Contest season

I'm compiling my annual list of writing contests. I can tell I have time constraints--my list is much smaller than previous years. I have one essay in mind to start sending out, but I have to spend some time polishing it.

I was on the Bellingham Review Web site checking out the guidelines for the Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction, and I see my piece from 2007 is still up there as an example of creative nonfiction work. I thought that was nice.

My non-Valentine's Valentine to everyone!

As I get older, I get more cynical about Valentine's Day. It seems to be a holiday for the newly in-love. For us older people, well, hey, if you're still bumming around the house with me, I'm assuming you love me. I don't need a $100 bunch or roses or a $2 card for that matter to prove it.

So here's a treat, an ode to non-Valentine's Day, from Morrissey, of course. "Tell me, tell me that you love me. Oh, I know you don't mean it."