Category: writing

Dreary Weather, but Thankful Thursday

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It’s hard to be thankful for dreary weather. The fog, mist, drizzle, and rain settled in on Wednesday. Although the outside temperature was in the mid-60s most of the day, there was a “chill” in the air. That meant I had several cups of hot tea and a cup of the new-to-me McCafe horchata latte, to which I added just a little bit of half-and-half. It also meant that I did not get out for any photo walks.

Still, there is much to be thankful for:

  1. Good books. I just finished Alex Michaelides’s book The Fury, and started The First Ladies about the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. The latter is giving me much to think about.
  2. Hot beverages. The English believe that a cuppa can make just about anything better, and I believe it. I am not a big coffee drinker, but the occasional cup of some kind of “flavored” coffee is also comforting on chilly days.
  3. Music. “They” say it soothes the soul, and I do believe it. Listening to music can pick up my spirits and change my mood. Of course, there is something to be said for the silence as well. There is a Facebook meme that says something to the effect that music is the silence between the notes.
  4. The sounds of the birds outside the window. This morning, I heard the cooing of a mourning dove, probably sitting on the powerline that runs across our front yard. I couldn’t see it, but I definitely heard it over the hum of the machinery burying a new fiber optic cable in front of the house. (I’ll be even more thankful when that machinery goes silent! It has been rumbling and humming ALL. DAY. LONG.)

There was a popular book among the Christian community several years ago entitled One Thousand Gifts. The author made it a goal to list at least three things from her day that she perceived to be “gifts.” This book introduced me to the idea of the gratitude journal. Keeping a list of gifts in the ordinary does help put a positive spin even on those dreary, wet, miserable days. I will end with the psalmist’s words, which my brother-in-law greets our church with whenever he speaks: “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Monday Musings–Remembering My Grandparents’ House

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Every once in a while, a question on Facebook triggers something. Today, it was a question about what we remember about our grandparents’ house. I could write a chapter of a book about each of my grandparents’ homes.

Grandma and Granddaddy Wessinger lived in a “small” house. Granddaddy built the house for Grandma and custom-made certain parts of it just for her. Grandma was tiny, just barely five feet tall. Her kitchen was scaled just for her. It was a cozy kitchen. There was a wood-burning kitchen “warming” stove. That stove heated the kitchen in winter as well as cooked things like vegetables. The kitchen was also where the children ate. I can remember my oldest cousin being invited to eat in the dining room with the grown-ups. She was engaged to be married, and her fiance had come to eat with the family. Ginny declined the invitation. She and Wade ate in the kitchen with the rest of the cousins.

Naturally, the kitchen opened into the dining room and to the screened-in back porch. There was a bench on the porch where we often sat and played on rainy days. There was a sink on the porch as well. Granddaddy hung a metal dipper over the sink, and we all drank water from the dipper at some time or another. Uncle Lee’s room opened off the porch, too. We were not allowed to go into Uncle Lee’s room without his permission.

Another special room room was the “front room.” It was the formal living room or the parlor. Grandma had a Duncan-Fife sofa, a love seat, and an upright piano in that room, as well as her glass knick-knacks. She had a set of ceramic roosters. When we visited on most Sunday afternoons, we stayed in the den. We only visited as a family in the front room on Christmas. Grandma put her Christmas tree up in that front room. She had the most magical tree. Some of her ornaments bubbled. Granddaddy would roll dollar bills in Christmas paper and hang them on the tree. We thought we were rich when we took our rolls off the tree. (By the way, the “we” refers to my cousins, brother, sister, and me.)

This house burned in the fall of 1979 as a result of a chimney fire in the den. Although they rebuilt on the same sight, the new house was never quite the same as the one my Granddaddy built for his bride fifty years before (they were married in January 1930). When I remember going to see my grandparents, that white frame house is the one that I remember.

Monday Musing

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Have you ever had a good idea and started writing it, but realized where you were writing was the wrong place and deleted it?

That happened to me this morning. I was writing a post for a Facebook group I’m in and got off on a tangent that would make a really great Monday Musing piece. I deleted it.

Now, I can’t remember what I was thinking and writing. . . .

