#uncoffeed...

 It is hard to dress your kids, send them out the door, put them on the bus, especially when they are your stories and poems. People are going to look at how they're dressed and judge your parental skills. You want to keep them home safe. Don't do it, though - find a new metaphor.  I  use Lottery Tickets - it's a gamble. At some point I had to give myself the credit I want so desperately from others (and sometimes receive.) I am good at things. I can string words together. Ask my daughter - I can tell a story. Her friends still drop into a conversation: "So what's your mom been up to...does she have any stories?" Remind me to tell you about the laundry room some time.   That's @lia's favorite. But submissions, though...this is something you have to do for yourself.  You have to do it because once you've sent out that story or painting you bled, sweat, and cried over - once the kid is on the bus - you get to relive all the thrill and trepid...

So I did this thing I have been avoiding for years.  I did it because my promoter, Moe, told me it was the right thing to do and I believe her. She knows her stuff. This is me on Twitter . This is the biggest thing I've done since getting a smartphone. I'm still Android - be gentle with me. There's nothing left but Snapchat to be conquered. I'm afraid.  So if you have any advice or suggestions, please let me know. This picture, by the way, was taken from Moe's kitchen. She had a jazz band in there. We'll discuss that later.