A Writer Writes...

Me and Francis Ray. One of my fave-o-rite authors. Photo snapped a couple years ago. Serious Tina Turner crazy hair goin' on. I liked it tho. OK, back to tonight. Francis had a book signing tonight. Just a couple minutes literally away from my house. Francis is such an inspiration.

She still has a FULL time job. Yep. Works in the Dallas School District and written a few dozen of best seller books. Francis tonight mentioned again, she's still a bit self concious about her writing. Yea. OK. This author has more books coming out this year and another 5 in 2012.

I told Francis, since I've been back to school along with work, I just do not want to sit in front of the PC any longer than I must. The lady stands up, takes my hands, looks into my eyes and tells me how burn out is the hardest thing to overcome, yet I'm the only one who can write the story that I see.

OK. I did tell Francis I got my creative juices out by doing my pots. Francis hugged me and smiled, "And next time I see you. You better have written something too."

Stay tuned.

Christmas Eve 1998 was Thursday

Was going to repost what I blogged in 2009. 'cause I liked it and thought it summed it all up--even my thoughts-for 2010. Then gandered in my 'history books' -aka my diaries- to check what happened on Christmas Eves passed. As I started to read 1998, I smiled and remembered it well. I'd forgotten these events happened on Christmas Eve.

Back in my Iowa hometown for Christmas, and I actually flew instead of driving. Hmm. I wonder who babysat the cats or if I bordered them? Anyway. there was snow and a temperature with a wind chill of a gazillion below zero. Far cry from even the coldest days in Dallas. I also had my usual December sniffles and wondered if I would shake them before my one and only book signing of my one and only book in our town's library scheduled in a couple days.

My 'history book' says as I came in the house from getting a newspaper because there was a notice about my book signing in it, the phone rang. It was the mom of Dwight, a classmate of mine. I was floored. She was thrilled about my book and would I please come over to her son's house (my classmate) and spend a little of Christmas with them? I was floored still. My dad and step-mother had told me how my Dwight's mom had called the house wondering about me and they'd run into her while they shopped in my town one of the two grocery stores.

I forget my sniffles. I put on some kind of cute sweater. I had to take my step-mother's car, which I was surprised it didn't freeze up on the maybe 5 minute--if that-drive to Dwight's house. It was about 8pm or so. Pitch black, and iceberg cold. It's Iowa, so you just bundle and go.
Dwight and known each other since we were in grade school, yet this was the first time I was in house, with his parents and his kids. One of sons and I share the same birthday, so that's cool. The whole night was cool and great. His family was wonderful. Honestly, looking back, it was kind of an intro to people asking me questions about my writing. We chatted, laughed and just fun. It was soon close to 11pm. .

Dwight's parents left and so did the kids. They had their own friends to tend to. Dwight and I sat on his couch. Just the two of us. Dwight was one of the most popular guys in our high school. Blond, blue eyed. We'd always known each other. In fact for my 18th birthday party, he stared the pool to get me flowers. On the day of my party, I was presented with 3 1/2 dozen red roses. All because of Dwight. Back to this night in 1998, I remember Dwight held a copy of my book. He gushed how I had written it and all I could think of "We're sitting here alone. Talking and listening to Christmas music!"

We chirped like the two 16 year old kids we both felt like. Then this song came on the radio, "Blue Christmas." Dwight says, "Let's dance!" I go, "I HATE this song!" Well, the question became how could I possible hate Elvis?? I didn't. Just this song was not my favorite Elvis song.

Didn't matter. Dwight and I slowed dance and laughed to this song. And then he kissed me. Yea, I was definitely 16 again. In all the years we'd known each other, Dwight and I had never kissed like that. I smile now. That night, I remember we talked about so many things, our lives, past and future, including our love lives. He had split up with somebody and my man was back in Dallas--at least I thought he was my man. That didn't matter either, because Dwight kissed me again.

The wind howled outside and I didn't care. It was one of those 'if time could stop' moments, because it may not even happen again. And it hasn't. Sure, when I'm back in my hometown, I always see Dwight. The electricity zips and zaps from both of us. I wonder if Dwight wonders how it could have maybe been different....That night we talked like we never talked before or since. We were the only two on the planet. It touched me.

The whole point is, that Christmas Eve in 1998, I told Dwight whenever I hear "Blue Christmas' by Elvis, and only Elvis---I'll always think of him.

....and I wonder if he does the same.

Oh, and when I left Dwight's house? My step-mother's car would NOT start for about a half hour. Then it finally did and I had to let it run to warm up. It may have been 40 below windchill factor. I realized then how I don't miss Iowa winters.

Until I said good night to Dwight.

Sweet, blue moment in time.

Almost Been

....a week since I've stopped by. My, oh my..it's not you, it's ME. Stuff just seemed to be on the docket and not time enough time for everything. I think my problem would be solved with a lap top, then I could tippy tap anywhere....hmm.

OK. Today is the 18th straight day of 100F heat here in Dallas. OK, talked enough about that

Last week, I'd mentioned about going to a play in Ft Worth by hitchin' a ride with the male lead guy in the show. Well, I did and had a GREAT time! Here's what the play's flyer looks like. This weekend is closing weekend and would like to try to go again. The male lead guy was fun and made me laugh during the ride and even in the show. I really couldn't believe it was the same person. On the way to Ft Worth, he's got on glasses and short, then on stage he's all dapper in his vest and slacks, singin' and hoofin'...Oh, and get this, a lady saw us as we got food before the show. The the male lead guy left for the theater to get ready, and I stayed behind because I had time to kill---and she asked where do you go to find the good men like him? She thought we were married or at least GF and BF. I laughed and told her this was first time we'd ever spent time together and just friends we are. Oh, and the lady and I chatted until I went to the theatre--about an hour later!

