Election Day Sliders

Yeah, I know it's not Election Day here in the USofA, but being as it's the last day of the favorite blog contest, I'm servin' up mini-burgers to all my friends who were so diligent about voting for me. It's been nip and tuck the last couple of days, but with any luck, we'll pull it out by the time the polls close tonight. Then I can order some of Kathryn's and Kimmi's books to give away in fun contests!

So, belly up to the picnic table and enjoy....

Election Day Sliders

(Recipe makes 8 minis.)

1 pound lean ground beef
1 large purple onion, sliced into thin rings
1 small package baby portabella mushrooms
8 slices American, Swiss or Provolone cheese
8 potato rolls
Sliced kosher dill pickles, Roma tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and condiments to taste
(Have bottle of Tabasco on table for individual use.)


1. Form burgers into balls, being careful not to overwork them into toughness. Heat large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, and saute onion rings and mushrooms in olive or canola oil.
2 . Put burgers into dry skillet and press down with spatula to form patty shapes. When the burgers are brown, about 2 minutes, flip to cook other side.
3. Top with cheese and leave in skillet until it melts.
4 . Place the burgers on the mini rolls and let each person dress burgers as desired.

Great with baked pita chips, fresh fruit tray and lemonade!

Creativity Quotient

Do you have any idea how creative you are? If you wanna find out with a fun 10-question quiz that takes less than five minutes to complete, go to the above link and have a ball.

According to my own test results, I am:

"Incredibly creative! You're so creative that other people can't even explain how inspiring you are! Which means there is just one question to ask: why didn't you think of making this quiz?" Welcome news on a Monday morning when I feel old and bedraggled, for sure. :)

Before I return to the hospital to be with my friend, thank you again for your prayers. They are doing brain activity testing today. I haven't had time to visit your blogs regularly in the last week since I've been splitting time between CCU and my parents' house, but you are in my thoughts daily. And could one of you fellow creatives maybe design a hospital waiting area that's actually comfortable? Thanks. *grin*

The best blog voting will be done tomorrow, and it looks like it's going to be a photo finish between myself and the #1 contender who's bumped me to second place. Argh! So please click on THIS LINK and vote for Gumbo Writer today and tomorrow. I sooo 'preciate you and your kind dedication to hitting the thumbs up for my blog. (And whichever ones of y'all are lysdexic and are hitting the thumbs down, I love you too.) hehe

Boudreaux, Thibodeaux & The Two-Holer

When Boudreaux was a little boy he was called by dat nickname "Tee-Boudreaux" or T-Boo for even shorter. T-Boo lived wit his family in dat house wit no indoor plumbing. Instead dey had dem a outhouse out in the back of da house.

His daddy, Papa Boudreaux, he want da best he could get for da Boudreaux family, so dey got dem one of dose "two holer" outhouses so two peoples could go do dey bidness at da same time.

One day T-Boo and Papa Boudreaux were bote in dat outhouse when T-Boo saw his Papa accidentally drop a quarter down in da hole. Den T-Boo saw dat his Papa was tinking bout someting a while, den reach in his pocket, pull out a dollar bill and drop it in da hole.

T-Boo axed his Papa, "Mais, Papa, why you drop dat dollar bill in dat hole for?!"

Papa Boudreaux said, "May T-Boo, I didn't have de heart to send you down dere for just a quarter!"

Saturday Snapshots

Happy Saturday! I hope you get the opportunity to pursue the things that enrich, recharge and make you happy this weekend. And thanks again for your thoughts & prayers for my friend's husband who remains in CCU on life support, and for your votes for my blog. 'Preciate you!

One of the things I like to do is take photos of things that strike my fancy. That might be goofy family moments, inspiring things in nature, oddities (go figure) and sometimes closeups of normal everyday things that can look like abstract art if viewed from a different perspective.

And since my trusty digital camera is always with me, I thought I'd add a new weekly feature here at Gumbo Writer ~~ Saturday Snapshots. Today's photo was taken at my parents' house a few days ago. They have an outside reading room my Dad and friends added on several years ago for my mom to house her garage sale treasures and huge collection of books, so it's like a mini-library addition.

