My friend Jen has a post about a painting from her youth that touched her. I promised her I would post a photo of a painting of my childhood favorite. My grandmother bought this and then my mom got it from her. It graced the wall over our couch for a long time. I would spend hours starting at it wondering what that girl’s name was, did she have any friends. I grew up in a subdivision and thought this girl must be lonely. Then I would try and figure out how did she get that bird to land on the porch, how far were those mountains from her house and did she swim in that lake? Did she have brothers like me that had died? Did she make up stories too? Art is fantastic. So many feelings from someone else’s vision. I’m so happy my mom let me have this painting. It’s hanging in my bedroom and even know I find myself wondering…does she know the person who’s about to kidnap her?
Tag: writing
What did Ed do?
I have a great husband. He drove me to Minneapolis for the conference knowing he would be on his own for two days. He assured me this wouldn’t be a problem for him. He loaded up his bike into the trunk of our car along with the bike lock and maps.
He snapped a few images of the the town for me since I was at the conference the entire time. This is the bike trail. He rode 20 miles both days. I would liked to have done that too!
This is a shot from one of the bridges over looking the Mississippi River.
And this shot is on the beach. It’s so clean compared to what we see here at home. By the time it reaches us the water has picked up a lot of dirt.
Being humbled
I have to admit I couldn’t wait to get to ACFW this year. One of the reasons I wanted to go was I knew I would get something on my name tag that said published author. Now, I know I’m published with awe-struck and a few others but the respect isn’t quite there in the print world yet. It’s coming but it’s been moving slow. So now that I have a print book Hearts on the Road coming out from Barbour in January I have to say I feel as if I’ve achieved a major goal.
so where did I go wrong?
I let my pride take over my thoughts. Somehow I thought this would make me feel better, wiser, people would want to talk to me…millions of reasons. Then I went to the registration desk and picked up my badge. No ribbon of honor waited for me, so I asked what about my author tag. “No, I’m not doing the book signing the book isn’t out yet. Oh, so I don’t get a tag.” Sadly I walked away but wait, I saw someone with an extra tag that said Barbour Author, shouldn’t I at least have one of those?
I grumbled inside all day Thursday and Friday when I saw a fellow author with that coveted ribbon. But something else was happening, I forgot about being published when I sat next to new attendees, I talked to them, made new friends, even talked to those with the coveted ribbons on their chest. AND I realized perhaps I didn’t get a ribbon because my pride might have caused me to miss forming some new friendships.
And then:
I went to the Barbour Author event. It was held in the Underwater Aquarium at the Mall of America. I had my ticket in an envelope given to me by Rebeca Germany on Thursday morning. I looked inside pulled out my ticket and Yep, you guessed it, my Barbour Author tag. I know I was smiling a huge smile because my husband told me so! I reached in my purse and pulled out my name tag and applied the ribbon. It was too late to wear the ribbon to the conference because I left Saturday morning but that’s okay. I learned something…a ribbon does not an author make. Hard work is what gets the job done. Being welcoming and making new friends is more important. Sure I’ll gladly wear my ribbon at the next conference but I’ll be more humble about having it.
Travel Food
A ten hour car trip –one way, is the plan. What do you like to to snack on when you travel?
For Ed and I it’s all about the licorice and cinnamon almonds. The almonds are a recent find. We discovered them at Target and the only time we get them is for a car trip. They are so good!
If you aren’t the driver how do you pass the time?
I knit. I’ve been knitting squares that are made into small quilts for kids with cancer. I enjoy the simple stitch and I can work with lots of different colors.
Happy Birthday to my friends Barb and Gail!
Rush Rush Rush
You know that song? I’m in a hurry and don’t know why? Rush and rush until life’s no fun? Well, that’s me today! I’m scurrying to get things ready for the ACFW conference and it seems as if my to-do list keeps growing. I need to be still and let God take care of my angst! But of course I’d rather be in charge so my stomach is in knots, papers are spitting from my printer, the cat litter box needs to be cleaned and oh yeah what about dinner? See, I’m not having fun.
