Merry Christmas!

And smooth sailing in 2014!

Where did the year go? It's hard to believe that in just eleven days we will be entering a brand new year.

This hasn't been the greatest past five months for me. I'm still hobbling around using a walker. I haven't been able to get out of the house by myself.

Whoa! Why am I not considering the blessings these months have brought? Helpful friends have gathered around me. I managed to publish three books on Amazon and Kindle. When I couldn't do anything else, I could write.

So I'm entering the holiday season in good spirits. I'm going to try and write more on my blog in 2014. Have to keep you posted on my progress (grin).

In the meantime I want to wish you all a blessed Merry Christmas and a happy prosperous New Year


                                              Merry Christmas To One And All!

                                                                                      
                                                                      Audrey

New Book Release Now On Amazon "Whispering Angels"

 Available on Amazon and Kindle.

Click to Amazon and use the look inside feature for a sneak peek!

 

 

"Whispering Angels" is the anticipated sequel to "Under Margret's Wing." 

Margret Helm's learns there is no rest for the dead! 

Margret Helms felt a strange sensation. She’d been dead for years. A quick death at eighty-five. She had returned for awhile to help Annie. Now she felt herself being pulled back, but to what? This could only mean trouble. Annie?

And so starts the journey back to St. Augustine, Florida and her beloved great-niece, Annie. Danger and troubles surround Annie and her friends. Can Margret help? She sets out to find out. 

             There's Always a Chance When Love Guides From Beyond

 

 

I am excited my latest book is finished and for sale on Amazon and Kindle. My favorite character Margret Helm's just can't stay away, from her great-niece Annie, or from me. She is a pleasure to write about. In fact, I am currently working on a new book and Margret has a bit of a different transformation. I'll keep you posted!

 

My broken foot is still trying to heal. The good news is it is not keeping me from writing!

 

Enjoy the holiday season...

                                                                                     Audrey

My Three Week Stay At A Nursing Home

     I could tell you what a horrible experience it was. Three weeks in rehab in a nursing home for my broken foot, that is still a problem. I am back at home now and happy even though still off my foot.

     Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I want to write about a young man named George who managed to lift the spirits of everyone he came in contact with.

     George was admitted to the home because of obesity problems with his legs. He is a huge man with a heart twice his size. He belonged to our smoker’s group of six. We were allowed to go outside six times a day. Those were the happiest moments of my stay in a dismal environment.

     George had you laughing constantly. Silly jokes, funny jokes, but most of all it was his love of people that brought joy to all of us. He loved to make fun of himself too. Not in a derogatory manner. He was a proud man, coping with a disability that made you love him all the more.

     I will probably never see George again, but I’ll remember him forever.

    “Say nice things about me,” he’d joke. That was the easiest part – if you met him you'd forget his size because his huge heart made knowing him a pleasure.

     Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

                                                                        Audrey

Where There's A Will, There's A Way

Where there's a will, there's a way!

     Just when I had hope my foot was healing, I had a bad setback. It was my own fault – I actually forgot the foot was still broken. Since I wasn’t having any pain, I began to move around more freely. No more going up and down stairs on my backside. I just started walking up and down. Since daughter Barbara was coming down for a quickie visit, I washed sheets, made the bed, mopped the bathroom floor. When both Pam and Barbara were here, I ran around like a crazy fool, happiness in my heart. Well, now I’m paying for it.

     Overnight my foot swelled, the pain became intense. Back to the doctor. X-rays showed I had “flattened” the bone to the point that it became a secondary break. Doctor’s orders, no walking for two weeks. All I can do is keep my foot elevated. For the first day I was very obedient, but then it struck me – I wanted to use my computer to write and still keep the foot elevated. My solution was simple. I just propped it on the wastebasket nest to the computer.

     So now I’m still obeying doctor’s orders with the satisfaction of being able to write again!


Note: I sent the photo to my friend Jane and this was her response with a little graphic to go with it.


