Living Breathing Dinosaurs?!

It's no secret newspapers are in serious financial trouble. I, for one, am all about evolution and survival of the fittest...But not my Sunday paper!

Anyway, CBS Sunday Morning did a segment on the plight of paper news media and interviewed a 30-year veteran at one of the major newspapers. She admits, still today, she gets a thrill when she opens a newspaper.

Then she said it. She added she's over 50. And THEN she said, "I'm a dinosaur!"

I laughed, and then jumped off the sofa to write this post...

Can WOOFers make a pact, right here and now, that we shall NEVER refer to ourselves as dinosaurs?!

Apparently the term "dinosaur" was coined in 1842 by Sir Richard Owen and derives from the Greek "terrible, powerful, wondrous." Okay, I can live with the definition.

But I'm not near extinct and I just bet neither are any of you! Not even that newspaper veteran.

Are we together on this?!?!?!? Don't make me come over there and eat your shrubbery...

--Diana (aka d.d. dawg -- and not one "d" stands for dinosaur!)

The Red Dress Diary: Entry Three

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's the third entry:

Thanks a lot!: I was feeling so wonderful about the outcome of meeting my future husband's children for the first time. They had accepted me and made me feel like part of the family.

After returning home, I excitedly called my best friend with the good news. "They really liked me!" I proudly proclaimed.

Without hesitation, she dryly replied, "Well, of course they liked you! You are taking the old man off their hands!"

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

What secrets would you like revealed in The Red Dress Diary?

Anything special you'd like Mad Dog to cover ... or "uncover?"

The Feet Have It!

Noticed this article, recently on Boomerful.com and had to get the opinion of Wise Woofers.

I’m a flip flop gal. No, I’m not in politics. Never have been. Never want to be. I’m talking about the shoes. In the article Dr. Oliver Zong warns against these staples of Boomer footwear.

“Zounds, Dr. Zong! Don’t take away my comfies!” I shout.

According to the good doctor, "Instead of mimicking the movement of walking barefoot and allowing the foot to naturally roll from heel to toe, a soft-soled shoe actually creates more work for the muscles of the foot therefore tiring them out faster."

(Wonder what he thinks of going barefoot...my first option.)

So, how do all you WOOFers feel about flip flops? Or, “thongs” as they used to be called. Remember that? My husband mentioned to his grown daughter that he’d found a great new pair of “thongs.” She blanched in horror at the image until he showed her his new footwear. She made him promise never to use that word again in reference to any of his past, present or future attire.

And, speaking of feet. Have you read, How to Dress the Mature Mutt in WOOF?

You find a doggie bowl full of fashion suggestions! WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty)

Also available on Amazon

The Red Dress Diary: Entry Two

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we're reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's her second entry:

Meeting the Kids...The Rest of the Story:

I was having lunch one day with my niece. It was right before my first trip to meet my fiance's grown children and I was already quite nervous about the upcoming introduction. So her question made me even more aprehensive.

"You aren't going to meet his kids in clothes like that, are you?"

I hadn't bought clothing for quite a while, and I guess I hadn't noticed that my wardrobe was mostly worn and dated. Before I could answer, she quipped, "Well, we will just have to go shopping and get you some 'meet the kids' clothes."

I loved what she picked out, and Tom's daughter immediately complimented me on my attire. When I explained that it was one of my new "meet the kids" outfits, she laughed, paused and then asked, "Dad, how old is that shirt you have on? Maybe you should have been the one to get new 'meet the kids' clothes!"

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

Make that "Bailey On The Rocks"

On
Off
On
Off
Turn
Toss
Turn
Toss…

The above is a portion of a poem titled “Covers” that I was happy to compose (compose?!?!) for WOOF: Women Only Over 50. (Interested in reading the rest? Just so happens you can order or download it by clicking right here!) Anyhoo…

Recently the poem and several other sections of the WOOF book were read by life coach Michelle Wilson to her weight-loss class. They loved the book! (what's not to love?!)

Members were particularly interested in the story Melinda (Mad Dog) shares about that special place on a woman’s body where she actually loses weight as she ages. (True! I swear we do!)

Michelle has an extraordinary gift for helping people realize their dreams and furry animals find good adoptive homes. We’re pleased to have her as a proud supporter of people WOOFers and animal woofers everywhere.

Please check out her company, Life Skills Inside Out, and the affirming services she provides.

Oh, by the way, it's official. Michelle is has joined ranks as a WOOFer. She recently registered with WOOF (insert: tail wag salute), and has graciously allowed us to include her WOOFer information here, today.

After completing our highly developed one-question quiz (found in the WOOF book), it was established Michelle is, in fact, a Bona Fide Fido. Please join us as we welcome our newest WOOFer, Bailey on the Rocks.
Cheers!

-- Diana (d.d.dawg)

The Red Dress Diary: Entry One

Mad Dog's gettin' married! Every Friday we'll be reading from her "secret" diary as the big day approaches! Shhh... Here's entry number one:

Meeting the Kids: What a difference four decades make! Widowed at 57, I never dreamed that I would ever find love again after losing my partner of almost 40 years. Then I met Tom, and will be walking down the aisle for the second time as a sixty-year-old bride.

Naturally, everything is completely different with this relationship and subsequent marriage. For one thing, I have gone from having no children to four grown children and seven grandchildren. And that brings us to the topic of this first entry in The Red Dress Diary, aptly named after the fact that I will be married in a red dress.

Meeting Tom's kids was terrifying. But being fearful was wasted energy. Within a few minutes of each introduction, I found myself feeling like I finally had what I always wanted--kids! And although there have been some adjustments to these and many other changes in my life, I feel that meeting and getting to know the kids has made me a better, more accepting person.

