Thursday, April 26, 2018
Life Is A Highway
Funny how life takes you places you never thought about visiting. When I was younger and thinking about the life ahead, I pretty well knew I wanted to get married and have kids and I wanted to write. The writer part came first because I was eight when I started writing stories. So in my mind I was growing up to be a writer, novelist and journalist and would get married and have kids someday. I loved this country road I was traveling because I could easily see the trees, streams and fields along it. It was relaxing to cruise along and enjoy.
Getting on the street of education I studied for a teaching degree in English/Journalism. This street was much faster than the country road, but had a lot of signs about cities and tourist places I hadn't been before. It was nice to cruise along, but when I graduated chose a job as a secretary and starting a family I diverted onto the ramp of a state highway, fast paced but very scenic. I enjoyed raising my kids and I kept writing; mostly fiction with some little anecdotal articles of things my kids did and sold them to small magazines which kept the flame of my journalist/novelist/writer dream alive.
The highway changed into an interstate when my husband and I started teaching martial arts to kids and teens as a hobby. Saturday mornings saw us rushing to get breakfast then piling the kids into the car and heading to the gym to teach sixty kids each week how to protect themselves.
By this time our own kids were all in school and after staying home with them for ten years I got out into the job market again, but as a school secretary which isn't really a writer's job either. Suddenly the speed limit on the interstate went from fifty-five to seventy. But during those years at school I wrote teen fiction and learned how to self publish some books that my kids, my nieces, nephews and kids in school and martial arts really enjoyed.
When my youngest graduated from the grade school I was working in, I decided it was time for me to 'retire' so I could write full time. It was still the interstate but I could breathe easier now the speed was back down to fifty-five. That lasted a year when I was asked to work part-time in our church office as once again, a secretary. Actually it was as youth minister but in our church you wear a lot of hats and this job turned into not only being youth leader but becoming tech savvy and setting up computer networks, creating and providing content for our parish website, social media and creating booklets and brochures on religious subjects. It wasn't really what I thought my style of writing would be, but I was getting paid to do it among other things and it was teaching me a lot about non-fiction. The part-time turned into full time and I continued running our martial arts business, took care of husband and kids and wrote fiction on the side and self published my teen books, five in all. The accelerator was reading seventy-five. Things were passing by in a blur but there were some interesting rest stops and scenic tours we took. You can't drive across life without stopping and visiting beaches and floating rivers.
Not long after that I saw an ad for a stringer for our local newspaper and I finally had the chance to become a journalist! Now I added running around on job assignments which took up weeknights and weekends. That lasted about a year. My dad got sick. I could no longer juggle the extra journalism job with everything else and help my mom care for him, so I dropped that job.
During the next several years the signs of construction ahead began popping up with lots of detours that took us places we didn't want to go. We slowed down, sped up, the road got crowded and we were stuck in traffic jams and didn't like the scenery but all the while we had to keep moving because getting off the interstate wasn't an option.
I began writing a lot more non-fiction, pieces about life and its struggles, about how God wants us to keep looking and hanging on to Him. My husband and I were speeding down the highway of life, but God was the GPS. I didn't know where we were going but I kept trying to have faith God knew. It wasn't easy and my writing began to falter especially my fiction writing. Somehow the highway was robbing me of my creative thinking, there was too much to look out for, pot holes, obstacles, and detours for me to make up the fun stories I did in my youth. But I kept writing, anything to at least be writing.
My creative writing has been trying to surface lately, struggling to see the scenery on the side of the road and I keep trying to slow down enough to let it. But it wasn't until my husband invited me to speak with college students about being a small business owner, creative content writer for a church and a self publisher writer that the thought hit me. I am a writer and always have been and always will be. While talking with these college students who are also writers it was such a joy to be caught up in their enthusiasm about life, writing and journeys. It helped me see my life in ways I hadn't before; that it's okay to be on the highway because you really don't have a choice about that, but it's in the stopping and looking for refreshment, relaxation and fun that you live your life. And most of all it's in relying on God to be your GPS. Whatever goals or dreams you have for your life, put in His hands and somehow He will guide you to those dreams. You may not realize it until you look back at what you have accomplished through His help. I realized that I have been a writer all along, and writing an amazing array of different things, fiction, non-fiction, religion, adventures, counsel, advice, how-to, history and so much more. If I hadn't been on the highway I never would have had those opportunities to write so many different things. Life is a highway and with God as your GPS you'll travel amazing places.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Duck Butts
This is the upside of a duck. It is what you would normally see when driving by a pond or creek which had Mallard ducks swimming around in it. But that is not what I see most mornings.
It's not the side of a duck I've been seeing lately in a big puddle in a field near our home. I drive by this field which is very small, several times a day.
