Needles and Pens

Children’s book author, Barbara O’Connor, recently interviewed author/illustrator Brian Lies at her blog, " Greetings from Nowhere .” I found this quote from Brian particularly inspiring, as I’ve been hedging, once again, about whether or not to pursue my children’s writing dream. “I think getting published is a lot like golf (which I don't play)--if you perfect your swing, the ball should go more or less where you want it to. Likewise, if you learn to tell stories in an original and compelling way, either in words or pictures, and hone your skills so that they're truly professional. . . you're going to get published. It may take a while, but you'll get published.” ~ Brian Lies, children’s book author/illustrator I guess I just needed to hear that from someone who has been where I am now. I feel constantly pulled away from my children’s writing. I tell myself I can make a better income writing for adult markets, magazines, newspapers, websites, where I’ve experien...

Walk Two Moons By Sharon Creech © 1994 Published by Scholastic Inc. 1995 Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons is the story of 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle (most people call her “Sal”) and her trip across the country, from Ohio to Idaho, with her Gram and Gramps. But this is no ordinary vacation. Sal’s mother has gone to “find herself,” and Sal hopes to bring her back home. Her biggest worry is that they won’t get there in time for her mother’s birthday. Somehow, she feels that will make a difference. Along the way, Gram asks Sal to tell a story. “Salamanca, why don’t you entertain us?” “What sort of thing did you have in mind?” Gramps said, “How about a story? Spin us a yarn.” I certainly do know heaps of stories, but I learned most of them from Gramps. Gram suggested I tell one about my mother. That I could not do. I had just reached the point where I could stop thinking about her every minute of every day. Gramps said, “Well then, what about your friends? You got any tales to te...

She did it! Emily won the grand prize in our church's first annual talent show last night. Wow... it was great, too. Our church is blessed with a load of talent, and I did NOT envy the judges. We heard several singers, a harpist, an accordionist, even a rock and roll hymn with a Led Zeppelin-style guitar solo. Lots of fun! I'm so glad they're making it an annual event. The grand prize was a $50 gift certificate at Grizzly's Restaurant -- looks like the whole family wins! ;o)

The trouble with blogging is that I never feel like I should post unless I have something somewhat important to say . I haven't quite got the knack of just rambling on about whatever's going on in my life because, frankly, I doubt that anyone really much cares. On the other hand, when a few days pass without a post, I feel like I'm shirking my blogging duties. So if you're out there reading, bless you, and here goes the rambling... Yesterday we went to our school Halloween carnival. I have no pictures to share because I forgot my camera, and also because it was four days before Halloween and I wasn't really in the spirit. I promise to take a picture on the actual day, even though I could probably get by with just copying last years' pictures. (Tim's dressing up as a ninja -- again.) Does it show that Halloween isn't really my favorite holiday? Nah. Honestly, I haven't always been such a stick-in-the-mud, but twenty consecutive years of making costume...

Cripes! I nearly missed out on my chance to win a PINK Dyson vacuum cleaner from " The Domestic Diva !" Thank goodness I heard about the contest today, 'cause I could really use a new vacuum. Mine is second-hand. I have no idea how old it is. It doesn't have any attachments. The cord is almost completely covered in electrical tape and ends in a misfit plug taken from an even-less-fortunate vacuum. Recently it required ball-bearing transplants on the roller brush. But yeah, it does still suck up some dirt, so I guess I shouldn't complain. But still... a DYSON! And it's PINK! ( You can enter, too. But hurry, time's running out...)

Every so often, something happens to make you stop and think just how quickly life can be turned upside-down. My friend, Angela (of the awesome Triple Dare Tuesdays), is going through a family tragedy that makes me realize how fragile life really is, and how much we take it for granted at times. Tragedy strikes unannounced. Lives are changed in the blink of an eye. Freak accidents can happen to any of us, at any time. And because of a freak accident, Angela's brother, Chris, is fighting for his life. Chris is only 26 years old. He has a wife and three young children. I can only imagine what they must be going through right now. Angela has been posting updates on his condition at her blog . Take a minute, if you can, to read Chris' story, say a prayer for him and his family, and if you have the means, make a donation (no amount is too small) to help give his young family some financial relief during this difficult time. And don't forget to count your blessings...

