Top Ten Things I Love About My Husband

10) He likes to cuddle. But I’m menopausal and sometimes I kick him off. He doesn’t complain.

9) He eats whatever I cook. I’m a good cook but it wouldn’t matter. He just likes to eat.

8) He’s not bored by anyone or anything. Well, he never really had much interest in what I was writing till I started writing about him. Now he’s not bored by that either. Bless his heart.

7) He doesn’t yell at me. Oh, he yells sometimes, but not at me.

6) My friends like him. My family likes him. He’s a likable guy.

5) He doesn’t leave his dirty socks on the floor anywhere except the bedroom or the living room. Or maybe the kitchen because he comes in at the end of the day through the back door, which is in the kitchen.But he never leaves dirty socks on any other floor.

4) He always takes me to church. Some husbands don’t go. Some husbands don’t live like they go. He goes and he lives like it.

3) He looks at me sometimes, and I get cross and ask him what he is looking at, and he smiles and says he’s just looking at me.

2) He shaves his head for me. He’s bald anyway, but I like him shaved, not with that silly ring of black hair over his collar. Bald is beautiful.

1) He’s sexy when he plays the bass guitar, or climbs the boom on the well rig, or talks with the old ladies at church, or pats our kids on the back, or slips his hand in mine when we’re walking at the mall. When he do those things I'm glad he's mine.

Just Here to Follow

I went to a writer’s conference in May, the BRMCWC, and discovered I’d written something many pros consider unsuited for the current market. Factors included the upswing in custom publishing, the economy, and, as usual, the fact that I’m a nobody. Okay, a little research on my part might have revealed that unless you’re an actor or an athlete with a sordid past, your personal story is not too interesting to the general public. But there I was with this book proposal for a manuscript full of spiritual wisdom and insight and comedy and trials, all built around a personal story. I went to my room Tuesday night a little put out. I just wanted to talk to God.

In addition to the basics I’d packed a lint roller, a sewing kit, Shout wipes, medication for almost any ailment, an umbrella, sensible shoes, and two book proposals. None of these items left my suitcase. The one thing I didn’t bring was my Bible. But I was at Ridgecrest so I knew I could find one. I slid open the drawer of my nightstand, and there was a Bible. “Give me a little something here,” I said to God. “I’ve wasted the last year of my life.”

It didn’t take long to find it. Ecclesiastes is not my favorite book, but that’s where I went. My eyes fell on chapter 9, verse 7, and the second part of the verse came alive: “God has already accepted your works.” I thought,Thanks, Lord, I’m glad you like it. But what else is there really? God lead me to write this book. And I wrote it.

The next day my book proposal sparked a little interest among the pros. I’m hoping for the chance to tell this weird, frank, funny story. Even though it’s personal and I’m a nobody. More about the book and the publishing journey later.

What I’m reading now: Anthill by E.O. Wilson, a literary novel about, well, ants. It’s a good story that begins on page 143. Pulitzer winners really ought to go to a conference to learn all that stuff about back story.