My Friday Fave - Novel Teas

Imagine inviting your book club over for a cup of tea—but it's not just any tea. Novel Teas blends delicious tea with quotes from your favorite novelists.

It also makes the perfect gift for our writing friends with an affinity for tea!

Care to Hone Your Poetic Skills?

Emrys is hosting a Poetry Craft Seminar, led by Jillian Weise, this Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. - noon at the Bobby Pearse Community Center in Greenville.

Jillian was recently awarded the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award for her new collection, The Book of Goodbyes. Her book will be published by BOA Editions in fall 2013.

I’m registered and ready to go!

I’d love to see you there...

Wordless Wednesday - Lovely Lilacs

Who Knew?

Turns out, I've been eating healthy all along!

Piper and Prayer

Is it ever too early to teach your granddaughter to pray?


"Jesus said to them, 'Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people that are like these little children.'" Mark 10:14b

My Friday Fave - Vintage Style At Its Best

Vintage. Refresh. Recycle. Redo.

If the cover doesn't sell itself (check out the vintage hanky curtains) the interior pages are sure to close the deal.

A few topics in the table of contents:

• 25 Ways to Celebrate Summer

• Garden Glory

• Party 'til the Cows Come Home (Wee-ha!)

A seasonal premier issue packed with chic entertaining ideas, vintage updates, and colorful pics of garden whimsy is sure to be a success.

In searching for photos I stumbled across another Friday Fave -- Dutch Door Cottage, who also featured this magazine in an earlier post.

- photos courtesy of Dutch Door Cottage

The Power of 7

“I pray for you every single day.”

The weight of those seven words tempt me to pull the car into a nearby parking lot. Why? Because I know she means it.

You see, the woman on the other end of the phone is an incredibly talented writer. I have no doubt we’ll one day be reading her delightful stories to Piper -- but the significance of her daily prayers for me, and for other writers, is found in the fact that she and her husband suffer from great physical pain, yet we are on her mind every day.

Her seven words were timely -- only God knew to what extent -- but isn’t that the beauty of continual prayer?

How ironic that our conversation occurred one day prior to the two year anniversary of my grandmother’s passing. She too prayed for me on a daily basis and reminded me of it often. I'd forgotten the power those seven words held until I heard them again yesterday.

God's mighty hand moves in power when we pray -- and it surges forth when we share with others specific ways we're praying for them.

Who are we praying for on a regular basis and when’s the last time we told them?

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Wordless Wednesday - Because It's 80 Degrees in March

Lessons Learned at the Groomer

I went in search of a new groomer for Rupert, our spoiled but oh-so-cute Lhasa Apso.

After days of perusing the internet for reviews on local groomers, I found Cleveland Park East Animal Hospital in Simpsonville.

Based on the site, I felt it may be a keeper -- and my visit on Friday confirmed it. In the process, I learned a few lessons on how our actions consistently speak louder than mere words:

• Every staffer, not only the veterinarians, were represented on the Web site. Every person matters on this team.
  

• Every staffer’s bio picture included their personal pet(s). We love our pets, we'll love yours too.
  

• Receptionists are exceptionally and sincerely friendly, both over the phone and in person. This is an incredibly key position, and here's why... There's no such thing as a second impression.

• The facility is clean, spacious, and bright. Welcome!
  

• The groomer, Rebekah Yarber, came out to personally greet us and to learn more about Rupert. She also followed up with me personally after his service. The customer matters.

• Rebekah gave him his best cut -- ever. Excellent service = repeat customers.

Their words were comforting, helpful, and insightful - but it's their actions that will keep me coming back. As a matter of fact, I may just switch over to Cleveland Park for both vet and groomer services based on the above observations.

Our actions reveal more than our words ever will.

What will our actions reveal about us today?

Writing with a View

Views while "working" on a writing project this weekend.

• Low 70's
  
• Light breezes
  
• Plentiful sunshine
• Background music provided by soulful birds and one pestering bee
• Crisp mountain air (nothing like it!)
• Not a soul in sight

Spectacular.

My Friday Fave - 5 Quotes for Writers

• The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug. - Mark Twain

• The fewer the words used, the more concentrated the attention; and the greater the concentration, the greater the power. - David Lambuth

• The first secret of good writing: We must look intently, and hear intently, and taste intently. - James J. Kilpatrick
  

• Always be a poet, even in prose. - Charles Pierre Baudelaire

• Technique alone is never enough. You have to have passion. Technique alone is just an embroidered potholder. - Raymond Chandler

photo courtesy of www.writersstore.com

Kiss Resistance Goodbye

“Ruth Stone, an award-winning poet who published most of her work after the age of 70, died on November 19 of natural causes at her home in Ripton, Vermont, according to the Huffington Post. She was 96.” - The Writer’s Chronicle


I’m currently reading The War of Art, Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield. (Thanks to Jeff Goins) In it, Steven defines our enemy, Resistance.

