Thursday, March 30, 2017

Dreams

January 2014, I wrote some goals. Among them was one I never thought would come to fruition.

Get published by the time I am 50. 

Well, I'm not yet fifty, but this past week the dream became reality.

One of my writer friends told me about this opportunity to write about something  that accentuated a miracle. If chosen, it would be published with many other authors into a book compiled by James Stuart Bell.

At first, I didn't think much about it. But, an idea kept circling in my brain and wouldn't let go. I decided to write the story.  A tale that actually happened to me while in Italy. I wrote it in less than three hours and then spent some time editing it before pushing SEND on my computer.
That was at least ten months ago.

I forgot about it, which is one of the first lessons a writer will tell you. Once you write something, send it in, and then start working on the next project. I'm so glad I took that advice. I didn't wait around. I just continued to write.

Every once in awhile I would wonder if anything would come of it.
One day I was checking my emails, and low and behold, there it was. A contract for my piece! I can't even begin to explain that feeling. Overwhelmed, yes. Full of joy-ABSOLUTELY! Oh what a feeling.

I danced around like Lionel Ritchie in his video, Dancing on the Ceiling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovo6zwv6DX4

This past week I was sent my copy of the book.
How do you describe opening a book and seeing your name in print? There simply are no words. There it is. My dream in print!

Funny thing about dreams. Sometimes they come true! This story is a non-fiction short story compiled in a book with many other authors. My dream was to be published before I was 50. Pinch me. It really  happened.

I now have a new dream. One a bit more daring.

I want my own novel in print!  I'm not putting a time limit on this dream. It will take as long as it takes.

Walt Disney was once quoted, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." Amen Walt. Amen.

This book releases April 4. It is now available for pre-order on Amazon.  






Monday, March 27, 2017

Keep Calm

My happy place met chaos the other day.
My heart aches for the families of those lost. What a senseless tragedy.
I've walked that bridge. Many do on a daily basis.
I'm quite sure the day started out as ordinary.  Locals jogged and tourists snapped photos of buses and taxis whizzing past. Walking along the bridge is where sightseers likely got their first glimpse of  the handsome Big Ben.
 
I'm guessing the view from the London Eye is one the riders will have seared in their memory forever.
Have you ambled across the bridge?  I'm so thankful I have, and when I return to my happy place, I will once again stroll along Westminster Bridge. But, on that day I will spend more  time recalling the day London came to a screeching halt.


Thursday, March 23, 2017

Baby Girl


Yesterday my baby girl turned 27.
Frank Sinatra sang it best when he belted out, You're too good to be true. That's my baby girl. Too good to be true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPWyv4Jd_8&list=RDhlSbSKNk9f0&index=11

She's a huge Frank fan. I think it's pretty neat that a 27 year old enjoys the oldies.

Kayla was born at 10:39 in the morning. I remember every detail. (I'll spare you!) But, I will say she came fast and ready for anything. Not much bothers Kayla.  She has her father's disposition. Lucky for her! Kayla lives out the mantra Go Big or Go Home.
University life gave her some of life's greatest lessons and many best friends. I'm so glad she was able to achieve this life goal.
    Celebrating graduation.

Kayla is known for her big hair! Curly and dark brown, it adorns her beautiful face.  She is a happy girl. Always has been.

This year is a big one for her. A new house. A WEDDING. It's all very exciting.
One thing I can't wait to see...what her hair is going to look like! Will she wear it up or down?

One thing I know for sure.
I will love you forever, my baby girl. Happy birthday.


Monday, March 20, 2017

Boost

Isn't it encouraging when out of the blue, someone sends you a boost you didn't expect?

It happened to me this weekend...TWICE in one day!  First, a cute little notebook tucked in a bubble wrapped envelope waiting in my mailbox. I was so excited to open it. Mostly because a return address wasn't on the outside. Who's it from? Who's it from? I ripped it open as fast as I could.  I teared up. Her. A dear friend who moved away. Across the country. She saw this traveler's notebook with London sprinkled on it and thought of me. SIGH! I miss her.

