Welcome to my Blog
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FAIR WARNING: My blogs are an eclectic group! Each depends on whatever strikes me in the moment. I also don’t always write them on a regular basis. However, I enjoy hearing your comments. Feel free to share with others!
If you’re specifically looking for my On the Move blog series based on my travels, you will find them scattered in the posts below or click HERE for a shortcut to just those travel posts.
Bubble Time
I spoke to a friend last week and she made a comment about the terrible fires burning in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
“Wow, I didn’t know,” I said.
“Really, it’s all over the news,” she replied.
Late in the evening on November 8th, my husband called from work.
“Are you watching the election results?” he asked.
“Well, I voted, but have not been paying attention to what's going on,” I said.
If I could share how many times I’ve had conversations like these, you might be surprised.
The Honor of Friendship
Friendship has been on my mind lately for two reasons.
First, not only have I had the opportunity recently to spend some quality time with old friends from Arizona and California, but have also developed new friendships in Texas. Second, this summer I wrote and began pre-production on a short comedy film, called To Life, that revolves around four long-time female friends.
Saying Yes When You Need To Say No
Some of us have difficulty uttering that little two letter word. Several times during my life, I’ve found myself with way too much on my plate simply because people asked and I always said “Yes” even though I really wanted to say “No.”
Making Time Expand
If we break down where our time goes for a few days, perhaps even a week, we get a true look at why we feel like there is never enough. An extra hour here, a half-hour there, five more minutes of this, a couple hours of that — the revelations can be very insightful.
The Reflection Tree
Recently we attended the memorial service of my husband's mother and step-father. He lost his parents within a few months of each other last year, as I had lost both of mine back in 2008. It was a difficult time through their final season of life and as they transitioned on from our little world.
Should You Let Go of Unfinished Projects?
If you find that you can start projects but struggle to finish them, there might be any number of reasons why that could happen. Perhaps some of the reasons might be fear, procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, inability to say no, having too much going, getting distracted, not having enough time, lacking team members to assist, and on and on.
Making Maki
For most of my life, I refused to eat sushi. The thought of raw fish turned my stomach. Cooked fish — well, some cooked fish proved enjoyable. But the uncooked variety? No way.
Transformation in a Second
Hoping you all enjoyed some delicious turkey during Thanksgiving. This year we cooked Beer Can Chicken! It was the most moist chicken I have ever had and no beer taste.
Drill Team and Life (re-post)
Because of an upcoming drill team reunion in California, I wanted to re-post this blog in honor of that event. Those three years were some of the most influential of my entire life. I cannot wait to be with these long time friends again, even for just a few hours. These are the types of relationships that in a second can return to the tight knit group we were way back in the day.
Did I Really Say Never?
“I’ll never leave Arizona.”
“I would never live in a small town.”
“I could never write a novel.”
Yes, I admit all those words have fallen from my lips many times over the years. However, over the past 20 months, I have learned a very important lesson — never say ‘Never’ or at least redefine the meaning. Honestly, none of us can predict the future, nor should we want to. What would the fun be in doing that?
Mustard, Potatoes and a Black Cat
What does mustard, potatoes and a black cat all have in common? For me, they collide in dreams.
Hey, Look At Me!
On a recent trip to the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, I watched the actions of a six year old boy. I’m going to call him Bradley. From my vantage point, at first I could only see him, not his family. He ran full speed to the top of a popular pedestrian bridge over the river.
A Few Words About Happiness
When I was in my twenties, somebody gave me a small poster with the words, “Life is a Journey, Not a Destination” printed under the sketch of a multi-pastel colored unicorn. I always liked that idea. And, once you hit middle age (we all have our own definitions of when that is), you begin to realize that many cliché sayings are true!
Focus On Focus
While participating in a recent conversation, I couldn’t recall my main character’s name from a novel published three months ago. All I could think of were the names of characters in the current book I’m working on. After what felt like an eternity (30 seconds), his name popped back into my head (Joe Tenning).
My Scrawny TV Viewing Habit
Okay, I admit it. I hardly ever watch television. For a while, I didn’t even own a TV. And honestly, the only time I missed it was when actor friends were in commercials or had roles in films or shows that I couldn’t view right away.
Ten to Life
Most things in life have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes this process from start to finish takes a lifetime. Perhaps years or months. Then there are ones that take weeks, days, hours or even minutes. Depending on what is being experienced, we may or may not have control over the timeframe nor the end results.
Jack
Some thoughts on perspective. But, first a short story!
JACK
The door closed behind Jack with a click. The room was completely dark with the exception of a slit of yellow light that pushed through a crack in the door.
Old Traditions and New Thoughts
For years I participated in all the traditional seasonal activities that I grew up with…
One Year in Cotulla
This week, Rick and I “celebrated” living in Cotulla, Texas for one year. The word celebrated is in quotations because this move was all about an opportunity for his career rather than our choice to live here. It’s hard to believe a year has passed already. But as life goes, it isn’t surprising how quickly time has flown by. After living in Phoenix for thirty years, this was a rather significant change for me.
Promise of Protection
I shared a very surreal moment with Rick last week when I opened the brown cardboard package and removed the proof of my very first book. It was so exciting to see it in a format other than on my computer monitor or a manuscript on printer paper.