Sharing the good news that in the National Federation of Press Women‘s 2015 communications contest, I picked up a first place, a second place, and an Honorable Mention finish in three categories! The only way you even get to compete in the national contest is for your entries to come in first at the local level, which in my case was in the Illinois Woman’s Press Association.
Taking FIRST PLACE in the “photographer-writer” category is an essay I wrote called “Elegy for a Barn” on my signature blog, “Running with Stilettos.” I have been stopping to take pictures of this old barn on a country road on my way to and from work for the past couple of years now. I was captivated by its stoic beauty and strength in the face of weather and gravity. And then as a formal deconstruction project commenced, with those weathered, silver barn boards harvested for re-use, it still remained standing improbably far, far longer than I could have anticipated. And so this essay was my tribute to a vanishing place I called “my Brigadoon.” Just a couple of week ago I drove past it again, happily expecting as I crested the hill, to see the roof line against the trees, only to find that what wind and weather had failed to accomplish, man had finally done and the only thing left standing forlornly was the silo.
Then, taking SECOND PLACE in the “Web or Social Media” category of “blogs–corporate or for-profit,” is my very own Growing Bolder Blog!!! I have been so happy to have a connection with Growing Bolder for several years now as we’ve both grown and tried new things and directions, and this recognition is absolutely just icing on the cake!!
And then last but not least, my book “When the Shoe Fits…Essays of Love, Life and Second Chances” drew an HONORABLE MENTION in the NFPW’s book category of “creative non-fiction.” This is my “best of” essay collection in which I cherry-picked my favorite (and reader favorite) essays from my first three books, on topics as diverse as power tools, love, chocolate, the view from the back seat of a Harley, death, law and, of course, shoes!
I have to say, it’s not even July yet, and it’s been a VERY good year!