
The Mid-Michigan chapter of RWA is having our annual Retreat from Harsh Reality at the end of April. We gather at a beautiful setting; the Yarrow Golf & Conference Resort in Augusta, Michigan. (see link below)
I have been assisting the retreat coordinator this year with the idea I will take over the reins next year. (yikes!!) One of my jobs this year was to contact authors to see if they would like to contribute any books for our book raffle and basket raffle. In addition, I requested any S.W.A.G. the authors might like to send along. We fill the registration bag with all this great promotional material. This year our bags will be bursting with "goodies" from so many giving authors.
I wasn't surprised when I got a GREAT response from the authors I contacted. After all, romance writers are very generous and supportive of each other. I have to admit it is feeling like Christmas to me, getting boxes and packages each day, filled with books and goodies. There are very few things I love more than books.
Alas, the books and goodies aren't mine to keep, they will be added to baskets and bags of every size and shape for the auction.
Proceeds will benefit the Kalamazoo YWCA's Domestic Assault Program.
I have been assisting the retreat coordinator this year with the idea I will take over the reins next year. (yikes!!) One of my jobs this year was to contact authors to see if they would like to contribute any books for our book raffle and basket raffle. In addition, I requested any S.W.A.G. the authors might like to send along. We fill the registration bag with all this great promotional material. This year our bags will be bursting with "goodies" from so many giving authors.
I wasn't surprised when I got a GREAT response from the authors I contacted. After all, romance writers are very generous and supportive of each other. I have to admit it is feeling like Christmas to me, getting boxes and packages each day, filled with books and goodies. There are very few things I love more than books.
Alas, the books and goodies aren't mine to keep, they will be added to baskets and bags of every size and shape for the auction.
Proceeds will benefit the Kalamazoo YWCA's Domestic Assault Program.

So among the many items sent to me, Christine Feehan sent a bevy of cool things. One of which is a Magic 8 Ball with her pretty indicia; a distinctive CF design. My inner child was delighted with this discovery. I hadn't seen a Magic 8 Ball in years. Do you remember Magic 8 Balls?
Ask a question, shake it, then flip it over for the answer.
I remember when I was a kid asking if I'd marry Donny Osmond. -Guess it said no. Maybe if it had answered, 'Focus, and ask again,' Donny and I would be living happily ever after. Darn!
It's amazing how the simplest thing can draw us back to our youth. To simpler days. I still can't hear the jingle of the ice cream truck coming down the street, without wanting to jump up from what I am doing and run out the door. Of course, nowadays I would be scrounging around looking for loose change since my cash is usually sucked up by my teenagers. Who, by the way, would absolutely die if they saw me stop the ice cream truck. One of these days...
So, you can probably guess, I just had to play with the Magic 8 Ball for a few minutes. Just a few.
Ask a question, shake it, then flip it over for the answer.
I remember when I was a kid asking if I'd marry Donny Osmond. -Guess it said no. Maybe if it had answered, 'Focus, and ask again,' Donny and I would be living happily ever after. Darn!
It's amazing how the simplest thing can draw us back to our youth. To simpler days. I still can't hear the jingle of the ice cream truck coming down the street, without wanting to jump up from what I am doing and run out the door. Of course, nowadays I would be scrounging around looking for loose change since my cash is usually sucked up by my teenagers. Who, by the way, would absolutely die if they saw me stop the ice cream truck. One of these days...
So, you can probably guess, I just had to play with the Magic 8 Ball for a few minutes. Just a few.
When my husband got home, I showed him, "Ask a question, come on, ask a question." He thought for a second, then asked, "Is Anne obnoxious?" Obviously I was bugging him when he was doing something more important, like putting on his shoes to take the dog for his walk. I rolled my eyes, flipped it over and it read, 'Without a doubt.' Really?
I quickly asked, "Is Jeff a pain in the 'southern region' only I used a three-letter word. I flipped it over and it read, 'All indications say yes.' Now we're talkin'.
I quickly asked, "Is Jeff a pain in the 'southern region' only I used a three-letter word. I flipped it over and it read, 'All indications say yes.' Now we're talkin'.
Can you imagine if we lived our lives according to Magic 8 Ball answers?
Should we go out for dinner? 'Consult Me Later'. Wow, I could get really hungry waiting for a positive answer.
Is Anne procrastinating? 'Very Likely'. Hmmm.
Will Anne ever finish her book? 'Not if she keeps playing with the damn Magic 8 Ball.'
Okay, maybe it's time to set it aside.
Just one more question, since the Magic 8 Ball seems to be giving accurate answers.
I ask, Will our Retreat from Harsh Reality be a resounding success, full of fun and friendship?
'No Doubt About It!'
Should we go out for dinner? 'Consult Me Later'. Wow, I could get really hungry waiting for a positive answer.
Is Anne procrastinating? 'Very Likely'. Hmmm.
Will Anne ever finish her book? 'Not if she keeps playing with the damn Magic 8 Ball.'
Okay, maybe it's time to set it aside.
Just one more question, since the Magic 8 Ball seems to be giving accurate answers.
I ask, Will our Retreat from Harsh Reality be a resounding success, full of fun and friendship?
'No Doubt About It!'