Mar 27, 2013 |
While I still have over two weeks to raise enough funds to publish A Study on the Ten Commandments, I’ve taken a second route to the same ultimate destination: the Study is now available for purchase for Amazon’s Kindle. [You can check it out here.]
I’m still working on a Barnes & Noble Nook version.
This path is more unique than anything I envisioned when I long ago knew I would be a Writer. In my childhood days, I drew stick figures named “Fred” on napkins, or scribbled notes on the margins of anything I could find.
I dreamed of one day submitting my work to a publishing house and after much trial and tribulation, finding that working formula that allowed them to say, “Yes. We like you.”
But that day hasn’t come. Because it doesn’t have to. I’ve dealt with the editor who wants to change my character’s speech pattern. I’ve received the necessary rejection letters.
And I opened my horizons to other avenues. The ultimate goal as a writer is to write. It’s necessary. It’s a daily activity that can’t be ignored or set aside. Writing calls to me as strongly as a spring flower reaches for the sun. It can’t be helped.
Being published, then, is a fine byproduct of those efforts. Self-publishing allows me to side-step the many sections of red tape and other interferences. I simply want to write, and write well.
I hope this doesn’t disappoint you.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
If you’d like to pre-order a printed copy of A Study on the Ten Commandments, click here.
Mar 24, 2013 |
I said this to a friend yesterday. I was completely sincere.
He’d had a heart attack nine months ago. Without warning. I woke up one Sunday to read on Facebook, “Had a heart attack last night.” I tried to figure out what he meant. Was he referring to a fright? Did his sports team lose? It wasn’t until he posted a photo of him in the hospital bed that I realized he was serious: he’d had an actual heart attack. As we were chatting this weekend about so many things in life, I thanked him for not dying.
Another friend of mine went through a bad health scare a few years ago, yet focuses his attentions on helping others before himself. Still someone else is suffering depression and it saddens me that I can’t be a stronger help for her.
So many people don’t realize their importance to others. We take our friends and even our families for granted. While we share ourselves to an extent, we may never really know what’s going on inside someone else’s mind, body or soul. Anything can happen at any given moment.
Everyone has something to offer; a reason for being in our lives. I’m a strong believer in letting people know how you feel.
This is for each and every one of you still in my life.
My Dearest Person,
Thank you for not dying.
You are valuable to me in ways I can’t fully express. You have honored me with your trust, your respect, your company. You are an example to me of how live through hard times, and celebrate Something Good.
There are times when I have felt useless and burdensome yet you never let me stop being me. You helped build the foundation of my life and while I try often, I don’t think I thank you enough.
Words can’t express what I really want to say to you. I’m so grateful to have you to laugh with, to cry with, to ask help from and be a help to. I want you to know that being a part of your life is so rewarding to me. You’re not perfect; I’m not perfect. But together, we’re a perfect blend of give and take.
My memories of us will never be forgotten. I love that we’re adding to them constantly. I can’t possibly imagine my life without you. And I’m so glad at this point in time, I don’t have to.
Whatever you went through, are going through, will go through… Thank you for not dying.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
With much love,
Molly Jo
Expand Your Horizons
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Not Such a Bad Day
Using The “F” Word
Afterthoughts
Friends v. Friends
To the Young Adult Females in My Life
To The One Who Lost Someone This Week and Others Who Are Hurting
Dear Amy, I’m Just So Sorry For Your Loss.
Do You Mean It?
Promise Me We’ll Be Like Them
Mar 22, 2013 |
T.G.I.F. Indeed!
What does TGIF mean to you? Some days it’s a breath of fresh air, an exhaling of all the week’s stresses and pressures. Other times it could be anticipation of a weekend event.
For me, this week, it’s a way of getting back on track with my writing, my house, and other aspects of my life that seem to have careened off track lately.
I’ve been working very hard, and I’m seeing the fruits of my labor, even if no one else is.
I had a financial scare earlier this week. You know, one of those moments when it looks like the bottom is gonna drop? But then things worked out. Things aren’t great. But they’re survivable. At least for another few weeks. And sometimes that the best I can do.
I know I’m a great preacher for trusting in God. And I do. But I’m also human. And I worry. Because I also believe it’s my duty to do the best I can with what I have. And let’s be honest here, so often it feels that my best is absolutely not good enough.
I have a prayer, a dream, that someday the only bills I’ll have will be my mortgage and living expenses. I don’t see that day coming any time soon, but I can say I’m one paid-bill closer than I was a month ago. And hopefully by the end of March, I’ll be yet another one paid-bill closer. I don’t like financial struggles. I don’t like not being able to pay my bills. So when things seem so utterly despairing, it’s really a beautiful feeling to discover they’re not.
I’ve discovered that the best way for me to get over the anxiety of my budget is to act like it doesn’t matter.
You know I have a tree in the middle of my yard. I mean, practically smack-dab right in the middle of my front yard. And while the birds love it and I love the shade it offers, I don’t like that tree. It’s a Cottonwood, and drops these ridiculous round seed puffs that look like, well, little brown drops all over my yard. My goal is to have the tree cut down and two Sugar Maples put closer to the property line. More color, more shade, more yard. It’s a win-win-win situation. Except tree-cutters are expensive. Very expensive. And when I can’t even afford the regular bills, I’m thinking hiring a tree cutter isn’t a smart decision. So guess what.
I’m doing it. No, I’m not hiring someone. I’m doing it. I’m cutting the tree down. Myself. All. By. Myself. Yesterday I sawed one large limb off.
Cottonwood Limb
It was only one limb, but it was big. And heavy. And I did it. And it felt good. I don’t like chopping down the trees because I need shade and the birds need shelter. But I really dislike that tree. And I need to make room for the new ones. Once I get to where I need a ladder to cut the limbs, then I’ll have a problem. Maybe by then I’ll have won the lottery and can hire someone. If not, I’m sure someone out there is willing to be a temporary lumberjack (now accepting applications) in exchange for a home-cooked meal. Again: a win-win situation.
Always look on the bright side.
Dot’s Rainbow
The writing and the cooking and the Cookbooks and the housecleaning and the birthdaying and the family and the loving and the working and the gardening and the pruning and the planting… it all adds up to one very busy me. And I’m okay with that.
Still. After a week like this, it really is nice to say, TGIF. And I might even get to sleep in tomorrow.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Want to join in with your own End-of-Week recap? Have plans you want to shout from the rooftop? Heard something great, amazing, terrifying, or just worth sharing? Then share it! There are only two rules: Be supportive of others who are sharing, and add the button from the sidebar (or a text link) to your post if you’re joining.
[A special shout-out to Shell at Things I Can’t Say for inspiring me with her Wednesday POUR YOUR HEART OUT link.]