Memory. If I were in my middle school classroom, I’d laugh and tell my students that I’m having a senior moment. My father would tell me that, if it was important, I’ll remember it in time. I imagine that both of these are true.

But I’ve got another thought. Technology. You see, when I deleted those really wonderful thoughts, I imagined I could just open up this space, hit Control-V to paste the sentences in, and, voila!, I would have the first part written.

It didn’t work that way this morning. Or WordPress didn’t work that way. Robert Burn once wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray” (I’ve Americanized Burns’s Scots!). My plans went astray this morning, at least in terms of of my expectations for technology.

So now, I’m thinking about how much I’ve begun to rely on technology for many things. I lost my recipe books in a house fire some fifteen years ago. I had a whole cabinet full of those recipe books various organizations publish with the favorites of its members–churches, schools, civic organizations. Some of them were absolutely gorgeously printed edited that I enjoyed reading even if I didn’t cook any of the recipes. They were “inspiration.” Now, if I need a recipe, I “google” it.

Last night, I wanted to make potato cakes from the leftover mashed potatoes from Saturday night’s supper. Now, my mother made potato cakes all the time–leftover mashed potatoes, egg, a little flour, some baking powder, chopped onion, salt and pepper–no recipe. Then she fried them. Boy, could those cakes soak up some grease! I have an air fryer, and I use it to make french fries, cook bacon and sausages, occasionally hamburgers, etc. But something from a batter? I found several recipes online, borrowed some ideas from each, and made air-fried potato cakes, and they were delicious. I can’t give you my recipe because I just “added” whatever I thought it needed. I learned a trick or two as well. When you make something like a fritter or potato cake, line the fryer basket with a sheet of “tin foil” sprayed with cooking spray or wipe a layer of olive oil or some other cooking oil to keep the batter from sticking. I cooked the cakes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping them during the last five minutes to brown on both sides and get that crispy outside crust.

I’ve also experimented with some of the AI apps out there. I needed some “inspiration” to push through a tricky part of the novel I’m writing. I wanted a backstory, a myth or a legend, to explain the importance of an object–a mysterious and rare black sapphire. I asked ChatGPT to write that legend. Of course, I had to do some tweaking to make it fit my story, but it sparked some new directions. for me.

Technology can be a great help, but I think it can hurt as well when we become too reliant on it. I don’t think I’ll see technology take over the world in my life time. I don’t think AI will replace human intelligence and free thinking unless we rely on it without learning to think critically.

And, as you can see, my Monday Musing has been a Monday Meandering. Writing does that to me–one thought leads to another, and another, and another!

Have a great week!

Thankful Thursday–Quiet

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It’s late; I haven’t written anything but notes to myself all day. I’ve spent some time learning new things: lectio divina, examen prayer, sabbath rituals, starting a photo project. . . . . It’s been “a week.”

It started with a migraine. Can I say how thankful I am for migraine rescue meds? Monday was a killer with an aural migraine accompanied by the pain (or was it the other way around?). Anyway, I couldn’t see anything clearly.

Then Tuesday, it was storms all day, rain so heavy I could not see past the back steps and winds that seemed as though they could push my small home over on its side, or perhaps pick it up and take me to Oz. I am thankful for safety through those storms. And then, that evening, while I was heating some leftovers for supper, I looked out the kitchen window and saw this:

I am thankful for the rain; we needed it, and the ponds have more water in them than they have had in quite a while. I am thankful for these blue skies and the light on the clouds.

I am thankful for those leftovers! It’s hard to cook for just two after cooking for two growing boys and one husband who grew up as a member of the “clean plate club”–which meant that there were no leftovers! (Tonight we are have a smorgasborg of leftovers from this week.)

Small things, I know. Still I am thankful.

Currently–Monday Musing

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Currently, in January–

READING: The Way of the Fearless Writer by Beth Kempton and Fingerpainting on the Moon by Peter Levitt. These two books are part getting back into a consistent writing habit.

LISTENING: the sounds of silence–not the song so much as just the sound of being quiet so that I actually hear and listen to “the world”. Right now, it’s traffic noise on the road in front of the house, but earlier today, I heard the birds, welcome sounds that spring is around the corner.

