Gardening, Library, Storm, Ideas for Writing and Blogging:
Baxter County Master Gardeners Seminar will be in a couple of weeks; check it out on their website http://www.baxtercountymg.org/. I plan on attending to learn how gardeners will be renewing their damaged gardens. I don’t recognize my garden. I and the wildlife feel so exposed in our surroundings – no place to hide, ponder or frolic.

March 6, 10:30 am – Please be at the groundbreaking ceremony for our new Donald W. Reynolds Public Library at 300 Library Hill back of ASU Mountain Home. I’ll be there to help serve coffee. As a member of the “Friends of the Library,” I am very excited. When I move (too often) to a new area the first places I look for are the library, newspaper office and bookstore. Library website: http://www.baxlib.org/

Every so often I click on the website of an area I have lived. I use to shop at the Air Force Base at Mountain Home, Idaho when I lived in Twin Falls, Idaho. Do you know they have an Arts Council, supporting their local creative people? Their website is http://www.mharts.org/. I wished our Mountain Home/Baxter County had one, where all creative people could be in one place sharing ideas.

http://onediasozarks.com/?page_id=592 is temporarily closed. Check back in a couple of days. You can register for the “Basics of Blogging Workshop” by emailing marynida@lakeviewnet.com. Send your $25 registration fee to Mary Nida Smith, 162 Stamford Drive, Lakeview, AR 72642. It will be $30 dollars at the door Saturday, March 7th. Thank You.

Baxter County will be picking up all our piled high storm debris. I figure by the time summer solstice provides warmer days filled with longer work days, the wasted wood will be gone. During the storm we were begging for wood for the unused fireplace. Joe, are neighbor kindly supplied us with wood. Larry Ofner kept us supplied with hot coffee. Thank you both, the electrical company and all the tree trimmers.

Life is a constant adventure usually blown in on the wing tips of the unpredictable weather. Before each storm our bodies were warmed by the southern winds, then entered the fast driven roar of the mighty north wind displaying its power over all. The warm rains angered the cold wild winds, causing a curse of heavy ice to pull down the trees to enclose us in a crypt of ice. It will be about two weeks before the roof can be repaired, the siding may not be able to be replaced (It will be about five weeks before we will know.), and the sunroom we are hoping for a solution with out removing it or a replacement. I have been trying to draw up plans so we can save the sunroom. I am not disheartened for there are so many others who have bigger concerns.

Stories ideas continue to form in the midst of each new adventure. I don’t understand when some writers will say to me, “Where do you fine ideas to write?” I say, “Look at your feet. Write down the different things about feet, shoes, shoe strings, and the list continues. The stories, articles or poetry can’t write itself, so start with a line and work up to a page. Maybe, you should start by writing a friend a letter telling her all the problems you are having with your feet and where all the wonderful places your feet can take you. Write, just write!

Baxter County Library is having a book sale February 19-20-21. Check out their website at http://www.baxlib.org/

Donna Volkenannt - check out my friend Donna's blog "Donna's Book Pub" at http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Rich Davis - Rich Davis & Deborah Edmonds, Children's Librarian

Baxter County Library February 7th, I attended the children’s program: Drawing with illustrator Rich Davis from Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The children loved every minute. Rich captured the children’s’ attention the moment he started. Rich worked several years at Day Springs Cards - designing cards.
Check his website: http://www.richdavis.freewebsspace.com/

I met Rich several years ago when I lived in Siloam Springs. We both attended a writers group that met at Rogers library and when I was President of Siloam Springs Artist Guild. Each year in March the guild and five Northwest art clubs were involved with Sager Creek Arts Center in organizing a competitive show at John Brown University. I loved Siloam Springs and the people, but my husband was looking for a bigger and clearer fishing lake.

I just finished my job as a contest coordinator for the Missouri Writers Guild Conference coming up in April. So many good writers! I am hoping to attend. Don’t forget Ozarks Writers League (OWL) Saturday the 14th, at the College of the Ozarks. Great group!

One of my favorite magazines is “Grit” magazine. Jan/Feb issue had a much needed article “Protect Yourself From Power Outages.” We all needed to read and employ the substance of this article before we had the last ice storm. Great articles, photos and covers. March/April issue articles: Spirit of the American Barn, A Tribute to Country Women, and Sweet, Sour and Savory Rhubarb, just to name a few. Don’t forget to read the humorous piece “The Ruminant Romp” by Barbara Westhoven (a writer friend of mine). When I visit with Barb she shares many funny stories of what is happening on their farm.

Check out the poster for the “Basics of Blogging Workshop” at Bel Arco.
For information http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com/ and http://onediasozarks.com/?page_id=592 I hope to see you there.

Woodland Garden and Ice Storm: I have returned from the world of ice and destruction. One day it was a beautiful crystallized landscape and the next few days it appeared as scenes from a horror movie. The demons were the ice and cold trying to destroy your mind and body.

A sad week for my Woodland Garden, where I escaped to enjoy being by myself and to watch the wildlife God created. My garden lot was for the unwanted wildlife held back from surrounded fences to enter to eat, drink, raise their young and entertain me. It was our woods.

Without trees and bushes to hide in and places to build homes will I loose my wildlife friends? I am sad for them and for me. The two woodpecker trees are untouched. Will they now become over crowded wildlife high-rise apartments? Can animals get along better than their human friends?

It will take weeks to cut, trim and remove all the debris. To keep safe from damaged limbs and trees during removal, I must remove what remains of garden items such as benches, chairs, statues and trellises.

