The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Photo taken by Mary Vee, Pisa Italy There was a man from the Bronx who visited his doctor before taking his wife on a trip to Italy. The doctor told him disturbing news. The man had been retired for one year. He'd wisely purchased a large parcel and built his own home. He sold other pieces of the parcel and had hoped to sell more, but was told by an environmentalist group he couldn't. Still, he and his wife did well on what they had.  The man instantly connected with the forty other people in the travel group. He told jokes. Danced in the evening get togethers. He and his wife became friends with everyone in the group. On the last morning, the tour guide split the group in two. Those needing to get to the airport early, and those later. The man was in the later group but got up early to say good bye to the first group. Farewell hugs. A new sense of friendships never to be forgotten. When only a few gathered in the lounge waiting for the second group to come down

Krista is a writing partner for the Writers Alley. We've prayed together, written posts, encouraged and blessed each other. Krista is funny, techy smart, a loving mom, and an author. But advancing in any career is a job. Krista shares her heart and how God helped her celebrate each step.   Bubbling about Careers Preparation Bubbles Like a sandwich, all journeys need a little prep time. Some will be a year, some will be twenty years. Mine was bubblin' four years from when I first started seriously writing to the time that wicked awesome contract was in my hands. While the prep time can be grueling at time, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I met a bunch of great writers who I plan to have as friends for life. I've grown as a writer and grown in my faith as I've faced rejections, discouragement, and those blessed rays of hope that God brings at just the right time. Bubble Lesson:  Embrace the Journey! D

Hubby and I have returned home from a spectacular tour of Italy. The theme of this trip, I can't help but say it:  I'm falling for Italy! I can't limit my tales of this gorgeous county to one post. I'm devoting my November newsletter to our adventures and will tell more in a few blogs. This is a trip I'd take again in a heartbeat. Definitely. The people. The language. The food. The art. The history. Wow!! While I'm doing the laundry and getting over jet lag I'll leave you with: Photo Courtesy Leaning Photo Courtesy Romance on the water Photo Courtesy Worship Photo Courtesy a time in history POWER Islands These photos are bringing tears of great memories. I can't wait to upload my own photos. What place in Italy have you wanted to see? The laundry will be done for next Tuesday's post.

Karen Schravemade is my friend from Australia. I love the way she says, "Mom". Karen is living a life many young moms do: several young children, developing a career, volunteering, and all the other things mom's pack into a day. Come read her honest and encouraging words...ripe for anyone with a busy schedule. A Childhood Dream My dream of becoming a writer began as a child. I loved books from the very start, but I vividly remember the moment when I first realised I could be a shaper of stories rather than just a passive recipient. "Mum," I asked, "where do the storybooks come from?" "People write them," she replied. Those simple words sparked something revolutionary inside my little-girl brain. Right then and there, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to write stories. That dream has stayed with me from childhood, and I've never wavered from it. That doesn't mean there haven't been times of discouragement alon

Photo by Vee family There were these three herons walking down the road one day. Oh, the chatter. Good grief. Like old men s wapping stories exaggerating, and one-upping each other mostly about the biggest fish caught. One said "I've been to Italy." Photo Courtesy The Second said, "No way. Do you realize how far Italy is from here? You can't fly that far." One said: Yes I can. See how sleepy my eyes look? The Third one said: If you really went there, tell us what fish you ate. One stood still, his eyes swaying to the side. "I had the nicest waiter bring a platter of shrimp and scampi. They were served in the shell and with the heads still on. So juicy. That was my first day. Well, you can see why I chose to stay for a few more days." The Second said: "Were they served fresh?" One: "I couldn't have plucked them from the water any fresher." Third  leaned cl

Angie Dicken wrote a great piece. She is a great friend and an author with a debut release in a year. I'm so excited for her success. I'm sure you'll be blessed. Leave her a comment at the end to encourage, empathize, or chat. Not Erased By Rejection Six years ago, I was preparing for my first writer's conference.  It has been quite a journey for me as a writer. And I thought I'd share what I've learned along the way. I walked away from my first conference with an agent's request for some chapters. It gave me hope that my dream of getting published was tunneling ahead and God's mighty hand was blessing me quickly. Certainly I had discovered my calling and found the door to success. And then came rejection. As quick as the blessing pushed me forward, the rejection pulled me back.  Whoa. My writing needed some work, and the agent was kind enough to point out specifics. Yeah, It hurt. “What was the point of  that  blessing,

I read a brochure about Rome.  Photo by Mary Vee Apparently the locals feel disrespected when Americans visit dressed in what we'd consider typical apparel. Jeans, tee, clothes we'd wear to a mall, park, even on a train or airplane.  Actually, most Americans like jeans and a tee/shirt but will dress up for certain occassions like  a fancy restaurant, certain conferences, church, weddings, etc.  I don't think Italians look down on American's apparel as much as they see a person who has not taken the time or consideration to research what the appropriate wear is for a given setting like touring Rome.  Seeing from the brochure that most Italians living in Rome wear nice clothes like sports coat for guys and a dress for girls, hubby and I decided to invest in giving respect.  I went to several dress stores and found the prices astronomically high. To stay within our budget and yet still show respect, I chose, instead, to go to a fabric store, pick o