The Christmas Scale
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
25
12, 2012
24
12, 2012
ASL Merry Christmas
My second language is American Sign Language (ASL). No, I’m not deaf. I fell in love with the language of the deaf through one of my best friends in high school whose parents were deaf.
Christmas carols and songs are such fun in sign language. Today I wanted to share via that language.
Join along with the Deaf Direct in Worcester, signing a familiar Christmas carol:
For fun:
And lastly, my wish for you on this Christmas Eve:
17
12, 2012
After Friday’s darkness Monday’s Motivation
How do we find motivation after Friday’s act of darkness? I don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time.
Bob Mayer’s FB status on Friday suggested: “Just mourn. No politics, agendas, rants. Losing a child is an exclusive club you do not want to be a part of. Trust me on that.”
This is not going to be a rant or a political statement. I don’t have an agenda.
What I have is a hurting heart.
My family lived near Newtown at one time. I have an undergraduate degree from Western Connecticut State in Danbury. One of my daughters graduated from New Fairfield High School. Our other daughter took piano lessons from a teacher in Newtown. Somehow, these connections made what happened more real.
I’ve been restless, perplexed, sidetracked by tears of anger and sadness all weekend. How do we make sense out of senseless?
I’m wondering how God can let things like the massacres in Newtown and Aurora , the rampage in Tucson and Virginia Tech happen?
Seeking answers I emailed my son, a minister with a Ph.D. in Theology. I share his thoughts with his permission.
It is in times like these that our faith meets sight. It is easy to walk by faith when things make sense. It is when our reality is rocked by some inexplicable and incomprehensible event that faith must really kick in.
Because I believe that God has revealed Himself to us in His written Word, the Bible, and because I believe the Bible contains everything we need for life, my mind turns to Scripture to seek an answer.
The crux of the matter in cases like this comes down to “how/why does God allow evil?”
It is really a question of sovereignty versus free will. If I could solve that, I would be famous indeed.
By its very nature, the sovereignty/free will issue is an antinomy—something that cannot be explained in human terms, to human satisfaction. Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 40:13-14 that God’s knowledge is unique to Him. And Proverbs 21:30 confirms that there is no wisdom, or counsel or understanding higher than His.
So we are left to trust Him and Him alone as knowing what is best.
For many people, this approach to the question of evil in the world is inadequate and trite. I understand.
That’s why eschatology is not just a hobby or whimsy of mine. It is the key cog in my worldview. I could not survive in a world where everyone is under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19) if I did not believe that God wins in the end.
When I see things like what happened in Newtown I get angry and crave God’s divine intervention more than ever. I, too, question why does He wait to claim victory?
But I take comfort in knowing that ultimately, God will intervene. A better day is coming. A day of complete justice when Satan and all of his human and demonic envoys will be judged once and for all. It is that promise of Scripture that allows me to keep going when things don’t make sense in the present world.
So, to summarize: The unspeakable events of Friday are incomprehensible apart from a biblical worldview that promises (1) God is in control even when evil seems to triumph; (2) All evil will be recompensed; (3) Justice will prevail; (4) God wins.
I believe, like my son, God wins the final victory. But until that THE END happens, I will hug my children more, tell teachers I appreciate them more often, and offer prayers of comfort for the families and victims of these tragedies.
And most important, as a writer, I will write.
So should you.
I love Emma D. Dryden’s suggestions in her blog.
Create something precious for the world that might help to replace the precious the world’s lost. Write, paint, sing, dance, walk in nature, breathe deeply, and love fiercely. As we reach out to friends, to family, to others, so too must we reach inside to be gentle with ourselves. And we must remind ourselves we do carry the light necessary to light the dark corners, vanquishing one shadow at a time.
4
12, 2012
Tipping Point Phase 2 – Tossing and Turning Loose
I may have lied in my first phase Tipping Point blog. This is HARD!
If you read that blog, then you know we decided to simplify our lives, which meant tossing and turning loose of our stuff.
Since my last post, we’ve sorted. Tons and tons of emotions whirled as we weeded through treasures.
We are not hoarders. Yet we found ourselves with so much.
Partly because as you age you simply accumulate stuff. That and we got lazy about cleaning out the stuff.
Mostly because we’ve lived here so long. Previously, we’d rarely stayed in a home more than five years. To be here in one place thirty years meant lots and lots of STUFF.
Fellow WANA Tribe blogger Sherry Isaac has also been in what I call the TP (tipping point) mode. In her blog Shedding & Shredding the Stuff, she shared a hilarious observational comedy video by George Carlin.
If you’re not familiar with Carlin (I wasn’t), think Seinfeld. Btw, the definition of observational comedy is humor based on commonplace aspects of everyday life. Carlin’s routine STUFF fits perfectly what happened to us.
For a full two weeks, we organized. We gave away. Passed to children and family. Shredded.
And, yes, we kept things. Some treasures we just couldn’t part with and some furniture we’ll use in our new place.
Finally, we held our garage sale. What fun talking with all the folks who stopped by.
