History

I am filled with all sorts of emotions today. For one, it's a historical day and a changing one. Some think the change is a negative and some see it as a revelation. I see this change as positive for no other reason than the other way wasn't working (to put it bluntly). Meaning - resources, the economy, the environment, etc. It's interesting to me that so many want to condemn President Obama before he's even taken office but put the former president on a pedestal even though we've seen 8 years of his work. I'm not even someone who was an activist either way in this election - however, I am ready for some positives. Whether it be positives in the statements that I hear around me or actions by political leaders. Today was a day of mixed signals for me and I've got to say it has definitely gotten to me at the core. I tried to feel promise and hope for tomorrow as the day progressed but it's been sullied by forwarded emails of negativity and facebook posts with slanderous messages - what is really the point of spreading the negativity? I can absolutely concede that there are several differing viewpoints on the state of our country and the future of our country - but how about making some statements in the affirmative for a change or keeping your opinion between close friends if it's a negative. We have enough gray in our lives right now with people losing their jobs, unaffordable health care, and oh yeah - a war! Let's try to lift each other and not knock each other down - including our new president. I was moved by his address today and it definitely gave me a glimmer of hope. My first wish is that this war is ended and the soldiers who still have their lives are able to return to their families - I wish this above the security of my finances or the security of my husband's job is total honesty. It makes me sick to my stomach that my son (who turns 7 in April) has never seen a day where our country is at peace in his lifetime - the September 11th attacks happened 3 days after I found out I was pregnant.

Lastly, Freedom of Religion is a freedom that we have in this country. Some may not agree with the religious choices made by their neighbor - but why does that neighbor have to be persecuted for their beliefs? My husband, son, and I pray each and every day (multiple times a day most days) and thank God for watching after us that day. Our prayers are very personal, private and very heartfelt - we teach our son to be grateful for every fiber of what makes us strong (physically and mentally) and we take no blessing for granted. I hear people say that this country has turned it's back on God. I'm not a debater because I get extremely worked up when I feel strongly about something - this is one of those topics. I am an American and I believe in God. I couldn't (or wouldn't) begin to quote the bible or damn anyone who disagreed with my viewpoint. I believe that people who truly feel as though we are a Godless nation should stop spreading negativity and judgement and begin to embrace positivity if they want to influence someone.

Now I'm off of my soapbox and I feel a little better.

God Bless America and Barack Obama

Addiction

I have an addictive personality - whether it be good things like being addicted to 'laughing cow' cheese on triscuits or over cleaning or bad things like too many bite sized candy bars and krispy creme donuts! I have now spread this problem to reading. I have never been a fast reader and this trait has directly affected my enjoyment of books. I have always been envious of my husbands ability to read several books in a weeks time or how he would come home from the library with a stack of new books - I never got it. I do love words - can't deny that - but because of the formula lack of patience + short attention span + slow reading = no interest in reading. Simple algebra but luckily I've turned it around recently. I don't know exactly which book started the ball rolling, but I read "The Middle Place" (which I've raved about) back in the spring which led to the author (Kelly Corrigan) recommending two books to me which I read and enjoyed - had to really think a lot following those two books because of the inner struggles the protagonists felt. A few book club books followed in a short lived book club effort - I then read a few other southern kick-tail women books which were fun and recommended to me by my sister-in-law. This lead recently into some books that were a little more heavy and political like 'In the Time of Butterflies' and 'Before we were free.' I feel like those could have given a little more to the content but gave me a great boost in reading. Instead of turning on the DVR'd shows which I had missed, when I got free time I would start seeking out books. I read Chelsea Handler's, 'Are you there Vodka, It's me Chelsea' very funny and well articulated - this is where the danger began and my addictive personality kicked in. I started reading constantly and any chance I got. I've totally neglected my house, writing, research (which technically reading is research for me) - I'd rather sneak a few pages whenever the opportunity presents itself. When my husband and son leave in the morning, I go straight for my latest book! The tip on the acknowledging the problem iceberg was the last book I read (finished it yesterday) - Pat Conroy's 'Beach Music.' A friend bought this book for me several years ago and I never read it because the text of 800 pages really intimidated me. I started on election day (a topic for another day) and took it with me everywhere - to visit my mom in the hospital, doctor's appointments, piano lessons, everywhere! I was so engrossed in this book and the multitude of dynamic characters I poured myself into it. While I look around my straighted just enough house, I am afraid to start another book... I think I should at least give my life a solid effort before my next bought of neglect. I feel like I should join a 12 step program at this point but don't know of any readers anonymous or RA chapters around here. I welcome book discussion for anyone who's interested.

