Keli Gwyn's Blog, page 14

Love is Golden

Weddings are wonderful. All the joy of a new beginning. Ah!

What’s just as wonderful is helping dear friends celebrate milestone wedding anniversaries–their years of companionship, challenges, and commitment.

This past Saturday, Gwynly and I did just that when we attended the Golden Anniversary party for a special couple we’ve known almost twenty years.

Lawrie and Jane prepare for the Toast.

The company was the best. We had fun visiting with others in our MG car club.

A DJ kept the tunes coming. Gwynly and I put our swing lessons to good use as we danced to classic 50s rock and roll songs.

The food was yummy, as it always is when Jane has anything to do with it.

The silver decorations were on their original wedding cake.

All that was great, but the high point for me was Lawrie’s talk. With his characteristic wit–and a fair measure of tenderness–he recounted the five decades he’s been blessed to have Jane as his bride. The romance writer in me got teary-eyed a time or two.

What I found the most touching was Lawrie’s two-word tribute to Jane. He lauded her tolerance and resilience, traits she faithfully exhibited through the years–when he whisked her away from her native England to live in several countries and when he gave up steady jobs with regular paychecks in order to start his own businesses. Jane got teary-eyed at that.

Cutting the cake.

Young love is a beautiful thing, but love that has stood the test of time is a rarity these days. Lawrie and Jane have that kind of love, and I enjoyed celebrating it with them.

❤❤❤

If you prepared a two-word tribute to your special someone–

or someone special–which words would you choose?

Guilt-free Living: Identify Your Five Non-Negotiables

Do you sometimes feel out of balance?

Do you have trouble keeping things in perspective?

Does the constant struggle to juggle leave you feeling stressed out?

 

Then you might find the following exercise as freeing as I did.

A month ago our pastor delivered an enlightening message, saying our lives reveal our hearts. He challenged us to choose our priorities wisely.

At the end of his sermon, Pastor David asked each of us to take a minute to list our top five non-negotiables—those items in which we invest ourselves—and rate them one to five.

I’m constantly bombarded with messages about how this or that should be my top priority, but I’d never taken time to decide for myself. Instead, I performed a stressful and ultimately unsuccessful balancing act as I attempted to juggle everything on my plate.

So I did as our pastor suggested. Here’s my list:

1. Faith

2. Family

3. Friends

4. Fitness

5. Writing

What a difference naming and numbering my non-negotiables has made. Almost immediately the burden of guilt I’d been carrying slid from my shoulders. It became far easier to make decisions.

For example, when our daughter moved back here for the two weeks prior to her recent move to France, I chose to focus on helping her prepare for this major transition.

Sorting everything Adri owns.

Getting Adri’s first car ready to sell.

We enjoyed several mom-daughter lunch dates.

We used our Saturdays for family trips. This was taken at the Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento.

Taking French-themed pictures for Adri’s blog was fun.

Because family is high on the list, I set my writing aside, knowing I would have plenty of time to work on my story once Adri got on the plane. I missed a couple of Curves workouts because we had appointments to attend and time-critical errands to run, but I was OK with that. After all, what good is being in shape if I sacrifice my relationships?

Saying good-bye was tough, but I kept my tears at bay until Adri was gone.

I knew we’d done a good job helping Adri prepare when she left without looking back.

In the past, I would have battled some resentment at setting my personal goals aside. I don’t like admitting it, but it’s true. As it was, I wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to spend the two weeks with my gal. I didn’t add a single word to my story, but I made memories that will last a lifetime.

Our gal made it to France without a hitch and is doing very well. And me? I’m OK. I miss her, of course, but we’re staying connected via email, Skype, and Facebook. I’m looking forward to visiting her at Christmas.

 

• • •

If you made your non-negotiables list, what five items would be on it?

When’s a time that having your priorities straight served you?

Back from a Blogging Break

I didn’t intend to take a blogging break, but I’m glad I did.

Since Gwynly’s a teacher and gets two months off in the summer,

I chose to cut back on my online presence and enjoy his company.

We didn’t venture too far from home, but we had fun nonetheless.

I’ve been experiencing some major life transitions,

and the break enabled me to better deal with them.

The downside is that I missed you, my cyber buddies.

I was active on Facebook, so I wasn’t totally out of the loop,

but I’m eager to reconnect and hear how you’re doing.

Here’s a recap of my summer. . .

Gwynly and I enjoyed a three-day trip with the Sacramento Valley

MG Car Club. We drove over Sonora Pass,

a beautiful area north of Yosemite, on into Nevada.

•

The scenery was spectacular. What’s so sad is that the Rim Fire just a few

miles south of here has destroyed over 200,000 acres of this beautiful area.

•

Ever the history buff, I enjoyed our stop in Virginia City, Nevada.

