Grand Opening of Madibelle Blue

Harrodsburg has a new business - Madibelle Blue, an upscale retail store - and they will be having their Grand Opening - Open House this weekend. You are personally invited to Madibelle Blue's Grand Opening this Saturday, December 10th, from 9:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. Here are just a few of the events going on:

Breakfast with Santa Claus - Children can get their pictures taken with Santa. There is no charge, but donations are appreciated.

Warm beverages and yummy treats

Special entry to win door prize drawings

10% off discount for all in-store purchases

Ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 10:30

Taking orders for Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Balls and Candleberry Candles (also have some available at the store)

Avon's Debbie Butler will be on hand with holiday catelogs for ordering

2 Acre's Shy's Cheri Kuhn will be showcasing their natural and herbal products

Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer will be signing her book, co-authored by Anna Armstrong, "Images of America: Harrodsburg"

Hillbilly Zen - A Call To Arms For Horse Lovers - Please Act Quickly!

I am reprinting this for my friend, the Catfish Queen. It is a call to arms about the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Here is her article:

This Is Urgent - Horse Slaughterhouses Could Be Up And Running In Less Than A Month!

To anyone who reads my Hubs with any regularity, let me offer a preemptive apology. This one will most likely contain typos and grammar errors and not meet my usual standards, but this heinous information needs to be publicized as quickly as possible.

Without fanfare and under the guise of balancing the budget, Congress has made it profitable to butcher our horses. Within the month, horse slaughterhouses could be up and running across the United States. Tucked into the bill that kept the government running through December was a repeal of a 5 year funding ban for horsemeat inspections.

The USDA is the agency that would oversee the inspections, just as they do for meat, dairy, vegetables, etc. While the bill does not give the USDA additional funds, it is now within the agency's discretion to cut funding from other programs to cover the estimated $3 to $5 million dollars that would be required to run the inspection program. In other words, they'll rob Peter to pay Paul, funneling money that should be used to keep our food safe into this atrocity.

Lifting this ban opens the door to soulless opportunists who would line their pockets with money made by butchering horses. They will tell you that it's more humane than shipping the horses to Canada. They will tell you that it's a humane alternative, that the horses would be abused or starved otherwise. They will tell you that it's only the old, sick or un-trainable horses that will be slaughtered. They lie. Buyers of horse meat want only "prime cuts". They will not buy diseased carcasses for human consumption. This ban will allow young, healthy horses to be butchered by the thousands.

Here's what Dave Duquette, president of a pro-slaughter group called United Horsemen (irony, anyone?) bragged to CBS News - "I have personally probably five to 10 investors that I could call right now if I had a plant ready to go," said Duquette, who lives in Hermiston, Ore. He added, "If one plant came open in two weeks, I'd have enough money to fund it. I've got people who will put up $100,000." He's practically salivating about his share of the profits.

If any of y'all are from Wyoming, I urge you to contact Sue Wallis, a state lawmaker and, coincidentally I'm sure, the vice president of United Horsemen. Here's what Cruella, I mean Sue..had to say about the matter - "The federal ban devastated "an entire sector of animal agriculture for purely sentimental and romantic notions," she said. She's about to find out just how sentimental and romantic we are when our horses are threatened by people who only see dollar signs.

I'm a Kentucky girl, and we're proud of our horses and our whiskey. We were sickened to find out in 2002 that Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, had been butchered after being sold to a Japanese racing stable and shipped to Japan. This magnificent stallion, who had made his owners tons of money and had given excitement and enjoyment to legions of racing fans was butchered for DOG FOOD. Was he old, sick, or un-trainable? No. He simply was not profitable any more.

I'm begging all of you who read this to contact your state lawmakers and raise absolute teetotal hell. Tell everyone you know, and tell them to tell everyone they know. This ban was lifted deviously, and Congress thought they could get by with it. Please help me prove them wrong. I guess I could have included some video of horses being slaughtered to make this more incendiary, but I have faith, based on what I've seen on these pages, that a sincere plea will be enough. Please, please help. This has got to be stopped, and we don't have much time.

I've listed some relevant links below, and I'm betting that being the intelligent, creative and compassionate people I know y'all to be, you'll find more.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Horses could soon be slaughtered for meat in US - CBS News
Horses could soon be slaughtered for meat in US


Death of a Derby Winner: Slaughterhouse Likely Fate for Ferdinand | BloodHorse.com
Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner who went on to capture the following year's Horse of the Year title with a dramatic victory over 1987 Derby hero Alysheba in the Breeders' Cup Classic, is dead. The Blood-Horse has learned the big chestnut...