BAKING: bread in my bread machine. This weekend, I made two loaves, one each of sourdough and German Christmas bread. I think the Christmas bread will be a year-long addition to the bread recipes. It’s filled with cinnamon, golden raisins, walnuts, and brandy. It’s delicious for breakfast with my cup of Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea.

LOVING: the freedom of being retired. I thought I would miss the daily routines of planning lessons, preparing materials, researching and reading new texts, and teaching; however, I don’t miss the administrative parts of the job. I do miss the energy of the students. Middle-schoolers are a special breed, and I loved teaching them the past four years.

PLANNING: Projects! I joined the One Little Word year-long class and have started my album. I chose a “big” word this year–manifest. It’s one of those words that can be a “good word”–something I can still hear former students Brice Obermeyer and Chris Hunter saying in those English III and IV Honors classes, lo!, those many years ago. I’m thinking of ways that word will set my intentions for this year. Another project I’m planning is the Ultimate Outsider challenge to visit all the state parks at least once. I may not see them all this year, but it’s on the bucket list! Mama wants to go with me!

WATCHING: Miss Scarlet and the Duke on PBS/SCETV. I know, it sounds like a Regency romance title, doesn’t it? It is a Victorian mystery series, part of the PBS Masterpiece Mystery series. I love the characters and the relationship between Miss Scarlet, a lady detective, and Liam Wellington, a detective for Scotland Yard.

FEELING: thankful. My family is, for the most part, healthy and doing well. I have a good home and a good life. I am surrounded by people whom I love and who love me. I can’t ask for more, can I?

Thankful Thursday–A New Year, New Beginnings

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Thanksgiving is something that I should practice every day. Sometimes it’s hard, especially when things aren’t going “right.” Still, psychologists, physicians, theologians, and pastors all tell us that finding things to be thankful for can improve our lives.

We are at the end of the holiday season, and I am glad. Holidays are hard for introverts like me. I love being with my family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I can be overloaded by them. I actually look forward to the “ordinary time,” to use a term from the liturgical calendar, between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday to slow down (again) and reclaim myself. I told a new friend the other day that I am just “peopled out.”

Today, though, I will be thankful for

  1. the time I spent with my family–at Sherry and Aaron’s watching Sully open presents and play with his new toys; sharing a meal with my brother, sister, mother, uncle, and in-laws; seeing my great-nieces and nephews as they grow up.
  2. the rain that is nourishing the earth and filling the pond behind the house
  3. the bluest skies. The air seems so much clearer in winter than in summer.
  4. online connections with friends from college
  5. time to sit with God throughout the day

Over the next couple of days, I’m going to work on my “One Little Word” book. I found an album and page protectors I like yesterday at Hobby Lobby. I will start putting in the January pages. I should say I am thankful for my word (manifest) as I am already beginning to see evidence of that word in my life.

Five on Friday

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  1. I am taking this week and next away from posting anything on my blog.
  2. I’m reading Carla Simpson’s Deadly Obsession, a Victorian mystery with a surly Scots detective and an adventurous English lady who is anything but proper (she was raised by an eccentric aunt!). This time, the pair of detectives are investigating a serial killer.
  3. My front yard was filled with black birds this morning–the annual migration. They are noisy things. When I see them, I am reminded of HItchcock’s film adaptation of Du Maurier’s “The Birds.” That movie scared the bejezus out of me!
  4. Christmas Day is three days away.
  5. Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. I am looking forward to the lengthening days and the coming of spring.

I signed up for Ali Edwards’ One Little Word class this year. I have not yet decided on a word, but two are resonating with me: imagine and manifest. I want to live with these words for a little bit before I begin. This year has been an interesting year. Our headmistress resigned in February, and the new headmaster was hired in May. I retired in June. Between July and the end of October, I wrote a full-length novel, and since then, I have started another.

I began my drawing practice again, though I haven’t touched my sketchpad this week. I haven’t added to my new book, either. I also resumed writing “morning pages” as recommended by Julia Cameron (The Way of the Artist, I think is the title). And I’m starting Laura Wagner’s 21-Days of Wild Writing course. I’m listening to Beth Kempton’s The Fearless Writer podcast as well.

This new season of life as a retiree is interesting.

