My story “67 & Dumped: On Her Own in Rome,” for Yahoo Travel won a Bronze Prize in the NATJA, North American Travel Journalists Assoc., awards: for the category 50 + Travel.
I’m not new to winning prizes, in 1953 I was awarded 3 Howdy Doody spoons in a hard won fight in Shopwell, the local supermarket. I call it hard won because they could have pulled any paper out of that box.
My specialness was noticed even though I myself didn’t enter my name. A friend (my mom) did it for me.
But I’m thinking this might be better.
I know you’re all wanting to know, “What were you doing when you heard you won this incredible honor”
I was either reading Dostoyevsky to see where I could hone my writing skills or I was talking to my friend since the 6th grade, Sue trying to find people from our past on Facebook. Sometimes you just want to connect with a guy you went out with who kept twirling you around on the dance floor so he could see himself in the mirror.
Luckily it was the latter because now that I am an award winning writer I can see that Dostoyevsky has nuthin on me.
I’m actually so happy and proud. Although I’ve been writing songs, music or sailing articles etc for years it was never my passion.
Writing this blog is and when Paula Froelich at Yahoo Travel gave me the opportunity to write for them for money I couldn’t believe it.
This award is the icing on the cake.
I know I keep saying how happy I am but I’m really happy.
I’m not going to let this go to my head.
It’s only logical that the friends and family of an award winning writer should not be able to just drop in with no appointment.
I might well be thinking.
BTW does anyone know if any Nobel Prizes have been given to stories that have the word “doody” in them?
67 and dumped 
So proud of you. You deserve it!
Shelby dear, You did so much to make my blog special with your incredible drawings. I will always be grateful to you.
Please provide a link to the story…before my time following and would like to read
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/67-dumped-a-newly-solo-traveler-heads-to-rome-83655802141.html
Is the link but if you want to start at the beginning of my blog go to the top where it says, If new, start here.
Thanks so much for writing.
Congratulations! So so so happy for you, Mattie!
Thanks so much. I love when you write to me,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! That is so wonderful and something to very happy about. I am not surprised you won, you bring so much life & laughter to so many of us via your funny, honest, risky, heartfelt, provocative and much needed Blog!
Cheers to you Mattie!! Love Teresa
BTW do you think they could add a new car to the Bronze!
I’m absolutely sure that they will give me a crown and a pile of money.
I’ve already bought a new dress for the awards dinner. I hope I can be your date. Really proud of you!!!
I really love you Lizzie.
Congratulations!! This is awesome news!
thanks so much.
Look at YOU! Glad you are receiving recognition.
Gretchen, I’m so excited.
Seriously, you are such a wonderful writer. This award is well deserved. And I’m happy
Sent from my iPhone
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To finish, I’m happy to have a famous writer for a friend!! What’s the prize? XOXO Ronnie
Sent from my iPhone
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A certificate. But I get to refer to me as an award winning writer.
I’m So happy for you! I get so much crap in my in box it takes an eternity to delete but I can wait to read your blog when I see it come in!!!
Thank you so much. That’s great to hear.
So VERY PROUD of you..this is the beginning of many more to come!!
What a lovely thing to say, thank you
Mattie I hope you are still on cloud nine over this award! You should be, it was very well deserved and I’m so very happy for you. I hope you grabbed your MMouse and danced the entire day! Sincere congratulations.
I am so excited.
Mattie, I’m so happy for you! you are great, funny, and so talented!! love you so much!
Maybe someday I can produce something like the great stuff you’ve written. Xoxoxo