A beautiful morning dove got trapped in there and kept flapping its wings against the window in futile attempts to escape back into the great outdoors. I got a broom and scooted him out before he hurt himself...but not before grabbing my camera for a shot while he sat on the window ledge. One of these days I'm going to learn to use the editing features in Photoshop. I know I could crop and make this shot look a lot better. I really like the way he is perched on the collection of brass goldfish. Such a nice juxtaposition, don't you think? Unlikely water and sky critters out of their elements, looking out on the human world.

I wonder what he's thinking?

Ledbetter Lunacy - Episode 14 - "Thy Brother's Keeper"

As Cat'lics, we take these 40 days of Lent to take stock of our spiritual journeys, asking such questions as:

• Am I on the right path?
• Have I detoured and gotten off course?
• Do I need to look at a map or ask directions?
• Am I helping other travelers along the way?
• Do I need to make a complete U-turn?

These Lenten journey questions brought to mind a long ago chapter of the Ledbetter family chronicles. It is one I hope you will enjoy. So, without further ado, I give you~~

LEDBETTER LUNACY

What's in your...Suitcase?

Thanks, friends, for your faithful prayers and also for continuing to vote for my blog. Things are still up in the air with my friend's dear husband, but we all appreciate your thoughtfulness so much. I miss making my daily blog-jog, but will be visiting again ASAP!

~~~

If you've ever been duty-bound and/or spent a lot of time in the hospital setting, I'm sure you've daydreamed about escape. That's our theme today. Say you're dashing to the nearest train depot or airport and have a ticket waiting for you, paid for by some mysterious millionaire. Your chore list has taken care of itself and suddenly...time has opened up leaving you free to flee for a long weekend.

The only problem with our fantasy scenario is that you only have five minutes to gather your things, and can only bring one medium suitcase. Besides clothes, you may pack seven items.

Since we had a major storm roll through the Baton Rouge area last night that knocked out electricity (and my barely-hanging-together computer monitor), I amused myself by contemplating my suitcase items. With my very limited artistic ability, I've rendered my packed suitcase in my favorite medium -- Sharpies and printer paper -- below. Nothing like playing with art/drawing supplies once in awhile! Try it if you get the chance.

Gumbo Writer's Packing List (the multi-colored blobs on the right side are my clothes):

1. 1 Pound of dark roast Community Coffee
2. Current read -- The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
3. Note pad
4. Favorite writing pen
5. Reading glasses (& case)
6. Digital camera
7. Bottle of Aleve

Okay, so what's in YOUR suitcase?

Looking for Extra Eyeballs?

First: Before getting down to Wednesday Writing bidness, thanks for continuing to vote for Gumbo Writer in the blog of the month contest. I know you're tired of clicking on that thumb link every day, but I sure do appreciate it. We're in first place by a small margin, and only a week left til the end of the month...so keep voting in the final stretch! Gumbo Writer loves you and wishes she could cook up something real good for each of you. :)

Friend Update: Thank you also, kind Blogorama friends, for your prayers and concern for my friend's husband. As of last night when I was at the hospital with her and a host of school friends, the news was dire. There seems to be no brain activity and he remains on life support. She and her teen son are beyond devastation, as you can imagine. Keep the Armand family in your thoughts, please.

New Enterprise: Friend and past fellow staffer at The Rose and Thorn, Nannette Croce says, "I wanted to let you all in on my newest venture––a critiquing and editing service. I have been reviewing and editing for online publications for nearly 10 years now, so I thought I might start a small sideline business specializing in short fiction, essays, and articles. The services should be of particular interest to writers just starting to submit as one level of service is a critique of writing strengths and weaknesses. I will also be offering line edits."

Tip o' the Day: Check out Nannette's blog home for all the particulars of her editing service over at CROSSxCHECKING.

