Mar 15, 2013 |
It’s TGIF time. It always seems to work out that when I’ve been blog-absent and finally have much to say, it’s a TGIF post. I like that. Blog and I, we work well together.
And believe me, I have oh-so-much to say. The first is, I’m learning how to not say everything. As a writer, I’m a bit cavalier with my words. That’s not always a good thing. I see a story everywhere, but that doesn’t mean I should tell it. Some stories aren’t mine to tell. Others are mine, but not worth telling. Still more are shared stories, and to be told in different avenues than the Blog. I’m finding a Magic Filter that makes it okay to write… and okay to not write.
I’m making much better use of my daily organizer. Not only am I keeping track of appointments and writing assignments, I’m also keeping track of accomplishments. “Ordered mugs.” “Writer’s Group 10 a.m.”. “ICL Assign #4”. These are only a few of the entries for this month. It’s my goal to have at least one entry each day relating to writing. So far, so good.
Now that the Cookbook is in production and I have an actual inventory, it’s time to work on production of my next project. A Study on the Ten Commandments is a work I’m humbly proud of. The writing is finished, the cover is designed, and yes, there’s a Kickstarter campaign for pre-selling and raising funds for publishing.
Ten Commandments Cover
My newest writing project is half done. Broken Girl and Other Stories of Redemption: A Collection of Parables, Poetry & Prose. I’m very excited about this one for many reasons. Even in my journals, I’ve written creatively. This is a collection of moments in the past two decades as I stretched my wings, flown the coop, and raised my own family. Lessons learned and failings felt. It will also feature photographs from my big brother, Mark. His photography skills are astounding, and last year he gave me carte blanche to use them as I see fit for this publication. I was so happy to call him this week and let him know this project is finally under way.
Broken Girl cover
I don’t know how the entire project will come together, but I intend to use this beautiful photo as the cover. I call it “Desert Beauty” and I’ve used it on my Blog before. Of course, he has such a plethora of nature photos that by the time I’m ready to produce the book, I may change the cover… oh, who am I kidding?! I love this photo and I’ll use it nine ways to Sunday if I can!
Oh, sure, I could complain about my nagging fears and personal woes. But, as I so often used to say, “Everybody’s got something, y’know?” The specifics of my trials and tribulations don’t matter. The history of how I got here is insignificant. All that matters is the goal, and whether I reached for it. That, in itself, is a great accomplishment.
I have much to write over the next week:
- My views on the Vatican and Pope Francis.
- Joshua Tree blooms.
- How to score birthday freebies.
- Philippians 4:13.
- My Morning at the DMV and Why Appearances Aren’t What They Seem.
I may not get to it all in the next week. But you know what? I’m okay with that. Because I’m also learning to not sweat the small stuff… and, as Pastor Tom often says, “It’s all small stuff.”
Whatever this week brings your way, Be Blessed!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 14, 2011 |
It’s ten days til Thanksgiving.
Ten days til we wake up early and head to the kitchen for a marathon cooking day.
Ten days til we stuff ourselves like no tomorrow, pack up some leftovers and sleep it off in the recliner.
And somewhere in the midst of all that, we’ll turn on the TV for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
For the past few years, the parade has been less and less of the quality and holiday that it used to be. Who can forget three years ago when the abundance of music was loud rock and rap? Or last year when NBC’s cameras so often caught a shot of the scanty Victoria’s Secret billboard… yeah, Santa. That’s really what I want for Christmas. To keep seeing some other woman’s perky boobs laced in red during Family Time. Thanks.
Now before you go calling me a prude, I will be the first to admit that in three days I’ll be standing for hours in line to catch the midnight showing of Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1. And it has nothing to do with Bella.
But that doesn’t mean I want vampires and werewolves around on Thanksgiving. There’s a time and a place for everything. And I just don’t think Macy’s is the place for, well, what it’s been the place for the past few years.
