It's no joke when people say on January 1st, only 364 days left before Christmas. We need to pay attention for snowy (for some of us) December, Christmas elves, wrapping papers and presents will arrive before we know what hit us.
For me, this month of the year requires more than one daily dose of vitamins, protein drinks, blood pressure pills and eggnog. There's the shopping blitz, usually reserved for the last week before Christmas followed by the wrapping frenzy accompanied by the hunt for Christmas music to play while slapping bows on gifts. It's the week of picking up the Christmas tree, letting it stand outside for a day which seems to attract murderous dark clouds filled rain. And always, the next day is dry and sunny but we can't leave it outside, too much to do, it has to go up today.
So I drag it through the mud room, kitchen, down the hallway to the family room leaving behind me a trail of needles that makes our ancient vacuum shudder. Sweating to get the tree stand to grip the trunk while our son who is supposed to be holding the tree steady, starts rocking to the sound coming out of his ear plugs.
And then the worst - the lights. The tangled, twisted heap of lights that takes an hour to unravel before the plugging in begins. A trip to a jam packed drug store for replacement bulbs follows. Finally, not being allowed to participate, I plop in the recliner and watch as the family takes over and begins to decorate in earnest and then it happens, a tingle of pleasure tickles my spine. Christmas is almost here. Life is good. Until next year this time.
I didn't mention the outdoor lighting as I like to keep my blogs clean, free of profanity. So readers, how about you? How do you get into the Christmas spirit?
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Thursday, 24 November 2011
The Importance of Connections
I recently had a simple, but important, 'aha moment' when I went south of the border into Maine with a friend on our annual Christmas shopping trip. We don't save any money but that's not the point. We have fun, the people of Maine are friendly, inviting, and of course, the selection in the stores out wows ours here in Eastern Canada. It's possible to find those uniquely different gifts!
Anyway, to the 'aha' moment. I had finished shopping before my friend so decided to join the line up at one of those little cafes set up in the mall that sold mochas, lattes, java of all sorts. I was at the back of the line and had time to watch the young people (three of them all in their teens) waiting on the customers. They were a joy to watch, busy, but not stressed, bouncing the teamwork ball beautifully, taking the time to smile at each other and the customers.
When I finally made it to the counter, I started seperating my Canadian coins from the American. The young man asked why I had so much Canadian money and the conversation began. We talked about Canada, shopping in America, and the like, then I took my bottle of water (don't take caffeine after a certain hour), sat at the table and took a peek inside the book I had bought. I was interrupted by the young man passing me a piece of complementary pumkin loaf. Surprised, delighted, to say the least.
I thought about the connections the small team at the mall made in their daily lives with the people they encountered and how much I admired it. It is important to make connections with others even in the routine of our daily lives, not just in disasters or the like, when usually the best in everyone comes out.
The realization of the simple, daily small connections with other members of the human family was my 'aha' moment. The sheer importance of it and the difference it makes in our lives. These small beginnings are the steps, I believe, towards interacting with others of different creeds, cultures, abilities, and the like. For underneath it all, we belong to the human family.
Just had to share it.
Anyway, to the 'aha' moment. I had finished shopping before my friend so decided to join the line up at one of those little cafes set up in the mall that sold mochas, lattes, java of all sorts. I was at the back of the line and had time to watch the young people (three of them all in their teens) waiting on the customers. They were a joy to watch, busy, but not stressed, bouncing the teamwork ball beautifully, taking the time to smile at each other and the customers.
When I finally made it to the counter, I started seperating my Canadian coins from the American. The young man asked why I had so much Canadian money and the conversation began. We talked about Canada, shopping in America, and the like, then I took my bottle of water (don't take caffeine after a certain hour), sat at the table and took a peek inside the book I had bought. I was interrupted by the young man passing me a piece of complementary pumkin loaf. Surprised, delighted, to say the least.
I thought about the connections the small team at the mall made in their daily lives with the people they encountered and how much I admired it. It is important to make connections with others even in the routine of our daily lives, not just in disasters or the like, when usually the best in everyone comes out.
The realization of the simple, daily small connections with other members of the human family was my 'aha' moment. The sheer importance of it and the difference it makes in our lives. These small beginnings are the steps, I believe, towards interacting with others of different creeds, cultures, abilities, and the like. For underneath it all, we belong to the human family.
Just had to share it.
Friday, 18 November 2011
Christmas Music/Decorations in Early November Rant
I'm being an ugly bear this morning and rant against the early promotion of Christmas. I realize the worldwide economy is in a tailspin, that retail outlets have been hit hard but really, is it necessary to start barraging shopping customers with Christmas music two days after Halloween going to help.