Words

I absolutely love words... some more than others. In my English lit class from my second semester of college, we had to dissect a song to illustrate a certain literary theme. I had always memorized songs (like any child or teenager) but didn't know what anything really meant because I hadn't really ever thought about it. After that assignment, I've done it ever since. There are so many songs that really get you thinking and can also move you - not just love songs. This past week, Nikki Giovanni was signing her new children's book, "Hip Hop speaks to children" here in Richmond. I didn't know about it until it was too late to get tickets to her presentation, but luckily someone from the local children's book shop (who were a sponsor to the event) offered to have it signed for me. This book comes with a CD that is about 45 minutes of spoken word in the form of poems, stories, songs, and raps. I bought it for myself and my son but I think he's too young to really appreciate the art of listening to the words, not just the beat. I love a good beat and melody to a song also - don't get me wrong; the marriage between a good flow and powerful verse is unparalleled. The song, "Mr. Wendel" by Arrested Development is a really good one - it might take the first few times listening to really grasp the point... but it's worth the time.

Non-musically, I would say that anything Shakespearean is so far ahead of it's time it's amazing. My first time reading Shakespeare, it was so confusing, I couldn't even grasp the first page let alone the whole play. I think the first one I read was "Othello" - anyway, my professor recommended getting the book on tape and follow along - I tried and it really helped me listen and take in the story lines. The romantic twists and turns and the feuds and craziness and the conspiracies and jealousy - the remakes of his plays (modern movies) are all of the original wording, just modern settings. He was truly gifted.

I was able to listen to an author speak this week by the name of Julia Alvarez. I only caught the end of her speech because of a prior commitment, but she was so inspirational. A lot of her writings are semi-autobiographical regarding coming of age as an 'outsider' the USA but yearning to fit it while clinging to her own heritage. Her writing is pretty powerful and I am really excited to read further. The part that was moving to me, as a writer, was the crowd and winding line waiting for her to resurface in the lobby to sign books. There were hundreds of readers and fans waiting with their books open to the title page for 2 seconds in front of her. I guess it's hard to grasp as a reader how pivotal that is because the book signings depicted on television have ropes blocking the way for lines of fans and flashbulbs coming from eager photographers - in reality, you have to reach a best selling status (at the least) to be sought out in such a way. It's an honor to have people affected by your words that much - I look forward to touching someone through my words more and more with every release.

My advice would be to pick some songs (different eras and genres) and really listen to the words - several times even.

BUNKO!

To a lot of different groups, Bunko can have a wide range of definitions. It's a dice game with 12 rounds - you roll 3 die at the same time and see how many times you can roll the number corresponding with the round number (round 1 - you try to roll ones - and so on). When you roll all 3 die with the same number as the round (round 1 - 3 ones - and so on :) - it's Bunko! Some groups play for cash prizes; some groups don't really play, they just drink; some groups are couple groups; the possibilities are almost infinite. I belong to a Bunko group that is made up of 12 ladies (not all in my neighborhood) who enjoy getting out once a month to relax and step outside of themselves a little. For that few hours a month, we are not just someones mom or wife or chauffeur - we are women and friends. Sure, we talk about our families and activities, but really it's minimal. We mainly tell stories (I love the ones that some may deem inappropriate), share restaurant reviews, tv recaps, or just enjoy the cocktail du jour (we usually enjoy a specific drink with the different hostesses). The food is different in every house also - ahhh, the food! Most of us don't even eat dinner before so we can fill up on the goodies the hostess has prepared. It has become my only steady vice. I'm very fortunate to have a husband who comes home early so I can get ready in peace and leave with zero guilt for not fixing dinner first or overseeing the bedtime routine. Not all women can say that - I know I'm lucky that way.

