A Little of This and That from the Ozarks

Image Credit: Clinton Steeds/PhotopinCC

Happy Monday!

I know.

Sometimes it’s hard to hop back in the saddle again after a few days off. However, since we must, I hope your week is off to a great start!

Here in my neck of the woods, we’re in for a delightful weather change this week. (Of course, in the Ozarks we’ve come to expect this.) The unseasonably cool sixties are supposed to shift to the eighties today.

In other words—yesterday, the furnace. Today—air conditioning! Ahhh.

I must admit, I do adore the sunshine and warmth after the winter we’ve had.

Now, onto last week’s blog drawing.

Thanks to all who stopped by on Friday while Beth Vogt was in the house! We had a lot of fun.

The blog drawing winner is Meagan W. Congratulations, Meagan! (Please leave your mailing address on my contact page and I’ll be delighted to get your book to you.)

In other news of interest, there was a good article in the Wall Street Journal recently: What ‘Hard Work U’ can Teach Elite Schools. I’m always proud when College of the Ozarks, my alma mater, receives such positive attention. It’s a great college and for every 400 freshman slots, there are about 4,000 applicants. Competition is very selective. Not only is it a great school, but students who attend C of O work for their education and in return—they graduate debt-free.

If you’re ever in my neck of the woods, you should check out the campus. It’s quite lovely and there’s a lot to see and do. And as Stephen Moore of the WSJ said, “The jobs are plentiful because this school—just a few miles from Branson, a popular tourist destination—operates its own mill, a power plant, fire station, four-star restaurant and lodge, museum and dairy farm.” 

There are many other jobs on campus, as well. So yes—the kids there really do work.

Moving on with a little more this and that:

You may have seen this story profiled on The Today Show. Talk about happy tears!

I received my copy of The Waiting from the publisher and I’ll review the book soon here on my blog.

A word about book reviews—since this isn’t a book review blog (there are other sites geared specifically for that) I’m very selective in the books I review. Hopefully, that tells you something.

Also, last week I mentioned my story, Words from the Heart, advanced to the Top 200 in Family Fiction’s short story contest. There are a lot of wonderful stories entered so I hope you’ll stop by and check them out. A panelist of judges will declare the finalists within the next month or so, but in the meantime, the public may vote on their favorite story for “Readers Choice.” I’d sure appreciate your vote if you like my mine.

That’s about all I have today, friends.

See you back on Wednesday!

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What’s new in your neck of the woods?

Blessings Always,