With A Lot of Help From my Friends

A week ago last Tuesday, my friends showered me with love, words of encouragement,  prayers, and surprise gifts. Their generosity and thoughtfulness brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the Beatle's melody, "I'll get by with a little help my friends," but for me it has been a lot of help from my friends!

When my sister Kathleen and I pulled into the parking lot of the Rendezvous Café I commented that Jack's truck wasn't there and said I hoped he wasn't sick. Jack is always at critique group, so I guess I should've known something was amiss.


Inside the restaurant, I got welcoming hugs from our always-smiling server, Kim, and fantastic cook, Sharon, who came out of the kitchen to greet me. Stephanie, the owner of Rendezvous, also gave me a welcoming hug. I was brought to tears at their moving gestures. But it couldn't compare with what awaited me when I entered our meeting room.

Kathleen, Linda, Pat, Lynn, Alice,

Donna, Tricia, Sarah, Jane, and Marcia

The back room of the Rendezvous Café was decorated with pink balloons and gifts, and many were dressed in pink. (I wore blue). The cake with the light pink breast cancer logo was lovely -- and delicious.

A little birdie later on told me Alice was the ringleader, with help from my sister Kathleen, who drove me to Rendezvous Café. And several others helped Alice plan the party.

Kathleen, Pat, Kim, Alice,

Donna, Jane, Tricia, and Marcia

I shed tears of joy when I saw the women gathered there. Besides our usual critique group ladies (Alice, Pat, Jane, Sarah, and Marcia), Linda, Tricia, and Lynn were there! I was told the guys were banished for the day. ;)

Others who couldn't come but sent gifts and/or cards were Berta, Sioux, Barbara, and Mary. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning opening the many thoughtful cards and presents.

Words can't express the gratitude in my heart for the kind gestures, generous gifts, and works of encouragement and support my friends have shown me throughout my breast cancer journey.

Without a doubt, I know that I'll get by with (more than) a little help from my friends! 

Writer's Withdrawal and a Surprise Visit from Nick Nixon

Lately I've been having writer's withdrawal. Because of family events and other commitments, I haven't been able to attend my Tuesday morning writing group, Coffee and Critique, for three weeks.

After so many weeks of being critique-free, I was looking forward to getting back in the swing of things, so much so that last night I attended a Saturday Writers open mic event. With more than 20 writers in attendance, last night's event was a big hit.

This morning I received a call from my best writing buddy, Lou Turner. Lou told me she had talked to Nick Nixon yesterday, and Nick was going to visit our critique group today. 

Nick has been fighting cancer lately, and we've missed his presence greatly, but we always have kept a chair at the table for him. Nick is an amazing writer, songwriter, singer, entertainer, and  all-around good guy.

So, this morning, Nick, his wife Kim and daughter Autumn Rose, as well as Nick's good friend Nick Berry from Ohio, dropped in our group for a visit.

Nick read one of his wonderful essays, and stayed a bit to give critique on a few others that were read.

I managed to snap a few shots of Nick and his family and one of him with Nick Berry. Kim also took a few photos of those C&C members there today, including the one above.

If you pop on over to the Coffee and Critique blog later today you will find more shots from this morning, but I wanted to post one here of Nick with some of our group so my visitors will know what's been going on with our dear writing friend, Nick Nixon.

Cardinals and Zombies and Snakes -- Oh, my!

Yesterday was strange, surprising --- and memorable.


Last night the St. Louis Cardinals clinched their 18th National League pennant and are headed for the World Series. Back in August, with the end of the season in sight, sports reporters, fans, and other ball teams pronounced the Cardinals’ season finished.

An opposing player from one team talked about burying the team in the ground and covering them with dirt.

Because the Red Birds refused to die, someone in the media dubbed them the “Zombie” Cardinals. Bats came to life. The bullpen woke up. Heroes emerged. Last night, amid champagne and celebration, third-baseman David Freese was awarded the trophy for Most Valuable Player in the National League series. A hometown hero was crowned!

Yesterday afternoon I witnessed another local hero emerge on a different field. His heroics took place in rural St. Charles --- on a soccer field surrounded by dry and dusty acres of recently plowed corn fields.

While my granddaughter’s soccer team warmed up before their game, I noticed commotion on an adjacent field. The game had stopped. Refs stood on the sidelines. Teenage girls from both teams huddled around midfield. People stood and stared at a man zigzagging near a goal post. I heard a few squeals as a soccer dad – with a Cardinals’ baseball cap on his head and a large plastic cup in one hand – chased a critter that had invaded his daughter's soccer field.

Soccer Dad bent down then quickly stood and backed up. Up and down. Thrust and parry. Back and forth. He maneuvered into position as he tried to capture something on the ground with his cup.

At first I thought the critter was a wounded bird unable to fly away. Then I caught a glimpse of slimy skin glinting off the midday sun when the critter hopped. A bullfrog? If so, it was a long and skinny frog. With a final thrust, Soccer Dad stopped the critter with his cup then lifted his catch by its neck. The captured creature shimmied and shook.

A snake. A black snake. A long black snake.

With fans applauding, Soccer Dad carried the wiggling reptile at arm’s length and deposited it in the closest, recently plowed corn field. Soccer Dad returned, victorious, brushing his hands on his jeans as the crowd whooped and cheered. The game restarted. A hero emerged, this one unnamed and unknown except to family and friends.

Yep. Yesterday had the ingredients that stories and memories are made of --- drama, tension, conflict, surprises, heroes, villains, adoring crowds, the victorious and the vanquished, and for St. Louis sports fans --- a happy ending.

We Interrupt this Blog Post

Due to circumstances beyond my control--not really beyond my control, but a change in plans--I won't be writing the promissed follow-up to my Day Tripping (Part II) post this morning.

What's that saying: Life happens while you're making plans.

I'm off on another, shorter day trip today. I love surprises--really. They make life interesting--and fun!

If time permits, I'll post tonight--if not I'll be back tomorrow--or Sunday or Monday for sure.