Sometimes It's Cloudy, Sometimes It's Clear

99 Days of Summer

2013-05-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

To the question of your life, you are the only answer. To the problems of your life, you are the only solution.
~Jo Coudert

Like so many others, I started this New Year with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. But reflecting on the past five months I feel mostly disappointment. Sure, I've made a little bit of progress in some areas. I'll even admit to being downright proud of one or two of my accomplishments. And while I didn't bring all the bad stuff on myself, I have made far too many choices that have kept me stuck. For that, there is no one to blame but me.

No more excuses. No more regrets. Moving forward, I am committed to taking actions that are truly in alignment with my goals. That's easiest when certain decisions are made ahead of time. And the long days of summer, with sunshine, abundant fresh produce, and time off from work seem the perfect time to begin. Effective immediately (but officially starting tomorrow) I am devoted to to healthy eating and drinking, getting adequate rest, exercising daily, renewing my dedication to my three passions, and spending free time with friends, books, movies and activities that nourish my soul.

Reviewing my Amazing Life List and making it real. Continuing the process of de-cluttering and beautifying my home. Whittling away at my debt. Generally simplifying my life so that the things that mean most to me comprise its essence. It's not a question of discipline, really; it's saying "yes" to myself and "no" to that which consumes precious minutes and gives nothing of lasting value in return. Of course, life has its aspects that are tedious at best, painful at worst; a whiny piano student, grocery shopping, house cleaning, and yard work come to mind. While I cannot eliminate these or avoid the occasional crisis, I can control my own attitude about them, seek joy in the mundane, learn what I can from the rest.

And I'm going to blog about it.

Goodbye, OKCupid/old boyfriends/negativity/drama/drinking alone/midnight snacks/procrastination. Hello, yoga/long walks/sunshine/happy thoughts/peppermint tea/hard work/good food.

I feel better already.

BLUE JEANS AND COFFEE BEANS by Joanne DeMaio

2013-05-08T00:30:00.000-04:00

When I was invited to participate in Joanne DeMaio's book tour for her latest release Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, I jumped at the chance. Given the following description, how could I resist?

What do a denim designer, a cherished New England beach and a dusty reel of an old home movie have in common? All get the story brewing in Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans. Returning again to the sandy shores of Long Island Sound, the story follows a group of beach friends reuniting after a decade apart. But can these friends ever be who they were to each other all those summers ago? Now one of this circle is dead; another unemployed and struggling in a tenuous marriage; another regretting a fateful decision; while one is missing a mother, ever seeking a connection she longs for.

To the backdrop of shingled cottages and a boarded-up beach hangout, to the soundtrack of whispering lagoon grasses and a vintage jukebox, Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans asks if we can really design our own lives or if our fate lies somewhere in the stars.

This book did not disappoint. When Chicago designer Maris Carrington returns to her childhood home on the coast of Connecticut to settle her father's estate, she reconnects with old friends, sharing old memories and making new ones. Then she discovers a shattering family secret; her search for answers keeps her at the from returning home as planned. As time goes by, she finds herself questioning everything about the life and relationship waiting for her; her old friendships deepen and she begins to succumb to the allure of the beach, finding inspiration for her denim clothing line in the sand, water and air. But when her Chicago boyfriend proposes marriage and she receives her dream job offer in New York City, she is forced to make a decision that will affect the course of the rest of her life, as well as the lives of those around her.

With its great cast of characters with stories of their own, beautiful beach setting, and masterful weaving of plot and subplots, Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans will keep you turning pages until the very end and wishing for more. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE from the author's publicist in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

It was the best of times...

2013-05-06T10:12:00.000-04:00

Today I'm blogging over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales about my recent experiences with the Redeemer Piano Ensemble of Atlanta, Georgia, culminating in our spring concert yesterday. Click HERE to find out more!

Snickerdoodle Muffins

2013-04-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

As everyone knows, I have long been a fan of snickerdoodles. So when this variation started making the rounds on Facebook, I couldn't resist. Last night, after piano ensemble rehearsal, I came home and whipped up a batch snickerdoodle muffins.

