R.A. White's Blog, page 27
April 26, 2014
Having a Purpose Is One Thing...
I just want to thank you who sent me messages and emails with questions, comments, and stories. First, it's great to know people are actually reading this stuff and appreciate it. Second, it's so encouraging to hear other people's thoughts on interracial books and toys, adoption, and other things. You remind me that there's a lot more to this than selling books.
And you support something I heard today, something that I really want to remember. I heard it on a short 'making of' video for NEEDTOBREATHE's latest album. The lead singer, Bear Rineheart said, 'Needing a purpose is one thing, needing success is a rotten thing'. It's so true and so important to remember. I can't find my purpose in the number of books I sell every month. It's about making the world a better place in the area of racial and cultural love in diversity (and entertaining people). Your purpose is probably something else, but it's something just as important. Find it. Don't settle for 'success'.
And you support something I heard today, something that I really want to remember. I heard it on a short 'making of' video for NEEDTOBREATHE's latest album. The lead singer, Bear Rineheart said, 'Needing a purpose is one thing, needing success is a rotten thing'. It's so true and so important to remember. I can't find my purpose in the number of books I sell every month. It's about making the world a better place in the area of racial and cultural love in diversity (and entertaining people). Your purpose is probably something else, but it's something just as important. Find it. Don't settle for 'success'.
having a Purpose Is One Thing...
I just want to thank you who sent me messages and emails with questions, comments, and stories. First, it's great to know people are actually reading this stuff and appreciate it. Second, it's so encouraging to hear other people's thoughts on interracial books and toys, adoption, and other things. You remind me that there's a lot more to this than selling books.
And you support something I heard today, something that I really want to remember. I heard it on a short 'making of' video for NEEDTOBREATHE's latest album. The lead singer, Bear Rineheart said, 'Needing a purpose is one thing, needing success is a rotten thing'. It's so true and so important to remember. I can't find my purpose in the number of books I sell every month. It's about making the world a better place in the area of racial and cultural love in diversity (and entertaining people). Your purpose is probably something else, but it's something just as important. Find it. Don't settle for 'success'.
And you support something I heard today, something that I really want to remember. I heard it on a short 'making of' video for NEEDTOBREATHE's latest album. The lead singer, Bear Rineheart said, 'Needing a purpose is one thing, needing success is a rotten thing'. It's so true and so important to remember. I can't find my purpose in the number of books I sell every month. It's about making the world a better place in the area of racial and cultural love in diversity (and entertaining people). Your purpose is probably something else, but it's something just as important. Find it. Don't settle for 'success'.
April 25, 2014
a HUMBLE pLEA
I probably don't have a right to be so giddy about this, but I'm excited to share that a book club is reading Kergulen! Shout out to Antoinette for talking those poor souls into reading a four hundred page fantasy novel!
Until I received a message from Antoinette about her book club, I had never seriously considered speaking to book clubs about my stories. Why? I don't know. I've never been part of a real book club, so it's unfamiliar territory. Or maybe I'm just intimidated by the thought of asking anyone to read my stuff. It could be I just wasn't smart enough to see the value in it. There could be lots of reasons.
But Antoinette has encouraged me, so here goes: IF YOU'RE PART OF A BOOK CLUB, WOULD YOU PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ASK THEM TO READ KERGULEN! If a club (or anyone, for that matter) wants paperback books, I will ship them (signed or not) in the US for as little cost as I can, probably 10-13 dollars each. Or you can ask your public library to get them in and pay nothing at all!
Okay, I got that off my chest. Sorry to bore all you non-book clubbers. There are more interesting things if you scroll down. That 'Jelly Beans' story is pretty funny.
Until I received a message from Antoinette about her book club, I had never seriously considered speaking to book clubs about my stories. Why? I don't know. I've never been part of a real book club, so it's unfamiliar territory. Or maybe I'm just intimidated by the thought of asking anyone to read my stuff. It could be I just wasn't smart enough to see the value in it. There could be lots of reasons.