Why? Nannette Croce has over 10 years experience editing and reviewing for online publications including five years as Co-Managing Editor for The Rose & Thorn Literary E-zine where, in addition to reviewing and editing submissions, she assigned and conducted book reviews and author interviews. She has taught workshops on writing for online publications and her blog zine writer covers issues dealing with online publishing and writing in general. She currently reviews fiction and nonfiction submissions for Sotto Voce. Nannette's own writing has appeared in various online and print publications. Samples can be found here.

Special Introductory FREE Offer: (And who don't like free?) Not all editing services are the right match for you. That's why we're giving you the chance to try us out with this special introductory offer. Submit 2-3 pieces for a critique and have the submission of your choice line/copyedited FREE.

Garlic Shrimp and Grits

Grits are on my mind due to the recent post on the history of grits. Today's recipe comes from a kind blogger who commented on my previous post, then sent me her recipe for a family favorite take on grits she modified from one found long ago in Southern Living magazine. Thanks to Robin at Be Still and Know.

Garlic Shrimp and Grits

Prep: 20 min., Cook: 15 min.

Leave the tails on the shrimp you use as a garnish for an attractive presentation.
Makes 4 servings

· 1 pound unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp, cooked ( I used the a bag of frozen peeled and deveined shrimp and it worked just fine)
· ½ pound for one recipe if you double the recipe which I always do for large family gatherings then use a whole pound of bacon ( depending on how much bacon you like, reserve bacon drippings to saute the shrimp in later)
· 3 cups water (I substituted chicken broth for more flavor)
· 1 cup whipping cream (I have used Half & Half or even regular milk as well)
· 1/4 cup butter or margarine (in true southern style I threw in a whole stick of butter!)
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 cup quick-cooking grits, uncooked
· 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
· 2 garlic cloves, minced
· Garnishes: chopped fresh chives, peeled and cooked shrimp, freshly ground black pepper

Peel shrimp, and devein, if desired. Cut bacon into small pieces, place in hot skillet and fry until crisp. Remove cooked bacon from pan and to reserved dripping, add the shrimp and garlic, salt and pepper to taste and quickly saute shrimp until just under done, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside with bacon until you are ready to add to the grits.

Bring 3 cups water, cream, butter, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat to medium, and whisk in grits. Cook, whisking constantly, 7 to 8 minutes or until mixture is smooth.

Stir in 1 pound shrimp, cheese, and garlic, and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Garnish as desired.

(I cook my grits and then transfer them to a crock pot and then just before I am ready to serve them, I stir in the shrimp and the cheese just prior to serving so the shrimp did not get overcooked.)

Robin also shared a past post for her Cheese Grits Casserole. (Scroll down beneath her sock pile. LOL)

Before we leave the subject of all things grits behind, check out Hilary at A Smitten Image and her first experience with this staple of southern pantries. :)

Load 'em Up, Please...

I need your prayer cannons loaded and aimed toward heaven. A dear friend's husband is struggling for life at this moment. I'm going to the hospital to be with her/them. All prayers, good thoughts, vibes, whatever are appreciated!

Have a great Monday and week ahead.

Mo Boudreaux & Thibodeaux

To go with your Sunday funny papers~~~

Boo's Obit

Boudreaux's wife, she go down to da local newspaper and she say she want to put an ad in dat Obituary Column dat Boudreaux done died.

Da newspaper man, he tole her it would be $1.00 per word.

She say, "Here $2.00. You put in dere dat BOUDREAUX DEAD."

Dat newspaper man say, "Surely you want more dan dat."

Boudreaux's widow say, "Mais, no! Just say Boudreaux dead."

He say, "Well, you juss upset, Miz Boudreaux. Brought youself back here on tomorrow and you prolly tink of sometin' else."

Da widow shows up da next day and say, "Yeah, you wuz right. I tought of sometin' else, here $5.00. Now you write BOUDREAUX DEAD, BOAT FOR SALE."

Love Your Momma!

You've heard it before, but it still applies today -- everything we need to know about life, we learned in kindergarten. You know...naps and snack time and sharing are all great things, right?

