Janetta Fudge-Messmer's Blog, page 4
February 24, 2023
Last month I asked you to send me a story about a trip t...
Last month I asked you to send me a story about a trip to the mountains, lake, or national park.” No one did, but that’s okay – I’ll try again, but you’ll have to read to the end of the newsletter to find out what you will have to do to win a free book.
Okay, now it’s time to talk about my Kansas City CHIEFS...again. They definitely stopped my heart a dozen times during the Super Bowl, but they pulled it off. WOOHOO!!! I do have to add a shout out to the Eagles. They played a great game too. And if you root for the Eagles, you might want to skip over this next part, but know I still love you.
On Monday of Super Bowl week, friends of ours (Bruce & Diane), Ray, and I went to downtown Phoenix. What a kick. They held the festivities at the Footprint Center, where the Suns play.
We had no idea what the evening entailed but imagine our surprise when we saw all of the Eagles players walk on the stage. The Chiefs got their turn two hours later. We had great seats, but I’m glad for whoever invented Jumbotrons.
The crowd erupted when Travis and Jason Kelce’s mom walked up with the containers of cookies. I loved the smiles on the boys’ faces. The news media kept their mother busy all night with interviews. And, of course, she wore one of the shirts someone made for her with both team’s colors and logos on it.
We had to take selfies after the game to prove we’d lived through the moment. HA!!! And to keep it real, we may have toasted a few times when the Chiefs made a touchdown.
And I can’t finish without including pictures of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. They’re great together.
Life does go on after football, which included us redecorating our RV. Ray said, “I want to tear out the banquette.” I agreed but suggested we move the one seat over to make it L-shaped. We also added a smaller table in between the captain’s chairs. Oh, I forgot to mention that we also ordered new seat covers for the cushions.
Next came the removal of the couch. In its place, we put a loveseat recliner. We’ve enjoyed many hours of reclining while watching Hallmark movies. I also love it because I can sit back and write/edit.
FEBRUARY FUNNIES: (too comical not to share)
#1: Ray came out of PetSmart, and as he got into the Jeep, he said, “I can’t believe it was $72.00 for a dog of bag food.” I stared at him, trying to make sense of the words he’d just spoken. I repeated them, and we both sat and laughed at his tongue getting tied up.
#2: I went into the bathroom the other morning and heard a strange noise. I checked my razor in the medicine cabinet – it was off. I peeked under the sink. Nothing! Finally, I looked up at the exhaust fan – it was off. That’s when I got Mr. Ray involved, and he couldn’t figure it out either. All of a sudden, laughter resonated from the bathroom. He’d found the noise maker. It was my battery-powered toothbrush. I’d forgotten to turn it off after I’d brushed my teeth earlier that morning.
#3: Ray and I do a Bible reading in the morning. One of the verses we read mentioned a hippopotamus. After we finished, he Googled the infamous Christmas song, and we listened to it until the end. I quietly thanked the Lord for giving my hubby a sense of humor.
Now for your chance to win a copy of Rekindled for Christmas Eve. What is a Super Bowl memory you have? Share it with me, and I’ll have a drawing for three winners.
PS: I promise I'm done talking about the Chiefs. I'll be back to normal (yeah, right) next month!!!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
January 24, 2023
WHY DID I EVER WORRY?(CLASS NEWS AND THE CHIEFS)Brrrzy m...
WHY DID I EVER WORRY?
(CLASS NEWS AND THE CHIEFS)
Brrrzy may not be in the dictionary, but I’m using it here. And this next sentence will sound like I’m whining, so excuse me for a moment. Yes, it’s January, but who knew that the lower part of Arizona received such nippy temperatures?
Okay, I’m done because I know that many of you are seeing single-digit temps and minus temperatures. So, I’ll be praying for you to make it through the colder-than-normal January.
WRITING NEWS:
Last month I told you I would share how my first Creative Writing class went. I won’t bore you with all the details, but it was a HUGE success. Why did I ever worry?
