Hickory, Dickory, Dock
The other day one of the loopers in my writing group told a story.
She was working in her church basement, typing away and concentrating on a nonfiction book. She felt something watching her. She looked up and there forming a circle around her were several mouse staring at her. They did that for several days.
Wondering what she was doing? Trying to figure out why she'd invaded their territory? Hoping to get something (cheese?) from her?
I loved the story!
If any of you have read snippets of my mystery, the protagonist (heroine), Tara, has a pet mouse named Hickory. You might ask--why choose such a pet?
Here's why: because I like pets in my stories. (I love animals, but I won't start spouting about that!). In this one, I wanted a pet that could travel with Tara: small, smart, interesting, and different. Something that would get Tara attention and questioning looks. And a mouse came to me.
In the book, Tara first receives the pet as a joke from her twin brother, but ends up loving the little fellow. He even helps her in his own initiative way, in her cases.
I researched mice before using Hickory: went to a pet story, studied (in the store) a book, checked on the mice they had, and even considered buying one for an experiment. They are smart, fun, and who knows? If you've ever owned a pet, you know that most of them are NOT predictable. They have senses that go beyond what we know or feel. Why should mice be any different?
So, I rest my case. I think I made a good choice for Tara's pet.
What do you think?
Don't you just hate it when you've gotten a stain on something you love?
Stain Remover Hints:
Rubbing Alcohol--Grass
Ammonia--Sweat
Baking Soda--Odors
Cream of Tartar & Lemon Juice--a great homemade bleach
Hydrogen Peroxide & Cold Water--Blood
Shampoo--ring around the collar, mud, & cosmetic
Pine-Sol--any stain
Dish Soap--Olive oil/cooking oil & grease
WD-40--salad dressing, grease splatters, crayon (spray on, set 10 mins, work in soap, wash)
Quote:
Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life--the beauty of a day, the smile of a friend, the serentity of a quiet moment alone. For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference.
Blessings.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Ah, Those Sweet Angels
Yeah, right!
Now, up front, I'm not against angels, not against collecting them. I've got several myself, one tops my Christmas tree every year.
But are angels the sweet things portrayed?
Here's what the Bible says:
Luke 20: They don't marry
Acts 7: They reveal the law
Zechariah 1: They bring messages from God
Hebrews 1 & Revelation 5: They praise God
Daniel 6 & Acts 12: They protect God's people
Some angels rebelled, some tempt us to sin, work through false teachers, and attempt to separate believers from God.
Angels are not sweet beings, they are powerful, used by God to work in the world (Hebrews 1).
Our focus should not be on them, but on God. God sends them, uses them, orders them.
Now, to throw a cog in the wheel: Have you heard any old timers talk about seeing angels? My grandmother said she saw two of them with my grandfather between them, leading him away, when he died. True? I don't know.
Hints:
It's so-o-o easy to procrastinate doing things we don't want to do. Anyone else suffer from this? This doesn't mean we're not normal. Lots of people procrastinate. But it can be addictive. It's messes up your schedule (day) and you can find at the end of the day, you feel worse or depressed by not accomplishing what you'd wanted done. Here's a few hints to help us get to the bottom of this procrastination-thing:
1) Accept the job at hand. Learn to make lists (waving hand madly, because I do do this! Yeah!) Write it down. Accept that you should be responsible. Tackle that list one thing at a time. Don't look at it as a whole, but as individual items to be checked off.
2) Think of the end result. What happens if you don't get No. 1 checked off? Who's disappointed? How will you feel? How will you feel when it's accomplished?
3) Remember your reward. It doesn't matter whether you get a trophy, a raise, or a pat on the back. It's YOUR satisfaction that matters. You succeeded. A powerful emotion.
4) Make no room for excuses. Push them away. They will always be there. "I don't feel like it." or "I can't do it right anyway." If its your task, if you're responsible for it, if its important and/or urgent, then do it. Don't allow yourself the temptation to postpone.
5) Get to the bottom of your procrastination. There has to be a reason for why you want to procrastinate that job. Example: I hate getting started on many things (research being one), but actually I love research. I enjoy--and probably over research--on things--once I get started. If it's too hard for you, you don't have the expertise (repairing), get someone else to do it.
Quote:
Live as though you believe that the power behind the universes is a power of love, a personal power of love, a love so great that all of us really do matter to Him. --Madeleine L'Engle
Blessings.
Yeah, right!
Now, up front, I'm not against angels, not against collecting them. I've got several myself, one tops my Christmas tree every year.
But are angels the sweet things portrayed?
Here's what the Bible says:
Luke 20: They don't marry
Acts 7: They reveal the law
Zechariah 1: They bring messages from God
Hebrews 1 & Revelation 5: They praise God
Daniel 6 & Acts 12: They protect God's people
Some angels rebelled, some tempt us to sin, work through false teachers, and attempt to separate believers from God.
Angels are not sweet beings, they are powerful, used by God to work in the world (Hebrews 1).
Our focus should not be on them, but on God. God sends them, uses them, orders them.
Now, to throw a cog in the wheel: Have you heard any old timers talk about seeing angels? My grandmother said she saw two of them with my grandfather between them, leading him away, when he died. True? I don't know.
