WIBBOW?

Would I Be Better Off Writing?

Thank you to Scott William Carter

I'm taking a little time off from my blog to assess the effectiveness of my time spent blogging as well as my newsletter. I am also going to revamp my website and while that isn't time spent writing, it is overdue.

I hope you will bear with me and check back from time to time to see how I am doing in this process. Thank you for understanding!

The Vagaries of Cars

Originally written in 2007....

I was sitting in my little corner of the local McD's enjoying my morning coffee and yogurt when I noticed a young couple pull in with an older car. It had "stuff" loaded on the top and covered with a blue tarp. While the lady came inside, the gentleman opened the hood and peered intently at the engine. Wiping his hands as she came out and handed him a drink, they talked for a minute.

I didn't see the resolution but when I looked back they had left. It got me to thinking about some of the cars I have had in the past. At one time I referred to as the lady with the disposable cars since it seemed as though most didn't last more than a year in our household.

Motivation Monday: Family

Family....

Many of us remember those early years, finding work, making enough money to keep an old car going, the stress of a new baby added to the mix.

A little motorcycle history....

Not everyone knows the history of my riding so I thought I would post a little about it. First, I come from a riding family....both my paternal grandfather AND grandmother rode their own Harley-Davidson in the late 1920's, early 1930's (cheaper than a car back then). The story goes that my grandfather arrived home with two bikes, one with a sidecar and one without. My grandmother asked which one was hers...he pointed to the one with the sidecar (for my dad and uncle to ride in). She shook her head and pointed to the one without. Guess which one she rode.....LOL!

Motivation Monday: Love

Interesting thought - what do you think? Does love change people?

Simple Pleasures

Written back in 2006 but still applies...

The sound of thunder woke me around 2 am....after 15 minutes or so of listening to it, I stumbled out of bed and unplugged the computer. [Note to self - backup files ASAP] Hit the bathroom and then tumbled back into bed, sure I would fall right back to sleep.

NOT! After laying there for an hour, wide awake, I got up. Thus you now find me at the keyboard...

I love the sound of thunder but especially when mixed with the sound of rain. When Mike and I owned our cabin in PA, we enjoyed hearing the rain on the tin roof over our pavilion. It soothed us both. Rainy days never depressed me, they always seemed to be call for curling up in a comfy chair with a good book and a soothing drink.

There are many simple pleasures that bring me joy....hearing a baby laugh, watching children play with puppies, seeing a pretty sunrise or sunset (although I have to admit to seeing many more sunsets than sunrises), hearing a passing motorcycle, feeling the sun warm me on a chilly day, sharing time with family and friends, seeing a bluebird or cardinal or hummingbird or even listening to doves cooing in the back yard. I love the smell of strawberries, cinnamon and vanilla....they all make me smile. Baking bread is a feel good smell. Watching a "feel good" movie always helps my spirits - love to see the underdog come out on top.

Guess I'm a simple person with simple tastes that allow me to enjoy simple pleasures. What are your simple pleasures?

Motivation Monday: Who We Are

Do you agree with this? Are we shaped by all the events in our lives or are our lives preordained? Interesting thought....for me, I know many unexpected and sometimes unintended events have helped make me the person I am today. What about you?

Celebrate the Small Things: July 3, 2015

Well, it's Friday and time to write my post for Lexa Cain's Celebrate the Small Things.

As in the past, I may post something about writing, something personal, something random or even all the above.

Or if I have a REALLY off week, I might just post a photo or two. ;)

Sorry, this is a photo week since I am scheduling it ahead. No idea when I will have internet in our new apartment. Enjoy a few photos I've taken of children here in Ecuador!

#IWSG for July: Perserverance

Once again, it's time for my monthly IWSG post. I swear each month goes by faster and faster as I get older. Wonder why that is?

The theme for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group is PERSEVERANCE.

I've now been in Ecuador for 18 months - where does the time go? I love living here, so much to see and do. But that hasn't been good for my writing time. I've started and NOT finished, two novels ("Almost a Touch" in the Klondike Mystery series and "Rules of Engagement" in the Lia Rules series) and one short story ("Tuesday Terrible Tales" in the 7 of Seven middle school series).

I have to persevere or none of these will get finished. We just completed our third move since moving here. I will be tackling all three of the above this month and next. I truly hope to at least get the short story and Lia Rules book done and published in September (or earlier). Keep your fingers crossed for me!