Happy Mother's Day

To all the moms in the world,

I hope you have a remarkable Mother's Day!

Love Of Writing

I think Gloria Steinem best summed it up when she said, "Writing is the only thing I do that, when I do it, I don't feel like I should be doing something else".

How true that quote is. At least for me. When I sit down at the computer to write, it's like everything else in the world disappears from existence. Even though I am a multi-tasker and can write more than one thing at a time, along with watching TV, and reading a book or two all at the same time, there is just something about placing your fingers on the keyboard and tapping out your thoughts through the written word. 

I've been sitting here today, editing two books at once, and reflecting on what brought me to this point in my life. Or rather what gave me my love for books. It dawned on me that there was this teacher I had in the fifth grade who came to mind. Actually, two teachers influenced me that year. 

The first was what they called my homeroom teacher, who also taught our English class. We had the advantage of having different teachers for the various subjects even in elementary school. Anyway, during our English class one day, this teacher assigned us a writing project. We had to explain how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to someone who had never made one before. Easy, right? Not even on your life. We wrote the papers in one day, then the next she brought in the ingredients and followed our directions to the letter. We laughed our selves into a stupor because some of the concoctions that were created via the instructions were horrible. There were only about three of us, if memory serves me right, who were close or right on target in describing the proper steps for making the sandwich. Luckily, I was among those three. It was a lesson that has stuck with me to this day. One that I try to instill in children when I encourage them to embrace their creative sides.

The second teacher, who I didn't actually have that year, but she was looking out for me all the same, gave me a Beverly Cleary book, Beezus and Ramona to read for a book report we had to do. While it's been way too many years to count since I've ready any of Cleary's titles, I can remember opening that first book of hers that I had ever read and being entranced by it. I didn't put it down until I was finished and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next one. Which started a trend for me. It opened up to me the worlds of Shakespeare, Hemingway, Dickens, Eyre, and many more.

As the years went on, I found a love of many different genres and tried to encourage my own child to read, which didn't always work, but you do what you can. Now, these days, I'm proactive in promoting reading and writing to today's youth. I look at it as trying to pass along a passion that I have thanks to two amazing teachers. One of whom I remain friends with today. She has encouraged me over the years to embrace my love of writing and do something with it. Which I have been over the past couple of years.

Through my love of books I have met some amazing friends over the past several years, via internet, and I must say, I am honored to call them "friends". These women and men who have a shared interest in books and writing have given amazing encouragement to myself and my co-author of a particular series we're working on at the current time. Which by the way, I met my co-author through a book group online and I thank God every day for connecting us together. This woman is an amazing writing partner and friend. I can't wait until we can share book one of our series with everyone. I myself think it's going to be a great read. 

So, to the two teachers in my past, thank you for the life lessons and introducing me to the publishing world.

To the teacher who remains in my life, thank you for giving me the first book that peeked my interest in reading, the ability to still be able to discuss books with you, being a true friend over all these years, and for always being there when I need an ear to listen. 

To my co-author, thank you for agreeing to take me on as a writing partner, for your constant ability to keep me grounded and centered, for always being there when I need you, and for being the best friend anyone could have. 

To the amazing people that I RP with, thank you for writing with me and putting up with some of my crazier ideas. I love each of you for different reasons and love writing with you every time we get the opportunity.

To the authors of the world, thank you for sharing your works with those of us who love to read and giving inspiration to future writers.

To all of my friends, thank you for being a sounding board when I need it, for giving me your honest opinions when I ask, and most of all for your friendship. 

To the ladies who agreed to review and edit the book I've written on my own, thank you for reading my work, your input, your honesty, and letting me vent out ideas with you.

Tactical Thursday

For all my friends who love a man in uniform, I'm sharing a man "half" in uniform because frankly in this case, half is way better than all the way. Although I think NO uniform might be mouthwateringly delicious on this specimen. 

Who else thinks a man in uniform or even in BDUs is just about the sexiest look around? 

Ah, the power of Google images. It's amazing what we can find, including inspiration for our writing techniques. I know there are images that just leap out at me and make the author inside purr with excitement as an idea pops into my brain. 

HAPPY EASTER!

Color Me Impressed!

I was brought to the reality today that just when you think kids have all gone a wee bit crazy and forgotten what manners and/or rules are, they can truly surprise you.