“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work.”

Do you find this to be true in your own life? Regardless of your calling—teaching the Word, writing music, singing, serving, writing prose or poetry, etc.—resistance sets its stealthy snares in hopes of squelching any creativity you and I have to offer.

“Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt. It’s aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work.”

I find this to be especially true when I work on poetry. Recently, while trying to finish a piece for an upcoming conference, Resistance whispered a host of reasons why I had no business writing, with my whopping age of 49 winning top billing that day.

Everything changed, however, when I read about an award-winning poet named Ruth Stone, who published most of her work after the age of 70.

With that knowledge in my pocket, I thanked God.
Grinned like a kid.
Put down the magazine.
Picked up a pen.
Began writing.

And kissed resistance goodbye.

Wordless Wednesday - Whoo Loves the Mug?

To Blog or Not to Blog?

Actually, that’s not the question.

For me, the question is how often to blog?

In 2008, I shot for a daily post, but recently have tried posting only a few days a week. I applaud those who make this work, but I’m not convinced it’s for me.

Here’s why. When posting several times a week versus a few, my creative radar subconsciously kicks into gear, shifting effortlessly from green alert (low probability) to orange (high probability) in search of a potential post. I find I’m more sensitive to the daily details of what’s happening around me, and most importantly, what is happening within me.

Yes, I could jot down those daily ideas and simply spread them out over a few weeks, but for me, that’s missing the point, which is: the process is of greater value than the results when all is said and done.

This is because every single "alert" is an opportunity to see God at work in the details of my life and those around me. It’s an opportunity to thank Him and to worship—and any time I can increase those moments, I will.

I have a feeling you will too.

"for in him we live, and move, and have our being..." Acts 17:28

- photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Opportunity Dressed in Overalls

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of participating in our local Word Weaver's workshop, Getting Ready for Conference.

Cynthia Owens did a great job pulling the workshop together, along with her trusted instructors Marcia Moston, Mary Denman, Edie Melson, and Lynn Blackburn. Sue Stout, Carolyn Knefely, and Bruce Brady served faithfully behind the scenes. It was a true team effort.

From the get-go, we were reminded of this scripture: We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

Remember the popular saying "let go and let God?" I wonder if some of us "let go" a bit prematurely, forgetting our responsibility in fulfilling God's plans for our lives. (You mean letting go doesn't include Junior Mints and a nice comfy couch, while resting on God's promises?)

Marcia reminded us that our responsibility includes being prayerfully sensitive to God's Spirit, while continuing to work hard at honing the skills we believe God gave us, trusting He will use them for His glory...in His ways...and in His timing. Now that's letting go!

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas A. Edison

My Friday Fave - Ted Kooser

A farmhouse window far back from the highway
speaks to the darkness in a small, sure voice.
Against this stillness, only a kettle's whisper,
and against the starry cold, one small blue ring of flame.
- Ted Kooser, Delights and Shadows

Wordless Wednesday - A Captivating Camellia

What Drives You?

...because my hubby desires to make all my "dreams" come true.
(I married a comedian.)

I give little thought to the type cars I drive, as evidenced by my faded red 1999 CRV. I figure it gets me where I’m going, jumps at the opportunity to hold my books, plants, fragrant bags of mulch, and okay, an occasional bundle of prickly pine needles.

Now that Piper is on the scene, however, a more reliable vehicle with a few more safety features may be in order. And while a fold-down DVD player isn't a must, I admit it would be a sweet bonus.

Dream: A shiny two-tone black/white Toyota FJ Cruiser
Reality: Now that I’m a “Grammy”, a two-door vehicle would not be conducive for Piper’s car seat.

Reality check: Having Piper as a future passenger in any reliable vehicle for zoo trips, afternoon matinees, and Baskin Robbins is far more dreamlike than anything a black shiny Cruiser could offer.

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality
is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

My Friday Fave - Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

In celebration of his birthday, here are my top 6 Dr. Seuss quotes:

• “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

• “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ― Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!
  

• “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” ― Dr. Seuss “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
  

• “I'm afraid that sometimes you'll play lonely games too. Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you.” ― Dr. Seuss

• “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!