Indyarocks Videos - Rescued from Slaughter Mare and Foal
Rescued from Slaughter Mare and Foal. This mare was rescued from slaughter. It is NOT the sick and elderly that are sent to slaughter! Find this video and other related videos at Indyarocks.

Why healthy foals - some just a day old - are being killed across Britain...
Graceful and sleek, the beautiful bay racehorse was used to the thunder of applause as she swept past the grandstand - not the sound of a rifle.

These Links Will Show You How Your Lawmakers Voted And How To Contact Them. Please Make Some Noise, Folks!
• GovTrack: Senate Vote on Conference Report: H.R. 2112: Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropria

• GovTrack: House Vote on Conference Report: H.R. 2112: Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriat

• Contacting the Congress: A Citizen's Congressional Directory

Louisville poet nominated for the national Pushcart Prize for Poetry

My friend and Kentucky author - Sheri Wright - has been nominated for a national Pushcart Prize in Poetry: 

Local poet, Sheri Wright in the running for prestigious prize

 LOUISVILLE, Ky., ( December 6, 2011) – Sheri L. Wright was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Journey MacAndrew’s, the editor of The Single Hound for her poem The Tenants of Central Park, published August 2011 as part of the "Poet of the Month" selections. 

Not since 2002, has a Louisville poet won the national Pushcart Prize for Poetry. Sheri L. Wright, author of five books of poetry, is the host of a literary radio show From the Inkwell. Wright hopes to break the lull with her nomination. When asked about this prestigious nomination Ms. Wright said, “I credit my success to a variety of writer's critique groups, like the Green River Writers, and to individual poets. I also worked with acting and voice coaches to improve my reading.” She believes that this formula helped her to learn her craft.

Ms. Wright also attributes her achievements to learning to get out of her own way, and to stop over-thinking the creative process. Wright is committed to her art and engages in the creative process daily, by writing, editing her work, or reading other poets and writers.

Wright's newest book of poetry, The Slow Talk of Stones, was released this year and has received many favorable reviews in regional blogs and newspapers, including The Courier-Journal and Lexington's Herald-Examiner.

Currently, Wright seeks ways to help other writers in the region find voice on her literary radio show, From the Inkwell, which is a live-streaming broadcast aired on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., on http://www.cescenthillradio.com/, a non-profit station in Louisville, KY. Sheri also founded and hosts the Stone Soup Poetry Series, held the last Sunday of every month at The Bard's Town, restaurant, theatre and lounge located at 1801 Bardstown Road. Ms. Wright features poets and musicians. She feels that collaboration between artists of all mediums is not only fun, but key to supporting one another.

To purchase Wright's books, schedule a reading, workshop or editing services, please visit http://www.scribblingsandsuch.com/.

Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Magic of Mothers and Daughters

My story - "Ripped Pants" - has been choosen for the new book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Mothers and Daughters." I am so excited!!


The book is available for pre-order on Amazon - the book will be released March 13, 2012!


This is a story about a lesson I learned from my wonderful daughter, Christine, when she wore a pair of ripped pants to school one day. Thanks so much to Christine for the inspiration to write something that will now be published in a mainstream book!

Nonesuch Festival

We will be at the 4th Annual Nonesuch Days @ Camp on the Kentucky in Versailles this weekend selling "Harrodsburg (Images of America)," as well as a few of my chapbooks: "Care and Feeding of Nightmares" and "Bobbi's Mercer Memories Vol. I and II." Come on out and see us!

The address is Camp Ground - 5486 Cummins Ferry Road - Versailles, KY 40383 - from 10am until 5pm.

Etsy Store

I just opened an Etsy store to sale my chapbooks, so this is another area I am exploring. I only have a photo of the cover of Care and Feeding of Nightmares, so this is the only book I have listed. Hopefully I can get the rest of the covers scanned and add them because I need to add them to the website.

And don't forget to check out my website, Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer

Arts Council of Mercer County Fall Arts Festival

Our booth at the Harrodsburg Fall Arts Festival

The Arts Council of Mercer County held their 3rd annual Fall Arts Festival this weekend at Old Fort Harrod State Park.  This is the first year the show has ran for 2 days, Saturday and Sunday.  In addition to wonderful entertainment by storytellers, bands and singers, there were numerous art vendors, as well as plenty of activities for the children.

Enjoying the beautiful day

We had a good weekend selling the book.  Thank you to everyone who came out and bought a copy of Harrodsburg (Images of America) and the chapbooks Bobbi's Mercer Memories Vol. I and II.  We also would like to thank the people who came out for Debra Watts' new childrens' book CARter CAR and His Wild and CARazy Birthday; she had a great weekend as well.

