Finding My Muse, Once Again

My writing brain finally kicked back into gear yesterday. It's been stuck for so long. I'm consciously aware of some of the reasons.....the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, losing Tiger Girl, trying to force a couple of stories for contests and calls for submissions, promoting three anthologies, etc. And then there are those often times lurking thoughts of Who am I kidding? I don't have enough talent to be doing this! etc.

But while cleaning up the kitchen and listening to the radio, the old gears unclenched and I felt my muse returning. It began when I heard Darius Rucker singing. I love that man's voice. He first became hugely successful with the group Hootie and The Blowfish back in the early 1990s. I don't know the story, but somehow he wound up being a country music star now. I say Congratulations! I greatly admire people who reinvent themselves. That's a big part of what I believe about my life.

Encarta Dictionary says this about reinvent: to invent something again, or bring something back into existence, use, or popularity after a period of neglect or obscurity. to change radically the appearance, form, or presentation of something or somebody.

I didn't discover my passion for writing until I was...uh....kind of old! Sometimes I wish I would've discovered it when I was a lot younger.....but things wouldn't have been the same. I wouldn't have the wisdom I have now....what I know about life.....what my life is and has been about. And it took the near death of my estranged father (in May 2001) to trigger those deep, hidden emotions, which flew from my fingertips to my keyboard...and voile'.....a writer was born.

So, I'm getting back to being organized about my writing deadlines and what I want to write about. I've found my muse...again. And I'm reinventing myself, somewhat....again.

And a HUGE Thank-You to Julia Christie for leaving a sweet comment on Tuesday's post which included these words: "...looking forward to a wonderful new year and hearing that your book is finally available!"

How can I not be excited and eager to finish my book, when I read something like that?!

Look Out World -- Here I Come!

"I believe that dreams—daydreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing—are likely to lead to the betterment of the world."-- L. Frank Baum

* Tea Cup Tuesday *

I'm very pleased to join Terri of Artful Affirmations, and Martha of Martha's Favorites for Tea Cup Tuesday!

(I posted these photos earlier this year, but wanted to show them again now, since it's the last Tea Cup Tuesday in December.)

I bought this darling set at a thrift store for $3.00!

I love the "poofy" parts of the cup!

The stamp says: Royal Albert, Bone China, England.

Flower of the Month Series. Set of Twelve.
"Holly" No. 12

An appropriate pattern to show on this December 28, 2010, Tea Cup Tuesday!

Happy New Year, everyone!

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." -- Ruth Ann Schabacker

** It's Christmas Day - 2010 **

 

We have a beautiful White Christmas!

I wish you all a warm and cozy day, wherever you are. And as some of my far-away blog friends say, Happy Christmas!

** White Christmas **

I can't remember the last time I awoke on Christmas Eve morning to the sight of falling snow! I truly believe it probably hasn't happened since my childhood. Yes, I've seen quite a few white Christmases over the years, but snow was usually already on the ground.

(Trying to capture the falling snow. Not too bad considering I took this photo from inside my family room.)

(this is obviously our deck!)

(I took this from inside the laundry room)

I realize none of these pictures portray the real beauty of the snow, nor do they show the 3 inches we ended up with. Ah...but again, the battery ran out of its charge so quickly......

Dear Santa, I sure hope you're bringing me a new camera!! ☺

Merry Christmas, dear friends, 2010.

"Close friends become family and family is the true center of the universe." -- Dave Marinaccio

* I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas! *

(google image)

I look at this photo and I feel happy, peaceful, & serene. The beautiful house, decorated for Christmas. The warm glow of the inside lights at dusk. And of course the magnificent, glorious snow!

This is the kind of house I dreamed of living in when I was a young girl. I assumed the only people who could possibly live in such a grand house would be doctors or lawyers and their families!

Although I don't live in a house that looks like this...my house is my home. I feel happy, peaceful and serene inside of it. And I'm definitely dreaming of, and aniticipating.....a White Christmas! (thanks to the weather forecast in my area!)  ** Update: Weather guy on channel 11 noon news/weather predicted a 100% chance of snow and a White Christmas!...and yes, I want all of us travelers to be safe, too! **

~On a side note: I'd like to say a huge thank-you to Robert Brault for his very kind post of December 15, 2010 AND to all his fantastic followers who stopped by...just because Robert suggested it! I'm truly honored and grateful to all of you.~

"Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, filling it with a steady and perpetual serenity." ~ Joseph Addison

* It Doesn't Seem Like Tuesday...Again *

The progressive dinner Sunday night was tons of fun, but I was really worn out after everyone left. Part of me just wanted to go to bed and leave the mess for the next day, but the sensible part won out. I turned the TV channel to the Traditional Christmas Music station and sang along. It didn't take long at all and I enjoyed myself while I worked. The dining room and kitchen were sparkly and clean when I came down the stairs Monday morning......

Monday morning.....a week since we said goodbye to Tiger Girl. I still miss her so much, but I'm doing better than I thought I would. Of course, something will happen, or not happen...and then the sadness resurfaces. I know it will just take time......

Time......Just yesterday, I had a feeling come over me that I wished I could throw a lasso over Time and stop it, or at least slow it down for a little while. I've never felt quite that way before and I don't know if it's just because of my age, or the fact that we just lost Tiger Girl, or what.........

What I love about this time of year is all the Christmas music, TV shows and movies. I can't seem to get enough. It doesn't even matter if I've heard or seen something a zillion times.....and sometimes, my favorites are the ones that are so corny......

"You know, it sounds corny, but I believe in myself. And I work hard." -- Arthur Godfrey

* Getting Ready for Progressive Dinner *

I LOVE to have friends over for dinner, but we do it way too seldom. That's one thing I plan to do more of in 2011. My cooking definitely is not gourmet, but at least I can set a pretty table!

Tonight's progressive dinner begins at S's for appetizers, then here for the main course, and on to J's for dessert! (Yes, the table is set for eight. We're not stopping at R's house this year.) I hope all of you have had the chance to participate in one of these evenings. It is so much fun, especially during the holidays...seeing everyone's home decorated so beautifully!

 

More photos later tonight........

Now, I just hope Santa brings that new camera I really, really want! Wouldn't you agree that I need one?!

"If you make it plain you like people, it's hard for them to resist liking you back." -- Lois McMaster Bujold

* Staying Busy & Looking for Joy *

“The key to success is often the ability to adapt.” -- Unknown

                                                                                                         

"Believe in love. Believe in magic. Believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?" -- Jon Bon Jovi

 

"Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends." ~Margaret Thatcher

(All photos taken by Becky Dec. 2010)

I'm trying to stay as busy as possible, so I don't have time to sit around and miss Tiger Girl too much. It gets a little better every day, until something happens to trigger a specific memory. I know we did the right thing and she's in a better place....but that doesn't stop me from missing her constant presence. 

I hope to get back to my "normal" self soon.....to post often, to write again, to not have an ache in my heart.

"Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy