Shelby Dupree, ex-law student and writer of stories.

Etcetera

2011-11-12T10:02:00.001-06:00

If anybody still reads this ... I am here. Just other places too.

Life is certainly better than it has been in a while. No, not back in law school, but ... the drama of leaving and all that happened afterward (emotions, job ups/downs, etcetera, etcetera, to inifinity and beyond .. a/k/a depression) .. is lifting.

I'm finding joy-ettes in life. Healing is happening.

Find your joy-ettes. What are they? Little things -- many of them, collected over time, strung together.

It takes time. And searching. And persistence.

Trust me.

More coming.

Another post of a thousand

2011-06-25T09:56:00.000-06:00

To read before you die ...

Here.

Forget about it

2011-05-30T10:20:00.001-06:00

... and other things every writer should remember ..

here.

---

Another, in the series of one thousand posts to read before you die.

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone

2011-05-14T08:33:00.003-06:00

Only the good die young. Or something like that. This link is to a post -- one of the very best in the ones of a thousand to read before you die..

Along the way

2011-04-30T09:07:00.004-06:00

Found this quote at Along the Way this morning...

Love it.

"To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent - that is to triumph over old age." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich

What Would A Nerd Wear?

2011-04-17T08:17:00.001-06:00

Maybe this. Good find. Cheers my friends... I'm still here, just that busy is obsessed with me. I'm gonna have to do something about that.

Ok, open thread.

2011-03-06T20:50:00.001-06:00

What's new Seattle? Or Washington. Or Cleveland. Even Soddy-Daisy. Truly, conversation needed.

I hear you.

Looking forward to the Oscars on Sunday

2011-02-25T19:03:00.001-06:00

Anybody have faves?

Interesting blog

2011-01-10T08:49:00.000-06:00

Here. Tell me what you think.

Good thing ...

2011-01-03T10:21:00.002-06:00

Found this blog today -- like it a lot. It's Wordplay.

Writin' stuff is always good. Found any good things lately you'll share?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2010-11-25T10:18:00.001-06:00

A month?!

2010-10-17T12:21:00.002-06:00

Since I blogged?! Wow.. I'll do better. But not today. Still looking for a job in Atl.

Update soon.

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-06T08:38:00.002-06:00

What's everyone doing? I'm currently sitting in the bed. Thinking I should do stuff. But in honor of Labor Day, I am delaboring.

Monday stuff

2010-08-23T18:52:00.002-06:00

Had my interview.. went ok. I'm kinda rusty on that type stuff. But, we'll see. I've got my eye on some other places to try. And they're not in Alabama.

Wooo.. scary. Adventurous, really thinking of going somewhere else. Truly, thinking about it.

It could happen.

I think I'm ready.

No title

2010-08-20T10:30:00.001-06:00

THIS IS A RE-POST OF MINE FROM THIS MONTH LAST YEAR (8/09). There's a reason for it.. stay tuned.

Just some thoughts this morning.

Read this book while in the South Carolina low country a few days ago. Saw this movie on the same book last night.

This heroine of all women passed away this week.

Last nite I sat in a bookstore while waiting for the movie time to start. Browsed books ... longingly looked again through Pat Conroy's new book, South of Broad.

But what grabbed me was his cookbook alongside the display of his new book. His cookbook is really a storybook of the essence of Pat Conroy. It is a treasure trove of flavors for the heart and plate alike.

I fell in love with the writing of Mr. Conroy from the first page of the cookbook. He is a soul who gets it. The "it" has no title really.

But he gets it. No, he didn't have a good childhood. He dealt with it, endured it, grew up, wrote about it, and remembers the people who helped him along the way.

Here's a link to the cookbook and his stories of life.

- - -

Conversation with my husband at the bookstore in between my readings aloud to him of the recipes and stories of Pat's. I laughed and I cried and I pasued for very long moments in between. I closed my eyes. I stared out the window into the night at the scene I could not see. I thought of my book I started to write and have not finished. I remembered the sentences in my head. I dreamed of plots. I missed my characters. I remembered the lives of those who inspired me to be more than I have yet to be. I thought of my scars of life. I winced at the realization of my still open wounds that I so often try to ignore.

I say to my husband, "I want to do two things."

Husband, "Ok."

I say, "I want to finish law school (one). I want to write my book (two). I then want to make a million, sit on the beach and read another book."

Husband, "But if you had a million dollars, why go to law school?"

I reply, "If I had ten billion dollars, I would still want to finish law school. It is that important to me. It is that important."

I almost cannot go on until I do.

That is my open wound.

It is not healing and it hurts like hell. My losing season was humiliating and I must get past it. The healing will not begin until I get back in the game. The scar will remain, but not until it becomes one.

Abso - freakin' - lutely

2010-08-18T17:51:00.002-06:00

The best new (to me) blog I've come across in a while .. Janis Owens and her Cracker Kitchen. She's awesome. I tell you it's good. I bought her cookbook recently.. loved it. And she knows Pat Conroy. Double awesome.

But I'd like her anyway.. even if she didn't know him.

Seriously.

Now, that's sayin' somethin'.

Update

2010-08-17T19:40:00.002-06:00

Surprise.. I'm back. For a bit.

I'm getting in touch with my Appalachian self. Did y'all know I'm from the South? Well you oughta.

More later. Promise.

LIkin' this groove .. mmm .. I'm swayin'

2010-08-08T19:42:00.001-06:00

Sweet The Sting @ Yahoo! Video

Reading and listening

2010-08-07T10:20:00.002-06:00

Just started reading Karen White's The Lost Hours.. fascinating.. really great story. Also listening to my newest obsession .. Guy Clark.. super talented (one of the very best) song writers.. and he plays guitar and sings quite well.. love this guy.

Love is under-rated. Well.. I do like to listen to him an awful lot.

And I'm still writing.

I forgot

2010-07-31T19:51:00.002-06:00

I have a blog. My name is Shelby Dupree (well, sorta). I've been neglectful of my blog. I forgot .. and then I got busy .. and then I went on vacation .. and I also have this stooopid job .. and I have some dogs and a husband and two children and a yard and ... and .. and.. well, sorry.

I will try to do better. But I can't do it today.

I'm wiped out.

I'm pulling a Scarlett. O'hara that is.

Doctorow

2010-07-18T08:52:00.002-06:00

My new obsession.. great writer he is. Really great. I encourage you to look him up and listen to his interviews on NPR.

I come from Alabama ..

2010-07-11T13:16:00.003-06:00

...with a banjo on my knee... here's some Johnny Cash and James Taylor too.. and a little hometown thrown in.. love it. Click me.

Today.. I cooked breakfast at lunchtime, which was actually lunch. Or a semblance of some part of some kind of meal. Ended up being rice and gravy. I was out of milk. No car (flat tire). Husband worked today. So... raided the pantry, that's what I came up with.

Pretty good actually.

Downloaded a new audio book to listen to.. looking forward to that muchly.. Geography of Bliss. I believe it will be awesome.

Currently, I have a color on my hair to wash off shortly -- at 12:31 to be exact.. at which time I'll be (according to the box) - ash blonde.

Cross fingers. One thing I know is.. it'll be an improvement over the dull silvery gray. I am too young to look this old.

After while, I'll go walk. And ... listen to my new book.

Bliss.

Geography.

Two things I'm for.

Robin Oliveira

2010-07-10T06:30:00.002-06:00

Awesome writer researcher dreamer. look her up. fantastic I tell you. My name is Mary Sutter is her debut novel. Man whatta story about a lady.

You. will. not. be. disappointed.

Red Hook Road

2010-06-22T17:38:00.002-06:00

Pat Conroy raved about a new book coming next month. That means I'mmona hafta read it too. I mean -- he does know good books.

And, I'm into good books.

It's Ayelet Waldmen's new novel Red Hook Road.

Joy.

My new favorite blog

2010-06-22T05:18:00.001-06:00

and author..

He wrote So Cold the River.

Michael Koryta. Awesome.

I have a need for solitude

2010-06-13T10:05:00.000-06:00

This gal is so awesome

2010-06-09T18:46:00.000-06:00

just awesome..

David Lanz

2010-06-07T18:47:00.001-06:00

Talk about a beautiful sound.. my goodness.. I'm spellbound.

Here's my pitch

2010-06-02T12:37:00.003-06:00

I pitched this to Rachelle Gardner's contest today... [she's a literary agent] ... crossing fingers and toes and all the kudzu in my yard..

In the fall of 1973 in north Alabama, nine year old Addie Campbell, vexed with ancient memories and guided only by starlight and stones, unearths long buried secrets along the banks of the Tennessee River.

... I'm stoked. And I've got so much more.. love this process.

The Great Loop

2010-05-31T07:44:00.000-06:00

Oh I'll be following this. Adventure on the water.

Dear Prudence

2010-05-30T09:48:00.001-06:00

If you don't know yet about life after yes as lived by Aidan Donnelley Rowley a/k/a Prudence Quin O'Malley, then ... why not?

She's written a fantastic story. I'm holding it in my hands as I sp-type.

And here's a treat.

Good things

2010-05-23T16:35:00.000-06:00

Here.. click it. I found it very intriguing myself.

Writing

2010-05-23T06:54:00.002-06:00

..writing my story and becoming my characters and living my plot and seeing the story unfold.. are all obsessions of mine.. I dream and sleep and think and see it every moment of my days now.

my purpose is this.. for now.

You are the only exception.

2010-05-16T13:39:00.001-06:00

My daughter clued me into this song a while back.. I happend upon it again today.. Like it.

Ole Buttermilk Sky

2010-05-10T06:36:00.000-06:00

.. songs.. playlist.. you'll like it.

Press the button.

Quadra Island

2010-05-07T17:46:00.001-06:00

I'm obsessed w/this place all of a sudden.. I like the name of it.. and the looks.. yes I do.

Take a load off

2010-05-02T10:06:00.001-06:00

Sit back. Put your feet up. One small click. Be transported.

"Go down Moses, there ain't nothin' you can say.. "

Glad

2010-05-01T12:20:00.002-06:00

Super glad for Ivy League Insecurities good --really good .. review of her new book.. go see..

I don't want to be a throw away line

2010-04-23T05:53:00.004-06:00

Why tell stories?

I posted this comment earlier today over at Rachelle Gardner's blog .. in response to her broad question of 'why people wanna be published.'

My take is this .. I'm posting my original comment to her .. here:

- - -

I can't speak for the many.

However, I'm inspired to publish stories because .. like Eugene Peterson explains (quote below), I use story to invite people in to a world larger than they perhaps imagined .. for the purpose of sharing a nugget of something someone might need in a way they might not have thought about.

If I have something to share that will help open up depths with a person that they didn't know they had.. that is something .. to use my words to help someone (me included).. that is the reason.

"...stories invite us into a world larger than ourselves.. our lives are stories..they have plots, they have intent.. we're never the only person in the story.. if we just live within ourselves, or our lives are determined by our own needs, wants.. it gets a very small world.. and it's really not a storied world.. so story tellers have always been the people in our society that have brought us into the world that is larger than us.. and there's a past, there's a future.. we've always told stories."

"Every time a story is well told, the Gospel is told." -Eugene Peterson

I don't want to be a throw away line.

Therapy

2010-04-22T18:14:00.004-06:00

I highly dis-recommend it. Not really.

Three years this spring marks my early departure from law school. I figured out last week it is killing my entire being and I raised my hand to say.. help.

Saw a doctor about it.

Doc said, glad you saw me.. now, I want you to see a 'therapist'.

Yay.

So, today was that day.

Double yay.

Needless to say.. tears and now current headache are ensuing. It'll get better. But, now.. my head hurts.

---

One of my friends asked this afternoon how it went.. and I replied, well.. it wasn't exactly like an hour with Juan at the massage place / spa .. but y'know.. whatever.

Be inspired

2010-04-20T05:30:00.002-06:00

Karen Harrington's blog post inspired me. Love that.

Passing it on .... click the link. You'll love it. It only takes a couple minutes.

Still writing..

2010-04-18T06:17:00.000-06:00

Oh the joy of a story coming together.. it is so very blissful.

Miles to go

2010-04-10T21:11:00.002-06:00

I'm writing. It's a story. It's a good one.

I waited for it and it came. It continues to rain down. It is an old story, it is a beautiful story, it is a long story .. peace comes but strife is to be endured and .. joy is in it.

I hear a slow echo-ing spiritual .. a haunting story of lost love and passing trains and graveyard stones.

Good night small town.. a train is rollin' by.. miles to go ..

Can I Just Say

2010-04-05T18:52:00.002-06:00

I feel so guilty for neglecting my blog lately. It won't last tho.. I'll be back.. (in case anybody reads this and wonders).

Sigh.

p.s. I'm totally into Dancing With the Stars.. American Idol .. and Lost.

Then there's facebook. And my job, and my kids, and mail, and bills and decisions decisions decisions.

Arghhhhhh.

Nap Without Guilt

2010-03-22T11:34:00.002-06:00

And other delicious pleasures that are perfectly healthy in every way...

My newest on my favorite lists of blogs.. here.

Some comfort there

2010-03-21T19:21:00.002-06:00

Li la Li ... Simon & Garfunkle.. but I get no offers.. I do declare.. there were times.. when I took some comfort there..

sounds of melody.. here.

The Journal Keeper

2010-03-20T08:18:00.002-06:00

Rachelle Gardner, literary agent extra-extraordinaire (not mine.. but it 'could' happen) asked for comments on how we (anybody) choose books to read... I answered with this comment over at her site.. I had so much fun with this little excursion, I wanted to post it here. Enjoy.

