When Inspiration Hits

Mercy! I have been on a song writing kick over the last few months. For about 5 or 6 years I didn't write anything. My well of inspiration was like water in a desert...non-existent or cunningly disguised. It's interesting that during those years, I felt pretty happy and content most of the time and had lots to do and places to go. Now that we're back in my hometown with little to do and fewer places we can go, I have more time for reflection, I suppose. The first song that I wrote after moving back home was written at midnight. Everyone in my house had long since gone to sleep and I was preparing to do the same when...KABLAM! Inspiration hit. I was finished with the song in approximately 30 minutes. It was short but it was a song and the chords flowed well. I was ecstatic! Six years of nothing and then, "Oh! Here ya go." So the next song I wrote was a silly song, dedicated to my morning coffee. The one after that, I wrote last month and it was a slow, mournful sounding song of hope. And I'm working on another one. This one is really difficult. I'm struggling to pull it out of me, probably because my spirit and mind are all jumbled up with the stress we are going through as a family. I refuse to stop working on it, though. This one could be really big for me, big in many ways. It should have a very 'full' sound and be like "Leave It" by Yes...though probably not as epic. *Laughing at myself* I want it to be one of those songs that is capable of reaching many people in many walks of life. I want it to be a song that you can blast out of the speakers while you lay on the floor with your eyes closed, letting the sounds surround you like a loved one's arms. It's slow going, but it's getting there. And I'm pretty sure the journey to create 'epic' takes a bit longer than the stuff I usually come up with. It's ironic that I, myself, am more like that quick stuff that I usually write. Always hopping from one thing to the next, not really slowing down much, never reaching perfection but always striving for it...yeah, that's kinda like me. On another note, it's been really great to sing again. Throughout those 6 years of being away from my hometown, where I could sing all the time in church, I had fewer occasions to sing. It's nice to have a place to sing again. It helps that the people I sing with are pretty cool folks. But my favorite kind of singing is the kind you do in a jam session-no pressure at all, just a bunch of people having fun. I've got to figure out how to get one of these set up so that all my friends will be able to attend. I am going to begin working on a couple of pirate shirts for my husband and myself. Why? Because I can and because everyone should have a pirate shirt. I'm fully convinced of this. :) I hope they come out well! Lastly, I refuse to grow up. I will be like Peter Pan. I know I have to be an adult sometimes, because I'm a mom and we kinda have to do that but... I will retain as much of my innocence as possible and enjoy life like a child would as much as I can. We only have one life to live. I want mine to be full of all things good. I want to enjoy the things I like to the fullest. I want to share awesome things with the people I love and care about. I want to cherish the freedom I have in this country that I love. I want to always keep learning new and interesting things. Gosh! I'm a bit selfish (or maybe self-centered) today, I think! Laugh a lot and remember to breathe!

Stretcher by Klyde Morgan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book gets three stars for a couple of reasons: it's not my favorite genre so it was hard for me to get through it and it has a lot of graphic violence which is hard for me to read. When I open a book, I really get into the story. I often found myself clenching my teeth or wincing (which should be awesome for some folks) and I often times wanted to throw the book at the wall in frustration. LOL The characters are well-fleshed out and fairly easy to identify with. I like that there is variety among the characters, too. The basic plot is interesting, as well. People who enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, myths & legends, and action will really enjoy this book, I think. It looks like there might be a sequel. If there /is/ a sequel, I will read it because I simply must know what happens next! Having said all this, don't take my word for it. Give it a try!

View all my reviews

Time For Another 10 Things...