But here's one you might not recall the teacher talking about long ago: "Always help your momma and daddy at home." We know how important it is to "honor thy mother and father," (and that applies to all the wonderful people who influence our lives and play any sort of parent/mentor role), but do we apply that to our Earth mother as well?

Since it's officially spring (even if your local weather doesn't quite agree), it's a great time to combine our love of gardening with the art of recycling. And it is an art, albeit one which can, with practice, easily become a good habit or ingrained choice. We all know the regular ways to recycle paper, plastic and aluminum products, and hopefully, we're practicing doing just that. But what about ways to reuse items we usually throw out once the original consumption is done? Do you compost?

So, speaking of role models and loving thy parents, here's a brilliant way my own smart daddy applies his love of everything frugal, a lifelong stewardship of recycling and green thumb abilities:

Is that not a brilliant way of thinking outside (and inside) the box? Taking landfill items and turning them into recycled gardening containers makes me smile big. And I'll be smiling even bigger when I get to taste one of those fresh summer tomatoes that started out as a little sprig in a soft drink can or diaper wipe box!

How 'bout y'all? I have an absolute penchant for what I call Recycled Cooking (if you haven't noticed), but I'd love to hear your fresh ideas on turning trash to treasure through recycling.

And thank you for your continued support with the best blog votes. We're currently in first place...and "only" 10 days to go! LOL Aaaaaiiiiieeeeeeee!

TGIF and All Like Dat

Sorry, no Ledbetter Lunacy today. I ate up all my "free" time yesterday blog hopping and getting caught up at your places! But, next week, I promise a new episode.

Good news, y'all! Yesterday afternoon the bloginterviewer stats had me in a strong third and creeping up. Go team, go! Momma needs a new pair of shoes! (Oh, wait, I think that's what you say at poker games and the racetrack. LOL) And thank YOU for giving me the finger (thumbs up voting icon) *snicker* many times this week. You hit the icon and it will take you to the site where you click the thumb's up again.

I'm doing a guest gig over at Kathryn's place while she works on her book's galley proof, so if you can, hop on over and give me a shout while I blog sit for her. I think you'll like it.

Since it's Friday, and we're having the most gorgeous weather in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and everyone seems happy, I'll leave you with a funny below. [We love us some Boudreaux & Thibodaux jokes around these parts. Dat's Boo-droe & Tib-i-doe for you who don't speak da Cajun.] Now, you go and have yourself a grand little weekend, ya hear?

Boudreaux was at the bar every day drinking beer. Well, Thibodaux, him wanted to teach Boudreaux a lesson, so he tole da bartender to give him a glass of dat water an' a glass of dat beer. Den, Thibodaux, he went to da outside and found him two worms. He put one in da water glass an' it wiggled all 'round. He put da other in da beer where it curl up an' died.

Thibodaux axed Boudreaux, "Well, you learn anyting?"

And Boudreaux said, "If I keep drinkin' dat beer, me, I wont get da worms!"

Hodge Podge

Like a typical day of my life, today's post is just a jumble of several dissimilar elements. If nothing else, things are never boring at Chez Gumbo Writer's, eh?

First off, our friend kimmi [Kim Richardson] had a great book review published yesterday. To learn more about her story, check out this interesting look at The Unbreakable Child.

Okay, second, I know you're tired of me begging for blog votes, so just consider this a reminder. *grin* Hit that thumbs up icon in my sidebar. We were less than 50 votes away from the first place contender last night! Thanks for the continued lever-pulling. I 'preciate you!

Finally, since I'm a hardcore dog lover, I want to share this pet owner's tragic story and warning with you. Please pass it on ~~

If you are an owner of a dog, especially one that is considered a "dangerous-breed," and small children visit your home, please take this warning seriously. Don't ever leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances!

Only a little moment was enough for the following to happen. (See the photo below.)

Wednesday Writings: Inside the Editor's Mind II