- - -

Ok.. I browsed Amazon this morning..looking at cover blurbs and reading some of their provided pages.

Here's an example of how I decided what was worth a second look:

1) hit amazon.com. looked up one of my favorite books for a starting point (River Horse by Wm Least Heat Moon).

2) looked at 'customers who bought this ALSO BOUGHT' (a favorite way to find great books).

3) first interesting find, 'An Island Out of Time' by Tom Horton..looks interesting, but probably won' buy it, it's just not 'the one' yet. (the cover I liked--sea side town shot.. the memoir grabbed me).

4) repeat step 2) for the Horton book..delving deeper in to the mystery of the search.

5) next I find, 'A Supremely Bad Idea' by Luke Dempsey. The TITLE grabbed me. The cover was funny looking (guy on his back in the middle of a country road..bird face at the top). Again, book sounds like it might be a fun read, but not yet.. I'm not in to bird watching (maybe in my next decade - or not).

6) Repeat the usual.

7) Repeat until I find THIS: 'The Journal Keeper: A Memoir' by Phyllis Theroux. First, it was the COVER - you have to look it up and you'll see what I saw. Next, it was the comments on the book. Absolutely enthralled me. Then, it was the author video of the book. And, finally - it was the second embedded video (you have to follow a link to it).. about the making of the cover. I'm telling you--it absolutely DREW ME IN.

I'm buying this book. And I shall enjoy it. I Can Not Wait.

Loved this.

Here's the author video.

And here's the video of the making of her cover.

Shelby's Cafe Playlist

2010-03-18T10:15:00.003-06:00

Click here.. you'll prolly like it.. sing, hum, relax, think, drive, rest, go...where-ever..

...and this is my other brother Daryl

2010-03-17T07:59:00.002-06:00

For bone and curmudgeon "... and this is my other brother Daryl." - Newhart (remember that show). funny.

Just 'cause.

Belief

2010-03-13T15:40:00.002-06:00

I believe ...

* rest is essential
* music is poetry in the air for the soul
* walking is breathing for legs
* makeup helps make my face happy

Sometimes

2010-02-28T08:55:00.001-06:00

Here's Amy Grant's newest and best - in my opinion. This gets me where I am.

The book of the face

2010-02-19T06:37:00.002-06:00

Or, as the more commonly referred to name - facebook .. has eaten me up.

I am visiting with folks who remember me (and even those who forgot me) from when I was in the teensie part of my life.

Uncanny.

Life after yes.

2010-02-13T08:57:00.002-06:00

What she said.

That's what I'm thinking too.. just didn't express it that way. This is icing.

Currently eating cake.

I'm on a break

2010-02-09T07:39:00.002-06:00

Not a Ross and Rachel break .. so be true.. I'll be back in a couple days. Have no fear (not that you would - or should - or... awwhh heck).

I really will be back.

Just in case anybody wonders.

The doom of Shelby

2010-02-07T13:53:00.003-06:00

* You may recall (maybe not, if you're a 'new' reader) that Shelby is a fictional blogger. Ok -- what I mean is .. as I warned .. or prefaced when I started this blog, Shelby is not the real name of this writer.

It is my belief that Shelby may fade away from this pretend existence at some point.. this year, next year.. I really don't know .. but what I do know is that Shelby's writer is in a quandary. Sick.. no, not sick as in disease.. just dissolving a bit.

Oh - the events here have all been real.. the names not so much. Shelby connects not (here) with some real people she's known and loved her four decades on earth .. instead, Shelby has mostly sought refuge here among an alternate universe of friends who have never known her -- people with whom have had no expectation of her -- people who have never judged her-- people who understand her and 'like' her.

The real people -- well, they are real. They know the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly, the exciting and the boring.

They make the world a harder place, but a richer place too--richer in the meaning of full, complete, raw, difficult, challenging and ultimately rewarding.

The real people are often uninvited here (except Brother-he's always invited). This is the writer's place .. a retreat of solitude, a certain intimacy much of the time. The guys here.. they're invited. That's the difference. Some of the difference I guess.

The real people -- people with whom only remember her and know her today with the sensibilities of the writer as having been skinny and awkward and socially somewhat inept (show me a teenager without those qualities--I dare you--can't do it).. they are the ones who cause Shelby to fade. They are real, Shelby is not.

.. it might well be the nearness of the doom of Shelby. She's fading a bit. More transparent than usual.

You see.. the writer connected with some ghosts of Shelby's past yesterday.. the real people. Some of the real people.

The writer had long avoided some real people, childhood friends, because of .. life -mostly. But they had become ghosts .. because they were so long ago.. so hard to see.. so hard to connect with somehow -- why? Such is life. Why indeed.

Time separates.

The time gap was bridged some in the last few hours. The writer has become more real--Shelby is not so real anymore.. The ghosts don't know Shelby -- never will, she has no past.. the ghosts know only the writer ...

..and they will never know Shelby.

It's like there are two worlds, and one cannot exist wholly in one and not in the other.

Real must win at some point. Shelby simply cannot pretend forever. The real is beginning to take hold. With all its faults.. still, the real is actually real.

And Shelby is actually pretend. You don't know - and may never know the writer.. and the real people don't know - and may never know Shelby.

---

Narnians will never travel to London (well, Prince Caspian almost did - but it was after he had died, and they were technically in heaven, but he had always wanted to see their world, so Aslan allowed that to happen). And a few Londonites went to Narnia - but couldn't stay.

So...

Pat Conroy in person - live... from Amelia Island

2010-02-07T08:06:00.004-06:00

Here.

Hmmmm. I could probably drive there in 8 hours. A real writing workshop. Not a pretend thing--like runs around in my head.

Amazing. We'll see what happens (or doesn't).

Oh you don't say

2010-02-05T06:55:00.006-06:00

I had nothin'.

Ever have those times? Sure you do. Well I do anyway.

I did the usual this morning.. checked for comments.. lazed around the blogosphere a few minutes.. commented over at agent Rachelle's blog (not my agent mind you-not that I would mind).. chuckled at myself for my attempt at communication of ideas to her (or anybody) at 6:11 am (or thereabouts)..

Checked news feeds.. intrigued at the earthquake in northern California yesterday. Plates are on the move.

Super Bowl stuff.. still - no idea who is actually playing.. nor do I really want to know (I'm sure I'll find out as soon as I do much more online - or if I turn the television from off to on).

Listened to my music on Pandora.. (currently listening to Gossip in the Grain by Ray LaMontagne - love him by the way - love).

Perused the google top trends of the moment (to make sure I didn't miss any non existent press release or other such news story of me being offered a multi-million dollar contract on an unfinished manuscript).

Noticed 'tea party' was all up in the top searches of the times. What's up with that.. oh I know, it has to do with politics and Sarah Palin and all that sort of 'talking head' business. But, it got me thinking (I used that phrase just a few minutes ago whilst commenting at agent Rachelle's place).

