Summer Read 1997

OK.

Although the Summer of '97 was 16 years ago, this book is brand new for me:

I love Sandra Brown. 

I admit not being much into Ms. Brown's (or really anybody else's) romance novels, yet her mystery/suspense novels have been favorites of mine since--well, maybe a bit before 1997.  Ms. Brown's stories are great page turners--which engage my long dormant love for reading and I pray continues to ignite my even longer dormant zest for my own writing.

Stay tuned.

Write Up!

Met up with my Honor the Words Writers' Group today. Just what the Maya Angelou in me needed. Support. Encouragement. Laughter along with yummy coffee cake and pumpkin spice flavored coffee!

OK, my group members are in the midst of critiquing my one and only book, which I self published, in yester-century. An eye opener of an experience because things they said I should include/exclude are the same things I fought with myself those years ago. I knew, in yester-century, not all my written words sounded quite right, yet I had no clue why they did not. Thanks to my group, I do now.

My group helped me realize how words can be and are powerful. Especially if a pesky dangling participle does not litter up your sentence!

Good day indeed...

2:37 AM

Yes that is the time at this moment. Reunion stuff Saturday night and I had a ball! Had a great time Friday night, yet I was so weary from my gazillion mile drive from Dallas--which will be in another post--not just now.

Tonight. The conversations I carried on were more in-depth than, "How are you and where are you now?" like before. Conversations about life, laughs and fun arguments about music. Made some memories tonight. I smile now. OK--yea, I gained weight and was a bit antsy about. I admit it. However, I was stunned and humbled from words by my classmates--some I didn't even know as well as others. Amazed,

The question of "have you written another book?" waltzed thru the air so much, I had to sit a dance or two out. My answer of "no" wasn't what my classmates wanted to hear. I was shocked by the repetitiveness of the question. Was I being told something?

Two pictures snapped I will forever cherish. In fact, I have a picture with each guy from the few past reunions. Kind of like my scrapbook as I told them. As we stood, for our photo opt, I realized how much our lives have forever changed: me with my little open heart surgery adventure, while one guy is in remission for lung cancer and the other for leukemia. Yes, life as changed since strolling down that high school hallway...

Tonight was special. I'm glad I drove the gazillion miles to get her. Memories were made. I smile at that. And will give me pause to ponder as I drive back to Dallas.

Now I must hit the hay--There will be a reunion float in the 4th of July parade at noon. I intend to be ON ...

Glory be to God is all I can say ...

Sunday...Already?

Man on man, where did the time go? It's Sunday and of course I have some paper to write for school. Let's see, it is: "Hypothectical Working Agreement"...sure.

Let's talk about something FUN! Got my praise on at MY church, Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush today. The tricks Satan uses on us to rob our faith. Powerful stuff. All these messages have hit me right where I live. The blessings are there. Satan knows that. He's tried ways upon ways to steal my thunder. At times I've let him. ...Yet all is good. Just keep my eye on the prize. And I look unto the hills where my help comes from.

Now get this, yesterday I chatted with a minister I'd befriended a few years ago. The Minister attended the writers' conference I volunteered with yesterday. Also, back when I was in ICU with my little open heart adventure, she came to visit me. Yesterday, was the first time we'd seen each other in all these months since I'd left my/her original home church. The thing was she called me "Shade Tree Preacher." Huh? Long story short, Minister said she's always seen a light in me and said people come to me because of what I say and do. I just looked at her. Me? She went on to say Shade Tree is a person who does the work, but doesn't have the sign out front sayin' so. I still just looked at her. Minister said alot of stuff I still must ponder. Oh how my life has so changed. Maybe I'll share more one of these posts...

Can't believe it's SUNDAY. Did I tell y'all I did see "Toy Story" last week? LOVED it and got quite weepy at the end.

Oh, the writers' conference yesterday was GREAT! Met some nice folks. Badgered by one of them with WHERE was my next book? OK, she was an author who spoke and happens to be a chum of mine. Learned lots and enjoyed being around other writer people. Once I got home tho, I enjoyed being on my bed, under the ceiling the fan, with a cat to pet and remote in hand...

On that note--I'm outta here. Still some Sunday left to enjoy with a little Blue Bell Banana Pudding Ice Cream on the side....!