You are a very clever lady! Four sayings come to mind:
1. Necessity is the mother of invention.
2.Where there's a will, there's a way!
3.Winston Churchill says: Attitude is a little thing that can make a big difference.
4.When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

 

Music In My Life

 

  

 

I'm not sure why, but I thought a lot about my husband today. Probably because I'm cooped up alone with a broken foot. I was remembering how much music meant to my life. Music touched my heart every time I felt emotion. If nothing else, I was a romantic.

           On the first real date I had with my future husband, I should have realized that I was not dating a romantic. We went to a small restaurant in New York City where they had dancing. At one point, as we were dancing, I started to softly sing into his ear, “I've got you under my skin.”

He pushed me slightly back, looked down on me and asked, “You got Cooties?”

Right then and there I should have realized ours would be a marriage of fidelity and unspoken words of romance. He was a marvelously unromantic husband.

For our thirtieth anniversary, I wanted to tell him what those years meant to me. Kenny Rogers had just put out a new cassette. I played it until I came to the song “Through The Years.” I put it secretly in his car cassette. It would be the first song he'd hear on his way to work. I couldn't wait for him to listen to the words. He would know how much I loved him.

That evening when he got home I asked him what he thought of the song.

His answer? “That guy's got a really good voice.” No mention of the particular song I had chosen. What do you do with a guy like that? You love him and know he loves you even if he never says so. 

 

        

Das Boot



Not my boot, but similar, for a broken foot! Not on crutches thank goodness.

        Last week I broke my right foot. It's been hard getting around, but since there is nothing I can do about it, I'm not going to complain

.
       Actually, there is a humorous side to all this if I look at it the right way.

       Picture me crawling around on my hands and knees like an eighty-five-year old baby because I can't stand up due to the pain. My cat "Blossom" is following me around, purring like she's my soul mate. We seem to be on level ground now. If I suddenly start lapping at her food bowl, I'll be ready for the men in the little white coats.

       I am still concerned walking up and down on the thirteen steps.
Another thing to picture – me going up and down each stair on my backside. One step at a time, pushing myself from stair to stair with my arms. Maybe I'll get some muscles back. My arms will always be flabby, but a little more strength would be nice.

       There was a light in my day when the taxi driver picked me up to go to the clinic. He was friendly and helpful. When we got to the clinic, he hung around until the nurse brought out a wheelchair. By my second trip with him we had become buddies.

       Seems he wants to become a writer, but wasn't sure how to go about getting started. Wow! That was right up my alley. I forgot my pain and started advising him. Told him if he wrote only twenty-five words each and every day, he would soon find his mind thinking up ideas. I gave him a book called "If I Can Write, You Can Write." It's the book I used to get started - best book on the market.

      He left happy and I felt blessed. Everything happens for a reason. Who knows, maybe one day he'll be this generation's Ernest Hemmingway.

My New Release on Amazon "Tales of Love & Mystery"

 Available on Amazon

 and Kindle

This collection of eight short stories is a fast paced journey through the hearts and minds of a variety of characters that will draw you in and keep you reading. From an ethereal young boy to a demon child, from a wheel chair ridden young woman to a motorcycle lover, the action and dialog zip along.

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My Latest Release on Amazon!

My daughter Pam collected eight of my favorite short stories and designed my new book. From cover to loading the book to Amazon and Kindle, she did it all. If you click on the link under the book photo, you will go to Amazon where you can peek inside. I am thrilled to have a second book completed. Pam is in the process of starting her own business to help authors get their books in print!

First Book Signing At River House on Matanzas Bay

My first book signing!

 

I had my first official book signing at the Christmas in July craft show last Wednesday at the magnificent River House located on Matanzas Bay. As always, the folks there were gracious and wonderful. It was a great morning and I enjoyed meeting all the other vendors. Looking forward to doing this show again in December. Working on my new book. Stay tuned....

 

My table set-up


 

A Very Special Award

Thanks to my friend Jane for this great honor! After my post about rats the other day, I received this via e-mail!

First place ... in rat killing
 presented to Audrey Frank, St. Augustine's finest in rodent extermination!

