I have been remiss and wish to apologize to any and all of you who have bought one of my books. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

I don't get any money from any of the sales, it all goes to help support Top Shelf. I set it up that way because I live on a very tight budget as I know a lot of you do and I can't afford to contribute money very often, or as often as I'd like to, so this is my way of helping keep Top Shelf online.

Once again, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Catherine Linda Michel

7 days ago I made the decision. I'd been on Chantix for the past four weeks and I reached the point where I WANTED to quit.

I'd failed the past few times I tried to quit, but had not reached that "break point." This time almost feels like a let down, it's been almost effortless. I don't know how much good it's gonna do for my health, but it'll damned sure be a boost to my wallet. Ten bucks a pack now in stores adds up real fast.

Just thought I'd let you all know about this turning point in my life.

Catherine Linda Michel

After a tumultuous several months and moves and new jobs and health problems and financial problems, it is my privilege, my extreme pleasure to welcome back, my dear friend, my sister from another mister(?), one of my very favorite authors...... GROVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have just had a skype conversation with Grover who has told me that they finally got connected to the internet and he would be posting new stories very soon! Grover tells me that, in the hiatus, he has been working feverishly on new stories and possible endings to a few unfinished ones!!!

Years ago, back in about 1972, I was part of a REACT team. That's Radio Emergency Action Team for those unfamiliar with the term. We used CB radios to track things like severe storms, tornados, on searches for lost people etc. We also had, and used, police/fire scanners both at home and in our cars. It was all strictly volunteer stuff with no actual legal standing, but the cops knew about it and left us alone unless we tried to beat them to a call or used it in the commission of something illegal.

no one is around...it's late...I need to talk

It's also on Amazon. EVERY PENNY the book earns goes directly to the site to help offset bills.

Everyone...please patronize ALL the authors here who have books out? You'll be helping the site AND the authors, some of whom also donate all the money from their book sales to the site.

Many, many thanks to Erin and the Editors who helped my new book get published. From Transformers (Sort Of) which is now titled Suited For Adventure. This is Book one. Book Two is in the process of finding a good "Break Point" and be ready for publishing so I can begin work on Book 3!!!

I'm watching the Weather Channel's coverage of this latest hurricane and very worried about all our Sisters and Brothers who live in Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia and further north.

To everyone in the affected areas, please, please, PLEASE, don't ignore evacuation orders. Get away from this monster storm as quickly as you can. It's affecting areas that were hit so hard in the LAST hurricane which will be even more vulnerable when this one hits.

Anyone living on the east coast of the U.S., from D.C. down to the Carolinas.

PLEASE EVACUATE AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!!! Go for higher ground and take every precaution you possibly can!!

DON'T TRY TO RIDE THIS STORM OUT!!! PLEASE!!!

I've been watching the coverage on The Weather Channel and it looks absolutely horrible. ALSO, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OVER 11,000 FREE HOTSPOTS BEING SET UP by comcast and spectrum AND LET US KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE OKAY.

GO TO THE WEATHER CHANNEL TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIND THESE HOTSPOTS!

and I don't mean hugging my pillow.

I AM NOT PLANNING OR THINKING ABOUT DOING ANYTHING SERIOUS TO MYSELF!

Bear in mind as you read this, if you do read it, that I can be a long-winded bitch.

I think part of it is aging and knowing that I've been here longer than I will be going forward... and I don't feel like I've accomplished anything for having existed... except existing.

Every month Erin has to BEG on bended knee, for money to help keep Top Shelf functioning and with the exception of a few who regularly go far past what might be expected, the contributions trickle in with no real solution that could eliminate the problem.

Well, here's my solution. It seems painfully obvious to me, but I understand if it doesn't to everyone else.

There are in excess of TEN THOUSAND members on this site. If each of them would just contribute ONE DOLLAR, each month, it would eliminate any need for Erin to have to BEG for any monetary help.

I will freely admit that I am one of those people for whom misspelled words can take me out of a story.

Having said that, I KNOW that no one is perfect, myself included. LOL.

So... I AM willing to help authors by proofreading their work, with the understanding that I do NOT edit. I only proofread for spelling and usage errors. I can and will even proof stories that have already been posted here at Top Shelf.

PLEASE!!!! keep your political views and/or personal feelings about certain public figures to yourselves. The last time I posted this blog entry, it got demoted off the front page thanks to those political views and attacks, so please don't air them here this time?

If you're thinking about downloading the new version of Skype, be careful. more than a few people have lost either voice, video, or contact lists after starting it.

Whew! Like my old baseball hero, Mickey Mantle, said: "If I'd known I was gonna get this old, I'da taken better care of myself!"

Well, I'm not old... compared to trees, or mountains, right?

I hope everyone has a great day, and thanks all for your comments and friendship. Also, thanks to Princess Chelsea for the skype Birthday greeting.

Catherine Linda Michel

Several years ago The Scotsman posted two parts of a story called To Be The Best. Since then... nothing. No more stories from this author who had a damned good beginning in this tale.

If you're still out there Scotsman, please, please, PLEASE continue the story and/or write more. You had the makings of a really good storyteller and I know I'm not the only one who thinks that.

Catherine Linda Michel

I just finished re-reading an older story by Lisa Sartori, Like A Candle In The Wind, and I am somewhat disheartened by the lack of kudos and comments.

Could it be that because it is such an older story and those who read it before haven't bothered to re-read it? Lisa has updated it quite a bit and there is a different ending.

It's such a wonderful story that SHOULD speak to the fantasies and dreams of a lot of us, and it's so well written with great characters and a solid, engaging plot, and it makes me wonder.