You MUST try this recipe. I promise you won't be sorry.

SNICKERDOODLE MUFFINS

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/4 cup sour cream (I used reduced fat)
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon

1. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time; mix well.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar and nutmeg.

3. Add the flour mixture and the sour cream alternately to the butter-egg mixture. Mix well.

4. Using a scoop, scoop out muffin batter one at a time and drop into a shallow bowl filled with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll the muffin around in the mixture until it is covered completely, Place muffin into muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20-22 minutes or until done.

I finally did it

2013-04-19T23:16:00.001-04:00

KG-2

This afternoon I bought myself a grand piano.

It was love at first sight and then some. Not just a pretty face, this beautiful instrument has heart and soul. It will be pure joy to realize its depths.

It's shiny but it's not brand new. And I had to take out a loan to pay for it.

But I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that I made the right decision. As a matter of fact, I have been asking myself why I didn't take the plunge sooner.

Stupid fear.

Delivery is scheduled for next Thursday.

Life will never be the same.

Baby Bonsai

2013-04-18T22:11:00.003-04:00

My firstborn and his girlfriend gave me a Miniature Indoor Bonsai Tree Garden kit for Christmas. I followed the instructions carefully, soaking the pre-planted tub of seeds, then placing the tub in the refrigerator, imitating winter. After several weeks, I removed the tub from the refrigerator and waited for the seeds to sprout. Just when I was about to give up, I discovered a lone seedling. Now my tiny tree is about two inches tall.

I love it dearly. It will be two years before my baby bonsai is tall enough and sturdy enough to plant outdoors. It appears that growing a bonsai tree is yet another lesson in patience. My journey has begun.

Words in, words out

2013-04-17T23:13:00.003-04:00

Reading is the inhale, writing is the exhale.
~ Justine Musk

At the beginning of 2013, I resolved to read fifty books over the course of the year. I have only finished twelve so far so I'm a bit behind schedule. But I still believe I can make my goal, especially considering I usually have three or four books going at any given time. Currently, I am wading through five.

The Meryl Streep Book Club by Mia March (fiction)
Grand Obsession by Perri Knize (nonfiction/memoir)
The Prosperous Heart by Julia Cameron (nonfiction/self-help)
Hooked by Les Edgerton (nonfiction/writing craft)
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (fiction/Kindle)

It is nice to think that all this reading will make me a stronger writer. But the books themselves are reward enough. What are you reading right now?

Circle of Life

2013-04-16T21:02:00.000-04:00

I've been obsessed with copper lately.

Red Jasper and Copper Earrings

Crazy Cluster Seed Bead Copper Chain Mail Earrings

Swarovksi Pearl and Crystal Copper Criss Cross Bracelet

Czech Glass and Copper Earrings

Check out these pieces and many more at my online store, The Wishing Box at Etsy. Sell jewelry>buy supplies>make more jewelry>sell jewelry. It's the circle of my beading life.

Words, words, words

2013-04-15T23:59:00.001-04:00

I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.
~Flannery O'Connor

I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it's been almost a month since I've posted to this blog. I wish I could say I have finished my novel, lost ten pounds, and vacationed in Europe. Instead, I have barely kept my head above water.

Yep, I have been in survival mode. A pending court case, the threat of another lawsuit, a leaky roof and an unexpected tax bill: all that and more have made for challenging days and the occasional dark night. But I have good friends who know how to talk me down from the ledge and here I am, healthy and stronger than over. The tough times aren't over yet. I guess they're never REALLY over. But I'm ready for a reprieve.

Until then, the best I can do is dig my heels in and devote every ounce of my being to living better, loving more, and making my dreams come true. Heck, I might even buy myself a grand piano. This article gave me a lot to think about. I have wanted a grand piano as long as I can remember. Is there something you have always wanted? Are there steps you can take towards achieving it?

It's not about the destination

2013-03-18T23:56:00.000-04:00

Ann Hood and Pam Asberry

I'm still trying to figure out who I am as a writer. But every time I put myself out there I feel that I get a little closer to my destination.

