Sparkling Summer

Pink Think: "Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock


Photo by Joanna306 on Flickr

My husband returns from Alaska tonight. I've been counting...he's been gone for six days. We have the red carpet rolled out for his return.

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Not that we have been moping. For July 4th, my youngest got to ride on a fire truck for winning a poster contest at school. She had been so looking forward to riding her horse in a parade for the first time. Then she decided that the opportunity to ride on a fire truck doesn't come every year. She had a blast. My other two kids rode their horses and I shuttled between them and my youngest and my parents and in-laws who were cheering and collecting candy along the parade route.

We watched fireworks on the third and the fourth, and perhaps that is when I most acutely missed my husband.

He'll be home today!

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I cannot believe that I have deprived my kids of sparklers all these years. This past week, I bought six little packets of sparklers just for fun. My kids had never lit them until July fourth.

Okay, so I have this rather traumatic childhood incident, when, on New Year's Eve in the Philippines, a kid threw his sparkler in the air and it fell in my shirt. I still have a scar the size of a quarter on my chest. So I wasn't exactly wanting to push sparklers onto my kids.

Well, on the fourth, I helped my kids light their sparklers. At first they voiced fear, then wonder, then joy, as they held up these amazing dancing dandelions of light. And I was more than happy to give up my share of the sparklers, just glad to watch them.

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I think this summer has been a revelation for me. I had been pushing myself so much over the school year, and now, my writing has come to a little standstill. A break. And yet, I feel like poetry is humming through my very being. I have just been enjoying

running through sprinklers
sleeping on the trampoline
eating lots of Otter Pops
staying up late
watching movies
walking the dogs
reading lots of books
going to the library
buying cheap things on impulse
going to the arts fair

This has been a wonderful summer and I hope it doesn't end anytime soon.

Creative Crossroads

Pink Think: "Just do what you do best." - Red Auerbach


Photo by Ereine on Flickr

Raining today and I am in a pensive mood. Feeling like I am in a creative crossroads.

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My article on a town throwing a surprise rally for a man battling cancer ran in the Deseret News today. Click here to read.

I heard about the planned rally Wednesday afternoon, interviewed the man at 6, went to the rally at 8:30 and stayed up until 5 a.m. writing the article.

My husband recommends that I be more efficient writing my pieces. I think at the rate I write these, I am probably earning a dollar an hour. Okay, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but still. He has a good point, and I suppose I can just churn out the pieces and shave off a few hours here and there, but I would hate to send something out unless it reflected my best effort.

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I never know what to expect when I interview someone, but I had an inkling this latest article might move something inside me. I met the subject two years ago at a community event, where he and his ballroom dance group were doing a waltz. I remember how debonair he looked in a tux. At any moment then, he and his wife were due to have a baby, a miracle baby because doctors had said he would become sterile from cancer treatments.

I sat with him again two days ago. And the change was striking. No hair; thinner, more frail, but his spirit still looked out at me from a direct gaze. Several times during the interview, I felt like I was sitting at someone's feet being instructed on how to best live life. Which is, no holds barred, seizing opportunities to improve one's self and others. I couldn't help but feel grateful that I could do my part of memorializing this man before he passed away. I hope his bone marrow transplant gives him a few more years with his family of nine children ages 2 to 24.

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I have done little towards novel-writing. Maybe a half-page or two. I've been summering with my kids and living.

Getting some journalistic exposure instead.

My article called Dungeons and Dragoons appeared in Filipinas Magazine this month. I wrote it over a year ago, and it's fun to finally see it in print. They have me billed in the magazine editorial box as a contributing writer, which is cool.

I am not sure where my writing will go from here. I really enjoyed writing about the man battling cancer. When I wrote it, I dregged up elements of fiction writing, trying to tell a story, trying to show not tell. I am intrigued by the thought that perhaps someday, I can try my hand at a non-fiction book, a la The Orchid Thief.

And then there's another creative outlet tapping on my shoulder: poetry and songwriting.

Sheer Poetry

Pink Think: "You will find poetry nowhere unless you bring some of it with you." - Joseph Joubert

I almost didn't want to go back to reality, after four days of camping with the family, when my husband said I would not last a day camping by my lonesome self.

"Well, I could if there was a shower," I retorted.

"And if there wasn't one?"

The thought of no horse shows, no deadlines, no responsibilities, really appealed to me. But I decided to go home with the rest of the family. A shower really sounded good after four days of camping.

What can I say? I am prissy. And proud of it.

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We spent two days at Bryce National Park and two days at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I haven't done as much hiking in a long time. So many wonderful surprises, like slot canyons, and a 120-foot waterfall:


Photo of Calf Creek Falls by WorldlyTraveler on Flickr

Remote, beautiful country. Sheer poetry.

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While I was "unplugged" for the last few days, I wrote two poems.

Well, more like songs, really. I read them to my family around the campfire. After I read my poem "My Four-Wheeling Dude," my oldest daughter said, "Um, Mom, if you want to write your own songs, you really should do more." She blushed. "I mean..."

"It's true," I said, laughing.

After I read my other one called "Born of Sunfire," my youngest said, "I like that."

That was fun. I think I'm going to try writing more poems.

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Today, I got a speeding ticket for driving 20 over 35 mph zone. The cop nicely cited me for only ten over.

I felt like writing angst-filled poetry about the injustice of speed zones changing from 35 to 50 and how I was simply anticipating...

