Author, Wife, Busy Mom, A Woman after God's Heart.
Hello everyone,
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One of my favorite childhood movies was The Wizard of Oz. It premiered in 1939.
The Wizard of Oz is about a girl from Kansas named Dorothy Gale, who gets taken by a tornado to Oz, a magical land, and is trying to get back home. On the long journey to the Emerald City to find a “Wizard” who can help her return, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, meet three very interesting characters. A Scarecrow who wishes he had brains; a Tin Man who longs for a heart; and a Lion seeking courage. They face many trials along their route, The Yellow Brick Road, but they overcome them because of the Scarecrow’s good sense, the Tin Man’s kindness, and the bravery of the Lion.
The moral of The Wizard of Oz is to find your own way in life, but be prepared for challenges and obstacles along the way. It touches upon the importance of finding good and supportive friends because if you get in the wrong group, there are evil people that can get in your way.
While researching The Wizard of Oz movie, I was shocked to learn that behind the scenes, the producers of the MGM company were especially cruel to Judy Garland during the making of the movie and that she suffered grueling filming schedules, was forced to diet, given amphetamines, and according to biographer Gerald Clarke, was molested by MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer.
The other day I found the movie, Judy, on Amazon Prime, starring Renée Zellweger who played Judy Garland.
The film is a dramatic story about the later years of the American singer and actress, specifically in 1969, as she arrived in London for a run of sell-out concerts at the “Talk of the Town” theater. The movie unfolds over a six week period in 1968 and 1969 about Judy’s final performances. It shows flashbacks to her early years on the set of Oz, revealing some of the abuse she endured, and then flashes forward to her London life, and how she continued to be dependent on the substances that she’d been taking for a better portion of her life.
What I learned about this beloved entertainer was eye-opening. Famous as she was in her career, she struggled with addiction, had several failed marriages, enormous debt, and so much instability in her life. All that culminating into a downward spiral based on insecurities and addictions amidst the beautiful love, support, and adoration of her fans.
The movie left me with such sadness on how addiction took over this talented and broken person and how the dependencies ultimately destroyed her. It also showed Ms. Garland’s vulnerability for fame and accolades.
It’s no different today. We are constantly searching for the next “high”. Whether it’s gaming, drinking, extreme sports, etc. We expect our internet to work at lightning speed, and fast food to be, well, made and boxed really, really fast.
It makes me wonder what can we do to change these cultural and societal expectations? Can we ever slow down? Stop the pressures? Smell the roses along the way? I don’t have the answers to that. Do you?
My latest Inspirational fiction, She Made It Matter, follows a mother of two who is plagued by traumatic childhood circumstances, and she also, falls into addiction. It’s a redemptive story on the importance of believing in your self-worth, forgiving your past, and starting anew.
I only wished Judy Garland could have used the brains, heart, and courage to fight her addictions and make peace with her past.
I watched the video of Ms. Garland singing “Over the Rainbow”. And then I read the lyrics—words almost foreshadowing a young girl’s cry for happiness.
Someday I’ll wish upon an star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meWhen all the clouds are a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble to the ground
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be foundLeading from your window pane
To a place beyond the sun
Just a step behind the rainSomewhere over the rainbow way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come trueSomeday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Behind me where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meSomewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly…
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?Solo saxophone
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meSomewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly…
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
Well, you’re over the rainbow now, Ms. Judy Garland. I hope and pray you’ve found your rest.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, please contact AA, and GET HELP!!!!
YOU ARE WORTHY. YOU ARE HERE FOR A PURPOSE. YOU MEAN SOMETHING TO THOSE AROUND YOU. YOU ARE MEANT FOR MORE. YOU ARE LOVED.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!”“Step with care and great tact, and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells.”“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.”“I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent!”“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. His books played a huge part in my life in helping me become a better reader. Dr. Suess books have been part of the National Association for Read Across America Program for over two decades.
I read these books to my younger sister and to my two daughters who just adored and devoured his stories. His books are poetic, funny, tongue-twisting, and downright silly.
These days, his books are now being considered racist because in this one article, “researchers concluded that only 2 percent of all the characters in Dr. Seuss books are characters of color. What’s more, that the majority of the depictions of these characters were aligned with harmful racial stereotypes and tropes.”… Instead we need to become, “more culturally responsive and racially conscious.”
I get this. But really? What do children ages 2-7 know about race and color? Unless we make it a big deal about differences of skin color, it will always be the focus. I have to believe we are brighter than the color our skin. Integrity sees no color. Respect sees no color. Talent sees no color. Goodness sees no color.
The Bible even tells us we are made in God’s image and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Let’s focus on that instead!
