This has nothing to do with crap creation or with my poorly trained and poopy puppies.
While it may be true that, like Anne Lamott, I write shitty first drafts, it’s equally evident that even my tenth attempt retains an excremental edge.
This has nothing to do with that, however—
Rather—if we could have a compositional drum roll, please—
I’m happy to announce—my first Huffington Post essay has just been published. Called “Celebrating Thanksgiving in Haiti: An American Comedy of Error,” it’s what you might expect—sort of.
Some of you may recall the comic pieces I wrote about the Thanksgiving Sara and I celebrated from Port-au-Prince. This is a serious take on that experience—an essay, editors at the Huffington Post Impact page accepted within 8 hours of submission.
I nearly peed my pants!
Yet wet underwear aside, I beg invite you to leave comments in respose to my piece on the Huffington Post site and to “fan” me there. I’d, also, LOVE you to share the link (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathryn-mccullough/celebrating-thanksgiving-_b_2167435.html) via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.
Please, celebrate with me.
In the meantime, I’ve sent Sara on an errand—“Quick, Baby. Drive to Kroger. Need Depends!”
Note: Please follow me on Twitter. And please consider doing your Black Friday shopping at idiomART, my Etsy site.
But most importantly, Happy Thanksgiving! And thanks for reading “Reinventing the Event Horizon.”
Thanks to Monica of “Monica’s Tangled Web” and Nicole of “Third Eye Mom” for inspiring me to pursue publication at the Huffington Post.
Congratulations, Kathy! That’s FANTASTIC news! On my way to check out your essay. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Dana. I’m still beside myself with excitement! I appreciate your reading it. And if you could “fan” me over there and leave a comment, it would be awesome. If not, that’s cool too. Hope you’ve having a lovely week.
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Congrats…now for that novel! 🙂
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Goodness, Charlie. Let’s finish the memoir first!!!! Thanks, my friend, for such long-standing and consistent support!
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Awesome!!!! You go girl!!!!
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Thanks, Nicole. And thanks especially for the inspiration! You rock, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
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Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll remember your post! 🙂
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If you can, will you leave me a comment over there, and “fan” me? I didn’t know about this “fanning” thing. Will “fan” you, as well. Again, thanks, for the inspiration, Nicole. And Happy Thanksgiving you you and your family!
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Yes, will do! I got to find the link….can you resend it? I will go over and do so! I did tweet it and put it on FB but yes it is good to leave comments on HP too and I will fan you as soon as I get the link. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Sara! 🙂
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I sent the link in an email last night, Nicole. Hope you got it. Happy Leftovers Day, my friend.
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I faned you! 🙂 And of course left a comment! 🙂
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I saw, Nicole. Thank you so much! I fanned you, as well. Will leave a comment if I can find you last post again.
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Will send it when I can. Actually the last one I did was in the travel section called “How to get to the end of the world”. If I can find the link I’ll send it! 🙂
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I’ll find it. You have enough on your plate.
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🙂
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Well hot damn of pee flowing celebatorily down the road of success!!!!!!! Congratulations Kathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to read it. I will save it to very last so I can revel in the joy of this. I am looking forward to it. But now I have to go to the bathroom. I have no reason to pee my pants. 🙂
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You crack me up, Colleen. Well, once your bladder is safely emptied and you have Thanksgiving under hand–hand go on over to HuffPost and read–if you have time, “fan” me and leave a comment! Talk to you soon, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and David and your family!
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and Sara and all of “your’s”.
I did read the article (loved it). I don’t think I “fanned” you but I tried to leave a comment. I don’t think it worked. I’ll just hop back over and see what’s up with this “fan” you thing.
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Tell ya what, the first time I tried to leave a comment there, I found it confusing–probably too big-city for a Kentuckian like me. LOL I failed. I’m afraid you’ve fallen victim to the same. But, hell, maybe better luck next time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and David and your family, dear Colleen. Love and hugs to all of you!
