Monday, April 23, 2012

I'm Back - And Guess Where I've Been.

Hi.  I'm back.  Anyone miss me?  (Please lie and say you did.  I need the ego boost.)

So, I'm gone for longer than I expected to be and the first thing I discover is Blogger has changed everything while I was gone and nothing is where it used to be.  Rats!  This is going to make getting back up to speed a little harder so if I'm not commenting on your blog right away, please forgive me.

This weekend I had the great pleasure of attending the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. 




As a lifelong Erma fan, just being part of her legacy was a real treat for me, but I also learned a lot and I'll try to share some of it here over the next few weeks.

So much has happened in the last couple months.  On the personal front there were some health issues and some family issues and some family health issues.  Plus, the biggest news - we added a new member to our family.  This news will get a post of its own in the very near future (hint: she has four legs and sheds a lot).

I also had a visit from blogger Margo Kelly who stopped by while I was gone and left me this very nice award.




Accepting this award does require some action on my part so I will do that in an upcoming post, as well.  Margo is in the middle of the A to Z blog challange and I'm looking forward to getting caught up with her posts.  Stop by Margo's blog and check it out.

Getting back to the Erma Bombeck workshop - I attended a couple sessions on blogging and social media.  I want to try out some of their suggestions so I'll be doing some experimenting with this blog and would appreciate your feedback.  Don't worry, I'll point out the changes so you don't have to hunt for them. I'm going to stay with my Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule for now so please look for me then.

And since I know how much you've missed your regular "groaner" fix, here's your...

Groaner of the Day: The television game show was being recorded. The contestant was in the hot seat for the last big question.

The host turned to him, and read the question slowly and carefully. But the contestant didn't know the answer.

Fortunately, he had a backup plan (there was no way he was missing out on this million bucks!). He let out a peircing whistle, and from the back of the stage, four mounted knights-in-armour appeared, waving their lances threateningly at the show's host.

The host looked scared for a moment, and then a steely look came over him. He leapt into the air and karate kicked the first knight onto the floor. He picked up the lance from the stricken knight, and fought off the second, who also fell spawling on the floor. The second knight's horse shied, and bolted, colliding with the third knight in the process.

The game show host was just begining to enjoy himself now. He waved the spear he was still carrying at the fourth knight, looked back at the contestant, and said "Is that your final lancer?"


26 comments:

Jessica R. Patch said...

I missed you! :)

Hilarious groaner. I miss those smiles I get from reading them.

Glad you're back.

Maria Zannini said...

Ref: And since I know how much you've missed your regular "groaner" fix, here's your...Groaner of the Day:

I KNOW you weren't talking about me. LOL.

But I am glad you're back!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That was bad!
Glad you learned so much at the workshop. And my guess is you got a puppy.
Yes, we missed you!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Hey Linda! Yes, I missed you (and your groaners)!!!
Those Blogger changes apparently JUST happened last week. I hate them. I don't know why they can't leave well enough alone. I guess you can't complain about free, though, huh?
Welcome back!

LD Masterson said...

Jessica - Thanks, missed you, too.

LD Masterson said...

Aw, come on, Maria - you know you're a closet groaner.

LD Masterson said...

Alex - Not a puppy but you're close.

LD Masterson said...

Stacy - Thanks. The Blogger changes are messing with my head. I'm still trying to deal with Facebook's "Timeline".

mooderino said...

Welcome back. looking forward to seeing what you've learnt from the workshop (hopefully something I can steal).

mood

Jemi Fraser said...

I missed you!! And the groaners :)

I adore Erma Bombeck! I read a lot of her books when I was in high school - I bet you had a blast at the workshop!

Mary Curry said...

Hi Linda! It's so good to see you back! I did miss you. Can't wait to hear the 4-legged news.

Loved the groaner. I didn't even see it coming.

LD Masterson said...

mood - hope I can give you something good in return for all the good stuff I get from your blog

LD Masterson said...

Jemi - Thanks, it was excellent and I'm glad to be back.

LD Masterson said...

Hi, Mary. Good to see you. That groaner caught me the first time I read it, too.

Maryannwrites said...

I always enjoy your groaners. I am eager to see what you learned at the conference. I, too, am a long-time Erma Bombeck fan. My first column was similar to hers and I picked up tips from a tape I bought where she shared her expertise as a humor writer. I still remember, "set up something one way, then surprise your reader at the end." She was also a master at twisting a cliche and making it funny.

Thanks for coming by my blog. I agree that the changes in Blogger are frustrating. Between it and Facebook I am very challenged.

Karin said...

Welcome back! I missed you!!

Karin

Angela Brown said...

Hey LD!!! You HAVE been missed. And came back with a groaner worthy of a come-back. I look forward to all you have to share with us.

LD Masterson said...

Hi Maryann - good to hear from you, one Erma fan to another.

LD Masterson said...

Thanks, Karin

LD Masterson said...

Thanks, Angela - glad you like the groaner.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Yay! I'm glad you're back and i'm excited to hear more about the workshop!

Pidg said...

I so completely missed you! I've been a LoA a bit too but still was so excited to see you in my in box! :D

LD Masterson said...

Sarah - Thanks. Watch for the first workshop report next week.

LD Masterson said...

Thanks, Pidg. I'm glad to be back.

Cate Masters said...

Sorry to hear you had some troubles. Hope all's well now.
Very cool that you'll share tips. We could all use a little help!

LD Masterson said...

Cate - My first post on things I learned at the EBWW will by on Monday. Hope you'll stop by.