Hints:
It's so-o-o easy to procrastinate doing things we don't want to do. Anyone else suffer from this? This doesn't mean we're not normal. Lots of people procrastinate. But it can be addictive. It's messes up your schedule (day) and you can find at the end of the day, you feel worse or depressed by not accomplishing what you'd wanted done. Here's a few hints to help us get to the bottom of this procrastination-thing:
1) Accept the job at hand. Learn to make lists (waving hand madly, because I do do this! Yeah!) Write it down. Accept that you should be responsible. Tackle that list one thing at a time. Don't look at it as a whole, but as individual items to be checked off.
2) Think of the end result. What happens if you don't get No. 1 checked off? Who's disappointed? How will you feel? How will you feel when it's accomplished?
3) Remember your reward. It doesn't matter whether you get a trophy, a raise, or a pat on the back. It's YOUR satisfaction that matters. You succeeded. A powerful emotion.
4) Make no room for excuses. Push them away. They will always be there. "I don't feel like it." or "I can't do it right anyway." If its your task, if you're responsible for it, if its important and/or urgent, then do it. Don't allow yourself the temptation to postpone.
5) Get to the bottom of your procrastination. There has to be a reason for why you want to procrastinate that job. Example: I hate getting started on many things (research being one), but actually I love research. I enjoy--and probably over research--on things--once I get started. If it's too hard for you, you don't have the expertise (repairing), get someone else to do it.
Quote:
Live as though you believe that the power behind the universes is a power of love, a personal power of love, a love so great that all of us really do matter to Him. --Madeleine L'Engle
Blessings.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Climbing That Mountain
Did you follow the story of the climbers who got stranded and died on the mountain right before Christmas? I did and kept thinking: they're experienced climbers. They've taken what they need to survive, they'll make it, they know the ropes. Hang on guys!
But they didn't make it.
Why did they climb that mountain? What made them do it? Risk their lives to climb to the top? What was it about mountain climbing that was so inspiring they risked everything to do it?
What do we do that is worth risking everything we have? Do we have goals that are that important? Aims that we shoot for? Desires that push us to our limit?
Most of us want our families and friends to know God and love him. Most of us want--if we don't already have it--financial security and rest about our immediate future. We want to be on good terms with those around us.
On a little lighter level, what desires, callings, goals--call it what you want--do we have that push us beyond the normal, to times of stress, but fulfillment?
Take my youngest son for example: he loves to ski. The thrill of flying down a mountain, the wind is his face, the feel of daring, the snow and mountain the only thing around. It's an inspiration to him. It makes him come alive, his face glowing, his spirits soaring.
What makes hubby love daring things? Heights and flying airplanes and strong machines with power. Things that cause the adrenalin to shoot through his veins. Activities that bring his emotions high. Danger.
What makes me risk dejection, depression, stress, hard work, rejection, and more hard work in my writing? Hope. Hope that someday I will succeed, I will be published, I will make it. That pressure inside that forces me to hop to it, type at the computer when I could be doing other things.
What do you want that is worth the risk?
Quote:
Every day under the sun is a gift. Receive it with eagerness. Treat it kindly. Share it with joy. Each night return it to the Giver who will make it bright and shiny again before the next sunrise.
Blessings.
Did you follow the story of the climbers who got stranded and died on the mountain right before Christmas? I did and kept thinking: they're experienced climbers. They've taken what they need to survive, they'll make it, they know the ropes. Hang on guys!
But they didn't make it.
Why did they climb that mountain? What made them do it? Risk their lives to climb to the top? What was it about mountain climbing that was so inspiring they risked everything to do it?
What do we do that is worth risking everything we have? Do we have goals that are that important? Aims that we shoot for? Desires that push us to our limit?
Most of us want our families and friends to know God and love him. Most of us want--if we don't already have it--financial security and rest about our immediate future. We want to be on good terms with those around us.
On a little lighter level, what desires, callings, goals--call it what you want--do we have that push us beyond the normal, to times of stress, but fulfillment?
Take my youngest son for example: he loves to ski. The thrill of flying down a mountain, the wind is his face, the feel of daring, the snow and mountain the only thing around. It's an inspiration to him. It makes him come alive, his face glowing, his spirits soaring.
What makes hubby love daring things? Heights and flying airplanes and strong machines with power. Things that cause the adrenalin to shoot through his veins. Activities that bring his emotions high. Danger.
What makes me risk dejection, depression, stress, hard work, rejection, and more hard work in my writing? Hope. Hope that someday I will succeed, I will be published, I will make it. That pressure inside that forces me to hop to it, type at the computer when I could be doing other things.
What do you want that is worth the risk?
Does cleaning your home bore you to tears? Try a few of these creative ideas to help make cleaning more bearable:
- Call a friend on your cordless phone while folding laundry.
- Listen to worship music or a book on tape while dusting or washing the windows.
- Enlist help from family members by creating a game out of who can clean his or her room the fastest.
- Grab your hubby or roommate to clean alongside you while you enjoy some quality chat time.
- Play the alphabet game while you wash dishes with a family member—the first person comes up with a food beginning with "a," the next person thinks of a food beginning with "b," and so on.