It's been many months since my last post. I've been considering what I should blog about for at least 2 months. Since my emotions have been on a roller coaster ride lately, it was much better to wait to post something. :D I also wanted to write more '10 Things' posts and I think I've finally found one that will work well for me...at least for today. This will actually be 20 things in total but you'll see... 10 Things That Make Me Super Happy (in no particular order) 1. I absolutely love to sip my coffee on a quiet morning. This gives me a peaceful start to my day and in turn makes my day run a lot smoother which in turn makes me super happy! 2. I am super happy when the people I choose to spend my time with, those to whom I choose to give my friendship and those whom I love, tell me the truth. If I ask you a question, you can be sure I considered that there might be a negative response to it. You can actually be sure that I've considered at least /several/ responses to that question. Don't be afraid. Tell me the truth. 3. I am super happy when I get to read things I enjoy without interruption. Speaking of this, reading The Oatmeal comics makes me really happy. Reading political cartoons makes me happy. Reading an excellent sci-fi or fantasy book makes me happy. Reading an excellent manga makes me happy. Reading through my kids baby books makes me happy. I think you get the picture... 4. I am super happy when I hear a favorite song(s). I'm also super happy when I can learn to sing those songs or learn to play them on an instrument. 5. I am super happy when I can be the reason that my husband or my kids is smiling. 6. I am super happy when I know I've done the right thing and it resulted in something super awesome. 7. I am super happy when I can be of help to someone who truly needs my help and won't abuse my kindness. 8. I am super happy when I look around me at the beauty in nature. I love to walk outside and just breathe. I'm glad I live in the country because I'm pretty sure this would not make the list if I lived in Los Angeles. 9. I am super happy to make new and interesting friends from all over the place. This is the one thing I miss about Twitter. I met some really awesome people there. 10. I am super happy when I think of all the many wonderful blessings I have and count them one by one. They add up quick and it's easy to see how truly blessed I am. Even if I only counted up to 4, I'd still consider myself extremely blessed. 10 Things That Make Me Angry (in no particular order) 1. Don't lie to me. I hate it. How can I form any kind of a relationship with you if you lie to me. Relationships based on lies will die painful, horrible deaths and result is the loss of so many good possibilities. 2. Don't ostracize people. I hate it. All people have value of some kind. Sometimes you have to look really hard to find that value but it's there. 3. I hate senseless waste and careless disposal of waste. How hard is it to throw a diaper in a plastic bag and find a trash bin when you're at Wal-Mart? We may not know who you are specifically but I'd like to let you know that if you are among the number of people who have done that, you are a lazy bum. I don't wish it on you but if you stepped in a diaper that someone else like you left on the ground, it would serve you right. Karma, baby... 4. Don't push your ideals or beliefs on me. I am an adult with a mind that works relatively well. In the words of a most excellent song, you do your thing, I'll do mine. Do you really think I'll come over to your way of thinking if you push me? Um...no. (And having said that, I don't ever want to push my ideals or beliefs onto anyone else, either, so if any of you find me doing this, please do bring it to my attention. It will probably be a case of saying/wording it incorrectly, but it should still be brought to my attention.) 5. I hate it when I do the right thing but the result is painful. This makes me angry. 6. It makes me angry when I make mistakes. I mean, didn't I calculate all possible outcomes? Didn't I read the directions carefully enough? 7. It makes me angry when people tell me I'm wrong about a decision I have to make that will affect my life. Please. If you want to offer advice, that's great. But don't expect me to take your advice just because I asked or just because it's you who gave me the advice. You are not God. You are not my boss. You are not my king. Get over it. (PS This is something I also had to get over. LOL) 8. It makes me angry when I have to say no when I really want to say yes. This applies to my kids more than any other life situation. 9. It makes me angry when I have to explain myself twenty times. I'm complex and weird. Isn't that enough reason for you? Just go with it. Trust me, you'll be happier and I know I will be. 10. It makes me angry when people who have the greatest potential (at least in my eyes) decide they'd rather throw their lives away on miserable half-existences. Of course, there might be those who feel that I'm doing this but I like my life and I feel that I'm as productive as I can be at this point...or at least pretty close. And having said all this, I'd never be so rude as to go up to someone and just tell them they're wasting all that potential. It's something they have to discover for themselves...but it still makes me angry to see all that waste. OK. So. These are by no means a complete list. That would take a lifetime, I suppose. Feel free to comment but keep the comments positive. Negative or rude comments will be deleted without any kind of worded response. Also, until I figure out a few things, I apologize for the 'compact' nature of this blog post and the lack of traditional paragraph divisions. Hope you all have a nice day! Laugh a lot and remember to breathe!

Ode To My Coffee

It's been quite some time since my last post but I'm hoping it's been worth the wait. I'm posting silliness this morning. It won't be good for much except a laugh but I hear that's the best medicine, so... Without further ado, I now present my work of morning coffee mayhem: Ode To My Coffee Oh, coffee cup number one You're the one that’s like a gun Going off in the morning and waking me up. Oh how you fill my cup! Oh coffee cup number two Oh what a jewel are you! Add some honey, stir it in Add some milk and watch it spin! Oh coffee cup number 3 You bring such joy to me The sun shining brightly inside me now Oh golly gee and wow! Oh coffee cup number 4 Putting my feet on the floor Fuel for the life that I must lead I love you! Yes, indeed! Oh coffee…………………… Sweet nectar of life Oh coffee……… Perfect for a housewife Oh, coffee…………………… Energy’s mine Oh, coffee………………… You are divine! Now, this is my work of art. If you like it, feel free to share the link with others but please don't steal my ode. It's also set to music, for added silliness, of course. With that in mind, grab a cup of Morning Joy and write your own silly ode! Laugh a lot!

I haven't posted in a while but I'd like to pass on this great giveaway and free music download from a wonderful artist...Plumb! I hope you'll take some time and check them out. The music is beautiful. The lyrics are deep and meaningful. It's definitely worth your time, in my humble opinion. :) The free music download is two new Christmas songs and they're giving away stuff like Kindle Fire and iPod Shuffle. Great, right? Hope your holidays are happy! I know my family and I will have a blessed Christmas. See ya next time. Laugh a lot!

