I Ate From A Trough!

I love living in Smalltown America. Contrary to popular belief, there is so much to do. No, I am not inundated with farm chores, nor have I been overwhelmed by boredom.

Quite the contrary, in fact. As a writer, I have benefitted in many more ways than I could have possibly imagined. Now, I have the time to write that I never had before and I am finding that ideas and opportunities abound at every turn.

Take, for instance, the fun that my good hubby-buddy and I were involved in yesterday. Who knew that eating from a trough could be such an amazing experience? Yes, you heard me correctly; we ate from a trough.

Okay, lemme' back up and 'splain. There was a Cowboy Cook-Off in one of the nearby towns. I hafta' admit that I was a little concerned when I heard that the food would be dumped into a trough for everyone to feed from.

Have you ever eaten food that was cooked in a Cream Can? You know those big ol' cans that farmers use to pour fresh milk into? Well, that was just the beginning. My guess is that cooking in this manner was prob'ly first discovered by those who traveled in wagons. Everything on the menu goes into the cream can and the lid is placed on top. Then the can is placed over an open flame. As far as I can tell, its just another form of Dutch Oven Cooking and it is remarkable!

As I stood in line... a very long line, I might add... waiting to eat from said trough, I worried about little things like, "Have the cooks taken cleanliness into consideration?" and "Was this trough ever used by cattle or hogs?"

Naturally, I was thrilled to discover that the trough had been especially built for people and it was freshly-lined with aluminum foil. *whew* Thank goodness!

My next feeling of relief came when the food was served up by a line of people who had been involved in the cooking. No one else was allowed to dip-in and take what they picked through. I repeat, "Whew!"

If you have never had the opportunity to eat Cream Can Cooking from a trough, I urge you to rush right out and find the nearest Cowboy Chef you can. You will not be disappointed. The food is absolutely unbelievable. Then, you can share your experience of eating from a trough and watch the eyebrows raise.

Until the next time, keep a hug on.

~ Yaya

I'm Lovin' It!

     I'll bet you've been anxious to know about my new CSN toy, haven't you?  Well, I'm gonna' tell you all about it, right now.  Its about THIS tall and T-H-I-I-I-I-S wide and there are lotsa' colors.  Oh, yeah; and wheels.  I've been getting it ready to show you, so if you wanna' know more about it, be sure to come back when I'm ready.

     ::Tinkering... fine-tuning... perfecting... ::

     For the record, I'm havin' lotsa' fun with the preparations.  As a writer, I'm finding that this is the perfect tool.  Oh, yeah; I know I said it was a new toy.  Well, toys can be tools, too, ya' know... just summa' the more FUN tools.  Suffice it to say that when you get yours, you're gonna' know 'xactly what I'm talkin' about.  This new toy is one of the handiest little jewels I've ever had.

     Lemme' give you an example.  Okay, I write for a couple of different newspapers and some magazines and I'm an editor with an online site.  Naturally, I have my own fun writing projects in various stages of completion.  The only trouble is, every single thing I'm working on seems to wanna' be properly filed, lest I lose track of what I'm doin'.

     One of the most annoying things I can think of is having to file papers.  "File Papers" is just another word for "Am I Organized?"  That is a trick question on accounta' there are a couple of ways I could answer.  I could say flat-out, yes, but I don't write that kinda' fiction very well.

     Also, I decided long ago that organization is waaaaaay over-rated.  Have you ever stopped to think how much work it takes to get organized?  Why, a person could be havin' an awfully lot of fun with other things, if organization wouldn't get in the way alla' time.  'Course, there is that whole thing of being in control when you're organized.

     That's what makes my new toy such a great addition in my life.  Its all set up, just begging to contribute to the cause.  I'm gonna' label it and when I'm working on any of my writing, I'll just roll that little jewel to a handy spot nearby and whoot!  whoot!  Control is just a matter of 1-2-3... Ta-Da!

     So, come on back here soon and see what fun I've been havin'.  I think you're gonna' want one of these little tool/toys for your very own... 'specially, if filing and paperwork have been a thorn in your side, the way they have in mine.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Writers, Agents and Friends Unite

     ::Yaya comes screeching into her office, slipping on the waxed floor, anxious to say hello to her smiling guests::

     ::Grabbing her keyboard as she sliiiiiiiiiides by, she begins doing the one-finger dance to try and type a message to her friends::

     Hello!  Hello!  Hello, everyone!  I'm so glad you're here.  I've been having troubles trying to find the time to write, but I am sooooo glad to have squeezed out a few minutes to be able to sit down and visit with you.  Thank you very much for being here.  I am so very happy whenever you drop by to visit.  And your comments are like a hug... thank you so much.

     Which reminds me; wasn't that just the most fun, the other day?  Donna's grampa' had so many adventures.  And Donna really knows how to share those stories.  Oliver and his family will always be a part of my heart.  I'm reading the books again.  Such fun.  I do hope you have also begun reading them.  Each one is a treasure, all its own.  I know you will enjoy every single word.