Saturday, for example, I subjected the first twenty-five pages of last November's NaNoWriMo manuscript to a critique from a published author at Georgia Romance Writer's Gin Ellis Workshop. This was my first foray into the world of writing for young adults so I was understandably anxious about this critique. Happily, my reviewer proclaimed she thinks I have "a gift" for YA, that my descriptions were "lovely" and that I did an "exceptional job conveying [my heroine's] feelings onto the page." That said, she criticized my slow pacing and encouraged "a more intense connection" between my hero and heroine. I am going to take these suggestions to heart, finish this manuscript, and enter it in this year's Unpublished Maggie Awards.

Then I went to the Atlanta Writers Club and heard author Ann Hood speak on How to Write Through the Land of Sorrow. Her poignant stories resonated with me and inspired me to dig deeper into my own personal experiences and use them to add depth and emotion to my writing. And of course I bought a copy of her latest book, The Obituary Writer. It is now waiting patiently at the top of my TBR pile.

Uncertainty is isn't always comfortable. But I don't need to know exactly where this writing journey is going to take me--because I'm meeting so many wonderful people and learning so much about myself as I travel down the path.

I am enough

2013-03-04T23:28:00.001-05:00

Being enough was going to have to be an inside job.
~ Anne Lamott

I am a busy person. Like a lot of other women, I have a full-time job, a household to run, kids who need me, dreams I am chasing. I also enjoy spending time with friends, pursuing hobbies, keeping up with a handful of television shows, watching the occasional movie.

The truth? Sometimes I just want to sit and do nothing.

But I don't allow myself that luxury very often. The first of the year, I even went so far as to create myself an Excel spreadsheet for each month itemizing all the non job related things I wanted to work into every twenty-four hour period: things I really enjoy doing but that often take a back seat to my daily responsibilities. As a reward for spending a mere twenty minutes a day on each task, I gave myself a colorful star. I thought having a visual reminder and receiving instant gratification would motivate me to complete every task every day.

Well, my February star chart is pictured above. As you can see, there are more blank spaces than stars. And as the end of the month approached, I began to feel like a dismal failure.

Then on Friday I was stricken with a stomach bug. As I lay in my bed willing myself not to throw up, unable to sleep due to a fever and a throbbing head, I had plenty of opportunity to think. And I realized I needed to give myself a break.

The past month has been absolutely bonkers. My ex filed paperwork to reduce child support; I spent an evening with my youngest at the emergency room; my budding romantic relationship imploded. I gave a presentation to my local piano teachers association; my students were scheduled to participate in a local piano festival requiring long weeks of preparation. I had my upstairs bathroom remodeled; I submitted twenty-five pages of my NaNoWriMo manuscript for a critique workshop. Is it any wonder I didn't find time to practice three instruments, de-clutter the house, or cook and bake every day? By the end of February, I wasn't even writing morning pages or posting to my blog. Those are sure signs that my life is completely out of whack.

At the conclusion of our piano festival Saturday evening I was utterly exhausted. I limped home, took my son out to dinner, did my beading project for the day, and collapsed into bed. I wanted to stay under my soft, warm covers and sleep forever. I needed to spend Sunday catching up laundry and deep cleaning my sorely neglected home.

Instead, I got up and drove forty-five minutes to meet my friend Shawn and discuss Week Six of The Prosperous Heart. We had a leisurely lunch afterwards; on the way home, I called my mom and dad, whom I hadn't spoken to since Christmas. I picked up my sixteen year old; we finaly went shopping for new bedding for his room and had a nice dinner out. Then I came home, changed into my pajamas, made myself a cup of tea, and relaxed with a couple of television shows I had recorded. It was just what I needed.

I have reached the point at which I don't need to prove anything to anyone--least of all to myself. Just as I believe that those around me are doing the best they can and taking care of the most important things, I need to give myself credit for the same. I do enough. I am enough.

With or without a star chart.

Cheesy Potatoes

2013-02-21T20:26:00.002-05:00

Cheesy Potatoes

This is my go-to potluck dish. It gets rave reviews and there are never any leftovers. Here is the recipe.

