Memories on a flash drive – That last photo – pure gold!

May14

One of my favorite things in life is coming across memories I’d almost forgotten were safely tucked away somewhere inside of me. This one found its way back to me while I was looking for a different memory on an old flash drive, the little file folder on the screen was practically begging to be clicked, and when I obliged the little voice compelling me to take a peek inside, I was instantly filled with the joys of a long ago day and the memories rushed in like a rushing wave, eager to meet the shore.

I no longer recall the occasion, but the day is etched into my heart. The kids explored and played and rode dirt bikes with their dad while I sat with my notebook and favorite pen, recording whatever thoughts I happened to think as I watched the day unfold.

The set of pictures I found in that file made me smile, they made me laugh – the little man captured in photographic forever is now a man, mostly. He’ll be eighteen this month. The last of my babies to step into adulthood. I still see the little boy in these pictures when I look at him sometimes, I have a feeling if he were to stand atop that same hill now, he would no doubt smile that same little smile and take the leap . . .

He stood there at the top of the hill yelling “Mommy! Watch, I’m gonna jump over that cable.” I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea but he was already running. I figured I’d snap a few photos . . . I got a pretty good shot if him at the start of his run.

He was cruising down that hill, you could see that he was going faster than he wanted to, once that momentum starts, it only picks up speed. His little legs were moving so fast.

Gravity got the best of him and he ended his stunt with a face full of dust. He took it like a man though and then he marched right back up there and gave it another shot . . . boys.

He did it. He jumped the cable just like he said he would ~ Stinker.

I can’t help but giggle just a little every time I look at these pictures :o)

Interview with Beth Teliho – Author of Order of Seven

May12

OrderofSeven_FC_BNG-1-195x300 Beth Teliho, author of the new book, Order of Seven, <—- which you can order here), recently took some time out of her busy schedule as wife, mom, and writer extraordinaire, to answer a few questions about herself and her writing, I was lucky enough to get a spot on her blog tour to ask her a few of those questions.

Beth is a funny, genuine, and sweet person, she is also a talented weaver of words. When I received my advanced copy of Oo7, I began reading right away, and I kept on reading until the last line whispered me farewell. I was sad to say goodbye. It was good, really good, and I wanted to read more. You can read my review here .

After the Q&As, there’s a link you might wanna check out, it’s a giveaway! An autographed Oo7 bookmark, signed by me – No, no, no – signed by Beth, of course! You can find Order of Seven on Amazon, it comes highly recommended, just check out these reviews.

Beth Teliho

How old were you when you discovered you had a love for writing?

I’ve been writing stories in my head since I was seven or eight. It just never occurred to me to write anything down. I always had my nose in a book and was a big time daydreamer. Once I got to junior high and high school, I thought about writing all the time, but wasn’t really encouraged in school back then, and assumed writing a book was this unattainable thing reserved for the super smart. It wasn’t until college when professors praised my writing and encouraged me to take it further that I ever thought it was possible. Just goes to show you how much someone believing in you can be the thing that propels you forward. That encouragement was a game changer.

It’s obvious you put a lot of research into your book, how long did it take you to complete?

Nearly four years, but I didn’t write for a lot of those months. I often get too absorbed into the story and can’t see out of it, so I’d walk away for a month…or five, and then resume with a clear head. The research was so fun! That’s one of my favorite things about writing.

One of your characters, has beautifully described tattoos, do you have any inked beauty yourself?

Yes, I have three: a yin yang, a Celtic sun, and a kokopelli. I think about getting more all the time, but have yet to decide on design and placement. Someday….

Have you begun penning your readers a sequel?

Yes and no. I always intended for Oo7 to be a stand alone with the option for a sequel if there was enough reader interest. I’ve thought a lot about a sequel and have some outlines and ideas written down, but nothing fully formed yet. It appears the sensational seven are on hiatus. I’m sure the characters will let me know when they’d like to be written about again. In the meantime, new characters are knocking on my door…

Any advice for writers thinking about entering the world of publishing?

Invest in large quantities of wine. Just kidding. Maybe. But seriously, reach out to other authors! It’s so much easier with some advice and guidance. The writing community is the most supportive in the world. Get into a writing group where you can beta read each other’s work and also get advice if needed.

