Days Like This

I love days like this:

MIXED NUTS Session 4

I love the Mixed Nuts Writers Group! Yesterday, we engaged in five amazing hours of constructive feedback, laughter, bonding, and excessive donut eating. The down side was that I forgot to bring our signature nuts.

Delta Red and Cornucopia

I sent Mom off to her college homecoming with a few new goodies: Delta Red (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority necklace and earrings set) and Cornucopia.

What Death Taught Me

Recently, I traveled to Cleveland, Mississippi to attend the funeral service of Miles Johnson, one of my husband's closest friends. I didn't know Miles beyond a few stray phone conversations, old photos, and the stories my husband would often tell with giddy delight. But I did know that Miles was thirty-nine. Diligent. Creative. Joyful. Spiritually resolved. Wise. He was a child, a parent, a spouse. He was on a journey, seeking, serving, embarking on the challenges that life brings, realizing his purpose. He was the people I know, and the person I am. He's gone, now. Just like that. This is what death taught me:

1. Give in to hysterical fits of laughter whenever they come, no matter where you are or who is watching.
2. Lasting friendships can be made in a smile, a lingering embrace, a thoughtful gaze. Thank you Rita, Aletha, and Greg.
3. Healing can be found in the shallow woods of Bowling Green, Kentucky, off interstate 65 South.
4. I need to make sure I plant John 3:16 deep in my son's heart, to let him know his obedience to me, his fathers, and grandparents is practice in obedience to God.
5. Puppies are people, too.
6. Stress kills.
7. It takes great courage to be a Christian in a self-centered world.
8. Not all rap music is atrocious.
9. "1" represents God, "5" represents blessings, and "9" represents finality.
10. Right now is all I (we) have.

UPDATE: Faith's Gift

Last month, I completed a Dameregalos (Give me Gifts) project for a birthday girl whose father had this to say after his family recovered from the rigors of their festivities: 


Faith loved it!!! We ate at the Spaghetti Factory on Friday and opened presents. Her sisters think it is the neatest --- and--- Taylor, Leslie's daughter, found the initials before I said anything. Everyone was impressed with the thought, care, and talent put into Faith's gift. Thank you from all of us.

Blood Brothers & Baseball

I am so thankful for the people in my life who make each day so extra special. Every time I see my son, Tristan, pitching a baseball game, or stealing bases, or any of the other gritty boy stuff that typically ensues on the field, I recall his earlier years--running in the wrong direction in soccer games, forgetting to dribble the basketball, . . . . And when Tristan rocks out in a concert like he did today, I can't help but to recall how he was drumming like a pro at three years old, or how nervous he was when he played guitar in his first rock band, and before his first live audience.

Thanks Mom, Dad, Keith, Kenny, Nuray, Steve, Debra, Ouida, John, Veronica, Wayman, and Justin for showing up to support The Blood Brothers, and for being a part of this special memory. The boys are preparing to  audition for a performance band spot at Mom's Music.

About Baseball
This week, Tristan was recruited to play in an invitation only baseball league. The coach said they'd been watching Tristan, and most appreciated his pitching style, passion, and fortitude. 


What I Learned From the Baseball Scout Experience:
Someone's always watching. 

WOW x 2

Laughing Matters, a short story cycle
I talk to God quite a bit when I'm driving. He hears it ALL--my fears, my questions, my ridiculous sense of humor . . . . my brainstorming. While I've never gotten the impression that he's particularly thrilled about the offbeat story ideas that often flood my mind (especially the ones that revolve around vibrating testicles and crazy cows), I think he does approve of the thematic undercurrents that drive my stories forward. Love. Loss. Yearning. Faith. Family. Dysfunction. Hope. Empowerment. That said, I'm pleased to announce that my short story cycle, Laughing Matters, is scheduled for release in March, 2012. Thank God!

Here's What Concerns Me
I have not finished revising all of the stories that will appear in the book, and will need to do so by October 31st. Yikes!

The Kentucky Foundation for Women
This week, I was unanimously chosen to serve on The Kentucky Foundation for Women board for a three-year term. It is such a thrill and an honor to enter into the company of other women who are excited about positively impacting social change through art. This is an answered prayer.