we LOVE contests!

You’re a good writer.  You know it.  Anyone who’s read your work knows it.  Have you been thinking of entering a contest to prove to the world that you can write a winning short story?

Here’s a wonderful opportunity for you.  The In Print writer’s group is holding their 1^st annual writing contest.  Your short story has to be 1000 words or less; poetry needs to be 30 lines or less, and the only other requirement is that your story or poetry must be something about writing…an author, a group, or perhaps how you beat writer’s block. 

Will there be prizes?  You betcha…there will be one $100 winner for each category.  The deadline is June 10^th, and the winners will be announced at the August 11^th In Print meeting. 

It’s $10 for members and $15 for non members.  Checks should be made payable to In Print and sent to PO Box 2146, Loves Park, IL 61132.  Make sure each submission you send in contains your entry fee, a cover letter with your name and contact information, and your story or poetry.

Do you have lots of stories you’d like to submit?  That’s fine; just be sure to include a separate $10 or $15 fee and a cover page with each story.

We have three distinguished judges who will be judging in three categories:  fiction, non fiction, and poetry. 

You know you’re a good writer.  Time to let everyone else know!

Questions?  Call Kristin Oakley, President of In Print, at 815-275-9226.

Toes in the Sandals

On a recent trip to Mexico, there were many beautiful things to see…the blue, blue Caribbean Sea, white sand, colorful fish, beautiful sunrises (one of which we actually got up early enough to see) and many, many people of all different shapes and sizes.  It was a treat for the eyes and a balm for the soul. 

However, time and time again I found my eyes drawn to…FEET.

Talk about all shapes and sizes!  Many women, (me included) knowing they were going to a beach resort, treated themselves to beautiful pedicures.  Others, men AND women, just had well tended feet and clean, clipped toenails.

And then…there were others.  Short stubby toes on dirty feet, toes that look like fingers, toes that look like all pinky toes, missing toes, too many toes…the list goes on and on.

This actually happened in Mexico:  It’s 6pm, you’re pleasantly tired from a fun day on the beach, and you’re hungry.  You’re standing in line for the buffet.

You see them before you hear them.  Click.  Click.  Click.  Then you see them.  Indescribably, disgustingly gross bare feet stuffed into a pair of shower thongs, shuffling your way.   Yellowed, thick toenails two inches long that have never seen the silver flash of a pair of clippers.  They’re so long they're actually curved over the sandals and clicking on the floor.  Those toenails grace feet that have obviously never, ever seen the light of day as the glare coming off those pasty feet forces you to shield your eyes. 

Your appetite = gone.

joes toes.  how pretty.

I’m surely not the expert on pretty feet.  I’ll certainly never be a foot model.  (author’s note:  I do love my husband’s feet...see above)  I have noticed that as I grow older, my toes alarmingly seem to be moving closer together of their own accord. 

I mentioned it to my sister recently and she nodded wisely.  “I’ve heard of that.  Yes.  It’s called "traveling toe syndrome".”

(sigh)  I hope my toes get to travel to Mexico.  There are lots of pretty things to see there.