CHEESY POTATOES
1 bag frozen diced hash brown potatoes
1 small onion, chopped fine
4 tablespoons butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Spread potatoes in a greased casserole dish. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan; stir over low heat until everything is melted together. Pour evenly over potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, until top is golden brown.

Simple and delicious!

A Thing A Day

2013-02-19T14:31:00.003-05:00

Crazy Cluster Black Beaded Earrings

My sweet sister-in-law SeDonna came over on Friday to bead with me. Except as is often the case when we get together, hours flew by with no beading accomplished. In our defense, we both have busy lives and we don't get to see each other very often. So we had a lot of catching up to do!

But we also have hefty stashes of supplies and patterns, along with huge appetites for buying and trying new ideas. So we came up with a challenge for each other. We agreed to make "a thing a day" for the next thirty days using materials and ideas we already have whenever possible. We are up to Day 4 already; pictured above is my "thing" for today. These earrings were tons of much fun to make and they are even more fun to wear. Now I want to make them in lots of different colors and combinations, so I have an excuse to buy more seed beads. Just twenty-six more days to wait!

Eye on the Prize

2013-02-18T22:47:00.000-05:00

Jane Porter, Pam Asberry, Tanya Michaels

I didn't think Saturday would ever get here. But it finally did, and I got a dose of much needed inspiration and camaraderie at this month's Georgia Romance Writers meeting.

First, we hard author Jane Porter speak. She shared Ten Keys to Success and Survival: What Every Romance Author Should Know. It was the perfect balance of inspiration and humor. A couple of points really jumped out at me. She asked, "In terms of writing, what does success mean to you and how would it make your life feel?" I used to think success meant being a New York Times Bestselling author; upon reflection, I don't think that has anything whatsoever to do with it and I need to ponder this question further. She also mentioned that at the beginning of every new year, she sets a craft goal, a career goal, and a personal goal. I know it's already the middle of February, but I have determined it isn't too late to do just that for 2013. I'm still trying to nail down exactly what my three goals will be.

Then it was time for the book signing. I love book signings. There is nothing better than buying a shiny new novel to add to my collection, meeting the author who wrote it, and requesting an autograph with an inscription. And is it too much to hope that some of her literary magic will rub off on me?

First, I asked Jane and Tanya Michaels to sign their recent co-release, My Cowboy Valentine.

After that, I nabbed a copy of Dorie Graham's latest, Espresso in the Morning.

Pam Asberry and Dorie Graham.

I dream that one day there will be a book with my name on the cover and that there will be fans lined up waiting for me to sign their copies. That sounds like success as a writer to me!

Yes, I know I have a lot of hard work ahead. But I believe that if I keep plugging away and

keep my eye on the prize, I will eventually get where I want to be. Thanks to Jane, Tanya and Dorie for your encouragement and support!

Finding the Good

2013-02-15T14:42:00.001-05:00

Life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we react to it.
~ Dennis P. Kimbro

It's been one of those delirious, gut-wrenching, roller coaster kind of weeks.

Wonderfulness

I finished the scheduling for my district's upcoming piano festival and emailed it to the chairperson.
I am having my bathroom remodeled.
With the painter's help, I worked out the color scheme for repainting my entire home.
I woke up Tuesday morning with the opening scene for the novel version of my short story.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day.

Challenges

The contractor ran into several problems and the bathroom remodel, which was supposed to take two days, is ongoing.
My debit card was stolen and fraudulent charges were placed against it.
I had to take Rock Star to the emergency room Wednesday night.
With all the chaos, I failed to get started on the novel.
Yesterday was Valentine's Day.

# # #

The work I am trying to accomplish must be very important because the forces working against me have been hurricane strength the past few days. But instead of freaking out and running from the storm, I have decided instead to square my shoulders and stay on my chosen path, head against the wind. Yes, there have been moments when I have screamed and yelled and stomped my feet and asked myself why. But what a waste of time. Better to just let the crazy flow through and keep moving. And look for the good in the bad.

