After making the final push to finish the book and then learning it had become a finalist in the Women of Faith Writing Contest, I admit that I slipped into a sort of suspended animation as March 1 drew near. I poked around online looking for clues as to who the final winners might be. What did I find? Not a thing, except an uplifting blog entry by a fellow finalist that affirmed me in my screeching to the deadline, photo-finish style.
I did enjoy my forays into blogs, my potential publisher’s books lists, and more. Perhaps I should have busied myself with practical tasks. The publisher might ask me for written permission from every living soul named in Fire on Fox Red to have their monikers in print. But I was still waiting to hear that E.T.’s nephew (E.T. Long is the subject of the book) had received the manuscript, and figured I could not and would not proceed without his family’s final input.
It all worked out—The morning of March 1, I learned that I didn’t make the top three in the contest, so I didn’t have to fret the immediate need for permissions. That afternoon, I got a better prize, a call from E.T.’s nephew, who had read at least part of the MS. He thought it 100% better than the version I’d sent him a few years back.
Now that we’ve talked and plan to pull together photos, and add or subtract anything vital, I have to report to my new C. O. (commanding officer)—Major Revisions. I’ll see how hard a taskmaster he’ll be. I don’t think he’ll grant me an extended leave anytime soon.
Even after I submitted Fire on Fox Red, my critique partners faithfully went through the warp and woof of the manuscript, tightening threads and pointing out any inconsistencies in the overall weave. At least the funny parts had them in stitches. (Sorry, I cannot resist an inevitable pun!) I admit that I have yet to dig in and start editing once again.
For those of you interested in World War II events this month:
In the San Francisco Bay Area
The Computer History Museum presents:
Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of World War II
In 1942, when computers were human and women were underestimated, a group of female mathematicians helped with the war and usher in the modern computer age. Sixty-five years later their story has finally been told. Top Secret Rosies shares the little known story of a group of female mathematicians who did secret ballistics research for the US Army during WWII, a handful of whom went on to serve as the programmers of ENIAC, the first electronic computer.
Join us with filmmaker LeAnn Erikson for a special screening of the HD documentary Top Secret Rosies: The Female Computers of WWII.
Sunday, March. 6. Film Begins
4 pm. Exhibit Opens
5:30 pm
Where:
Computer History Museum, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Register at :
http://www.computerhistory.org/events/index.php?id=1297278310
In New Orleans
The National World War II Museum presents:
Thursday, March 3, 2011 First Thursdays Wargames 5:30 PM
The National World War II Museum hosts WWII board and miniatures gaming on the First Thursday in every month for gamers at all levels. Pre-registration is required. A minimum number of gamers must register for the meeting to be held. For more information call 504-528-1944 x 333.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Mardi Gras Day 12:00 AM
The National World War II Museum, Solomon Victory Theater, Stage Door Canteen, American Sector and administrative offices will be closed for Mardi Gras Day.
Saturday, March 12, 2011 We Can Do It! Hands-On Workshop 10:00 AM
On the Home Front a can-do spirit made it fun to be a kid, even during wartime. Participants will make WWII spotter airplane models; make silly putty that had its start as a rubber replacement; make a victory pin to keep morale up; and design propaganda poster art projects. Workshops are designed for children ages 8-12. Pre-registration is required for workshops. Please make your reservation online now, call 504-528-1944 x229 or email lauren.handley@nationalww2museum.org to secure your spot. 1 adult per 3 kids required.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Meet the Curator 5:00 PM
Meet the curator of the special exhibition Ours to Fight For and learn the behind-the-scenes stories of putting together the exhibit and its contents. Reserve your spot now. If you have any questions, call 504-528-1944 x 229.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Lunchbox Lecture 12:00 PM
Charles Chamberlain presents "World War II and the Mobilization of the American South"
Historian Charles Chamberlain will explore how mobilization for World War II transformed the American South. In 1939 President Franklin Roosevelt labeled the region "America's Number One Economic Problem," but by 1945 the South was part of the emerging Sunbelt. Come explore how World War II was at the center of this dramatic social and economic transformation.
Join the National World War II Museum the first and third Wednesday of every month for our Lunchbox Lecture series. Presentations focus on a wide array of World War II related topics and are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your lunch or just come to enjoy the lecture. For more information call 504-528-1944 x 229.
