Scattered Pictures

     I recently had a loss in my family and it got me to thinking about my family memories. Death always brings a wave of sadness, when you love someone, just because of the loss. But, looking back on the people I've lost, I smile, because they were in my life.
    I have had a rich life and some wonderful memories because of the people who are and were in it.

   My dad passed away when I was fourteen but I have to say he filled my life with some wonderful and exciting memories. He loved his toys. We had a red and white glittery fiberglass ski boat that we took out on the lake regularly when I was little. I remember my dad pulling me behind the boat on a large disk probably around the age of five or six then as I got a little older he taught me to ski on skis he made himself. I can actually remember him making them.

     He would pull me behind the boat until my arms felt like they would fall off or until I had inhaled too much lake water from trying to get up on the skis. I never was any good, never learned how to slalom ski. I was lucky to make it up on two, but it didn't deter me from having a great time on the water.
     My dad also taught me to ride a motorcycle. I can remember many trips along the back roads of Texas sometimes riding my Honda 100 that I shared with my sister and sometimes riding behind my dad.

There were a few times that the vibration of the wheels against the open roads lulled me to sleep. 






When I was around six my dad loaded the family up in our station wagon

and drove from central Texas to Miami Florida. It seemed to take forever to get there but I still have several memories of the trip including the one where we found out we were driving through a hurricane coming home and realizing the hotel we stayed in was destroyed from it.
   





     My step-dad came into my life when I was a teen. He was a cowboy through and through along with being a fireman. I quickly developed an interest in his line of work and he let me go on some of the calls with him. He was a dyed in the wool hero if I ever saw one. He was also a shade tree mechanic so before I went off to college he wanted to make sure I knew a few things about my truck.

     I can remember crawling under the truck and him making me drain the oil then grease the bearings in the wheel joints. He was just like my dad in the fact that he never thought girls couldn't do guy things but when I wasn't covered in grease and grime he still treated me like a princess.
     My grandma and grandpa were amazing. Being first generation immigrants they both had accents. My grandpa was Swedish and my grandma Czech. I can still remember the way they spoke. Grandpa could never say my name quite right.







He was another one who thought girls could do anything guys could and many times he would let me paint or build things with him when he was doing some of his carpentry projects and he took me fishing with him on many occasions.
   

My grandma could feed an army if we gave her thirty minutes. She loved to cook and bake and made the best sugar cookies in the world
and to this day I still have no idea what she meant by a pinch or a dash. I can't replicate her recipes to save my life even though I have tried a million times.



     My favorite thing she made was a lemon chiffon pie with a graham cracker crust. I absolutely love my memories cooking with her and have pulled my grandson in the kitchen with me a time or two to bake even though my food is nowhere near as tasty as hers. It's the memories that count.
 
  I could go on and on with memories that have made me feel like I lead a charmed life. Looking back, sometimes I do get melancholy when I think of them but it's just because I wish I had more time to make amazing memories with them. But, it helps me remember I need to be focused on making amazing memories with the ones I love who I still have with me.
   
   

24 to Life

     When I was writing 24 to Life, I had to come up with a good name for a gym that hadn't been used and the name 24 to Life popped into my head. It's meaning, at that time, was that the gym was open twenty-four hours for you to pursue a better life. I thought it was a pretty good name for a gym.
     As the story went on though, the name took on a different meaning and that is why it became the title of the book.
     We all will have days where we think life couldn't get any better and days where we think life can't get any worse. And the funny thing about life is, it can happen all within twenty-four hours. One day, you are hired for the job of your dreams and then next you wreck your car and have no way to get to that perfect job.
     But again, that's life and it's like the Oklahoma weather, if you don't like it, give it a minute or a day and it will change.
     Too many of us these days though, don't remember that. We get stuck in the muck and mire of the bad situations and we just give up. We don't remember the day we were hired for that perfect job or we found that perfect car or we met that perfect someone, we just look around at the right now and say, "It's never going to get better," and with that attitude, chances are it might not.
     The greatest victories in life are the ones where you grabbed hold of your bootstraps and pulled yourself out of the hole you were in. Whether you dug it yourself or just by circumstances out of your control, got thrown in, doesn't matter.
     What matters is, being a survivor not a victim. Regardless of what hand you are dealt in life, or how many times you get thrown down that hole, if you keep climbing out, you will see better days.
     Sometimes it takes a little longer than a day, but if you set your sights on getting up and not giving up, you will be rewarded.