But Antoinette has encouraged me, so here goes: IF YOU'RE PART OF A BOOK CLUB, WOULD YOU PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ASK THEM TO READ KERGULEN! If a club (or anyone, for that matter) wants paperback books, I will ship them (signed or not) in the US for as little cost as I can, probably 10-13 dollars each. Or you can ask your public library to get them in and pay nothing at all!
Okay, I got that off my chest. Sorry to bore all you non-book clubbers. There are more interesting things if you scroll down. That 'Jelly Beans' story is pretty funny.
April 23, 2014
Videos for Everyone
I've posted four new videos this week, and I think there's something for everyone. 'Hungry Cupboard' is Trooper pretending to be trapped by the cupboard yet again, my little actor. 'Ghetto or Redneck?' is an opportunity for you to explore the important differences between the two. If you want to see a few grown women suffer pain, watch 'Grown-Up Slide', but if you're in the mood for a moment of peace, try 'Dandelion'.
April 21, 2014
Jelly Beans
As is often the case, I 'fell off the wagon' this holiday weekend in my resolution to lose twenty pounds this year. I'm comforted in remembering that in the case of calories and most other areas of life, it's the rule and not the exception that defines the way things turn out. As a rule, I've been counting my calories, eating lots of vegetation, and being a generally active person.
The exception lasted about four days. I was doing all right until a friend brought donuts to a group meeting on Thursday night. It kinda went down hill from there. Then there was cookie dough, Easter candy, animal crackers, fantastic coconut Easter cupcakes, and (two bowls of) Olive Garden chicken and gnocchi soup. My guess is there were as many calories in the soup as in every other junk item I ate combined. I justified eating these things by noting that I ate them with not-often-seen family.
Yesterday during our one waking hour at home, I told Trooper he could have some Easter candy. While I was in the bathroom, I heard an ominous clatter. I hurried to the dining room, expecting to see jelly beans all over the table, but all I found was their bowl, empty and sitting in its place on the table.
"Where are the jelly beans?"
Shrug and smile.
"Where did the jelly beans go?"
"I poured them."
"Well, I heard them pouring. Where did you pour them?"
He gave a sidelong glance at the trashcan, and I saw one red jelly bean perched on top of the less pretty refuse.
"You threw them away?"
Another shrug. "I don't like them."
So I lectured him about throwing away perfectly good food, but even as I spoke, I wondered if I should scold him or thank him for saving me from eating six hundred calories worth of jelly beans.
If you lost track of your diet this past weekend, let this be an encouragement to you. Monday is a great day to start over. And if not Monday, then Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday...
Just start over, already.
The exception lasted about four days. I was doing all right until a friend brought donuts to a group meeting on Thursday night. It kinda went down hill from there. Then there was cookie dough, Easter candy, animal crackers, fantastic coconut Easter cupcakes, and (two bowls of) Olive Garden chicken and gnocchi soup. My guess is there were as many calories in the soup as in every other junk item I ate combined. I justified eating these things by noting that I ate them with not-often-seen family.
Yesterday during our one waking hour at home, I told Trooper he could have some Easter candy. While I was in the bathroom, I heard an ominous clatter. I hurried to the dining room, expecting to see jelly beans all over the table, but all I found was their bowl, empty and sitting in its place on the table.
"Where are the jelly beans?"
Shrug and smile.
"Where did the jelly beans go?"
"I poured them."
"Well, I heard them pouring. Where did you pour them?"
He gave a sidelong glance at the trashcan, and I saw one red jelly bean perched on top of the less pretty refuse.
"You threw them away?"
Another shrug. "I don't like them."
So I lectured him about throwing away perfectly good food, but even as I spoke, I wondered if I should scold him or thank him for saving me from eating six hundred calories worth of jelly beans.
If you lost track of your diet this past weekend, let this be an encouragement to you. Monday is a great day to start over. And if not Monday, then Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday...
Just start over, already.
April 14, 2014
Writers' Process Blog Hop
I'm following Amy R. Biddle, author of The Atheist's Prayer in this blog tour about authors' writing processes. Visit her website here: http://www.amyrbiddle.com/
What am I working on?
