Marlene Ratledge Buchanan will be the guest speaker at the Gwinnett Country Retired Educator Association event on March 18, 2022.
GCREA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary providing support to all people involved in Gwinnett public education. It is a subsidiary of Georgia Educator Association (GAE), which Marlene joined in 1972. ![]() Ms Rat Writes March, 2022 Newletter Rabbit, Rabbit, Y’all The chant of “Rabbit, Rabbit’ said upon the waking on the first day of each month brings you luck. Sometime in the early 1900’s this tradition started. No one knows where or when or who, but saying “Rabbit, Rabbit” supposedly brings good luck due to the rabbit being a symbol of spring and renewal. I am not superstitious. Not very much. I like black cats. The number thirteen doesn’t scare me. We married on December 13, 1975. So far, thirteen has been good to us. I am not scared to walk under a ladder, but why take chances. My best friend Pickle (AKA Dotti) walked under a ladder, fell down and had a black for a week or more. Why tempt fate? Superstitions are interesting, but not dangerous. Knock wood. If we are together and you hear me mumble “Rabbit, Rabbit”, it isn’t superstition so much as a trying to get any good luck I can. Oh wait…. Okay, I like superstitions that bring good luck, not bad. So I guess I am a little bit superstitous. Aren’t you? Just a little? Spring arrives March 20 Spring is almost here and I am ready. The daffodils are amazing. The pear and cherry trees are starting to bloom. Things just seem happier and more maneage in the srping. The Hummingbirds are the way to our area. 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water makes a great nectar. Change it every other day. Do not add color. The birds are attracted by smell not the color red. Soon, I can start bushhogging. My favorite past time. Please note the other matching pair of boots is in the bottom of the pond. Neither boots nor golf carts float. You’ll have to read Life is hard. Soften It with Laughter to get that story. Did you know? The Colors of Spring and Easter are yellow and purple. I was born on Easter Sunday—many Sundays ago. Purple and yellow are my favorite colors. I wonder if it is just a coincidence. Events I have been invited to speak at several programs this spring. I hope you will join me. All of the programs are designed to be light hearted and bring a smile, if not an outright guffaw! (I hope). Please consider me for any of your gatherings. You can reach me online. (I’m cheap. Just let me sell my books.) ![]() Our son James will be 40 in March. How did that happen? I swear I still feel the labor pains. I know I haven’t lost all that baby fat I put on while pregnant. Here he is at DAY ONE with his Granddaddy, James E. Ratledge. And here he is pushing 40. Dang, time moves quickly. A New Book Finally, I have a title for the next book. Smile! It smooths the Potholes of life. It will be another collection of essays based on the foibles of life—yours and mine. I hope to have it out in May. Keep your fingers crossed and Rabbit, Rabbit. In the works is a collection of short stories? I don’t have a working title yet. They will be ghost stories with humor. I was thinking about Boo, Y’all. Anyone want to read my stories as they are written for corrections and cohesiveness? Let me know if you do. It is almost like being an editor, but not quite. You get to have your opinion and your advice heard by me. I don’t think I am hard of hearing. A Huge Thank You As always, thank you for taking the time to read my newsletters. I welcome your comments and suggestions. I write regularly for the GwinnettCitizen.com. My column is Hey Y’all, and can be found under the Opinions section. Please check out my webpage and sign up for my newsletters. www.MsRatWrites.com Happy Spring, Y’all (Please forgive any mistakes. I know I make them. It just proves I am human and don’t have an editor.) Hey Y'all,
This is my first attempt at posting on my blog. I would appreciate it if you let me know that you got this message. I, and a bunch of others, will be at the Decatur Book Fair on Saturday,August 31 and Sunday, September 1. I am part of a group called the Scribblers (www.scribblersweb.com). Our location is booth 420 and 421. If you would like to do something different that weekend, come out to the Decatur Book Fair. There will be over 144 exhibitors besides the +/- 600 authors. I will also be at the Snellville Fall Festival (10/19/19) peddling my book, Life is Hard. Soften It with Laughter. It is a great festival full of talented artists and amazing foods. Hope to see you soon, Marlene facebook: Marlene Ratledge Buchanan [email protected] www.MsRatWrites.com |