I walked out to get the mail this evening. It was dark already and the Christmas Lights still gleamed. I knew the Post Office has been playing catch up and getting mail late wasn't unexpected.

What was unexpected was a letter from the VA in Cheyenne. My address on it was handwritten instead of computer generated, and that got my attention. I opened it when I went back in. The words surprised me:

"Congratulations," It read, "on being selected as a finalist at the Cheyenne VA National Veterans Creative Arts Local Competition."

My entry was a story called "The Second-Best Meal I ever Had." I've got it posted on my Blog and by clicking the title of the story, you can read it.

Now it goes to the Nationals, and here's hoping and praying I place.