'Tea party' got me thinking ... so, I did a blog search for that .. last 12 hours I think is what I narrowed it to.. saw a blog link to La Vida Betsy (I didn't think she was a talking head, so I popped over to read about her wee tea party).

Then, I scrolled down to see what else she had on her blog, 'cause after all - it's all about the 'what else' isn't it?? (for the explorer in all of us).

- an aside.. if I happen to ever be re-incarnated backwards in time, hopefully it'll be into one of those guys/or gal(s) from that voyage of discovery tour that went new places back in the 1804-5 era..

Anyway.. turns out, La Vida Betsy has a video not too far down her blog (scroll time equals minuscule) and it's Sarah Groves singing Twice as Good. Beautiful lyrics.. lovely video.. about friends, relationships, support, life, me, you, them. I was inspired by those moments mixed in song and vision and words and feeling.

Turned back to pandora.. typed in a new 'channel' (I now want a Sarah Grove channel please).
First song that played was Gossip in the Grain, Ray .. I already said it.. remember above where I said I love him?

Awesome find.

'... silly sparrow, gossip in the grain, have you heard the- oh you don't say. Some day, some day, snow shall fill the trees.. best make warm...'

Feel good factor: way high at the moment.

Voices from the past

2010-02-03T21:38:00.003-06:00

Today, over at Rachelle Gardner's blog, she posted on 'should you have a book trailer.' Thing is .. I already made one a few months ago.

So my issue isn't should I have one -- but rather -- did you see it? It was a preview of sorts.

I did it myself as sort of an exercise in moving along with the story and/or tightening up very loose ends (or middles).

In no way is it intended to be anything more than amateur-ing antics of a story in the 'to be continued' phases ... but still.. I did make a bit of progress. So, there you go.

More later.

- - -

In the 'preview' .. my son is the photogger and the prose is mine.. the music on my playlist seemed to fit my creative juices that day.

Fatal Conceit of Amazon

2010-02-02T21:51:00.004-06:00

They are distinguished not wholly by their errors, but by their conceit. There are many ways Amazon so very failed this past weekend (by the way-- that's a link to a very humorous yet informative post on the --shall I say it-- macabre comedy of errors by the jungle guys that is currently still happening at 10:00 pm CST).

I dare say, I may never buy from the jungle guys again -- however Barnes and Noble, probably. Powell's Books, definitely. Local booksellers, absolutely.

Buy more books (as opposed to the digital kind that the jungle sellers steal back in the dead of night).

Drink milk.

Forever yours, and so far - still, Kindle free.

Shelby

What is that?

2010-02-02T05:37:00.006-06:00

As promised, I awoke with such glee this morning to find that some folks here actually wanted my books -- and had entered the aforementioned "contest" (my somewhat loosely defined boundary driven competition to inspire some wordsmithing).

First, a message to those who didn't win: Let's so do this again in a few weeks! I have many more books and time is on my side (I hope -- I am 45.. so I have approximately that many more years left if I'm at the midpoint and I remain at fairly decent health). So, all is not lost.. you can enter again next time and alas, who knows?!

And, of course - thank you.

Thank you for your prose, your time and your desire to read actual books (I'm currently Kindle free myself).

So, the winners are:

1. Janet Ruth from Along the Way - The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Janet liked this old post of mine .. and I did too .. I had forgotten about it and was delighted to re-introduce myself to it after she re-introduced it to me. I recommend you click here and see what is that. Five minutes of your life.. that's all.

"I love to read, and I love to hold a book in my hands, smell the pages, and sometimes I even fall asleep with a book on my face. Pure ecstasy! "
-- Janet Ruth

2. Paula from On a Rainy Night - Seek the Fair Land by Walter Macken. Paula made me laugh out loud (gets me every time).

"Pardon my raunchy language, but my daughters and I jokingly call ourselves "book whores" because we cannot pass up a good book" -- Paula

From one book whore to another ... it's your turn.

3. Sharon Kendrew at Reality Covered in Chocolate - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.

" . . . because out of all the books it was the one of the two I haven't heard of or read and it looked like a nice cover than House." -- Sharon

Good enough for me! I use that very same true life logic all the time at the book store. Covers do make a difference.

Thanks guys! I'll email you shortly and coordinate mailing addresses and such.

- - -

Oh - nobody wanted the other books .. so sad .. maybe next time.

...these were they:

House by Tracy Kidder
Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler
The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum by Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh

Any ideas what I should with 'em? Wait for the next contest? Should I do another contest? Should I just go bake a cake? Should I get up and get dressed for work?

I should do that. Go to work. Be on time. Smile. Well, after while, I get to come back home. Yay. Yay for after while.

Here's to spines and covers

2010-02-01T07:33:00.004-06:00

Absolutely free books offered here. From me. To you.

Offer ends tonight at midnight.

Support books. The kind you can touch and feel and turn pages.. and share and stack beside your bedside table.

No one can take them from you.. not even Amazon.. nor Kindle .. nor a publishing house..

Contract disputes matter not to a book with a spine and a cover and pages you can touch .. and even hide. It's yours. Completely yours. Books. Touch them.. hold them. Never let them go. Never.

I am ready

2010-01-31T11:07:00.002-06:00

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein - was recommended here recently by more than one person .. so ...

I looked it up at the book store yesterday, and read much of it while just sitting there among the books and coffee and loves (my hubby and son).

I really like this story. Very much do I like this book. Very very much.

I am ready to finish it.

A slice in time

2010-01-30T10:13:00.002-06:00

Click here to see a slice in time. I happened upon it just now. It was an extraordinary moment for me.

Children .. in Paris .. years ago .. doing what children do.

Lesson for me learned. Just be. As if nobody's watching.

It's as if I were a very great somebody

2010-01-29T06:54:00.008-06:00

The blog post title is a quote of Lady Washington - brought to us, of course wrapped in a great story - in Cokie Roberts's book about women from our history - we women have much to learn from those women.

- - -

Cokie is a journalist on NPR as a radio voice, she's authored several books and now - she's here (well, linked here anyway). Thank you Pamela for introducing me to Cokie's book Founding Mothers: Women of the American Revolution. I have researched it, I have read reviews on it, I have now heard and seen interviews about it, and now ...

I am the newest fan of this book.

Below is a short radio interview with Cokie about the book -- and then on below, is a video interview about the book (a bit longer - well worth your time believe me).

Listen here.

"Let's Hear it for the Founding Mothers!"

A reminder and a question

2010-01-28T07:35:00.006-06:00

Don't forget I'm giving away some books ... click here.

--

Ok, say for instance you don't want a book (perfectly understandable in some small strange way.. really I'm ok with it.. sorta) .. 'ahem' .. if you were to give me a book (in a truly pretend sense of the word 'if') -- what, pray tell, would it be?

Make it a good one. I only read the best.

Cheers - and happy Friday Eve!