Ray (my helper and hubby) came to help me set up and see the classroom then he left. Soon my students filed in. Carrie, the Class Coordinator, joined us and introduced me to everyone. I’ll be honest with you, I was shaking in my boots, but it didn’t take me long to relax and enjoy the journey.
And with anything I do, there has to be a funny in the mix. This one involved a fainty-feeling sensation. Before you get concerned, I didn’t fall on my face in front of twenty-seven people, but I did take a seat and finished the lesson I’d prepared.
While seated, I also asked the class what everyone was interested in. Most of the students said: Memoirs. One gentleman, though, cracked us up when he said, “I’ve already tried pickleball and card games. I came to this class because it sounded interesting.”
After the laughter died down, I thanked him for his honesty. And I told him that I hoped he’d return to figure out what he wanted to write about. The class ended, and my assistant handed out the lesson I’d prepared. I also gave them their homework for the following week.
As they left, I thanked everyone for coming. One lady on her way out the door said, “I’m going to the office right now to get tickets for your next class.” My response was a resounding, “WOOHOO!!!”
I have my next class this coming Friday. I’ll guarantee I’ll have some nerves going on, but with one under my belt – I’ll settle in and do the best job I can do in teaching the attendees about creative writing.
OTHER NEWS:
The Kansas City Chiefs won on Sunday and will face the Cincinnati Bengals next week in the playoffs. But let’s not forget to continue praying for Damar Hamlin with the Buffalo Bills. What happened to him on Monday night should wake us up as to how quickly life can change. Yes, life is precious.
A CHANCE AT A FREE BOOK:
And if you’re interested, the homework assignment I gave my class, it was: “Write about a trip to the mountains, lake, or national park.” If you send me the story you wrote, I’ll enter you into a drawing for a free e-book of Rekindled for Christmas Eve. I’ll pick three winners.
PS: This week, I read Jason Feifer’s newsletter: How Do You Stay Relevant? Steal this tactic from one of the world’s strongest brands. He mentioned, “Taco Bell just nabbed #1in Entrepreneur’s annual Franchise 500, our definitive ranking of the strongest franchise brands. It’s their third consecutive time at the top spot, which only two other brands have ever achieved.”
You know I love Taco Bell!!!
Until next time…
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
December 21, 2022
A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE(And a book review for the ages!) Yo...
A CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
(And a book review for the ages!)
You might remember that I received a keyboard for Christmas last year. I played on it for three or four months, but one day the sound coming from it was more of a gurgling noise than music filling the air.
So much for buying a musical instrument at a thrift store. Guess someone failed to disclose that it wasn’t in tip-top shape when they donated it. So, we pitched it, and I put my songbooks away in my closet.
That’s until a week ago when I received an early Christmas present. Ray surprised me with a brand-new keyboard. We rushed to storage to get my books, and once again, I’m playing a mean Silent Night.
I pray your Christmas is filled with joy, and as Facebook tells us – calories don’t exist the last ten days of December. I’m counting on it because Ray and I are some of those weirdos who LOVE fruitcake. We’re going to make one from www.outoftheboxbaking.com, and we can’t wait.
WRITING NEWS:
Over the years, I've received wonderful reviews from my readers, but this is one for the ages. I’m still smiling. Here is the Five Star Review for Rekindled for Christmas Eve:
Just in time for the holidays comes this cozy story by Janetta Fudge-Messmer.
It starts with a lost letter, catapults into more than one miracle, and culminates in a laugh-out-loud jolly good time with a terrific cast of characters.
Fudge-Messmer artfully weaves a tale that will have you clutching your heart one minute with her profound and beautifully written moments of faith, and then cackling like a fool the next as you marvel at the antics (and shenanigans) of these funny people.
Boots and Bangles. Uptown Funk. Pepto-Bismol colored cowboy hats. Simply fantastic! Made even better when wrapped in a powerful story of the human spirit.
I thank the Lord for this reader’s kindness. It definitely made my day, week, and year!!! If I haven’t mentioned before, reviews are what inspires a writer to write. And they are so much appreciated!!! REMINDER: Rekindled is .99 cents.