Sigh. It's surprising I haven't gotten ticketed sooner.

So in this depressed state of mind, I took my kids for "chores" like haircuts and shoe-shopping. I bribed them with "fun" things afterwards: I took them to a children's bookstore, the pet store, the library, rented a DVD of Hotel For Dogs and finally, I bought us all banana Icees from the nearby Maverick store.

At the pet store I came this close to buying my youngest a kitten and my boy a guinea pig; I was in such a strange frame of mind. At the library, my youngest said - noticing the book sale - "Too bad we can't stop..."

"Why not?" I said. I herded them in, they picked some books, scored a hard-back bird book for fifty cents, and we went for those Icees.

I drove the speed limit with two kids smiling quite happily in the back seat of our car.

Sunshine!

Pink Think: "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." John Ruskin

Photo by civoz on flickr

Last night my son played soccer in the rain while spectators huddled under blankets and umbrellas.

Last time I checked, I think it was summer. But it's been raining daily for the last couple of weeks. Cabin fever, anyone?

Though in all fairness, my garden looks gorgeous without virtually any effort on my part.






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Today, I looked out the window and saw something amazing.

Sunshine!!

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Have a great weekend everyone!

What's something fun YOU have planned for the coming weekend/week?

I'm going to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I've never been there before, and I am looking forward to it.

Serendipity

Pink Think: "In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts." - Peter McWilliams

Photo by Sparks68 on Flickr

Love that word. Serendipity, serendipity! It sounds like the anthem to a joyful dance.

I also love what can come out of it.

Just a brief recap of this eventful weekend. Between my son's soccer game and an evening of rodeo, I dropped off a movie we'd rented. On my way home, I saw lots of cars at a private museum I'd always been curious about and had on my to-call list for a possible feature story. I stopped and gate-crashed and the hosts were very gracious. I ended up covering this cool event that commemorated D-Day.

I admit, I did have to call my hubby on my frantic way home to get my notebook.

Me: Quick question. What is D-Day?

And my husband very sweetly gave me a mini-wiki about the Normandy Invasion. I love this guy so much. He is not only the best husband and dad, he also is very smart. I took an American history class in college, but I admit, I was a junior and not getting enough sleep to pay close attention!

I was reminded once again that to be a good journalist, it really helps to read widely on all sorts of subjects. Thank goodness for the internet when I was fact-checking frantically on a story I began writing at 4 pm and submitted at 7.

I was still making some calls on my way in to the rodeo, but I had already sent in my article; just taking care of few fact-checks. It was such a relief to push that send button earlier. I can obsess about stories over days, and although I only had a few hours on this, in some ways, I think the words flowed better for me because I didn't edit it to death.

What a treat to talk to the veterans. I learned so much and had fun to boot.

Click here for the result of my adventure.

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What have YOU discovered "by accident" that has given you pleasure?

On Versatility

Pink Think: "Life is the most versatile thing under the sun; and in the pursuit of life and character the author who works in a groove works in blinkers." - Laurence Housman

Photo by SuperEvilBrian on Flickr

You know that fantasy set in the Philippines I wanted to write? I have a page of it done, but another story is calling my name. It is realistic fiction, inspired by - surprise! - all my time lately at a motorsports park. Normally, I would say to the new story, take a hike. However, since I don't have a lot invested in the fantasy, I don't feel committed to it yet and I am open to something else at this point.

I am trying to weigh both in terms of what will make for a fun summer project. Decisions, decisions.

Btw I sent off my historical-novel partial to Agent X, and now I wait.

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Summer is officially here and I have about an hour of writing time before the kids get up for the day. I have decided that the laptop will have to take a backseat to the kids. When I get on the computer, my oldest especially needles me about going on this horse website. And who am I to tell her, moderation in all things, if she sees me on the computer all the time?

I will be trying a steno notebook and pen. Going real ultra high-tech nowadays.

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On a side note, I sang karaoke with young women from my church ward last night. Just in someone's house, about a dozen people. And the funny thing is, after singing once a week with my band for the past couple of months - in front of initially virtual strangers! - I felt kind of nervous doing it in front of the girls. I think if expectations aren't that high, karaoke is more fun.

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After my last post about my busy week, and reading the comments about it, I felt almost like apologizing for having a full life.

What's wrong with me? Why can't I be one of those people that can sit down and let life swirl around me? Why do I always have to be part of the action?

Why can't I just let myself be?

Grateful For the Ride

Pink Think: "Life is like an old-time rail journey. Delays, side tracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." - LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)



Photo from www.okanaganhousecheck.com

It's been a ride of a week.

Thursday, my rock band practice went well. Can't believe I have been with the group for a couple of months now. We were talking about a catchy slogan for a concert flyer, and it turns out not everyone has been crazy about the current band name. So we need a new one. Want to weigh in on it? Click here.

Friday, the kids had a good practice horse show.

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My advance story on a motorcycle race appeared in Friday's Deseret News. I had a lot of fun doing a couple of racing stories, but I am looking forward to taking a break from this subject.

I didn't cover the actual Superbike race, but got a press pass and took advantage of it Friday. What an amazing facility! You can see almost all of the bends of the race track from the grandstand, and the atmosphere is electric.

I checked out some Superbike practices. This is what happens when a motorcycle crashes at nearly 200 mph:



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Finally, I got a request for a partial from an agent last Wednesday. Squee! I will be sending it off soon.