Thursday, September 22, 2016

Dull Days but a Big Surprise


This has been a tough week. Usually this third week after chemo has about five good days that remind me I am a functioning human.  This week felt too much chemo still and lots of other issues piled up. I get very frustrated having no energy. I sit, think I am fine, consider doing something, stand up and then feel like someone pushed me over a cliff again. Regular readers know how I hate to whine but right now there is very little I can share that is bright and positive, but I still long to blog.

The one household chore I still try to do is fixing a meal, an abbreviated or somewhat prefab meal. Today I made onions and apples which sounds yucky right? Well, I bought cooking apples at the farm stand, got them home and found I was too tired for making a pie and wanted to avoid the sugar anyway. This recipe is onions, apples, Splenda and vinegar cooked 15 minutes in a skillet. Very good and somewhat different.


Then I did get a really BRIGHT spot in an email! An editor asked my permission for her to nominate me and my poem for the 2017 Pushcart Prize! Never saw that coming one bit and so appreciate it. Even if I don’t win a place, just to be nominated is enough. It feels good that someone in publishing saw my work as worthy of more.


12 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

Claudia--Congratulations! A Pushcart nomination? I bow down to you... I can't write anything even close to worthy of that, and I'm not battling the big C. You are a woman to be reckoned with.

Have you ever tried savory sweet potatoes? If not try this:

Cube some fresh sweet potatoes. Saute them with onions. (I usually cook them until light brown and then cheat, and finish them in the microwave.) I add a spice "seasoning for greens" to it, but you can use any thing that will give it a kick. "Slap Ya Mama" Cajun seasoning also works.

Sometimes I add cheese (cheddar). Sometimes not. It's a sweet-savory combination that I love. Hopefully you will too (if you don't already do this).

BECKY said...

Claudia, I'm sorry you're not full of energy right now, but I know it will come back! And WOW, nominated for a Pushcart Prize?? Congratulations! Where did she read it? Can we purchase a book it's in??

Elephant's Child said...

HUGE congratulations for the Pushcart nomination. It couldn't have come at a better time.
As always, heartfelt hugs and oceans of caring.

Merlesworld said...

Good for you I hope it goes well, a lift of the spirits always helps.
Merle..........

Susan said...

Oh Claudia, that was great news about the poem! How wonderful to be nominated. Not so good news about not feeling good. Hopefully, that will improve. Still praying daily. Hugs, my friend Susan

pat couch laster said...

I second, third, fourth, et al. all the congratulations and best wishes that the folks above this comment have uttered. Oh, what a glorious accolade--a nom for the Pushcart. That will keep you going perhaps. xoxo

Linda O'Connell said...

I knew it! Good writers who wait long enough get recognized. Congratulations

Rebecca said...

YaaaaaaaaaaaY!
What an unusual combination (apples/onions). Actually, I just may like it.
Sorry you've been feeling crummy. Hope your energy returns soon. ♥

Mary Horner said...

Sorry you are struggling, it can't be easy, but very excited about your Pushcart news. You should be very proud!

Donna Volkenannt said...

Congratulations, Claudia! Nancy sent a copy of the newspaper article about you the other day. I hope you feel better soon and can enjoy your well deserved nomination--and hopefully your poem will be included in the next Pushcart Prize anthology!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Congratulations! Oh, Claudia, I shall fervently pray for you to win. You are most deserving.

I'm late to post here---hard to keep up with everything with my daughter getting married in a couple weeks---but I'm so glad I didn't miss this post. And I hope you feel better now than when you wrote the post. Praying for you daily, my friend!

Lynn said...

WOW, huge success in being NOMINATED!!!! Way to go. Hope you're feeling better. More letters are on the way! xo