Last year, I had the grand idea to start a letter writing campaign: to let Macy’s, NBC, and New York City know that it’s okay to get back to the fundamentals of the season. To not promote celebrity for the sake of celebrity; but to honor talented individuals and groups. To hear them sing Christmas songs. To not be inundated with extravagant costumes and sales and bling; but to appreciate the gathering of people, the holiday cheer and good will.
How did it turn out, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you… it didn’t. It was one of those ideas that I didn’t write down, mention to anyone, or think I should even approach. So I let it go.
And now, here it is, almost time for the next Parade. And I’m holding my breath. Will Andrea Bocelli or Harry Connick, Jr. serenade us with holiday ballads? What Broadway shows will be featured? Will there be honors given to local heros? How high will the Rockettes kick this year?
While I know the opening and closing of the parade will be spectacular, and the High School Bands will be impressive, it’s the in-between stuff that has me wondering if I should even bother to watch. I’m certain to be disappointed, and possibly disgusted.
And the anticipation of that disappointment has me wondering… what would the perfect Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade be like?
If you were the planner/director person, how would you put on the parade? Would it have a particular holiday theme? What holiday elements would you like to see? Who would your performers be?
Leave your comments here. If this year’s Parade doesn’t hold up to standards, maybe I’ll forward this to Macy’s Social Department and see if our voices matter. (I think they do!)
Aug 31, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
When I get to New York
It will be in the fall
When the leaves turn red and gold and yellow
And drop precariously all around.
When the crisp air carries
A promise of change
I will arrive on a train
Through Grand Central Station
And before I even enter the City
I will shop
And eat
And people-watch.
I will take a yellow taxi cab
To Central Park
And run along the paths
Before I buy a bag of roasted nuts
And sit on a green bench
To enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells.
I will think of the movies
And the songs
And the stories
That have filled my head and heart
With such wanderlust
That brings me there.
I will wait until the sun sets
And make my way
To Broadway
Where I will stand on the sidewalk
With arms open wide
And voice lifted high
And people will stare at me
But most will smile and applaud
In understanding.
I will quiet myself as I enter
The theatre
And hum quietly along
As I take it all in
And vicariously live a musical.
I will find a street vendor
For exhaust-flavored hot dogs and coffee
And stroll through the streets
Through the night
Until I find myself
Like Holly Golightly
Looking through early morning windows
At Tiffany’s
And their beautiful blue boxes.
I’ll lay my head on a pillow
At the Plaza
And wake to look over
The City that Never Sleeps.
I’ll walk underground
And ride the metal beasts
Of the Subway
From one end to the other.
I’ll go to Yankee Stadium
And cheer out loud
For my team.
I’ll ride the ferry
To Ellis Island
And remember how this Great Country
Was, is, and will be.
I’ll tread lightly at the Library
And smell pages and pages
Of History
Fantasy, Reality, and Life.
I’ll stroll through the Village
And eat treats unheard of
And pretend I belong in Soho
If just for the day.
I’ll skate at Rockefeller Center
And laugh when I fall down.
When the lights come to life
I’ll find myself exiting
The elevator on top
Of the Empire State Building
And again I’ll sing songs
While holding my breath
As I look over the expanse
And make more dreams
Than I knew I could hold inside me.
I’ll awake with my muses
Flying rapidly about
Onto paper and thoughts
And take myself to the MoMA
To let it all in
And let myself out.
I’ll sit on a bench
And instead of writing
I’ll look around
Until
I’ll close my eyes and see it all
I’ll open my ears and hear whispers
I’ll speak later, when I find my words.
I’ll walk in a daze
Down 34th Street
And find myself
In the miracles of Macy’s
And all it has to offer.
I’ll listen to street musicians
And tap my tennis shoes to the beat
Until my dancing feet
Take me
To Times Square
Where
In the midst of possibly everything
I will finally just stop
And stand there
In awe
Of neon lights
And honking horns
And tourists
Just like me.
I will buy me a keychain
And a statue of the Statue.
Then I will make my way
Home
And write it all out
As bits and pieces
Come back to me
Until
I
Come back
To it.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