I'm working on Alonca's Quest, The Kergulen Series book 3, (woohoo)! I'd say I'm between 25 and 30% of the way done with the first draft, and it's going to be good, if I do say so myself.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
First, I have a non-white protagonist. When I made Rima a dark-skinned Banlunder I didn't think anything of it, but it turns out that non-white heroes are a rarity. Second, while the Kergulen Series is set in a fantasy world, much more attention is given to the characters than to the setting and world-building. I may spend a few paragraphs near the beginning giving a background setting for the story, but often fantasy novels have many paragraphs and even chapters dedicated to setting up the world and the characters' back stories. Third, while Rima does what needs to be done, she's not a 'kicking butts and taking names' kind of girl. She starts out being reluctant, but she develops confidence and ability without ever becoming a mercenary type.
Why do I write what I do?
Kergulen was on my mind and heart for almost twenty years before I ever published it, a story of standing against nationalism and racist hatred, as well as a tale of personal growth and courage. The series continues to show how intercultural and interracial relationships can be healthy and beneficial despite their challenges. These truths have been important to me for quite some time, and even more so now that I'm the mother of a child who doesn't 'match' me.
How does my writing process work?
I write by scene, usually in order, but not always. Sometimes I'll write several scenes from a particular perspective before moving on to insert scenes about other characters. It depends on what I can 'get into'. In Kings of the Red Shell I had written the ending and moved on to Alonca's Quest before going back and filling in the middle of 'Kings'. Several of my favorite scenes were added after I thought I was done, but when re-reading the second draft I realized that some important things were missing. When I think I'm done with the book, I give it to a few beta readers to go over, and then I edit/add/delete with their observations in mind. I wait quite a few weeks before going over it again to look for mistakes in Word, and then I read it on my Kindle once or twice, looking for errors again. When that looks good, I read the paperback version for one final edit. By that point, the book is about as clean as anything you'd get from Ballantine Books.
Following me next week on the mywritingprocess tour is Regina Shelley, who has a very different and interesting writing process, not to mention brave. I just don't think I could do what she does!
Check out her blog at:
http://fivedollarmail.blogspot.com/2014/04/chapter-228-crossroads.html
What am I working on?
I'm working on Alonca's Quest, The Kergulen Series book 3, (woohoo)! I'd say I'm between 25 and 30% of the way done with the first draft, and it's going to be good, if I do say so myself.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
First, I have a non-white protagonist. When I made Rima a dark-skinned Banlunder I didn't think anything of it, but it turns out that non-white heroes are a rarity. Second, while the Kergulen Series is set in a fantasy world, much more attention is given to the characters than to the setting and world-building. I may spend a few paragraphs near the beginning giving a background setting for the story, but often fantasy novels have many paragraphs and even chapters dedicated to setting up the world and the characters' back stories. Third, while Rima does what needs to be done, she's not a 'kicking butts and taking names' kind of girl. She starts out being reluctant, but she develops confidence and ability without ever becoming a mercenary type.
Why do I write what I do?
Kergulen was on my mind and heart for almost twenty years before I ever published it, a story of standing against nationalism and racist hatred, as well as a tale of personal growth and courage. The series continues to show how intercultural and interracial relationships can be healthy and beneficial despite their challenges. These truths have been important to me for quite some time, and even more so now that I'm the mother of a child who doesn't 'match' me.
How does my writing process work?
I write by scene, usually in order, but not always. Sometimes I'll write several scenes from a particular perspective before moving on to insert scenes about other characters. It depends on what I can 'get into'. In Kings of the Red Shell I had written the ending and moved on to Alonca's Quest before going back and filling in the middle of 'Kings'. Several of my favorite scenes were added after I thought I was done, but when re-reading the second draft I realized that some important things were missing. When I think I'm done with the book, I give it to a few beta readers to go over, and then I edit/add/delete with their observations in mind. I wait quite a few weeks before going over it again to look for mistakes in Word, and then I read it on my Kindle once or twice, looking for errors again. When that looks good, I read the paperback version for one final edit. By that point, the book is about as clean as anything you'd get from Ballantine Books.