When the garden is cleared and cleaned. I’ll have to take notes on what trees and bushes can be salvaged and where to start rebuilding. There are so many questions. I know my Woodland Garden I have loved for ten years will only be a memory created in many photos.
It was carved out of a wild overgrown wooded lot into a quiet refuge. Now, it must be re-created out of the ruins of an untamed freezing winter storm of January 2009. Above are the before and after photos. All my blogs have been updated - check them out.

Writers’ Conferences, Workshops, and Websites: Start checking writers’ groups websites early to have time to enter their contest and to prepare to attend your favorite conference or workshop.

January 28, The Friends of the Library meets at 1:30 p.m., at the Baxter County Library, Mountain Home. Please join us and watch our new library go up and forward.
February 21st Ozarks Writers League http://www.ozarkswritersleague.org
March 7 Bel Arco Writers Workshops will have a “How to Create a Bog” workshop http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com
March 13-15 Missouri Spring Retreat http://www.scbwi-mo.org
March 15-17 41st Annual Literature Festival University of Central Missouri http://library.ucmo.edu/childlit/clf
April 3-5 94th Annual Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference http://www.missouriwritersguild,org
May 15-16 Arkansas SCBWI Spring Conference http://www.arkansasscbwi.org
June 5-6 The Sixty-Fifth Annual Arkansas Writers’ Conference

Vivian Brown author of “Finding the Gold Ring” (Non-fiction) and a new mystery “Just LikeYour Mother” published by Xlibris, and “Thirsty For Love” by Tate Publishing. Vivian is a new writer to this area from California.
Debbie Ridpath Ohi wrote the book, “Writes Online Marketplace.” I am hoping Writers
Digest Books will ask her to do an update. It is a very helpful book.
http://www.debbieohi.com

Elaine Deyo is the author and illustrator of children’s books. http://meet.branson.com
Mike McArthy is a photographer who uses some of his photos to reproduce in a creative manner depicting paintings, drawings, animations and antique interpretations. http://www.photozarks.com

God has blessed me with a huge imagination filled with all my senses or is it non-sense.
A writer is always a writer – their blood flows from a pen into words, only the act of God can remove this drive or as some people would characterize - a disease of the mind – she is out of her place of what a woman is suppose to do.

Discouragement comes from the devil and encouragement comes from God.
Faith makes things possible, not easy.
Exercise daily, walk with God

Christian writers and market places: http://www.christianwriterssubinfo.synthasite.com
http://www.sallyclark.com
http://www.zonacrabtree.com
www.churchmousepublcations.com

AUTHOR TOUR FEATURES PERSONAL VISITS IN HOMES AND STUDIOS

On June 7-14, Writers Hall of Fame, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri is sponsoring a bus tour to visit fifteen of Missouri’s most successful and well known children’s authors, artists, playwrights, and poets, many of whom are members of SCBWI.

Tour guide, Dr. Linda Benson, is professor emeritus of children’s literature at Missouri State University. Graduate and undergraduate college credit is available through Drury University and can be transferred.

The tour begins in St. Louis and moves to Kansas City and southwest Missouri before returning to St. Louis eight days later. Along the way you’ll meet in the homes and studios of Pat and Fred McKissack, Constance Levy, Lynn Rubright, Vicki Grove, C. B. Mordan, Eileen Bluestone Sherman, Cheryl Harness, Dorinda Nicholson, J. B. Cheaney, David Harrison, Judy and Ross Young, Kate Klise, and Veda Boyd Jones.

Other highlights include a riverboat dinner cruise with entertainment, a tour of historic St. Charles with costumed docent, a performance at Shepherd of the Hills Amphitheatre, and visits to Precious Moments Park & Chapel and Laura Ingalls Wilder home and museum.

Your tour will include round trip deluxe motor coach transportation, 7 nights deluxe lodging with hot breakfast and manager’s reception each evening, 7 dinners and 1 lunch. All taxes, service charges, group meal, gratuities and coach driver’s gratuity are included in the price of your ticket. Prices range from $1,169 (four in a room) to $1,711 (for a single).

For more information contact David Harrison (dlharrison@mchsi.com). To make reservations, contact Brian Garrison (BGarrison@greatsoutherntravel.com). Reservations require $500 down and the rest by May 8.

Submitted by David Harrison

Publishing trends, fun vacation and gathering books:

Publishing is quickly changing like everything else. Don’t give up! Keep doing what you love to do. But, you must keep up with the changes. Learn from reading and studying authors, agents, and publishers’ blogs and websites. Search information provided for writing assignments on the Internet. The Internet may be one of the most important sources of business for future writers.

Publishing Trends at http://www.publishingtrends.com/
Read Twin Lakes Writer’s President Nancy Thatcher Cerny web page at http://www.twinlakeswriters.org/; she has an informative piece on the future of publishing.

I will try to get back to writing on my blog once a week. Right now, it is difficult for I am overwhelmed with catching up in the Garden Studio Office, meeting with friends to catch-up, and women’s work. I have gathered lots information to share in future blogs. So, hang on to your hat and write.

I had my wonderful son here for over two weeks. He is fun and funny. We all traveled to Naperville to spend a few days with my wonderful daughter, son-in-law and very special grandkids. I felted like a teenager on vacation. I visited Anderson’s Bookstore where I picked up a lot of free flyers filled with information and two children’s Christmas books – Cookie Angel by Bethany Roberts and The Year Of The Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston. Then, my granddaughter Nicole and I went to one of the libraries where I purchased 14 books at 25 cents each: Non-fiction hardbacks, children’s and adult books. Yes, I know I have about 400 books in my studio already. I enjoyed taking lots of photos.

Order of things to do: Date and press releases for the upcoming How to Create a Blog Workshop at Bel Arco Resort and Arkansas World War II Submarine Veterans Newsletter.

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.