Another Blog update at last.

                  Sincere apologies for not updating  here for so long. 

So, programmes like Blogspot and Google change. My problem of being able to create updates has been very frustrating - and too time-consuming. Once again, despite hours trying to work out email addresses and passwords to create this "New Post" had to get help from a fellow writer, Paula Roe. Paula created my website and once again has been wonderful. She spent a lot of her own precious time this morning helping me so that here I am again at long last.

THANK YOU, PAULA ROE  Do check out her website by clicking on her name. 

The days have been so busy, it is hard to believe it is now almost 12 months since publishing my last post. Last year was a great year filled with visits from family and friends - some not seen for far too long.   Afraid it did become so busy with other commitments, it left little time to even think about posting here on my blog - especially when it took so long just finding the "New Post" so could publish one.

Earlier in 2015 there were a lot of trips from our beautiful Beauty Point to Launceston health specialists for Ray and dental appointments for myself. We are thankful all is under control now. Although slowing down of course, taking longer to do things and sometimes the memory not as sharp, my husband and I are very grateful to have the health we do at this time of our lives. 

The busy year did interfere with our writing schedules. At last Ray's new book, the seventh in his themed 31 Day Devotional series has just been published and will soon be on the bookshelves.  

My two manuscripts, Her Outback Cowboy and Delayed Dreams (A follow-on from my 1994 Damaged Dreams with Barbour Publishing) are still needing final revisions.  It has been exciting to see Damaged Dreams and all my back list from Barbour now out again as e-books. The plan is still to have eight more of my back list also available as e-books.

When possible, I still enjoy sharing with other writers online, but especially face to face at Conferences and writer events. 

At a special monthly SWWT meeting a few years ago.

 I am still very involved with activities of the Society Women Writers Tasmania. This year we are hosting the national society's Alice Award Event in August. 

AND NOW, 2016?

 Poatina Faith and the Arts with writers

It commenced in January with me at the Poatina Faith and Arts week. It was a privilege to again host the Creative Writing elective. It was the fore-runner of what is already looking like another very busy year. 

Ray and I at long last are going on our Indian Pacific Train trip to Perth. We have a book-signing there at Mt Lawley Koorong bookshop on April 30^th and other speaking and meeting appointments are being scheduled in April and May. In June we are taking our car to the mainland for our next trip. Besides seeing friends and family, we have accepted an invitation to the three day Christian High Schools Writing Retreat at Tahlee in NSW. We are looking forward to this but know it will be a challenge to share with keen young writers some of the things learnt over the years about writing,

It has thrilled me to see books now published by authors I have shared with over the years at conferences, workshops and mentoring programmes. Perhaps more of that in future blog posts. 

MY HUSBAND'S NIGHTMARE - AND MY CHUCKLE

After my "Catch Up" blog last week, Ray took pity on me. This priceless story suddenly landed on my desk. After a good laugh, knew I had to share it with you.

I think Ray should be a novelist as well as a devotional writer!

A Husband’s Greatest Fear - Or

("I was swallowed by my Wife’s Handbag.")

I had seen it. Mouth open with zipper pulled right back. Here was a monster waiting a victim. Mary’s handbag had been placed on my favourite seat. As I moved towards it my eyes and mind became distracted by a television news item. Suffering short term memory loss, I decided to sit down. Then the nightmare began.

As my rump squashed the handbag it came alive. It grabbed me. I resisted but the suction was too strong. Down, down, down I went past a forest of paper. I glimpsed such things as a car license, shopping list, an invitation to our grand-daughter’s children tea party and a shopper docket. Trying to cling onto of one was fruitless. In fact I cut my fingers on the sharp edges of the papers. At least my fall was softened by a moist tissue.

There at the base of the bag I realised I was a captive in a fake leather, slightly faded voluminous and crowded bag. Cramped, confused and feeling claustrophobic, panic tried to ride roughshod over me. Being a man however I knew how to cope. I screamed! Unfortunately the soft sides of the bag muffled my cries. Taking a hold of myself I did what any self respecting, self controlled man would do. I lashed out and kicked the nearest item.