Following me next week on the mywritingprocess tour is Regina Shelley, who has a very different and interesting writing process, not to mention brave. I just don't think I could do what she does!
Check out her blog at:
http://fivedollarmail.blogspot.com/2014/04/chapter-228-crossroads.html
April 10, 2014
It's spring! Time to get dirty.
Has anyone else been able to enjoy beautiful weather this week? I think we've been to the park every day so far, and several times last week, too. We work it in between other meetings and responsibilities, which means we've appeared in public with sand in our hair and mud on our pants more than once. There was a time when I felt compelled to 'have it together' whenever I went out. I was determined not to show weakness, like people would think me incapable of caring for my child if we looked deranged or mismatched.
Somewhere along the way I stopped caring about that, and now I more or less let Trooper pick his own clothes, and I usually don't worry too much about the state of those clothes as long as they fit and the dirt doesn't look like yesterday's. In another year I might not even care about that.
I do still concern myself with Trooper's hair, but not for the same reasons. I used to worry--please take this the right way--but I used to worry that black women would judge me if his hair looked nappy. I wasn't really thinking about what white women would think. Anyway, I didn't want people to think I couldn't handle his hair, so I was picky about it. Now I'm pretty confident that his hair is awesome. I want it to look good because I'm proud of it, not because of what people might think. (I've actually had quite a few strangers encourage me to set up shop doing hair. Alas, I have no aspirations to dreadlock stardom at this time, but who knows what I might try if and when this writing addiction lets up.)
So yesterday Trooper was crying because he didn't have any clean jeans left, (any moms out there NOT behind on laundry?) and he had to wear sweats. I'm just glad he finally seems to understand it isn't normal to wear a shirt and tie with gym pants. That's one thing we haven't argued about lately. Now days he thinks Spiderman tees are almost as cool as button-ups and neckties, so life is a bit easier in that department.
I don't know if any other parents have had this experience, but three days ago we were cheering because Trooper used his first completely spontaneous and intentionally chosen preposition. He said, "Blow it up, for me?" as he handed me a balloon. Then of course he had to go around the house dancing as he chanted it, and of course I had to blow up the balloon.
I've added a few videos this week, and will probably add more, all of which were taken at parks. One is of a cool roller-slide at a park about an hour north of us, one is a cute snippet of Trooper trying to get his dad to hurry, and the other is of a Great Blue Heron at the bottom of the Silver Lake Dam.
Next week I'll be participating in a Blog Hop, which basically just means you'll have the opportunity to read answers to some writerly questions and check out a couple other blogs if you want, but I promise to post some things for those who aren't interested in 'behind the scenes' in novel creation. For those who ARE interested, please feel free to ask questions any time and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks so much for reading!
Somewhere along the way I stopped caring about that, and now I more or less let Trooper pick his own clothes, and I usually don't worry too much about the state of those clothes as long as they fit and the dirt doesn't look like yesterday's. In another year I might not even care about that.
I do still concern myself with Trooper's hair, but not for the same reasons. I used to worry--please take this the right way--but I used to worry that black women would judge me if his hair looked nappy. I wasn't really thinking about what white women would think. Anyway, I didn't want people to think I couldn't handle his hair, so I was picky about it. Now I'm pretty confident that his hair is awesome. I want it to look good because I'm proud of it, not because of what people might think. (I've actually had quite a few strangers encourage me to set up shop doing hair. Alas, I have no aspirations to dreadlock stardom at this time, but who knows what I might try if and when this writing addiction lets up.)
So yesterday Trooper was crying because he didn't have any clean jeans left, (any moms out there NOT behind on laundry?) and he had to wear sweats. I'm just glad he finally seems to understand it isn't normal to wear a shirt and tie with gym pants. That's one thing we haven't argued about lately. Now days he thinks Spiderman tees are almost as cool as button-ups and neckties, so life is a bit easier in that department.