MORE WRITING NEWS:
I’ve completed all the lessons for my writing class that begins on January 13. If you think about it, please pray for me. I’ll let you know how the first day goes in next month’s newsletter. Knowing me, I’m sure it will include comedy of some kind.
We have new managers at the place we stay in the winter, and they are fabulous. So, we’re back to having parties for every occasion. The pictures above are of us dressed up at the Halloween and Thanksgiving dances.
The theme for Halloween was 1980. Looking up clothing in that era, I considered going as a workout queen but settled on a pink tutu, leggings, an MTV t-shirt, and a jeans jacket. I laughed when we came home. I hung the jacket in my closet to wear again—quite a find at Goodwill.
Next, for Thanksgiving, they picked Hillbilly as the theme. And I still cannot believe I went as Daisy Duke. Thank goodness I still had a pair of hose, or those legs wouldn’t have seen the light of day. And pay attention to my cowboy boots. We visited countless thrift stores to find them. Yee-haw!!!
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." Luke 2:11&12 (NIV)
Until next time…
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
November 22, 2022
Blessing Moment, Bunnies, and Book Sales(Where���s the t...
Blessing Moment, Bunnies, and Book Sales
(Where���s the turkey in all this?)
My title doesn���t sound too much like Thanksgiving, but trust me, it���s in here. Let me explain. In 2020, I started to add BLESSING MOMENT to my journal entries. It seemed apropos with what was going on in the world at the time.
And I���ve continued. Each day, I add what has blessed me or how I���ve blessed someone. It���s become a habit, and I love to look back on my day and reflect on what has happened.
Did I have to stretch to find something to write down? Could I say I���d blessed another human being that day? If not, what could I do better tomorrow?
I���m not doing this to keep track of my good deeds, but by doing it, I���ve found it has made me a more grateful person. And what a perfect month to suggest that you try it out. It may surprise you, as well.
A Bunny Story:
You may wonder why I���m talking about bunnies in November. What about a turkey story? Nope! This month���s story is about my sister, Debbie, and her love for rabbits.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of celebrating my sister���s birthday with her. And unbeknownst to me ��� the gift I would give her was a doozer and one she couldn���t keep at the time I gave it to her.
Are you confused yet?
The year before, Ray and I started going to a whittling class. A few weeks in, I began to ask myself if I did this ��� would I end up cutting off one of my fingers? Steve, one of the instructors, assured me, ���You���ll be fine, Janetta.���
We continued to go, and one week Steve showed me a bunny he���d carved. I fell in love and knew I had to make one for my sister. All I had to do was draw a depiction of the said bunny on the four sides of the wood piece. Secondly, as Steve put it, ���Cut away all the wood off the piece that doesn���t look like the bunny.��� Easy, for him to say.
By the end of the season, I was well on the way to carving a bunny���only problem���it looked more like a buffalo than a bunny. Again, Steve came to my rescue and stated, ���You just need to remove more wood.���
At the last class of the year, I asked Steve if I could ���kidnap��� his bunny. I wanted to work on mine during our travels. He agreed, and off we went.
This brings me to celebrating my sister���s birthday. I went out and bought decorations, but I struggled as to what to buy her. Then the idea hit me. Give her Steve���s bunny, but put a note that says, ���This is not yours to keep.���
Next, I wrapped up my work in progress and wrote on another sticky note, ���This ONE is yours, but I have to finish it. As you can see, it doesn���t look like the other one quite yet.���
When Debbie opened the two packages, laughter filled her living room. She gave me a big hug and thanked me for the bunny she would receive one day. Later she told me it was the best birthday she���d ever had. I���m glad I could make her BIG DAY extra special.
I���m happy to report ��� I finished her bunny and gave it to her the following year. She named her Haley, and the little bunny resides with my sis in Alabama.
Who knew a bunny could bless someone? It sure did in this case.
Writing News: My books are on Sale in time for Christmas!!!