Psalm 139:13-16 13For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Unfortunately, we are living in #cancelculture where if it doesn’t agree with one group, we outright remove it. This Virginia school district is no longer emphasizing Dr. Suess books during #ReadAcrossAmerica. Look at what’s happened with #AuntJemima syrup and #MrPotatoHead, and countless other products.
How do writers become better writers if they are not reading different books? We can’t change history, but we can definitely learn from it.
“Only you can control your future.”
One writer had a good point from this article, “The point was, here’s what this book does well,” Saxena says. “Maybe they weren’t everybody’s favorite books, but they were good examples of … the craft of writing.”
“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”
For as long as I’ve known, today is #DrSeuess birthday and today is #ReadAcrossAmerica.
References:
Is Dr. Seuss Racist? Is Dr. Seuss Canceled? Racist Undertones, Explained (distractify.com)
Six Dr. Seuss books won’t be published anymore due to racist imagery (msn.com)
Dr. Seuss Books Can Be Racist, But We Still Keep Reading Them : Code Switch : NPR
I’ve never done a review of this magnitude, but I feel that it warrants the deserved praise and experience of having read it. If there was such thing as a 10-star for a book, I’d give it and then some.
I just finished reading the NKJ Bible in chronological order of events. I started in Jan of 2019 and finished Feb of 2021. I have to tell you it was not an easy read. I enjoy inspirational/Christian fiction because that’s what I write. I’ve dabbled in historical fiction; I like some crime/government conspiracy fiction as well. What this incredible book of over 900 pages offered me, no other book ever can. There was mystery, elements of miracles/mysticism, inspiration, gore and death and tragedy which I can’t always stomach, but there was something else. The Bible offered the remarkable accounts of God’s purpose for our existence, his detailed construction of our humanity, his undeniable love for each and every one of us. HIS jealous rage for when we move away from HIM. HIS fatherly wrath for when we disobey. HIS continuous call for us to return to HIM, and all the heroic messengers/prophets/apostles who helped spread the WORD all over the world.
There were bravery and stupidity among the kings and rulers. The fighting for territory and power. There was graphic mass genocide and destruction of nations as well. But then there was hope in God’s begotten son Jesus! The parables, the stories, the miracles, and then a senseless death of man who was crucified for telling the TRUTH. Until a miracle…How one man overcame the world through HIS death and resurrection.
There are so many emotions that I experienced. But none more amazing than reading the book of Revelation where everything is coming to pass and being revealed right before our eyes. There are still so many things I can’t understand, but one thing for sure is our salvation is in Jesus Christ. We need to get right this moment.
This incredible book has been translated in over 700 languages while some portions have been translated in over 3000 languages.
With almost 4 billion copies sold, I highly recommend this book. It is life-changing and heart-changing. You will want to read it again and again.
References:
Bible translations – Wikipedia
How Many Copies of the Bible Have Been Sold? (reference.com)
Chronological Bible Reading Plan for 2021 – Daily Bible in a Year (biblestudytools.com)
My word for the 2020 year was RESTART. Like a computer reboot, restart doesn’t change things on your computer, rather it restarts again from its original state.
Each time throughout the year that I had a setback of sorts, I’d whisper to myself to RESTART right from where I was. It’s like the saying that I thought was Biblical… “Come as you are,” when referring folks to go to church. What I found was it’s not because that phrase is not directly mentioned anywhere in the Bible.
Regardless, I like to believe that for anyone wanting to go to church but are afraid, to try it anyway and show up. The church is supposed to be a haven, right? The first place where one can find refuge and feel no judgment or pressure to be anybody else except themselves, and to get the help needed to change. Change is the keyword.
I recently heard this line from Christian artist, Mathew West. A song titled: “Truth Be Told”. It goes like this… “There’s a sign on the door that says ‘come as you’, but I doubt it, cause if we lived like that was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded.” That solidified my thoughts. With most churches closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where does one go to be their true selves and get assistance to change? Hmm, that’s a heavy question for another post. Until then, watch the video.
So, being human and staying in my comfort zone, I continued to ponder the definition of RESTART.
Dictionary.com had this to say about…
to start again
That’s when the light bulb when off in my head. I realized I don’t just want to start again from where I’m at—the original state. Rather, I want to restart with the intention of a different outcome. And so, I decided my new word for 2021 is going to be RESET.
Dictionary.com had this to say about…
To set again: to reset an alarm clock; to reset a broken bone.
To set, adjust, or fix in a new or different way: to reset priorities; to reset prices.
SEE MORE
To become set again: The alarm bell resets automatically.
An act or instance of setting again.
An act or instance of setting, adjusting, or fixing something in a new or different way: A reset of relations between the two countries may be impossible. Company executives recognized the need for a reset in their business. Something that is set again.
