What a warm welcome! And now I have to ask that you don't laugh. Ha! You know, the newbie in town can't quite figure it all out. Anyway, I knew I had posted and everytime I returned to the forum, I couldn't find my post (okay...so, it was on page 2!!!) Although quite bright (is that another ha!), I couldn't figure it out:). So, tonight (two or was that three days later)...I discovered the problem. I found my post and your supporting posts and well...all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.

The book is a work in progress, but should be available this spring. I'm a Mississippi girl. Queen JawJaw will completely understand where I'm coming from because our places of origin are so very much alike. My book is about cultural (specifically, the Southern culture) influences on women and how this impacts women--specifically our abilities to make choices and respond to our inner knowing.

I'm thrilled to have found a group (meaning you!) that will support me in my endeavor. Courage is not something I have always had (again Queen JawJaw will understand).

And, I have to sign off with my new favorite line..."Ah, yes it's good to be queen!"

Allyn, there are lots of southern, women writers online. I'll try to remember to send you their sites as I come across them.

Hi Bluerose! I recently joined as well and have never met such a supportive, wonderful group of women in one place. And Georgia (Queen JJ), whom you just "met" is one of the funniest and warmest women around. Truly, I'm in awe of all these ladies. In terms of being an aspiring writer, another group I recommend is the IWWG, the International Women's Writing Guild. Dotsie's got a link to them on her "links" page. The bottom line is that, if you need it, there's lots of support and encouragement and honesty here.

For AT LEAST 20 years starting at age 19 or 20, on my birthday I wore this ensemble consisting of a rhinstone tiara, pink patent leather 5" platform shoes, a silver wand (large cardboard Jewish star taped to a dowel, all covered in aluminum foil) and what I labelled my Pat Boone Virginity Prom Dress, one of those 1950's numbers with the voluminous crinolines and plastic spangles on the bodice -- white of course, hence the "virginity" part -- that a friend found at a thrift shop. OK, I've already mentioned that I'm a little weird. I stopped wearing this when I could no longer zip the dress.

For the next 10 years it was the same tiara, but with a leopard print spandex catsuit. No platform shoes either.

Now the tiara has fallen apart, and a new one just won't do. But I still make a big deal about my birthday every year: If I don't, who will??? For my 50th I was selling at a crafts fair and I told EVERYONE who asked "How are you?" (Ha!!! little did they know...) that it was my half-century, so a bunch of people came back to my booth with little gifts and food that they purchased just for me!!

See, sometimes it pays to be a little crazy

so all those years I definitely musta been a Queen, but now that the tiara has gone south, can I graduate to Goddess?

Honey....you are...why do you think we call you THE DIVINE Ms M?

JJ