Just a Few

On a gorgeous Saturday, as I toiled with school work, these kitties kept me company. They perched by my PC monitor. You can tell one of em is kind of a wide load! :) His purr is as big as his hind side!

Anyway, once the school work was done, I headed out to enjoy the day. Splendid, spectacular day!

On of my stops was at a theatre to see Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?" Parts of it were quite good, because I saw improvement in Tyler's writing and direction. And I marvel at Janet Jackson. She whispers so when interviewed, like on Leno and Oprah, for instance--yet in this...something so different. Janet has mentioned this movie was being filmed around her brother Michael's death. I feel that you will feel her pain...I did.

I admire Tyler for all he puts into his movies, however there are times I wish he'd let somebody else direct and/or co-write the script, then Tyler could concentrate on his own acting. Just a thought. Oh, and I will say--at one point I had a big ol' smile on my face. If you go see "Why Did I Get Married Too" I bet you'll know when it was, because it just rocked me over. As did everybody in the theatre.

That's it for now. Just a few on this Saturday. The sun still shines and gotta go enjoy it some more!

Rain Over

Where I lived, didn't have a whole bunch of it-yet enough to get a good soak. Even looks like the sun is trying to make one more stand today.

And it's 5:21 pm as I script this, so the sun will be for just a short while. I am so glad, that in a few months the sun will stick around longer than 6pm.

Today was one of those eye open kinda days. First I spent time at a car dealership, which I do loathe, yet the guy I worked with was nice. Plus I didn't feel that smarmy car dealer yuck. Alas, he did laugh at my want to put just 20 bucks down--hey, he asked. I didn't leave there with a new car, or in my case, I already have a 2006 HHR, which is my Pumpkin, and I wanted a newer HHR--in this case, BlueBerry. Upside down, I would so be--I may have to hold off for a couple more months--like my birthday--which is April...the BEST month of the year-more to put down. Stay tuned.

Also, the rain made me jot more notes of the writing project I put myself on. Excites me. Two novellas, with three short stories each. Christian based. One novella, historical fiction back in olden, olden times, where the Bible is being my main guide and Jesus appears a time or two. The second novella is set in modern day. The beauty of it, one story is finished as I work on a second, and have notes for the others. Pretty psyched.

Folks have asked WHERE this Christian interest came from. Trust me, it was NEVER on my to-do list. I thought being a star writer of future Penthouse Fantasy magazines would be ticket out from Iowa. Well, that never happened, plus I never did submit anything to them. Anyway, the feeling hit around the beginning of 2006. Actually read a piece I was working on to my writers' group. Not quite done, yet I wanted their feedback. It winded me so to read it and I kinda flubbed over words than normal. Thought I was just nervous---I was, since I'd never written anything like this. Well, two days later I landed in the hospital for three weeks. Yea, for the whole mitral valve replacement surgery thing. Yea, talk about detour.

And to sell my homemade pies. The idea of being able to make this finally happen is on paper. Not quite one of Oprah's favorite things, yet I hope a handful of folks would be interested. Goal is to ship for arrival by Valentine's Day weekend. All transactions would be done thru Pay Pal. I feel good about this too.

So yep, an eye opening kinda day. Sun still tries to show itself, while I now feel some of my bubblegum inner self trying to emerge. So we'll let Bobby Sherman tell " Little Woman" to come on down from her cloud and leave her world behind...

Naw. I'm busy.

Resolution Run Down

Yes, I drank my 74 ounces of water today. And I also told a couple chums one of my 20101 is:

Not to make the excuses of others justify why I don't do something.

For me, to follow my dreams aka to work on the gifts He gave me. This means alot. As much as I love my chums, I did/do make their excuses justify mine. I've not utilized my time well, especially when it comes to writing, because of this action. Can't change the past, yet I can make a difference for today and tomorrow. Chums' excuses assisted my self doubts to grow. Those doubts lead me to the nearest plate of dee-lishus fried onion rings instead of sliced fresh onions to waltz on my salad topped with Roasted Red Pepper Vinegarette salad dressing. One is dee-lish-US, while the other is dee-lish-US-y good for you. It can work.

Tis my main resolution. Hang tuff with that, I got it made.