In the Eye of the Beholder

     I woke up with this rolling around in my head this morning. What exactly is beauty?  Most people attach beauty to what they see on TV or in the magazines. Magazines are filled with faces and bodies that are considered perfect and beautiful with headlines that read "Top 10 Sexiest Men" or "Hottest Models." We all know that the people on TV and in the magazines have had artists applying their makeup and photographers getting their best angles. On rare occasions we get a glimpse into their real lives and see them behind the makeup and doctored photos and guess what? They are real people just like you and I, with scars and flaws.

      I truly believe, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Each person sees beauty differently. For most of us, seeing ourselves each and every day means we know where every flaw is, and we beat ourselves up over them. But, when our friends see us, they see past our scars and see our beauty. They combine what is on the inside with what is on the outside.
   
     I also think that seeing a person's true beauty takes time. Case and point. Have you ever found someone attractive on TV then heard them giving an interview or found out they kicked their dog and suddenly realized they weren't as attractive as you once thought? Or, saw someone on TV who you didn't think was runway model material but yet they had an inspiring interview or rescued a starving pup and suddenly you saw a beauty in them you hadn't seen before.
   
      I think everyone and everything has the power to be both beautiful and ugly. How you present yourself from the inside is what makes you beautiful on the outside.  It's the same in nature in many ways.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         



 There is beauty in a fire.
Watching the flames in all their colors is mesmerizing and beautiful.
   
   

         But when it is destroying homes and killing people and animals it's horrifying.

   



 A huge ocean wave to an experienced surfer is a thing of beauty.






     



But to a city on the coast, it spells disaster.






                             For someone who loves skiing the fresh powder

                    there is nothing prettier than beautiful snow capped mountains

Unless the snow gives way

If you search the world looking for ugliness, you will find it. If you search the world looking for it's beauty you will find it too. Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder.

Baby it's Cold Outside

     As I sit here in my warm, comfy house, I look out my window to see a dusting of snow on the ground and I giggle. I LOVE snow. Some people think I'm absolutely batty but I don't care. I LOVE snow. I can't say winter is my favorite season because I love the colors of fall and the flowers of spring but there is a lot to say about the beauty of winter.

     Now, I live in an area where we don't get that much snow. Temperatures don't drop below freezing all that often so I can't say I'm familiar with what people up north have to deal with being buried weeks on end with the white powder. I guess I could say I have an appreciation for it. Being raised in central Texas, snow was seldom seen so I think I could count on one finger how often I built a snowman growing up.

     But there is something about snow, about the look of it floating to the ground and the feel of it when you are making a snowball or a snowman that just makes my heart flutter. I get all giddy when I see the snowflakes drifting to the ground. The best thing is when they land on a window and you can see the actual flakes and their intricate design.






Have you ever stopped and actually looked at a snowflake? It's mind boggling how detailed they are.
   








     I know people complain about the cold or the treacherous road conditions or being cooped up in their house until things thaw but for me, it's magical. I could sit and watch the snow fall for days.





     What's not to love about being snuggled in a blanket by a warm fire, drinking a delicious cup of hot cocoa complete with marshmallows watching the snowflakes fall from the sky?

   

     But, being out in it can be just as fun. Walking through the snow, feeling it crunch under your feet and feeling the icy prickles on your face is invigorating. There is nothing like taking a walk after a snowfall and just staring at the beauty.

 
   

With one bout of magical weather, the whole landscape has transformed. Branches are covered with snow.

Everything is painted in a soft blanket of white. The air is crisp and clean or may be filled with the smell of fresh burned wood. 

It looks like glitter has been spilled over the landscape and somehow it feels like it has taken away all the muck and dirtiness and made it clean. Even if it's just for a while,

Sometimes taking a good long look at the beauty that surrounds us, is all you need to put a smile on your face.

Tell Me a Story

     This year starts a new chapter, (pun intended) in my life. I entered this year as a soon-to-be published author. I am just starting the process and I have no idea what to expect but I'm excited for the possibilities.
 
     I have always had a vivid imagination. As a little girl, I was always creating stories with my dolls. In school I enjoyed my English class because many of my assignments involved writing. I didn't like the grammar part so much but, who does? Let's move on.

    When I hit my teenage years my creativity was expressed through writing lyrics and songs and as an adult I wrote skits and plays.

    As of last year I started writing romance novels and low and behold my brain opened up with character after character telling me their story.

