May 7, 2012 |
I’m falling in love with apples. I can’t explain my newest obsession, except to state that that I’m just really falling in love with apples!
I just got back from Women’s Retreat with my church. It was a great weekend, as expected. And then something slightly awkward happened. During the final session, just before we left to go home, I ended up with some great writing ideas.
There I am, singing praise with my friends, and I’m struck with the overwhelming urge to write it out. I’m sure I was a bit distracting to those around me. It’s not unlike me to make small notes wherever I am, and that does include church. But these were no mere notes. By the time I was done (about five minutes), I’d hashed out four pages of scribbles.
What’s all this got to do with apples? Nothing more than I recently was talking with my friend Mary and had told her I love saying, “How do you like them apples?!” whenever something is going on but I can’t quite voice it. It could be a secret I have. It could just be that my thoughts aren’t connecting with the page. It’s also a shout-out to another great TV show, The West Wing. Character Amy Gardner (played by Mary-Louise Parker) was known for saying, “How do you like them apples?!” especially when trying to prove she’s right.
Since I’ve been watching my West Wing DVD’s lately, I’ve reacquainted myself with Amy and her go-getter attitude. And her phrase.
I mentioned this to Mary, and to my delight, she posted this photo for me on facebook:
Apples are great. And I was inspired to write about them in my scribbles this morning. But I was also inspired to keep their wholesome goodness to myself. At least for a while. At least until I can gather more material and make something quite substantial out of it.
You’re just gonna have to trust me. This is gonna be great. I promise.
So. You know I gotta ask:
How do you like them apples?!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
May 6, 2012 |
It’s not really Sunday for me. But it is for you. I’m writing this now because I’m still (will be still) on Retreat.
I’m watching FLASHPOINT episodes on my DVR. It’s so bittersweet. I can directly relate so much of my life before-and-after FLASHPOINT. Before, I wanted to write. I watched TV. I didn’t really talk to strangers online. After, I am a writer. I am committed to my writing. And I’ve made so many friends through FPTO. People I’ve never actually met, but who are nicer to me than some real people I know/knew.
I deleted some friends from my life last week: facebook, twitter, email, and in general. It was an awkward moment when I saw one in public and she asked why. It’s not that I am antisocial again. It’s that I carefully choose who I associate with.
I started actually writing material again. Short stories. So in a month, or hopefully even less, I can start submitting to magazines and contests and see where that takes me.
I’m looking forward to Women’s Retreat. Which, by the time you read this, is where I’ll be.
Next Wednesday, my blog’s “What’s the Word? Wednesday” theme will be all about Mom’s. I’m excited for that, and I really hope to get a great number of links to read Mom Stories from everyone.
Well, now I have to finish cleaning the house and packing for retreat and then I’m off to watch Dot in her high school play. She graduates in four weeks so it’s a whirlwind around here coordinating parties and Grad Nite and events and finals and dentists and visits and everything else… but it’s a good whirlwind.
I love my Daughter. She’s always amazing me. She’s so awesome. Sometimes I take a step back and see her as more of a person than just my daughter, and I’m taken by surprise. If she wasn’t my daughter, I’d want her to be. I really would.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
May 5, 2012 |
As you read this, I am on a mini-break. A holiday. A retreat.
At the eleventh hour, I found myself the happy recipient of a pass to attend this year’s Women’s Retreat through my church. I’d been wanting, even praying, to go since they announced the theme in January: “On The Red Carpet”. I’m really looking forward to it. Learning more of how to hold to my Christian beliefs in the spotlight.
It seems so perfect for my writing partner and I. She’s going. She’s part of the committee so there was never any question about her attendance. But I couldn’t get my security deposit in on time, so I just sat back and prayed.
Just over a week ago, I filled out my registration form, and was placed on the Waiting List. The LONG waiting list. I was No. 47. I joked with my friends, “Well, we just need to pray that one person drops out and 46 others decide they have something else to do that weekend.”
And that’s exactly what happened at the eleventh hour.
Prayer works.
And I’m humbled and blessed beyond belief.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Apples are great. And I was inspired to write about them in my scribbles this morning. But I was also inspired to keep their wholesome goodness to myself. At least for a while. At least until I can gather more material and make something quite substantial out of it.
