Saturday, March 31, 2012

It's Here!

If you haven't signed up for the April A-Z Blogging Challenge, you still have time. It's a great way to make friends, find encouragement, and have fun.

Visit Arlee Bird, and follow him. He created the original A-Z Challenge, so thank him while you're there. Take time to hit all the links below, sign up, visit and follow all the hosts, and see just how creative people can be. There are more than 1500 people signed up, so get ready... it's going to be a great month!

The A-Z Challenge Home Page

The A-Z facebook page

The A-Z Challenge on Twitter

Don't know what to blog about for 26 days? Last year I had a mixed media A-Z, and it was a blast. You can check out last year's posts in my archives there on the left. I've always believed doing what you love comes the easiest. So that's my theme for this year. I'm blogging the ABC's of the hopeless romantic me. It's who I am. That's right, I'm just a silly sappy girly girl who believes in big love and starry eyed lovers. Come back and visit when you can this month and be sure to leave a comment to say you dropped by. I look forward to all of your posts!

Monday, March 26, 2012

The Who I Am

I never blog about writing, and I should since it's what I do. Well, it's who I am. Well, it's more than that really.... it's all of me wrapped up into the expression of words so that the real me can be heard.

I'm an introvert. Completely.
I could live in a cabin in the mountains or on a deserted beach, and never see a soul. The only people I'd really miss are my kids, and of course my mom.... she always seems to have a cup of coffee for me when I need it most. Can't do without someone like that in your life. Maybe I'd miss one more, but that's a secret that you may never know.

My writing tends to take a backseat most days, but that's about to change. Something happened recently that made me want to be more of who I'm created to be. We all need that giant push every now and then. The big wake up call in your life that says.... "get busy living, or get busy dying." Andy says it best don't you think?

When I finished the first draft of BLUE MUG MONDAYS, I put it aside. I'm not one to jump back into the editing of a piece. I have to separate myself and then go through it relentlessly. Now is that time. At least I've been writing. I've been working on book #3, and I can't help it, it's my favorite so far. It's one turn of events after another that keeps me writing fast and crying often.

Do you ever sense change? The air is different.... the way you see things is different... you WANT to be different. So, time to change a lot about how I write, when I write, and how I make my writing more than just who I am, but what I do to be more of who I want to be.

Rainer Maria Rilke says it best. "Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."


If you have a young writer in your life, share Rilke's book Letters To A Young Poet with him or her.

I know when it was shared with me, I could see myself in those words. It's good to have the encouragement of fellow writers. So all of you out there that create worlds with words, for all you bloggers, be alive in what you do and may you find great inspiration in your day.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

It's All In The Win

Kids can make a contest out of anything. My mom bought a giant bag of Cheetos. In this giant bag were little one serving kid sized bags. This big bag contained two kinds of Cheetos, regular and tongue scorching hot.

No kidding. I've never tasted a chip this hot. I enjoy hot foods, so to me, they were great, but not to the kids.
Compare
That's a lot of spicy hotness on the right. 

One bite and the kids were running to get water from the refrigerator. This is where the contest of endurance came in to play. The challenge..... who could eat the hot Cheetos and NOT drink water. Great! 

First one eaten. Everyone sits and waits. My son grabs his water and yells, "I'm out!"
Second one eaten. Everyone looks around waiting. Daughter #3 grabs her water and drains half a bottle. We all laugh.
Third one eaten. Foreheads are being wiped. Fourth. Fifth. Some deep breaths are happening now, but the painful game continues. 
Six down. Some fanning of the lips and heads in hands to pause for breathing.
Seven. Daughter #1 grabs her water.
Victory to Daughter #2!
No prize. No happy dance. Just the knowing that there was a moment to outlast, outplay, outdo another sibling and yes, that made celery taste oh so sweet.