Gotta put the trash by the curb and will do my best to leave some self doubt there too!

How about you?

Psst...hang with me while I put a photo of cutie pie, Dallas Cowboy Miles Austin! This guy, along with # 24 Marion Barber, have my heart. Dallas Cowboys shut out the Philadelphia Eagles 24-0 yesterday. And I think the same outcome can happen on Saturday night as they battle in the Wildcard game. Stay tuned!

Til Tuesday

No Dancing With The Stars Results Show tonight. Man oh man.

Drank water. Looked in the mirror. Attractive--I LOVE my eyes--yet, shook my head cause this 41 pounds I wanted to exit off the scale--ain't happening quite like I want. Ahh, each day is a new day. A new adventure to make it all the more right.

A chum gave me a story idea. Perhaps of a past relationship that was hard to put down. How interesting the outcome could be. I smiled, because it is good idea. Although which relationship would I pick? The gay guy or the cross dresser or the one who thought he was a warlock or the magician? Maybe roll em all up together? Hmm.

Life ain't ever been dull. Wouldn't be much fun if it was.

Back to situation at hand. No Dancing With the Stars Results Show tonight.

WHEN does American Idol start?

Stay tuned.

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...*

And Wrap

Drank my water.

Talked myself into NOT adopting a puppy dog. Yet got info to volunteer for the puppy dog rescue during adoption days.

Ate pumpkin pie. Now tired of pumpkin.

Pondered the thought of writing a brand new story, instead of re-visiting an already written short story. What I oughta do is sit down and just write another book.

In the meantime, I wrap up this Saturday with a big bow and send it off to memory land, for it is about done.

A good day had by all.

Sun Sum Up Saturday

Such a GORGEOUS day in Dallas and the best time to be in Texas!

Had a good girl gab fest last night with a chum over some yummy Mexican cuisine. The Bride2B's dream is to be an actress full time. She was in college to study architecture, and close to graduation, when the bug bit her. Since, then as she pays her dues, here in Dallas, she told how when the head of theatre asked her if she could wake up tomorrow and do what she loved for free-what would it be? Her answer was to act. I do believe she will go far.

As for me, I thought about the question. My answer was to write. I put down words on paper since grade school. I devoured books--hey, this was so before the internet and cable TV, and the only way you could see a movie is if you went to the movie theatre. I was so into making up the make believe others saw. Dance, music, acting--all was on my mind..

Alas, I didn't follow that dream. As I watched the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Wisconsin Badgers today, I remember Iowa denied my entrance application, those years ago. My grades weren't good enough and they suggested I attend a community college first. I felt like such a failure. Community College? ME? Bolderdash! Instead of even giving a thought to what the University of Iowa suggested to do and to learn to be patient, I just went on my merry way to show them.

Oh my. Well, turns out I didn't show them much of anything...

Live and learn, especially on gorgeous days like this one, which the Lord has made.

Stay tuned.

Still Not

Got a feel for the Twitter. I get a thrill when somebody is 'following' me. Then when I click on them--their account has been suspended because of weird stuff on it. My guess is sexual content. * Sigh* Oh well, I've had some writers start to follow me--so that's cool. Still not in a tither for Twitter---yet.

I AM up in a tither because Lil Kim was booted off Dancing With the Stars! What's up with THAT? Granted, Ty the Cowboy is a sweety, yet the boy can't dance. He tries, and I applaud him-but...He should give up his spot and give it to Lil Kim. That would be a first and that would be right. Still plan to try my hand at ballroom dance lessons-alone or with a partner. An adventure I long to have--just for me.

In the meantime, I gotta go bask in how I love when folks are touched by my creative side. Just makes me smile. Some of my chums don't really get that side of me. My fault has been to let that negative air blow me down. Criticism has all not been constructive-which meant I had to be above all that. Difficult, yet do-able.

And I thank God.

Stay tuned.

