Odds and Ends

What are the odds:
I'm looking at the list of income-earning activities I've said I'd be available for in the next several weeks, and wondering how many will actually materialize.
1. A brief editing job for this weekend.
2. A hearing for the Medical Commission in mid-March.
3. Three federal grant reviews (HHS/HIV, SAMHSA, and Department of Education Safe and Drug Free Schools).
Last year about 95% of the MQAC cases set for hearings were settled. During a similar grant review period last summer, I reserved time to review for four grants...and was selected for just one.
As my late husband always said about odds...the chances are at least three in one!
In the meantime, I can always use the time to write anthology submissions and to study the Victorian underworld, because I've had... (see below)

A happy ending:
You've heard of the irresistible force and the immovable object? Well, I've been hassling for the last month with the University of Cambridge and the U.S. National Trust. The first said I had to pay my tuition costs for Cambridge International Summer School in pounds sterling, and the second said it could only pay my education award for my VISTA service in US dollars, since the money comes directly from the U.S. Treasury. Since I already bought my roundtrip airfare to England, this has been causing me to lose sleep at nights. I even offered to pay the fee in pounds sterling directly through my bank, suggesting that the University send the papers to the Trust, get the dollars, and then give them to me.

Now Cambridge has relented, and said they would accept the money from the National Trust in US dollars, then send me an invoice or a refund for the difference, if any, after the dollars are converted to pounds sterling.

So I can sleep again, and start to read Oliver Twist.

Sundae, Monday and Always

Yesterday I finished my story, Sundae, Monday and Always. Set in 1951, it details how my cigar-smoking customer that I privately termed The Riddler, helped solve a Christmas dilemma. The subplot revolves around a boyfriend who may or may not surprise me with a holiday treat.

If the dogs leave me alone long enough, today I'll write about my cousin Neicie, the quirkiest character in my entire family of misfits.

Birthday Bonanza

My son celebrates his birthday Monday, February 22. In his honor, and for an upcoming Chicken Soup book for new moms, this morning I wrote about the days leading up to his birth, and the aftermath, and sent it off this morning both to the anthology and to Steve. I called it Birthday Bonanza, since it's about the unanticipated benefit of being born on what was then a school holiday, George Washington's birthday.

This next week I plan to complete the story about Cousin Neicie, and two Christmas tales, one about Christmas Eve at Owl Drug Store when I was fourteen, and the other, an "as told to" about a friend's recent experience during the holiday blizzard in NYC.

Dream of Things

My story about my fourth grade teacher in Scotts Mills, OR, Forever Sharp, has been selected as Story of the Week by Dream of Things. It will be published in an anthology later this year. Here it is:

http://dreamofthings.com/dream-catchers

The Great Who-Nami

I finished the story about Tsunami, my Akita, yesterday, and sent it off to Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life. It's about her puppyhood, when she rivaled Houdini as an escapologist.

Now I'm off to Arizona where I'll be going to granddaughter Kendra's christening on Saturday...and hope to finish the story about Cousin Neicie and her seafaring Yugo.

Memories

One of these three stories will tell itself today, given a chance:

My cousin Neicie's Yugo that crossed the Pacific more times than Kon-tiki
The cigar smoker at the drugstore counter on Christmas Eve
My Akita, Tsunami, who rivaled Houdini as an escapologist

So after I mop, dust and vacuum, I'll sit down to the laptop in the back room and see which tale turns up!

Terri's Published Tales

Latest Update on Stories (amended 02/07/23)
(Nearly all of the books are available through Amazon.com)