Rekindled for Christmas Eve: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD8ZGMZ5 - On sale for .99 cents
Early Birds Adventures (Book 1 thru 5): amzn.to/3tQY2WX - All 5 books for $1.99
Pigtails and a Tool Belt: amzn.to/2Xogown - On sale for .99 cents
Waltzing With a Grease Monkey: amzn.to/3hJfJAL - On Sale for .99 cents
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. Thank you from sticking around and reading my ramblings each month. And for buying my books. You have no idea how much I appreciate each of you!!!
PS: If you want more deals on books just in time for Christmas, go to: https://sharingiscaringbookblog.wordpress.com/Christmas-book-share/.
Until next time���
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
���Turning Life Into Comedy���
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
Blessing Moment, Bunnies, and Book Sales(Where’s the tur...
Blessing Moment, Bunnies, and Book Sales
(Where’s the turkey in all this?) My title doesn’t sound too much like Thanksgiving, but trust me, it’s in here. Let me explain. In 2020, I started to add BLESSING MOMENT to my journal entries. It seemed apropos with what was going on in the world at the time.
And I’ve continued. Each day, I add what has blessed me or how I’ve blessed someone. It’s become a habit, and I love to look back on my day and reflect on what has happened.
Did I have to stretch to find something to write down? Could I say I’d blessed another human being that day? If not, what could I do better tomorrow?
I’m not doing this to keep track of my good deeds, but by doing it, I’ve found it has made me a more grateful person. And what a perfect month to suggest that you try it out. It may surprise you, as well.
A Bunny Story:
You may wonder why I’m talking about bunnies in November. What about a turkey story? Nope! This month’s story is about my sister, Debbie, and her love for rabbits.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of celebrating my sister’s birthday with her. And unbeknownst to me – the gift I would give her was a doozer and one she couldn’t keep at the time I gave it to her.
Are you confused yet?
The year before, Ray and I started going to a whittling class. A few weeks in, I began to ask myself if I did this – would I end up cutting off one of my fingers? Steve, one of the instructors, assured me, “You’ll be fine, Janetta.”
We continued to go, and one week Steve showed me a bunny he’d carved. I fell in love and knew I had to make one for my sister. All I had to do was draw a depiction of the said bunny on the four sides of the wood piece. Secondly, as Steve put it, “Cut away all the wood off the piece that doesn’t look like the bunny.” Easy, for him to say.
By the end of the season, I was well on the way to carving a bunny…only problem…it looked more like a buffalo than a bunny. Again, Steve came to my rescue and stated, “You just need to remove more wood.”
At the last class of the year, I asked Steve if I could ‘kidnap’ his bunny. I wanted to work on mine during our travels. He agreed, and off we went.
This brings me to celebrating my sister’s birthday. I went out and bought decorations, but I struggled as to what to buy her. Then the idea hit me. Give her Steve’s bunny, but put a note that says, “This is not yours to keep.”
Next, I wrapped up my work in progress and wrote on another sticky note, “This ONE is yours, but I have to finish it. As you can see, it doesn’t look like the other one quite yet.”
When Debbie opened the two packages, laughter filled her living room. She gave me a big hug and thanked me for the bunny she would receive one day. Later she told me it was the best birthday she’d ever had. I’m glad I could make her BIG DAY extra special.
I’m happy to report – I finished her bunny and gave it to her the following year. She named her Haley, and the little bunny resides with my sis in Alabama.
Who knew a bunny could bless someone? It sure did in this case.
Writing News: My books are on Sale in time for Christmas!!!
Rekindled for Christmas Eve: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD8ZGMZ5 - On sale for .99 cents
Early Birds Adventures (Book 1 thru 5): amzn.to/3tQY2WX - All 5 books for $1.99
Pigtails and a Tool Belt: amzn.to/2Xogown - On sale for .99 cents
Waltzing With a Grease Monkey: amzn.to/3hJfJAL - On Sale for .99 cents
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE. Thank you from sticking around and reading my ramblings each month. And for buying my books. You have no idea how much I appreciate each of you!!!