The Wonderfulness in the Challenges

The bathroom remodel will be finished before the end of business today. And it's going to be beautiful.
My checking account has a temporary credit for the fraudulent charges and it doesn't look like I'm going to be liable for any of them.
Rock Star is going to be fine.
This morning, I reviewed the first 25 pages of my NaNoWriMo project and got them ready to submit for GRW's March Gin Ellis Workshop.
The Valentine's Day chocolate is on sale today.

It seems that the more I am able to make peace with what I have and the situations that are beyond my control, the more negative energy I free up to use towards the creative projects that I truly believe are the pathways to my dreams. Maybe that's what all those manifesting gurus mean when they tell us to focus on what we want instead of what we don't want. I may not be able to control what life throws at me, but there is one thing I can control. And that's myself.

Happy Valentine's Day

2013-02-14T08:32:00.000-05:00

All you need is love.

~ John Lennon

I'm blogging over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales today. Click HERE to read the post. In the meantime, I wish you a Valentine's Day filled with all the love and joy your heart can hold. And then some!

THE COMFORT OF LIES by Randy Susan Meyers

2013-02-13T23:15:00.001-05:00

I stayed up until one o'clock this morning finishing The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers. It's that kind of book.

Five years ago, Tia fell into obsessive love with a man she could never have. Married, and the father of two boys, Nathan was unavailable in every way. When she became pregnant, he disappeared, and she gave up her baby for adoption.

Five years ago, Caroline, a dedicated pathologist, reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. She prayed her misgivings would disappear; instead, she’s questioning whether she’s cut out for the role of wife and mother.

Five years ago, Juliette considered her life ideal: she had a solid marriage, two beautiful young sons, and a thriving business. Then she discovered Nathan’s affair. He promised he’d never stray again, and she trusted him.

But when Juliette intercepts a letter to her husband from Tia that contains pictures of a child with a deep resemblance to her husband, her world crumbles once more. How could Nathan deny his daughter? And if he’s kept this a secret from her, what else is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl. And before long, the three women and Nathan are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

Riveting and arresting, The Comfort of Lies explores the collateral damage of infidelity and the dark, private struggles many of us experience but rarely reveal.

With compassion and sensitivity, Randy Susan Meyers weaves this complex tale of three women, the men they love, and the little girl that binds them all together. Tia, Caroline and Juliette are as different as three people can be, yet each is realistic, sympathetic and relatable. This book explores the subjects of marriage, infidelity, parenthood, and adoption and does it in a way that never becomes maudlin or heavy-handed. This is some of the most beautiful, honest and insightful fiction writing I have seen in a long time.

Five enthusiastic stars to this wonderful book! Very highly recommended!

NOTE: I received a copy of this book for FREE from the publisher, Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., in exchange for a written review. There was no expectation that this review be either positive or negative, and I was not given any financial compensation to read the book or write the review. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Homemade Foaming Antibacterial Soap

2013-02-07T11:57:00.003-05:00

While scouring the internet for soap recipes recently, I stumbled upon this one for handmade foaming antibacterial soap. I decided to give it a try. Here are my supplies: distilled water, castile soap, thieves oil, and foaming soap pumps.

The pink pump is for me; the red one is for my brother. The bottoms are suction cups. Whee!

Here's the recipe:
3/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup castile soap
5 drops thieves oil

Dump everything into the soap pump, swish, and voila! Foaming antibacterial soap!

For more on the antibacterial properties of thieves oil, click HERE. A combination of cloves, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary, it smells wonderful! I think a combination of lavender castile soap and lavender essential oil would be great, too. And next December, I might try peppermint soap and peppermint oil. Regardless of the fragrance, I am delighted with this economical, chemical-free handmade foaming antibacterial soap. Let me know if you give it a try!

JUST BREATHE WORLD TOUR

2013-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my stop on the Just Breathe World Tour; I am delighted to be a part of it! Keep reading to find out how you can win some fabulous prizes, including a Kindle HD!

