Monday's Random Thoughts

Today I posted a new-old story on my “other blog,” Stories From Liz’s Heart.

And, yes, you guessed it. There is a story about my story.

I originally wrote, Freedom! vs the Pink Handkerchief circa 1976. I lived in Austin, Texas and studied creative writing from a local writer. Mike was a great nuts ‘n bolts teacher, but he did not like Barbara’s pink hanky story and asked me to write on another subject. Desperately hoping to find favor for my work, I crafted a story written in a letter by an eighty-five-year-old woman to her husband as she closed her home to move into a nursing home. Mike really disliked that story and said, “Only write what you know!!!!” (his explanation points, not mine J). “You are too young to know what an eighty-five year old woman could possibly feel.”

Okay. I put a cover on my typewriter.

Pretty soon, my own life began to crumble before my eyes and I put a cover on all frivolous things. Like writing.

Two lifetimes later:

In 1998, this single grandmother had settled my small brood out in the Texas hill country, working as director at a senior citizen’s center. For a lark, I submitted my pink hanky story to the Austin Christian Writers’ Guild. (Smiles and winks accepted.)

My story received FIRST PLACE in the Fiction category and earned $15.00 and a printed certificate. The contest judge was no other than national author, writers' conference speaker and writing teacher, and former pastor and missionary CECIL MURPHY. (Polite applause appreciated)

*sigh* My good Fredericksburg buddy, Blanche, from those long-ago-foster parent-days went with me to the winner’s banquet in Austin. Five minutes of fame was sweet. *sigh*

Back to the subject!! I always assumed Freedom vs the Pink Hankerchief was a sweet, romantic fiction. Ha! Shows you what this OLD author knows. Just last week I read a post by Christian novelist Sharon K. Souza at http://novelmatters.blogspot.com/ discussing Magical Realism

Blew me away. I discussed it further with my dyed-in-the-wool-literary-snob grandson and he explained magical realism further. Really? You’re kidding! Well, sure, I’ve heard of Tolkin, C.S. Lewis but that’s NOT what I write!!

After a long discussion about the hidden aspects of several of my little fiction short stories and my still-waiting-in-the-drawer novel, I caved. A smidgen. Because not only is my writing not even in the ballpark with real Christian magical realism writers, I don't even know the game. But, there is a lively debate at Novel Matters on the subject. Hummmmm.

May be there's more real-make-believe in my daily reality and my writing than I suspected.

What do YOU think??? I’d love some opinions!!

As always, everything I attempt is because He first loved me.

Liz

By-The-Way and P.S.

This week in my daily prayer time, I am soaking my soul with Ann Voskamp’s A Thousand Gifts. We must be people of thanks giving. Join me in this heart search.

A Sunday Sojourn

     The sun is shining in Texas this morning and the temp is almost 50°. Since I got only three hours sleep last night, the sun bothers me this morning. Dear Heart and Daughter went to church and the sun, along with an overly tired body, kept me from going back to sleep. Sort of like meeting yourself coming back.

Never occurred to me to pick up the Word of Words.

     Finally, I snuggled into my warmest, fuzzy robe, poured a fresh cup of coffee, and checked e-mail. That was better than standing in the middle of the floor wondering what to do.

Never occurred to me to pick up the Word of Rest.

     I found and replied to a few messages then for some ??? yeah, right, unknown reason, wandered around a few blogs.

Never occurred to me to pick up the Word of Hope.

     Cheerleaders. *sigh* Janet’s blog, http://homeiswheregodsendsyou.blogspot.com/ always offers a gem or two but cheerleaders???? I almost turned away without reading.

Almost.

     Janet is the wife of an Army Chaplain. All military is near and dear to me, the mother of a 21-year Marine. Since I trust Janet’s blog, I DID read on.

I felt scolded.

I felt hugged.

I felt encouraged.

     Please take time to read Janet’s post today, “Save the Cheerleader—Save the World.”

     While you read my blogging friend’s encouraging post, I will pick up the Word of Life then take a restful nap…

Because He First Loved Me,

Liz

Virus Programs for Our Hearts

         Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things.                                      Philippians 4:8  NIV

Ann Voskamp’s new book, One Thousand Gifts, is re-charging my life. Even though I often write about the giving of thanks, my heart grows selfish. Ann’s words speak directly to my aching heart so I am pondering again the sweet peace that comes when a life is lived in gratefulness, thanksgiving, appreciation, and adoration.

Days get long and tedious and sometimes I don't stay in a spirit of thanksgiving. Ann writes a list—with  a pen in her hand onto paper—things for which she is thankful. As I click these letters on my keyboard, I remember the horrible week my world fell apart because my computer crashed and died.

I had been careless. I forgot to protect my documents with an updated virus program that runs in the background, always on guard, always watching, searching, warning, protecting.

It always surprises me how easily I get careless with my very human brain and then I am surprised how quickly my thinking becomes corrupted.

My little world sails along in its quiet, comfort zone. All is well. And I drift. I forget to back up my memory with God’s Words. I forget to run the defrag program with prayer. I forget to empty the temporary files that hold worry and fear and doubt. I forget to simply be still and know and hear. And give thanks.

When God created the amazing human mind, He provided choice but He also armed us, His children He loves so dearly, with scripture and detailed instructions for worship, prayer, study. God gave us sure ways to protect our minds. And Jesus Himself set the example for giving thanks—in all things, at all times, no matter what.

Dear holy Father, help me remain vigilant and think on things that keep my mind focused on You. Help me to learn to live in thanksgiving.

Search for praiseworthy things with me this week and let's think about them!