REFRAME! Dear God, please untangle my today and make my path straight!
Today has been a blast! I found a great deal on a few clothing items this morning to take on my trip. I found out I needed several color highlighters for a class and I love going to the office supply section of any store. It’s a joy to have my words on paper piling up to be put in a notebook for the class too. See…I’m doing better. 🙂 Dinner? Pizza of course. 🙂 It’s so much easier to handle life when you give your life to God.
All over the place!
I’m so torn! I want to do so many things! Why didn’t God give me two or three brains and the hands to go with them?
I have a Passion Redeemed by Julie Lesman sitting on the corner of my desk begging me to read it. I can’t wait, but I must! Because I have to get things organized to attend the ACFW conference next week which means not just writing things but I have to co-ordinate pet watchers!
Yes, I said pets.
Wendell now has a friend. My son’s cat, Cleveland has come to say for a year. He was evicted, not my son! The cat! So since my son can’t move the Cleveland came to live with us. So far it’s been interesting to watch to grown male cats try to make it work. I’m a bit uneasy about leaving them alone while I’m gone so…I’m lining up people to stay over night with them. That takes more time and I just want to read that amazing book that’s taunting me from the corner of my desk! How do I know it’s amazing? Because I have the honor of being in Julie’s critique group so I got to see how this book grew and developed (or at least the first draft) and it a wonderful read. So if I quit informing you of what my life is about maybe I’ll get time to start reading it later today. 🙂 Bye!
Night
I was out walking my son’s dog and saw this cloud formation. It’s hard to see but it made me think of angel wings and I wanted to capture it. It wasn’t quite this dark outside but my camera thought it was. Life is like that, sometimes–no a lot of times what you think you are seeing isn’t accurate. The look the woman gave you in line was just a look, she wasn’t plotting on knocking you down and stealing your purchase when you left the store. Or the man that cut you off really didn’t see you, just because he resembled the waiter you left a small tip (bad service) had nothing to do with it. This really isn’t going anywhere more mindless rambling. I’ve just been trying to look at life differently than I have in the past.
On a lighter note check out my friend Jen’s blog for a funny post on sending out a short story.
It’s May
It feels like May for the first time in weeks. The sun is shining and it’s warm outside. I am amazed at how quickly I become energetic when the sun is shining. I am convinced I could never live in Washington or Alaska. I need that bright happy light.
I’m getting anxious for June to arrive. Contract month! I’ll be signing with a bigger publisher than I have ever signed before. I am excited! I’ll post on the experience as it occurs. I’m sure there will be expectations I hadn’t anticipated.
Still stalling on starting my next book, due to the weather. I love blaming cloudy gray days for my not being productive. It takes the pressure off of me!
I finally saw the movie Enchanted this month. I loved it. What a fun story and how I wish I could call the animals in to do my yuck work.
New Look
I have a new respect for those who design blog templates after two day of trying to do it myself! I found a person who makes easy to use templates. Christine! She has a lot to offer. I wish I had discovered her earlier. I might have had time to write the last two days!
I had fun playing with my digi stuff too while making my new header. What do you think of it? Lie Fhung is an amazing digi artist.
Family news:
Josh is home for a little while this summer. It’s been fun having him here. He makes me laugh. He has an interview for a job this week so he cut his hair! He looks like a grown-up now of would if he changed shirts!
Wendell has been up to some more odd behavior . He’s decided to spend a lot of time up here. I’m wondering if he’s judging me for my lack of time spent on writing!
Faith
Faith is personal but it touches other people through what you do, write and say. This clip was shown at my church on Sunday. It made me cry because it so aptly reflects what I believe. Freewill often brings us to our darkest place. It’s a dreadful place to be. I’m thankful to know because of God’s love for me I can be rescued.