Kendall Grey has done it again. With the release of Just Breathe, she has brought her paranormal trilogy to its exhilarating conclusion. Here is the back cover blurb:

He made a deal with the devil to save the woman he loves...

After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can't forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.

But love--and duty--are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.

I can't say enough good things about this series. From the very beginning of Inhale, I was completely sucked into this meticulously crafted paranormal world; the cliffhanger at the end of Exhale left me waiting impatiently for the rest of the story. But when I finished the last page of Just Breathe, I wasn't ready to say goodbye.

These books have it all: well-drawn, believable characters and plots and subplots with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. But the love stories woven throughout the pages are what give the series its real heart: the love Zoe has for the whales; the love between parent and child; the love between friends--and, of course, the passionate, abiding love between Zoe and Gavin.

Five stars! Highly recommended!

Click HERE for my review of Inhale; click HERE for my review of Exhale.

And the icing on the cake? Kendall Grey donates all profits from the sale of her series to programs that educate people about whales and the problems they face.

In addition to the trilogy, Kendall created four short stories, or ephemera, which tie into the series in unique and compelling ways. In the vlog below, Kendall describes her inspiration for my personal favorite, Letting Go.

WARNING: These books contains graphic language, sex, and violence. NOT SUITABLE FOR READERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

Signed postcards of all three books and all four ephemera shorts.

GIVEAWAYS:

Click HERE to enter Kendall's drawing for a Kindle HD.

Click HERE for a chance to win a CRN care package.

Or simply leave a comment below for a chance to win an e-book copy of any single title in the series, including the ephemeras.

Thank you for stopping by!

Cutting and Pasting

2013-02-04T12:03:00.001-05:00

My Vision Board

Saturday night my two of my BFF's and I donned our tiaras and our pajamas, shared a delicious meal and a couple of bottles of wine, and finished the vision boards we started last weekend. If you have never made a vision board before, I highly recommend it. Click HERE for some pointers.

Mine turned out to be very eclectic. I'm not sure what it all means but I have no doubt it will become clear over time. Incidentally, I am working on a separate board pertaining to my writing. I will post a picture of that one when it is finished.

* * *

While I was decluttering in my piano studio one day last week, I found a large three-ring binder that I put together almost ten years ago. It is crammed full of words and pictures cut from magazines, quotes from various sources, and articles on topics such as journaling, reading and writing. I am looking forward to digging into it soon, reconnecting with the younger Pam who put it together, culling the truths that still seem relevant to me and leaving the rest behind. Last night, though, I pulled out Raw Art Journaling, a book my wise and thoughtful mother gave me for Christmas, and read the first chapter. Like author Quinn McDonald, I have a hard time drawing a straight line with a ruler, but I have made up my mind I'm not going to let that stop me from keeping a raw art journal of my own. For my eyes only, it will be a safe place for me to make meaning--and art--from the words, images and thoughts that have resonated so strongly with my being for such a long time. Excited, I ran downstairs and dug out a barely-used drawing pad from the large box of art supplies that has lain neglected since our home schooling days. At some point, I might even muster the courage to experiment with the charcoals, pastels, colored pencils and watercolor paints that fill that same box.

Oh, it won't always be fun. But a lot of things worth doing aren't always fun--or easy. And I am hoping that these experiences will help me to tap more deeply into the creative side of myself and that the benefits will spill over into my music, writing, and jewelry making. What do you think?

Fighting Fear, One Irish Tune at a Time

2013-01-29T20:12:00.001-05:00

Panic at the thought of doing a thing is a challenge to do it.

~Henry S. Haskins

Kathleen Boyle and Pam Asberry

Last Sunday I had the privilege of spending an hour exploring Irish piano melody with Glasgow based musician Kathleen Boyle. In town for a house concert along with Gráinne Murphy & Mirella Murray, Kathleen made herself available as a teacher prior to her performance. I am so glad I took advantage of the opportunity.

