Family, Foibles, and Fun

Definitions of Foible:1. A minor weakness, eccentricity or failure of character...a slight flaw or defect.2. The weaker part of a sword blade (uh, don't think this one applies). This last year allowed me to realize a dream: professionally publish my life stories (now in three volumes) with a real publisher (in this case Manor Publishing Collective, a new publishing opportunity for senior writers-also known as Books by Seniors Online). In my first book, "Hey You Never Know..." I took you on unexpected life adventures, offered survival strategies after a not-so-sweet divorce, relayed the drama of traveling across the states in a fifth-wheel RV, and revealed new career and romance tales-all after my 60th birthday. (For years "Hey! You Never Know..." has been my stock answer to various (often skeptical) questions.) In my second book, A Rose in Poland, I swept you from New Mexico to Poland where I taught English as a second language, meet an alien (green but not card type), and learned about angels, kissing gnomes, making a Prune Man, and what to do with Sylwester.(It's a Polish thing). Now, in this third compilation in my life-story series, Family, Foibles, and Fun, I relay some more quirky and often moving (but always true) experiences. I think the key word here is "eccentricity." I'm sure many families have eccentrics; but when it comes to quirks, oddities and peculiarities, I'm betting we have more than most. My family has been after me for years to write these stories down. And, as the birthdays added up, so did the stories. There's no chronology, just years of, "Oh Gram, you have to include The Purse!" or Cousin Rosie saying, "Don't forget to tell them about your mom shoplifting!" (Or my grandson Zack worried about my shoplifting!) The stage is set. The curtain is about to open. Let your imagination bring you along with me as you learn about all our "Foibles" and Fun. Here you'll read about a sweet grandpa (who actually lied to me), an honest grandpa (who actually showed a tyrannical side), a sailor (who was actually adorable)...and what, actually, is a "shirt-tail" relation? Discover how you can control a car full of yelling grandchildren on sugar highs without violence (they were spellbound!) and how to blame shoplifting on DNA. I'm admit I am a unique individual. You'll be reminded that I can control my lower-lip quiver to receive pity, sympathy, and senior discounts even where they're not offered, occasionally stop computers, and put quartz batteries to sleep (indefinitely). My daughter Audrey says, "Mama, you're a queer little duck." And she's right. But I also know one thing for sure: I'm having a great time in these queer "senior" years.... I hope you have as much pleasure reading my books as I've had, and continue to have, living them. You may be surprised how often my 80+ years of insights prove useful (or at least amusing). And if you do enjoy the writing and/or the stories, please send me a note at: lorrraine.rose@manorcollective.comI promise to reply. And I'll let you know when I have more for you to savor. I look forward to hearing from you.- Lorraine Rose, Autho