Gumbo Writer has come from behind and is now in the top 3 blogs for March over at the bloginterviewer site, so won't ya help an underdawg out and hit the thumb's up over in the sidebar? You can vote once per day (at 24-hour intervals) until the end of the month. If I win, I'm purchasing books from kimmi (The Unbreakable Child) and Kathryn (Tender Graces) as contest giveaways. So, go vote! And THANK YOU!

Now, on with today's topic...I did a series of posts taken from interviews with editors of literary publications and zines last year for The Rose & Thorn Literary E-zine's blog, and since bloggy friends seemed to enjoy the first segment, I'm posting another today. It's always interesting to look at things from the other side of the desk, so hope you enjoy and go visit these places when you get a chance.

Here's the question these generous editor folks answered~~

Advice for getting one's submission out of the slush pile?

Name: Steven Seighman

Title: Editor/Founder

Publisher/Publication: Monkeybicycle

URL: http://www.monkeybicycle.net/

Following the submissions guidelines on the Monkeybicycle Web site helps. I'd say at least 75% of the submissions I get aren't set up the way we ask. And we don't have these specific rules on our site just to be jerks. It's taken us a lot of time to tailor the process to one that allows us to get through the most submissions in the least amount of time. People who don't read our guidelines obviously aren't in a hurry to hear back from us, so we move those to the bottom of the pile and get to them when we can--when everything else has been looked at.

Name: Timothy Green

Title: Editor

Publisher/Publication: RATTLE

URL: http://www.rattle.com/

Personal site/blog: http://www.timothy-green.org/

Send us memorable poems. Worrying about the guidelines or writing a friendly cover letter might make me like you, but it has no effect on what happens after that. I'd take a good poem written on toilet paper over my best friend's drivel. Send poems that are unique, insightful, and have something to say. If you think we aren't publishing a certain kind of poem, send that, so we can start.

Name: Beth Staples

Title: Managing Editor

Publisher/Publication: Hayden’s Ferry Review

URL: http://www.asu.edu/piper/publications/haydensferryreview

Blog: http://haydensferryreview.blogspot.com/

In addition to “write the best you can,” and other much-repeated (but true!) advice, I recommend reading literary journals. Whenever I’m somewhere representing HFR, I bring a pile of “submission guidelines” and a pile of “subscription information.” Guess which pile disappears and which one doesn’t? Writers need to read. I can’t stress this enough. Editors don’t suggest reading their lit journals because they need the money (though, um, we do) but because if you read the kind of work a journal publishes, you’ll save yourself time, energy and money when you’re submitting. Also, if you plan to be an emerging writer yourself, support emerging writers. The market of lit journals needs your support in order to keep providing a space for you to be published in. Also, reading will only help you become a better writer; if I teach my students nothing else, I hope they get that. And reading a journal’s submission guidelines and following them helps, too.

Name: Cooper Renner

Title: Editor

Publisher/Publication: elimae

URL: http://elimae.com/

Personal site/blog: http://cooprenner.com/

I don't think we have a slush pile. Everything comes in directly to me.

Name: Susan Burmeister-Brown

Title: Co-editor

Publisher/Publication: Glimmer Train Stories

URL: http://www.glimmertrain.org/

Linda and I read all the work that comes through our online submission system. We look for a story to care about, so be sure you care about it, too.

Name: Reb Livingston

Title: Poet, Editor & Publisher

Publisher/Publication: No Tell Motel & No Tell Books

URL: http://notellmotel.org/ & http://notellbooks.org/

Personal site/blog: http://www.reblivingston.net/ & http://www.cacklingjackal.blogspot.com/

As I mentioned, know the publications before you send. Some people don't want to hear that. These days when many magazines publish online and most print publications have sample work available on their websites, there is ZERO excuse not to do this. Not doing the research is pure laziness and demonstrates an unwillingness to ingratiate oneself into the very community he wants to embrace his work.

Name: John Amen

Title: Editor

Publisher/Publication: The Pedestal Magazine

URL: http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/

Blog: http://www.johnamen.com/

Just write, and keep writing. Let publishing be the incidental outcome of the joy for writing.

Name: Cesar Garza

Title: Senior Editor