“Ouch!” That was silly; now I had a slight gash on my shin from a collection of keys lurking in the crevices like a metal spider.

Only one thing to do, climb! Light seemed to trickle down from above, casting shadows due to Mary’s wallet and credit card holder. Still I realised I had to escape. Loose change made my footing unstable as I searched for the comb I knew she carried. I fell. My face hit something hard yet sweet. A cough lolly. As I licked it I felt a renewed sense of vigour, found the comb under a piece of Lego. This was probably taken from our small grandson who had a habit of putting things in his mouth. I placed the comb, with much effort, against the bag’s side. Comb tooth, by comb tooth, I made my way upwards.

What the…? What was wrapping itself around my leg? What had fallen on my head? A sense of unease was only overcome when, in the dim light, I saw it was strands of grey hair. I never realised Mary’s hair was so strong. It was like Tarzan’s swinging vines. I kicked, shook and finally pulled my way clear.

Who would have thought all those jokes about a woman’s handbag would prove so true? So much stuff closeted away in what I could now believe was similar to Dr. Who’s Tardis. Nervously I continued my climb.

“Careful now,” I said to myself, “don’t fall over the edge into the secret compartment or you’ll never be found.”

Drawing near to the top, I sighed with relief which soon gave way to despair. Fingers had hold of the zipper. Mary was home but danger lurked for me as she began to close the bag’s mouth. Was I about to be devoured? Would Mary ever wonder what had happened to me? And I hadn’t even kissed her that morning!

Tears of fear and frustration joined in a torrential outburst of anger. Too late! I was doomed to wander forever in Mary’s handbag. As I sank down in misery, a cry shattered my sorrow. My eyes flickered. Light penetrated.

A voice spoke to me “Are you alright my darling? What’s happened to you? Why is the chair upside down? How did my bag become squashed and things scattered over the floor? Look at you, you’re a mess and that bruise on your head will need some ice.”

Uh oh! How could I ever tell her the truth?

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We are so grateful to God for over 48 years of sharing fun, ministry, rearing our beautiful family and now writing together.

Do check out Ray's published devotional books - print and e-books.

If you cannot find a printed copy in your bookshop he can sell them direct. 
See the contact page on: http://www.mary-hawkins.com  

The Bethlehem Warrior Baby book

My apologies for being late with this to the Blog Alliance and especially this Ray Hawkins!

"Life" - which includes putting writing on my current manuscript first - has meant new blog posts will have to wait for those hours when the story of Dave and Jenny is stalled in "Her Outback Cowboy".

Ray's writing has blessed me so very much for almost 48 years of him being not only my wonderful husband but also my "minister" at church. In fact, the Christian life he lives day by day has taught me equally as much by seeing what he preaches and teaches in action in his own life.
This ministry to me now continues also with his 31 Day devotional book series.

9 - 23 November

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is introducing

Bethlehem's Warrior (31 Day Devotional)

(Even Before Publishing November 2012)

by Ray Hawkins

Available from Light the dark this week for $7.95

About the Author:

Ray Hawkins

Ray Hawkins, retired after over 40 years as a Churches of Christ minister, enjoys sharing themes from the Scriptures through Devotional writing.

Married to Mary, multi-published inspirational romance author, they have three children and five grandchildren.

Ray shares his insights in his first two books on Marriage and Children with more ideas to come about ministry and much more.

Living in Beauty Point Tasmania, Ray heads up a new Christian Fellowship as well as doing relief preaching, community work and writing.

Book Description:

Bethlehem's Warrior (31 Day Devotional)

Short Book Description: In 31 daily devotional meditations Bethlehem's Warrior
Baby takes you out of a sentimental nativity scene and into a contest with
eternal significance.

It walks you through God's promise in Genesis 3:15 of Someone coming and the
clues to His identity in the old Testament. You become aware that in the
Christmas event that 'Someone' has come.

I believe Christmas is the culmination of Heaven's countdown to reclaim men,
women and creation from the tyranny of sin, death and Satan. The cost involved
to God to achieve this should make the reader bow in awe and gratitude.

Website - http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au/