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Happy Thanksgiving ! I did go back and managed to figure out how to “fan” you! Done!!!! So maybe my comment showed up this time???? I will check yet again. I really did enjoy it. I hope that means they have recognized your brilliant skill and we’ll see more on HP from you. Love and hugs returned to you and Sara. 🙂
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I haven’t seen it, but goodness, it’s not that important. Hope you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving on Friday, my friend.
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Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And of course it’s important!!!!! 🙂 I will make this work!
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It worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Colleen. You’re one determined friend! Thank you so much!!!!
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🙂 You are most welcome!
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🙂
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Wahoo! Congrats to you, Kathy!
I hope you and your family enjoy Thanksgiving.
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You, too, Darla. Thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! Enjoy the abundance!
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YAHOOOOO!
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I know. Will call you this week some time! Hugs——————
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Congraaaaats! Can’t wait to read it.
Huffington ROCksss. So do you. xx
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Thanks, my friend. I’m still beside myself with excitement over all of this! Happy Thanksgiving and hugs to you!
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Cool beans! Nice accomplishment, Kathy. Congratulations on some well-deserved publicity.
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Wow, can you believe it, Mark? Thanks for sharing my excitement. Hope you and Tara and the kids have a lovely Thanksgiving–and congrats on the new job! Hooray for you!
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Omedetogazaimasu! Congratulations! Fans waving- Trumpets blaring- drums rolling- Emily drinking champagne in your honor!
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Any excuse to enjoy a “beverage” or twelve–right? LOL Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Email me and let me know what’s up with you guys. Where ya headed? Hugs————–oops, and THANKS!
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BIG TIME! So excited for you, Cappy!
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Thanks, dear Tori! Love and hugs to you and your family this week! Eat some cake or pie or a poptart or two in my honor! Hope to see you all soon.
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Nice work, kiddo. Off to read….
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Thanks, my friend. Hope you’ll leave a comment over there and let me know what you think!
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Goodness, Gracious, Sakes Alive. I am so darned PROUD of you I can’t see straight. congratulations, Congratulations, CONGRATULATIONS!
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You know, Laurie, you are simply the dearest! I love your willingness to share my joy and excitement. WHat a gift! I’m tickled to death that you are proud of me. Just tickled. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!
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I printed out your essay to read on the train ride home from The Grind this evening. Excellent!
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Thanks for the comment over at HP, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Martini Max and his family, as well! By the way, would you mind “fanning” me over there? To fan–a new use of the word.
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Didn’t I do that or did I just follow you? Happy Turkey Day to you, Sara, Ralph and Lucy!
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I forget at the moment how has commented there and who hasn’t, but I think you did. Happy Thanksgiving to you–and Martini Max and family, as well. Enjoy, my friend!
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Congratulations Kathy — that’s killer! I’m leaving you some feedback on the essay itself. Great piece!
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Adam, you are such a sweetie. Thanks so much for the comment. I loved it. I’ve responded, but I don’t know if my comment has made its way through the approval queue yet. It should soon. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, my friend!
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You’re very welcome. Great piece, and congratulations — how cool! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
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🙂
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Congratulations!!! Great essay, too, by the way…I shared it to my facebook page and have a couple comments already!
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Oh, thank you so much or sharing!!!! Glad your friends appreciated it, as well. Hop you have a happy Thanksgiving–assuming you live in the US. Where are you from?
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Yes, I’m in the USA…Beaver Island, Michigan…Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
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🙂
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Congrats, Kathy! This is so exciting!
I loved your essay. I think it will give people a lot to think about this Thanksgiving.
I come face to face with this every day when I ride the subway and I think about the implications of the issue you raised. Well done!
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Thanks, Jackie, so happy to hear you enjoyed it. I had never thought of the subway being a place to encounter poverty–but now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense. It is sort of the under-belly of the city, if you will. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!
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Congrats Kathy –
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Thanks, Chris! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Kathy, I’m so happy for you. This is your red-letter day and a great way to get your Thanksgiving holiday off to a positive start. Much to be thankful for, if you ask me!