I don't know if any other parents have had this experience, but three days ago we were cheering because Trooper used his first completely spontaneous and intentionally chosen preposition. He said, "Blow it up, for me?" as he handed me a balloon. Then of course he had to go around the house dancing as he chanted it, and of course I had to blow up the balloon.
I've added a few videos this week, and will probably add more, all of which were taken at parks. One is of a cool roller-slide at a park about an hour north of us, one is a cute snippet of Trooper trying to get his dad to hurry, and the other is of a Great Blue Heron at the bottom of the Silver Lake Dam.
Next week I'll be participating in a Blog Hop, which basically just means you'll have the opportunity to read answers to some writerly questions and check out a couple other blogs if you want, but I promise to post some things for those who aren't interested in 'behind the scenes' in novel creation. For those who ARE interested, please feel free to ask questions any time and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks so much for reading!
it's spring! Time to get dirty.
Has anyone else been able to enjoy beautiful weather this week? I think we've been to the park every day so far, and several times last week, too. We work it in between other meetings and responsibilities, which means we've appeared in public with sand in our hair and mud on our pants more than once. There was a time when I felt compelled to 'have it together' whenever I went out. I was determined not to show weakness, like people would think me incapable of caring for my child if we looked deranged or mismatched.
Somewhere along the way I stopped caring about that, and now I more or less let Trooper pick his own clothes, and I usually don't worry too much about the state of those clothes as long as they fit and the dirt doesn't look like yesterday's. In another year I might not even care about that.
I do still concern myself with Trooper's hair, but not for the same reasons. I used to worry--please take this the right way--but I used to worry that black women would judge me if his hair looked nappy. I wasn't really thinking about what white women would think. Anyway, I didn't want people to think I couldn't handle his hair, so I was picky about it. Now I'm pretty confident that his hair is awesome. I want it to look good because I'm proud of it, not because of what people might think. (I've actually had quite a few strangers encourage me to set up shop doing hair. Alas, I have no aspirations to dreadlock stardom at this time, but who knows what I might try if and when this writing addiction lets up.)
So yesterday Trooper was crying because he didn't have any clean jeans left, (any moms out there NOT behind on laundry?) and he had to wear sweats. I'm just glad he finally seems to understand it isn't normal to wear a shirt and tie with gym pants. That's one thing we haven't argued about lately. Now days he thinks Spiderman tees are almost as cool as button-ups and neckties, so life is a bit easier in that department.
I don't know if any other parents have had this experience, but three days ago we were cheering because Trooper used his first completely spontaneous and intentionally chosen preposition. He said, "Blow it up, for me?" as he handed me a balloon. Then of course he had to go around the house dancing as he chanted it, and of course I had to blow up the balloon.
I've added a few videos this week, and will probably add more, all of which were taken at parks. One is of a cool roller-slide at a park about an hour north of us, one is a cute snippet of Trooper trying to get his dad to hurry, and the other is of a Great Blue Heron at the bottom of the Silver Lake Dam.
Next week I'll be participating in a Blog Hop, which basically just means you'll have the opportunity to read answers to some writerly questions and check out a couple other blogs if you want, but I promise to post some things for those who aren't interested in 'behind the scenes' in novel creation. For those who ARE interested, please feel free to ask questions any time and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks so much for reading!
Somewhere along the way I stopped caring about that, and now I more or less let Trooper pick his own clothes, and I usually don't worry too much about the state of those clothes as long as they fit and the dirt doesn't look like yesterday's. In another year I might not even care about that.
I do still concern myself with Trooper's hair, but not for the same reasons. I used to worry--please take this the right way--but I used to worry that black women would judge me if his hair looked nappy. I wasn't really thinking about what white women would think. Anyway, I didn't want people to think I couldn't handle his hair, so I was picky about it. Now I'm pretty confident that his hair is awesome. I want it to look good because I'm proud of it, not because of what people might think. (I've actually had quite a few strangers encourage me to set up shop doing hair. Alas, I have no aspirations to dreadlock stardom at this time, but who knows what I might try if and when this writing addiction lets up.)