Audrey, The Rat Hunter

 

 

Graphic from Dreamstime. com

 

 

     I became a hero in my friend's eyes today. When I got to her store, she was upset.

     “There's a dead rat in a trap under the desk and I don't know what to do with it.”

     Well, I've had enough pet rats over the years so I certainly wasn't afraid of a dead one.

     Sure enough there was this small dead rat. I pulled out the trap, opened it, and picked the critter up by the tail.

     “Hand me a paper bag,” I said. I plopped the rat into it and tossed the bag into an outside trash can.

     As I was washing my hands, I remembered a similar incident that happened when I was working at The Government House several years ago.

     All of a sudden three women ran downstairs screaming. “There's a rat in the trap, but it's still alive.”

     It was in a trap, not trying to bite them, so what was the problem? I could handle that.

     “Anyone have a hammer?” I asked. My main thought was to put the critter out of its misery. I walked upstairs, smashed the rat's head and that was the end of the story.

     Well, not exactly. The story circled around the other employees for weeks. Audrey the rat killer. Someone even drew a cartoon of me with a hammer leaning over the trapped rat.

     I still don't know why people are afraid of rats. They're not there to harm you, simply to scrounge for food. I guess it's because they're nasty looking. But hey, there are a lot of nasty looking humans out there. Those are the ones I shy away from.

 

Author's Note: I had my share of pet rats. Read about Charlie in an earlier post by clicking here.

 

R.I.P. Charlie

    

"Under Margret's Wing" By Audrey Frank Now On Amazon and Kindle

Book Alert!

I've just finished my novella "Under Margret's Wing" and it is available on Amazon and Kindle now.

Click HERE to go to Amazon.

You can peek inside the book there!

 

Thanks to my daughter Pam King for designing my wonderful cover!

 

Love Can Guide You From Beyond If You Listen With Your Heart “Under Margret's Wing” is a coming of age novella by St. Augustine, Florida, author Audrey Frank. A perfect read for young adults and adults who are young at heart. It is a story that will stay with you long after you finish it and make you want to tighten the bonds with your loved ones. Margret Helms was an old spinster who liked her privacy and was comfortable with her quiet life. A knock on her door was about to change everything around her, including her crusty attitude. “Aunt Maggie?” A pregnant teenage girl greeted her. No one had called her Maggie except for the sister she lost touch with years ago. “And you are?” “Annie Duggin. I'm your great-niece.” So begins a relationship that will span space and time between the two.

Love Comes To Charlie Wilson

     I'm writing a short story and one of the characters popped out to me - he could stand on his own, so I quickly wrote this quirky little story about what happened to him!

    This story is also published on A Quick Read, a short stories app for the android phone. If you want to view their webpage, click on the link in the sentence above. On their web scroll down to the area that says read on your computer and click. Love Comes To Charlie Wilson is posted under Heart-Warming stories. Or read it below.

Hope you enjoy.
                                                                                           Audrey

A Quick Read Logo

Love Comes To Charlie Wilson

     How had it happened? He was the guy in his fifties who had sworn off romance. After ten years of marriage his wife left him for another man. If that wouldn't turn any faithful husband off he didn't know what would.

    Strange how it came about. He owned Charlie's restaurant and one night his manager, Lance, asked him to sit in on a date he had with this gal and her mother.

     “Why me?” he'd asked. Seems Lance wanted time with this Nancy. He hoped Charlie would keep the mother occupied. Charlie accepted with reservations. What if the mother was old, unattractive? Heck, it was only one night, so why not?

     When Nancy and Ellen Blair walked into the restaurant that night, Charlie's eyes widened. This was the mother? Tall, lean, with brown hair and azure eyes that sparkled. Not bad at all.

     “So, Ellen,” he asked when they were seated in the booth. Tell me something about yourself.”

     Ellen shrugged. “Not much to tell. Married twelve years, went through a nasty divorce, now I'm just content to wing it on my own. One man in my life was enough to turn me off men forever.”