     I say that because of the way I write. My stories come out of nowhere and everywhere. There are bits and pieces of my life enter twined with ideas that are purely imagination. Where do the characters come from? Sometimes they are completely fabricated from my imagination. Sometimes they are someone I've met somewhere in my life. Once I have the characters formed and the outline of the story is in place, the characters guide me from one scene to the next. Sometimes the characters take me through scenes so fast I don't know if I can type fast enough.
   
     I tell people it's like watching a movie. The scenes are vivid. I can see the location. I know what the weather is like and whether it's in the city or country. All the senses get involved. If I have trouble with the visual, I get on the Internet and search until I find it. 

     I truly enjoy the art of writing, because for me, I am honestly as surprised when it's done as the reader would be. My stories never turn out exactly like I had initially planned. There are twists and turns and unexpected parts that I never even dreamed of until they happen to show up in my imagination ready to be added to the story.

     So, what happens now that I've written a novel? I really don't know. So far, I have had to figure out what I want the cover to look like and what the short synopsis should say in order to pull the reader in so they buy the book. The next step is editing to make sure the story isn't littered with grammatical errors. Again, that part of my English classes wasn't my favorite. From there...well, I guess we shall see.

   

   

Setting the bar...at eye level

     It's a new year and most of us, regardless if we spoke it out loud, have some things we want to accomplish this year. I have a plate full. I want to write, and de-clutter, lose a few pounds and the list goes on. Now, my writing is exciting to me, so it's not that hard. In fact, it kind of gets in the way of the de-cluttering and cleaning which I don't really enjoy doing at all. The losing weight thing, well, I know what I need to do, it's just setting it in motion.
     For most, the goals we set for the new year, normally don't get attained. But why? Well, like I said, fun things get in the way. They take the time that we should have spent on the goal. The most obvious reason we don't attain our goals though is...honestly, we set the bar too high. We say I'm going to declutter the house next week or I'm going to lose sixteen pounds in a month.
     The best way to attain your goal is set small goals each week that you know you can manage.
Here are some ideas
For De-cluttering
1. Set a goal to clean out a small area once a week-clean one closet, or even one drawer. Pull everything out have three piles KEEP, THROW, DONATE, go through it all and divide it then clean the area completely and only put back what you are keeping.
2. If you have electronics that are busted don't throw them away. Some electronic shops will take your busted items to use for parts.
3. Never dump old medication down the toilet or sink or in the garbage especially if they are painkillers. Check with your local police station for the safest way to get rid of them
4. Same with chemical such as pesticides, paint, oil. Check with your city to find a safe place to dump

For losing weight
1. Never look at it as losing weight. Look at it as getting healthy
2. Don't be reactive, be proactive. Most of us are on some kind of medication for high blood pressure, high A1c, Cholesterol Etc...most of it has to do with diet and getting the right balance in our bodies. There are doctors that teach healthy eating and exercise and use vitamins and minerals to strengthen the body instead of prescribing pills to take care of symptoms. Check for a Functional Medical Doctor in your area to help get you on a healthy regime.
3. Don't focus on the weight focus on moving. Look at your schedule throughout the day and figure out how long you are sedentary and just start moving. Even if you add ten minutes of movement a day that you didn't have in your schedule before, it will make a difference. Take a walk get some fresh air. Look for walking paths in your area.
4. Check out the gyms- this one comes with a precaution- check with your physician first. There are so many ways to get some exercise these days it's not even funny. Crossfit, yoga, pilates, zoomba, weight lifting, running, etc...find something that looks fun and try it out. There are usually trainers at the gyms that can help
5. Start small- don't try to do an hour of exercise to start off or lift a ton of weights- you will wear yourself out and get discouraged. Start small and work your way up.

Santa Claus, St. Nick, Pere Noel- What is the story behind Christmas

     I love the movie 'The Santa Claus.' It's one of my favorite Christmas movies. The line where Tim Allen lists all the names of Santa Claus always makes me laugh.






And surprise, surprise each one of those names is a  real name for Santa Claus. But where exactly did the story of Santa Claus delivering gifts from a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer come from.








One author from New York City named Clement Clarke Moore had something to do with it. In 1822 he penned a poem name 'A Visit from St. Nicholas.' The poem became one of the most read books at Christmastime, "The Night Before Christmas."
He developed the poem from two legendary figures,





St. Nicholas
who was known for gift giving and leaving presents in stockings










and Sinterklaas

the Dutch version of St. Nicholas who was traditionally known for his white beard and red clothing.