- Reward yourself with a mug of joe or bowl of ice cream for a job well done when you're through.
Quote:
Every day under the sun is a gift. Receive it with eagerness. Treat it kindly. Share it with joy. Each night return it to the Giver who will make it bright and shiny again before the next sunrise.
Blessings.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year's Day/Weekend
What did you do?
I went through part of the full-critique I'd received from a friend on my romance novel. Of course, it was depressing in a way when I realized what I'd have to change. Not because I'm wrong and she's right. But because many of her suggestions were good ones and I verified some of them with a second opinion.
By the way, she's a no-nonsense person; I'm a romantic (is that good or bad?). But one thing I've learned is, her suggestions balances out my writing. When I have a tendency to ignore certain items, she brings me square around (What? Does that make sense?) to face what I've written. Can I improve this? Shouldn't I dig a little deeper into this person's character: what she thinks or feels? Can't I exploit the plot a little more thoroughly?
Work, work, work. So though it is more work to read her comments (and they are severe!), on my beloved baby, they make me dig deeper. Work harder. Try to be better. And I think, with all honesty that my suspense has grown this past year for all the critiquing my group has given it. Thank you, Peg, Christy, and Deb!
I'm trying to finish up my proposals for two works: romance and suspense. Then I'm moving on to the next in the romance series and hopefully, the second book I've planned for my suspense. Between all that extra time I'll have (wry grin), I want to plot out a cozy mystery to submit sometime (spring?). And I've got three or four other short stories I'd love to develop when I have the time.
So, yes, I was busy. It was a good day. That evening we enjoyed dinner at my mother's with some excellent food. Enjoyed being with my family.
Here's a big hi to two of my nieces: Lecie & Laurnie!
Hope your day was great.
Wanna be happier? Here are a few suggestions and thoughts:
1) Try to do your best in whatever you do. Those who do, feel their best.
2) Remember, when you've done YOUR best, you can feel confident in yourself.
3) Live by your own standards, not someone else's. (and the Bible's goes without saying)
4) If you opt to look at others, learn from them. How can they teach me to do better?
5) Those around you who are always praising themselves, always have to do better than anyone else, ignore!
6) If you bumble something, learn to laugh at yourself. That's a form of confidence.
A story:
When Jimmy Carter was a young naval officer, Admiral rickover asked him about his grades at Annapolis. Carter answered, "I graduated 56th out of a class of 820." The Admiral asked him if he always did his best. Carter answered he hadn't. The admiral responded, "Why not?"
This is something we can do for ourselves. Ask, Why aren't we doing our best?
Quote:
Life begins each morning . . . each morning is the open door to a new world--new vistas, new aims, new tryings. --Leigh Hodges
Blessings.
What did you do?
I went through part of the full-critique I'd received from a friend on my romance novel. Of course, it was depressing in a way when I realized what I'd have to change. Not because I'm wrong and she's right. But because many of her suggestions were good ones and I verified some of them with a second opinion.
By the way, she's a no-nonsense person; I'm a romantic (is that good or bad?). But one thing I've learned is, her suggestions balances out my writing. When I have a tendency to ignore certain items, she brings me square around (What? Does that make sense?) to face what I've written. Can I improve this? Shouldn't I dig a little deeper into this person's character: what she thinks or feels? Can't I exploit the plot a little more thoroughly?
Work, work, work. So though it is more work to read her comments (and they are severe!), on my beloved baby, they make me dig deeper. Work harder. Try to be better. And I think, with all honesty that my suspense has grown this past year for all the critiquing my group has given it. Thank you, Peg, Christy, and Deb!
I'm trying to finish up my proposals for two works: romance and suspense. Then I'm moving on to the next in the romance series and hopefully, the second book I've planned for my suspense. Between all that extra time I'll have (wry grin), I want to plot out a cozy mystery to submit sometime (spring?). And I've got three or four other short stories I'd love to develop when I have the time.
So, yes, I was busy. It was a good day. That evening we enjoyed dinner at my mother's with some excellent food. Enjoyed being with my family.
Here's a big hi to two of my nieces: Lecie & Laurnie!
Hope your day was great.
Wanna be happier? Here are a few suggestions and thoughts:
1) Try to do your best in whatever you do. Those who do, feel their best.
2) Remember, when you've done YOUR best, you can feel confident in yourself.
3) Live by your own standards, not someone else's. (and the Bible's goes without saying)
4) If you opt to look at others, learn from them. How can they teach me to do better?
5) Those around you who are always praising themselves, always have to do better than anyone else, ignore!
6) If you bumble something, learn to laugh at yourself. That's a form of confidence.
A story:
When Jimmy Carter was a young naval officer, Admiral rickover asked him about his grades at Annapolis. Carter answered, "I graduated 56th out of a class of 820." The Admiral asked him if he always did his best. Carter answered he hadn't. The admiral responded, "Why not?"
This is something we can do for ourselves. Ask, Why aren't we doing our best?
Quote:
Life begins each morning . . . each morning is the open door to a new world--new vistas, new aims, new tryings. --Leigh Hodges
Blessings.
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