I will be back in the new year!

Five on Friday

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Today is supposed to a list of five things. I’m struggling today. There are many things I could list–favorite books, songs, TV shows, movies. . . . But today, I am tapped out. Seriously.

I thought about my five favorite Christmas songs, but I like them all! I have the Amazon Echo Dot and listen to Amazon Music most days. Today, I have a Christmas Carol channel playing. Some of my favorites from today:

  • Mariah Carey, “Joy to the World” She mashed together the traditional carol with Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World.” Instead of “Joy to the fishes in the sea,” Mariah wishes “joy to the people you see.”
  • Mannheim Steamroller, “Hark the Herald Trumpets.” I can imagine the opening trumpets playing in a cathedral.
  • Bing Crosby, “The Little Drummer Boy.,” but this one wasn’t the duet with David Bowie. I’ll have to find that one.
  • Trans-Siberian Orchestra–’nuff said.
  • Any of the traditional Christian carols that have played.

So, there are my five things.

Thankful Thursday

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Thursday gratitudes. . . . . Sometimes, it seems I write the same things over again: thankful for family, home, warmth on cool days, cups of fragrant hot cinnamon spice tea. I am thankful for these things. I am thankful for the orchid blooming in my living room window, for the gift of music (being able to perform as well as listen), for the beauty of the ponds in the back of the house, for the quiet of “country living.”

I am also thankful that I still have one parent. This week, two neighbors and friends lost their fathers; one of them has lost both parents. I know that bereft feeling of losing one’s father. I am thankful, though, that I had my father for more than half my life time; I am thankful that, when he did pass away, he did so with dignity–not attached to life support or in pain; that his passing was quiet and peaceful. And I am thankful that I was there, along with the family he loved so much. I am thankful that my mother is still with us. She is the same age that Daddy was when he passed away, and Mama is still going strong.

I am also thankful to have my father-in-law nearby. Though he is visibly aging now, he is still very independent.

I am thankful for my retirement. I did not want to leave my classroom when I did, but I see the blessing in it now. I have time to do things I didn’t do before. I have time to be creative. I’ve taken up drawing once again and make a drawing a day now. It’s fun; it’s relaxing; it’s meditative. Granted, I use image sources for my “creations,” but in a sense, all artists have image sources. I haven’t tackled portrait drawing nor animals, not even still lifes. I mainly do landscapes. Maybe one day, I will do some other types. We shall see.

Monday Musing–Today

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I’ve noticed sometimes, not always, that writing engenders more writing. I woke up this morning when my CGM alerted me that my blood glucose level was a tad low. Breakfast and a cup of tea fixed that! I read for a bit. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I am a Regency historical novel junkie. So, I escaped into the nineteenth century for a bit. Then I began writing. . . First, the Here: Five Things (December edition) list of “Truths I Want to Write Down,” followed by my morning pages.

I started listening to Beth Kempton’s podcast, “The Fearless Writer.” in her first episode, she gave listeners the prompt “Today” for a ten-minute writing period. I’ve been following that prompt for a week now. After rambling about my weekend, I used “Today” to finish my pages. Here is my list:

  • Last night’s rain has moved out, and today is cold.
  • I hear the traffic on the road as usual. Our road is busy all the time!
  • The cinnamon in my tea (Harney and Sons’ Hot Cinnamon Spice black tea) burms my lips, but in a good way.
  • I think I will plug in my bottle lights tonight for a bit of Christmas color.
  • The sky is clear and blue. The air is still. It is the peace after the storm. Thankfully, the storms that swept through Tennessee and some states west of us missed us.
  • Today, even though it’s December and “winter”, the world seems greener because of the rain.

I joined the South Carolina Writers’ Association last week. Their prompt for today in their Facebook group asks when I first thought of myself as a writer. That’s an interesting question. I was writing stories when I was in high school. One of my college professors called me a writer when she gave feedback on one of my papers for the literary criticism class I took with her. I think I have thought of myself as a writer, though not one “consumed” by the public. Royalty checks, payment–does that make one a writer? Or does that simply mean that others consider someone to be a writer? As I work on my own novels, I need to give that some thought. But that’s a post for another day, I think.