Thanks to everyone who read, liked, and/or commented on my comp story. I appreciate those who promoted me to finish and submit it. It helped me stretch a little! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the comp stories.

Wishing my stories appealed to more friends and readers here.

A relaxing, cozy place to sit and read and write.

Another foggy morning here on the beach but it looks like it will burn off a bit better today than yesterday. Just poking my head in to say hello and hope the new year is off to a good start for all y’all.

Happy New Year everyone! As we celebrate across the time zones may we all experience peace and joy.

This looks like an interesting challenge. 😎

Congratulations to all those who placed in the top 10 for the poetry comp. And to all those that entered such amazing poems but didn’t get a top 10 nod, know that I sure wouldn’t have wanted to be a judge in this comp. So many good pieces!

Sipping some tea this morning contemplating my day. Hope all y’all have a lovely Saturday!

Quote by Molly

I would like to thank each and every one of you that participated, read, scored, commented, and judged. We couldn't do this without you and I appreciate you and your contributions to this site.

So without further ado, I would like to congratulate your top 10!

~

1st Place: The Conscious Dreamer by  WriterGirl

2nd Place: Spirit Of Someone by  InThisMoment

3rd Place: Lonely Reverie by  Mendalla

~

4th Place: The Interview of Invocation and Invitation by  OpheliaTusk

5th Place: Darkness, Thief Of Light by  KatarinaTechgoddess

6th Place: Hunted by  TheShyThespian

7th Place: Impossible by  Dreamcatcher

8th Place: Long Game by  verbal

9th Place: Time by  Brad_Naylor

10th Place: Unrequited by  redwriter

Everyone did such a wonderful job and I heard from all the judges that this was one of the hardest comps for them to decide. You should all be proud of yourselves and I look forward to seeing all of you in the next competition.

To the top three, I will be in touch regarding your prizes!

Congratulations to the top three (yay, Kimmi, you’re number one!) and the remaining top ten. I’m blown away to be in that list! Fifth place feels good when it’s been a hot minute for me as far as comps go.

I loved all the feedback I got on my poem.

Thanks so much for hosting a great competition.

There were so many amazing poems (many of which didn’t place) and such an outpouring of talent. Poetry is hard. But y’all made it look easy.

Another cup of tea for me

With lemon and some sweet honey

To soothe my throat so sore and dry

And comfort as the day goes by

Happy Sunday all y’all 😎☕️

Thanks James. I’m grabbing a quick cuppa tea between the gym and the pool. No rest for the wicked. TGIF all y’all.

Quote by JamesPBear

Take care, Kat! That doesn't sound like something worth being impatient about!

Well, folks. I guess the moderators located an emergency supply of barf bags, because they published my poem. I won't say approved it…

Anyway, you can find it here:

It Was A Dream…

Ah, but Bear, There isn’t much I can eat without the shots. So many food allergies. That’s why I’m impatient.

And you blaspheme my friend, no barf bags are necessary, as your poem is fabulous!

Quote by Mendalla

God, and we are complaining about how long it takes some stuff to arrive. At least what we are waiting for isn't potentially life-saving, just annoying to not have. Hope they show soon.

Technically I shouldn’t be going out anywhere without the new epi-pens. But the nurse did assure me that being only one month beyond the expiration date, I should be fine. But apparently not fine enough to give me the serum. Praying the damn things come before 2 pm tomorrow. Otherwise I have to wait until next week to get vials. In which case I’m gonna have to be extra careful to avoid my food sensitivity list (Aka everything that tastes good). Ah well. It could be worse. It’s just frustrating to wait.

Thanks, James, for reading my story and suggesting it to others. It sat languishing on my flash drive for so long that I wasn't sure I'd ever finish it and publish it. So, many thanks for giving it some attention!

I had a poem all written and then realized it doesn't fit the comp! UGH! I will have to see if I can revise it to fit or if I'm gonna have to start from scratch.

I'm currently waiting for my new epi-pens to arrive so that I can go pick up my new vials of serum. I paid for the damn things, but my current epi-pens are expired. So, the ENT won't let me have the vials until I have an unexpired one in my hand and the company that sends my Auvi-Q is behind in sending my new pens. It's annoying because these pens were ordered nearly 3 weeks ago. They should have arrived in plenty of time.

Okay, rant over. I'll have a cup of tea and see if I can find my inner calm again.

Quote by Mendalla

This is EXACTLY how we have been feeling the past several days. Lol!

Thanks for the treats, Sara! Worked up an appetite waiting for my DIL to have her baby. 😎

Just enjoying a cup of relaxation tea before bed. Currently waiting for my son and his wife’s baby, who could make his debut any minute now. No baby yet, but it’s been nice to spend time with the kids and our almost 9 year old grandson.

I have been MIA for a while here too. But I’ve posted a story and I’m trying to read stories y’all have posted here little by little.

Sweet dreams!

Sipping some tea while the rain disrupts my plans to swim with my neighbor. Had a great visit with my daughter this past long weekend, but her departure left me feeling melancholy. She is going through a tough time and it helped to come home to the beach where she could chill and have mom and dad pamper her a bit. But sending her on the road with tears in her eyes yesterday was heart-wrenching. She is strong, she will be fine, eventually. In the meantime, I think it's cruel that the magic wand I used when she was a child to make things better no longer works now that she is grown. 

I am trying to get used to the new format with an open mind.😜

Hello friends! Finally able to take a moment to check out the new format. I struggle with change, but I imagine I will get used to it eventually. A cup of tea would be lovely before I head out to get my allergy shots.

Quote by Ping
ugh. didn't think I'd finish. just submitted my comp.

chocolate milk, please.

i've decided to protest everything capital.

sorry, gotta go. another busy day. will start reading the rest of the stories later tonight.

good day to y'all (now officially accepted as a word)

Quote by Mendalla

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess

I’ve got a couple of bottles of Moscato and a buncha glasses. Who’s in?

I honestly didn’t know if I was going to be able to make my story over 1000 words and then my fingers kept typing ans boom 1492 words!

Start pouring. It's a weekend.hqmleQQ0kTCXt5PM

Length isn't a problem for me. The part of the story that is written is well past 1001 words (thinking 1700 or so without actually checking). It's actually making the narrative work.

Quote by verbal

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess

Quote by Mendalla

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess

Well, only if it comes with a glass of Moscato!

If it gets that bad, the glass is yours. I'll already have drunk the rest of the bottle.

Sounds like I might need to bring my own bottle and share with you! Lol!

4989 words! I'm ready to enter! At 23:59:59 on July 18, of course.

Pour me a glass!

Quote by Mendalla

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess

Well, only if it comes with a glass of Moscato!

If it gets that bad, the glass is yours. I'll already have drunk the rest of the bottle.

Quote by Mendalla

Quote by KatarinaTechgoddess
I have read all the ones submitted so far and look forward to reading the ones that are coming soon!

What about the ones that are coming in at 23:59:59 on July 23? (I'm only half-joking)