My black socks were dirty when I went to find them last week so I pulled out my chicken socks. They are black – with chicken legs and feet on the front. I was wearing pants so I figured no one would notice.
The problem is my shoes have an opening on the top of the foot just big enough to show the chicken feet.
The younger kids sit on the floor right at my feet so in every class at least one student noticed my socks. In fact, one girl told me her grandmother has the same socks. I am glad I am not the only goofy grandma.
The older kids sit in chairs and so they did not see the socks. Or if they did, they didn’t say anything.
The next day the students wanted to know if I was wearing my chicken socks again. I explained they needed to be washed.
When Love Comes Home, the last of the Fitzpatrick Family Series, released in December 2022. I should be excited and anxious to plunge into a new manuscript, only I’m not.
I do have a sense of relief along with exhaustion considering the amount of energy and focus it took to “birth” Sammy and Tiffany’s story.
But there’s also this lonely feeling that keeps creeping in. I found comfort in knowing I had a Fitzpatrick sibling romance to work on every morning and dream about at night.
I miss the arguments where the siblings tried to persuade me to change my outline. I must admit, sometimes what they came up with was better and more interesting than what I’d planned.
After sharing my feelings with writer friends, I’ve discovered I’m not alone. Sluggishness, a lack of motivation, and energy are common when a writer finishes a book. When an author finishes a series that has taken years to complete the feelings are stronger.
It will subside they assure me. Time for me to move on and do the next thing they advise, reminding me all the Fitzpatrick siblings – Andy and Darcy, Becca and Ethan, Sarah and Nick, Josh and Mara, Faith and Blake, Sammy and Tiffany – have found their soulmate.
And that’s true.
So I’ve started a new manuscript. The new characters and I are doing that first 50- or 60-page dance of discovery. Soon they’ll begin to talk to me, and argue, then I’m sure I’ll be able to bid Sammy and Tiffany and the others farewell.
Want to meet the Fitzpatrick Family? Click the links below. Each novel can be read as a standalone story.
Our daughter brought the boys to see us the week before Christmas while her husband was at work. She wanted to introduce Theo to his great-grandfather, Theodore who lives about two hours away. I went with her to be an extra pair of hands. I mostly entertained Alex while Catherine and Theo stayed and visited with Opa.
Alex loves to be outside and the arctic air had not blown into town yet so we walked around the block. Actually, we ran – Alex doesn’t walk very often.
I must confess, normally when I walk, I focus on where I’m going and don’t pay much attention to what is around me. With Alex, however, we examined the many different Christmas lights and decorations we passed. He gave a running commentary – “Christmas lights, reindeer, Christmas tree, Santa”
The decorations that were not inflated were “sleeping.” They wake up at night. I tried to teach Alex the world ‘nocturnal” but he didn’t quite get it.
We also counted fire hydrants – there are seven fire hydrants around Opa’s block. Alex touched everyone.
For small children, every day is a new adventure. So, the next morning, we walked/ran around the block again. There were still seven fire hydrants.
It is such a joy to be reminded of the wonder in the world as seen through the eyes of a child.
It’s that season again. Time for New Year’s resolutions and goal setting.
I set objectives every new year. It’s a holdover from my teaching days and another name for goals. Sometimes I achieve my objectives. Sometimes I don’t.
The fact is, too many of us end up in a mire of guilt, weighed down by our failure to meet our expectations.
Many years ago, Juliet Marillier offered what she called magic wand gifts to use instead of goals and resolutions. Ideas that would help increase productivity and creativity.
I’ve adapted her list below. They’ll be my objectives this year.
Feel the wind in your hair, the rain on your skin, the sun on your back, the richness of freshly turned soil underfoot or in your hands. Plant some flowers or veggies in pots if you don’t have gardening space. Take regular walks and use your five senses to experience nature.
Have more social interaction, and I don’t mean online! Online socializing is not great for physical or mental health. Make the effort to go out to coffee with a friend once a month or once a week, join a book club, walk your dog at the park, and meet like-minded people in person.
Write or do whatever you do because you love it; love whatever you do. Because otherwise what’s the point? Life’s short. Enjoy the ride.
Realize motivation for getting on with things – your work in progress, your diet/exercise plan – does not come from the note on the fridge, but from deep within you. Change your mindset. Do the right things not because you ought to, but because you want to.
