M. Jean Pike's Blog, page 40

Incongruous

This photo puzzles me, this woman in her skirt and fur coat, sitting on the ground in what appears to be some sort of logging camp, holding her dog.

[image error]

She does not seem to fit in with her surroundings. The dog looks less than thrilled, like he wants to be anywhere else.

What is this lady doing there, dressed like that? Obviously her visit was important enough to someone that they wanted to commit it to film.

Who or why, I can only wonder…

Identity Theft

My characters take a lot out of me. They take my time and my creative energy. They gobble up hours and hours of my sleep. And sometimes they even steal my identity.

[image error]

It’s strange to see your memories play out in someone else’s life. It can be embarrassing, sometimes painful. But I guarantee the scenes that touch a reader most deeply are those that contain an honest to goodness, real life experience. One that made the author laugh out loud, cringe in embarrassment, or write through eyes blurred with tears. Reviewers often refer to my stories as emotional. I take that as high praise.

The benefits of writing through your painful memories are twofold. Firstly, the hard, painful life lessons we all have to learn — the truth — albeit well disguised, makes for good reading.

Secondly, writing through experiences that have impacted me deeply is therapeutic. I’m always amazed, when I sit down to write, at the things that come tumbling out. The experiences, some decades old, that I never really resolved, present themselves for consideration. Giving those experiences to my characters helps me to distance myself and see them from a new perspective.

And it’s always interesting to see how life turns out the second time around.

 

Empty Nest

A couple of days ago I went out to check on my peony bushes. A friend of mine back in NY let me dig them out of her yard two springs ago and they have come up faithfully every year but never blossomed. I was delighted when I saw one gorgeous white blossom on each of them. I wish this was a happy post celebrating the long awaited peony blossoms. It’s not.

[image error]

A little to the right, I noticed a large, brown-black feather lying beneath my new birdhouse. A few inches away, some smaller, blue and white feathers. And next to them, five small, white swallow eggs.

[image error]

I have had this happen before, but it never fails to disappoint me. Everything seemed to be going so well. I was looking forward to the peeps of tiny tree swallow chicks in a couple of weeks. Now all that’s left is a pile of broken shells.

[image error]

I have had raccoons tear the door off a nest box to get at the eggs. I have known cats to climb up a post and fish inside a box with their paws. I have seen house sparrows literally throw day-old baby blue birds out of a nest box.

But this one, I can’t quite figure out.

[image error]

Judging from the two different types of feathers, there was obviously a scuffle. The black feather is probably six inches long. Any bird large enough to have that sized feathers would be much too big to try and claim the birdhouse, or to squeeze inside  and get at the eggs. I suppose it’s possible the mother threw them out for some reason I can’t fathom.

In any case, I’m left with dashed hopes, an empty nest, and a lot of unanswered questions. Fellow birders, I welcome your thoughts…

Surrounded

I find this picture to be extremely creepy. Especially the woman on the far right.

[image error]

There is no explanation written on the back, no clue as to who these people are.  Maybe whoever took it intended to throw it away. I’m so glad they didn’t.

This ruined picture gets my wheels turning. This family, out for a fun day of sledding, unaware they are surrounded by spirits. Cue the eerie music. I feel a ghost story coming on!

The Original Sunday Drivers

I ventured over to my mother’s side of the family to find this one. Is this an awesome picture, or what?

[image error]

I love everything about it, from the clothes they are wearing, to the car (I don’t know my cars, but I’m thinking this is a Model T?) to the chickens running for cover in the background. I love the inscription on the back:

James Dibble, with wife Hattie at the wheel.

I have to wonder whether Hattie ever actually drove this automobile, or if it was just for the picture. She looks kind of nervous.

I wish I could see this in color. I’ll bet it was a beautiful fall day, the tree in the background and the leaves scattered on the ground coloring the farm red, orange and gold. A perfect day for a photograph. A perfect day for a Sunday drive.