Saturday Scene

I've enterted the age of Twitter.
And need I say I really don't get it? I'm on Facebook too and still not grasped its concept.
Sure, I've been in contact with folks I've not been in contact with for years, but...
Almost as if folks have abandoned e-mails. Just like e-mails, then text messages took the place of that old fashioned invention: the telephone.
You remember the telephone? When all it did was just ring?
And your parents told you to carry a dime for the pay phone?
I'm told being on Twitter and Facebook will help network my writing and other ventures.
Really?
Guess that comes in time.
See, on Twitter gotta a couple followers, which includes two furry critters. This is after my week or so being a member.
As for Facebook-Alot of memories from the fast and furious high school days in a small central Iowa town.
It's not all bad.
On Facebook, I can play Scrabble with somebody either cross town or cross county.
That's cool even tho I still lose!

Short Script

Good memory made with a good chum on this day
Something to be said about being inside your own bungalow
Doing what you want to do even if that do is---nothing
Love having this week off.
Rest. Relax. Reflect.
Helped the day dream believer in me
Just believe a little more
And that's a good thing

Get By

Did lunch with my best friend, Bingo today. Known each other since we were 12. Yea--she'll tell you in a minute how many years that is. I usually decline. Chowed on tasty Chinese Cuisine. Settled in for a good long over due girl chat. Which may or may not be such a good thing.

Naw. It was all good. Our journey has been long, so being blunt is --well--part of us. She got on me about my writing. Like why am I not doing more of it? Why don't have more of it out there? And the you should be making money from it! Bingo said the last story she read was one of my best, even tho there any dead people, Jesus or cats in it. :)

OK--you can laugh. Even tho Bingo says my last story about Jesus moved her, it's OK to write something else, because He's OK with it. The dead people are my parents--and she says it's great I want to write about them, yet they really understand too. And cats? Bingo loves cats too, yet we can let cats cat nap awhile.

The last short story Bingo spoke of had a shape shifter in it. A woman morphed in a honey colored grizzly. Nobody died. Jesus didn't show up (well, as far as we know!) and no cat anywhere near. Bingo actually gave me the story idea from a movie we saw, so back in the 70's, which had a killer grizzly in it. We laughed alot at that movie--I digress.

So Bingo says: What is your problem? Why do you get so far and just stop? Why do you talk great stuff, tweak too much and still just stop? Then start up with something else but stop with that? Fear of Failure? Fear of Success? You have a gift, why aren't you using it? What is it?

I had no response, except to say she's right--- again. Then Bingo cuts to the quick even more-- friends DO that--the real ones anyway--says, "Why are you depriving others from your writing? You don't know who you've touched or who you may touch!"

Bingo gave me that look.

I get by with a little help from my friends.


I am blessed.

So Saturday

Had my HTW Writers' (aka Critique Group) Meeting today. The HTW stands for "Honor The Words." Our encouragement, conversation and laughter tangoed through the air! We're all excited since a member will be part of a new Chicken Soup for the Soul. This is for Twins (which she is) and other other multiples. We kidded her how she owes us our fee for critiquing it! Her story was picked to be one of only 101 chosen for this Chicken Soup! We hope by our next meeting she may have a copy of it--which goes on sale March 10.

As for me. It's Saturday. Gorgeous day. Still coming down from the chocolate pecan ice cream pie buzz I had at our meeting. My gut tells me I need to take an avid interest to get back on my diet. Indeed, love yourself at all costs, however even I'm not keen of hips wide enough to show a double feature. :)

Nonetheless, a wonderful day. Took me back to a time in 1976, when Saturday Nights meant to shag the drag (Happy Days was BIG then, so we had 50's lingo), mingle with chums and drink g Pabst Blue Ribbon (we were legal then). Ya know, the important stuff.

Cue up a corny, but make ya smile kind of song: Bay City Rollers and : S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y Night!

Monday Night and I Ain't Got Nobody...

No "Dancing With the Stars."

Will have withdrawl symptoms for a bit.

I can hear Movie Man say, "Well, with more time on your hands you can finally finish Harry Potter 6 before the movie next Summer. Unlike what you did for Harry Potter 5. Or you do have all those dozens of books you buy when Half Price has its 20% off sale off its all ready half price! Ya know, the ones in the basket- I carry for you and bust my arm?"

Then my writers' group members would say "Gee, as a writer you know you must make time to write. Its not going to come to you. So with that extra hour and half or so, you could tweak that story you promised us a couple meetings ago. And plus, submit more so others can read your words. Make the time, Writer. Honor your own words, that's what you tell us."