So yesterday Trooper was crying because he didn't have any clean jeans left, (any moms out there NOT behind on laundry?) and he had to wear sweats. I'm just glad he finally seems to understand it isn't normal to wear a shirt and tie with gym pants. That's one thing we haven't argued about lately. Now days he thinks Spiderman tees are almost as cool as button-ups and neckties, so life is a bit easier in that department.
I don't know if any other parents have had this experience, but three days ago we were cheering because Trooper used his first completely spontaneous and intentionally chosen preposition. He said, "Blow it up, for me?" as he handed me a balloon. Then of course he had to go around the house dancing as he chanted it, and of course I had to blow up the balloon.
I've added a few videos this week, and will probably add more, all of which were taken at parks. One is of a cool roller-slide at a park about an hour north of us, one is a cute snippet of Trooper trying to get his dad to hurry, and the other is of a Great Blue Heron at the bottom of the Silver Lake Dam.
Next week I'll be participating in a Blog Hop, which basically just means you'll have the opportunity to read answers to some writerly questions and check out a couple other blogs if you want, but I promise to post some things for those who aren't interested in 'behind the scenes' in novel creation. For those who ARE interested, please feel free to ask questions any time and I'll do my best to answer them.
Thanks so much for reading!
April 4, 2014
Threes, fives, it all depends on how you count.
At the risk of being a drag, I'm just going to post a few things about this week, and then I'm moving on to lighter and more entertaining things. I don't want this blog to become a downer, but since I already mentioned the friend with a heart attack and my computer in a previous post, I feel a desire to follow up on it.
First, the man ended up having TWO heart attacks Monday night and a couple of procedures to keep him alive and correct things. Four days later he's doing better and hopes to go home early next week. A stressful time for him, his family, and all who care about him, but a happy conclusion is in sight.
Second, my dear friend was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday. I can't tell you how upsetting this is for me and everyone who loves her. In my mind I know that she's in God's hands and there's little reason to fear she won't recover from this, but it's still hard to think about all the medicine she's going to have to endure without crying. I feel so helpless and I want to be able to make it better. I have to be careful where I cry because I don't want a repeat of the drowned laptop fiasco.
Third, on Wednesday I sent an email to a friend and while I meant it one way, she took it a different way. And for good reason. In general, people usually understand what I mean when I'm writing, even when I'm using sarcasm or being a little snarky, but in this case I wasn't clear at all. I can't even blame her for assuming the worst of me. Maybe all the stress is getting to me and ruining my ability to communicate, or maybe she and I just have very different communication styles, I don't know. Either way, If none of this post makes sense, please assume that stress is the problem and not...whatever else you might be tempted to assume.
Fourth, (I know, this is getting long. Bear with me, please.) last night my dog ran away again. I don't know when he even got loose or how. He's an escape artist, which is probably why he ended up in the SPCA in the first place, but he's such a sweet boy and I so don't want him to get hurt or be lost forever. Today I almost lost it when out of habit I asked Trooper to pick up his toys so Malcolm wouldn't chew them. Trooper said, "Mer Maltom doe?" (Translation, "Where did Malcolm go?") Sad, sad.
So, I won't be bringing up these topics again except maybe to celebrate a happy resolution to one of the stories. I've been so distracted by these and other everyday things that I haven't even TRIED to write a book since Monday. But I do have a little good news: I'm writing this post right now on my resurrected laptop (hurrah!) and I also somehow managed to get a few cute/funny videos this week to share. If you've read this post in its entirety then you definitely need to watch a video or two to bring you up out of the hole I dug. They're all sweet, but my favorite is 'Hair and socks'.
Thanks for reading, and may your upcoming week be full of wonder and good news.
First, the man ended up having TWO heart attacks Monday night and a couple of procedures to keep him alive and correct things. Four days later he's doing better and hopes to go home early next week. A stressful time for him, his family, and all who care about him, but a happy conclusion is in sight.
Second, my dear friend was diagnosed with cancer on Tuesday. I can't tell you how upsetting this is for me and everyone who loves her. In my mind I know that she's in God's hands and there's little reason to fear she won't recover from this, but it's still hard to think about all the medicine she's going to have to endure without crying. I feel so helpless and I want to be able to make it better. I have to be careful where I cry because I don't want a repeat of the drowned laptop fiasco.