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Oh, Monica, you are such a sweetie. Thanks for the inspiration, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family–and to Henry, of course.
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Congratulations! That is wonderful news
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Thanks, Deb. I’m excited. Hope you’re having a lovely week.
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Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it…but not now, have to pretend to do some work 🙂
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Hope you got lots of work done, Gertie, my friend. It’s Thanksgiving here in the US, so we have a 4-day weekend–one full of much feasting–and not so much work!
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I read your huffington post essay, and really liked it. Wanted to comment but had problems signing in via Facebook. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.
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Thanks for reading, Gertie. At first, I found commenting there a challenge, as well. I’m just so happy you read it. Hope you have a great weekend, my friend. Thanksgiving here was yummy!
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Congratulations! That’s wonderful. Now I’ll have to scope out the article and figure out how to comment there. 🙂
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You did it, Lisa! You figured it out. Thanks so much for taking the time. You rock, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Hugs to you!
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Kathy, I am so happy for you! That is the bestest news on the planet! So glad that your writing, peeing aside, is getting some widespread recognition. In this Thanksgiving moment, I am so grateful for that.
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You’re a sweetie, Kathy. It’s been amazing to become an official Huffington Post blogger. I never imagined it could happen. You should submit something, Kathy. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.
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Woot woot – this is amazing and exciting news – I’m heading on over there to comment – so happy for you!!!!
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Deanna, thank you so much for your comment. I haven’t gotten to respond to all of them over there. Heading over there now. I appreciate your enthusiasm, my friend. Though you’re not in the US, happy Thanksgiving, anyway!
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I will be over there in just a hot minute. Congrats!
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Thanks so much for your comment over there, Val. I’m heading over there to respond. Saw that you left one. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. You’re in the US, right?
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Very cool. Congratulations.
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Thanks, Sandy. It’s been fun. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
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This is so cool! Congratulations Kathy!
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Thanks for sharing in my excitement, Lisa. When I started blogging two years ago, it never even occurred to me to dream it might lead to the Huffington Post. How knew? Hope you and Wilie have a lovely weekend.
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Many congrats and Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks so much, Andra! I can’t believe it, to be honest. Like I said to Lisa above, it never occured to me to hope for this. Hope you have a lovel Helsinki weekend.
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You’re famous! I remember reading about your Haiti Thanksgiving on your blog before, but it’s still a funny and thought-provoking piece. Well done you!!
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Maybe not quite famous, but excited, still. Glad you enjoyed this new, more serious version of the story. Thanks for reading, my friend.
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Popping over there now 😉
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Thanks, Kel. Hooe you’re feeling well! How far along are you now?
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Oooh I love your Etsy shop too !! – Im about 6 months – due March 2 so 3 months to go !! (cannot wait , pregnancy is nice but limiting !! ) xx
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Oh, how great to hear from you, Kel. I hope you’re feeling well. I can’t believe you are so far along! Gosh, next I know your child will be in university! LOL Glad you like the Etsy shop! Thank you.
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This is SUCH exciting news!!! Congratulations, my friend!
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I know. I’m really excited. Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm.
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Woot!! Woot!! Congratulations, Kathy! This is wonderful news! I’ll go right over and read now. Thanks for sharing your accomplishment with us. 🙂
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So great to hear from you, Marianne. Thanks for sharing my excitement. The story I share is one you’re familiar with, but I’ve put a serious spin on it.
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this is great, and i’m sorry i’m behind on reading! of course i am going to rewrite and comment again!
z
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I’m with you on being behind. I’m so behind, I’ll never catch up. I think we need to give up on that and move forward from here. LOL Thanks for your determination, Z!
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Congratulations, Kathy!! I’m sorry I’m so far behind, especially since this is such fantastic news. I hope you and Sara had a great Thanksgiving. 🙂
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Oh, thanks, Robin. We did have a great Thanksgiving. I was pretty excited about the publication, as well. Feel like a real, grown-up blogger now. LOL
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