Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 8/19/2008

By Ann Ipock

Well, dear friends and readers, congratulations! You've hung in there with me for 10 (make that T-E-N) YEARS of reading my column for the Georgetown Times.

I remember the day well that I met with John Burbage, publisher at the time. He looked over several essays, offered to publish them and then introduced me to Jesse Tullos, the editor. Jesse suggested I write a weekly column beginning immediately. He said we'd try it out for a year, minimum. A handshake clenched the deal: no contracts, no lawyers, not even a bribe (though I was prepared -- not really).

Jesse suggested I give the column a name. Fair enough. After mulling this over with my supportive-yet-astonished husband, Russell ("They really want to hear what you have to say?"), I decided on: "What Was It I Was Saying?" -- a question I often posed to him. Of course, his standard reply was, "I dunno. I wasn't listening." So it kinda stuck and we were off and running -- the Georgetown Times and I.

Another moment I won't forget: One year came and went. I called Jesse while praying, worrying and sweating: Would my column be renewed? He said something like, "What, are you kidding?" And I've never looked back. I've also never made that call again. I'm not superstitious, but what is it they say? "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? I have no idea what that means, but my parents raised me on Southern clichés, so there you go.

Over the years, readers have asked me some interesting questions which I'll share now:

You: "Doesn't your family mind when you write those terribly personal, embarrassing stories?"

Me: "No."

You: "Were you always this wacky, or did your mother drop you on your head when you were an infant?"

Me: "No."

You: "Where do you get your ideas and would you share the process of writing?"

Me: "No."

You: "Can you say anything besides 'no'?"

Me: "Yes, buy my books and you'll see what I mean."

One of the most interesting readers I've ever encountered was a dog named Eddie (he didn't ask questions). His owner, Dee, is a dear friend that lives in Pawleys Island. Once during an outdoor charity event, my book was being raffled. Just for fun, Dee put his name in the fish bowl (no fishes, just names). When the emcee pulled the name out and read "Eddie," "I thought I was gonna die!" (to coin a phrase from a late, great hero of mine, Roseanne Roseanna Danna/Gilda Radner).

Seriously, all of my readers have stuck with me through thick and thin. When I lost a lizard deep inside my house, the remains of which I later found under a rug; when I was cursed with repeated Thanksgiving hexes -- "Turkey on fire!"; when I got hit in the head by an errant roofing screw that a foul ball knocked loose at a baseball game; when my dental hygiene polisher and I got tangled up in the mayor's mustache; when I got sick and was subsequently quarantined for five days out of a seven-day cruise; when I spent $2,450 on supper club (due to a minor remodeling project) -- you've let me vent through this column and I thank you all: Men, women, kids, relatives, tourists and dogs. Not only you, the readers, but also the book buyers: boutique shops, wineries, grocery stores and tons of folks who've invited me to speak, sign books or both.

Though I've been lucky enough to publish three books (the first is out of print), I plan to publish another "Life Is Short" (to complete a trilogy) in 2009. And even though I don't live in the Lowcountry now, my heart and spirit will always be there with you all. In fact, how I miss it all: The beaches -- the Pawleys Island No. 1 public access, where I must have walked 3,000 times in the span of 10 years. The people -- everyday contact with grocery checkers, post office folks, bankers, neighbors, friends and other writers and artists. Community theatre -- I miss acting in the Murrells Inlet Community Theatre plays. Georgetown Times -- I miss walking in and getting hugs or just catching up on the latest news from Jason Lesley and Vickie Tompkins. Chicken bog and Beaufort stew -- two certifiable S.C. recipes. I miss the smells, the sights, the folklore -- heck, I even miss the hurricanes, though I can't believe I just said that. Something about running into everyone in the Piggly Wiggly, where at that moment, we were all one: Hopeful survivors, just trying to make it through yet another major storm. Thanks for 10 years and here's to 20 more!

I'll close with this, which is posted on my latest blog and my updated Web site: Remember: You don't have to be crazy to read this, but it helps.

Ann Ipock, author of "Life Is Short, So Read This Fast!," can be reached at www.annipock.com or amipock@ec.rr.com.