Ross E. Mitchell

2010-01-27T07:44:00.004-06:00

"We live lives we inherit and those we choose." - Ivy League Insecurities

Who is he - Ross E. Mitchell? Why am I writing about him?

Because - he has proven to me that dreams (like mine) are possible and hard earned. Mr. Mitchell is a graduate of Concord Law School. It is not ABA approved. It is regionally accredited. One, like him - can earn a J.D. (Juris Doctorate) at Concord online.

One, like him - can graduate from law school in California.

One, like him - can take (and pass) the California bar (one of the toughest anywhere).

One, like him - can argue (and win) before a State Supreme Court on behalf of self for the privilege of taking that State's bar.

One, like him - can be admitted to the highest Supreme Court in the land.

Watch him. I could hardly believe my eyes. Go to this link. Scroll down just a bit to "View oral argument with Windows Media Player". Watch. Watch it all. He's up first.

I can so do what he did.

The fabulous girl's guide to free books

2010-01-25T18:56:00.009-06:00

Hey - how would you like a free book? I have more books than I have shelves..I even have two and three copies of some of the same books.

Lately, I've seen agents post contests for awarding free books -- and I've seen authors of books do the same (their own books they wrote usually).

I, however - am neither agent nor author (published). Nevertheless, the rules are mine for the making and the books are mine for the giving .. so here goes. The good news -- you don't have to 'follow' me. And -- you don't have to post about this on your blog. Neato, right?!

Facts:

1. Contest ends a week from tonite at midnight. I probably will not be awake in case you are wondering. However, the next morning (next Tuesday morning), I will awaken to see if anyone entered - and I shall exclaim with glee if even one solitary soul has so partaken of the chance(s) herein.

2. Next Tuesday (sometime .. I do have a day job you know.. or maybe you don't know), I will announce the winner of each of the books (if enough commenters have chosen to enter).

3. The prize equals one book per person. I cannot offer a free kindle or a week's vacation in the Bahamas or a critique of a query letter, or even the first 20 pages of any manuscript - alas and alak - because:

a) I am not rich (impecunious .. word of the day .. look it up)

b) I am not even close to rich and

c) I am not an agent - nor an author (yet). I am simply a girl with some books to share.

4. If you want one of these books, here's what to do:

a) tell me you want to win

b) tell me how I can contact you if you do win

c) tell me the specific book (of the ones pictured) you want and why

d) get bonus points if (and only if) you also tell me which one of the thousands (ok, dozens) of posts you like best out of my series, a thousand posts to read before you die

e) and finally ... a double bonus (or bolus) of points if you tell me why you like whichever of the thousands that you picked for (d) above.

5. Basically, the winners will quite simply have moved me (more than anyone else) to the point of granting them one of my valued treasures.

Books. Gems. The written word. To read, to hold, to share, to give, to remember, to not 'delete.'

Forever, I remain ...

Kindle free.

P.s. You may enter as many times as you wish - but with different prose please for each entry.

- - -

These are they (the books of course):

House by Tracy Kidder

Seek the Fair Land by Walter Macken

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

The Fabuous Girl's Guide to Decorum by Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh

"I did begin to wonder what the word heaven meant . . ."

Said what I needed to say

2010-01-24T16:10:00.004-06:00

Here - back in a 2007 post. I said what I meant to say (read that old post to the end, then you'll understand). I've been fighting with the shadows in my head.

"It's better to say too much, than never to say what you need to say again."

"Even if your hands are shaking, and your faith is broken. Even as the eyes are closing, do it with the heart wide open."

- - -

To any new readers who don't much about my history ... two things surround my most every thought.

One - to write my story in a fictionalized novel, and two - to finish my story with the protagonist finally overcoming her struggle to achieve her dream of graduating from law school.

Ok, three things.. I want the novel ending to be true. So far, it's still fiction.

I went to law school once shortly after I turned 40 years old. I went with much naivete and not enough of a lot of other things (money, time, gas, help -- help was offered, I just didn't accept much).

It's what I worked for and wanted more than anything in the world - honestly.

Unfortunately, one solitary class my first semester of my first year helped (not sure helped is really appropriate) bring me down - and I was suddenly not in law school any more.

That was 2007.

I've been grieving that broken dream mostly in silence to everyone around me - but grieving in screaming volumes of decibels in surround sound stereo to the inside of my soul (yes, even still - today, for instance).

That's my story. Imagined. Desired. Started. Torn up. Unfinished.

- - -

Some (the ones who know I cry) say. Go back. Therein lies the plot. It is not easy. As a matter of fact, it is next to impossible.

Why others (and the 'some') ask?

Because. It costs almost one hundred thousand dollars and no, I'm not kidding.

Also, because. I would have to quit my job of which I am now needful of to pay my mortgage.

Also, because. There is no law school in the state where I reside that is a viable educational route for me. That means, I would have to sell my house and move to another state - depending on IF a school somewhere else accepted me. If, if, if, if ...

You may recall that I have two children (albeit one has moved out and is himself in college). One is in her formative teen years and needs me not to uproot her entire existence.

Why not wait?

Why indeed. The heart of the issue.

Is it the plot of the struggle or the struggle of the plot. There are no easy answers, and as a matter of fact, I'm starting to understand that all the answers are simply eluding me.

Needless to say, my last sentence of my book are not yet written and I'm simply stuck (mired) in the middle. If only I could figure out the second half, I could have a best seller.

But, in the beginning chapter, I said what I needed to say. That's it. I just have to fill in the rest. Somehow. The odds seem insurmountable.

The end (for now).

"When you chase a dream, you learn about yourself. You learn your capabilities and limitations, and the value of hard work and persistence."
- Nicholas Sparks, from Three Weeks With My Brother

Today in history

2010-01-23T08:10:00.003-06:00

In 1973, a volcano (named the Eldfell) in a very cold and icy place far far away caused great havoc .. but heroes and divine happenstance helped save the people of a harbor town.

More here. I could read about these kind of history stories all day.

Trouble been doggin' my soul

2010-01-22T05:52:00.003-06:00

Are you watching American Idol? I am. I'm hooked. Last couple seasons, my daughter and I have really enjoyed watching from the auditions all the way to the very end to see the winner.

This season, my favorite audition so far is this guy -- Matthew Lawrence. His voice is great, his drive to succeed amidst some big trouble in his past is .. well, inspiring.

I like underdogs who try to win. The ones who failed before. The ones who get back up and try life again. The ones who others write off. The ones who know what it is to feel shame. The ones who know life hurts and they do it anyway. The ones who know the end of destiny hasn't happened yet.

Why does this affect me so .. I am that person .. the one who struggles, the one who doesn't want to struggle, the one who dreams, the one who works, the one who fails, the one who cries, the one who plugs along, the one who hopes, the one underestimated, the one who needs, the one who is silent, the one who may never achieve - but gets up .. feet on the floor.. out the door.

Face the music.

