And Now For Something Completely Different...

"It's not pining, it's passed on. This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be. It's expired and gone to meet its maker.This is a late parrot. It's a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies. It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-parrot."

"Well, I'd better replace it, then... Sorry guv, we're right out of parrots... I got a slug."
"Does it talk?"
"Not really, no."
"Well, it's scarcely a replacement, then is it?"


* BOOK NEWS *

Roland posted a great and insightful writing tip at Writing in the Crosshairs

Christine asks the question at Make Mine Mystery - Why would anyone want to be a writer? (LOL - certainly not for the money!)

Two great online conferences!

WriteOnCon for kidlit authors - registration opens July 1. This is the conference’s first year and the ladies are working hard to put it together!

The Muse Online Writers Conference on October 11-17. Affiliated with the award-winning sites and Writer's Digest Top 101 Writing Sites: The MuseItUp Club & Apollo's Lyre. Deadline to register is August 15! This conference has received the award for best online writer’s conference from Preditors & Editors for the past few years and Lea Schizas works SO hard to pull it together.

And Tara at Feel of Something New gave me the Journey Award! Thank you, Tara!


* FATHER’S DAY TRIBUTE *

In honor of Father’s Day. Alissa at Slightly More Than Dirt suggested we write a post about our fathers.

My father was a gentle and creative spirit. My fondest memories come from the hours I would spend with him in his workshop. He was a carpenter by trade (although he worked for the state doing blueprints) and he was always building something. We didn’t have a lot of money, so he built quite a few of my toys, including four different doll houses. He was a rock hound, and I loved to polish his collection while he worked. He was also an avid photographer and shot everything without the use of a light meter. It is from my father that I developed a passion for photography and pursued my dream of professional photographer. He died when I was eleven, but if he could see me now as a photographer, author, speaker, and married to a wonderful man who shares many of his qualities, I know my father would be proud!

* CAPTION WINNER *

You guys make this so tough! This week it is a tie-

"Made in China. Some parts may be missing." From Helen Ginger
"All I want for Christmas is my two front ears, my two front ears, my two front ears." from Stephen Tremp

* VIDEO OF THE DAY *

It’s been a while since I posted Steve’s Bad Day and many of my newer followers have never seen this video. It’s my husband’s third animation and he spent eight months creating this eight minute mini movie. It’s very funny and deserves so many more views than it’s received. So please enjoy Steve’s Bad Day!