Heartfelt gratitude
Flowery Prose has sort of been languishing on the backburner for the better part of a year now as I’ve been tackling a zillion other projects…and while this has been going on, I’ve completely broken all the rules of good blogging. Blogs that are worth their salt are built on the interactions between writer and reader. Although you’ve all been utterly fabulous and continued to read and comment whenever I’ve managed to squeak out a post (which has been less and less often as the months have gone by), I have, sadly, completely failed with regard to responding to all the fantastic comments I’ve received, as well as reciprocating by reading your blogs. I not only need to issue a huge apology, but I need to take action. So…effective immediately, you’re going to see a re-energized Flowery Prose. I am also going to make a far greater effort to spend time finding out about what is going on in your part of the world, via your blog posts. Please don’t expect huge strides, as I’m still swamped with projects. But I am going to make a change. Baby steps. Thank you so much to all of you for sticking around this entire time, even when there was a whole lot of silence on my end – I am deeply grateful for your kindness!
It looks as if I will have to fire my research assistant…this is the fourth time today I have caught her sleeping on the job…. 😉
Writing updates
The Central Library here in Calgary and the local writer’s group Loft 112 have a cool little thing going on…they’ve set up a Short Story Dispenser, conveniently located near Luke’s Café on Level 1M. While you’re sipping your tea or coffee, you can indulge in a randomly-selected one-minute, three-minute, or five-minute short story that is released from the dispenser at the touch of a button. The stories have been written by both international and Calgary-based writers – and I’m absolutely delighted to say that two of my five-minute stories are currently stuffed somewhere in the dispenser, waiting for someone to read them. If you live in Calgary and area, Loft 112 is still looking for more stories to fill the machine, so take a look at the call for submissions and have fun with it!
Local interest
I recently found a little gem of a book by a southern Alberta-based writer, Joyce Moore: A Guide to Alberta Outdoors – Rides, Hikes, Birds, and Beasts (Bayeux Arts, Inc., Calgary, 2009). It’s a brief but lively collection of nature/outdoors columns that were syndicated for several rural newspapers in the 1990’s. She writes about ranching in the Highwood River area, the undertaking of several challenging and stunningly beautiful mountain treks, and observations of birds and other wildlife found in the Rockies and the foothills. A one-lunch-break read, and a fascinating look at our beautiful province by a woman who clearly loves and respects the environment.
Flowery Prose 
Sometimes life has to take precedence
Yes, so very true!
All these blog chores can be very time-consuming–I can see how they’d fall off your radar. That short story dispenser is a neat idea!
Time-consuming, for sure, but the conversation is always a joy and I feel badly for not keeping up my end of it.
I love the short story dispenser – I know they have them in many other cities, but this is the first one here in Calgary (the province’s capital city, Edmonton, has one in their airport). So fun!
I have seen those story dispensers at the airport. I didn’t know who wrote the stories. I will definitely give it a try. Congratulations on getting yours published.
Thanks so much! I was pleased for the opportunity to try writing a couple; it’s a fun idea!
Life takes precedence, dear Sheryl. Always glad to read your posts, whenever they appear. Happy Spring!
Thank you so much, Cynthia, I appreciate it – and happy spring to you as well! 🙂
Holy cats! That short story dispenser is a great idea. And I’m with Cynthia. Glad to read your posts, whenever they appear.
Sheryl, you are such a delight. Everyone who blogs understands. I’ve never heard of a short story dispenser, but I’ve already fallen in love with the idea. How clever.
Please don’t fire your research assistant just yet. I’ve heard that felines need a lot more sleep than the rest of us to stay productive. Just think of the warm laps and “knee massages” you’ll have in store. I’m glad to see your are doing well. xo
Hi Sheryl. Everyone gets busy in life, whether with work, kids, pets, etc. You do a lot of good for many people, so never forget that you yourself need some down time as well. I love hearing about what’s happening in life and that you are doing so well! 🤗☺️. You certainly deserve it!! Keep up the good work and Smudge will get into the groove. Our dogs are 11 and 8 years respectively and we are STILL trying to get them to cooperate some days, with what we have to do. 😉🤗
I always enjoy your posts whenever they arrive in my in-box. I also post very infrequently because my life is busy and not knowing what I will be doing from one day to the next I cannot keep to any kind of routine. I understand about life getting in the way of blogging!
I love the short story dispenser!
Soms ontbreekt de tijd en gaan andere dingen voor
I have been struggling with the same thing so I do truly understand. My list grows longer and time and energy grow shorter. We do what we can, when we can. The assistant looks hard at work to me. In deep thought, certainly.