Why yes, I could do all of that. Just not tonight.

I've put the trash out (one of those I wish I had a man things). Cleaned litter boxes, looked at the sinkful of dishes. Fed the birds and squirrels. Let Perry roll around on the patio, then caught him before he ran around the house. Went to the store to get a 9 inch paint roller thingy. Looked at my mop and wondered if I still knew how it worked. Jimmied with the chimney floo thingy to see if I felt confident tonight to build another fire and not burn the house down. I don't.

Plus there's still one last piece of pun'kin pie that needs to be savored as I rewind the first announcement of "American Idol" to start back up in January.

Yep--got that extra hour and half or so will come in handy.

Finally Friday--It Better Be Good

Oh wow! What a week that has been had. We have the Dull Presidential Debate to Mrs. John McCain's announcement Barack Obama has slung the smear fest of all presidential campaigns. Hmm. Me thinks she and husband John McCain need to look in the mirror--then to the non-hallelujahs days at work-then to stepping on the doctor's scale and nearly have a stroke because their scale has SO more of my pounds than my bathroom scale--to being broke-to the wish I had a steady man to take out the trash-to the desire of my written words published-to relish in the purr of a cat-to the realization I have my own home, my health, great friends and that this history making presidential election will finally be over in three weeks--and above all that God watches me and He's made sure it's all ready done.

So on this Friday with the weekend at our fingertips, cue Ms. Tina Turner tellin' us all We Better Be Good...

Didja Ever....

Have one them days where you know you’re blessed and so grateful to have a job? Yet in the blink of an eye you get popped IN the eye –again—why the job you’re blessed with and grateful to have ,ain’t for you?

Yep, one of them not so much a hallelujah day was today.

Part of the problem maybe you’re the square peg tryin’ to be put in the round hole. Your tasks are so structured you’re asked, “Do you just not want to try?” Nope. Not quite. Because you’re structured enough to expect a particular direct deposit into your bank account every 15th and the last day of the month.

You have gifts. You have passions. God knows what you have, cause He gave em to you. The Holy Spirit is always there to help guide—if you’re open to the help. Why be so afraid to do what He tells you? Oh yea, that whole flesh thing about fighting cats for empty tuna fish cans, while they keep you warm under a bridge, because you lost your bungalow and the HHR Pumpkin of a car ran out of gas miles ago.

OK—so you exaggerate. You are a writer. Oh wait, that’s a gift. A passion. Your words. People, you least expect, give your feedback. Just a couple weeks ago, a woman you could not stand, praise you for a book you self-published a decade ago. Another woman came up to you, announcing she wants to write but doesn’t know how. Her youngest son is autistic and she wants to write children’s stories about special needs kids. She listened to every word you said. Then there’s a young man, he loves movies, so you call him Movie Man, reads your, blog (yet never leaves a comment) just about everyday, and never fails to tell you over and over and OVER how good of a writer you are.

Then, tonight you go for a two mile walk. Gotta clear the head. You sit on a bench and talk to God. List out your desires: Publication of your written words, people to listen to your spoken word, new job where your skills are utilized, money for more home improvements and the infamous cat food. Yes, you prayed big. BIG. Of course, He only knows if you’re ready. You have to do you part. You gotta show Him.

Hmm. Your worked on a short story today that is destined for submission to several publications-then sent out more than a dozen resumes today-then on your walk you gazed at other houses for improvement ideas-and you’ll set the DVR for “Private Practice” because of pretty Mister Taye Diggs because you need to run to Petsmart to get the cat food.

The Holy Spirit holds your hand tight. And in the meantime while everything falls into place as only He can do it, enjoy alittle Elvis Presley from 1960's movie, “GI Blues,” with the song “Didja Ever?”

Remember you are blessed.

It's Been Such A Long Time

...to get to Friday and this weekend. Continued to wade through this economy mess. Had to wade through the answers/no answers of the Vice President debate. Had to continue to work on the dream of own busines and write THE great American story. Continued to shake my head because of the Cowboys loss, yet grateful this is why they play the game. Waded through things that just affect everyday life and I continued to realize I am blessed.

Cue the song because the group Boston had a little somethin' to say about it being such a Long Time...