I’m not sure where this saying came from, but I vaguely remember Mom singing it when my brothers were little. Here’s a snippet of the song, sung by the amazing Judy Garland. Judy was an incredible talent. We remember her as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, a beloved movie made in the 1930’s. It’s a classic we can all relate to. I apologize for the “black face” in the video. This was filmed in 1964, when that sort of thing was permissable. I’m glad we no longer allow that. I doubt Ms. Garland’s life was a bowl of cherries. Multiple marriages, miscarriages, bouts with pills and alcohol, and the studio chiefs doing what they wanted with her. No, it was certainly no bowl of cherries. At the age of 13 she was put on diet pills, the studio didn’t want her having any extra weight. She had yo-yo diets, more pills and booze, and died early in 1969, at the age of 47, from an accidental barbituate overdose. How sad.
She was the star in the first remake of “A Star is Born.” Barbara Streisand followed her; as Lady Gaga followed Streisand. I remember bits and pieces of the Garland portrayal. I saw it on TCM one night while channel surfing. Financial woes troubled many child stars in Hollywood, and she was no exception. Her daughter Liza Minelli had to pay the IRS, and many other agencies/businesses who were owed money. Living lavishly while producers and managers bilked your money were frequent occurrances. Sad.
I also remember Erma Bombeck (a favorite of mine), had a book titled, “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, Why Am I Always in the Pits?” All that aside, the Babe brought home these delicious, sweet cherries yesterday. I could eat the whole bowl, and regret it for days afterwards, I’m sure. The other favorite fruit this time of year is Black Diamond Watermelons, sold at local produce stands. It’s a real bonus of summer when you live in Nebraska.

So, I had to order this book. I have several more chapters already written for my novel, “The Freeing of Katie Fitzgibbons.” I’m still running Chapter One through software to help improve it. I find it maddening when they suggest a comma, then next time I check my work, it’s an error, and they want the comma removed. Sheesh! Make up your mind already! I may revert back to the original chapter after all.
I believe you have to be in a certain mindset, with the do’s and don’ts in front of you. Any writers out there who have used this book? I’d love a comment from you. Good or bad. I already see it was written in 2008. But I love the quote in the Introduction Chapter.
“It’s always too early to quit.” – Norman Vincent Peale
This is my current mantra. I have a fledgling kid book waiting illustration, and chapters for a novel. I’m submitting one chapter to the Nebraska Writers Guild search for writings to include in their Fifth Anthology book to be published in December, 2021. I’m excited about doing that. I may try my hand at a poem, song lyrics style.
This seems to be an interesting way to dissect your story, plan it out, and get it all told in an orderly fashion. It has elements my book coach, Sam Tyler, taught me last summer. Now, it’s all making more sense, Sam! I’m so glad we spent time working together last year.
Eureka! I forgot I need to put a program together for a presentation we’re doing at the Post on Sunday. I’ve done that kind of thing one other time in my life. It was for our Community College, the “Master of Ceremonies” took ill at the last minute, so I substituted for her. It was a good experience. This will also be a good experience. We’re presenting the funds we’ve raised for two Veterans organizations and the Nebraska Concerns of Police Survivors. I’m so proud to be associated with the good people who lead these groups, and with our Veterans at VFW Post 2503, who help support them. It’s going to be a busy, busy week!
With all there is to do, I will continue to do my 71 squats a day (at the sink) and 22 wall push ups. This helps me focus on part of my purpose at this point in life: Be a blessing to others. Get help for where it’s needed. Support our troops! Especially those in Afghanistan right now. Our Veterans need our support. Reach out if you know anyone who’s been in Afghanistan at any time during the last 20 years. They’re having a hard time right now. Thank you for praying for them all.
I’m off to re-edit my chapter, read a little of the “Book in a Month” book, write a draft of the program Sunday, and do some website work for the Post. It’ll be busy, for sure. Hope you have a great day, and that we see each other tomorrow. Thanks for reading.