The group is so dynamic - no two of us are completely alike. We have corporate women, mothers of one, mothers of four, nurses, teachers, therapists - it definitely makes for great conversations. I've been a part of this group for going on three years now and we've had some pretty fun moments - I think one of my favorites was during an ipod playlist at one house, "Thriller" came through the speakers. I broke into the dance from the video and people rolled - they couldn't believe I knew the dance - I couldn't believe they didn't! What child of the 80's (or person who was alive during the 80's) wouldn't know this dance! I love making them laugh, so it was a great moment.

I raise my cocktail glass for all of those Bunko gals out there - mainly my group (not sure who reads this) - if you don't have a group... start one with 11 friends!

Back to school... back to reality

Luckily for me, my son really enjoys school. He loves to learn new things - which makes me so grateful because the beginning of school has always been a huge anxiety point for me. It's laden with new schedules, new classmates, new rooms and routines, a new teacher to get used to... just new. For most this is exciting and a fresh start - for me it's just different. After the first couple of days we'll have a whole new routine that will be the norm, I'm just kind of ready to get going.

The beginning of school also marks getting back to researching, writing, editing, promoting, and submitting. I'm ready because for the past few weeks I've been spinning my wheels with some ideas knowing I can really go full steam ahead starting next week. There are 3 different stories that have publishers interested - now the trick is to make it finalized. There are already a few upcoming events for the Rodney Ram book also and my favorite - school visits. Good luck for the new school year to anyone reading this entry!

Also - welcome to Lillian Grace! Since my last writing Brooke had her baby - Lilly's doing great and the whole family is so happy to have her here safe and sound...

Time...

Sometimes time is a good gift to give. It's free, it definitely always fits, and it's almost always appreciated (almost always). Lately it seems as though everyone is going a million miles per hour and for what? At the end of the day can we truly feel as though we've put a lot of time into improving our quality of life with all of the runnings here and there? Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people who do some of their runnings to be with people who mean something to them or for someone who means something to them - these are the notches on our 'to do' lists that carry some weight. In the past couple of weeks, I've really taken some time out for some things that are important to me - letting people know how important they are to me, having pedicures with the ladies in my life, spending time with a good friend who's getting ready to have her second baby in 3 days... the important time investments. Another thing I took time out for recently was visiting a local organization called Childsavers. It is a group that helps children through developmental issues through trauma, birth, or abuse - it was a great place; warm, welcoming, private, and energetic. I was put into contact with them by my pal Brooke (the aforementioned pregnant one :) who has volunteered with them on several events over the past couple of years. We jointly donated 35 books to them and I look forward to learning more about them and volunteering more time.

Time is a funny thing - it seems endless on occasion but we have to remember that it isn't. Time is definitely a gift and not an infinite one. Take mental snapshots every now and then and create your own memories. Filling your time with things that mean something to you (even if they don't mean anything to others around you) is what it's all about. In my neck of the woods, the sun is shining, my hummingbird feeder is inhabited, and we're healthy... not a bad way to pass my time today.

With my own two hands

I love flowers... the color, smells, freshly cut grass... I enjoy the views of nature. I try every spring to plant flowers and veggies or prune and weed; but every year all I end up with are weeds and budless shrubbery. Well, this year, my hard work paid off with 2 ripe cherry tomatoes! All I had to do was pay *#)^ dollars for mulching, weeding, clearing and preventative measures against what had plagued my beds for seasons before; plant a tomato plant, cucumber plant, squash plant, forget-me-nots, countless hostas, 10 begonia bushes in my front retaining wall, and a few annuals back 3 springs. What I've gotten are 2 ripe cherry tomatoes! I do enjoy my begonias - they have flourished nicely after a close watch. I read the book, "The $64 Tomato" for a book club recently and I can relate on a much smaller scale. Gardening can be relaxing (when you aren't in the dead of summer midday) but it can also be extremely overwhelming not to mention a slippery slope. One thing truly leads to another after the prepping (which is a job in and of itself), the digging, the planting, the fertilizing, the watering, the weeding, and the pruning. It's almost maddening to an extent - you get kind of a tunnel vision. The gardening started as something for my son and I (the forget-me-nots and the veggies especially) but he lost interest kind of quickly when all that grew in the flower beds were weeds.

I'm proud of my tomatoes and continue to look at the one that remains (a small creature scavenged the first) as a trophy. Did I mention I don't like tomatoes? But I did it with my own two hands and I'm proud of them!