I almost didn't. Initially, I registered for a group workshop. But due to a shortage of participants--the entire event materialized on very short notice--a private lesson became the only option. I was terrified. Classically trained, I read music well and can play just about anything you might set on the music rack in front of me. But learning and harmonizing music by ear is an entirely different animal. And the thought of doing it with a world renowned Irish musician privy to my struggles made my heart pound and my palms sweat.

Still, I agreed to a one o'clock time slot. Sunday morning, though, our hostess emailed me and asked if she could change my lesson time to three o'clock. Since that would affect other plans I had made for the day, I was relieved to have an excuse to bail out. "Let's just skip my lesson," I volunteered. But my friend didn't let me off the hook so easily. "Come on at one," she said. "We'll make it work." The truth was that three o'clock wasn't really a problem for me. "Okay, okay; I'll see you at three," I caved, filled with fear and trepidation. My only solace was the knowledge that my suffering would last only an hour.

It turned out all my worries were for nothing. Kathleen was warm and encouraging; she taught me a simple tune, George Brabazon, by ear, then showed me how to harmonize it. It was a thrill for me to play the finished piece on the piano while she accompanied me on the accordion.

The concert that evening was delightful, too, and afterwards I stuck around for the session. What fun it was to pull out my whistle and play a handful of tunes with the likes of Kathleen, Grainne, and Mirella, as well as the many accomplished area musicians who joined in.

Kathleen at the piano, Grainne on fiddle, Mirella on accordion, me in the green sweater.

As a result of this rich experience, I am more motivated than ever to develop my ability to play piano by ear as well as to develop a vast repertoire of tunes on the whistle and the mandolin and participate in local sessions on a regular basis. Most important, I am reminded to face down my fears whenever they try to keep my down. I am stronger than they are. I'm not going to let them keep me from my dreams.

Digging Deep

2013-01-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

I had a blast last Saturday at the January meeting of the Georgia Romance Writers.

For the first time ever, I saw my name on the cover of a paperbound book, the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales romance anthology Seasons and Seashells. I was practically jumping up and down when our editor Linsey Lanier delivered the box with the copies I had ordered. You can get your own at Amazon for just $5.45!

A couple of friends even asked me to sign autographs on their personal copies. That was a first, too. What a thrill!

I also wrangled signed copies of new releases from a couple of my favorite GRW authors: Out of Warranty by Haywood Smith and Hot-Shot Doc Comes to Town by Susan Carlisle.

Haywood Smith and Pam Asberry

And I heard a great presentation by Nancy Northcott, author of The Protector Series. Her topic was Staying On Track: Ways to Chart a Career Goal and Stay Focused, a perfect choice for the first meeting of the New Year. One of her suggestions was to review your progress at the end of each month and own the choices you make. It doesn't matter how many goals you set if you consistently let things stand in your way of meeting them. This really hit home for me.

I made a Herculean effort the end of November to finish my NaNoWriMo project and I succeeded. Exhausted, I gave myself permission to take the month of December off and enjoy the holidays with my family. Well, the holidays are over. It's time to stop making excuses.

My work-in-progress The Wishing Box has been reviewed by several published authors. Common wisdom dictates that if one critic says something negative about your work, it might be simply a matter of opinion. But if two people say the same thing, it might be something worth examining. To put it bluntly, my story needs some serious revision. Especially considering that, following the response to my short story "Last First Date" in Seasons and Seashells, I have decided to transform The Wishing Box into a romance novel.

The last published author who reviewed my manuscript recommend that I read Break Into Fiction. I already owned the book; I bought a signed copy from the authors at a workshop a couple of years ago. I don't think I was far enough into the writing process to understand it at the time, but when I pulled it out the first week of January, I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end.

This morning, I spent a couple of hours transferring all the templates contained in the book into a Microsoft Word document. For the next few days, I will spend my writing time filling in the templates, plotting and scheming. Then I will be ready to begin my (hopefully) final incarnation of The Wishing Box, using what I can from the previous version and adding new material as needed. My short-term goal is to have the first twenty-five pages ready to submit for GRW's Virginia Ellis Workshop before the February 17th deadline. It won't be easy, but I'm ready to dig deeper than I ever have before and write the best darn novel I am capable of.