Humility is a hard pill to swallow .. but seeing the other ones who do it - well, it soothes my soul.

Here is Matthew Lawrence, singing Trouble, by Ray LaMontagne.

Trouble
Been doggin' my soul since the day I was born

Worry
Just will not seem to leave my mind alone

Trouble
Feels like every time I get back on my feet
She come around and knock me down again

Worry
Sometimes I swear it feels like this worry is my only friend

Twilight of the Close Encounters

2010-01-21T07:20:00.006-06:00

Saw this over at Jennifer Bennett's place this morning.

High - lare - ious! It's called, Twilight, What Have You Done To My Wife.

Jacob? Edward? Hubby? Ahhhhhhhh come on. You know who wins.

Wednesday

2010-01-20T07:33:00.002-06:00

Wed-nes-day. Say it slowly. Emphasize the 'nes' .. I'm thinking and hearing Tom Hanks. It's from a line in a movie of his .. what is that?

Hmm. Something to ponder while I'm rushing to get to work.

I can't be late you know. I can work all the overtime I want (in fact my boss encourages it) -- but can't be a minute late.

Such a man's world we live in. A world where people not like me have nannies and cooks and housekeepers and mothers who live nearby.

I have not one of those.. I have just me.

So far I've survived.. and hopefully still will.. if I am not late.

This is gonna get messy

2010-01-18T12:06:00.006-06:00

If you read my post yesterday (hubby says it's my best ever - probably 'cause it's about him, and involves him being happy in a bed) .. you'll recall that I mentioned re-doing a bedroom that's been promised for me as my 'own room'.

It's not going to be my own room in the sense that I'm moving out of my marital bed .. oh no. It's my room in that I can go there any time I want. And no one else can (unless invited).

My own personal space. I can't wait.

The only problem is - this is what it currently looks like. My 20 year old son who is now in college and has 'moved out' as they say .. left all this loveliness behind just for me.

So - before I get my own room that I actually can (and someday will want to) retreat to .. I have to clean it up and make it presentable.

That's my job for the next few hours, days, weeks, months -- year?! Perhaps.

Well, I'll have plenty to post about I guess.

Currently taking all advice on anything related to house cleaning, child rearing, husband training, budgeting, local drinking establishments, etc. Ok, kidding on the last. Just come on by here and help .. will ya?

Twitter Twit

2010-01-16T14:31:00.003-06:00

Question for you:

What the heck do I do with twitter? I'm currently twitter free .. as in fat free, sugar free.. you know - I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

There.

I said it.

Will somebody please tell me specifically what I do first and perhaps even why I should do it. What's it all about alfie?

Tell me. Anybody.

Thank you.

- - -

I'm leaving now. Going to a basketball game of my daughter's. Should be fun. Tired already. It's 2:40 pm and I just now showered and put jeans and a sweater on. I had jammies on. I can't wait to get them back on.

I assure you - when I get back.. and when you hear from me next.. I will once again have aforementioned jammies back on.

TTFN.

Bonus points if you know what ttfn is.

Up on cloud nine

2010-01-16T07:37:00.004-06:00

On a morning like this, out of the sea of clouds (words on my screen), there sprang out in the southern sky one interview of a lady about a mystery, with a mention of big bands and great love.

The lady is Jackie Griffey. Her words of her love brought tears to my eyes. I've not heard of her until today, I've not read her new book. But I do believe I love her. People who love and remember and write like she says she loved and how she remembers and writes -- those are people I adore.

Some of her words:

I was married to my Darling Companion, Jim the Gem :-), when I started writing and he was very supportive. He passed away June 29, 2007, the worst day of my life. I miss him every day but am blessed with two wonderful grown children and family plus fellow readers and writers both locally and in cyber space. I know he would approve of this interview and The Devil in Merrivale which will be out soon.

and then ...

(Interviewer) - If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

With Jim on cloud nine or listening to one of the ‘big bands’ with him. I would have gone with him but I wasn’t invited. Got a few more books to write I guess ...

Signs of love along the way... things I so delight in.

This is her book link. This is her blog link.

Random obsessions

2010-01-16T06:35:00.002-06:00

How much do I tell? Ok, well - there's this ... my random obsession of the morning includes White Shoes and the Couples Company.

Bent on Jenny

2010-01-15T08:06:00.002-06:00

Interesting interview with an agent ... here it is. She's Jenny Bent, literary agent in Brooklyn. She gives a link to a very good list of questions to ask any agent who has offered representation.

I'm learning.

I think I learned what a slush pile is. I don't want to be in that pile I don't think (not for long that is).

Instead

2010-01-14T07:26:00.004-06:00

This may be an example of a great query letter (posted by an agent .. she should know).. but I think - for me at least, it's definitely a great example of a great annotated query letter.

Kristin Nelson (agent) describes why she likes the letter (in detail). Now that's quite a teaching moment. I (writer student) learned some new skills.

Show instead of just tell.

Bathtubs bubbles jazz and men in suits

2010-01-14T07:19:00.002-06:00

I'm listening to Melody Gardot.. so you should too.. here... ahh the bubbles.

On rubbing shoulders and down the rabbit hole

2010-01-12T07:17:00.005-06:00

Ms. Swift is an author - and she wrote a blog post recently about a party she attended (hosted by her literary agent) in Manhattan.

I so enjoyed reading her thoughts and expressions of rubbing shoulders with other writers, most notably Neil deGrasse Tyson (he's an astrophysicist.. I guess I spelled that correctly.. I sure don't spell it often). I think you'll enjoy reading her post too. Here it is.

In fact, in my opinion, it is one of a thousand posts to read before you die.

- - -

Question maybe asked of me: How do you come up with/decide on/find the links to these thousands of posts you deem needful to read before you die?

Answer: Sometimes it's quite random. I'll be reading the usual suspects of favorite blogs and something grabs me and I know it is something I should highlight for others.

Or I go hunting for them ... as in, googling favorite words or phrases or places.. and adding terms such as 'blogspot' or 'cottage' or 'beach house' or some other other random word of the day in my head... I might get a hit on something worthy of my attention.. I might not.. if I do .. then I share it.

Other times I follow a hunch that there's something grand just around the corner if I just follow the rabbit hole far enough. That's what happened this morning.

1. I logged on promptly after my husband left the house (it's quiet and my daughter's not awake yet).

2. I checked for comments to my blog (we all do it don't we?).

3. Started reading updates from my 'often reads' list of fellow bloggers - I usually start with the most recently updated (see sidebar). This morning I clicked over to Pink Tea and Paper (she's in Ireland.. and I bet she has a really cool accent). Her post today is Pants and Seats Thereof (love the title). In it, she links to another blogger's (author - writer of books) post about the actual writing process.. nitty gritty outlining organizing structure related stuff -- written by Janice Hardy. Ms. Hardy's blog is The Other Side of the Story-one writer's take on writing, querying, and publishing (and she writes young adult fantasy).