10/07 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating Brothers and Sisters (Easter Bloomers)
03/08 Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Tribute to Moms (Tea for Two)
05/08 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction (Kisses for Mr. Castle)
06/08 Smokin’ Keyboards, online contest, 2nd place (The Valentine Sweetheart)
10/08 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce and Recovery (When He Looked Like James Dean)
10/08 Past Loves Day Online Contest, 4th place (When He Looked Like James Dean)
10/08 Tea: A Magazine, Autumn ’08 issue, (Tea for Two)
10/08 Ultimate Christmas (Up Front)
11/08 Sasee Magazine, November ’08 (Ugali, By Golly)
12/08 Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution (Forced to Face the Facts)
12/08 HCI Memorable Christmas Contest,1st place (Right on Time)
03/09 Cup of Comfort for New Mothers (Finding My Comfort Zone)
04/09 Ultimate Mom (Baby Book Bloopers, The Valentine Sweetheart)
04/09 Ultimate Teacher (Student of the Month,Watching for the Rebound)
05/09 Literary Cottage, My Dad is My Hero (Daddy and the Dodgers)
06/09 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times (A is for Apple, The Legacy)
06/09 Patchwork Path, Dad’s Bow Tie (Pop’s Old Pedestal Desk)
06/09 Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families (Magic and Miracles)
06/09 Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers II (Christofur’s Christmas)
08/09 Adams Media, My First Year in the Classroom (Blue Hawaii)
09/09 Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from the Cat (Withstanding Winter’s Woes)
11/09 Patchwork Path, Friendship Star (Gail and The Special Sears Sale)
02/10 Grandmothers’ Necklace (Grandma Gertie’s Pickled Peaches)
03/10 Ultimate Christian Living (Santo Domingo Sunrise)
03/10 Cup of Comfort for Fathers (Montana Bananas)
05/10 Patchwork Path, Wedding Bouquet (Hubbin ‘n’ Wipe, A Groom and a Duck)
08/10 Thanksgiving Tales (Spellbound by Swanky Swigs)
09/10 Literary Cottage, My Dog is My Hero (When Nat Rescued Nami)
09/10 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive (From Nuisance to Blessing)
09/10 Whispering Angel Books, Living Lessons (Vaya Con Dios)
09/10 Thin Threads, Teachers and Mentors (Kisses for Mr. Castle)
09/10 Thin Threads, Grief and Renewal (Winging It)
09/10 Thin Threads, Compassion and Giving (Daddy and Raggedy Ann)
10/10 Dream of Things, Saying Goodbye (Dreaming as the Summers Die)
11/10 Thin Threads, More Real Stories of Life Changing Moments (Forever Sharp)
12/10 Patchwork Path, Treasure Box (All Those Years Ago, It's About Time)
02/11 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grief and Recovery (Not Quite Unbearable, Winging It)
03/11 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers (Ready for Stardust)
05/11 When Flowers Bloom in the Moonlight (One Fine Day)
05/11 Thin Threads, Women and Friendship (Totally Not Strangers)
6/11 University College of the North, Quint (All of His Heroes)
06/11 Outrider Press, A Bird in the Hand: Risk and Flight (Once in a Lifetime)
06/11 Pinchback Press, Tarnished: True Tales of Innocence Lost (A Pair to Draw To)
08/11 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for the Young at Heart (The Bet, Our Great Expectations)
08/11 Silver Boomer Books, The Harsh and the Heart: Patriot's Dream (A Taxing Topic, Foote Notes from My Father, Suds and Solace)
08/11 Whispering Angel, Nurturing Paws (Oh, Fudge, Another Nudge)
09/11 Dr. Bernie Siegel, A Book of Miracles (Bats in Our Belfry, Daddy and Raggedy Ann)
09/11 God Makes Lemonade (No Longer a Nuisance)
10/11 Thin Threads, Moms and Grandmas (She'll Know Me)
10/11 Writers Abroad, Foreign Flavours, (The Marvelous Mexican Parsley of West 59th Place)
10/11 Helping Inspire Others, Panik: Candid Stories of Life Altering Experiences Surrounding Pregnancy (Dreaming as the Summers Die)
10/11 SixteenOctober Writing Contest, 2nd Place, How to Succeed in Business and Life Through Your Stomach (Winging It)
11/11 Lighthouse Press, Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home (Daddy and Raggedy Ann)
11/11 Hidden Brook Press, Celebrating Christmas with...Memories, Poetry and Good Food (Up Front)
02/12 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven (The Unforgotten)
04/12 Tending Your Inner Garden, Winter (Tombstone Territory)
04/12 Changes in Life, The Woman I've Become (Heed the Call)
05/12 Write Integrity Press, Life Lessons from Moms (Tea for Two)
05/12 Chicken Soup for the Soul, Say Goodbye to Back Pain (Twist and Shout)
05/12 Chicken Soup for the Soul, Say Hello to a Better Body (Running Like Sixty)
05/12 Hidden Thoughts Press, Anxiety Disorders: True Stories of Survival (A Ruffled Mind)\
07/12 Heartscapes: True Stories of Remembered Love (When He Looked Like James Dean)
08/12 Guideposts, Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels Unaware (Bats in Our Belfry)
09/12 Silver Boomer Books, On Our Own: Widowhood for Smarties (All of His Heroes)
09/12 Silver Boomer Books, A Quilt of Holidays, (Easter Bloomers)
09/12 Jonna Ivin, Loving for Crumbs (Needs)
09/12 Tending Your Inner Garden, Spring (Maybe Tuesday Will Be My Good News Day)
09/12 Write Integrity Press, Life Lessons from Teachers (Forever Sharp)
10/12 Oaktara, Falling in Love With You (Good Bettor, Best)
10/12 Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive (Eighty-five Percent)
10/12 Seal Press, Hot and Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love and Fashion (Elephants Never Forget)
10/12 Whispering Angel, Littlest Blessings (Light of My Life)
10/12 The Animal Anthology Project: True Tails (Horse Sense, Once in a Lifetime)
10/12 NYMB...On Being a Woman (Up Front, Egged On)
10/12 HCI, For the Love of Christmas (Up Front)
11/12 NYMB...On Being a Stupid Kid (Fevers, Why Did Cynthia Slap Me?)
11/12 Hidden Brook Press, Grandmother, Mother and Me: Memories, Poetry and Good Food (Special Yarn Blossoms)
12/12 NYMB...On Dogs (Choosin' Her Chews)
12/12 Dream of Things, Travel (Once in a Lifetime)
03/13 Leafwood Publishers, Miracles and Moments of Grace: Motherhood (Light of My Life)
03/13 NYMB: On Travel (Craving Creature Comforts, Geared Up in Guatemala)
04/13 When God Makes Lemonade (Santo Domingo Sunrise)
04/13 HCI, For the Love of Mom (Baby Book Bloopers, The Valentine's Sweetheart)
05/13 HCI, For the Love of Teachers (Student of the Month, Watching for the Rebound)
05/13 Fat Daddy's Farm, Joy Interrupted (Dreaming as the Summers Die, Ready for Stardust)

