Patti C. Smith

Who am I, and why is it important that you know? It’s important that you know, although we may have differences, we are very much alike in many ways, and you might see a little of yourself in my story.

I had just turned 19 when I was married. We made it through 18 years and 2 children before we had to admit as we entered adulthood, we had grown in different directions and finally divorced. My sister experienced the same type of issues and divorced. To start anew, we both left our hometown and moved into our parents’ house in Carmel, California.

My sister, who is in constant motion, immediately secured an internship in a stained-glass studio. I, on the other hand, took advantage of this quiet. stress free, period in my life doing as little as possible.

One day, while my sister was out of town for a few days, the owner of the stained glass studio called in a bit of a flap, she was in dire need of some help in the studio. I told her I knew absolutely nothing about stained glass. She begged, promised to guide me through what she needed me to do, I gave in and said OKAY, arrived at the studio to find a table filled with items I had never seen before, let alone used. lamp molds, copper foil, lead came, a large box of used glass lenses, another box of crystal pieces usually used to make chandeliers, solder, and a solder iron. I got about 10 minutes of

instructions, and she was out the door promising to return in about an hour that turned into the full afternoon.

By the end of the day, a lamp had begun to take shape, and I was loving it. It took me the rest of the work week to finish. The patina was added; it was polished to perfection. Put on a lamp stand and place it on a table in the front window.

Two days later, I got a call. A customer had purchased my lamp and wanted to meet me. Could I come to the studio? Yes, was my answer. When I opened the door to the studio I froze on the spot. The person who had just bought my first lamp was KIM NOVAK, a very famous movie star from the 1950s-1960s. She complimented me on my work and gave me her autograph, and I returned home a very happy stained-glass artist.

To make a long story short, the next lamp I made sold to Andy Griffith TV star, and the next sale was a stained-glass piece for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. My sister and I eventually bought the studio OVER THE RAINBOW-STAINED GLASS STUDIO and created many lamps, windows, and skylights for the next 15 years, and my sister turned her talents to oil painting. I remarried and became a very happy homebody.

Time marched on. We were now members of a large, blended family. We built a lovely large home in a very nice, gated community. 6,000 sq. foot house, pool house and pool, guest apartment, putting green, and many wonderful family events over the years. Weddings, holiday dinners, family golf tourneys, and cooking for 20 to 30 people were very common events. It was a special time in my life.

My late husband was diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer’s. Our family doctor took me aside and suggested I find something to do at home that gives me pleasure because the next few years were going to be difficult and stressful as a caregiver. After giving all this some thought, I decided I’d like to take some online writing classes. It was suggested that I look into classes at Gotham, a well-known writing school in New York. Problem number one, I didn’t have a computer. Nor did I have any idea what to buy. Problem two, I didn’t know how to work or use a computer. Fortunately, Gotham gave me a very easy set of instructions, and I jumped in with both feet plus a fantastic teacher who could work wonders with new students to the craft. For my first piece of homework, I followed Gotham’s directions on how to send in my homework to the T, clicked on the designated button….and waited…..nothing happened….tried again, same results, nothing happened AGAIN, and I don’t know what I was expecting. Still, I kept sending in my homework. Finally, I gave up, emailing the teacher asking if she had received my homework. The computer became quiet, then all of a sudden, there was an answer. “YES, PATTI, ALL 10 TIMES!” And that was the start of my love for creative writing.

Season H. Fox, one of the world's best teachers who knows just how to teach and correct a new student while filling that student full of encouragement, praise, and belief in oneself and the ability to see yourself as the great writer you didn’t know you could be.

It took me longer than normal to finish my book. I cared for a man I no longer knew and eventually laid his gentle soul to rest. I really didn’t plan on getting published but I was curious if I could make my book publish ready so I dove into editing it to a fine fair thee well with the help ( a lot of help) of my teacher, polished up a few chapters and just as I was about to jump into the world of submitting for publication, I got sick, very sick, so I wondered if I was going to have the energy and time to go through what was necessary, submitting one manuscript after another hoping some publisher would love my writing and my book. As time went on, and I got a little sicker, my question was answered. That is how I came to partner with Page Publishing to self-publish. They were really great to work with and to my surprise, the book reviews that began to become available were positive and very good, and for the first time, I realized I was on a solid road worth promoting with the guidance of INKSTART MEDIA, and their number one promoter, Angel Thompson. A million thanks to my teachers, the love and support of friends and family….Here I am!

I remarried on 11/12/13 to a sweetheart of 40 years ago. I can’t remember why we went our separate ways, but we did. I had no idea that he was keeping track of me all those years. A year after my husband passed away, I received a very thoughtful card, signed Vernon….I thought VERNON? Oh, my gosh, the card was from Vern, after all these years! Next came a very nice phone call inquiring about how I was doing. Then came dinner dates, motor home trips through National Parks. We fell in love with Montana and with each other again,

We ended up selling out homes in California, bought a darling little log cabin off the Bitterroot River…We’ve named it ‘SECOND CHANCE’ and added a guest cabin, a bigger barn, and a tree house room for my writing space. My husband enjoys fishing and enjoys country life, and I enjoy 13 of the dearest great grandchildren combined with a writer’s paradise in my tree room, now into chapter 15 of my second book. We are anticipating HAPPILY EVER AFTER, with a small delay, divesting ourselves from the SCAMDEMIC’S.

Yes, I walked right into their false world of promises, dreams fulfilled, high goals reached, and more. Fortunately, we didn’t come out damaged; yes, we are disappointed, less trusting, and determined to expose these GOOD FOR NOTHING, SNAKES IN THE GRASS for what they truly are, a pitiful group of cowardly, low-life losers,

Would you like to get a scam off your chest? It feels great.

Tell us your story so their next victim can see them coming. Be a SCAM BUSTER.