     Charlie's eyes narrowed. A looker like her, didn't want another man in her life? Until now he'd felt the same. This one was different. She had a vulnerability and past sadness he wanted to explore.

     When they left, Charlie got her phone number and address from Lance. Something screamed at him. He had to follow up. The next morning he dialed Ellen's number, then drummed his fingers on the table waiting for someone to answer. Why was it taking so long? His heart beat somewhere in his throat. Suppose she refused?

     “Hello? Ellen here.”

     He almost hung up in panic. A pause, then “Uh, good morning, Ellen, it's Charlie. It's a beautiful day. I wondered if you'd like to take a walk in the park and maybe stop for coffee somewhere?” He felt like a jackass. Why would she want to see him again?

     “That would be nice, Charlie,” she said quietly. The softness of her voice mesmerized him.

     He almost choked at his end. He'd pick her up in an hour. He checked through his closet. Gotta look spiffy for a lady like that. He finally settled on a dark blue suit - sort of emphasized his gray hair - and a pale blue golf shirt. Yeah, that ought to do.

     He rocked back and forth waiting for Ellen to open the door.

     “Hello, Charlie, it's good to see you again.”

     Right then and there he knew he was a goner – this woman just dazzled him.

     Walking side by side with Ellen under the emerald trees in the park, Charlie wanted to take her hand. Nope, don't rush it. Did she realize how beautiful she looked in a lavender outfit and brushed back hair?

They found a small bistro by the side of the park. They sat under an outside umbrella and ordered black coffee. It surprised Charlie that she didn't order one of those fancy drinks. Down to earth woman. He liked that.

     “So, Ellen,” Charlie said, adding three packets of sugar to his coffee, “ I was wondering about what you said last night. What happened to turn you off men?” His heart beat wildly in his throat. He wanted to know, so maybe he could change her mind. He already knew this was the woman he finally wanted to open his heart to. Could he open hers, too?

     “Charlie, It's not a pleasant story,” Ellen said, slowly sipping her coffee. “ Why don't we talk about something else?”

      Charlie took her hand. “Last night you opened my heart to the possibility of finding someone to love again. You need to do that, too.” A flush crept over his cheeks. Would she realize he meant her?

      Her eyes softened as she squeezed his hand. “ It's so ludicrous, I've never wanted to bring it out in the open.”

     “Tell me, Ellen. It can't be that bad.”

     She wiped a tear from her eye. “ I guess it's time to let go of the past.”

     Her lips trembled as she told him about the afternoon she came home early and found her husband in bed with another man. He had tried to explain his new love, she couldn't listen.

     “I was totally disgusted,” she continued. “After so many years, he left me for a man. I'd have known how to fight another woman to win him back. But a man? I felt helpless and ravaged at the same time. I had become the other woman.”

     Stunned, Charlie could only imagine what that had been like. He reached over and kissed her.

     “Ellen, I was hurt, too. Not as bad as you, but we have something in common. I want to build on that. I want to hold you and love you forever.” He kissed her again and felt her respond. There was hope for them. Her kiss, shy as it was, told him they did have a future. He'd never let her hurt again.

      Ellen reached over and cradled his face in her hands. “I guess we could try, Charlie. I guess we could try.”

If It's Gonna Happen, It'll Happen To Me

I decided to put gas in my car today, since prices were down a few cents. Why not take advantage? I turned off the engine, and got out my debit card. I don't know how it happened so quickly, but it slipped off my lap and slid down between the two front seats.

I could see it, but couldn't get to it. Went inside the store, explained what had happened and asked the girl there if she had something long that I could squeeze the card out with. It didn't work so I went back to the store and returned this sliver of metal to her.

Okay, let's see if I can get my hand down there and pluck it out. It was a tight squeeze and after three tries I realized my right hand was bloody – I mean blood was oozing all over the place. The cuts weren't deep, but my blood is so thin and, of course, so is my skin. I'll admit I started to panic. You can't buy anything without one of those plastic cards and I only have that one and no cash on hand. I don't like credit cards because sometimes they can get out of hand. If I don't have the money I just stop spending. I took out a paper towel, wrapped it around the cuts which kept oozing blood, so for the third time I headed back inside.