Ok - at this point I'm hooked.. enjoying my morning reading travels immensely (adverb I know.. but it works for me.. sorry Annie Dillard).

I'm thinking to myself -- wonder who Ms. Hardy's agent is .. so I try to look her up on 'who reps whom' on querytracker.net. Don't see her listed. Darn. I mean dang (Daddy taught me not to say darn when I was little).

Well, hmm. I thought since I'm in the querytracker thingie anyway, why not look up other folks.. see who their agents are.

Alice Sebold. Yes, look up Alice. I recently read The Lovely Bones and enjoyed it.. so, who is her agent? After all, the book is quite successful, and a movie is coming out based on the book. Agent must be doing something right. That's the kinda agent I want.

According to query tracker, her agent is Henry Dunow - of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency in New York. Click over to their website to explore ... who are their other clients.. what other books..

They have a page linked to their authors and it includes authors' web pages (and quite possibly - blogs).

Yes - some of them have blogs.

This one does. Vivian Swift. Fabulous.

Scrolled down.. read all about Vivian Swift.. and her fun agent's Christmas party where she rubbed shoulders with the aforementioned astrophysicist.

Loved it.

Enjoy.

Mrs. Hercules

2010-01-11T20:48:00.006-06:00

What does that mean? Blessed.

Is my life magnificent? What am I celebrating? Being alive?

I guess. Sometimes the words sound better on paper (or web page) than they actually feel. Asleep in the afternoon is what's magnificent. Resting, that's what's nice.

So, am I born to rest? That seems like a waste sometimes. Aren't I supposed to be accomplishing stuff?

I guess.

One day I'll feel blessed as much I want to feel it. I know I am - blessed. I know it with my gut.

But there are days when I don't feel it. Can't control feelings. Just can't. Every cloud has a silver lining... I've heard that lots and lots. One day I'll feel it. Tomorrow?

If every heartache makes me stronger, then I oughta be Mrs. Hercules.

- - -

Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, I try to remember my Grandma. She had every reason to be downtrodden.. but she wasn't. She was blessed. That's my blessing for today.. to remember her and all she did with not much.

She was suddenly widowed in her 40s.. left with a farm to run in rural Arkansas.. and a teenage son.. and much responsibility.. in 1960.

She did it. She ran it. She survived. She didn't have much help. She sure didn't have a man. She didn't complain.

I asked her sometimes when I was little.. 'why didn't you ever marry anybody else?'.. she'd always say... why in the world would I want to wash some other man's dirty underwear? No thank you.

I totally get that now.

When I'm doing everything else but saving the world from asteroids, why do I need to add washing dirty underwear to the list.

Mrs. Hercules has enough on her plate. Counting peas and blessings. I don't even much like peas.

Fox Mountain

2010-01-10T12:59:00.009-06:00

1974. Tenth day of January.

I miss Gramps. Momma told me he went to Fox Mountain a couple weeks ago to stay with Uncle Forrest a while. He had back surgery or something. What is that? They open up your back and shorten it maybe. Can't imagine. I'll keep my back the way it is thank you very much. I heard Uncle Forrest slipped on ice or slid into a tree. Can't remember exactly.

Momma took me up the mountain once. Maybe more. It's been a long time I know that. It wasn't this cold. I know that too.

The moon looked pink last night. Weird. I asked Daddy about it and he said Gramps could tell me about it. Gramps isn't here.

When I grow up I might never talk to anybody ever. Except Gramps. He'll come back when Uncle Forrest is better. Then he'll help me figure out my math project.

Why do so many people say I can't do stuff? I can do stuff. They don't know how smart I am. They should just help me more. One day I'm going to be old and smart and have grandkids and I'll help them. I might be a doctor or a lawyer. Momma says I should be a teacher. I don't think so. Maybe be a nurse. She's a nurse.

Why can't I be more than that? I'm a girl. Boys are stupid and stinky. And plain old selfish. Darn it. Daddy says not to say darn. Momma says don't say crap.

Well dang.

I can do stuff too.

I can.

Gramps says I can be whatever I want to be if I just work hard enough and outdo the boys. It's hard tho.

Momma says I shouldn't get mixed up with boys because I'll get married and start having babies then I can't be a doctor or anything.

I don't get that because boys have babies and they get to be doctors. Well their wives have the babies, but still. Why do boys get to do stuff and girls don't. That's not right.

Gramps says don't listen to anybody but me.

I'm gonna do stuff. I don't care how hard it is.

- - -
Here are more Gramps stories. There's more coming.

The Blind Side

2010-01-09T09:20:00.003-06:00

I was hit on the blind side a couple or three weeks ago when I encountered Sandra Bullock's movie, The Blind Side (here's a link to the movie trailer).

Let's get this outa the way first ... hands down absolute best movie I've seen since the last best movie I've seen (and I can't remember it right now).

Sandra Bullock is one fine actress. The movie tho, isn't about the actors and actresses .. it grabs because of the story.

I was hit by the story itself.

My 14 year old daughter is the one who dragged me to the theater for this movie. I expected it to be interesting, maybe funny and mostly satisfying to have taken my daughter to something she wanted to see .. then I could, without as much guilt, go do mommy errands which she hates doing. Come on'... she's a teenager - and a girl to boot.

She hadn't asked me to take her to New Moon, the seductive vampire flick .. no, it was The Blind Side or nothing. Well, ok.

Smart girl, my daughter.

Let me tell you somethin'. The story is unbelievable. And it is true.

And what is remarkable - I didn't already know the story. That's fairly significant since it is a story about a young man who played football at Ole Miss.. and my entire ancestral and currently contemporary family relatives reside in Mississippi and most of them either 1) went to Ole Miss 2) graduated from Old Miss or 3) root for Ole Miss in the death 'til you part sense of the word.

Also, the family who took the young man in as their own son .. is from Memphis. The only other town in America that I know like my own home city of Birmingham.. is Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis has been the hub of all things 'citified' since I was a kid. It was the place in between grandmas .. one being in Mississippi and the other in Arkansas. All roads led to Memphis. Traveled to it, through it, around it, in it and from it. Memphis is one of the hubs of my childhood existence.

So, I didn't know this kid in the movie and real life was from Memphis. I didn't know he played at Ole Miss. I didn't know he did other things after that. I didn't know about the family who took him in. I didn't know any of it.

I was hit on the blind side. Here's Sandra being interviewed about the movie.

I'm from Ala Freakin' Bama

2010-01-08T19:32:00.003-06:00

This post is dedicated to Bone, my lone fellow Bama blogger friend.

In Alabama, unless you've been to Mars the past few days, you know we ('we' - our university football team named after our state) played and WON the national championship game yersterdee night. Yes that's spelled like I like it.

What a game. And WHAT a song. If you don't at least hit play and listen to the first 50 seconds (give or take) of the below video (more important to listen not necessarily watch), you ain't got a hair on your arse -- and you sho don't and can't even commence to understand or truly know the inner soul of my entire existence.