•

The highlight of the summer was our daughter’s college graduation.

Adri earned a double major in French and German from U.C. Davis.

Am I a proud mom? You betcha!

 •

Gwynly and I made a trip up north and visited each of my parents.

My mom is doing well.

My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimers recently and is living in a care facility.

It’s heart-wrenching to watch a loved one deal with this horrible disease.

I’m grateful to my siblings, who are doing a great job seeing to Dad’s needs.

 •

For my birthday in July, Gwynly gave me experiences rather than gifts.

At my request, we visited several historic sites in the Gold Country.

 •

Railtown 1897 is known as the movie railroad, their trains having been

featured in Back to the Future III and many other shows over the years.

•

Columbia is California’s best-persevered Gold Rush town.

•

Old Sacramento boasts a wealth of California’s history.

 •

The last stop on my birthday adventure was Davis, where we got to see our gal.

Since my birthday is July 17th, I was excited to see our order number.

 •

Gwynly and I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon beside beautiful Lake Tahoe.

It’s easy to see why I love the majestic Sierras, isn’t it?

 •

Despite the heat, Gwynly and kept up with our walking.

We use the time to do lots and lots of talking. Fun!

•

Just last week, I was diagnosed with a Trigger Finger.

My right ring finger locks in the down position and snaps straight.

As a writer, this concerns me, so

I got right into the doctor to see what can be done.

I’ll be seeing an orthopedic specialist soon.

•

My publisher is re-releasing my debut novel in September.

A Bride Opens Shop is being paired with A Bride Sews With Love,

a fun story written by my friend and agent mate, Erica Vetsch.

Both stories are set in California, thus the title of the 2-in-1.

I’m expecting to see the book in Walmart any day, which is exciting

•

Our gal got herself a job in France!

Adri will be working as an English language assistant in two middle schools

in Saint-Omer, a town in the north about an hour from Paris. She’s been busy

preparing for her departure. As you might guess, there are a lot of hoops.

She leaves September 15, and will work from October to May.

I’m both excited for her and sad for me. I’ll miss seeing her,

which is why Gwynly and I are planning a visit at Christmas.

• • •

What were the highlights of your summer?

Have you ever felt the need to take an extended blogging break?

Romantic First Date Revisited

Where did you go on your first date?

Gwynly and I went out to dinner at Scotts on the Embarcadero

in San Francisco and enjoyed a fancy fish dinner. Afterward

we crashed the Junior-Senior Prom at the high school

where he was teaching, held at a restaurant in Berkeley.

I figure we’re one of the few couples who received an 8×10 photograph

to commemorate the event. The photographer wanted us to get all cozy

as prom couples are apt to do, but I insisted we keep things semi-formal.

It was our first date, after all.

❤❤❤

Earlier this month we were able to relive our first date.

We volunteered to count the royalty ballots at his high school’s prom.

Unlike our first prom when I was ill-at-ease, this experience was wonderful.

I had a great time talking with the young people and admiring their finery.

The best part of the evening, though, was spending time

with my guy as we relived a special memory.

❤❤❤

I’d love to hear about your first date.

Where did you go? What did you do?

What made the date extra special for you?

~ or~

Feel free to share a prom memory.

 

Recommended Read: Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt

Are you a fan of contemporary romances

with characters who capture your heart?

If so, Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt

is a story worth checking out.

And just look at that cover. Is it great, or what?

About the Story

What does a girl do when life doesn’t go according to her plan? At thirty-six, Kendall Haynes has seen some of her dreams come true. She’s a family physician helping kids with severe allergies and asthma achieve more fulfilling lives—a childhood struggle she knows all too well. But are Kendall’s dreams of having it all—a career, a husband, children—nothing more than a childhood fantasy? God says He knows the plans He has for her—why can’t Kendall figure them out and be content with her life?

Griffin Walker prefers flying solo—both as an Air Force pilot and in his personal life. But a wrong choice and health problems pulled him out of the cockpit. His attempts to get out of “flying a desk” are complicated by his parents’ death—making Griffin the reluctant guardian of his sixteen-year-old brother, Ian. How did his life get so off course? Can he get his life back on track…or has there been a divine plan all along?

Catch a Falling Star reminds readers that romance isn’t just for twenty-somethings and that sometimes letting go of your “wish I may, wish I might” dreams is the only way to embrace everything God has waiting for you.

❤❤❤

My Thoughts

Like many readers of Beth’s latest release have said, Catch a Falling Star kept me up late. I was so engrossed in the story I’d intend to read one chapter but would end up reading another, and that often turned into two, three, four, or more, making for several late nights.

