There comes a time when books have to be balanced.  No, I don't mean balancing the ones on the book shelf so that they look attractivre or alpahbetized or however you want them displayed.

With new bills to pay for surgery– (Medicare  and my HMO "take care of everything!!" Don't you believe it!)   There's sill a whopping medical bill to pay and I am offered the opportunity to pay in small increments.   However to do so and IF I'M APPROVED FOR THE SERVICE, I have to submit: (and this is just a partial list) a year's bank statements and check stubs, my income and outlay for rent, utilities, food, investment reports, business expenses, etc., etc. etc.for the past two years.  Any incidental income; Etc.

How does this pertain to writing?  My fixed income (SS, pension, annuity) is very fixed–same every month.  However, my income from writing varies from month to month.  But I need to look back through past years' check book accounting records.  I found that for these first seven months of 2009 so far (and for this "helpful payment plan outfir" I have to go back several years) I have earned in contest wins, editing jobs, articles sold, book royalties paid, the handsome sum of  $955.  For book purchases, contest entry fees, subscriptions I have spent $402.

Since I use part of my home as an office,and since I do derive meager income from writing,  my tax preparer allows me to claim as deductions, costs for paper, ink, writing equipment.

Them's my words for today, with these recommendations:  KEEP RECORDS!!!   Who knows?  You may be the winner of a $1000 prize for your writing and decide you want to "turn professional"  Unless you already get to make deductions for your writing expenses, now is the time.  Until Monday, Willma

A visitor yesterday who is sure to become a regular member of one of my writer workshops is an artist (lovely nature paitings), the author of a charming little book about how caterpillars change into butterflies.  She is now working on a college degree that will authorize her to set up her own practice to deal with drug addicts and others whose lives have been filled with so much trauma that they are unable to function in regular society.  Besides her counseling words and her ever-open ear,  she uses art and WRITING as therapy tools.  

Of course I will learn more as I hear more of her writing, but what delights me most is that she feels getting people to record  their ideas, pain, and histories on paper is the very best therapy.  

Although I grew up in a loving, supportive houshold, I went through a period with a very ill husband (then we called it :Maqnic Depression") when my ONLY solace was writing.  Until new writer/friend/therpist and I talked yesterday about the values of "writing it down. . ." I had fogotten that during husband's long periods of depression and occupying the room where my typewriter and writing tools were located, I wrote and wrote.  I still have "pages" of my writing that were inscribed on paper shopping bags because I could not get to my writing tools.

More on the above another time.  Until tomorrow, Willma  

Little did I know. . . !!  Even though I was able to get back to blogging shortly after return from knee replacement surgery, a number of matters have kept me from the five-day-a-week blogs I planned. Energy loss is the biggest problem for me.  I'm assured that my energy level will return but meanwhile I miss the enthusiasm I normally feel every morning.  Make a pot of fresh coffee; Hurry to the computer;  Read e-mail, edit yesterday's latest writing; eat breakfast when/if I remember to do so.  (Maybe this accounts for energy loss?) 

But here is a part of my "CURE" that has to do with writing: Among the requirements following surgery are three-times-a-week therapy in which the therapist manipulates the leg's new knee.  This therapist is  so great, I almost wish I had another surgery upcoming that would require his visits.  He is about the age of my eldest son–so no ideas!!  We like the same kind of adventures.  At his last visit he reported on having just taken his son on a trip to the Grand Canyon.  (As the birth mother of three sons, (step mother for three additional) I was certain that the way he spoke of his son connotes that the son is adopted–I am right.  He told me about the trials of getting the son to enjoy hiking that trail (I could have told him a 10-year-old is not going to fall in love immediately with the trail down into the canyon).  But here is where the writing comes in:.  His recitation reminded me of an essay I wrote many years ago but have not sold. Mine is light-touch, titled "Birds, Bees & 'See' Fever," and features the trials of the trails we adults had in getting our three sons to enjoy the hiking we loved. (By now four of my total of six boys are ardent hikers and lovers of the great outdoors.)  I re-worked the essay, bringing it up to date.  It, in turn, reminded me of a short story also in my files but not submitted.  You never know where an idea will come from!

Send your family stories (fiction or essays–1000-3000 words) to www.threetreepublishing.com .  (I may have mentioned this before?) You need to inspect their rules and include their submission release form with your submission.)  They pay a $50 honorarium for all pieces they use.