Blueberry Cobbler Soy Candle from CHL Scented Creations

Also, our new friends Lisa and Cricket - the Candle Ladies - from DHL Scented Creations, where there with their delicious smelling soy candles, tarts and air fresheners.  It's nice to kick back with good friends and have a great time.

Cricket with 2 of my chapbooks and a Monkey Sock hat from the Mad Hatter

Thank you ACMC for a great fall weekend and a great Fall Arts Festival!



Black Leather air fresheners from CHL Scented Creations

American Horror Story

I have a tendency to become hooked on certain television series, but ususally it takes a few episodes to hook me and then slowly reel me in.

Last night my hubby and I finally got to watch the pilot of American Horror on FX and I was sucked in from the opening scene. This show is going to be go unbelievably cool, I can't wait for the next show. It's creepy, psychologically haunting and downright scary. There have been many other attempts at shows like this, but FX has perfected the formula for the perfect horror show for the small screen.

For an excellent summation of the first episode, Crave On Line does a great job. I don't know much about ratings, but I do know what I like, and this show had it all. There was the "I see dead people" Down's Syndrome girl in the first episode - check. The creepy twin, red-headed wrecking balls - check. A house with a like of its on - check. Body parts and other gross things stored away in glass jars in the basement - check. Oh, and did I mention the maid? To the wife she looks like a sweet old lady, to the husband she is seen as a seductress - way creepy - check. The whole premise of the show is creepy and I love creepy. I don't like in your face blood and gore horror, but this type of psychological horror is right up my alley.

Lynnell Edwards has 3rd Collection of Poetry Released

Lynnell Major Edwards is the author ofThe Farmer’s Daughter (2003) and The Highwayman’s Wife (2007), all from Red Hen Press. Her third book of poetry, Covet, will be released on October 1. Covet, published by Red Hen Press, is a poetic examination of desire.

Her short fiction and book reviews have appeared most recently in Connecticut Review, American Book Review, Pleiades, New Madrid, and others. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky where she is on the Board of Directors for Louisville Literary Arts, a non-profit literary arts organization that sponsors the monthly InKY reading series and The Writer’s Block Festival. She is also Associate Professor of English at Spalding University. She also teaches creative writing at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and is available for readings and workshops in a variety of settings.


Covet
by: Lynnell Edwards
2011-10-01
$16.95 Tradepaper
Add to cart

Description:

covet (kúh-vit)v. tr.: to desire, esp. to desire eagerly, to wish for, long for. As in to covet another’s belongings, the ghosts of households and fixtures, their voices or warnings. Ex: she coveted the fine table, the rich furnishings of her neighbor’s home. As in to covet the past, a lost year, a lost life or one not lived. Ex: turning the photograph of her parents over in her hand, she imagined their happiness and coveted what might have been. As in to eagerly wish for the health, well-being of one for whom responsibility is given, or a child. Ex: she coveted, above all, happiness for her sons. Or, to want that (i.e. person) which one may not have, desire to possess another. Ex: thou shalt not covet.

For more information about Lynnell’s work visit Lynnell's Page.

COVET">http://vimeo.com/28443172">COVET by Lynnell Edwards - Book Trailer by Pam Swisher from Lynnell">http://vimeo.com/user8280913">Lynnell Edwards on Vimeo.

Latch

(Photo copyright Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

LATCH

 Rusted metal, forged with care,
now oxidized and worn;
cobweb covered from disuse,
sure to squeal when opening
the latch is so old,
forgotten.

.

What the ...

(Photo copyright of Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

What the hell are you looking at???

Gingerbread

(Photo copyright Dan Felstead of Wood and Pixel Narratives)

GINGERBREAD

 The hydrangeas bloom in flamboyant blue,
mopheads drooping down to the ground.
The gingerbread siding of the aging home
appear more garish against the stunning flowers.

Comfortably Numb

Depression is an illness millions of people suffer through for weeks, months, even years. It may be simple post-partum blues, or depression because of grief, or sometimes it is the bottom of the barrel and you cannot see your way out. It makes you feel lonely and afraid.

“Hello?
Is there anyone in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.”

What if you can’t nod from exhaustion? You try at first to take care of your depression as you retreat further and further from your family, your friends, the world. Then your family persuades you to go see a doctor, but you resist. You have had these feelings before and you have always pulled out of it by yourself.

But this time things are getting worse and the next thing you realize, all you want to do is pull out in front of a tractor trailer and end it all. This is when you know you are in deep shit. As soon as you drive the last mile to work, you call and make an emergency appointment with a medical professional.

