Perhaps someday on your bookshelf....

I think writing is a lot like photography.

With photography, there are many photos taken before you get to the photo that captures the moment.

With writing, you have to write a lot of pretty awful things before you get to the piece that’s worth sharing.
Either way, you have to work through a whole bunch of garbage to get the reward.
So, while I’ve written quite a few things that probably deserve a horrible death, somewhere in there is a piece that is waiting to be refined.

All I have to do is, keep at it.
And, who knows?
Years from now my little story may find its way to your bookshelf.

Help...

I have to confess something… I haven’t really prayed in a very long time. Don’t misunderstand. I’ve said quickie prayers. I’ve cried out to God in moments of intense grief or pain. I’ve asked God for wisdom in moments of uncertainty. I’ve bowed my head at church and prayed along with the one who leads. I ask the blessing each night before we eat dinner. And, I try to remember to say "Thank you" for the daily miracles in my life. But the truth is, I haven’t sat down and really focused on having a conversation with God in quite some time.

I’ve never been really good at it anyway. I’m too easily distracted.

However, today as I was walking back from going to school with the girls, it hit me that now, more than ever, they are growing up. In this week of figuring out all the new schedules and guidelines and rules, it’s becoming clear to me that they are entering a new environment – and it’s not just middle school. It’s making me realize that I’m beginning to send them out into a world that is beyond my control.

There are busy roads to cross. There are lockers to manage. There’s bigger homework to tackle. There are bullies out there. There are hidden dangers all over the place.

And, so… it occurred to me that I’m going to need some help. Not just to protect my girls, but to calm my spirit.

If you’re a praying person, would you throw in a prayer for this new era in our lives?
It’s bigger than me.

Some girls, a book and the author

Yesterday my girls and I hosted our monthly book group meeting for their friends. It's always a good time... Each month we read a book -- which is fun -- and then at our gathering we get to eat, talk about the book and make a bookmark (which is our craft of choice).

So far, we've read Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree. Our next book was Chasing Vermeer and our most recent book was Hattie Big Sky.

What made yesterday so special was that Kirby Larson, author of Hattie Big Sky, joined us for our book group!! She shared stories of how Hattie came to be, methods she used for gathering information about the time period, tricks for naming characters and other fun tid-bits for writers-to-be.... It was definitely a treat!

For those of you who haven't read it already, I suggest you find a copy of Hattie Big Sky and enjoy!

Remember way back on June 5th?

I submitted a manuscript for acceptance to a writer's retreat which takes place in November.

I was accepted!

Every time I submit something, I do it with the attitude that if I'm accepted, then it's a reason to keep at this writing thing. If I'm not, I'll slow down. So far, the word has been to "keep at it."

Here's where the retreat will be:

http://www.alderbrookresort.com/index.php

More later!!

Have a great weekend.

My drain is clogged

I woke up this morning to find a sink full of water in my downstairs bathroom. It was dirty water. It was disgusting. Couldn't find the Drano -- and I've heard that's not so great for the pipes or the environment -- so I did some internet research... Turns out baking soda, vinegar and boiling water are supposed to do the trick.

Guess what? I tried the baking soda & vinegar trick... It didn't work. So, I dismantled the pipes. Yuck! I tried to "snake" it out. No luck.

So you know what I did? I screwed the pipes back together, straightened up my mess and proceeded with my day. :-)

Now, while I know that my sink still needs de-clogging, I also know that sometimes you have to put the yucky stuff aside and get on with your life.

Just feels good...

Pretty much everyday I wake up wanting to call my mother and check in. And then I realize she's not going to be on the other end of the phone. That's about the time I start to deflate.

But everyday when I come down to my computer, I find staring at me, a photograph of my parents' house. The one where I grew up. I put it on my computer as my desktop photo. There's something very comforting about seeing the front porch and the front yard looking back at me. And, while it DOES NOT replace talking to my parents, it does give me a warm feeling inside.

Somewhere in all the wonderful memories and all the comforts of home is a story just waiting to get out. Not sure how it's going to develop and it may take me a LONG time, but someday I'll write a story that honors both of my parents and all the love they put into our growing up ... The house &/or the porch will definitely be a character in that story.

Gettin' Ready to Ride

I decided recently to start riding my bike... Some of that decision came from the fact that I need to train for a ride next summer in Idaho. I'm pretty sure I could ride without a WHOLE lot of training -- it's 69 miles in 5 or 6 days -- but I also believe I could benefit from regular riding.

I'm trying to teach my girls that biking can be lots of fun. We've done a couple of trails around town. They enjoyed them -- but one more than the other. I bought them each a flashing light for the back of their bike and a pair of riding gloves to make the ride easier and safer. And, for me, I bought myself a rack, a pannier, riding shorts, gloves and lights so I can carry things and be comfortable and safe. I hope to save gas, build muscle and "save the earth."

It's easy to ride now when the sun is shining. It will probably be more challenging emotionally when the gray skies and rain come in October or November. My goal is to ride no matter what.

There's a lot to learn in the coming days. I'll keep you posted.