Memory

With all the confusing muddle of thoughts bouncing around randomly across the net, I thought I'd take time to clarify what 'memorial' is truly about.

Here's the definition from my huge dictionary and while it's not a Webster's dictionary (which I prefer), it serves me well. Memory: n. 1. The mental process or faculty of representing in consciousness an act, experience, or impression, with recognition that it belongs to time past. 2. The experiences of the mind taken in the aggregate, and considered as influencing present and future behavior. 3. The accuracy and ease with which a person can retain and recall past experiences. 4. That which is remembered, as an act, event, person, or thing. 5. The period of time covered by the faculty of remembrance: beyond the memory of man. 6. The state of being remembered; posthumous reputation: The memory of Washington will endure. 7. That which reminds; a memorial; a memento. 8. The information storage unit of a computer.

Here are some synonyms: recollection, remembrance, reminiscence, retrospect, retrospection. My dictionary also states, "Memory is the faculty by which knowledge is retained or recalled; memory is a retention of knowledge within the grasp of the mind, while remembrance is the having what is known consciously before the mind. Either may be voluntary or involuntary. Recollection involves volition, the mind making a distinct effort to recall something, or fixing the attention actively upon it when recalled. Reminiscence is a half-dreamy memory of scenes or events long past; retrospection is a distinct turning of the mind back upon the past, bringing long periods under survey.

Here are some antonyms: forgetfulness, oblivion, obliviousness.

For the purpose of this day and this blog post, I think we should focus on definitions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7. Almost 3,000 people were killed on this day in the year 2001, many humans from many countries and of many faiths. That was the year our middle child was born. While innocent lives were being snuffed out in the northern part of our country, I was at home teaching our son and taking care of our infant daughter. We lived in a trailer at the time, out in the country where the air is clean and fragrant with grass, freshly plowed dirt, gardenias and all manner of good, green and growing things. My husband, who was TACP at the time and stationed at Ft. Polk, LA, called me from work and told me to turn the TV on. What I saw was unreal, like a nightmare. Much like the Challenger disaster, which I remember watching as a child, or the Oklahoma city bombing, or a father decapitating his disabled son...it was a horror. Tears rolled down my face as I considered the possibilities, probabilities and magnitude of this occurrence. I knew that at a moment's notice, my husband could be called to go away and fight. At the time he was going through the process of cross-training into a different career field but I knew that didn't mean much until we got to our next duty station. So I did the only thing I could do at the time-I prayed. Then I took my son, who was 6 and watched the news footage with me, out onto the small deck. I told him to breathe, to look at what was around us and soak it all in. What is in existence today, may not be in existence tomorrow. Take nothing for granted. Breathe. Appreciate your freedoms and don't abuse them. And after a time of meditation and prayer, we returned inside and life went on with many prayers being lifted up.

So when I hear some fellow humans say things like 'I just want to forget.' or 'Why all this fuss?' or 'I can't wait until all this 9/11 stuff is over.' I have to wonder where they were on that day. I have to wonder if they were secretly cheering for the sorry, misguided souls who perpetrated this catastrophe when it happened. I have to wonder why they would be so callous of the effect this had on those directly affected by the disaster. Why should we remember? I believe we should remember because those poor innocent souls deserve our respect and honor. Those brave public servants who rushed in to save as many as possible regardless of the fact that they might not get out alive deserve our honor and respect. Those brave soldiers who heeded the call to stamp out terrorism, even though the task was daunting and still remains a threat to this day, deserve our honor and respect. When I see people calling this memorial a political thing, I find that degrading to those who lost loved ones in the catastrophe. I find it insensitive and inhumane. It's at times like these that we should remind people if they have nothing nice to say, they should say nothing at all. Please don't sully the memories of loved ones lost with your sour and misery-ridden comments. Please keep those carelessly thrown darts to yourself. The rest of us commiserate with these people. The rest of us lift them up in our thoughts and prayers, hoping to buoy them and hoping to learn something from this disaster that would make us wiser and better able to avoid such a thing in future. Why remember? Because we are all humans and we all share this planet. Why are our troops still fighting a war on terrorism? Because as long as humans inhabit this planet, there will always be a bully whose ravenous hunger for power above all things drives him to smash anything and everything in his path.

So lest we leave remembrance behind for ignorant oblivion, why should we remember?

So that we can live.

And breathe.

And thrive in freedom.

Remember to breathe...

Hope I Win This!

I entered this giveaway offered by Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies. I hope I'm able to win one of the prizes since I can always use advice in my school room. As a home school mom, any resource specifically targeted to the home school audience is a valuable tool. This particular giveaway is for a magazine subscription that I think would be a valuable addition to my classroom. If you decide to check it out, I wish you luck! And while you're checking out the giveaway, be sure to like their facebook page, too, even if you decide the magazine isn't something you're interested in. They offer a lot of giveaways with awesome resources, curriculum and tools. :) Laugh a lot!