The characters pulled me in from the beginning. Dr. Kendall Haynes and grounded Air Force pilot Lieutenant Colonel Griffin Walker get off to a rocky start, and that’s the start of a captivating tale of two independent people whose road to romance is a rocky as the back roads they like to traverse in their beloved Jeeps.

While I enjoyed the story as a whole, two elements in particular added to my enjoyment. The first is that Kendall and Griffin aren’t your usual twenty-something twosome with the starry-eyed ideals of youth. She’s a successful on-the-shelf thirty-six-year-old career woman, and he’s a thirty-eight-year-old man who’s ruled out marriage. Watching two people who have all but given up on love and romance find just that is heartwarming.

Another element I enjoyed is the fact that the characters aren’t perfect. Both have issues to overcome and lessons to learn. Griffin made some mistakes early in life before he became a believer, mistakes that have lasting consequences. Kendall has dreamed of having it all–career, marriage, and kids–for so long that she’s willing to settle for less than the best rather than trusting the Lord to lead her to the man he has for her.

Watching Kendall and Griffin grow and change as they face a series of challenges and discover God’s plans for them is encouraging. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but we can trust Him with our futures, a message that comes through without being preachy or in-your-face.

Beth is a talented storyteller who has written a story sure to delight romance readers of all ages, and I highly recommend it.

❤❤❤

Questions for You

Do you enjoy romances with older-than-usual characters?

Does a flawed character with lessons to learn add to your enjoyment?

The Waiting Game

How do you handle waiting?

Most days I do OK with it,

but this is not one of them.

I’m waiting in many areas of my life,

and I’m not handling it as well as I’d like.

And what am I waiting for?

Here are just a few of the items on my list:

1. I’m waiting to find out what’s wrong with my heel. For the past two and a half months, I’ve been limping around. I saw the doctor a month ago, and he thought I might have a bruised heel. A return visit this week ruled that out. I’ll be undergoing an X-ray to see if it’s a bone issue. If not, I’ll be on an anti-inflammatory for a month to see if the pain goes away. If so, that will indicate I injured the tendons in my foot.

2. I’m waiting to get a green light to exercise again. I had to give up my walking a month ago due to my sore heel. Our ballroom dance class and my Curves workouts are out, too, until we figure out what’s wrong. I never thought I would miss exercise, but I do–greatly.

3. I’m waiting for the end of the school year, so I can spend more time with Gwynly. He often joins me on my walks, but he’s had to walk alone the past few weeks. I really miss that time with him.

4. I’m waiting for my hair to grow out. I changed hairstylists and didn’t communicate what I wanted clearly enough. The result was a cut with some “blending” that left sections of my hair much shorter than normal. Call me vain, but dealing with bad hair days for weeks on end is a bit depressing.

5. I’m waiting for several books to be released. I have plenty of them in my To-Be-Read stacks, of course, but there are some great stories coming out in the next few months that I’m eager to enjoy.

6. I’m waiting for NCIS season 10 to come out on Netflix. Gwynly and I were a bit behind the times and only recently discovered this awesome show. We’ve blasted through the first nine seasons and are eager to watch the next one.

 ❤❤❤

Questions for You

What are you waiting for?

How do you handle waiting times?

Are you as captivated by NCIS as I am?

Romance and Poetry

April is National Poetry Month.

Poetry is a wonderful way to express love.

As I reflect on romantic poems, the one that tops my list is

“How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

I delivered this poem as a reading in an oral interpretation class

in college. The romantic in me enjoyed adding plenty of emotion.

What poem do you think qualifies as the most romantic?

Romance Right in Step

Do you enjoy dancing? I do.

Gwynly knows this, so he surprised me recently by signing us up for ballroom dance lessons through our local Parks and Recreation Department.

We’re having lots of fun learning. Our focus so far is East Coast Swing. We’ve mastered a couple of basic turns and haven’t stepped on any toes in the process.

I asked one of the young men why he and his girlfriend are there. He said the lessons were his Valentine’s Day present to her. It’s what she really wanted, so he made it happen. My romance writer’s heart loved hearing that.

Shared activities are important in any relationship, especially a romantic one. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find mutual interests, but it’s worth it to do some experimentation. The rewards are many.

The young man I was talking with admitted that he’s having more fun than he expected. I can tell by her smiles that his girlfriend is happy. Gwynly and I are certainly having a blast.

❤❤❤

Questions for You

Do you like ballroom dancing?

What activities do you and your special someone share?

What activity does your special someone enjoy that you’ve grown to like, too?

The Most Romantic City is. . .

Of all the cities in the world, which would you say is the most romantic?

I’m going with Paris, and I’m guessing I’m not alone.

I’ve never been there, but that’s going to change.

Our daughter, a German-French major, will graduate in June. For the past three years she’s dreamed of working in Europe. Because of her hard work, she’s made that dream a reality.