I discovered the secret in blending families is to just relax and enjoy the new and different personalities and relationships. I have to admit that the first time one of the girls asked if her son could call me "Mimi," I felt a bit uncomfortable. But that acceptance made me understand that whether we grow up with our family members or inherit them, we just need to accept and respect each other--despite the differences. I am already finding out that when acceptance comes first, love and understanding will just fall into place.

--Melinda (Mad Dog)

In honor of "Read An E-Book" week, we've gathered some great reasons to do just that!

* First and foremost, Ebooks are good for the environment. Ebooks save trees. Ebooks eliminate the need for filling up landfills with old books. Ebooks save transportation costs and the pollution associated with shipping books across the country and the world.

* Ebooks are portable. You can carry an entire library on one DVD.

* And the most import thing about Ebooks: The size of the text can be... ENLARGED!!!

Great places to find Ebooks?

Echelon Press (Paperbacks available too!)

WOOF! (also available as a download on Echelon!)

Fictionwise

Mary Cunningham (Milkbone)


Have Kindle? Check out Curse of the Bayou (Cynthia's Attic: Book Three)

Happy 50th, Barbie!

Barbie® Turns 50 Today! Which, of course, qualifies her as an official WOOFer! And do we ever have a special treat for her...and you. A visit with Rhonda Dossett, one of our colleagues at Echelon Press. From her home in Oklahoma, she shares this beautiful Barbie story:

In 1963, my grandmother gave me one of the first Barbies. That doll shared much of my life – I actually still have her. Her blonde ponytail is a little thin in places, but her blue eye shadow looks as fresh as it did way back then.

In the photo accompanying this blog, it was December of 1964. I was in my grandmother's kitchen, celebrating my sixth birthday with my daily playmates:

1) My younger brother is there. He was the poor soul who was usually consigned to minor roles in our make-believe games in exchange for his inclusion in our adventures. His mouth is open in protest about something. (That was usual too);
2) My best friend, Tammy, who had come to the party accompanied by her Barbie, (note the doll nearest the cake) is on my left. Tammy was probably waiting for me to direct the action (I was bossy even then);
3) I'm in the center – and you'll note that my Barbie attended too (see the doll in lower right corner). My grandmother made my dress, my Barbie's dress, and Tammy's Barbie's dress. We loved those Barbie dolls with a passion.

I still have my Barbie dolls and most of her elaborate ball gowns. I also have Tammy's doll.

Back in the Stone Ages, kids in Oklahoma had to be 6-years-old by the end of September or they had to wait until the next fall to start first grade. With a December birthday, I can't tell you how much I yearned to start first grade early. Tammy too, although she was even younger. I remember us commiserating in our misery – the unfairness of it all.

Kindergarten wasn't available, so we spent our time as kids used to do – long days playing outside in all but the worst weather. Our Barbies went with us – and yeah, my brother did too. We were free to roam our territory – about two blocks square with impunity. If we strayed, my grandmother knew before we got home. She had spies everywhere. (My mother had a job that year; my father was recovering from back surgery; and my grandmother was responsible for us during the day.)

Tammy lived just down the road, only a large pasture separating my grandparents' house from hers. She was the baby of her family – the last child of parents who were nearly the same age as my grandparents. Yes, she was spoiled. But she was also joyful. She was a happy soul. She sang all the time.

She also had leukemia.

When Tammy died the following summer her mother gave me Tammy's Barbie. I didn't really understand death then. I didn't understand she wasn't coming back or where she went. But I didn't want the doll to be lonely.

The next fall I started first grade. I took both Barbies with me.

-- Rhonda Dossett
Copyright 2009

The Southern Half of Evelyn David
Murder Off the Books & Murder Takes the Cake (May 2009)
evelyndavid.com
thestilettogang.blogspot.com

Evelyn David is the pseudonym for Marian Edelman Borden and Rhonda Dossett. While many fans who attend mystery conventions have chatted with both halves of Evelyn David, Marian and Rhonda have yet to meet in person. For more details on this unusual partnership, visit their website at http://www.evelyndavid.com. In addition to Murder Off the Books and Murder Takes the Cake, both from Echelon Press, Evelyn David is the author of several short stories including Riley Come Home in the Missing anthology from Echelon Press.

For another perspective check out author, Amy Goldman Koss in the LA Times. My Barbie

Say Cheeeeeese!

(Picture taken by adorable waiter...young enough to be our grandson!)

I know we promised NO MORE BIRTHDAY POSTS! But, yesterday was a special day!

WOOFer, Bev Bruemmer (aka Bubbles - on left), took Diana and me out for a belated birthday brunch. Aren't belated gifts great? Your birthday is but a recent memory and Zap! You get another gift! In this case, it was not only the gift of a fabulous meal of spinach omelets, stupendous spuds, biscuits and homemade peach preserves to die for...it was the gift of friendship.

We laughed and talked non-stop. Well, we talked when we weren't shoving food in our mouths and slurping freshly brewed coffee!

To top off the day, we were privileged to attend an author reading at the Carroll County Library by Sandra Novack . She read from the compelling first chapter of her newly-released book (Precious, Random House), then cheerfully answered all questions from the crowd. A delightful experience!

How could you ask for a better day? Friends, laughs, great books and...FOOD!

Got a great friendship story to tell? Let us know and we might publish it on our blog!

Mary Cunningham (Milkbone)

Coming Soon! Red Dress Diary! (Mad Dog's gettin' married! Read from her secret diary as the big day approaches!)