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread By Kate DiCamillo Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering First edition 2003 published by Candlewick Press 2004 Newbery Medal Thanks to a wonderful fourth grade teacher who reads this book aloud to her class each year, The Tale of Despereaux is a favorite of my two youngest children. It made my daughter’s birthday wish list three years ago, and recently my son joined in the chorus of, “Mom, you HAVE to read Despereaux!” Finally, I have. Despereaux is the youngest in the Tilling family, a disappointingly small, weak, sickly mouse, born – much to his family’s dismay – with his eyes open. “This is the last,” proclaimed Antoinette from her bed. “I will have no more mice babies. They are hard on my beauty. They ruin, for me, my looks. This is the last one. No more.” “The last one,” said the father. “And he’ll be dead soon. He can’t live. Not with his eyes open like that.” But reader, he did live. Thi...

Lift Bridge Links: Duluth Public Library Minnesota Historical Society Northern Images Photography Galleries Aerial Lift Bridge at Wikipedia

My kids were back to school today after a four-day weekend, and I was left to bask in golden silence. Ahh… I had big plans for the day, but it's amazing how quickly six uninterrupted hours of peace and quiet fly by -- and funny how little I managed to get done in that time. Nevertheless, this morning I learned about the Book Awards Reading Challenge -- just the thing to get me going on that “someday I’ll read it” list. I’ve made a tentative list of my twelve book picks for the challenge (listed below right), and I tried to select recipients of a variety of awards, including a few Pulitzers. But I have to admit, the books I most look forward to reading are the Newberys – awarded annually “to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” More than half of my choices are Newbery winners. Call it research for my children’s writing (besides, I really like reading children’s books!) My other accomplishment today was listing a few items for sale ...

Spent a good part of the weekend finishing up my "falling leaves" border on this round robin that I've been doing with a group of quilting friends this summer. The leaves and acorns are hand-appliqued and just today I decided to embroider little stems on each one for some added detail. This is the last in the group for me, and I've been working on it - off and on - for about a month now. How fitting that I was appliquing falling leaves as the real leaves fell in my own backyard...

"This week’s triple-dare is to show some self-love. All too often, we beat ourselves up, put ourselves down, etc. So this week, I triple-dare you to find the good in yourself. List 10 great things about YOU." This is the toughest dare yet, but it’s also timely, as I’ve been pretty hard on myself lately. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an all-or-nothing type, and that being so is rather self-destructive. Take my diet, for example. When I diet, I do it hardcore. I don’t stray from the guidelines an inch. This results in losing weight, feeling great, a happy, accomplished attitude… until the inevitable day when I fall off course. Let’s face it, no one can maintain a “perfect” diet forever. Once I’ve broken the diet, I give up. Completely. And then I beat myself up over it. I do this in other areas, too. It’s a form of perfectionism (though no one would look around my home and accuse me of being a perfectionist). Worst of all, it’s self-defeating. There is no such thing as ...

I recently had a request from freelance writer, April Boyer, to reprint an article originally published at Writing World.com back in 2003. It was interesting to revisit this article and recall a time “when life gave me lemons,” and I did indeed “make lemonade.” I’m happy to report that the teen in question has made it safely to adulthood, and I’m thrilled to know that the writing that flowed from the experience continues to inspire. You can read the reprinted article at April’s “Writing Desk” here: Essay Writing: When it’s Just Too Personal And there have been two recent breakthrough moments at my own writing desk… One, I’ve finally decided on a title for my middle grade novel-in-progress. Despite an endless chain of title changes, none has ever felt “right.” But after a full week of nothing but brainstorming titles, from the painfully obvious to the outrageously ridiculous, I’ve finally settled on “PHOTO FINISH." I think... lol And two, thanks to an enlightening visit with my sis...