The clerk looked horrified at the bloody towel. I told her not to worry but wondered if there was someone with thicker skin who could get the card out. She was the only one in the store and couldn't leave. Then a young man in a UPS uniform walked in. He looked as horrified as the clerk. Really, it wasn't as bad as it looked. I just needed someone to try and pluck out the card. He was very tall and thin with long slim fingers. Maybe he could get it out?

Well, it took him two seconds to reach the card and hand it to me. Like I said, the cuts weren't deep but my hand is black tonight. No pain, just ugly looking.

There are some nice people in this world and lately I've been running into them.

"Trouble On The Reef" published in Stepping Stones Magazine

 

Stepping Stones Magazine

Amazing Art Created by Amazing People Like You

Stepping Stones Magazine is web-based journal showcasing poetry, short fiction, visual and audio art by artists of all skill levels. Whether you’re an author, who publishes regularly, or new to the craft, this is the place for you. Our address is: http://ssmalmia.com

While Stepping Stones strives to be a place for new and established artists to experiment with their craft, acceptance is not automatic. If your work appears in our magazine, then it deserves to be here.

*********************************************************************************

Trouble On The Reef by Audrey Frank published in Stepping Stones Magazine.

I was pleased that my story Trouble On The Reef was published in Stepping Stones Magazine, an on-line magazine. You can link to the story and read it by clicking HERE or on the story title under the photo. If you like my story, please click on the stars and register a five star vote!

Angels Among Us

    

     With all the chaos going around in this world, I found my personal angel yesterday.

     Someone had driven by and ripped off my left outside rear mirror a few months ago. My neighbor had fixed it back then, but with the scorching heat we're having now, the tape melted away. The mirror was hanging by a thread. My neighbor was out of town. What to do?

     I headed to Home Depot and purchased some heavy duty glue and extra strength duck tape. My plans were to try and fix it right there in the parking lot. I couldn't open the glue, so back inside I went. A very young employee was standing just inside the door.

     “Could you please open this glue for me?”

     “Be happy to,” he replied. Then he looked at me.”You gonna use it right now?”

      I explained what had happened and he said he'd see if he could help me out. Off to the car we went.

      That young man, Scott, took over completely. He put on the glue, waited until he felt it was dry and then meticulously kept adding duck tape until he was satisfied that the mirror was going to hold. We were out there for over a half hour. Another person might have just given him a few dollars and driven off. I felt Scott deserved more than that.

     “Can you take me to your manager? I want to tell him how helpful you were.”

     Scott grinned. “Yes, mam!”

     As I told the manager about the incident, he started to smile and Scott was turning red.

“If the world were filled with more young people like Scott, it would be a better place to

live” I ended.

     The manager shook my hand and said “Most people just come to me with complaints, never praise. Thank you for taking the time to tell me about Scott.”

     Before I walked away, I reached up and hugged Scott. “Just want you to know you made my day.”

     I've been telling my friends to ask for Scott when they go to Home Depot. One day I want to see him as manager of the store.

The Days Of Wine And Flowers



     Finally Spring has sprung here in St. Augustine after a very cold winter. Trees are filling in with new green leaves - let's not mention all the dead leaves on the ground because I was too lazy to rake them up - Azaleas are blooming, and my heart is filled with the thought of the summer ahead and all the annuals I plan to set out in pots in the back yard.

 

     I hadn't started out to the grocery store with the thought of buying a bottle of wine. I am not a wine drinker. Still, there was this beautiful bottle of rose wine that caught my attention. Not the wine. The bottle - it had such a quaint design on it that I added it to my grocery cart on the spur of the moment.

 

     I got home, looked at the bottle and decided to pour out the wine and use it as a vase on my kitchen window sill. It didn't look that great until I added a few artificial flowers in it and surrounding it. Okay, I cheated. I didn't want to wait until I could get some fresh flowers. So now my window sill pleases me. And if I never get fresh flowers instead of artificial, I still think it looks cute.