My Word for 2013: AUTHENTIC

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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are three weeks into the New Year already, and it's taken me this much time to decide upon my word for 2013.

AUTHENTIC

From this moment forward, every decision I make is true to who I am, to what I love, to where I see myself one/five/ten years from now.

How do I spend my money?
What food and drink do I put into my body?
How do I spend my days?
How do I interact with others?

This is easier said than done. Constant effort is required to keep those wheels from falling back into the deep ruts worn over many years of living. The biggest battle is with myself, as I attempt to break free of the confines of the many roles that have defined me so narrowly. And too often I remain silent in the face of controversy, keeping my true self hidden, allowing others to assume things about me that may or may not be true. Somehow, I must find a way to celebrate who I am while giving myself permission to be much, much more.

Similarly, I want to give everyone I come in contact with the opportunity to be their own authentic selves. Whether I'm having a conversation with a friend, teaching a piano lesson, or dealing with an angry driver on the road, my goal is to assume nothing, to expect nothing, to meet each individual with openness and acceptance and love--even when it seems they don't deserve it.

This is my quest.

What is your word for 2013?

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Blog Hop

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Today I am blogging over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales, asking myself if I am doing what I truly love. Click HERE to read the post; leave a comment at the end for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card.

I am also participating in the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Blog Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf. This hop is scheduled to run January 18th-24th . To enter, all you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment at the end of this post, letting me know you are a follower and sharing a little bit about the last book you read: title, author, and a brief synopsis. I am looking forward to a great list! For additional entries, you can follow me on Twitter (click HERE), "like" my Facebook fan page (click HERE) or friend me on Goodreads (click HERE). Leave an additional comment for each additional entry. At the end of the week, one lucky winner will be chosen by a random number generator to receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Be sure to leave your email address with your comment so that I will know how to contact you should your name be selected. Click HERE for the links to the 150+ other blogs that are also doing book-related giveaways. All contests begin at midnight Eastern time tonight (Thursday); any entries received prior to that time will not be included in the drawing.

Thanks for joining the fun!

EXHALE by Kendall Grey

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Story blurb:

The man of Zoe Morgan's dreams isn't only real, he's interested. In her. But her boss wants her too, and is leveraging his unsolicited advances with the threat of blocking the huge promotion she's after. When he places a spy on her research team, the intense stranger discovers more than he should, and Zoe fears hiding a relationship with Gavin Cassidy from her boss is the least of her worries. The whale she must protect has been marked for death, and Zoe's old enemy Scarlet is eager to deliver the killing blow. To both of them.

Australia's Sentinels must find and lock the door into the Dreaming before Fyre Elementals launch another attack on innocent dreamers. But corruption and distrust abound, and Gavin believes someone on the Sentinel council is in league with the Fyres. As he reluctantly embraces his new role as council leader, Gavin must not only keep Zoe safe from Scarlet's vengeful clutches, but organize a Sentinel defense strong enough to prevent a full-blown Elemental war--with a traitor fighting by his side.

Picking up where Inhale left off, Exhale takes us deeper into the story. We learn more about Zoe's and Gavin's pasts, the events that made them who they are and make it so difficult for them to be together in the present. For me, the characters become more multi-dimensional--more flawed and more human, yes, but also more realistic and sympathetic. And now they are together not just in the dreaming but also in the Realis, and the dangers they face as they attempt to keep the Wyldlings safe AND protect the whale that has been marked for death are almost overwhelming. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat until you turn that last page, leaving you desperate for book three of the trilogy. And guess what? You don't have to wait!

That's right! Just Breathe is hot off the metaphorical presses and available for your favorite e-reader!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Here's a teaser:

After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can’t forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.

But love—and duty—are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.

Come back on February 6th when Sometimes It's Cloudy, Sometimes It's Clear joins Kendall Grey's blog tour for Just Breathe. In the meantime, click HERE for more information about the blog tour. And click HERE for more information about the entire trilogy. Happy reading!

*NOTE: This series is intended for readers over the age of 18. Author Kendall Grey will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.