Friday, September 12, 2014

Ferreting Out The Competition

                                                           
          www.express.co.uk
             

Last week in celebration of our new release Old Broads Waxing Poetic, we held a contest inviting bloggers to write about their favorite old broad. Our winner wrote not one, but two essays about his mother which shot him straight to the the top of the list. This made me think of another sharp shooter who treated his ma right.

Gangster Meyer Lansky remembered how much his mother sacrificed for him, and vowed to take care of her when he became wealthy.  He set her up in a luxury retirement complex, and often visited her. The "mob's accountant" always made sure his mother had the "very best in medical care, and remained an affectionate and devoted son."
                                                                                                                                    
I'm pleased to introduce you to another devoted son,  Stephen T. McCarthy, who has won a copy of Old Broads Waxing Poetic. Congratulations Stephen! Though his stories about his favorite old broad were both funny and heartwarming, they were too long to post here. They are definitely worth the trip over to Susan Flett Swiderski's to see for yourself. I would pack a light lunch, as it will take a while.

After you've stopped laughing and crying yourself silly, you should head on over to Stephen's Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends.  If you haven't been there already, I guarantee the shock value alone will make your head spin. The man clearly revealed his sensitive side to Susan when he eloquently wrote about his "tough Ma" Any man who cares that deeply for his mother, is a good man. I'm sure that's what Meyer Lansky's wife told herself too.


30 comments:

  1. Congratulations to the winner, enjoyed reading your blog though still a bit misty eyed after yet another vist to the eye hospital.
    Have a great week-end.

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  2. Lovely to see all these big he-men write sentimental tributes to their mothers! I wonder if mothers are most appreciated by their sons when they're old broads?

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  3. Yvonne - I'm sorry that you're still having problems with your eyes. Hope you feel better, and are able to enjoy your weekend. Thanks Yvonne!

    Gorilla - Now that you mention it, I have noticed instances where sons have appreciated their mothers more, as they've become older and more frail. You grow up thinking you're always going to have your parents around, and then begin to panic as they develop health concerns. Excellent observation Dr. Bananas!

    Julie

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  4. Congratulations, Stephen! That does explain the ferret.

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  5. A lot of "tough guys" are mummy's boys at heart! Congrats to Stephen.

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  6. Congrats to Stephen (and to his Mom).

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  7. I think I'm late in congratulating you and Susan on your new release! Very cool. And congrats to Stephen too. :)

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  8. Congrats to Stephen! I wish my mother had lived long enough to be my favorite old broad. Happy Weekend!

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  9. Alex - I almost posted an image of a female ferret, but I figured you'd be on to me!

    Nick - You are absolutely right! Thank you!

    Delores - I'm sure she's smiling down on him!

    Luanne - I'm always happy to see you anytime! Stephen's stories are very touching! Thanks Luanne!

    Carol - I'm sorry you lost your mom so young. I'm sure she'd be very proud of you, Carol! Have a great weekend too!

    Julie

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  10. JULIE ~
    While I do NOT want to give the impression that I'm not grateful for having been selected to receive a free copy of 'OLD BROADS WAXING POETIC', I gotta say that I don't recall you asking my permission to post a photograph of me at the top of this blog bit.

    I mean, you COULD have asked. And you COULD have used a photograph where I was clean-shaven. Why'd ya have to post a picture of me with two-days worth of facial hair growth? Plus, I look like I was hungover when that photo was taken.
    [;-)}

    OK, seriously... Thanks so much for the book I'm about to receive (what a terrific cover illustration!), and also thanks for the really kind words here in this blog bit! I really am appreciative and feel honored (also a little embarrassed by the attention).

    I'd steal that Sally Field 'Academy Award' speech (again) but I know you already saw it at my blog. (And my Ma raised me never to steal twice from the same person.)

    What I find amusing is that a few people have remarked about the length of my comment at Susan's blog. That was probably only slightly longer than my average comment length. It's not uncommon for me to have to post a comment in two equal-sized parts because the Blogspot system cuts me off. It says, "Comments cannot exceed ten thousand words", or something like that. (A number of times I've even had to post comments in THREE equal-sized parts.)
    HEY!
    I GOTTA LOT TO SAY!

