These are a few of my favorite things...

10. Jewelry -- Haven't bought a toe ring yet, but only because I haven't found the right one.
9. Chocolate -- It actually belongs higher on the list, but I was afraid I'd forget to include it after going to the fridge for a Dove dark chocolate Promise.
8. Reading about myself -- I know. It's not cool to admit such a thing, but I just realized when I read the article about me (okay me & my best friend) in our hometown newspaper, it felt good.
7. Reading about others I care about -- Well, maybe I've redeemed myself a little?!?! I'm putting others before me!! (Ha! Not really when you consider the direction this is being read!)
6. Reading in general -- I used to be such a slow reader. I've learned in my old age that you can skim and the world does not come to an end. Who knew?
5. This great big, wild, wonderful world -- It gets smaller every day, so it's a little easier to get my head around it. Just this year my husband and I (not together except in spirit) have been to South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Japan.
4. My home -- I do love the world, but there's no place like home.
3. The pets who have blessed my life -- Pompy, Charlie & Chrissie.
2. My family members and friends -- talk about blessed. I'm eternally grateful for each and every one.
1. Breathing -- Couldn't live without it!

It's My Life

Bon Jovi sings about it. Life. Well, this is my new life. Book fairs and conventions. And oddly enough, I love it!

Not so much the concrete floors, which are hard on WOOFer feet and legs. But I love, love, love meeting new people!

Who knew a writer could come out of her shell and enjoy interacting with people...instead of putting words on paper (or computer), forming words in her mouth and speaking them. Maybe it's the instant gratification thing.

I don't know, but it has quickly become one of my favorite things. People are fascinating and basically share the same needs and wants. Who knew?

And sometimes they actually buy a book or two.

Sweeeet.

Women with a new leash on life!

Whoo-hoo! It's here.

Women Only Over 50 authors,

d.d. dawg (yours truly), Mad Dog and Milkbone celebrate the new book with, whatelse, chocolate cake!

Want more info on this humorous book? Check out

http://www.woofersclub.com/!

WOOF!

Wag your tail thang,
Wag your tail thang,
yeah, yeah!

It's here!!!

Excitement doesn't even cover the uh, excitement Mary (Milkbone), Melinda (Mad Dog) and yours truly (d.d. dawg) are experiencing as we prepare for book signings, book tours (look for us at a book store near you!) and festivals.

Echelon Press and we (the authors) promise you'll find something funny and heartfelt in this new read. It will make a great gift for yourself (if you, like us, have been looking to howl at the aging process!) or for any woman who has hit headon (or about to) that magical midlife milestone.

Click on the book cover for preorders! And, please check out our WOOFers Club blog for more info!

WOOF: Your pawsport to the world of Great Dames!

If One's Good...

We love books, right? But just how much? Enough to set aside 12 buildings on our rural property where we house one million (yes, MILLION) tomes? Sure, we would if we could. But you gotta admit, THAT amount of effort takes an amazing passion for books.

Central Wisconsin, off County Road K, that’s where Lloyd Dickman cultivates wheat and corn while his wife Lenore grows the book collection. The Dickman’s bookstore is open regular business hours on Saturday and anytime by appointment…or if you happen to find them stocking shelves and not out procuring more books.

During an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Lenore, who rather likes her Dickman system for cataloging instead of Dewey’s, pointed to a book table she says is the most important of all. The table does not labor under the weight of leather-bound classics like “Tale of Two Cities” or “Les Miserable.” Rather small, colorful reads such as “Mother Goose.”

“If a child knows eight nursery rhymes by the time he is four years old,” said Lenore, now retired, but who, with her husband’s support and sacrifice, earned a PhD, “that child will be an excellent reader by the time he is eight years old.”

Personally, I have to trust the opinion of someone ensconced by that much paper and ink; a person who when additional book space was needed, cleaned out, fixed up and roofed a huge storage bin that once held cow manure. Actually, that project was Lloyd's contribution. Soon he’s going to turn over one-third of his tractor garage to Lenore’s ever-expanding stockpile.

That’ll bring their bookstore “chain” to 13. All that without serving one cup of coffee or surfacing the long dirt road leading to their store.

Yeah, one has to love books nearly as much as they do to venture out to their place. And that’s exactly what the Dickman’s count on.