He threw in a smidge of Odin,





the pegan god of Yule, who road a flying horse with eight legs.





Moore also portrayed St. Nicholas as a jolly elf, not a religious figure.









He added a a pack of toys












and a sleigh with flying reindeer to give the poem just enough magic to become popular.

So, that took care of the look of Santa, the pack of toys, the idea of the stockings, the sleigh and flying reindeer. But what about the North Pole and elves? What about the naughty and nice list?

The answer is Thomas Nast, another New Yorker who was an illustrator. In 1862 the publication Harper's Weekly commissioned Nast to illustrate their Christmas edition. The renderings he produced transformed the idea of who Santa was and where he came from.

And last but not least, what about the history of the Christmas tree? The history behind the Christmas tree goes back ancient Egypt. It was thought that plants that remained green during the winter held special meaning. People would put evergreen boughs over their windows and doorways to ward off evil spirits. The decorated tree can be traced back to Germany in the 1600. Some scholars give credit to Martin Luther for adding lighted candles to the tree.






Of Course, Christmas, to many, is not so much about a man in a bright red suit riding in a sleigh with reindeer and handing out presents. In many different countries and cultures it's a time to gather together with family and friends to celebrate our beliefs. To be thankful for what we have been given. So, however you choose to celebrate Christmas, I wish you great love and Peace and joy for the season and the coming new year.

All in the Family

                                                                  Family

     What is conjured in your mind when you think of family? Some people think of the people that live under one roof and some think of everyone they have found on the ancestry site on the internet and for most it's somewhere in between.

     For some they have been blessed to live in the same community  and for others they have been blessed not to. Because let's face it, sometimes families can be hard to navigate.

     During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons many families choose to gather together and celebrate. It's usually a great time but can be stressful. There are factors that come into play getting extended families together.

     For those coming in, it could be choosing what to pack for the weather and the long flights or drives. Or, the feeling of burdening someone staying in their home. Doesn't matter that they are family. For the host, it's making sure the house is clean, the groceries are bought and everyone feels welcome and their needs are met.

   








      That's just the beginning. Then there is Uncle Joe who doesn't particularly have the same political views as Aunt Nancy or lovely little Sara ,who is three, and a holy terror. Everyone thinks they have the solution when all her mom and dad need is support and a few extra hands every once in a while. 

                                                                                   
Throw in a few activities and one family photo
that grandma just has to have and boy oh boy you have the makings of the perfect family gathering. Or not.

   


 The thing is, everybody has their own little bubble they live in. Their own little routine that gives them comfort and when that is disturbed or they are thrown out of their comfort zone, things can get a little sticky. Nerves get shot, people get annoyed, tempers flare, feelings get hurt, lines are drawn and all of the sudden families are divided. And most of the time, it's over a small disagreement.

     Whether you are a mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or in-law, everyone is different. Everyone has a point of view that may not align with yours or things they do that are annoying. So what. Be thankful that you have grouchy old Aunt Bea. There are many people out there who have no family to spend the holidays with. 

     There are a few important things to remember during this time of year and I am writing this to remind myself.
     1. Remember why you love your family because you never know when you might lose them
     2. Remember you can't please everyone and that is okay.
     3. Respect others views, you may find out yours may be wrong!
     4. Remember, everyone is stressed so if someone barks don't take it too personally.
     5. Focus on the good stuff. Make happy memories.

     This time of year, reflect on your happy memories. Be thankful for what you have and who you have in your life. Focus on showing how much you love and appreciate them.

   

   

The season of giving

     Ah. The crisp chill of the air. The smell of a fireplace burning nearby. The sound of carolers singing and lights twinkling all about and those little white flakes drifting from somewhere up above. People are all bundled up scurrying from store to store for that perfect gift. Or, maybe sitting with their hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows staring at a screen and scrolling through an endless amount of items searching for that one perfect gift. Tis the season. People talk about being in the spirit of the season. What spirit exactly? I think it means different things to different people. Whether it bears a religious connection or an excitement of presents on their way or family getting together, there is something about this time of year that is special.

     Oh yes, it's fun to drive around and look at the pretty Christmas lights.

And maybe you are one of the lucky ones to wake up Christmas day to a blanket of snow. What could be more perfect?

Or, you might wake up Christmas morning with tons of presents under the tree.

Is that what the spirit of the season is about?

 




  To me, the spirit of the season is giving.