PS: If you want more deals on books just in time for Christmas, go to: https://sharingiscaringbookblog.wordpress.com/Christmas-book-share/.
Until next time…
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
October 25, 2022
MAGGIE (our pooch) KEEPS US SANE(Because storage units a...
MAGGIE (our pooch) KEEPS US SANE
(Because storage units are driving us nuts)
Our pooch has a new ride, and she loves it. A neighbor put a FREE sign on it, and we snatched it up. It’s hot here in Arizona, and we don’t want Maggie to burn her paws. But Ray and I hooted when we ventured outside the other night, and she was in it (see above). I caught another photo with her using it when it was folded up under our RV (see below).
Yes, she is our entertainment! And as my title said, "She keeps us sane."
WRITING NEWS:
Rekindled for Christmas Eve is officially out. And the e-book is .99 cents until the end of October. Since it’s so new, it needs some LOVE in the form of reviews. So, if (or when) you buy it, please go to Amazon, and leave a review. I’d so much appreciate it.
Here is the cover:
Also, the e-books of Chords of Love and Pigtails and a Tool Belt are .99 cents each the rest of this week. I’ve been a little lax in marketing, so I’m amping it up a bit. Just a suggestion – my book would make great gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Or any holiday.
OTHER NEWS:
Ray is back to work at the grill. Unfortunately, he’s working every day because they’re shorthanded. So much for him retiring. If anyone wants a job in Arizona, come on down to Mesa. They’d happily put you to work.
While he’s gone, I’m busy putting my class notes together. I have a new appreciation for teachers. WOW!!! It’s a lot of work, but I’m so excited to help others tell their story. (If anyone didn’t ask me for the questions last month, write me, and I’ll send them to you.)
We’ve also been going through storage and getting rid of more stuff. Some things are easy to toss, but as I asked on Facebook the other day, “Can anyone give me ideas on how to get rid of memorabilia?”
The top answer I received on FB was, “I’m not ready to give it up yet.” What about you? What advice can you give me on this topic? The only one I’ve come up with is taking a picture of the items and then tossing them. I REALLY want to hear your suggestions. Please!
I did laugh the other day. It was like we rewound to nine years ago when we first hit the road. We actually rented TWO different storage units. Our reasoning: the second one, we’d put the stuff we’re keeping in it.
However…
A few days ago, we were at the storage place and discovered the second unit wouldn’t hold everything. Off Ray went to the office to get a third unit. I’m happy to report - we’re officially down to ONE unit again, and we have room for extra items from our RV.
There you have it. Until next time…
Oh, but wait…how would you like to read a short story I penned years ago? Click on the link: https://mcusercontent.com/97645f38333846bc6daf41e62/files/eff4af05-f30f-bd43-9cfb-3a3a418a9d9b/The_Perfect_Time_short_story_07_09_07.01.doc
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
September 28, 2022
ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY Fall is in the air���but not in Ar...
ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY
Fall is in the air���but not in Arizona. It was 104 degrees yesterday in Mesa. Heaven forbid.
Okay, I���m done complaining. Let me get into my September newsletter. I���ve filled it with ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY.
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: We sold our home we purchased last year. Our reasoning: Why pay for a house when we���re not living in it for six months out of the year?
After much deliberation, Ray made a trip to Arizona in June to finish the work on the house and put it on the market. He also boxed up our belongings and stored everything. We���ve closed on the property, which makes us happy campers once again. Yes, we���ll miss the extra space. But the nomad life is what we enjoy. A sticks and bricks house will come later when we���re done RVing.
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: In writing news, you may remember that I presented my Tell Your Story Seminar at the Hill City Library last month. And boy, was I surprised when I got there. A reporter from the Hill City Prevailer News interviewed me (see picture above).
What a fun time, teaching and meeting lots of nice people. But one of the best parts happened in the parking lot while loading my car. One of the women from the class came up to me and said, ���I didn���t have an apple to give the teacher, but I have this green pepper.��� We both laughed, and I thought - as a comedy writer, what a perfect way to end the evening.
THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT: For the last three years, I���ve taught Tell Your Story at the resort where we live. But this year, it will be a little different. I���ve been hired to teach Creative Writing at their Lifestyle University. I���m excited and a little scared, but Ray keeps reminding me that I���m doing the same thing as I do in my classes ��� only on a bigger platform. I���d appreciate your prayers.
Phew!!! I���m tired just writing all of my stuff down. So, how are you doing? Let me know any big ANNOUNCEMENTS you have in your life.
PS: And I can't forget, please keep Florida in your prayers.
Until next time���
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
���Turning Life Into Comedy���
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY Fall is in the air…but not in Ariz...
ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY
Fall is in the air…but not in Arizona. It was 104 degrees yesterday in Mesa. Heaven forbid.
Okay, I’m done complaining. Let me get into my September newsletter. I’ve filled it with ANNOUNCEMENTS APLENTY.
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: We sold our home we purchased last year. Our reasoning: Why pay for a house when we’re not living in it for six months out of the year?
After much deliberation, Ray made a trip to Arizona in June to finish the work on the house and put it on the market. He also boxed up our belongings and stored everything. We’ve closed on the property, which makes us happy campers once again. Yes, we’ll miss the extra space. But the nomad life is what we enjoy. A sticks and bricks house will come later when we’re done RVing.
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT: In writing news, you may remember that I presented my Tell Your Story Seminar at the Hill City Library last month. And boy, was I surprised when I got there. A reporter from the Hill City Prevailer News interviewed me (see picture above).
What a fun time, teaching and meeting lots of nice people. But one of the best parts happened in the parking lot while loading my car. One of the women from the class came up to me and said, “I didn’t have an apple to give the teacher, but I have this green pepper.” We both laughed, and I thought - as a comedy writer, what a perfect way to end the evening.
THIRD ANNOUNCEMENT: For the last three years, I’ve taught Tell Your Story at the resort where we live. But this year, it will be a little different. I’ve been hired to teach Creative Writing at their Lifestyle University. I’m excited and a little scared, but Ray keeps reminding me that I’m doing the same thing as I do in my classes – only on a bigger platform. I’d appreciate your prayers.
Phew!!! I’m tired just writing all of my stuff down. So, how are you doing? Let me know any big ANNOUNCEMENTS you have in your life.
PS: And I can't forget, please keep Florida in your prayers.
Until next time…
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
August 23, 2022
OUR FIRST GLIPSE OF STURGIS CRAZINESS (I still hear the ...
OUR FIRST GLIPSE OF STURGIS CRAZINESS
(I still hear the rumbling in my ears)
I’ve heard you’re not supposed to start out with a question, but I can’t help it. Is AUGUST almost over? Where has this year gone? I guess writing two books (and editing them) simultaneously will make the days slip by in a hurry.
And since it is August, the 82nd Sturgis Rally began (8-5-2022) in Sturgis, South Dakota. It ran for a week. On the first day, we sat on a restaurant’s patio and watched as countless bikes drove by on their way to see the sights. You could ( hear the rumbling for miles.
We’d never been in the area while the rally was going on, so seeing all the different bikes impressed us. One day we headed into Hill City, and Harley Davidson had filled the parking lot with different kinds of bikes. The gentleman said, “You can take any of them for a free test drive.” We did. What fun!!! (See picture at the top)
We also made a trip to Sturgis…on the hottest day of the year (see above photo). Bikes of every make and model filled the downtown area. Other sights we saw are some I won’t soon forget. Who knew there were vendors where you could get your whole body painted? I didn’t. I need to get out more.
Do you have a motorcycle story or pictures to share? Send them, I'd love to see them.