It's actually a tiny piece of property just behind a store with a storm water creek on the other side. That creek is usually where my fine feathered friend resides, but this spring has been very rainy. The field which is for sale and has been for several years, tends to hold water in one spot. The water doesn't run off much to the chagrin of the property owner who is trying to sell it.
But this spring a couple of ducks have discovered it is the perfect spot to find food. Because it is just a puddle, when the weather is dry there is grass growing there, but when it rains a lot, this low area of the property becomes very saturated and becomes almost a pond in itself. And now the ducks have discovered it.
It's the perfect place for two Mallards to enjoy a peaceful breakfast. It's open and exposed but that makes it easy for them to spot predators on the prowl. It is filled with very clean rainwater and fresh green grass which makes for excellent fishing. At least I think that's what they are doing because most of the time what I see is this:
Because the area this puddle exists is a heavy traffic area, I really have to keep an eye on the cars in front of me and I never text and drive so when I glance over to the puddle to see if the ducks are eating I use my phone's Siri to send a message to my husband. "Duck butts."
The problem with me speaking my message to Siri is she doesn't understand the context of my message. What she types is like she is waiting for me to finish a sentence. "Duck but..."
Now, I've tried several different ways of stating my message but it kind of ruins the joke if you have to first spell out the word b..u..t..t. to Siri. And no matter what sentence or phrase I speak to Siri, 'Duck Butt' does not seem to be in her vocabulary. So that has become the joke in our house too. Not only do we get to see duck butts from our car window, we laugh because Siri cannot understand why we send incomplete messages. "Duck but..."
Lately, a couple of Canadian Geese have also discovered the pond. When they land the ducks graciously let them have the space for a while. But later in the day, the ducks will be back again enjoying their almost private pond, eating contentedly, upside down.
It's not the side of a duck I've been seeing lately in a big puddle in a field near our home. I drive by this field which is very small, several times a day.
It's actually a tiny piece of property just behind a store with a storm water creek on the other side. That creek is usually where my fine feathered friend resides, but this spring has been very rainy. The field which is for sale and has been for several years, tends to hold water in one spot. The water doesn't run off much to the chagrin of the property owner who is trying to sell it.
But this spring a couple of ducks have discovered it is the perfect spot to find food. Because it is just a puddle, when the weather is dry there is grass growing there, but when it rains a lot, this low area of the property becomes very saturated and becomes almost a pond in itself. And now the ducks have discovered it.
It's the perfect place for two Mallards to enjoy a peaceful breakfast. It's open and exposed but that makes it easy for them to spot predators on the prowl. It is filled with very clean rainwater and fresh green grass which makes for excellent fishing. At least I think that's what they are doing because most of the time what I see is this:
Because the area this puddle exists is a heavy traffic area, I really have to keep an eye on the cars in front of me and I never text and drive so when I glance over to the puddle to see if the ducks are eating I use my phone's Siri to send a message to my husband. "Duck butts."
The problem with me speaking my message to Siri is she doesn't understand the context of my message. What she types is like she is waiting for me to finish a sentence. "Duck but..."
Now, I've tried several different ways of stating my message but it kind of ruins the joke if you have to first spell out the word b..u..t..t. to Siri. And no matter what sentence or phrase I speak to Siri, 'Duck Butt' does not seem to be in her vocabulary. So that has become the joke in our house too. Not only do we get to see duck butts from our car window, we laugh because Siri cannot understand why we send incomplete messages. "Duck but..."
Lately, a couple of Canadian Geese have also discovered the pond. When they land the ducks graciously let them have the space for a while. But later in the day, the ducks will be back again enjoying their almost private pond, eating contentedly, upside down.
Friday, April 20, 2018
How A Taxi Driver Helped Me Learn Patience
I was searching the internet for ways to stay patient in traffic. I have a really bad time being patient in traffic. While I don't blow my horn or wave the bird at people, I mutter and get upset which if nothing else hurts my blood pressure and anxiety levels. But it also makes me forget there are real people out there driving cars, riding in cars or trucks maybe having a bad day. If I could just remember to smile more when in my car at least it would lower my tension, and honestly you may help lighten someone else's day. Take time to read the article below about a New York Taxi Driver who listened to the Spirit whisper in his heart to stop and wait. He found a much better way to spend his time.
https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/story-one-taxi-driver-will-change-entire-day
https://www.elitedaily.com/life/culture/story-one-taxi-driver-will-change-entire-day
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Patience and the Passionate Person
I always thought I was a patient person. Okay, stop laughing...no really I really do think I am patient. But perhaps I think I am patient compared to, well, myself, not other people who apparently are having to be patient with me.