Publisher/Publication: The Rose & Thorn Literary E-zine

URL: http://www.theroseandthornezine.com/

Ah, well, we don't have a slush pile, per se, since we only accept email submissions and every submission is read at least once. Each month my fellow poetry editors send around a "picks list," an individually selected group of poems they want me to consider for publication. The better poems tend to show up in the picks list of more than one poetry editor, and those are the ones I pay close attention to. Of course, in the past I've selected poems that only appeared in the picks list of one poetry editor. It just depends on the work itself. Advice for getting one's submission out of the proverbial slush pile: see my answer to the next question.

Name: J.W. Wang

Title: Editor

Publisher/Publication: Juked

URL: http://www.juked.com/

Write, and write some more. Then read, and read some more. Then write, and…

Name: G.S. Evans

Title: Coeditor

Publisher/Publication: The Cafe Irreal

URL: http://www.cafeirreal.com/

The cliche about the first paragraph tends to be true, that it needs to be quite well-written. And, I'm afraid that stating in the cover letter that you have been nominated for a Pushcart doesn't help at all as, given the proliferation of publications, it seems that everybody and their kid brother has been nominated for one.

Cajun Libation

Today's recipe treat comes from the latest issue of "Louisiana Cookin'" magazine. Although I haven't tried it yet, as soon as the weather gets a little warmer, I'm gonna! Or, if I was going to be home today, I just might make it to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Don't forget to wear your green!

Eula Mae's Deep Bayou Punch

6 oranges

4 lemons

4 tea bags

2 gallons of water

Sugar or sweetener to taste

1 fifth white wine

1 quart of whiskey

Cut fruit in half. Place fruit, tea bags and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil until rinds of the citrus are soft. Strain the liquid and sweeten. Add the wine and whiskey to the warm liquid and serve (LOL...I typed "swerve" first) immediately.

[This recipe comes from the McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, LA; the family who created Tabasco. For more good Cajun recipes, check out Eula Mae's Cajun Kitchen Cookbook.] Note: Eula Mae found this recipe in her husband's file box. At the bottom of the paper on which it was written, it said, "Do not drink this before going hunting!"

Gratitude

Happy Monday, y'all! I like to focus on the positive things in life, so I thought I'd post some of our Year of Gratitude (YOG) blog entries here on Mondays as reminders of what life's really all about. Hope you enjoy.

Happiness, joy and gratitude really are states of mind. And like all states we wrap around ourselves to enjoy (whether positive or negative), they are sometimes hard to shed once we get comfortable with them.

Today, I choose to cloak myself in light and good things, even if I'm tempted to long for the heavy gray shroud of oh-woe-is-me. It's simply a matter of my own choosing and the perspective upon which I want to focus. Even when the inevitable poop hits the fan.

To help me in this pursuit, I keep a few uplifting quotes nearby to browse. Here's what a few famous folks said on the subject :

• "If you want to be happy, be." ~Leo Tolstoy
• "Happiness is never stopping to think if you are." ~ Palmer Sondreal
• "Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy." ~ Robert Anthony
• "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."~ Mark Twain
• "Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." ~ Cynthia Nelms

What about you? Any good words, mantras, quotes or sayings you know to keep yourself in the happiness zone?

Last thing for today -- THANK YOU for continuing to vote for my blog over at bloginterviewer.com. I think we're doing great in the top 5, and didn't get to start racking up votes on the first of the month! {If you hit the site again, you can also vote for Suldog and Michelle/Surly Writer while there.}

Six Saturday Hours

What to do when your son's baseball game gets rained out and you find yourself with extra time on your hands? Six hours on a Saturday appeared yesterday, so I acted quickly before they got sucked up by something else.

First, I made a mad dash through the house to do mandatory cleaning chores -- 2 loads of laundry, dishes and cleaning out the pup's room (he'd chewed a hole in his little bed pillow and there was two pounds of stuffing wads to sweep up).