Oh, this past Saturday night, I ventured to a book launch for a chum of mine. Mingled as they say. Ran into old co-workers and loved that. Worked with them both years ago, and now the two are married. He's a video guy, plus quite the cutie, and has an episode on DIY Network in October, he shot. Anyway, we talked writing, movies etc--and the wife, who is one of the sweetest folks you'd want to met-told me when I have screenplay to show, show them because you just may never who they know and what could happen

Right now, I know what IS gonna happen. Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and TV. I've been so wrapped in doing more than I even mentioned--so tonight is a break--until tomorrow.

Toodles.

Saturday Just...

HOT.

Got up and headed to the grocery store and I think that's about it for me today. On the outside anyway. You can tell I wasn't too serious about other errands if I didn't pop in my contacts in. Nope, got my 100 year old bent, scartched up glasses on.

Suppose to creep to 104 degrees F today. Joy. I'm gonna make my own iced coffee. I seem to buy it everyday, why not save my couple bucks? Got watermelon. Even got peach sorbet instead of my ice cream. It was on sale, so I'll give it shot. Could be tasty. I'll let you know.

In the meantime, gonna work on my stories for my novella. I think I finally have the idea, which really was the original idea--a collection of short stories, with the same backdrop. I tried to change it up, yet the original idea really is the best.

So stuff to get done. And I promise myself I won't take too much of lead from these kitties...

Well, maybe not TOO much....

Got One

A DIET Sonic Strawberry Limeade that is.
As Dallas' weather rivals the heat of about a
Million Easy Bake Ovens-

The DIET Strawberry Limeade
Does quench the thirst--
Even if it's suppose to be DIET.
And honestly, do we really know for sure?
It does seem to have little less zip than one had before--
So it could be, DIET right?
I can say, it doesn't much matter. It quenches.
Not staying on here long tonight.
Wanna work on my novella earlier this evening than last--
Can I script thousands of words by Aug 14? Stay tuned.
In the meantime: .DIET Strawberry Limeade
I got one. And I like it like that.

February 24, 2006 was Friday

And I had the day, in 2006, off. Took a couple days because I hadn't been feeling well. The boss suggested since I had left over vacation days from the prior year--heck why not take em? I liked my boss so I did. Good thing.

I really didn't feel so hot. Occasional headaches. Joints and muscles ached. Cold nights sweet had me drenched by morning. What I read I figured menopause symptoms or diabetes. I knew all this would pass--eventually. My energy level was zilch and lie there in bed even tho I had plans for the day with Movie Man.

On the phone Movie Man urged me, quite firm, to get out of bed and meet him for lunch like we'd planned and go to the movies to see "Something New." During our Olive Garden lunch, I didn't eat as much, and during the movie I had the chills. I loved being with Movie Man, yet I just wanted my couch--not feeling it. I do remember he tried to make me laugh. And I hope Movie Man forgives me, because I can't remember if we did anything after the movie.

I just wanted to rest. To have whatever that kept me down, would just walk on out of my bod and I get on to feeling better.

Stay tuned.

On this day, in 2010, my chum Maria, who was/is my racquetball partner asked if I was interested in still playing? We both perked up! We've not played r-ball in forever and I'm glad we're working on it! And I went to my work's computer room, after my shift, to print my school assignments and such. It hit me that I'm a student. Got home fed the birds, pet the cats, realized I gotta wash the gray out of my hair --again--, continue to research how to ship frozen pies to future customers in my soon to start pie business, plus set the time to write/work on my novella that I want the draft done by my birthday. OK, then to watch me some American Idol, after I check the guide to watch "Something New" again--because now I know I liked it.

Yes, I am blessed.

Monday Moment Musings

No Dancing With The Stars. Withdrawal issues I have. I wonder if my Blue Bell Ice Cream will taste as good without Tom Bergeron's witty words between dances?

Hmm. What to do on a Monday? Where are my sequins and paso doble?

*Sigh*

To reality, tonight was one of those wishful moments to have a man 24/7. Yep, for those really important tasks-killing ugly, gi-normous bugs and to haul the trash to the curb. It's a bit chilly outside. So to carry it from the back to the front-wasn't feeling the joy of home ownership. Plus I had an extra bag or two, since trash didn't get picked up last Friday.

Then a local, best selling author gave me feedback of one of my short stories. She liked it and said it reminded her of a particular author. THRILLED I am--even tho I had NO clue who the author she spoke of was. Ahh..the internet being all knowing and powerful gave me info and now I feel like the unknown author and have already shared coffee. So over to Half Price Books I go--nada. Then across the street to Barnes and Noble

EEKS. I looked at 10 of her more than that novels. Five of them where like the short story I sent the local, best selling author. I wanted all 5, yet 70 bucks didn't want to escape my slim to none bank account. Then I remembered--on this author's site, I could print off a few chapters for FREE.

I am glad the trash now sits on the curb. So very glad of the compliment my writing received. Yet still sad there's no Len or Bruno and no-No Lift Carrie and Dancing With the Stars.

Oh well. Let's just see how the good Blue Bell Ice Cream still tastes...*