    "Stephen's Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends. If you haven't been there already, I guarantee the shock value alone will make your head spin."

    Ooohh! I LOVE that!

    I have won a free copy of the book with the terrific cover (and probably terrific writing inside, too). And, Julie, you know what YOU have won? You have won a permanent place in my blog's "Hall Of Fshame", where I collect quotes about my blog - the good, the bad, and the ugly. (Not sure how to classify your quote. I guess either "Other" or "All Of The Above".)

    Thanks again! And thanks to those who have congratulated me.

    But the next time you post a poor picture of me like that, I'll see you in court, Sister!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Stephen - I'm sorry for being out of line. I should've asked permission before I captured this photo, or at least have given you time to shave. I know your privacy is important to you, and I got carried away. Thanks for still inducting me in the "Hall of Fshame." Congrats again on winning the contest, and thank goodness your ma raised you right!

      Julie

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  11. I missed out on the contest, but am thrilled that such a great writer and giving person won the book. I purchased three; my aunt is an "old broad" in every way.

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  12. I will check out his essays. I really enjoyed yours last week on your mom.

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  13. congrats to Stephen, or is it Mr. Ferret face? Either way - excellent participation all around

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  14. Susan - I can't thank you enough for ordering THREE copies! I hope you enjoy Old Broads, as much as we enjoyed working on it together! I'd love to hear more about your aunt! I'm just getting to know Stephen, and I can already tell you're right about him! Thanks again, Susan!

    Shelly - You will definitely love what Stephen wrote about his ma! Last week was fun! Thanks Shelly!

    Joanne - We should all be on a first name basis now, though Mr. Ferret face has a nice ring to it!

    Julie

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  15. I'm going over to check out his essays also. Thanks.

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  16. I was wondering about the ferret.

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  17. Being the mother of two sons, I am always happy to hear of a son who loves his mother. :) Congratulations to Stephen!

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  18. Mary - You won't be disappointed!

    Jo - Hope Stephen forgives me for posting it!

    Connie - I feel exactly the same way! Thanks Connie!

    Julie

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  19. I wish Favorite Young Man would become a gangster. He might pay attention to me.

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  20. Congratulations to the winners and again to you, Susan and Robyn's shadow for your new book.

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  21. It's true, Stephen's posting left me with mom envy. I guess mine is pretty cool, too, though. And what he lacks in tact he more than makes up for with taste in beer, I assure you.

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  22. Good to hear of my buddy Stephen T getting the accolades and the honor of the book. He's the guy that got me into blogging so you can blame him for that.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  23. Hi Julie - what great stories ... I love the grandson saying when are you going to look better .. sometimes we so need to laugh .. and I'd laugh at that! Fighting with grace and living with positivity ... a recipe for a longer life regardless of life's challenges .. cheers Hilary

    This is here because Blogger has done something mighty funny with your C post for Michael and Melissa ... and at the comment stage it threw me out -and I don't like being thrown, or out .....!!! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Somewhere I developed a completely demented brain - not sure where I should have posted this .. I've been battling connectivity issues - obviously my brain is one of them!!!! H

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    2. Hilary - You are definitely not demented! You explained earlier how you couldn't leave a comment on my C post. Thanks for trying again!

      Julie

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  24. Hi Julie - now I've read this properly .. I need to tie in with Stephen's comments about his mother .. when men do connect with their mother they are amazing .. other men - not so brilliant or helpful .. I saw some of both types in the years we were in and out of various institutions ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  25. JULIE, JULIE, JULIE (J3) ~
    Just wanted to let ya know that the book arrived in today's mail. And I thank you again so much. That was a great surprise to learn that I had won a copy... with an essential assist from my dear departed Ma.

    As soon as I finish the book I'm currently reading (and I'm almost to "The End" now) I will begin reading 'OLD BROADS...'

    I thank you, my Ma thanks you, and my bookshelf thanks you!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Stephen - Glad the book arrived! Hope you enjoy it! It was so nice of you to let me know. Thank YOU Stephen!

      Julie

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