Second Time Around Short Story

This is the second story I've had published on A Quick Read, a short stories app for the Android Phone. If you go to their website and scroll down and click on the computer image it will take you to the list of stories. "Second Time Around" is under 'Heart-Warming' Stories. Read about the app and my other story on an earlier post here.

I hope you enjoy Second Time Around, printed below!

The day had been rough, and Joan felt every bone groan. She plopped down on the couch like a bag of cement. Her eyes drooped and she fell into a deep nap. It didn't last long.

The kids came slamming through the door.

"Hi, Mom," they yelled. "What's for snacks?"

"Check the fridge," she called back, pushing herself off the couch. Who needed a nap anyway?

They were already chomping down cold pizza.

"How was your day at school?"

Kelly stopped chewing long enough to give Joan a quick hug. She laughed. "It was okay, but I'm glad it's Friday." Jason just nodded agreement.She looked at their exuberant,happy faces. What plans did they have? Would she be included?

It was inevitable she would soon become a lesser part of their lives.

"Hey, Mom, can you drive me out to the skeet range tomorrow?" Jason's question smacked her back to the present.

"Sure, Hon, what time do you want to go?"

Jason shoved the last piece of pizza in his mouth and mumbled, "Early, 'cause there's a new instructor who's gonna teach me to shoot better. He said I need to learn how to follow through on my swing." Jason shrugged. "Dad never really explained that to me."

Jason had learned to shoot skeet before her husband and she had divorced. Phil wasn't meant to be a parent, or a husband, so it had been by mutual agreement. Sometimes she thought it would be nice to be in love again. Still, a single parent was better than two who were always at each others throats.

Early the next morning they headed out to the skeet range. Joan hung back, but Jason raced straight toward his new instructor. She watched them talking. Jason turned and motioned for her to join them. She walked over to where they were standing.

"This is my mom," Jason said, a grin spreading across his freckled face.

"Hi, I'm Steve Brown." He held out his hand.

"Joan," she answered. His strong grip surprised her and a tingle ran up her arm. He was tall with broad shoulders, a shock of wavy black hair, and electric blue eyes. She liked the feel of his hand almost as much as his infectious smile.

"You've got a great kid here, Joan. You must be proud of him."

She nodded agreement.

"Hey, Mom, Steve is new here in town and hasn't had a chance to make any friends yet. Can he come home with us for lunch after my lesson?"

"We've only got sandwiches."

"That would be just fine with me." Steve's eyes met and held hers until she flushed, and felt an unexpected jolt to her stomach.
"Sure," she said a little too quickly. "It's only lunch, right?"

Jason whooped in glee. "See, Steve, I told you she'd like you."

Steve and Jason spent an hour practicing keeping the shotgun slightly in front of the target,then following through before lowering the barrel.

"Pull," Steve yelled, then watched Jason take aim.


If Jason missed, Steve patiently explained, again and again, how important it was to stay in front of the target and follow through. After a while, Jason started pulverizing the clay targets. After each clay explosion, Jason would jump up and down, waving at Joan.


Joan was impressed. Phil never had that kind of patience.

After the session ended, Steve eased his Rambler behind Joan's beat up Chevy and they headed home. Joan's fingers trembled as she put the key in the lock and the door swung wide. It was a long time since a man had been in their house.

Steve followed Jason into the kitchen. Kelly was already putting together left-over roast beef sandwiches.

Steve smiled. "I already know who you are, Kelly. Jason says you're a pretty cool sister."

Kelly smiled coyly. "I've heard a lot about you, too."

Soon all four were devouring sandwiches and cold lemonade. After lunch, Jason and Kelly cleared the table and started washing dishes. Kelly glanced at Joan. Her look said take him outside.

"Would you like to sit in the back yard?" She felt like a teenager hit over the head. When was the last time she had flirted?

They chatted for hours, oblivious to the oncoming purple twilight. The more they talked, the more Joan realized how she had missed male companionship.

Steve looked at his watch and frowned. "I didn't mean to take up so much of your time," he apologized. "I better get going. Will you come to the range with Jason again?"