Paper or plastic? Neither. I bring my own bags…when I remember.

Coke or Pepsi or Dr. Pepper or . . .? Corona.

Ketchup or mustard? Ketchup, or sometimes both if I’m feeling wild.

Coffee or tea? COFFEE

Dog or cat? Meow.

Favorite Thanksgiving food? It’s all about the stuffing.

First item on your bucket list? Write a novel, which has a pretty little check mark next to it now.

Second item? Visit England.

Want an autographed Order of Seven bookmark? Click the link below and you might just be a lucky winner!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Order your copy now! Available in paperback and on Kindle!

Blog: www.bethteliho.me

Facebook: www.facebook.com/writerbisme

Twitter: @beth_teliho

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/bethteliho

BETH TELIHO is a writer, artist and tree hugger who lives in Texas with her husband and two adventurous sons. Restless in the mundane, she writes about the abnormal, paranormal and otherwise fantastical because that’s what quickens her heartbeat. She laughs at inappropriate jokes, and prefers spicy food and margaritas to almost anything. One day, she hopes to live in a treehouse, where she can be an eccentric introvert with at least seven cats.

Happy Mother’s Day – For every mom

May10

Happy Mother's Day

I wish you the happiest of Mother’s Days . . .

I pray your Mother’s Day day holds more blessings than hours, and more happiness than your heart can contain.

My voice is raised in prayer for each and every woman who has added the beauty of life to this world for even a moment.

I pray for every mother who will spend this day watching her children at play, reflecting on the days that have passed, thankful for every moment. For those waiting anxiously by the phone to hear the sweet voice of the one they once cradled, wishing they were again close enough to hold.

I pray for every mother who celebrates this day in silent prayer, remembering what once was or what could have been. For those who use this day to honor the one who brought them into this world, and for those who are now feeling the fluttering of new life within their own womb.

I pray for every mother – The expectant moms, the new moms, the not-so-new moms, the single moms, the married moms, the working moms, the stay-at-home moms, the biological moms, the step-moms, the surrogate moms, the adoptive moms, the moms chasing after little ones all day, the empty-nester moms, the moms who hold their babies in their hearts instead of their arms . . .

Today is just another day, we still rise and do what we always do, but it’s special because it’s called Mother’s Day.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Don’t sip your coffee or your tea while watching!

May10

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

~ I hope your day is filled with smiles and hugs and lots of love ~

Since today is Mother’s day, I had to share this again

It just never gets old!

I have posted this video around Mother’s Day for years, it is one of my absolute favorite videos of all time. I have seen it about 37 gazzilion times, and it never gets old. Happy Mother’s Day!

* Wilson Wisdom for Autism Awareness

May9

Such a sweet shout out to my son . . . He’s been inspired to begin his own blog and make some new designs to share with the world!

Teachezwell Blog

A favorite blogger, The Qwiet Muse, has a son who’s autistic. Here’s a link to a page of his remarkable posters on autism: Wilson Wisdom for Autism Awareness. He’s now on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Wilson_Wit. You can also visit his cafepress store (a snippet is captured below), where he sells tee shirts, posters, mugs, water bottles, buttons, and more, all with incredible words of wisdom and humor from such a young guy. Here’s what he says about himself:

I am twenty-three years old. I opened my cafepress store when I was seventeen. I am smart, weird, talented, funny and eccentric. . . . I am autistic. I have aspergers syndrome to be more specific and I am proud to be an aspie!

Wilson also donates a portion of his proceeds to projects supporting autism awareness. Let’s support a clever entrepreneur who could teach many of us a thing…

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Stop the presses! A woman said peed GASP!

May9

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Dear Esteban, may I call you Esteban? You recently left me a bit of a negative comment – Now usually, I just try my best to ignore all the negativity in Cyberland, but I thought perhaps this time I would respond. You seem special to me, deserving of a response. Especially considering you have the honor of being my first, negative commenter, that is.

It’s okay that you didn’t find the video as funny as I did, or the thousands of other people who seemed to find the hilarity of it. Some people have smaller funny bones than others, I do not fault you for having a small funny bone. It’s not the size that matters after all, as long as it makes you smile sometimes . . . I hope it makes you smile sometimes.

