I got home from doing the shopping, the usual trawl around the local supermarket to get all the stuff we ran out of during the month, like pasta and rice and lasagne sheets, to find a letter on the front door mat.
The letter was from the Tyrone Guthrie Centre to tell me that I was the recipient of the Annie Deeny Prize for 2008/09. What does this mean?
Well, in their own words: The Annie Deeny Memorial Prize was launched by distinguished poet Fleur Adcock in May 2004. Mrs Annie Deeny was a teacher and mother of six children who, although she wrote, never sought to have her work published. This perpetual prize is in her memory to encourage someone in a similar situation to write and to publish. It provides a two-week residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig.
Ironic, that I too have six children, isn't it? So, I'm now getting a total of four weeks away this year to write: on my ownsome...and no food to worry about... Just as well my husband is taking me out to dinner tonight: now we have more to celebrate!
Congratulations and well done Barbara!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, well done Barbara.
ReplyDeleteOh! Oh! Oh! Nearly wetting myself with excitement. You couldn't get a much clearer signpost than that ...
ReplyDeleteMaybe now you'll celebrate by splashing out on some cotton sheets. Those lasagne ones can be very uncomfortable I find.
glarimakThat is just brilliant news Barbara. I'm so pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteColin
Well done you!
ReplyDeleteAnd the lasagne joke from Debi was very good too.
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That's great news ,very well done.Jayney Mac B at this rate you'll never be at home:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeleteBig congrats, Barbara, that's fantastic. The TGC is such a brilliant, beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Barbara! Tyrone Guthrie is pretty magic. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you everyone for your kind, kind words. 2009 is shaping up to be a very interesting year now :)))
ReplyDeleteI'm off out to celebrate B)
Woo-hoo! Barbara, that is fantastic news! You are on a roll, that's for sure...and much
ReplyDeletedeserved...a whole month of writing time...go for it, girl! Enjoy the champers and night out...!
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Barbara I am SO happy for you!!!! So deserved. Many CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, Kay and Clare. The cheery news is keeping me warm on this cold last day of February.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant news, Barbara! I hope the celebration did justice to the achievement but that you're not feeling too delicate now.
ReplyDeleteFeeling much more with it today, Rick. I'm afraid in matters of celebration I'm not as good at it as I used to be - I think I might be out of practice ;)
ReplyDeleteJeesh, I thought I corrected that: sorry Dick! Slip of the finger on the keyboard :)
ReplyDeletethat's wonderful news Barbara. I'm sure you'll put the days to good use
ReplyDeleteAh well done. Well deserved!
ReplyDeleteI'd eyed up that competition but decided against entering because my wife would never allow me to swan off for two weeks.
Not that I had a chance of winning it, mind you?
Oh and Debi, you need to cook the lasagne first...
I will, EW, I will :)))
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter - I tell you, I never thought I'd get that much slagging over some lasagne sheets! Next time, I'll try flannel ;)
Congratulations. It feels good, to getting recognition "out of the blue".
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of when someone once phoned me asking me if they could interview me for a job - not the other way round. One's head feels briefly huge and light.
Very briefly, Dominic: I have the kids to help bring me down to earth :)
ReplyDeleteWow! How fabulous is that? Congratulations, Barbara!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liane - belatedly :)
ReplyDelete