Liz

Update Update Update

            The Texas Hill Country finally got some WINTER this week. It was a doozie. Not bad like most of the rest of the country. Ours was dry, dry, dry but *shiver* *shiver* COLD. Monday night I was unable to sleep so got up about 12:30 a.m. and worked at my computer awhile. About 2 a.m., I decided to shut down and try for sleep again when suddenly, without a flicker of warning, the lights went out and I heard a freight train bearing down on us. FAST.

          Automatically, I felt my way to my stash of flashlights then rushed to the other end of the house and hustled Daughter out of her warm bed and back to the master bathroom. I managed to get Dear Heart awake and to the “safe room.” The wind was indescribable. Ferocious. If you’ve been through or near tornados or hail storms, you know what I mean. Gus stayed with us a few minutes then yawned and said, “I’m going to bed.” *sigh*

          It was a long night. No trees came down and the roof stayed on the house but believe me when I say: a real storm passed over.

          Then the cold set in. During the day Tuesday, the temperature stayed in the 20’s and that night, I dutifully got all the faucets dripping appropriately. I thought. Wednesday morning four of our cold-water faucets had no cold water. Those pipes had been re-routed into the ceiling a few years back. I have since determined the difference between “a drip” and A DRIP. The temperature hovered between 10° and 20° until today.

          Again, though, we are blessed. The sun began to shine this morning and by 1 p.m. our faucets were running open and clear and no busted pipes.

          The week actually turned out rather cozy for us. We made our grocery store run on Monday—along with everyone else in town—so soup simmered while we snuggled in the living room by the fire.

          Turned out that my time lounging by the fire was not wasted. I cleaned up my blog site. Actually, what I did was to create three other blogs. I know. I never learned the art of KISS…keep-it-simple-silly!

          For me, it is fun and you will honor me if you browse around awhile. The construction is almost finished and then I will use this blog, My Praying Chairs, for some serious devotions. I’m also ready to resume posting on my favorite books list at My Reading Chairs, I have a few NEW stories to post on Stories From Liz’s Heart, and we'll share knitting needles at Let's Knit & Pray

          I THINK I’ve revamped the settings on all to make it easier for you to leave comments. Try it and see. I’d love to know what you think.

And when the storms come, think of Peter and me........

         

“…Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” [ ahh, the story of my life ] And IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him and said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”[why of why… Forgive me, Lord Jesus.]

Now let us be like wise men and go quickly to find Him!

Liz

            P.S.  Take a minute and surf over to http://www.bluejeansandcottontees.com/ Whether you are a young bride or a golden senior, my cyber-friend Melinda shared a post today that will make you smile.

Lost-in-Thought Tuesday

Do you have days when your thoughts, emotions, prayers are scattered all over the spectrum? That's my day, today. ( :-D ..wonder if my annual trudge into the tax wilderness is to blame?? :-D ) At any rate.

• Early this morning, the sky was hazy-purple. Cedar pollen. Tonight I refuse to acknowedge the sore throat, blood-shot eyes, ringing ears.

• Last month, I put on my "good-girl" determination and dutifully stuffed all my fiction writing into a file cabinet and marked it SHUT! Family and household and property projects have top priority and it looks like I'm booked until next Christmas. But, I do sneak time to surf the web and guess what???? I've discovered a new-to-me writers' web site. Oh *sigh*;  I want to spend all my time there (drat tax-time !)   http://novelmatters.blogspot.com/  The site is headed up by six women who are Christian novelist: Bonnie Grove, Patti Hill, Kathleen Popa, Latayna C. Scott, Debbie Fuller Thomas, and Sharon K. Souza. These amazing writers offer encouragement, teaching, exercises, true confessions, and an abundance of writing information. Then one blog leads to a web site and another and .... oh, okay! TAXES and closets to clean and --- but wait... do I hear one of my characters screaming for help????? 

• My daughter and I made our monthly pilgrimage to The Closer Walk Christian Bookstore today to stock up on greeting cards for all our prayer partners, sick friends, our blended family birthdays and anniversaries, and Valentine's. Yes, using postage and snail mail is my desperate stand against an ALL CYBER world.

• While at the local Christian bookstore (if you have one in your community, support it! At the Closer Walk there is always a bright smile, encouragement, ideas, and sweet personal attention) I gave myself a reward for staying organized! I purchased--just for my own selfish pleasure, the PRINT copy of Ann Voskamp's new book, one thousand gifts, A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are. I've read Ann's blog posts for a long time and can't wait to slip under the covers each night and have Ann's words warm my heart, tell me of Jesus, and encourage me to live fully for Him. Her blog is A Holy Experience http://www.aholyexperience.com/ It's a perfect place for morning devotions or to have your spirit soothed at the end of a hard day. I'll report more on this book.

• Our weather has been nothing like all-points-east of us this year, but we've had a long, windy, cold, dry spell so Dear Heart made a big fire and I served my special beef stew for supper tonight. Slow-cooked, tender beef left over from Sunday with its 'Soppin-Sauce' gravy, carrots, celery, and tiny, fancy potatoes. Fresh cornbread finished it off. Which brings to mind - - 

• How many of you STILL use a Rival Crockpot from the 1970's ???? I'd love to have a report from you, my readers. I have a new, modern Rival but it isn't trustworthy. Trustworthy is a great word! Comment below or send me an e-mail!!!

Thank you for listening. Which brings to mind a sweet thought... Since I started this new blog at the end of August, 2010, it has had over eleven hundred visitors! Isn't that neat? Especially since I am just an ordinary, stay-at-home grannie with no world-wide fame. Just many loving and precious friends!

Blessings for a wonderful Wednesday!

Liz