BELIEVE!

Does anybody out there have a problem with self-confidence?  Go ahead, raise your hand, I won't tell!  Well, I'll raise mine....

I love writing ... and have been doing it for over 50 years (yikes, that sounds awful!), but never pursued getting published until last year. Writing for myself is one thing but submitting a book for publication was terrifying. I told myself I didn't care if it got picked up (Do you know what denial means?  Don't Even Notice I Am Lying). Surprisingly enough, Helping Hands Press picked it up. I was off to the races.  With a smile on my face, laptop attached to my hip and the Holy Spirit at the keyboard, I wrote one devotional after another...loving every minute of it.

Then came the request from my publisher (Wow, I really have a publisher!!!) to broaden my horizons ... Try a light romance (The San Francisco Wedding Planner Series). Ms."You Can't Do That" whispered in my ear and the terror returned but through prayer and encouragement, I tried it anyway.  I loved it!!!  My little world of writing was expanding and I was having fun.

On the roller coaster ride of writing this old coot learned something ...  Martina Navratolova said it all.  Another thing I learned was (here it comes, Patti's words of wisdom):  If I succumb to fear I lose the joy in what I'm doing and lose an opportunity to grow. But most importantly, I will be telling God I question his judgement in blessing me with the gift of words.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

P.S.  I grew a little more ... I just submitted Volume I of a suspense/thriller series. 

Not only did I have fun...I scared myself!

Keep checking in for a release date!     

Synopsis:  He noticed a strong odor as he moved the curtains to look inside. A vile liquid surged up his throat and spilled out on the grass. He grabbed his cell phone and called 911. Thus begins the case that unnerves the most seasoned veterans on the force. A witness interview leads Detective Dallas Keegan and her partner to evidence that puts the investigation into overdrive. HE IS NOT DONE. Her personal life unravels as she hunts down this demon while fighting her own.  (Bwahaha!)

HAPPY EASTER

After Easter Vigil last evening I was trying to figure out how to put music to pictures, etc., and after a great deal of trial and error I succeeded....I hope you enjoy my creations....

                                                 

 

Stations of the Cross

Before the Good Friday liturgy, there will be a special program with music and Stations of the Cross. Walking and praying the stations is a beautiful, contemplative spiritual journey.  For me, the stations not only remind me of the great suffering Christ endured for our salvation, but a call to pick up our crosses and follow in His footsteps ...spreading the word of God's love and mercy.  

Precious Jesus, carrying my cross and following You 

is not a burden but a joy - 

because regardless how heavy my cross becomes, 

I know You are there, carrying it with me.

Renewal of Sorts

When I was much younger (okay, LOTS younger) my mom and dad bought a piano.  I didn't take lessons at first because I was able to play by ear.  Granted, my repertoire was not extensive, but my parents (of course) loved hearing me tickle those ivories.  I tried taking lessons later on but struggled because I felt inhibited following sheet music (ever the rebel). Eventually, I lost interest in playing.  In the early 70's, mom and dad bought a music store, selling Baldwin pianos and organs.  They traded in our piano for an organ and I was off and running once more. I loved all the bells and whistles and developed a much better repertoire than I had with the piano.  

My folks belonged to a dance group, "The Over The Hill Gang", with music provided by Mr. Casey, an extremely talented, play-by-ear organist.  His Baldwin had even more bells and whistles than ours, and sounded like a full dance band.  Mom and Dad invited me to those dances a couple of times and even though I begrudgingly went (come on, I was 19 or so and had better things to do), I actually had a good time. In fact, a few times when Mr. Casey took a break, I was asked to fill in. I was mortified at first, then totally surprised when I wasn't booed and people actually got up and danced to my Yellow Bird, Lady of Spain, Please Release Me, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, etc.  

To make a long story longer ... years passed, I moved away and my playing stopped.  I purchased a small keyboard a few years ago to tinker with, but it wasn't the same so I sold it.  When my folks moved in with me two years ago they brought their organ.  Even when it arrived I didn't play, I just stared at it wondering if the brain cells that held the songs were still alive or long gone.  It wasn't until recently I garnered up the courage to hit the "on" button and set up the sound effects.  I started slow...Please Release Me...then, praise God, most of them came back (with a few missed notes here and there).  Not only did I enjoy gliding my fingers across those keys, it brought back some very special memories, especially of my mom....she played too.  

I decided I'm going to take breaks during the time set aside for writing (middle of the night) --- exchanging one keyboard for another. Who knows what inspiration awaits, right?  And not to worry, I won't disturb anyone....the organ has earphones!  Life is Good, God is Good!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Happy Anniversary

My husband and I got married on May 28, 2000 in Las Vegas but tomorrow (April 8th) we will celebrate our fourteen years of wedded bliss. Confused?  Let me explain.

At the end of my first year of sobriety I separated from a husband that continued the alcoholic downhill slide as I knew if I stayed with him I would most likely give in at some point and reenter the dungeon.  It was during that time I met Michael at an AA meeting.  We both started joining fellow attendees for coffee after the meeting at the local IHOP.  To make a long story short, a friendship grew into love. 




Although we both believed in a higher power, neither of us attended church.  I had never been baptized and he was a non-practicing Catholic so when we decided to marry, we headed to Las Vegas where my parents lived and tied the knot at the Chapel of the Bells on May 28th, 2000.













In 2005 we were invited by Michael's brother and sister-in-law to Mass at St. Timothy's.  Michael felt like he was home again and in the weeks following, I fell head over heels in love with a God I had ignored for the majority of my adult life.  I entered RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), my first step into the wonderful world of Catholicism.  In order to be baptized I needed to be in a  Catholic marriage so we set a date before Easter Vigil (when I was scheduled to be baptized) to have our marriage blessed. For some reason we felt compelled to make this a "real" wedding; invitations, reception, etc.  The date:  April 8, 2006.



From the date we originally married we enjoyed a joyful and loving life, but after April 8th, it miraculously blossomed into a union beyond description ... and we knew why. Christ was not only wholeheartedly welcomed to the ceremony, He was welcomed into our marriage. 

We are truly blessed!

Moving Forward

I'm not the most patient person in the world, and it's becoming more obvious. I'm speaking of the grief process I'm smack dab in the middle of. It's been almost two months since my mom passed and the past few weeks I felt I was finally past the tears. Yep, I was done....I had reached acceptance in record time. Then....

Friday, my step-daughter got married. During the reception, I grabbed my cell phone to call mom to check in and let her know how everything was going. Reality hit, tears pooled and I headed out to the car to get myself together before I completely broke down. Then tonight at choir rehearsal we sang “The Old Rugged Cross” … one of my mom's favorites. I looked over at my dad (they both enjoyed going to rehearsal) and for a split second, expected to see my mom sitting there next to him, with that beautiful smile...but dad was alone.

I know in my mind she's in a better place, and I should be rejoicing in her freedom from suffering and pain...but my heart just won't cooperate...yet. I'll just continue to move forward and when the tears come I'll let them flow and allow God to wipe them away.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)