AUGUST FUNNY:
Yes, that's me after I’ve fallen through one of our lawn chairs. I’d inspected it before I sat, but obviously not enough. I’m sitting there, and all of a sudden, I feel the canvas tearing under my behind. I turned to Ray, and there is nothing he could do because I’m slipping into oblivion. The sad (and funny) part my embarrassing moment happened at our Wednesday night dinner with twenty other people watching. Before anyone helped me up, I announced, “Go ahead and take a picture. I write comedy, so this is a perfect shot to put on Facebook.” Side Note: Ray did put it on FB and said I was praising the Lord.
WRITING NEWS:
On August 30, I’m going to present my Tell Your Story Seminar at the Hill City Library. I’m so excited to help others to write their stories. If you think about it, please pray for people to show up and for my presentation. Thank you!!!
OTHER WRITING NEWS:
While putting the finishing touches on Rekindled for Christmas Eve. A writer friend who is multi-published asked me to send her my short blurb and back cover copy.
I did. The next day I received an email, and she recommended I change a part to make it more believable. I had to agree and made the change. I also added a short scene to my novella to make it clearer. Thanks, DiAnn, for your help. I appreciate it.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
July 26, 2022
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY(Twenty years in the making) A...
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
(Twenty years in the making)
AND THE WINNER IS… Rekindled for Christmas Eve for the title of my novella coming out in October. Thanks to all who voted. I loved your notes as to why you chose the one you did. Honestly, the length of the title was the determining factor.
Because the story talks about the Naval Academy, I sought my brother’s expertise in all things Navy. I’m forever in his debt for helping me get the Naval ranks correct. After we finished talking, I said, “Stan, you can now check off your Bucket List that you’ve read a Contemporary Romance.” He laughed and said he’d enjoyed reading it. Phew!
Here is the short blurb for Rekindled for Christmas Eve:
Reese Solomon returns to Annapolis—the place where Madison broke his heart two decades before. He’s not in Maryland for a week and learns he has a daughter. But while on a jog to clear his head, he runs into her. Is it a miracle or happenstance? Reese finds out Madison is a widow and wants to rekindle their romance. But she wants nothing to do with him. Where was he when she needed him? Why believe him now? And the so-called miracles Reese and her family talk about are driving Maddie nuts. Will she continue to believe the lies others have told her, or will she allow the past to convince her of the truth and trust Reese and the Lord again?
What do you think of the story??? Please let me know.
A STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Years ago (2004), when I started to take writing seriously, I spent a few weeks with my two sisters. We sat down one night and started brainstorming this story. Debbie gave me great ideas, but Linda aimed for the stars and said, “When it’s made into a movie, Tom Selleck will be perfect for the part of Reese.”
I laughed at her optimism for my not-yet-written book and it making it to the big screen. However, for whatever reason, I put the story away and worked on other projects. Years later (2022), I picked it up again, and I’m thrilled at how the story turned out. I hope you will love it as well.
The longer I’m a writer, I find writing and life are similar. Not all the ideas that pop into my head will become a novel or novella. Or, in this case, this one needed more time to process to become a finished book. And, as with life, instead of jumping in with both feet when making decisions – we need to let our grand ideas simmer. If we do, we’ll have a much better outcome.
Concerning Rekindled for Christmas Eve becoming a movie – Mr. Selleck won’t play the main character, but he will make a perfect Captain Pointer. For Reese, I’m voting for Bradley Cooper. Just saying…
OTHER NEWS:
Over the years, I’ve written my journal out in long hand. I stopped when I got my first laptop and now do them on the computer. So while we loaded the RV to hit the road this year, I brought along nine of my journals.
My plan was to go through them and type the important stuff into the new file for the particular year. I did, and I can verify – between 1984 and 1992, we ate out NUMEROUS times, consumed tons of ice cream/yogurt, took tons of weekend trips, and moved countless times. Even back then, I’d classify us as gypsies. Guess we’ll probably never change.
Until next time…
PS: And before I go, I have to say a big THANK YOU to my siblings. I couldn't have done the project without your help. Love ya bunches!!!
Blessings!
Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance
“Turning Life Into Comedy”
E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com
Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
