One of my favorite song quotes comes from the late John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy.” “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” August was a busy month, but September has followed suit, leaving little time blog. I suppose better late than never applies.
Traditionally for the Fields of Belton, Missouri, the first two weeks of August is when Jan goes to Sturgis, SD for the annual bike rally. It’s also the time when the missus, ie me, has time to relax and hang around the house. However, this year, I didn’t spend nearly as much time relaxing as I’d expected.
The first weekend, I packed up the purple tent, books, and artwork. With my good friend Barbara I drove to Fayette, Missouri for the weekend to take part in the Fayette Arts Festival where we stayed with my co-author and friend Diane Yates. Although the weather was unseasonably cold and wet, we girls had a great time. We even sold a few books. 😉 With all of our husbands off and running, the three of us spent Saturday night watching a movie, sipping wine and gabbing into the wee hours.
One of the things I love about doing these signings is the people I meet. Drawn in by the artwork and my novels’ connection to my family, someone will tell me, often in great detail, about their own backgrounds. Great fun.
Wednesday, August 9th, my cousin Kent and I headed to midtown where I was scheduled to do an interview on ArtSpeak on local radio station KKFI, Kansas City’s answer to NPR. He took the picture below during the interview.
Here’s the podcast of that interview. Note: I wasn’t the only guest. You’ll find my slot at 27:39. Friday Fictioneers gets a nod as I read three flash fictions and told Maria how I stumbled into one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Following the interview, Kent and I spent the afternoon meandering around KC’s famous Country Club Plaza. We spent at least an hour in Barnes & Noble’s media room geeking out over DVD’s. We capped off the day by devouring our favorite barbecue at Snead’s BBQ, another Kansas City tradition.
Leawood Barnes & Noble book signing, August 12.
Truly, the crowning moments of the month happened in Branson at the Ozarks Writers League (OWL) conference which happens four times a year. I’ve been a part of and learned much from this generous group of writers for the past ten years. This year I had the opportunity to give back in leading a workshop entitled “Using Flash Fiction as a Writing Tool.” Two FFr’s, our own class clown, Russell Gayer and Cuzzin Kent Bonham served as my peanut gallery (for those who remember Howdy Doody).
A month ahead I sent out the photo prompt and challenged the OWLs to write a 100 word story, giving them a taste of Friday Fictioneers, using the same prompt we used that week on the blog challenge. As always, it’s entertaining to hear the different takes on the same photo. OWL president, Diane Yates and her husband Ricky both took part which was fun since the photo is that of their converted closet shower that he built with his own two hands.
August is the month of the OWL Annual Art Contest with three categories: 2 dimensional art, 3 dimensional and photography. Best in Show (not to be confused with the famous dog show) is awarded by the entry the judges consider the best of the 3 first place winners. I was pleased to learn that I won first and second place for 2 dimensional and the trophy. 😀
Since my husband Jan, my favorite roadie, cheerleader and wind beneath my wings, took the photos he isn’t in any of them.
Sounds like you had a fun trip as well as a successful one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lavanya,
Success can’t be measured in monetary terms alone, can it? It was indeed a successful month and trip. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great recap on a very busy period. Now…onward, upward, forward to more busyness.
LikeLike
What a month! And,what a nice interview on the radio. Proud of what you’re doing.
Randy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Randy,
It was one busy month for sure. September is proving to be equally as busy. It’s one foot in front of the other. Thank you for your sweet, encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
What a great productive and invigorating span of time. You’ve been busy!! Maybe this winter you’ll get your relaxation time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Mad Erthwitch,
As you know, the life of an author/artist is often feast or famine. I think this winter I will start trolling for next years festivals. These seem to work better for me than bookstore signings (Although I won’t rule those out. 😉 ) If you know of any good ones, feel free to pass along the info. Thank you for everything.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t done any festivals yet but I’m interested. We’ve been focused on doing the Downtown Rogers Farmers Market this year but it hasn’t been good for selling art. I do sell some books but oddly enough the fiction does best. That’s still not really good but better than it does at Amazon. I’ve just found in general that books and art are hard sells. Hope there’s not too many typos in this reply… low light without my glasses is a recipe for disaster!
LikeLike
My head is in a whirl after reading about all this non-stop activity,
My favourite thing was your girls get-together and long night among the stars just having fun with a glass of wine and good company….you can never have too much innocent fun- or even not so innocent -bring it on !!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Valerie,
I have to agree with you that the girls’ night with wine and good company was my favorite part. I’m usually the first one to sleep but I didn’t want to miss a minute of such a great evening. Then we all woke early and chatted the morning away. Having Barb as my traveling companion was wonderful as well, since we’ve been friends since our adult children were babies and don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like.
Thank you for coming by to share a little girl time. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You had a pretty busy August, it sounds. I like listening to the interview, especially the shout-out to Friday Fictioneers. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David,
It was a great month and I had a lot of fun doing the interview. Glad you came by. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
All this publicity is sure to get the attention of say, Oprah, or, how about Steven Spielberg? 😀
Busy is good… I promise you. Loved listening to you read the three short stories.
Lotsa love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Dale,
From your mouth to God’s ears. 😉 Gotta keep keepin’ on, as the saying goes. Thank you for all of your encouragement along the way. 😀
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always! xoxo
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I agree with Dale. …You gaining the attention of Oprah and/or Steven Spielbergy, indeed, why not?
What a busy life you have! Your energy and determination is phenomenal. You are a veritable dynamo 🙂
All best wishes,
Sarah
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Sarah,
If they’ll agree, I’ll agree. 😉 If I go on feelings, I’m not so sure about being a dynamo. But…there’s no turning back, is there?
Thanks for the good wishes and emotional support. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
So immensely inspired with how much can be pursued in one life, with talent and passion and hard work . May each month be as fulfilling for you as August was !
Loved hearing your voice , as always.
I admire how you describe your describe your relationship with your husband in the last lines . 🙂
Regards and best wishes to you both ,
Moon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Moon,
Thank you for your kind words and following. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for forgiving my Grammar.🙂
I am so happy to be a part of Friday Fictioneers and so grateful to its warm and kind hostess. Thanks, earnestly.
Moon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post. You are so inspiring Rochelle, a bundle of energy. I wonder how you manage all this? Shalom. Have a great time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Indira,
Some days that energy wanes. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You more than compensate for it by beautiful stories.
LikeLike
Sounds like fun. Glad it went well💖
LikeLike
Your granddaughter is beautiful – must run in the family!
LikeLike