The Victory Belles at The Stage Door Canteen 12:00 PM
12:00 pm buffet, 1:00 pm performance
Make your Wednesday lunch a musical delight with the Victory Belles at The Stage Door Canteen. The Victory Belles will take you on a nostalgic journey through World War II-era musical classics all sung in rich, three part harmony while the American Sector provides scrumptious buffet of John Besh specialties. All for one affordable price! Advance ticket purchase or reservations are recommended. Purchase tickets online or call 504-528-1943
Friday, March 18, 2011 Sentimental Journey 6:00 PM
Dine and Dance with the Victory Big Band
6:00 pm dinner seating, 8:00 pm performance
Put on your dancing shoes! Come swing with 17 of New Orleans’ renowned musicians, performing the musical treasures of the 1940s with wonderful guest vocalists. Sentimental Journey takes you back in time to the legendary bands of the era with such hits as Benny Goodman’s Sing Sing Sing, Artie Shaw’s Stardust, Duke Ellington’s Take the “A” Train and Harry James’ I’ll Be Seeing You. Add spectacular dining by Chef John Besh and the American Sector restaurant for the ultimate experience! Advance ticket purchase or reservations are recommended. Purchase tickets online or call 504-528-1943.
Saturday, March 19, 2011 Living History Corps 11:00 AM
The Museum’s World War II re-enactors, collectively known as the Living History Corps, are local volunteers who enrich the visitor’s Museum experience with their wealth of information and stories. Wearing the uniforms and carrying the equipment of both the Allied and Axis forces, they share their knowledge about the day-to-day lives of military men and women and the broader lessons of World War II. For more information, call 504-528-1944 x 243.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Victory Belles at The Stage Door Canteen 12:00 PM
12:00 pm buffet, 1:00 pm performance
Make your Wednesday lunch a musical delight with the Victory Belles at The Stage Door Canteen. The Victory Belles will take you on a nostalgic journey through World War II-era musical classics all sung in rich, three part harmony while the American Sector provides scrumptious buffet of John Besh specialties. All for one affordable price! Advance ticket purchase or reservations are recommended. Purchase tickets online or call 504-528-1943
Lecture: "The New Smithsonian: Global Impact, Local Access" 5:30 PM
Shultz Forum on World Affairs
"The New Smithsonian: Global Impact, Local Access" by Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Reception, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Presentation
Clough will be discussing the development of the 165-year-old institution's strategic plan to bring together the Smithsonian’s museums and research centers through interdisciplinary programs, including efforts to digitize much of its 137 million objects and make them accessible online in order to benefit learners of all ages.
Make your reservation online now or call 504-528-1944 x 331 for more information.
About the Shultz Forum: Honoring the World War II service and later exceptional leadership of Secretary of State George P. Shultz, the National World War II Museum in 2007 established an endowed lecture series in Shultz’s name. The forum explores initiatives undertaken by government, individuals or cultural institutions to improve public understanding of America’s values, ideals and achievements. The Shultz Forum features world-renowned historians, business leaders and other scholars. Previous speakers have included James Woolsey, former Director of the CIA, and Dr. David M. Kennedy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Donald McLachlan Professor of History at Stanford University.
Friday, March 25, 2011 On the Air 6:00 PM Saturday, March 26, 2011 On the Air 6:00 PM and Sunday, March 27, 2011 On the Air 11:00 AM
On the Air is a rollicking rendition of a live radio broadcast from 1945! The cast of five includes a singing W.A.C., a swinging crooner and a blues singer who can belt a torch song. A live band brings the era to life with a timeless musical score, comedy and more! It’s a trip back in time and guests will love coming along for the ride as the live studio audience. Add spectacular dining by Chef John Besh and the American Sector restaurant for the ultimate experience. Advance ticket purchase or reservations are recommended. Purchase tickets online or call 504-528-1943.
Funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Film Screening: Berga: Soldiers of Another War (2003) 6:00 PM
The story of a group of more than 300 American soldiers who were captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. Because the soldiers were either Jewish or, to the Germans, "looked" Jewish, they were sent to concentration camps instead of POW camps, where many of them subsequently died. Directed by Charles Guggenheim. View our special exhibition Ours to Fight For or grab a bite in the American Sector before the film. Reservations are not required. For more information call 504-528-1944 x 229.