Your humor isn’t what I wanted to address here though, it’s your attitude, your view of women and how you think they should or should not speak. First of all, I don’t think there is a woman alive who has not said the word peed. People pee and when they do, they sometimes say things like, “I need to pee.” Pee is natural and nothing to be ashamed of. The word pee or the past tense of pee, peed, is not vulgar or unseemly, it’s actually quite an innocent word.

Most guys on the other hand, would have said something like pissed or came up with something else entirely inappropriate. I think if a guy said he almost peed a little over something funny, his buddies would be a little weirded out. I don’t know though, I’m not a guy, and no – I’m not trying to be one of them. I am a woman, one who isn’t afraid to say peed or anything else she chooses or feels the need to say.

I’d also like you to know that I have four children. Four blessed little miracles of life that I had to squeeze out of my . . . gosh, I just don’t know what to call it without offending you – my va-jay-jay-, vagina, privates, lady parts, coochie, cha-cha, hoo-ha, birth canal . . . whatever – So guess what? I may actually pee a little when I laugh. I don’t, but it could happen. Happens to lots of gals.

You know, I was a little pissed – pardon me – upset, when I first read your comment, but then, it just made me sad. Sad that so many women are stifled and silenced by controlling and judgmental men. I don’t think you’re old fashioned, I think you’re kind of an ass.

Funny thing is, I find a lot of things funny, my funny bone is huge, I respect your opinion, and believe it or not, I think there are many women, and men, out there who could use an injection of class. I completely stand behind your right to say whatever you wish to say because I’m always going to say whatever it is I want to say as well.

“Esteban – Moderately funny … I’m not sure when it became “ok” for women to say they “Peed a little?” Maybe I’m just old fashioned, but it seems crass. Women used to be the fairer sex, but it seems like some women are trying to be one of the guys. You’re not. Stop it. Be a woman .”

– I may have peed a little the first time I watched this –

Ten Things of Thankful – Thank you for reminding me to be thankful.

May8

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I wasn’t going to write a TToT, there is a chance I may not even complete it now that I’ve decided to begin, BUT, I need to focus on being thankful – I’m a wee bit on the pissy side and I really need to change that. No one likes it when I’m pissy. I don’t like it when I’m pissy.

Reading a handful and a half of other TToT posts inspired me to sit my butt down and write. So there ya are – I am thankful. Thankful to each and every one of you who take the time to share the things you’re thankful for, even when you might be in the midst of one of those weeks yourself. It makes me feel connected and less alone. Thank you.

Today I cried. I’m thankful for that, I needed a good cry. I didn’t need the stuffy nose, puffy eyes, and headache that immediately followed, but I’ll not dwell on those – the cry felt good, it was cleansing. In the midst of my melancholy, I did something so entirely out of character for me – I reached out to a friend. I messaged her just so someone out there knew I was losing it and she helped me pull it together. Thank you my sweet Lizzi. I am thankful for you. And Xanax, I am thankful for Xanax as well.

I’m thankful for the glorious rains falling on my little corner of the world this week. I can’t help but think those precious drops of rain began to fall as much to nourish my soul as they did to nourish the land. I let my tears rain down right along with them, and like the rains cleanse all they touch, my tears cleansed me as well. So very thankful.

My daughter passed her finals and will soon be a certified EMT, she’ll continue, perhaps, onto paramedic training. We’ll see. She is young, She’s been a cashier, a firefighter, a student, and now she stocks the ambulances she may soon be saving someone in. My youngest son, my baby, will be eighteen this month. He drove me to Walmart yesterday. Their older brothers are making small strides of their own. Thankful is not nearly a powerful enough word to express my gratitude for these children I’ve been blessed with. My heroes. This week I wished they were little again, the feeling was fleeting, but it was strong. I miss the little ones they once were sometimes. No, thankful is not a powerful enough word.

I’m thankful for coffee. Silly thing to include, but I truly am. Especially the cup my husband brings me every morning before he heads off for a long day of work. He doesn’t have to do it, make me coffee every morning, but he does. That is really rather sweet, isn’t it?

Soft and snuggly blankets, books I don’t want to put down, words that reach across the miles and wrap around my heart, bedtime, music, empty laundry baskets, and silence – I am thankful.