“I’ll need some information first,
just the basic fact.
Can you show me where it hurts?”

You want to scream – IT HURTS EVERWHERE!!! I need help before something bad happens to me, or before I hurt myself. So off I go to the fix-me-up-place.

“Okay,
just a little pin prick …
you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?"

Group therapy, individual therapy, no notebooks with wire spirals – my favorite kind – how the hell will I be able to write. The first few days, I’m a zombie.

“I have become comfortably numb.”

This is not solving my problems; I want to be a normal wife again, a mother, a daughter, a writer, but never a nurse, never again.

“When I was a child,
I caught a fleeting glimpse
out of the corner of my eye …”

I am no longer a child and I have a dream. The pain is not over, it will always be there. I will sometimes have a few dark days looming, but now they are coming in longer waves. I close my eyes and reach into the recesses of my mind, pulling the willpower forward. I no longer want to be comfortably numb.

**”Comfortably Numb” copyright Pink Floyd

Kentucky Monthly Magazine

When I received the October issue of Kentucky Monthly Magazine in the mail yesterday, not only did one of my book reviews make the cut, but there was a mention of my book, Harrodsburg (Images of America)!
Bookends:

Bobbi Dawnn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong, members of the James Harrod Trust preservation committee, have worked together to creat a photographic tribute to the people, land and ancestors of Harrodsburg. Founded by James Harrod in 177r, Harrodsburg, the seat of Mercer County, is the oldest permanent settlement wet of the Allegheny Mountains. The lastest entry in Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series features more than 220 images dating from the late 1700s to the early 1960s.

Isham-Carter Family Reunion

The annual Isham-Carter family reunion was held this afternoon and it was fun to see all the aunts, uncles and cousins again. Above is Aunt Louise - the guest of honor - and her daughter, Julie.

The food tables were so full of food, I was afraid they would collapse!

A plate full of food - yummy!!!

Julie telling everyone how the Ishams and Carters became one big happy family. More about that at a later date.

Continuing to Learn

It has been said that a person never stops learning, and this is so true about the craft of writing. Although I have been writing professionally for over 15 years, I continue to rely on literary magazines and books in order to remain current and improve my writing.

Currently, I am using The New Fowler's Modern English Usage book to develop a word of the day or words of the week. Trying to use different words and learning what these words mean will help give me an edge to my writing. Different than a Thesaurus, Fowler's gives you the orientation of the word and when it was first used. Sometimes the word will be used in a sentence.

Another book I love is You Don't Have to Be Famous: How To Write Your Life Story by Steve Zousmer. Because most of my writing is non-fiction essays, this book has been a great resource. Teaching me the who, what, when and whys of writing about your life will tighten up my work and make it more enjoyable to the reader.

In an attempt to get my freelance copy writing business off the ground, I have found The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman an invaluable resource. Making a living by writing can be a difficult business, but this book gives me hope that I can do it. Although I am writing a book, I need an added source of writing to supplement my income.

Lastly, I have been studying Words Overflown by Stars edited by David Jauss. This book is a creative writing instruction and insight book used by colleges for a Fine Arts M.F.A. The study in this book is going a little slower because it is a more difficult book, but I like the feeling of working on a college level again.

You're never too late to learn. Pick up a book today on your favorite subject and start studying - you never know when the information will come in handy.
Words Overflown By Stars: Creative Writing Instruction And Insight From The Vermont College Mfa Program

New Website

Check out the new website my husband - Keith Rightmyer - designed for me. If you wish to buy any of my chapbooks:

• Out of My Comfort Zone
• Care and Feeding of Nightmares
• Out of Dark Shadows
• Bobbi's Mercer Memories, Vol. I Spring and Summer

or a copy of Harrodsburg (Images of America), you may do so with PayPal on this site.

Fire Flies

Fire Flies

Under the lovely

            full moon,

the fire begins to glow …

blazing

            up in crackling swirls.

The embers seem to glow

            and fly

around the surrounding area.

Most

            of the embers,

burn themselves out,

but one or two

            slip into the sky to

fly

and

fly.

The original “fire flies”,

            good luck pieces

of fire that,

when past a certain time,

            become alive

and seek out

a true soul

            who needs occasional

magical help.

Salvisa Ruritan Days

What an wonderful, beautiful day we've had today! Keith and I had a booth where we were selling the new book, Harrodsburg (Images of America), as well as my chapbooks of poetry and short stories. It was great!

We sold several books, but more importantly, we made many new contacts with people who have old photographs or negatives of Salvisa. These will be wonderful when we do a Mercer County Book.

