about an unwelcome visitor
BUCK THE COME BACK HORSE – a story of a large farm family and their beloved horse.
BARN WITCHES AND ODD FRIENDS – At Halloween odd things happen in an old neighborhood barn. Who are the creatures in the barn and how do the neighborhood kids act toward them.
MARSH CATTAILS: The Seasons of the Cattails. A non-fiction nature/environment
SQUEAKY’S ADVENTURE – a mouse wanders away from home where it meets up with a very hungry crocodile.
CHEEZIE DENISE – Denise is a little girl who loves cheese. One day she had too much cheese and then something strange happened.

I finished two craft books with photographs and drawings for adults.
I photograph, do research on different subjects such as insects, fungi, animals and plants.
I love to explore my Woodland Garden and experience outdoor adventures.

Missouri Writers Guild newsletter published my article that is also on their website, BLOGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT http://www.missouriwritersguild.org/.

The Mountaineer Echo published my article, BULL SHOALS (BS) ART CLUB IS GROWING, Thursday, October 2, 2008.

Blog Warning, photography, writers beware, warning on print cartridge.
Warning to all bloggers who put up too many photos, blog columns and another items on their blogs. It will turn a busy person away. Your blog may be filled with good information, but readers will not return if they feel they are wasting, writing time that is limited.

Don’t use flashers
Don’t add too many ads.
Don’t add advertisements that are dishonest
Don’t add large photos
Don’t add too many links

Be careful- do not bog down your blog.

Arkansas Outdoor Photographers Club (AOPC) http://www.arkphoto.org/
BatchPhoto – Powerful Watermarker Software
Free Stock Photos – U.S. Government Images Public Domain
What is copyright and how is it protected on the Internet? By Reinhardt Buys http://www.bizland.co.za/articles/legal/copyright.htm
Twin Lakes Computer Users Group http://www.tlcug.ark.org/

WRITERS BEWARE: http//accrispin.blogspot.com/
Preditors & Editors http://anotheralm.com/
Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) Literary Agents

WalMart notice on Lexmark color print cartridge: If this product is found for sale at a location other than WalMart please call …. This creates a problem when a person runs out of this cartridge and you need it now and you can’t find it at WalMart or anywhere else. No, you can’t get it refilled at Walgreens for it is considered defective. So much for trying to cut cost in a world where prices continue to rise; do other stores use these restriction on products and why?

Listening to our four-legged friends and teaching children to be kind. Many adults were not taught as children to be kind to animals - loving an animal when it appears you have no friends and you are very lonely, a pet will bring comfort.

A small independent publishing company is trying to teach children through their books. http://www.thegryphonpress.com

On this blog http://missyandcocosblog.blogspot.com Missy and Coco are sharing their relationship and important information. September 23, is a special day for the owner of this blog, it is her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA ANN (Missy).

Favorite play areas as a kid: Country life, growing up on a farm while dreaming of far away places, dreaming of living the city life. I did get my chance to live the city life, well, it was small towns close to big cities. But, wherever I have lived the county girl still shows through. Being from a large farm family I was raised to share, be happy, budget, grow your own food, restore, and waste not was instilled in me and it never went away. I still love to explore creeks, play in the woods where I discover woodland friends and mysterious surprises. Barns were places that were one big play ground – fun and scary. Today, many weathered old barns stand alone uncared for, yet, are inviting as a building of mystery where bats, barn owls and other creatures have taken up residency.

This week I have been playing in the woods – my Woodland Garden. This year's storms with heavy rain and wind have changed my woods. Open spaces have entered creating a feeling I am being watched by neighbors. The wildlife, don’t visit as often – no place to hide. Oh, yes I still have lots of trees and rocks, but it will be something we’ll all have to grow into. I spent a couple of days, trimming, raking and burning. And I have more to do on my next visit.

Persimmons are falling in all shades of green, yellow, red and purple. The deer and raccoons love them. The mulberries, wild cherries, elderberries, service berries have come and went. There is still a few sassafras and dogwood berries, plus mushrooms to feed on.

The Woodland Garden has supplied many, many photo taking opportunities. Every time, I enter the garden my camera and I do a walk through looking for treasures that are framed and saved.

Check out GREEN PRINTS “The Weeder’s Digest” and WILDBIRD magazine at their website or blog.

Illustrators for children’s picture books: I have always been fascinated by different art forms. I have loved to draw since I was a young kid enjoying cartoons and funny books. Illustrations I have created by drawings, painting and using photographs. I have finished a 32 children’s picture book dummy, created posters, and art paintings of different styles. I still would love to do it. But, time is running out, so I am captivated with usages of digital photography and digital programs to create illustrations.

I am busy writing cover letters to go with my children’s book manuscripts, articles, and poems to be sent to publishers. Yes, I am still working on my military books for kids and a million (So, it seems) other writings. I am always busy, except when I am burned-out.

For people who are interested in creating digital illustrations check out, Photoshop, Adobe PhotoshopTM Corel Painter IX, Shutterfly (http//www.shutterfly.com) or Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006

Check out http://childrenillustrators,com/, click on style & medium gallery where you will discover all styles of art forms -3D-computer, 3D-conventional, digital, photo realistic, and retro and many more. Also, check out http://picture-book.com/ an advertise agency for illustrators, Digital Art by Tim Alt (http://www.digitalart.com/), and Richard Deverell, digital illustrator of children’s picture books (http://www.richarddeverell.com/).
Check out digital children’s books “Maggie Tales MT” http://www.maggietales.com/, a look into the future of children's books.

I love this music – Computer Animated Music at http://www.animmusic.com/. They have sold 500,000 copies. First of all, I love Wes Bensching's wonderfully crafted music.

Bull Shoals Historical Society Meeting Monday, September 15th at Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church in Bull Shoals, AR at 3:00 P.m. Guest speaker will be Mary Nida Smith sharing stories from her book, SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II.

Dachshund, Baby Girl as a young girl in the Mulberry tree. The trunk behind her and the one she is standing on were the trunks which had to be removed after the last storm. Oh, she love to go where tall people said her short legs shouldn't go. She has a children's picture book manuscript at a publishing company, and she is writing more stories.

Website: http://marynidasmith.homestead.com update