Maybe I'm not as neurotic as I feel lately, but just going through the motions of the creative process... "Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt "The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." ~ Linus Pauling "The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there." ~ Monica Baldwin "Life is 'trying things to see if they work.'" ~ Ray Bradbury "It is worth mentioning, for future reference, that the creative power which bubbles so pleasantly in beginning a new book quiets down after a time, and one goes on more steadily. Doubts ...

Angela dared me... Nice hairdo, huh? Apparently I was pretty good at avoiding the camera when I was a teenager, as I have very few photos from that time other than far-away shots of me on the back of a horse. (I'm sure my mom has some, but do I really want to see them?) I was about sixteen here, and this was actually a good hair day. From age 13 on -- when my hair took on a life of its own -- I had insanely-curly-hair issues. Farrah, I was not.

The other day, my friend and I were sitting in her sewing room working on projects and I said to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug." She got up, unplugged my sewing machine and threw out my Pepsi....

These are some of the Bear Paw blocks I finished this weekend, to swap with my quilting buddies over at Country Quilters USA . I'll be using my blocks in a quilt for my youngest's bed, as we recently redecorated his room in a woodsy theme. Better run now. There's a thunderstorm rolling in...

Last night my daughter rescued a baby red squirrel from the jaws of our cat. The cat was caught in the act and fortunately dropped the goods before she ran off. Seeing that the baby was still alive, Emily scooped it up and brought it to me. My first thought was, he'll never make it. We bundled him up in a pet carrier with a heating pad under it to keep him warm, then went online for info on baby squirrel rehab. If there was ever any doubt, now I know it's true -- there is a website for EVERYTHING. There is actually a site called Squirrel Rehab.org . The most important thing we learned was that infection from cat bites is common, severe, and fatal to small animals, so if the little guy survived at all, he'd need antibiotics within 24 hours. I met Patty Farr about a year ago, through our local Freecycle group. I had offered a small animal cage to the group, and Patty contacted me and told me all about her wildlife rescue efforts. This totally piqued my interest, and of cours...

My Grandma Faye was one strong lady. She raised her family in a tiny Kansas farmhouse, no bigger than my own living and dining rooms combined. She gave birth seven times, then endured the loss of three precious children, the first, at birth, then little Wilma, only a toddler when she passed, and finally her only son, Doran, at age seven. The heartbreak she endured must have been staggering, yet she mustered the strength to go on for her husband and four daughters, the youngest of which would one day be my mother. Grandma and Grandpa struggled through the Great Depression, though their children never once felt deprived. Grandma raised chickens, grew and canned vegetables, and made darling little dresses from printed cotton feed sacks. There was always food on the table, clean clothing to wear, cheery perennials blooming by the front step, despite the dry Kansas soil. Through all of life’s challenges, Grandma’s faith remained strong. Grandpa adored her, in sickness and in health. I’m cer...

After much foot-dragging and procrastinating, this weekend I finished a UFO (unfinished object) that dates back to (I think) 2004, when I made the top for a mystery quilt project with the Patchwork Quilters yahoo group. The backing is a cuddly blue and green plaid flannel and the quilting is stitch-in-the-ditch. I have to make a label for it yet, and then I’ll be passing it on to my sister, to give to her friend who has cancer. I hope it brings her much comfort.

When I’m actively working to lose weight, I’m addicted to my bathroom scale. Though I know I’m only supposed to weigh in once a day (if that), I’m on the scale morning, noon and night. But that’s not the real problem. The problem is, when I stop the diet and try to maintain my weight, weighing-in goes out the window. I’m at that point now, and I have to fight myself to check out that number at least once a week. This is how I have managed to lose and re-gain the same 30-40 pounds at least three times in the past five years. Knowing that yo-yo dieting is worse than being overweight, I’m determined to put a stop to this unhealthy pattern. Between April and August of this year, I managed to shed 40 pounds (again). I actually have another 10-15 to lose to reach my goal weight, but somewhere in early September, I lost all enthusiasm for my routines – just when I need them the most! So today I’m on a mission to regain that enthusiasm, and not only maintain the weight I’ve lost, but rid mysel...