Giving without expecting anything in return.

Giving love to family you haven't seen in a while.


Giving hugs to those who may need comfort and giving to those who are in need.

Even if you are giving not expecting anything in return, you will receive gifts. Oh, trust me you will receive gifts that mean much more than any item that could be put under the tree.

Dare to Dream

     If you had all the money needed to live out your life's dream, what would you do? We all have our silly little daydreams. One of mine is traveling. I love to explore new places and have new adventures because it gives me ideas for the stories I write, which is another thing I would do if I had all the money I needed to live out my life's dream.

     But, there is one other dream I have. Being a budding writer, it stands to reason that I love to read. I love going into a bookstore and seeing the rows and rows of books. The idea of grabbing some coffee or a nice drink, and sitting down in a comfy chair with a good book, excites me.

      So, if I had all the money I needed to live out my life's dream, I would own a shop that had local author's books for sale along with other books that could be checked out for free.



It would have comfortable places to sit and of course a nice fireplace because who doesn't like to sit by a fire and read. It would also have a coffee bar and maybe sell some other fancy drinks and a few pastries.





                                    But I would also add one other element. I would add art.

Throughout my life I have met many people who have an amazing ability to capture life in art. And like most writers, they do it more as a hobby than making a living at it because, let's face it, it isn't easy to break into the industry. Most of the artwork I have seen is absolutely phenomenal and I can't imagine how these people aren't world renowned.






So, that being said, close your eyes. Well, don't close your eyes really because then you couldn't read what I'm writing, but picture this: You walk through the glass door to artwork scattered on the walls. Cushioned chairs and a few small tables sit by a roaring fireplace. On one wall is a large picture window with tables and chairs. A little farther into the shop there are bookshelves lining the walls and a bar serving coffee and drinks and pastries. Four friends are sitting at a table by the window drinking coffee and chatting. There is a guy sitting by the fireplace reading a book and eating a muffin. A woman stands in front of a painting of some horses telling her daughter, "I think I need this painting."

                 
                                                                   Can you see it?

And now...The rest of MY story

     I love to listen to Paul Harvey. Specifically, I love to listen to the stories behind the stories of different events. Just when you think you know all about a famous person, Paul comes in and gives you a little nugget of history that blows your mind.

     No one knows 'the rest of their story'. We don't have a crystal ball that can tell us how everything will play out or even how long we have to finish our story...but I would really like to have a hint.

     I am getting to the point in my life for the rest of my story to start.

     For most, the first part of  your life is gaining knowledge to one day go out and work an eight hour five day a week job. For some it's more, some it's less and for a few very fortunate people, work doesn't play into the game.

     At some point, when your hair starts to turn the color of snow or rain clouds or just falls out, you start thinking about the second part of your life. That part where you no longer have to put in the hours. You have met your quota and it's time to relax. But, how? Where?

    My how, right now, is doing exactly this. Writing. I really enjoy writing and if all goes well, I will keep doing it for a while, but my where is the problem.

     I have traveled all over different sections of the US. Each one has something special about it. But what exactly goes in to choosing a place to live out, basically, the rest of your life?

     Some people will say family. People want to be where their family is. It give them comfort. So, if that is the case, Texas would be a contender.

 I was born and raised in central Texas and it still is one of the prettiest places in the US in the spring because of the Bluebonnets.











The coast of Texas isn't bad either. Sitting on the beach to watch the sunrise can make for a spectacular morning.






But what if family wasn't an issue? I thought about what it must have been like for our ancestors to come over to America for the first time. What was it like just to leave everything they knew, all the family they had, behind and set off on an adventure of a lifetime.  This was where they would leave their legacy. Where exactly would I want to leave mine and why?                                                     


Maybe the mountains of Colorado.
High up with amazing vistas, skiing on fresh white powder in the winter or sitting curled up in a soft blanket watching the snow fall. Yes, that could be fun.








Or maybe hiking through Utah and Arizona and Nevada exploring the forests and canyons on the weekend.

Or, head to the pacific coast and take in the beautiful beaches and strange vegetation they have there. The weather always seems sunny there. But do I really want to have summer all year round?

 I could go to the midwest and have all four seasons. 

Or I could go to the east coast and get the best of both worlds with mountains and coastline within a few hours drive.

The choices are endless, I don't even have to stay in the states if I don't want to. I could choose to live out the rest of my life on some tropical island.





How exactly do you make a decision of where you want to live for the rest of your life?