Throwing on scrubs and flip flops, I got errands out of the way next -- the UPS Store to mail coffee to DH (Rufus) working out of state, and a box of grits to a sweet bloggy friend in Canada *Hey, Hilary*. On to the bank, then picked up a few non-perishables from the grocery and got gas.

Oh boy...now it was time to do some Speed Pampering! ~~~

Yes, those are my huge-arse feet/legs and the tattoo you can't see too well. My feet were practically singing after a salon pedicure and two coats of my favorite color - OPI Cajun Shrimp. Ahh! [Men, do NOT scoff. There were just as many of "you" as "us" in the Lucky Nails today!] A good pedicure is a gift we can all use once in a while!

Oh, yes! A leisurely stroll through the Barnes & Noble for some good reading, courtesy of my squirreled away Christmas gift cards. How ya like my nutritious lunch? :)

Even though it was a gray rainy day, there's always something nice to look at, and I had old Rock & Roll tunes screaming from my Jeep's speakers. Can you see the spring buds coming up on this huge oak? So glad Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav didn't kill it.

And then these nifty boots my sister found for me at a thrift store for dirt cheap were ready to be picked up from the shoe repair shop. [Some of the snakeskin was starting to come unglued.] What a fine and comfy pair of vintage cowboy boots I'll be wearing now, and for less than $10!

Hard to believe, but after all this restorative and fun ME time, I even got an hour and a half nap. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

So, blog bangers, if you had three "free" hours, how would you spend them? I hope you find some time to pamper yourself and recharge your batteries soon.

PS to the writers -- Travis had a nifty heads up at his blog today, so I'm passing along to you the link to the St. Patty's Day Novel Pitch opportunity. And before I sign off, don't forget to vote for my blog! We're trying to win blog o' the month and $50 so I can purchase some giveaway prizes. Now, carry on.

Ides???

Tomorrow is March 15, the "Ides of March," so what the heck does that mean anyway? If you had to guess at the definition of "ides," which would you choose:

A.) A day of bad luck first associated with the original tax collection day, moved to April 15 in modern times.

B.) A term used on Roman calendars referring to the 15th of any month.

C.) "Ides don't know, and don't really care."

Here's the scoopage from Wikipedia ~~ The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martias) is the name of the date 15 March in the Roman calendar. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July and October, and the 13th day of the other eight months. In Roman times, the Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

Here's hoping your 14th and Ides of March are both fantabulous days!

Ledbetter Lunacy - Episode 13

In dubious honor of Friday the 13th, what else could better improve your luck for the day than another episode of ...

~~LEDBETTER LUNACY~~

And once again, if you have a spare moment, please click the button at the top of the right column to vote for my blog. Thanks!

Snapshots of the Everyday

Well...at least its the "everyday" at my house! Since I "talked" so much in yesterday's post, here are some photos taken over the last couple of days. Slices from life, you could say...

Azaleas and shrimp plants on my patio.

This is "Court Jester" from when we went out to eat the other night. {No, the nut doesn't fall far from the oak.} Isn't he handsome?

Full Moon Tree

One of my mom's great-grandsons playing with one of her Cancer Society wigs. He's a hoot! {Notice his Groucho Marx cigar-holding fingers...or it could be a booger.}

View from behind the Baton Rouge Gallery. Can you see the LSU lakes and Interstate 10 way in the background? Inside is where the annual women & history poetry reading is held. It was fun to read a poem before an audience again.

My parents have an outside reading room, and a bird has found a comfy place to nest in the bookshelves.

And Bandit also finds a nice place to nest after destroying the 4-year-old plant that lived in the pot. {Note toys clearly in view beside my chewed up dress shoe.}

Yes, children, Gumbo Writer still has her 2008 Christmas tree up. Now...don't ya feel better about yourselves? :)

I'd love to hear what a snapshot from your daily life would look like, so share a description, won't ya?

And if you have a minute, hit the icon up top to vote for my blog! We wanna win the $50 so I can buy contest prizes to give away. I think you can vote once every 24 hours. Wheeeeeee.