It aggravates me to no end, inudates and dulls my senses to beautiful music and all the other trimmings that accompany this wonderful season. By the time I'm ready to start shopping, I'm immune to all the hype and try to conjure of feelings of good will - doesn't happen.
Our brilliant neighbours to the south kick off their Christmas shopping on their Thanksgiving weekend, a heartwarming tradition that I expect sets the tone for December. Its not an option here in Canada with our October Thanksgiving weekends but surely there is something we can do to discourage the shopkeepers from bombarding us with enticements on TV, in the malls, on our streets, and yes, our libraries - our local one is fully decked out.
I support consumerism. I love to buy gifts for family and friends; love to receive them as well. But, scrooge like as I may sound, please don't bother me with any of the trappings before the middle of November. What about you? Am I alone in this? Weight in with your opinion, perhaps you can help me to see the benefit of these early enticements.
It aggravates me to no end, inudates and dulls my senses to beautiful music and all the other trimmings that accompany this wonderful season. By the time I'm ready to start shopping, I'm immune to all the hype and try to conjure of feelings of good will - doesn't happen.
Our brilliant neighbours to the south kick off their Christmas shopping on their Thanksgiving weekend, a heartwarming tradition that I expect sets the tone for December. Its not an option here in Canada with our October Thanksgiving weekends but surely there is something we can do to discourage the shopkeepers from bombarding us with enticements on TV, in the malls, on our streets, and yes, our libraries - our local one is fully decked out.
I support consumerism. I love to buy gifts for family and friends; love to receive them as well. But, scrooge like as I may sound, please don't bother me with any of the trappings before the middle of November. What about you? Am I alone in this? Weight in with your opinion, perhaps you can help me to see the benefit of these early enticements.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Get Behind Me...
I'm ready to move on from my first WIP. I don't want to do another edit or polish. It is time it is finished. I have other ideas percolating around in my head.
Why I and other writers put ourselves through the grind of writing is a mystery. Its a challenging, frustrating, rewarding, disappointing venture and, like so much else in life, in the end, there are no guarantees. I confess to being a bit nostalgic. My thoughts meander back more often than I like to what were 'the days when things were much more simple'. When an author told a good story, didn't have to be concerned about marketing, a good story sells itself. Now I know this is not true and never was, but its a favourite fantasy of mine, a return to what never was. Doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Neither does being a writer.
End of writer's rant and back to subject. Letting go of my first WIP is scary. Will readers like it? Will it crash into the ashes of the rejected. And if it does, is it really deserved? I've thought and re-thought these questions to the point that I know its time to move on. Get behind me WIP.
Has you ever felt this way about a project you've undertaken, doesn't have to be writing, I suspect there are more similarities than disimilarities in our human undertakings?
Why I and other writers put ourselves through the grind of writing is a mystery. Its a challenging, frustrating, rewarding, disappointing venture and, like so much else in life, in the end, there are no guarantees. I confess to being a bit nostalgic. My thoughts meander back more often than I like to what were 'the days when things were much more simple'. When an author told a good story, didn't have to be concerned about marketing, a good story sells itself. Now I know this is not true and never was, but its a favourite fantasy of mine, a return to what never was. Doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Neither does being a writer.
End of writer's rant and back to subject. Letting go of my first WIP is scary. Will readers like it? Will it crash into the ashes of the rejected. And if it does, is it really deserved? I've thought and re-thought these questions to the point that I know its time to move on. Get behind me WIP.
Has you ever felt this way about a project you've undertaken, doesn't have to be writing, I suspect there are more similarities than disimilarities in our human undertakings?
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Risk Taking - Yea or Nay - What's Your Story?
I haven't had a chance to post in awhile because I've been hard at work putting final polish on my WIP. Hoping to upload and go live on Amazon by end of November - scary business. I could play it safe and not take the risk but I believe my work will bring pleasure to readers, and as a reader for many, many years, I know the value of a good read.
And then there's the whole social media business. I found the learning curve to be a steep, sometimes frustrating one (and still do, haven't managed how to add Follow me buttons on my blog yet!) The extent of my communication skills: an expert of sending e-mails. But, I'm not giving up yet. I know how to retweet on Twitter now and proud of it!
But back to the book, going live is a bit of a crap shoot. Readers amy dis it, and I respect that as a reader, I too have my preferences. But, I'm going to take the plunge, one toe in the water when I post my book cover for comment next week.
Other risk I've taken: relocating to new town in new job, selling home, enrolling in University as a mature student, travelling alone to Europe. All of them scary at the time and even though some didn't go as I had hoped, I found taking on the challenge of change to be a true growth experience.
I'd love to hear your risk stories, for life experience is the greatest teacher!
