Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest

Today's forecast for St. Peters, MO: Mostly sunny, high 89 degrees. The hummigbirds were zipping between the feeder and the flowers on the front porch early this morning.

Here's a contest from Gemini Magazine (Fiction, Poetry, a Little Craziness and More) that caught my attention. I find the cover (at left) for the August issue a bit unnerving, but the magazine is sponsoring a contest that sounds intriguing: no entry fee, a short word count, an opportunity for a publishing credit--and since I'm a Gemini, well, it sounds like a contest to check out.

The GRAND PRIZE is $100 & publication in the October Issue of Gemini. Three HONORABLE MENTIONS will be published in the October Issue of Gemini. Word Limit: No more than 1,000 words (excluding title & byline). Any style, any theme (previously unpublished). Deadline: August 31, 2009. No Entry Fee. If you don't win or place, your story may be considered for publication in a future issue of Gemini. For complete details, visit their website The Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest

A Bittersweet Personal note: Sniff, sniff. Early this morning Cari left for Half-day Freshman Orientation at her new high school. Walt and I (with Harley on a leash--Michael was still asleep) stood on the front porch craning our necks, trying not to be too conspicious as we watched Cari wait up the street for the bus. She made me PROMISE not to take any photos or follow her to the bus stop. I did make a trip to the end of the driveway to put something in the mailbox where the view of the bus stop is much clearer--but only once! Before the bus arrived, she had sent me three text messages. By the time she got to school my cell phone was buzzing and beeping. In one she wrote she was texting seven other friends, who are all sharing a similar experience. Going from an eighth-grade class of 30 in a parochial school to a Freshman class of 300+ in a public school is a little intimidating. Only a handful from her grade school will be attending the same high school, but I'm sure that by the time she gets home this afternoon she will be bubbling with stories. And by the time school starts for real next week, she will not feel as anxious--and neither will I.

An Exciting Personal Note: Tomorrow I will post an announcement about an award I received from the very generous and funny Cathy C. Hall over on http://cathychall.blogspot.com/ So, stay tuned.