I might not be the grandest Bama fan (although I was rootin' for 'em hard last nite).. I am definitely a spit shined southern gal from the way backs and sticks of Ala Freakin' Bama.

These is my people. Yes, again, that's the grammar I intended.

What's it to ya?!

High Five-in' Bone and smackin' my juicy fruit.

A book that costs nothing

2010-01-07T07:36:00.002-06:00

More free books.. over at Moody Fiction's new blog.. I left a comment there this morning at 5:36 a.m.. hope they pick me. Did you enter?

I don't mind

2010-01-06T07:31:00.006-06:00

How will they remember me.

Did I choose to love. Enough to leave a mark on things?

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me.

But I want to leave a legacy.

Nichole Ellyse Nordeman so gets me.

Her lyrics are in my 'wheel house' as they say.

Take a listen: (I'm off to work now to pay for the legacy I may or may not be leaving).

Remember yesterday?

2010-01-05T06:17:00.003-06:00

Remember yesterday? It was happy.

Gramps was here and Momma was funny and laughing all the time. She made Mexican salad. Daddy loves that stuff. He always adds so much pepper!! Garfield at the pepper.

I wish we lived close to Gramps. It would be so grand if I could walk to his house after school every day and get a hug and hear jokes. Momma would like it too. I know she would. I think she's lonely sometimes.

House is quiet now. Kinda down. Sad I guess. Daddy's working late. Momma's got a headache. I'm supposed to read these English essays and write all these stupid responses for homework. Don't want to. But .. I guess I will.

I hope Eric looks at me tomorrow. Why does he make me feel so happy. He's so funny and soooooo cute. I can't stand it sometimes.

When I grow up and marry somebody, I really hope it's somebody like Eric. I just don't think I could marry somebody who didn't give me that swooped off feeling. Maybe I'll just be by myself for a long time. It'd be better than living with a toad.

I'm never marrying a toad. I'm just gonna stay by myself I guess until somebody comes after me and swoops me off my feet. That's what Gramps tells me to do. He loves Grandma like that. That's what I'm gonna do.

Doing homework now.

- - -

I wrote the above diary letter to me this morning. I wrote it with my 15 year old voice of memory (slightly changing the characters to protect the innocent.. that's where you're supposed to giggle). It's in response to Nathan Bransford's contest today.. he's giving away the Secret Year - a book about a diary of a teen. He's choosing the best (he's the judge) teen diary entry.. you gotta enter it through his comments on his blog. Here's the link.

Maybe I'll win. Maybe I'll write more.

One thing's for sure - I don't have to do any more English homework. Oh, and Eric? He ended up being a toad. I didn't marry him.

Most accepting agents

2010-01-05T01:42:00.000-06:00

Very interesting lists today (or was it yesterday) over at Query Tracker. Ever wonder what agents receive the most queries (according to query tracker) or what agents accept the most from queries?

Don't know about you, but I'd want to research those agents.

Prizes!

2010-01-05T01:37:00.000-06:00

Suzette and Bethany are giving away stuf! Cool stuff too.. prizes include writing critiques and a book, The Dark Divine... ooooh intriguing.

Go see for yourself.

Nana goes to college

2010-01-02T13:09:00.004-06:00

I didn't write this ... (follow the link)... but blogger Beach House in the Burbs did write it.

It's about her grandmother, 'Nana' - and it's about the time her Nana came to see her in college, and spent the night with her in the dorm.

You will love it. As you can guess, so did they.

I had a grandmother like that. And I loved her so.

- - -

This post is next in my series of a thousand posts to read before you die. Here are the other posts of thousands (ok - dozens).

Resolutions of the fresh variety

2010-01-01T09:09:00.002-06:00

(Warning: This post contains "I" a lot.)

I could say ... I resolve to eat healthier this year. Or ... I resolve to exercise more this year. Or ... I resolve to be more organized this year.

Frankly, even typing those words make me nauseous.

Why? Because they're just words, and words mean something to me. I don't use them lightly and I don't like saying what I don't really mean. It's not because I don't want to do those things. It's more the feeling - I know me.

I know what I'm capable of. I know what my history is. I know my patterns. My resolve changes (and I want to continue to allow that to happen).

I might eat healthier for 7 weeks straight. I might exercise 13 days in a row. For another span of time (long, short, indifferent), I might resolve to do something else - like rest.

Don't we need more rest? I don't know about you, but I'm tired.

So, I believe that I shall resolve to relax more. Because when I say relax, that - my friends - is exactly what I fully intend to do.

And I would like to try to be a bit healthier. So, I shall endeavor to think about that some more.
Here's to fresh starts and peace of mind.

So let it be written. So let it be done - Yul Brynner a/k/a Pharaoh (I think).

All the pretty pages

2009-12-31T16:09:00.002-06:00

... free books.. go by all the pretty pages's new blog.. she (he?) is giving away ten (10) books. Ten! Free books. Ten 'of em.

It's fantastic.

Go see a poem

2009-12-31T07:23:00.002-06:00

Usually it's go read a poem or go see a movie.

But you can actually go see a poem that I wrote (and others that others wrote) at Rachelle's blog (in the comments).

She's giving a away books if you write a swell poem that she chooses as her favorite.

Maybe I'll win. Maybe you'll win if you write a rhyme.

Give it some time.

Some of the highlights of the year

2009-12-30T20:48:00.004-06:00

First and foremost - this has to be one of the cutest video posts ever. Kiersten wrote it. She's absolutely adorable.

And we really lived most of it

2009-12-29T07:21:00.001-06:00

Louisa May Alcott wrote of the simple, the true, and of what she really lived (most of it). So inspiring.

Christmas is over

2009-12-27T20:16:00.001-06:00

Well, it is.. over.

Now - on to the in-between week. The days between Christmas and New Year. Gotta work.

Christmas Eve Gift!

2009-12-24T07:58:00.002-06:00

This is what we say in the deep old south on this day -- the morning of the day before Christmas..

Christmas Eve Gift!!

Here's a link to last year where it's explored. It's a greeting with love on a special day born of simplicity and grace.

Highway 20 Ride

2009-12-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

From Zac Brown's Band . . . it's awesome. Have some tissue in hand.

Books For Free

2009-12-20T08:20:00.001-06:00

It's true.. go see.. they're at Redlady's Reading Room.

When Christmas Spirit Calls

2009-12-19T06:05:00.002-06:00

If you read nothing else this morning.. let it be this. It's a link to an article in Parade Magazine today written by Pat Conroy about his ghosts of Christmas past. Pat Conroy is a man who makes love to life and words and ... the spirit of love.

His novels are good - his memoirs and remembrances are so much better. One of the best books I've ever read in my entire life is My Losing Season. One of the next best is also his - The Water is Wide.

Talk about changing a life ...

These are the true stories.