SUNRISE

The sunrises on the upcoming new year
above The Woodland Garden,
like bright Spring flowers
announcing an exciting year ahead.
Be thankful for the small joys,
sing their praises each day.
For they are the stepping stones
into a happy world
of what is to come.
Photo - Verse  (c) by Mary Nida Smith                       

Poem of the month: Please go to children's book author's blog http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com to vote for the best poem written for December. My poem is listed: BONE CHILLING. Each month David provides a word and the different poets write that word into their poem. Last month the word was "thanks".

MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

I am sitting out the next few days.
Write, create, and enjoy life.

(c) Photo by Mary Nida Smith

Mistakes! Mistakes!

I have been presenting
grammar mistakes to all.
I know better.
I must slow down
and take another look.
Oh, I could present a page
of why my brain is overloaded,
but this is no excuse.
It causes me to pause
to feel more humble.
I’ll never be perfect.
I am who I am.
- Mary Nida Smith

Children's Poetry and Twin Lakes Writers:

I want to thank President Nancy Thatcher Cerny,
and members of the Twin Lakes Writers for the certificate
of appreciation for being the founder and for supporting
of all writers. Thank You!

I have enjoyed reading two poetry books for children
that any adult would enjoy. They are funny and serious; mostly
funny where they take you back to see yourself as a kid.
As an adult with a kid lurking about; meaning me; a kid that
was and is still asking too many questions, the poem below
relates to me, written by Arnold Spilka.

Don’t Tell Me That I Talk Too Much!

Don’t tell me I talk too much!
Don’t say it!
Don’t you dare!
I only say important things
Like why it’s raining where.
Or when or how or why or what
Might happen here or there.
And why a thing is this or that
And who is bound to care.
So don’t tell me I talk too much!
Don’t say it!
DON’T YOU DARE!

The above is found in The Random House Book
of Poetry for Children (A Treasury of 572 Poems for Today’s Child)
selected by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Arnold Lobel
(Filled with wonderful illustrations.).

I remember one time a member of my family quickly
sneaked up behind me implementing another use for duct tape.

Another good read is Kids Pick the Funniest Poems by Bruce
Lansky and illustrated by Stephen Carpenter.

TWIN LAKES WRITERS
PO Box 256
Clarksridge, AR 72623
http://www.twinlakeswriters.org/
Meeting: Saturday, December 12
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
Room D, 353 Highway 5 North
Mountain Home
870-425-6071
Large church sign on Highway 5, a block past 201 intersection.

Their works are on display for the month of December at the
Baxter County Library. Check them out. Very informative display.

Contest, Book Winner, Follower and Flash Fiction; Check out a contest at http://donnasbookpub.bogspot.com and then go to http://crackleofspeech.blogspot.com where you can read- Flash Fiction: The Spiral Staircase written by Steven Withrow, published on his blog October 29th.

Yesterday, I received an email from Meghan Killeen, that I had won the book The Pricker Boy by Reade Scott Whinnen. Click on http://www.rubywinkle.com to read Meghan's interview with Reade and my comment about my own personal monster.

I am most grateful for another follower.
I am enjoying writing poetry on David Harrison blog. http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com. If you enjoy poetry, stop in and read all the poems that have been submitted.

Writers Workshop: Write What You Know. Click on http://belarcowritersworkshops.blogspot.com for information on January 16, 2010 workshop. Signing up for a workshop, visiting with other writers will unfreeze writers' block and lift your spirits during the winter. So, come, join us where it will give you a jump start for Spring's upcoming workshops and conferences.

Sara Webb Quest: Children's book author
& freelance writer. Congratulation's Sara-great review!
Wow, I'm still reeling over the recent book review of my
"AYDIL VICE" book in THE BARNSTABLE PATRIOT. Here is a
link to the review:

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.
php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19359&Itemid=62
The review was a very pleasant surprise! Marie, the amazing
book buyer & manager of Cape Cod's book-store chain "Books by
the Sea," called,informed me of the review, said she hadn't
gotten the copy of "AYDIL VICE" back because a few people at
the newspaper were passing the book around to read (another
pleasant surprise)Best for last, here are the dates and
times for my book(s) signings this month:

December 12, 11-1, Books by the Sea, rte.28, South Yarmouth,
The Hearth-n-Kettle Plaza.
December 13, 2-4, Books by the Sea, Osterville
In addition to signing "AYDIL VICE," I will also be signing
my adult poetry book "OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD."

A link to my facebook page which I update regularly.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=32187&id=1640091720

Ozarks Writers and Illustrators for Children!

Our OWAIC, social will be Saturday, December 5th, at the Library
Station 9:00 to 11:00. We've had a wonderful year. Please join us
in celebrating our breakthroughs, our accomplishments, and blessings.

Refreshments will be provided. There will be a modest gift exchange.
And I do mean modest...white elephants and regifting allowed.
(It should have something to do with writing or illustrating.)