Most importantly, take time to breathe. Stop whatever you’re doing periodically. Step away, go outside and breathe slowly for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at how your perspective can change.
If you’re not one to set goals or resolutions or even if you do, give Marillier’s magic wand gifts a try this year.
As this year rolls to an end, it’s time for Chicken Wrangler Sara and me to begin our annual holiday break.
Before we leave, we want to offer a special holiday greeting to our blog community and let you know how much your thoughtful comments have brought pleasure. Thank you for being a part of our community all these ten years.
We leave you with an Irish Christmas Blessing to keep you through the holiday season.
See you back right here in the New Year with more thoughts and views from the front porch and Miller farm. Until then enjoy the archive posts.
The day we planned to go caroling was predicted to be a stormy day. This is Texas – no one can accurately predict the weather. It did storm for about 30 minutes in the middle of the afternoon but by the time we gathered to start walking the neighborhood, the skies were clear.
We divided into two groups and began caroling. My group finished our houses first and went to join the other group thinking they were almost to the end of their route as well.
They were not. In fact, they were less than halfway through their list of houses. We combined groups and continued caroling.
After an hour, most of the group was ready to return. We had told the students we would be gone for about an hour. When I mentioned this to Mr. Kipp, who was leading the second group, he said “but there are still more people expecting us.”
I explained that we had only allotted an hour and his response was “You knew how many houses there were.” And he was right. I had misjudged the amount of time it would take.
Those who were ready to be finished went back to the school with another teacher. I kept going with Mr. Kipp and those who were willing to continue. I must confess, I was ready to be done, too. As we kept walking we were greeted with smiles and “thank yous”. Some people even joined in singing with us.
We finished and went back to the school for hot chocolate. As I reflected on the experience, I wondered how many of those people would have sung “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” if there weren’t a group of schoolchildren in their front yard singing.
I believe we brightened the Holidays for those people. Well done, students, well done!
Christmas tunes are everywhere this time of year. One of our family traditions is to gather around the piano and sing holiday songs. I love sharing the origins of the songs we sing.
“The Holly and the Ivy” is one that’s not heard much, though it dates to medieval times. It has an interesting history and staunchly Christian words set to a haunting melody.
There are five verses of the carol. You can read all the words here. I’m sure you’ve heard it. This is the first verse with the refrain to refresh your memory.
The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
Refrain:
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir
The history behind the carol: Holly and ivy were gathered along with mistletoe and other evergreens to decorate churches, houses, and streets at Christmas as early as the 16th century and probably before. Their shiny green leaves brim with life throughout the winter when most other plants and trees are leafless making them perfect for decking the halls for the holiday.
It may be a relic of pagan midwinter celebrations with the evergreens symbolizing rebirth, the return of the light, and the greening of the landscape in spring. Holly with berries and mistletoe are still used as Christmas decorations.
The words appear in the early 18th century Broadsides printed lyrics, but not the tune. Most likely because different melodies, with local modifications, passed between generations as part of the oral tradition.
One of several carols from medieval England, “The Holly and the Ivy” tells of the rivalry between holly and ivy for mastery of the forest. The holly “bears the crown” so wins the contest; perhaps that’s why we hear no more about the ivy.
Holly was seen as a masculine symbol because of its stouter prickly leaves and ivy is a feminine symbol with its softer leaves. The carol may, therefore, hold a gentle reference to the difficulties of relationships between men and women. The seasonal Christian message is clear in how the song’s words tell the story of Christ’s life interwoven with the life of the holly tree.
Verse 2: “The holly bears a blossom as white as the lily flower” refers to the white flowers Holly produces in late spring. The white signifies the purity of Mary and Jesus.
Verse 3: “The holly bears a berry as red as any blood” refers to Christ’s blood.
Verse 4: “The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn” refers to the crown of thorns.
Verse 5: “The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall” is another reference to the crucifixion.
The most popular version was first published in 1911. Folksingers popularize the carol in the fifties and sixties. It continues to be a much-loved, traditional Christmas carol immersed with Christian and pre-Christian symbolism.
The younger kids sit on the floor right at my feet so in every class at least one student noticed my socks. In fact, one girl told me her grandmother has the same socks. I am glad I am not the only goofy grandma.