And then the same afternoon,  a lovely note tucked in the screen of my front door.   They say (whoever "they" are) if you have one friend you are blessed. If you have two, you are rich. I am wealthy in friendships. What peace to know such joy.

It's the first day of spring. Enjoy today.  


Thursday, March 16, 2017

Blessing


        May the Road Rise Up to Meet You


      May the Road Rise up to Meet you
       May the wind be always at your back.
         May the sun shine warm upon your face;
          the rains fall soft upon your fields
           and until we meet again, 
             May God hold you in the palm of His hand. 

                 IRISH BLESSING

Happy St Patrick's Day

My day won't involve corn beef and cabbage. 😜Not my favorite foods. Sorry, my Irish friends!  I will be thinking of my friend, Rachel, who is lucky enough to be in Ireland during this festive holiday. I wonder if she has kissed the blarney stone yet!  What a great time to be studying abroad.

Whatever you do on this green holiday, have a safe and wonderful day.
      

Monday, March 13, 2017

Glasses?

Anytime I find an article referring to an author from England, out go my plans for the next hour or so! I become enthralled. I can't help it. The dishes and laundry can wait. I'm a magnet for all things English.  Especially when Jane Austen is the feature.

Here's the story that caught my attention. What do you think? Was it the glasses? Hmmmmm.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/11/health/jane-austen-eyeglasses-arsenic/index.html



Thursday, March 9, 2017

Sweet Boy

Once upon a time, a sweet boy arrived at 8:03 P.M. on the evening of March 9, 1993.

Instantly, the mother loved him.  How could she resist? After all, he was the cutest prince in all the land.
She held and snuggled him. They rocked back and forth and the mother would say:

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

The boy grew.
And grew. And the mother would say: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

"Stop growing," the mother would demand. But, the boy wouldn't listen.
Instead, he traipsed off  (without the mother)  to great adventures in far away lands.  Before he would go, she hugged him and whispered: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
The boy would return with lots of tales.  (A little scruffy, don't you think?) The mother embarrassed  the boy at the airport as she ran to him screaming, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
The mother never tires of seeing the boy. She makes sure she hides his Easter basket and fills his stocking at Christmas. Before she says goodnight (he stays up way too late) she squeezes him tight and repeats, "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."
As you can see, the boy is all grown up. But, the story doesn't end. In fact, it's  only just begun. The boy has made lifelong friends he met in college. He is on his way to being all that he is supposed to be. The mother is so proud of the boy. She wonders what he'd do if she got in her car and drove across town just to let him know: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

My all time  favorite favorite favorite  children's book...LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch. 
I read it to my babies A LOT while they grew.  On nearly  every page, "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be" is affectionately repeated. It perfectly illustrates how much, I too, will love my babies forever and ever.
A true classic. If you have never read it before, you must!  Run to your nearest bookstore!

To my sweet boy...I really will love you forever.
Happy Birthday.

  

Monday, March 6, 2017

Eatery in London

Yet another reason I wish I was in London. The food. Oh, the food!

I spent way too much time on this site. Don't say I didn't warn you!

http://www.thefarmgirl.co.uk/farm-girl-story/

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Little things

Sometimes it's about the little things in life.

Have you ever heard of spiral coil binding?
It looks like this...

 When purchasing my journals, I only choose this binding. It is so difficult to write in a journal if the spine doesn't lay flat.

It never dawned on me that just maybe having a book bound with spirals was a possibility.  Who knew!

It's true! The other day I went to FedEx Office and plopped down three books. I proceeded to ask the associate if  I could get them coil bound.  She shook her head and smiled as I admitted I'd never heard of this before. She was gracious and proceeded to tell me how she hears this literally "all the time."

The old adage is true.  We really do learn something new every day!

Of course, one can't bind every single book you own. But, there are a few that are so much easier to read if they're lying flat. Like a cookbook, for instance. Just try to cook and look at the recipe while the book turns pages on its own!
Sometimes I'll place my elbow on the book to keep my place. In one fell swoop, the book snaps shut. UGH! I hate that!

Coil binding. It's the little things.