Struggles of a Non-Fashionista Romance Writer

I can take an empty room, dress it up, add color, and make it beautiful. If I had the funds, I’m sure I could make my old fixer upper worthy of the pages of House Beautiful. But when it comes to dressing up myself — I admit it, I struggle.

[image error]

I admire people who wear clothes well. I have friends that dress like living, breathing mannequins. I’ve never quite been able to get there. Try as I might, it seems I’ve always got a missing button or a wrinkle in my skirt. And white clothes? Forget it. I even managed to slop on my wedding dress.

The truth is I take a lot more care with dressing my characters than I do myself. In Frankie’s Heart (Coming this July!) my heroine, Frankie Bonetti has a closet full of beautiful clothes. Capris and colorful skirts and all the latest Lula Roe. Having relocated from Cincinnati to tiny Port Arthur, she sometimes has trouble deciding on the right outfit for the right occasion. She looks to me to make sure she is appropriately outfitted.

What’s a non-fashionista romance writer to do? Thank the Lord for fashion blogs and online catalogues from places like Kohls and Christopher & Banks. If not for them, Frankie might show up everywhere in jeans, flip flops and an Ohio State tee shirt.

Saturday Night Bath

Saturday night is Emma’s bath night. She can’t even.

[image error]

This dog is my constant shadow. If I’m there, she is there. Until she hears the water running in the tub. Then it’s hide-and-go-seek time. It’s all part of the routine.

After her bath, she rolls around on the floor and pouts for a good long while. That’s also part of the routine.

[image error]

Darby loves Emma’s bath night. He sits on the edge of the tub and watches in fascination as I soap and rinse, soap and rinse. He’s even been known to jump in from time to time. When the pouting begins, he offers a bit of comfort. But only for a moment.

[image error]

He has other things on his mind. Cat things. He has these birds to worry about.

[image error]

Uncle Frank, Aunt Amelia, and Mary

I love the little woman on the right. Mary.

She looks like such a character, doesn’t she?

[image error]

Something in her eyes speaks of a hard life, and yet, there’s a mischievous twinkle there, too.

I’ll bet she could you stories. I’ll bet they would be surprising.

[image error]

I don’t know a thing about these three; Uncle Frank, Aunt Amelia, and Mary. But I’m hoping as I delve deeper into the family albums, I will be able to piece together something of their story…

This Beautiful Day

[image error]

If I ever want to write a scene that is filled with lovely surprises, I will look back on today and have all the material I need.

Teacher Appreciation Day started with a steaming cup of McCafe coffee, compliments of the school. It was not only a delicious way to start the work day, but since I got up late this morning, it was exactly what I needed.

In the classroom, I was presented with flowers. My favorite thing. A bold purple petunia that brightened my desk all day long, and a gorgeous Lavender Patio Tree that will grace my front porch until fall.

[image error]

Thank you for the beautiful plant.

Thank you for being my teacher.

Oh, child. The pleasure is mine…

For lunch we were treated to subs from Giovanni’s and plates full of home baked goodies, compliments of the parents.

Thinking back over the day, I realize that I am the one who’s thankful. So very thankful. God has provided me not only with a school to work in, but the best little school in Ohio. With people who started out as co-workers and became dear friends. With the beautiful hearts of the children I am privileged to work with and watch grow up. They teach me so much!

One of my favorite bible verses says that every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights… (James 1:17)

Thank you, my Father, for these thoughtful gifts. For this show of appreciation. For this beautiful day.

 

Beulah and the Making of an Unexpected Memory

I’m not quite sure what I’m looking at here, but I’ll bet this day was talked about for a long, long time.

[image error]

 

The explanation on the back of the photo explains some, but not enough.

[image error]

Beulah and shock both went down, we are trying to help her up to have the picture taken. Bruno is helping too. 1924

I don’t know who Beulah is, or where she fits into our family tree, but doesn’t she look like fun? She seems like the kind of person who can laugh at herself, the kind of person you’d want to hang out with.

If there was another picture taken, a more proper one, I haven’t come across it yet. But I’m sure glad to have a memento of this unexpected moment. Life’s little surprises always seem to make the best memories.