Last week Adriana learned that she was accepted to the Teaching Assisting Program in France. Come October, she’ll be teaching English in French middle and/or high schools around Lille in northern France.

Gwynly and I have spent the past two weeks celebrating with our gal. We’re very proud of her and excited for her.

We’ve also been making plans to visit, and one of the places we want to see is Paris. Even though we lived in Germany four and a half years, we didn’t venture into France. We only have one semester of high school French between us and didn’t feel comfortable due to the lack of the language. Thanks to our daughter, we’ll be able to tour France with our own personal tour guide.

We don’t know yet when we’ll be traveling since we have to find out what Adri’s schedule will be, but I’m getting excited about visiting her in France and seeing the City of Love for myself.

❤❤❤

Questions for You

Does Paris top your Most Romantic Cities list? Why or why not?

Have you ever visited Paris? If so, what were your favorite places?

If you were to visit Paris, which places would be on your must-see list?

❤❤❤

Image from Wikimedia Commons

 

Research on the Rails

Over spring break, my family and I boarded am Amtrak train bound for Reno.

While the trip was a lot of fun, the primary purpose for me was research, since many of my characters reached California by train. I love research, and when I can couple it with a vacation, that makes it even better.

The eastbound train pulling into the station.

We boarded the train in Roseville, California, about twenty miles east of downtown Sacramento, leaving at 11:30 a.m. I was smiling so broadly that morning it was a wonder my cheeks weren’t sore.

The adventure begins.

While we were assigned seats in a coach car, I spent the entire eastbound trip in the sightseer car.

I was trying to capture the plentiful Manzanita bushes and red clay that are prevalent on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas.

When I wasn’t snapping pictures, I was taking notes on the narration given by docents from the Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento. They ride the train and enlighten passengers about the history of the Central Pacific Railroad.

Highway 80 heading over Donner Summit.

Normally this road would be full of skiers bound for the snow, but with the pitiful amount of snow we’ve had this year, they’ve found other activities.

North Fork of the American River

The views from the train are spectacular. As we climbed, pine trees outnumbered the oaks that are more plentiful at lower elevations.

The eastbound train going around a bend as we reach the snowline.

Due to maintenance taking place the day we made the trip, the eastbound train was actually using the westbound track. We were assured we were safe, but we did have to stop a number of times and travel very slowly at others. Even at regular speed, the train was only going about 30-35 mph. There are plenty of curves to navigate and steep hills to climb.

The eastbound train approaching a show shed.

The early snow sheds were built of wood. Sparks from the locomotives could set them on fire, so lookouts were posted on a far away mountaintop to keep watch. Crews would be dispatched to deal with any fires. Concrete sheds eventually replace the wooden ones.

Even though this is near the summit, there is little snow. Normally there would be ten to twelve feet at this time of year, but we just experienced our third driest February and March on record.

Donner Lake

Donner Lake is named after the ill-fated party of pioneers who reached the area after the winter storms had set in and were unable to complete their crossing. They split into two groups and camped near the lake.

The eastern slope of the Sierras near the Nevada border.

The terrain changed greatly once we began our descent on the eastern side of the Sierras where there is little rainfall.

An irrigation canal on the eastern slope of the Sierras.

The early settlers built many irrigation canals, or ditches as they are more commonly called, to take water from the Sierras to the communities at lower elevations. Many of these engineering marvels are still in use today.

Our daughter, Adriana, poses beneath Reno’s famous archway.

Due to the delays, we reached Reno around 4:30 p.m. The train station is right downtown, so we were able to walk to the casino where Gwynly had booked our room. We enjoyed a nice dinner, played a few games in the carnival portion of Circus Circus, and lost a whopping $4.00 at the penny slots. Nope. We’re not big gamblers.

An irrigation canal on the California side of the Sierras.

We boarded the train the following morning at 8:30 a.m. On the return trip, I discovered where the docents hang out and paid them a visit. They gave me some great info for the story I’m writing.

Thanks to my research trip, I will be better able to describe the train trip many of my characters made when they came to California. I’m grateful I didn’t have to make it in the days when women wore Victorian dresses with layers of petticoats and dealt with the soot and ash from the steam locomotives raining on the cars. I did, however, experience the drunk-like stagger needed to keep my balance as I walked between the cars. Too bad I didn’t take a video camera.

❤❤❤

Questions for You

Have you ever ridden a train?

If so, what did you like best about the experience?

❤❤❤

My apologies for getting this post up late. We learned last week that our daughter, Adriana, a German-French major graduating this June, got a job in France. Come October, she’ll be a teaching assistant in English classes in French middle and/or high schools around the city of Lille in northern France. Needless to say, I’m quite excited, so much so that I forgot to write my post.