Thankful and not quite as pissy as I was when I began . . .

Why did I ignore the flowers? Then came the cleansing rains –

May8

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Not so very long ago, I noticed the flowers in my yard were wilting and I walked right by. I felt a little wilted myself, and I just sighed a commiserating sigh and left them to their plight as I’d left my heart to my own.

The day after I did the same, and the next day, and the next one too. Each time I saw them, I just thought, I know, dear flowers, I know.

On that fourth day though, I knelt down as I hurried off to do the things I had to do, I only had a moment and I don’t know why I stopped, there was nothing I could do to quench their thirst right then, nor my own, but still – I stopped and stared.

I swear I saw them quiver in some tiny bit of anticipation at my presence, but I walked away. Again. I promised myself to care for them, I knew they needed me. By the time the day had passed, my energy was spent and the flowers and I, both weary and filled with desperate thirst, were blanketed in the dark of another night.

When morning came the sky stayed darkened and bits of the heavens began to fall, the world outside my window glistened with every raindrop that fell, and the earth and the flowers soaked each one in. I looked out my rain-spattered window and saw the flowers dancing as the water from the sky fell to caress each tiny, wilted leaf – they were dancing – and I cried.

My tears fell as the rains came down to cleanse and nourish the land. At first they were tears of sadness, filled with frustration, guilt, anger . . . but then, my heart began to still, though the tears still poured in rivulets from my tired eyes.

Why did I ignore the flowers?

As the afternoon sun spilled forth rays of warmth, the flowers stood a little taller. The dust I’d let settle upon them was washed away and I swear, they were standing a little taller. The cleansing rains renewed and refreshed and replenished them, and in some way, those same rains gave me permission to cry and cleanse something in me as well, perhaps they came to make me see and feel and remember – remember to care for myself before I wilt and forget to water my garden.

I think I may be standing a little taller . . . maybe tomorrow I will stand even taller still.

A Mother’s Day Funny that keeps on giving! Blogging confuses me sometimes.

May7

All for the love of MOM

Over 25,000 visitors in the last 2 days – 2 new followers and a handful of likes . . . Hmmm.

Screenshot of my stats as of this morning . . . I’m sharing this because it’s super cool, YET, kind of a frustrating bit of disappointment too. I posted one of my all-time-favorite-videos I may have peed little the first time I watched this as an early Mother’s day share, it’s had, as you can see, tons of views and it’s had tons of Facebook shares – which is awesome – BUT, I hate when there is a BUT – each time someone clicks it, the video plays, laughter ensues, and it gets shared.

Like I said – Awesome. So my funny, favorite video plays, my hits show a spike, and here is the BUT – no one who clicks on it actually lands on my blog. Now, my blog isn’t the biggest and the best, but a few people dig it, so I would like to think at least some of the thousands of people who clicked on the video might have checked it out and maybe liked it too, enough to follow, you know how it goes.

BUT

I’ve had no such influx of new readers, just a cool burst in my stats nobody else can see. sigh

No matter though . . . really, the whole point was to make some mommas laugh and wish them a Happy Mother’s day, so for that I am positively giddy! It is serving it’s purpose quite well.

Hugs and Mother’s Day love to all!!!!

And then they grew up –

May6

Seems like only yesterday sometimes

I just signed what will likely be the last permission I will ever need to sign . . . it’s a bittersweet feeling. My babies no longer need my parental permission to attend functions, go on field trips, or participate in activities. Not legally. My youngest will be eighteen near the end of this month. Where did the time go? How did it go by so quickly?

I am so proud, more than proud of the young adults they have grown to be, but sometimes, every now and again, I wish they were my babies, just for a little while . . . I long to hold them close and feel them nestle their little heads against my shoulder and just listen to the peaceful sound of each little breath they take.

I wish I had known just how fleeting time really would be. I wish I had lingered a little longer in more of those moments I didn’t realize were passing us by so quickly. I know I cherished them and those memories carry my heart when I reminisce about when I was a mommy, when my children depended on me for everything; when they needed me more than they do now.

Memories sometimes fall from my eyes when I look back on what seemed like only yesterday and remember their little smiles and the sound of their laughter – and it fills my heart.

I have been so blessed. So, so blessed. They will always be my babies.

Crystal R. Cook