We heard some great stories. (You’ll find parts of some of those stories in future Judythe Morgan manuscripts.) I loved the smiles on the faces of those who took away our treasures and made them theirs. Our stuff had found happy homes.
The house is mostly empty now. The rooms echo. The walls are bare.
The woodwork and floors clean and polished. I can’t praise Liquid Gold enough. Windows glisten thanks to Windex. Easy Off turned our originally installed ovens into shiny clean.
I am feeling like a heavy burden has been lifted, but the process involved lots of physical labor and emotional drain.
Onto the next phase now. The house is up for sale.
We’re waiting for the perfect person to buy the home we’ve loved and cherished.
Next time I’ll share how this new phase of our transition progresses.
3
12, 2012
Wanta be a better writer? Monday Motivation
It’a not hard.
Actually it’s quite easy.
Follow these ten SIMPLE steps…
Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger.
Now go be a better writer…
1
12, 2012
Rush, Stress, and Busyness – Blogs last month you might have missed
NaNoWriMo 2012 has ended. (btw, MAJOR congratulations to those who stayed the course and wrote 50,000 words. I’m so impressed.)
Today’s December 1st. The holiday season is upon us and closing in like a speeding bullet.
If you’re like me, you’re skimming and skipping on social media sites and blogs.
Here are some blogs with writerly news or information I thought you’d want to know about:
Fictionwise is Now on Life Support – They’re Pulling the Plug in 3 Weeks’ Time
- Digital Reader advises now would be a good time to go download any ebooks you still can. After December 21, 2012, you will not be able to access any of the ebooks you bought from Fictionwise sites (including Fictionwise.com, eReader.com and eBookwise.com).
Very latest on Fictionwise’s demise:
What People Talk About When They Talk About Bad Writing
- Writer/agent Nathan Bransford’s take on a definition of bad writing.
Why is your second novel so important?
- Agent Chip Macgregor discusses the biggest pitfalls in a second novel.
Sell More Fiction by Activating the Power of Book Clubs
- How to employ bookclubs and discussion questions to increase your book sales.
6 Common Myths About Book Reviews
- Debunks common misconceptions about book reviews
How Twitter Hashtags Help Authors Find Readers
- Loved this list of handy hashtags to connect with readers
- Interesting discussion about trackers in eReaders: Your data profile shows when you read and when you don’t. Will it soon determine what you read?
YOUR TURN to SHARE: If you’ve found a blog, you think I may have missed, tell me about it in your comment.
22
11, 2012
Grateful for YOU
I’m thankful that in this great big blog world we have connected.
If you’ve read my about page, you know I’m a writer and an antiques dealer/collector. Ephemeron fascinates me. That’s why I chose this particular greeting today.
Not familiar with the term?
Ephemera (the plural form) refers to something transitory or short-lived. Items like pamphlets, notices, tickets, postcards or greeting cards designed to be useful or important for only a short time. In this age of technology, we’re losing ephemera. Especially old postcards like these.
“Wishing you a Peaceful Thanksgiving Day; With all of Earth’s fruit from the blossom of May.”
“North South East and West; Let’s all join hands So that we may truly rejoice on Thanksgiving Day” To Marguerite from Grandma, 1915.
Each card undoubtedly has a story. Who was Ray and why did he send a Thanksgiving card to Baby? Were Marguerite and Grandma feuding and needed to join hands? There’s definitely a story connect to that one.
The writers among us could probably plot some compelling stories based on these old postcards. I think that’s why I find ephemeron so intriguing.
But just for today, let’s forget about writing.
Instead, let’s
Sit around the table and visit with family and friends.
Cheer for our favorite football team. Or nap.
And most important, remember to take the giblets out of the turkey!
Thanks for showing up today to read my blog.
I’m going to enjoy my blessings today.I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and friends.
See you here on the 26th.
16
11, 2012
Bedlam in the Chicken Yard-Miller Farm Friday
I looked out the kitchen window last evening and saw a rooster about 5 feet off the ground on top of the quail cage in the middle of the chicken yard.
This would not be a problem if he could get back down to the ground on the right side of the fence (the one with the chickens, not the dogs). However, we have learned that chickens (and roosters) are not particularly coordinated.
I headed out to the chicken yard to make sure he was safe.
Later, we decided if the rooster could make it to the top of the quail cage must be time to clip wings. While this sounds horribly painful for the birds, it is actually more like clipping fingernails.
The hardest part is catching the birds.
Since the sun was setting, the chickens headed for the coop. They are creatures of habit and every evening they go to bed in the coop, and every night I shut the door to keep non-chickens out.
Since the birds were contained, Beekeeper Brian decided to go into the coop and clip wings. He started with the smaller game birds which made the most racket I ever heard.
I was afraid the neighbors would think we were killing them. Eventually all the wings were clipped and no chicken died, though from all the noise I’m sure the neighbors did wonder.
Wing clipping prevents the birds from flying over the fence where Bella (the dachshund) could “play” with them. At the same time, wing clipping also makes it very difficult for them to fly up to their roosts in the coop.
I believe at least one of the birds held a grudge against us.
When I went to collect eggs the next morning, she pecked at my hand. I’ve gotten used to that and it doesn’t really hurt – especially when compared with bee stings.
So I got the eggs and the chicken immediately went to the roost in front of the nest box and started squawking very loudly. I swear she was saying “Thief, Thief!!!!.”
If you spend enough time around chickens, you learn to speak their language.
That evening when I went to close up the coop, one of the birds sounded very raspy. I told Beekeeper Brian it was probably the one who had fussed at me. She’d squawked so loud she made herself hoarse.
Without missing a beat, Brian replied, “Well how is she supposed to lay eggs if she is a horse?”
12
11, 2012
Monday Motivation: Lending a Hand or a $
Mondays are usually blogs to motivate writers. Today I’m deviating a bit.
I live on the Texas gulf coast. I’ve seen lots and lots of storms. Big hurricanes, little hurricanes, and tropical storms that did more damage than any hurricane.
I’ve also been stranded in a volunteer fire department in Deep Creek, Maryland during a Nor’easter blizzard for days with three small children, a miniature schnauzer and a husband anxious to get home to check on our house. We shared the small fire department’s building with about two hundred other motorists traveling home after the Thanksgiving holiday.
BEFORE the era of cell phones I might add. No one knew what had happened to us for days.
I’m sure most of you have seen the pictures of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation. If you haven’t, check out this site with before and after shots. Slide your mouse over the before snapshot and view the aftermath of Sandy. You’ll be shocked.
Before/After Hurricane Sandy Photos Show How Storm Devastated East Coast (INTERACTIVE PICTURES)
A week later a Nor’easter visited the east coast. Too much for an already crushed area.
There is no doubt the damaging effects of Hurricane Sandy will be with us for a long time. Today I want to encourage everyone to help out and suggest donations to:
From my personal experience with the Red Cross in a weather crisis, I know they are “Johnny on the Spot.” Red Cross volunteers offered some terrific sandwiches, warm blankets, and delivered messages for us during our blizzard experience. Just click on the logo above to donate.
Based on my research, I believe the following organizations are also trustworthy and positioned to help those in need receive immediate help and care. In order to make it easier for you to donate to these organizations, here are the direct links:
For our military families in the path of both storms, these organizations offer assistance:
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
I’m sure you may know of other organizations where you can help out in person or send a donation. HELP.
I found Write Now Relief on Facebook that I know isn’t a scam and offers the opportunity to win a like a 50-page critique of your novel by a published novelist in exchange for the winning donation bid.
You bid at Write Now Relief between Nov 9 and Nov 16. Highest bidder’s amount with be sent to relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
Okay, back to the writing…
9
11, 2012
Miller Farm Friday: Bees in the Bonnet
Well the inevitable finally happened – I got stung by a bee.
I really can’t blame the bee. It flew into my hair while I was filling the chicken waterer and it got lost. The bee panicked and burrowed into my scalp and stung me.
I understand. I panic when I get lost too so I can feel its pain – literally.
I managed to avoid doing the frantic bee dance and walked quickly to the water hose where I “washed that bee right out of my hair.”
As I continued my morning chicken chores, I had two thoughts:
1. Where are the epipens?
2. How long would it be before someone found me if I passed out in the yard?
Fortunately, I did not have the same reaction to the bee sting as Beekeeper Brian so I didn’t need an answer to either question.
Later as Beekeeper Brian was checking my head for stingers, he suggested that I wear a hat or bandana to prevent a repeat of the incident. This was a great idea.
I remembered the bonnets you made for us to wear at Sturbridge Village on the 4th of July a million years ago? I still have one, or at least one just like it and it works perfectly for keeping bees out of my hair.
So now, if the neighbors did not have enough entertainment before today, they now can watch me doing my morning chicken chores wearing a blue gingham bonnet.
Ah – what a life.
Our other daughter immediately responded:
I am not sure, the bonnet might make things worse. For, as the song goes, don’t women frequently get a bee in their bonnet? Or is that just me to whom that happens?
Either way, I am quite impressed that you still had your Sturbridge Village ephemera. All I have left is fond memories of a picture taken on a canon, with either Sandra Kay or some other random individual.
With our family, you just never know who it might be… friend, foe, fowl, feline or canine.
Cheers, Steph
Interesting to me that both girls remembered the bonnets and not the reading of the Constitution or the fireworks. Which were the reason we originally made the trip!
Steph is correct we did always have a house full. Someone who needed a place to stay or escape or an animal or bird that needed rescued.
That’s why there are so many characters in my stories. Every visitor came with his own backstory which spawned a new story idea for me.
I’d recommend a trip to Sturbridge Village if not on the 4th of July then one of the other seasonal events. It made quite an impression on our children as you can tell.
And, for those of you who might want your own bonnet. Prairiebonnets.com has some excellent choices including flannel-lined for winter.
YOUR TURN TO SHARE:
Ever been stung by a bee?
Been to Sturbridge Village? Did you have as much fun as we did/do?