The warm Spring like temperatures in Middle Georgia have inhibited my creativity as far as inside projects are concerned.  Usually my writing and sewing are done on those cold wet days of winter we haven't experienced this year.  I keep telling myself the cold is coming but the days are flying by and except for a night or two my toes are still warm! 
So the sewing is still packed away in containers and Zeb (I do believe he is swimming around in the pool right now) and Lizzy (sunning on the back deck) are patiently waiting on the sidelines waiting for my next adventure.  I thought to go back to the original stories and edit them into something resembling grammatically correct writing, but I decided to leave them be and let these be a teaching tool for young writers.  I am sure they will get a lot practice correcting my punctuation and sentence structure. 

I am getting a little antsy though, so regardless of the temperatures and sunshine, I may have to stay in and do some sewing. 

I read Christopher Paolini's last book, Inheritance, over the last week.  I know this is suppose to be the end of the series, but as with a good many books I have read, I hope there will be a sequel.  Fantasy is fantasy and I can make up any ending I want to the story!

Over the past year I have continued to connect with those I not only graduated with, but also those shared the start of my educational journey.  I have found it takes only a spark to bring forth the memories of those days so long ago.  I know it is good for the heart and maybe it will keep my brain alert a little longer!

My writing time is up!  Just an update - my parents are hanging in there and still getting around, albeit slowly.  Mom gave us all a laugh at dinner on Sunday when she lost a cap on her front tooth and was afraid she had swallowed it.  All our little ones were aghast when she smiled and had no tooth!  The cap was found on her plate and she is in the process of restoring her beautiful smile.  Dad really got a chuckle out of this one! 

Time seems to fly at the times we wish it would stand still.

Happy reading!
Belle

Be Very Careful

I am a Facebook fan.  I really enjoy keeping in touch with friends and family via this media.  I have re-connected with so many friends through this medium and on the whole it has been a most rewarding experience. I have learned, however, to be very very careful of not only what I post, but the verbiage I use in expressing myself.  I have learned that what I post can easily be misinterpreted and can lead to a barrage of negative comments.  I have also learned that there are different "kinds " of friends.

When I befriend someone on Facebook, I am allowing them access to my posted actions and thoughts. They are entitled to make what they want of those posts and I am left at their mercy - whether positive or negative.  Sadly, most of the time the negativity takes the lead and I am left open to ridicule or worse pity.  A handful of friends will make supportive comments and offer prayers up on my behalf in the proper Christian manner.

Not long ago, I received a message from someone I know of, but do not "know" accusing me of unkind comments.  I have no association with this person, but have friends that are close friends of theirs and I was confused as to what she was referring to.  Our mutual friends had made some unsavory comments referencing this person to me and my response was "I know the type."  Big mistake, it was carried back that I had made the comments, which was totally untrue.  This was confusion over the spoken word, imagine the impact if this had been written.

I have learned to keep my comments short, positive and hopefully expressive of my Christian faith.  To those that I have poked fun at through any comments, I apologize profusely and will keep those comments off my posts henceforth. 

Written words have the ability to make or break a person.  There is no intonation available to indicate any emotion, there is no facial expressions to judge any emotion, there is just the words written down to be interpreted by the reader in any manner they see fit without the benefit of the emotion of the writer.  So, be very careful of what you write and how you write.  It may not be read by a supportive Christian with love in their hearts.  Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

My Writings

As many of you know I have been writing children's stories for over a year now. No, they are not published!  I keep editing and rewriting and then editing some more.  The once upon a time stand alone stories are now a chapter book.  My sister, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and my friends have read and re-read the stories and always come back with something that needs fixing.  I am so glad!  I hate to look like a dummy to those to who I submit my stories and I sure don't want any more rejection letters.  I have found three or four agents that handle stories focusing on the "down home on the farm" stories that promote good moral decisions.

I may be pumping myself up, but the rejections I have received so far on the stand alone stories advise me it is not their type of story or genre.  I have yet to be told I can't write or my story line is horrible, so picking myself up, I go back to the blank sheet and write some more.  The most difficult thing I have found is to keep the verbiage on the grade level for which I am writing.  It is easier to accomplish if I stay on the story than when I take a break and then come back.  The story line doesn't change, I just have to re-acclimate my mind to writing at the proper level.

My problem is there are still a bunch of stories floating around in my mind following the same line as the eight or ten I have already written and I don't know how to cut off what is finished.  Do I need to start a new book or let it go with what I have?  It seems kind of ridiculous to start a new book when I don't have the other one published, but I have been told to keep on writing.  Edit the old and start something new.  So, there you have it - I am following the professional advice of these successful people and I just keep on keeping on!