I had a group of children out on the playground this afternoon and one of the rules is that if they get out a piece of equipment they must put it back before moving on to something else. Two of the students were playing with the bug collecting kit and both decided to change up and play croquet instead. When they ran over to play the new activity, I politely reminded them that they needed to put the bug collecting equipment away first. These boys, who are first and second graders, worked together to get the job done and then turned to each other to do "rock, paper, scissors" to decide who had to walk the box down to the equipment cart.

It was so impressive to see them not only work together but to use a fair way to make a decision. For the first time in a long time I watched in awe as the two children solved a problem without a negative word being uttered. 

In that instance I made sure to praise them for their good choices, which makes me wonder, do you ever take time to tell a child or even an adult when they do something right instead of always pointing out the wrong doings? Something to think about.

Wonderful Debut Book

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce a new author that I've found. Her debut book was released by Amazon (for Kindle) on March 22, 2014. If you get a chance to read this, I recommend it.


While I normally don't care for a book written in first person, I found this book worth reading. I loved the internal struggle Kole was going through but most of all I was in awe of the male character, Santiago. Without giving too many spoilers away, the way he stayed strong and more or less forced Kole to "trust" him, was heart wrenching. I think my favorite part in the book was when Santiago had Kole choose a target for him to hit with a tennis ball and if he hit it, which of course was never in doubt that he would, she had to answer his question. Great motivator!

My only "negative" bit is, the editor of the book should have caught the fact that it's "pursed" lips not "pierced" when referring to gather or contract (the lips or brow) into wrinkles or folds; pucker.

I wish Jamie a long and happy future in the writing world.

Learn more about the author:
Follow at: https://twitter.com/JamieWMatlock
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiewmatlock?ref=hl
Blog: http://jamiewmatlock.tumblr.com/

Spring! Spring! Wherefore Art Thou?

According to my calendar Spring has arrived, yet when you step outside it's currently 34-degrees and raining out with wind gusts up to 30 mph. Really? If this is the definition of Spring I demand Webster's correct their dictionaries.

What about you? Are you tired of Mr. Frost knocking on your door?

My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall and I must say that I am more than ready for Spring to spring into action this year.

Has anyone else noticed that the longer the cold seems to stick with us, the nastier people's attitudes grow? Maybe that's not the correct words to describe it. How about the more depressed people seem to be? Yeah, that's a better description.

I'm so ready for happy, smiling faces to greet me instead of frowns and groans. And I don't just mean from adults. Kids seem to be experiencing the same types of symptoms. On that note, suddenly I have a song stuck in my head..... (Yes, this is probably "dating" myself by having this particular song in my head, but hey, oh well, at least it's not Mr. Roger's Neighborhood theme song.) Come On Get Happy! Who else still thinks Keith Partridge was just the cutest? Personally, I always thought his RL brother was cuter than him.... Shaun Cassidy.... YUMMO! Now there's a smile! So now I'm suddenly thinking about trying to find The Partridge Family and The Hardy Boys on DVD. The question is, as an adult will we find these fellas still as H.O.T. as we did when we were kids? Because honesty as adults, these two brothers are not so H.O.T. anymore. But then again, I guess you could say the same thing about me. I definitely don't have the teenage body anymore but even for a middle aged woman I think I can be downright sexy when I wanna be. Then again that might just be in that fantasy world I live in. :P

Back to the subject of Spring.... Are you ready for the flowers to bloom? The birds to sing? Okay, I could agree with the flowers blooming because I absolutely love flowers. Speaking of flowers, do you like to receive flowers from friends, loved ones, significant others? In the past I was always told (by the ex-significant other) that giving flowers was a waste of time and money because they were only going to die. Even though I often said I agreed with that philosophy, I honestly didn't. I think getting flowers from someone, even if it's just because they're thinking of you, is one of the nicest things. They don't have to be some expensive bouquet or arrangement. They could be something as simple as a wild flower picked from the side of the road. It's the thought that counts, not the amount of money put into them. Although one can never go wrong with roses. haha. As for the birds singing? Yeah, I love to hear them. It let's you know the warmer seasons are upon us. However, I can do without the not-so-lovely items they leave behind on my car when I have to park near the trees at work.

So in closing I say even if the weather won't cooperate with us by popping into Spring mode, let's get out there and sing a song, do a little dance, smile a wide smile, and spread the joy of Spring.