05/13 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Writers (A to Z)
06/13 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reader's Choice 20th Anniversary (Tea for Two)
06/13 Tending Your Inner Garden, Summer (When He Looked Like James Dean)
07/13 Write for Light, (Shined on By His Grace)
09/13 NYMB...On Parenting (In Tune With My Son) 
09/13 NYMB... On Home Improvement (A Zillion Zinnias)
10/13 Tending Your Inner Garden, Fall (Autumn Aubade)
11/13 Hidden Brook Press, Grandfather, Father and Me: Memories, Poetry and Good Food (Choosing Shoes Blues)
12/13 HCI, For the Love of God (Santa Domingo Sunrise)
04/14 NYMB...On Moms (Baby Book Bloopers)
06/14 NYMB...On Family (Killing Them With Kindness)
08/14 Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Did What? (When Natty Rescued Nami)
09/14 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life (A Happy Heart)
09/14 NYMB...On Cats (Picture Perfect) 
09/14 Whispering Angel, Miracles &  Extraordinary Blessings (Heroes)
10/14 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel (A Penny From Heaven)
10/14 NYMB...Working for a Living (Sure Was Greek to Me!)
10/14 Compass Flower Press, Uncertain Promise (Blame and Shame)
10/14 My Gutsy Story II (A Happy Heart)
12/14 Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Forgiveness (Rest in Peace)

12/14 Dancing With Bear, 25 Days of Christmas (An Offhand Christmas) (ebook)