There will not be a meeting in January due to the New Year's holiday.

Please contact me, Naomi Shaw at providencepark@wildblue.net

Robert Frost wrote in metaphors/free verse. "A poem...begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness. It is a reaching-out toward expression; an effort to find fulfillment. A complete poem is one where an emotion finds the thought and the thought finds the words."
Letter to Louis Untermeyer (January 1, 1916)

Poets, Authors, Contest, Children’s Magazines,
Newspaper, OWL:

I love the freedom to enjoy life where I explore
various creative topics. My mind is like a sticky,
tight spun spider web. I catch ideas out of the air,
causing some strain until I am able to release a
few to paper. I am constantly writing and rewrite
on paper or in my daily thoughts. Who knows,
I may have a big sale and it will be like winning
the lotto.

I write short pieces; I sell some and others
float free. In 2010, I am dedicating more time
to submitting larger pieces.

A photo and a small article was published in
The Mountaineer Echo newspaper, Thurs, Nov 26, it
was a shot of encouragement.
http://www.flippinonline.com

I am still trying to catch-up with photos
I took as my church's historian.
I think I take too many.

I am having problems creating CD’s
for the submarine veterans I did two.
I haven’t been able to do more. I have
several request for the 53 photos I took
during the Veterans Day event at Mountain
Home Military Memorial Plaza.

Baxter County Library: The Friends of the Library
had a successful booksale last weekend and an
enjoyable meeting Wednesday. They are a special group.
We hope to move into the new library July, 2010.

The Mountain Home, AR Chamber of Commerce’s
beautiful new brochure mentioned Twin Lakes Writers
under Community Cultures.

I continue to write poems on David L. Harrison’s blog.
It has been a learning experience. I have written several.
He features a monthly word and you have to write a
poem incorporating that word. The poems for November
are up where you can go and vote for your favorite at
http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com

Last Friday night at Boxcar Willie’s Motel
the Ozarks Writers League had a catered dinner
and open-mic. I read a poem.

I receive “The Writer” magazine newsletter.
It filled with helpful information and some free-lance
writing jobs are listed.

Important websites to check out:
http://www.kidmagwriters.com
http://www.smartwriters.com
http://www.poets.org
http://www.jackflap.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

(C) by Mary Nida Smith

Websites and blogs  to Inspire you.

http://www.lindacapple.com/

http://livinglargeinourlittlehouse.com/

http://myfaithproject.com/

Baxter County Library booksale November 19,20, 21. It is a big one!

Saturday, November 21, Ozarks Writers League http://www.ozarkswritersleague.org

Poets:
Check out "Golden Country" on the website!
www.ozarksmountaineer.com
The outhouse/potting shed photo was photographed
by Mary Nida Smith.

Sunrise: This morning shroud in misty fog a dazzling coral red and gold sunrise filtered through the woods rising above the tree line. I dashed for my camera where I tried to capture each changing moment. I would love to use my ever changing sky photos in a poetry book, or children's picture book. Happy is the moment capturing memories.

Faye K. Pfister
Pottery Exhibit
November 12-20
College of the Ozarks
Boger Gallery: Jones Learning Center
Lecture-Reception: November 17 (Tuesday)
4:00 p.m—6:00 p.m.

LIFE ON A SEESAW VOLUME III Premieres November 14, 2009 at WORDS BOOKSTORE in Hardy, AR.

REVIEWS:
Marjory Wentworth, (South Carolina) Poet Laureate of South Carolina; teacher of poetry in an arts and healing program in Charleston, SC; columnist for THE CHARLESTON POST and COURIER; member of Board of Directors for Low Country Initiative for the Literary Arts, the Poetry Society of SC, and the University of SC Poetry Society; Poems have appeared in numerous books and magazines

“Life on a Seesaw is a refreshingly original heartfelt approach to life.”

Barbara Massie (Arkansas) noted floral watercolor and acrylic artist; holds dual membership in the National League of American Pen Women as both a writer and an artist; charter President and current Treasurer of the Spring River Branch of NLAPW; published 400 plus articles and six books

“This last volume of the Circle of Life Trilogy, Life on a Seesaw Volume III, is an adventure that captures imagination as you walk through and relate to the seesawing events in life. The inspiring writings and art are not to be absorbed in one reading. You’ll go back many times to view Funke’s paintings and re-read Oplinger’s written images. Funke and Oplinger create the true essence of real happenings”.

Nancy Funderburk, (New York and Mississippi) nationally acclaimed needle and fiber artist; McCall’s Quilt for The Cure Campaign for the Susan Konan Foundation; award-winning instructor and Past-President of the Mississippi Quilt Association

Premieres November 14, 2009 at WORDS BOOKSTORE in Hardy, AR
LIFE ON A SEESAW VOLUME III

Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov 11, at 11:oo am,
Mountain Home Square.
The history of Veterans Day can be found at http://www.military.com/

PEACE

PEACE

PEACE