Third, on Wednesday I sent an email to a friend and while I meant it one way, she took it a different way. And for good reason. In general, people usually understand what I mean when I'm writing, even when I'm using sarcasm or being a little snarky, but in this case I wasn't clear at all. I can't even blame her for assuming the worst of me. Maybe all the stress is getting to me and ruining my ability to communicate, or maybe she and I just have very different communication styles, I don't know. Either way, If none of this post makes sense, please assume that stress is the problem and not...whatever else you might be tempted to assume.
Fourth, (I know, this is getting long. Bear with me, please.) last night my dog ran away again. I don't know when he even got loose or how. He's an escape artist, which is probably why he ended up in the SPCA in the first place, but he's such a sweet boy and I so don't want him to get hurt or be lost forever. Today I almost lost it when out of habit I asked Trooper to pick up his toys so Malcolm wouldn't chew them. Trooper said, "Mer Maltom doe?" (Translation, "Where did Malcolm go?") Sad, sad.
So, I won't be bringing up these topics again except maybe to celebrate a happy resolution to one of the stories. I've been so distracted by these and other everyday things that I haven't even TRIED to write a book since Monday. But I do have a little good news: I'm writing this post right now on my resurrected laptop (hurrah!) and I also somehow managed to get a few cute/funny videos this week to share. If you've read this post in its entirety then you definitely need to watch a video or two to bring you up out of the hole I dug. They're all sweet, but my favorite is 'Hair and socks'.
Thanks for reading, and may your upcoming week be full of wonder and good news.
March 31, 2014
Do they really come in threes?
I had just gotten home from a wonderful ladies' Bible class after a partly sunny day of writing and light house cleaning. After a very busy and somewhat stressful weekend (lots of things I won't go into), I really needed a break and a writing fix. Seriously, when I don't get to write for a while, I remind myself of a person who's craving a cigarette.
So I got home, and not long after I'd gotten out of the shower we got a call that one of the men from our congregation had just had a heart attack. As I was digesting this news, I looked down and saw that Trooper had poured water all over my laptop keyboard while watching the Little Rascals.
The man who had the heart attack seems to be doing well, and I am SO glad, but the computer is dead. I'm hoping that drying it out will resurrect it, but my hope isn't strong.
All of this has (and I'll paraphrase from Alonca's Quest) 'led me to question my priorities, amongst other things'. A dead laptop seems like such a big deal. It is, in a way. First of all, I can't afford a new one, and second, resetting everything and getting all my files/passwords moved over from the old hard drive will be a major pain in the buttocks. But in light of a heart attack, a laptop is nothing. Our loved ones are so much more important than any gadget, convenience, or dream. If I never got to write again I would cry a lot, sure, but I could still be happy because I have a God who cares and people to love.
Forgive me for getting sappy and long winded. It's just been that kind of night. Oh, and the title of this post-well, let's hope they don't really come in threes.
So I got home, and not long after I'd gotten out of the shower we got a call that one of the men from our congregation had just had a heart attack. As I was digesting this news, I looked down and saw that Trooper had poured water all over my laptop keyboard while watching the Little Rascals.
The man who had the heart attack seems to be doing well, and I am SO glad, but the computer is dead. I'm hoping that drying it out will resurrect it, but my hope isn't strong.
All of this has (and I'll paraphrase from Alonca's Quest) 'led me to question my priorities, amongst other things'. A dead laptop seems like such a big deal. It is, in a way. First of all, I can't afford a new one, and second, resetting everything and getting all my files/passwords moved over from the old hard drive will be a major pain in the buttocks. But in light of a heart attack, a laptop is nothing. Our loved ones are so much more important than any gadget, convenience, or dream. If I never got to write again I would cry a lot, sure, but I could still be happy because I have a God who cares and people to love.
Forgive me for getting sappy and long winded. It's just been that kind of night. Oh, and the title of this post-well, let's hope they don't really come in threes.