02/15 NYMB...On Sex (The French Way)
05/15 Blue Lobster Press, Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee (Mama Hankered for Hankies)
05/15 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Time to Thrive (Right Back Where I Started From)
08/15 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Volunteering and Giving Back (Right on Time) \
08/15 Robyn McGee, Dear Nana (Grandma's Promise Box)
09/15 Christina Hamlett, Unfinished Chapters (Secret Love)
06/16 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Spirit of America (A Taxing Topic, Home from Haiti)
09/16 Christine Hamlett, Finding Mr. Right (My Best Bet)
10/16 Lisa Nolan, Mom for the Holidays (A Feathered Phenomenon)
10/16 Grace Publishing, More Christmas Moments (A Distant Memory)
07/17 Sarah Miner, Narcissist's Playbook (Needs)
07/17  Marfa House, Love is in the Air (Secret Love)
08/17 Grace Publishing, Loving Moments (An Astonishment of Unicorns, All Those Years Ago)
08/17 Dr. Zeal Okogeri, You Can Never Go Wrong by Being Kind (Just Like the Others)
08/17 Anne Bardsley, Angel Bumps (Painted Ladies)
08/17 Kelly Ann Jacobson, The Way to My Heart (A Pair of Merry Mollusks)
10/17 Arkansas Life Magazine, October, 2017  (Hammered)
10/17 Vine Leaves Press Magazine online (Cinderella: Conflict and Resolution)
11/17 Grace Publishing, Merry Christmas Moments (A Good Eye, The Offhand Christmas)
12/17 Trisha Faye, In Celebration of Sisters (Upside, Downside)
12/17 Poor Yorick: A Journal of Rediscovered Objects (It's About Time)
12/17 Sasee Magazine, December, 2017 (The Offhand Christmas)
12/17 Edify Fiction online (Sundae, Monday and Always)
03/18 Sasee Magazine, March, 2018 (Uncle Wiggly and Sunday Stews)
03/18 Christina Hamlett, Table4Two (Our Canadian Sunset)
04/18 Sasee Magazine, April, 2018 (Fun and Games?)
06/18 Grace Publishing, Coolinary Moments (Proof of the Pudding, A Pair of Merry Mollusks)
08/18  Vitamin ZZZ Magazine, SleepyHead Central (I Dreamt I Went to Rome)
08/18 Universal Table, Surprised by Joy (Different but Divine)
08/18 Georgia Life Magazine, My Georgia (Grandma Gertie's Pickled Peaches)

01/19 Good Old Days Magazine (A Pair of Merry Mollusks)
01/19 Sasee Magazine, January 2019 (The Injured Party)
10/19 Good Old Days Magazine (It's About Time)
11/19 Grace Publishing, Remembering Christmas Moments (Dear Deere Angel)
11/19 Dang, I Wish I Hadn't Done That, Ageless Authors (An Arrested Development)

02/20 Grace Publishing, Romantic Moments, (He Hijacked My Honeymoon; Parade of Sevens; Alive, Alert and Able to Love)
03/20 Good Old Days Magazine (Easter Bloomers)
05/20 Woodhall Press, Flash Nonfiction Food (Proof of the Pudding)
07/20  Good Old Days Magazine (Vaya Con Dios)
09/20 Good Old Days Magazine (The Double Sawbuck)

10/20 Jack Walker Press, Friendship (Gail and the Special Sears Sale)
11/20 MuseWrite Press, Impact: A Portrait of Activism (I Gave Peace a Chance)

11/20 Good Old Days Magazine (Swanky Swigs)

11/20 Sasee Magazine (Birthday Bonanza)
12/20 Universal Table, Goodness (Grandma Fang's Clowder of Kittens)

03/21 Good Old Days Magazine (The Marvelous Mexican Parsley of Southwest L.A.)

12/22 Angel Bumps, Heartstrings From Heaven (The Good Guys) 

12/22 Brush With Fame, Reminisce (Razzle Dazzle and Hope)

02/23 Hindsight Anthology (Taco Tuesdays, 2020)

05/23 Chicken Soup for the Soul: All You Need is Love (The Bet)