*********************

     I have not had a chance to tell you about my amazing visit with Agent Mark McVeigh.  So many really amazing things have been happening, lately, that I am truly running (in my internet virtual world, actually).  I don't know how the rest of you keep up with everything.  Any advice would seriously be appreciated.

     Mark and I talked a couple of weeks ago on Skype.  If you don't have Skype, you don't know what you're missing.  It was just like sitting in my living room, talking to Mark.  The only thing missing was the hot cocoa and fresh-baked cookies.

     I was able to ask Mark many questions about the publishing process and what those most important factors are.  He was easy to talk to.  Very relaxed and easy-going.  Although Mark was very helpful in answering my questions, I never felt that he lost the sense of caring.  He was also interested in what I was doing as a writer and I can honestly say that I look forward to contacting him when my book is ready to go to market.  May I just say that if you are looking for an agent, don't be shy about getting in touch with Mark McVeigh.  I do believe he will treat you right.

     I love blogging.  This whole experience has been much more than I ever imagined possible.  Each day seems to bring new and exciting surprises.  I surely hope you will be here to enjoy every minute of the excitement as we move forward.  And don't forget, Donna Aviles will be back with more for us, very soon.  So, until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Watch Me Get Organized

     I am so far behind on pretty-much everything I'm s'posed to be doing.  This is not intended as an excuse or means of relieving myself of guilt, as I should have a better handle on everything I do.  I am four years old, after all.  However, I lost myself in learning, yesterday, and I shall be forever grateful for the time spent in gaining the knowledge that I have.

     Organization is something that seems to elude me, in many ways.  Oh, my home is not a terror or anything like that.  In fact, we enjoy the peace of clutter-free living throughout every area of our home... except my office.  And though it is, for the most part, clutter free, improvements would greatly enhance my life.

     Now, you would think that, being a writer, I would find great pleasure in having my workspace free of stressful clutter-spots.  And you're right.  When I am in control, my whole existence is better.  And please don't misunderstand.  For the most part, even my office is somewhat organized.  But organization is not something that comes naturally for me.  Having Dyslexia and Adult ADD creates a sense of permanent confusion in my mind that is difficult to overcome and I have to concentrate Very Hard to accomplish the orderly surroundings that I crave for my own little area.

     Enter Kathryn Lay.  I was greatly blessed by learning from this fine lady and you may wish to seek out her book, The Organized Writer Is A Selling Writer.  Since I did mention her accomplishments in yesterday's post, I will only advise, again, that if you want to increase your writing income, I sincerely believe that Kathryn can help.  I have bought the book and I fully expect there to be great improvement in my life.

     How about you?  Are you ready to sell more of what you write?  Are you going to move forward in your efforts?  Then, this is one of the best writing tools I have ever seen.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

A Little Life, A Little Fiction

     I was very surprised by the reaction to last night's posts.  Thank you all for your encouraging words.  I love reading your posts and having you come to read mine.  I do hope that we can continue to visit each other and get to know each other better.  Blogging has been and continues to be a very uplifting experience for me, as I'm sure it is for you.

     I wrote an article for a newspaper, today, and before I sat down to write, I considered some of the things that I've experienced over the years.  When I asked for my good hubby-buddy's help in deciding what to write about, his input was even more intriguing and I suddenly remembered why I love to write.

    When I write, even if I happen to be writing fiction, I manage to re-live the experiences from my past.  You want volcanoes?  You've got it!  Earthquakes?  Been there.  Blizzards?  I can't tell you how many I've lived through.  How about Hurricanes?  I can tell you precisely what it feels like to live through an horrific hurricane 'cause I think I've experienced every level.

     I guess what I'm trying to say is that writing, for me, is like living the adventures.  Again, if I must, but living them, nonetheless.  On the other hand, I also have a tendency to create some of my own adventures, so it stands to reason that I was given the heart to love writing.  'Else, how in the world would I live all my made-up adventures, withing breaking, maiming or destroying every part of me that I own?

     Yup!  I really love writing; even more, now that I realize how much pain it saves me.  Ungh!  Can you just imagine?!?

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya    

Its a regular heat wave

     Tonight I was gonna' share some awards I received, but I realized that its gonna' take a little while to really do the awards the proper justice.  And since I have articles and puzzles that need to be turned in tomorrow so they can be published on Wednesday, I was thinking that you might not mind if I waited another day to tell you about my wonderful awards.  Okie-dokie?  Aaaaaaaaawww.  See?  I just knew you could identify with a writer's deadlines.  Thaaaaaaaanks.

     The weather was 29° outside, today.  Too warm for almost everyone.  My good husband and I went off to the store and the school library in shirtsleeves.  Long shirtsleeves, but still...  I don't recall seeing anyone else wearing a jacket while we were out, either.  You know its been a mite too cold when the weather warms up to a whopping 29° and people start running around in their shirtsleeves.

     So how's the weather where you are?  Are you rakin' leaves, yet?

     Until another heat wave, keep a hug on.

Yaya