And then there's the whole social media business. I found the learning curve to be a steep, sometimes frustrating one (and still do, haven't managed how to add Follow me buttons on my blog yet!) The extent of my communication skills: an expert of sending e-mails. But, I'm not giving up yet. I know how to retweet on Twitter now and proud of it!
But back to the book, going live is a bit of a crap shoot. Readers amy dis it, and I respect that as a reader, I too have my preferences. But, I'm going to take the plunge, one toe in the water when I post my book cover for comment next week.
Other risk I've taken: relocating to new town in new job, selling home, enrolling in University as a mature student, travelling alone to Europe. All of them scary at the time and even though some didn't go as I had hoped, I found taking on the challenge of change to be a true growth experience.
I'd love to hear your risk stories, for life experience is the greatest teacher!
Saturday, 12 November 2011
The Storm
Huge wind and rain storm here on the east coast yesterday. Biblical rains! Had I known, when I threw half of the winter's woodpile in the basement, I wouldn't have been so ambitious and left more for the building of an ark.
The wind stripped the leaves that have hung around this fall for the longest time I can remember. Unfortunately, the leaves all flew into my neighbour's yard. His lot happens to be treeless, hope he's strong into community life.
Sleep was interrupted by the fierce winds. This was a real storm not a pretend drop and blow but one that I remember from when I was young. Storms that raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Now I wouldn't be talking about the power of storms so light heartedly except for the fact that there was no loss of life, no horrible flooding, tree limbs down, garbage cans and leaves blown around.
Today,t he sun is hwoing, water is flowing in the front gutter and the temperature has plummeted. Not a bad thing for I'm a bit old fashioned, I'm used to seasonal changes and cold in the fall is good. Some supersition hanging around on that one.
The storm is over and now its time to get down to the serious business of writing, editing and polishing. Its the only way I know to get closer to sharing my work with others.
Stay well.
The wind stripped the leaves that have hung around this fall for the longest time I can remember. Unfortunately, the leaves all flew into my neighbour's yard. His lot happens to be treeless, hope he's strong into community life.
Sleep was interrupted by the fierce winds. This was a real storm not a pretend drop and blow but one that I remember from when I was young. Storms that raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Now I wouldn't be talking about the power of storms so light heartedly except for the fact that there was no loss of life, no horrible flooding, tree limbs down, garbage cans and leaves blown around.
Today,t he sun is hwoing, water is flowing in the front gutter and the temperature has plummeted. Not a bad thing for I'm a bit old fashioned, I'm used to seasonal changes and cold in the fall is good. Some supersition hanging around on that one.
The storm is over and now its time to get down to the serious business of writing, editing and polishing. Its the only way I know to get closer to sharing my work with others.
Stay well.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Farmers' Fields - Murderous Plots
Yesterday morning, sun shining bright, two friends and I went across the basin and onto back roads to the farmers' fields where thousands (literally tens of thousands) of migrating geese from Greenland join up with the Canadian geese to rest after their transatlantic flight, eat, and do whatever else geese do - who'd of thought they fly at night! At the first sight of snow, they head south.
And speaking of snow, I had the wonderful luck to see two snow geese - dazzling white in the sunshine. This is all new to me and I was glad my friends told me just how lucky I was. And so are the geese, for the farmers forbid hunters on their fields.
Exciting to watch them in their V formations. The leader takes the brunt of the wind, the ones toward the back coast and then the change up. One from the back comes to the front, and so on, until they cross the North Atlantic. That's teamwork!
Now I'm not sure I will become a professional birdwatcher but I was grateful to the friends who invited me along yesterday where another unforeseen event happened.
Writer's instinct never leaves and the sight of the empty fields in the countryside spawned two murderous plots. I wrote them down as soon as I got back to the house. Now that was the luckiest day I had in a long while.
What about you? Anyone out their a bird watcher? Ever have plots evolve when you were in a different enviroment?
And speaking of snow, I had the wonderful luck to see two snow geese - dazzling white in the sunshine. This is all new to me and I was glad my friends told me just how lucky I was. And so are the geese, for the farmers forbid hunters on their fields.
Exciting to watch them in their V formations. The leader takes the brunt of the wind, the ones toward the back coast and then the change up. One from the back comes to the front, and so on, until they cross the North Atlantic. That's teamwork!
Now I'm not sure I will become a professional birdwatcher but I was grateful to the friends who invited me along yesterday where another unforeseen event happened.
Writer's instinct never leaves and the sight of the empty fields in the countryside spawned two murderous plots. I wrote them down as soon as I got back to the house. Now that was the luckiest day I had in a long while.
What about you? Anyone out their a bird watcher? Ever have plots evolve when you were in a different enviroment?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)