Let me explain. I know I am a passionate person. I get excited, happy, laugh loudly. I love getting excited for other people's ideas, fun, joy and accomplishments. Want someone to be happy about your new job, child, life event or your new craft, I am the person you come to! I love being excited for you and asking all those questions about how fun it is and how marvelous it makes you feel.
But, to every high there must be a low. Or as my dear hubs puts it, "To every positive there exists a negative." That whole yin/yang thing. And apparently since I can be very happy for you, I can also get very sad. I see a squirrel who has met its end on the highway and I'll burst into tears. My kids tell me they are having a bad time and I struggle to find ways to help them be happy again. Some one tears around me in traffic and my mouth sounds like I just came off a pirate ship movie.
So you see there is a down side to being emotional and not always patient.
But I am learning that despite being very embarrassed that I get really angry at other drivers when they don't drive the way I think they should, I can use it as a learning moment. Oh and let me tell you I have a lot of learning moments. In fact as I look back at this blog, those learning moments have been continuing since 2011! Apparently there is no end to learning moments. You never 'get to the end' of learning moments. You learn about one, and a whole handful more come your way.
But sometimes I call it the 'wack a mole' syndrome, where you are doing really well in one area (the mole raises his head out of the hole) only to have your goodness whacked by the devil who tempts you into messing up in another area. (why did I poke my head up to see how good I was doing?!)
So while my passionate side gets all excited about doing better in one area, whack! I flip off my mouth unkindly at something I never cared about before.
I do believe somehow I can be both a passionate person and be patient. Passionately patient? Or patiently passionate?
I'll keep you informed!
Let me explain. I know I am a passionate person. I get excited, happy, laugh loudly. I love getting excited for other people's ideas, fun, joy and accomplishments. Want someone to be happy about your new job, child, life event or your new craft, I am the person you come to! I love being excited for you and asking all those questions about how fun it is and how marvelous it makes you feel.
But, to every high there must be a low. Or as my dear hubs puts it, "To every positive there exists a negative." That whole yin/yang thing. And apparently since I can be very happy for you, I can also get very sad. I see a squirrel who has met its end on the highway and I'll burst into tears. My kids tell me they are having a bad time and I struggle to find ways to help them be happy again. Some one tears around me in traffic and my mouth sounds like I just came off a pirate ship movie.
So you see there is a down side to being emotional and not always patient.
But I am learning that despite being very embarrassed that I get really angry at other drivers when they don't drive the way I think they should, I can use it as a learning moment. Oh and let me tell you I have a lot of learning moments. In fact as I look back at this blog, those learning moments have been continuing since 2011! Apparently there is no end to learning moments. You never 'get to the end' of learning moments. You learn about one, and a whole handful more come your way.
But sometimes I call it the 'wack a mole' syndrome, where you are doing really well in one area (the mole raises his head out of the hole) only to have your goodness whacked by the devil who tempts you into messing up in another area. (why did I poke my head up to see how good I was doing?!)
So while my passionate side gets all excited about doing better in one area, whack! I flip off my mouth unkindly at something I never cared about before.
I do believe somehow I can be both a passionate person and be patient. Passionately patient? Or patiently passionate?
I'll keep you informed!
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Giving Thanks
I know what season it is, Easter. And what better way to spend the Easter Season than by saying thank you. I was inspired by an article in Readers Digest this month on writing thank you notes. So I am embarking on a journey to write...thank you after thank you. Instead of getting upset at the world and the anger, hate and violence that is happening, I am going to concentrate on being thankful and in thanking others. So even though postage has gone up to $0.50 for each letter you mail, I think it will be a good sacrifice to make to remember we should tell others we are grateful for what they do.
I am also inspired by the routine Jimmy Fallon does on the Tonight Show where he writes thank you notes. Not all of them are G rated mind you, but the idea is what struck me. Why don't we still write thank you notes? We should! So with that said:
"Thank you Jimmy Fallon, for reminding us to say “Thank you!”
I am also inspired by the routine Jimmy Fallon does on the Tonight Show where he writes thank you notes. Not all of them are G rated mind you, but the idea is what struck me. Why don't we still write thank you notes? We should! So with that said:
"Thank you Jimmy Fallon, for reminding us to say “Thank you!”
“Thank you, waterfalls, or as I like to call you, fish roller coasters.”
‘Thank you quilts, for being blankets made of other tiny blankets.’
‘Thank you zebras, for being the perfect referees for a game of horse.’
‘Thank you word o’clock, for
letting me know that time is Irish.’
‘Thank you website button that says, “forgot
my password’ for basically being my password.’
‘Thank you gummy worms for being excellent bait if I want to catch
Swedish Fish.’
‘Thank you cliffhangers, for…’
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