I think our booth looked pretty good, if I do say so myself! My hubby was such a sweetheart for helping me set everything up and then helping with manning the booth. Love you, sweetheart!

Our next event will be September 22nd - a radio interview with JD in the Morning at the Rooster radio station (WHBN). After that we will be at the Pioneer Classic Car Show at Anderson-Dean Park on September 3oth and October 1st, so come on out and see us.

In November we will be doing a book signing at the Beehive Gift Shop and Beaumont Inn - the dates have not been determined yet, but I will keep you updated.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive of the book; we really appreciate it. If this book sells well, we will be able to do a book on Mercer County - featuring Salvisa, McAfee and Burgin.

Rainy Days

Copyright The Savage World

I love rainy days! I don't know what it is about them, but they make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe it's because I like to curl up under a fuzzy blanket and read a book. Or many times, it will inspire my creativity nature and I can't put my notebooks or laptop down. Many times I will just sit and knit while watching and listening to the rain; it makes a beautiful combination.

I know most people are hating the fact that spring is almost gone, but I am so looking forward to autumn. The cool crisp air, dewy mornings and overcast days - these motivate me more than the sunshiny days of summer.

So, if you're like me and love rainy days - hurray for us because today will be perfect. If you don't like them, I'm sorry, but we have had a pretty hot summer, so I'm ready for the cool down.

Lightning Bugs

Lightning Bugs


Sun is drifting down to the
horizon – brightening the
western sky.
Shadows are lengthening, spreading
across the lawn
children still run and play
for dark to beckon the
lightning bugs.

I have been submitting articles and poems left and right for two weeks. Duotrope has made my life so much easier. If you are not familiar with Duotrope, I would suggest everyone try it. This is a way to keep up with all your submissions in one easy place. It will give you the name of the publisher you submitted to, the name of the piece you submitted, when it was submitted and if it was accepted or not.

I may be way behind everyone else, because you may already know about this wonderful tool, but it has helped me triple the number of submissions I send out. Now, it's the waiting for a reply that is getting to me!

Book Launch and Signing

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our book launch and signing and made it such a success. For the very first event, we were pleased with the turnout. Here are a few pictures:

Original Ruse

Original Ruse

Barbara Sabol

Paperback

Publisher: Accents Publishing
Language: English

ISBN-10: 0984411879

ISBN-13: 978-0984411870

Part of the Winged Series

Barbara Sabol's poetry and prose has appeared in Public-Republic, Blood Lotus, Poets 350, the Tupelo Press Poetry Project, Tributaries, and on the Akron Art Museum's website. She has an MFA from Spalding University. Barbara is a long-practicing speech therapist, living in northeastern Ohio with her partner and dogs.

This small chapbook of poetry is excellently executed with vivid powerful words. Until I read "Original Ruse," I had never heard of Barbara Sabol, but I will be on the lookout for more of her work.

To give you an example, “Winter” is one of my favorite poems in the book. She has used such rich words to describe how the coldness of winter seeps into your bones.

“Winter is a country

That settles

In your limbs, stir

The joints …”

Just reading this, I can feel the cold of winter stiffening my joints. The imagery is perfect.

“Hula Girls” is another favorite that made me laugh out loud.

“The saleswoman assured me it was fashionable revealing

Just a hint of thigh, white as twice-whipped potatoes …”

Her words are prodigious and stout and her lyrical and narrative approach to poems can’t help but make you thing about the world around you. "Original Ruse" was printed and released by Accents Publishing, “…an independent press for brilliant voices.”

Book Mention

The Bluegrass Bookshelf from the Lexington Herald-Leader on Sunday, August 21st, gave us a shout out. Thanks everyone!!

Places to buy my new book

Here are the places in Harrodsburg that will be carrying the new book:

Shaker Village/pleasant Hill
Beaumont Inn Gift Shop
Kentucky Fudge Shop
Rumors and Razors Hair Salon
Harrodsburg Herald
Royalty's Florist and Gift
Old Country Store
Bee Hive Gift Shop
Old Fort Harrod

Seeing My First First Book Display

I was so shocked to walk into the Harrodsburg Herald office this afternoon, only to be greeted by a display of my new book with co-author Anna Armstrong. I know my jaw dropped to the ground!

So, like a total geek, I went back out to the car for my camera and had to take a few pictures. There's just something about see your name on the cover of a book you are so proud of!

And I'm sorry Beverly and the young man selling papers - I had to have my little girl, squeelie moment!

(My uploading computer is in the shop, ut I'll post pictures soon!)