Giveaway Today ONLY on my Blogaversary

On June 15, 2006, I started blogging. I knew that I enjoyed writing ---and I had always kept hand-written journals throughout most of my adult years (and even a 'diary' when I was young). I started my blog hoping that my grandchildren and great-grands in the future would know a little about my life. I have yet run out of something to say!!! ha...

I was so excited about blogging and had hoped that many of my friends and family members would jump in with me, or at least comment on my blog posts. This never happened much (except for my BFF Judy--who knew how desperately I wanted to receive comments). I was on Lightblog from 2006 until January of 2009.

In October of 2008, I signed up with Blogger and began finding people who had blogs with like-interests (birding, genealogy, flowers/roses/gardening, hiking, waterfalling, etc.). My very first Blogger friends were Dave Heiser and Tina Kellogg. About a week or two after that, I began hearing from Shelley, Leedra, Barb (BirdGirl) and Carolyn (NC Mountainwoman). I continued going to many blogs and leaving comments ---hoping to find more who would comment on my blogs. WELL---it didn't take long---although many bloggers had a very hard time commenting on my Lightblog site., which was very different from Blogspot.

On January 1, 2009---I made the switch to Blogger and haven't looked back. I cannot thank ALL of you enough for caring enough to check out my posts each day.. You have brought so much joy to my life---and I feel as if I have new friends for LIFE. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone would want to read my blogs---but obviously you do.. Thanks so much!!!!!


In honor of this blogaversary, I am offering a giveaway. The book (pictured above) is entitled Big Stone Gap--and is a novel about my hometown in Virginia. Author Adriana Trigiani grew up just as I did in Big Stone Gap. However, since she is much younger, I never knew her. But I love her books. She has written FOUR books in the Big Stone Gap series: Big Stone Gap (2001), Milk Glass Moon (2002), Big Cherry Holler (2004), and Home to Big Stone Gap (2006).


Since 1999, Adriana has written at least one novel EACH year. She has a huge fan-base---and listens carefully to what they want from her books. Critics from the Washington Post to the New York Times to People magazine have described Adriana’s novels as “tiramisu for the soul”, “sophisticated and wise”, and “dazzling.”





Pictured above is Adriana Trigiani. She now lives in New York City with hubby Tim Stephenson, the Emmy award-winning lighting designer of the Late Show with David Letterman.

I would love to give a copy of Big Stone Gap to someone, along with a few other goodies. If you are interested in this book and would like to be entered, just comment on today's post ---mentioning the book. I will choose a winner tonight--and announce it tomorrow morning.

AND---since it is my Blogaversary today, I again thank all of you who have given me awards and tags. I have so many and they mean so much to me. Check them out on my sidebar. Because they are so special, I am passing them on to YOU. Pick one (or more) out and proudly put it/them on your blog. YOU deserve them!!!!

Thanks again for making my blogging such a joy!!!! Go out and celebrate MY Blogaversary with me today!!!!! Okay?????

Hugs to all,

REMEMBER: Mention the book in your comment if you want to enter the Giveaway, AND be sure and take an AWARD on my sidebar!!!!! Happy Blogaversary to ME!!!!! Yeah!

My Piano Playing Days

It's hard for me to remember back THAT far, but when I was young, I played the piano. Along with most of my friends, I took piano lessons from Mrs. Williams (on Wyandotte Ave. in my hometown of Big Stone Gap, VA) from the time I was about 7 yrs. old through high school. To be honest, I never enjoyed playing the piano very much--even though my mother LOVED for me to 'show-off' for family and friends when they'd visit (which I did NOT enjoy doing).

I remember that my mother told me that I wouldn't have to wash or dry the dishes after supper in the evenings IF I would practice the piano for about 30 minutes. I wasn't a FOOL... I practiced the piano!!!! Since I came from a very musical family, I actually became a pretty good pianist... I remember going to Pennington Gap every year in the Spring/Summer to participate in regional contests. My Senior year in high school, I received a High School Diploma in Music. The picture above was of me in the local newspaper after I received this special diploma. (Sorry the quality is horrible.)

When I first attended college (Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN) in 1960-61, I intended to major in piano. BUT--after one semester with a new piano teacher (whom I didn't care for at all), I switched to voice. I had always been involved in Glee Club and in choirs and small groups while in high school, but never thought about majoring in voice until college. One reason I chose Tennessee Wesleyan College at that time was because they had a fantastic college touring choir. The choir came to Big Stone Gap when I was in high school--and a couple of students stayed at our home. That SOLD me--and I decided that I wanted to be a part of that choir someday! And luckily, I was.

I had the privilege of singing under Mr. Jack Houts at Tennessee Wesleyan--and also taking voice lessons from him. The piano did come in handy throughout college since I could play for myself (and others) while singing. After getting married, we bought a piano--which moved with me for years and years. But--I never seemed to find the time (or the interest) to sit down and practice or just play it. SO---finally when I was in Texas, I sold that piano and haven't missed it to this day. But---I am glad that I learned to play ---and I thank my mother for all of her encouragement (and urging) when I was young.

The picture above was sent to me by a friend. It also isn't very good quality since it is a newspaper print. BUT--it was taken at one of Mrs. Williams' yearly piano recitals. The names are listed (which is good, if you have a magnifying glass!) because I'm not sure how many I could recognize these days!!!! I am on the front row to the left of the girl sitting at the piano!

These days, I mostly enjoy music by just listening---and that's probably a good thing!!!! ha

Have a great Sunday!

Hugs,