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| Photo by Court Cook on Unsplash |
Find your tribe and love them hard is a favorite saying. My tribe has always been creative women and dog lovers and I’ve been lucky over the years that my tribe has grown in many directions, with friendships staying strong. When my husband was alive, I had my antiquing buddies. We did shows together and set up booths in the same antique shops. We hung out mostly during the day since we had husbands at home at night. Hobby antique dealer and retired Federal employee, I was in heaven doing what I loved with girlfriends.
When that changed for me, I didn’t have any single friends, and since I don’t have children or family in town, the days and months ahead could have been bleak. My married girlfriends rallied around me, made sure I got out during the day, and some spent their evenings with me, as we ate out and went to movies.
One night that might have set the pace for all that followed, I was supposed to go see the new Sex In The City movie with two friends (one married, one living with her man) but I was in a funk curled up on the couch, ready to cancel. Ten minutes before they were picking me up, one called. “Be ready. We’ve got wine.”
I didn’t get a chance to say no, she hung up quickly. I jumped up, brushed my teeth, put on some lip-gloss, and walked out my front door just as they pulled into my driveway. We smuggled small bottles of wine into the theater in our purses, giggling like silly teens. The night became magical because my friends didn’t give me a chance to stay at my own pity party.
It’s been eleven years since I lost my husband and I’ve worked hard to make new friends while keeping the old ones close. To use the term “work” talking about friendships may seem odd, but my life is different than most of the women I know. I have no huge distractions, like grown children or grandkids, my dogs are my family. Many of my old friends are now full of family at home again, babysitting, taking care of aging parents, some doing it all and still working. I’m a free agent, my big worry is finding the proper pet sitter.
My friends are my family and I try to keep up with all of them, phone calls foremost, but dinners out still a favorite way to get together. Most times I’m the one calling to see who is free, because I’m free too much! My writing keeps me busy, and recently I’ve started painting again. As much as I love my creative life, I’m too much of a social being to stay quiet for too long.
My new tribe came as a huge surprise. After my move in 2017 from Metro-Atlanta to my Victorian cottage an hour away, I discovered the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts in Monroe, Georgia. A fabulous art center that has become a huge part of my life bringing me on the Board of Directors with all my writing events. New friends that feel like we’ve known each other forever.
I’ve been lucky that all my gal pals have been fun, crazy, talented, nurturing, and caring. We encourage each other to become our best selves. I’ve learned to live my life as a single woman and enjoy it fully thanks to the support and friendships of the women I meet along my journey.
About the Author: Barbara Barth
Visit her website at https://www.barbarabarthwriter.com/, follow her on Twitter @writerwithdogs, and follow her Amazon author page.
Book Summary: The Unfaithful Widow
Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness. Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between. Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.
Print Length: 374 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
ASIN: B07YBNHXZG
The Unfaithful widow Ten Years Later is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon.com
Be sure to follow Barbara Barth as she continues her book tour:
November 13th @ Words from the Heart
Stop by Linda's blog and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about publishing anthologies.
November 14th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Mason's blog today and you can read Barbara's guest post about starting a writing group. Don't miss it!
November 15th @ The World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
November 16th @ Lori Duff Writes
Stop by Lori's blog today where you can read her interview with Barbara Barth and read her review of Barbara's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
November 16th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Visit Jill's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's guest post about self-publishing.
November 17th @ A Storybook World
Be sure to stop by Deirdra's blog today and check out her spotlight of the book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later and enter to win a copy of the book!
November 18th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Be sure you visit Bev's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post about starting over at 70. You won't want to miss this!
November 19th @ Look to the Western Sky
Be sure to visit Margo's blog and read her interview with author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!
November 20th @ Anthony Avina's Blog
Make sure you visit Anthony's blog today and read Barbara Barth's guest post about publishing anthologies.
November 21st @ Cassandra's Writing World
Stop by Cassandra's blog today and read her review of The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
November 22nd @ Karen Brown Tyson's Blog
Join us at Karen Brown Tyson's blog where you can read a guest post about self-publishing by author Barbara Barth. Don't miss it!
November 23rd @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Visit Bev's blog again and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
November 24th @ Choices
Be sure to stop by Madeline's blog and read Barbara Barth's guest post that will be talking about women friendships.
November 25th @ Wild Woman Writer
Visit Anne's blog today and you can read Barbara Barth's blog guest post about starting over at 70.
November 26th @ Life Like A Galaxy Girl
Stop by Alanna's blog today and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's memoir The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
November 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog today and you can read her interview with author Barbara Barth and find out more about this incredible author!
November 28th @ Bibliotica
Stop by Melissa's blog and make sure you read Barbara Barth's guest post about grief over the years and finding happiness again.
November 29th @ Stranded in Chaos
Visit Sara's blog and you can read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
November 30th @ Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog again and read his review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
December 1st @ Words from the Heart
Visit Linda's blog and read her review of Barbara Barth's book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
December 2nd @ Women's Writing Circle
Stop by the blog Women's Writing Circle and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about adopting dogs while all her friends are having grandkids. Don't miss this one!
Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Audry for inviting me to your lovely blog on my tour with WOW! My mother's name was Audrey (with an e) and I can't help but remember her more today with that connection. She was my great friend and we always got in trouble together.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! I'm so glad you could be a guest on my blog today. I really connected with your post. Where would we be without our friends? And that's so wonderful about your mom (plus, she had a great name!). My mom and I are close friends, too!
DeleteI'd love to read this book. It sounds like something I'd enjoy. And, yes, having a tribe is so important!
ReplyDelete