"Of course, I have to watch how Jason improves."

"That's great, see you soon." As he headed to his car he turned and waved.

Joan waved back, knowing in her heart this was the beginning of her second time around.

Never Take Your Neighbors For Granted

     I had fallen last week and badly bruised myself – scraped arms and a bad back. I hardly went out all week because of the pain.

     I live on a block where there are only five houses, and we're not a particularly social group, except for a casual hand wave if we happened to be outside. The exception is Doris Oswald, whom I became friendly with through the Writer's Group we both go to.

     After my fall, Doris would check in every day to see if I was okay. I'm not sure why but this morning I didn't hear the phone ring. She evidently called several times and I never picked up. Well, that worried her.

     The next thing I hear is a pounding – I didn't realize it was my door being pounded on. The house around the corner has been having work done on it all week, so I was used to the noise and thought nothing of it.

     Suddenly I heard my voice being called and heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Talk about being startled. Two paramedics stood there. “Are you alright?”

     Seems when Doris couldn't reach me, she had called 911 to tell them she thought her neighbor might be in trouble.

     When I walked downstairs, my mouth dropped open. Not only was the EMT truck there, along with a police car, but all my neighbors were standing in front of my house. A swirl of confusion and humility swept through. They cared enough about me to be concerned. I didn't know what to say. I felt humbled and grateful. I couldn't hold back the tears that stung my eyes.

     These people cared for me and I just never had realized how much...

     My one neighbor, Ed, had removed my front door before the paramedics could break it down. Then he put it back up. Now that goes beyond friendship. Doris had called a friend, Terri, who had tried to reach me and was becoming frantic because she couldn't. Everyone standing there because they cared for me, each in their own way.

     People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. Today, and forever more, I will consider myself one of those people.

     Thank you, my neighbors, my friends.
                                                                                   Audrey

A Short Stories App For Android Phones Includes My Story "The Phone Call"

For someone who isn't sure about the computer at times, I have a story published on an app for Android phones. I've come a long way, baby. If I only knew what an app is?

More about A Quick Read. This unique project combines an Android phone app and on-line fiction. Both connect to the Internet, where they have an expanding database of short stories for you to enjoy.

My story, The Phone Call, has been included in their data base. To view my story click here, which will take you to their site. When you are on their home page, scroll down to the computor icon and click on it to see the list of stories broken down by categories. My story The Phone Call, is under the mystery section. Be sure to check out all the other stories and have a good read.

This photo is to show you what to look for on their home page, it does not link.

You can also click here to reach the stories index page.

My Pharmacist

There are times I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of certain people in my life. Today was one of those days. I have known this man for over twelve years. He has always been like a friend. I once joked with him.

“You know more than my doctor does. Why didn't you go into the medical field?”

He smiled softly. “Because when I was in college I'd rather play than study.”

Well, I trust his advice more than my physician. He has filled my prescriptions while I was working and was one of the last big spenders. He was there to downplay my fears when I was shocked and dismayed at being laid off after ten years. He always was there to comfort me when I couldn't find a job. Sometimes I'm sure he was too busy to listen, but he did.

He's a young man with a lot of compassion. He knows my financial circumstances now that I'm living only on my Social Security.

I was desperately afraid of getting the shingles, but the prescription was so expensive I hesitated. When I heard from a friend whose shingles attack put her in the hospital for over two weeks, I hesitated no longer. At my age, the last thing I needed was another physical problem. So I decided my health was more important than my checking account. When I pulled out the debit card to pay for my prescription he told me had had already paid for it. His gift to me. I owed nothing.

Tears threatened to flow. WHY?

He explained that I was always cheerful in the face of adversity. That even when I had problems I would smile. I was one of the kindest, friendliest people he knew. He took my hand and squeezed it. I wanted to jump over the counter and hug him.

People like this are so rare. If you come across one, treasure that person. He or she is your earth angel.

May this year bring us all together as Americans, regardless of our political beliefs. God bless this nation.

Audrey