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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Body found in creek north of Central Point Emergency services, Feb. 8 Emergency Services, Feb. 9 Man stabbed by wife during argument in Medford Saturday Strong winds, possibly more rain expected through Monday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Body found in creek north of Central Point Emergency services, Feb. 8 Emergency Services, Feb. 9 Man stabbed by wife during argument in Medford Saturday The Sovereign Among Us Politics and Elections Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Walden sets town halls on Friday Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Education Sharing black culture SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Environment Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Jackson County won't set up wolf kill compensation program Commercial users can get rid of pesticide waste for free Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills State News Letter says Kitzhaber official fired after Hayes criticism Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' Willamette football player pleads not guilty to manslaughter 'In God We Trust' leads to Klamath County debate Bill calls for relocation of Washington state wolves Nation - World Obituaries Helmut "Harry" Podlech Alson "Al" Velma "Ruth" Thornton Trudy Butler Jean Yvonne Baumer Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Young, Oregon dominate Washington State Plum, Washington overwhelms Oregon Blazers take charge late in Houston Spartans come up short on road Perfect Fit Varsity 541 College Sports Young, Oregon dominate Washington State Plum, Washington overwhelms Oregon Perfect Fit No. 7 OSU downs WSU Beavers defeat Cal Poly, 26-10 Pro Sports Blazers take charge late in Houston Spartans come up short on road Great day for Day Mavericks rally, down Blazers in OT With Davis hurt, Bulls rout Pels Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Erickson layoffs land hard in Jackson County People in Business Blog: Stay Calm Erickson announces 150 layoffs, mostly in Oregon 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar People In Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest George Will: Education is the business of the states Dana Milbank: Ashton Carter likely to break hawks' hearts Our View: Call for resignation is premature Letters to the Editor, Feb. 8 Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Editorials Our View: Call for resignation is premature Other Views: Overhaul the national firefighting budget Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Our View: Our growing disagreement with science Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 8 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 5 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Simple Solutions A long-harbored dream may be realized Plenty of life in Death Valley Setting the stage for garden dramatics Just an ordinary roadside miracle Food Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Community blog: Cupcakes can be good for sweetheart's heart Cupcake love affair Fish stew is a winter delight Home and Garden Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Health Community blog: Simple Solutions Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Hiking Biking Faith RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Live Music in Local Clubs Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Passing of Time' Live Music in Local Clubs Charles Guy & Linda Powers play Belle Fiore Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label Dining Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Call for resignation is premature ... Auditor: Jackson County finances strong ... Get Up & Go: Sunday, Feb. 8 ... Our View: Call for resignation is premature ... Auditor: Jackson County finances strong ... Get Up & Go: Sunday, Feb. 8 ... SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL A long-harbored dream may be realized Comment By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News Roses are red, violets are blue, agents are sweet, and book deals are too. Nearly one year ago in this space, I wrote about the woes and wonderment of the writing life. I used the example of a photo I shot of a ponderous, black, commercial fishing boat with its name in block letters that boasted, PERSISTENCE, as if nothing could stand in the way of its retrieving a record haul. Looking at this photo reminded me to push through the myriad times of frustration, doubt and, maybe hardest of all, months of silence from agents. I can’t say that I’ve mastered the art of waiting, but I certainly have had the opportunity to fake it, though patient friends, some held captive by commerce, such as my faithful hair stylist, Suzanne, might testify that the mask of serenity slips now and again. Incidentally, kudos to Suzanne for consistently picking up where I left off in mid-whine from our previous meeting. She earns her pay. I mentioned last year that I’d written a novel about a family set in Northern England during post-World War II, and that I’d had a top agency interested, yet non-committal for three years, which lengthened to four. This week, I received an early valentine from a highly proclaimed literary agent. After three or four revisions, he loves my manuscript. I am in. It’s challenging to relate the deep sigh and deliciousness that flood the soul when something you’ve worked so hard for comes to light. I didn’t win the lottery or stumble upon a valuable painting at an estate sale. I waited, reaching out into dark and unfamiliar territory with no promise of a door opening or anyone reaching back. I’m sharing all this, not to brag, but to encourage other wannabes, and not necessarily in the field of writing. Had I decided that I’d waited too long, was past the perfect age to begin a new career, whenever that is, that I’d stalled too long, the ship had sailed and left me crying at the pier, the day would have come and gone without the call. When I finally got the nod for which I’d worked and waited and prayed, I just had to take a walk in the rain to let it soak in. (The pun proved that Peggy could not remain serious through an entire article.) None of this would be worth a farthing without dear friends and family with whom to share. Lane sprung for an exquisite dinner at Porters (dinner in the diner is finer), and my Facebook page lit up with well-wishes. My gal pal, Lynn, left a beautiful bouquet of flowers on my doorstep, along with a vintage card with my favorite flower, the peony, on it, and a supply of Ghirardelli dark that might last a week. Just like the mythical character, Jack Valentine of Norfolk, England, who knocks at the back door, leaving presents for children. And the book isn’t yet sold. The agent opened the door and reached back, but there’s no guarantee this barge will sail any farther. The success is in the trying. As long as I keep that in mind, I’ve nothing to fear or regret. I know my type of book is more difficult for an agent to place. That’s why I’m jazzed that the No. 1 agent in the country believes in my work enough to take the chance. I doubt the cardamom and pistachio shortbread cookies I sent him turned the tide. I leave you with hope for sweet attainments of long-harbored dreams. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer who works from a 1900 farmhouse in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected].         By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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