Regardless of the outcome of this writing project of mine, it has been most rewarding and lot's of fun.  There are some excerpts of my Belles Farm stories on my website (click on the link at the top of my blog) and some stories that I really need to go back and expound upon and edit.  Some days I just start writing without thought to where I am going, so there are a few stories that need some polish. 

A busy day ahead so I must run, but thanks for dropping by.  Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Still no job and I haven't received any large checks from the publishing world, so I have decided to try an on line store with Etsy.  During the early 1980s I had a toy and hobby shop which lasted a whole two and a half years - the early 1980s were not the time for any new venture, but especially a toy store.  I had a great time with all the kids and they enjoyed the store, especially the hobby shop in the back where they could put together models and build their model rockets.  It was everything I had hoped for only it didn't make any money - so we packed up and everything went into storage.  Over the years much of the merchandise deterioted even in storage, but I managed to keep several containers well sealed and intact. 

It has been a joy to once again go through all the stuffed animals, figurines, and other items that tickled my fancy then and makes me smile now.  I had planned on selling these treasures at one of our yard sales and then for kicks started checking on-line to see if some may be collectibles.  Oh my goodness!  Yes, I had sold a $46 bear for $2.00 at one yard sale!  I reconnected with the collecting world and found I have a treasure trove in my little boxes.  I am slowly getting these little darlings unfrumped (storage makes them flat) and pictures made and posted.  I would love a visit from you at my new shop.  You can visit me at http://www.clairecollections.etsy.com/ - at least I think that is right. I am new at this, but I am learning fast.  My daughter has a shop that brings her much joy and keeps her creativity flowing.  I think when I get over the newness I will have as much fun.  I plan to add a section featuring my sewing projects, but that will come with time. 

I have not given up on my writing, just added some variety to my life.   My Spy Girls are still in the works and Sam and Zeb still have many adventures before them.  I am also working on another completely different line so we will see how that progresses.  I dreamed a story for the spy girls the other night but did not get up and write it down, so it is gone for now, but I know I will get it back in the next day or so.

Thanks for visiting!

Happy reading!
Belle

First Week of July

The hummingbirds are feeding again, the chicken is off the nest (no chicks, no eggs, no anything - she just left), rain is on the way and my yard is anticipating that rain coming in tonight.

My children (and that means children and grandchildren) spent the weekend with me and I feel restored. I always feel as if something is missing after a few days without seeing some of my children. I see more of my son and his family, but my daughter lives away and it is a special treat when she is with me. She is a balm to my soul. A special gift from God, she is what I wish I could be - practical, compassionate, caring, realistic, independent yet dedicated to her family, trusting, strong in faith - in my eyes, she has it all. But then, I am prejudiced, yet those that know her feel the same way. She and her husband compliment each other so completely.

I enjoyed some beautiful fireworks last night - we went for the grandchildren to enjoy and I don't believe they saw the first one. They sure enjoyed playing on Nanna's truck and visiting with friends. That's okay, I love fireworks. My daughter was born on July 3 and at two years old advised me she didn't want those things at her next birthday. It took many years before she learned to enjoy the magic.

Hubby just came in from the garden. the cut worm we have looked high and low for is no cut worm at all. It is that blasted beautiful rooster pecking my green tomatoes. Who would have thought! Not only do they still the seeds, but the fruit of what is left. At least the problem is identified and I can quit digging through that foliage looking for something that isn't there. We are getting lots of squash, peppers and tomatoes now. I am ready to put in the next round of veggies and hope they make it through the hot part of the summer.

Many people are heading to the beaches, mountains, or somewhere on vacations this week. This is the week I will miss the excitement of Panama City, the beauty of Gulf shores, the waves of Daytona, the tranquility of Jekyll, the exotic Key West, the historical Savannah, the cool mornings and evenings of Townsend, the discoveries of Cades Cove, the wonders of the many caverns of West Virgina, and all the people I meet when visiting these places. But only for a moment. I am so content in my little world, I have not desire to wander. This may change, but for now, this is where I am suppose to be. Travellers - have fun and stay safe.

I am working on my third book and I do believe I will leave it and pursue another experience for my little friend. The ideas are just popping in my head and I am anxious to get back to my writing. My grandchildren are spewing forth ideas faster than I can write and I find myself jotting down ideas for my next segment. The children are growing rapidly and as I listen to them play I can discern the changes developing in their action, reactions and though processes. It is incredible to listen to them play. My books reflect much of their combined personalities and characteristics. I only hope I am doing them justice. They enjoy my stories anyway and are always anxious for the next one. I have found much joy in writing and even though it hasn't paid any bills yet, I am praying it will turn fruitful soon.


Enjoy the vacation week and until next time . . .

Belle