Back to the phrase: “Come as you are”. I also recognized for myself that I don’t want to be a “come as you are” person; instead, I want to be a “come as you hope to become” individual. It’s a personal affirmation to transform oneself however you choose to do so. I’d rather reset than restart because sometimes things can’t go back to their original state. If we think of it in computer terms, here is something else I found that puts it all together:
“…Restart/reboot vs reset, reset is different from reboot/restart. Reboot/restart doesn’t change things on your computer, while reset will change things in your computer. Resetting means erasing and restoring…”
If I learned anything from 2020, is that I want to grow at every given setback or challenge that comes swerving in my life. Cheers to a healthy and prosperous 2021, and your personal RESET journey.
Until next time…
Be well. Be safe. Be happy.
Are you a writer because you drink? Or, are you a drinker because you write? Do these two sentences say the same thing, or are they different? Hmmm… Now that is the question.
I found this book at my local library and perused the contents. It is very interesting and has great drink recipes from famous authors, poets, and playwrights on what they drank while perfecting their profession. Check it out…
I consider myself a decent cook, but I can’t bake for nothing. My chocolate chip cookies come out like communion wafers, my muffins come out like ballooned portabella mushrooms, and any boxed cake I try to bake, turns out like runny glue, if of course there is such a thing as runny glue.
But, experimenting with alcohol recipes, well, now were talking. No, I’m not an alcoholic, but being Italian, I grew up drinking wine during meal time. And, I often helped my dad and uncle make homemade wine every October. It was hard work pressing the grapes into juice in our “spotless” garage. Spotless you ask? Of course! You can’t make wine in a dirty and cluttered garage. We had to wash the cement floor with soap and water prior to setting up our tools and machine to squeeze the grapes. There’s no fooling around in our house when it came to winemaking.
Our family wine-making days are over, my father is too old. I do miss the good ol’ days that’s for sure. But now, there are so many different ways of making wine. I’ve included a few links below if you’re curious.
How to Make Homemade Wine: 13 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow
Homemade Italian Wine – How to make wine at home from grapes without yeast and sugar – Bing video
Homemade Italian Wine – YouTube
As I’ve gotten older, my tastes have matured. I still love wine for dinner, but I also enjoy whiskeys and bourbons.
All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
So, what’s the difference between the two? Find out for yourself:
Bourbon vs. Whiskey: What’s the Difference? | Taste of Home
What’s the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey? | Southern Living
The difference between rye, bourbon, and scotch – Bing video
Is there a correlation between libations and writing? In my humble opinion, no. It seems that writers have been associated with drinking alcohol for centuries. In fact, Ernest Hemingway said it best…
I don’t need alcohol to write. In fact, I prefer water. There are days or nights while editing that I might have a cocktail to help ease the tension of correcting my writing. I’ve only been in a euphoric zone of writing on a few occasions, and that’s hard to do. What is “euphoric zone”? It’s my made up term for when you have those crazy, haunting ideas swelling your brain, and then you’re trying to write those thoughts down as fast as you can without losing it. It’s a glorious feeling when it has happened; I’m so immersed into what I’m writing that I can’t stop. Its’ heart beating and exhilarating—that’s Euphoric Zone.
My advice to you for when ideas hit so strong, is to park your butt in a seat and write, type, or dictate. Otherwise, the ideas will disappear.
As for making drinks, I’ve seem to have perfected the “Art of Making Limoncello”. At least that’s what my family and friends tell me. It’s an Italian liquor made from lemon zest; a drink served before or after a meal to aid in digestion. I’ve been making it for years and even documented the process. Click below for my three-part Limoncello-making series.
Part 1: A Writer’s Adventure to Making Homemade Limoncello
Part 2: The Mid-Process Peek. A Writer’s Adventure to Making Homemade Limoncello
Part 3: Reaping What You Sow. A Writer’s Adventure to Making Homemade Limoncello
Here are a few other links to making Limoncello:
What Is Limoncello and How Is It Made? | MyRecipes
What Is Limoncello & How To Drink Italian Limoncello (bespokeunit.com)
So, I may not have the gift of baking, but I can surely make you a drink.
Until next time friends, cheers! Be responsible.
By day, this natural-colored twill basket is just an empty basket against a linen closet door. In the evening, it evolves into my daughters’ laundry basket, holding the day’s dirty clothing and becoming a transport carrier to the “dirty-clothes” bin in the laundry room downstairs.
At night, the simple round basket with two handles turns into my burden and prayer basket. Situated between my girls’ bedrooms, I wander to their rooms, check on them, and then kneel. Placing my hands along the door frame in front of the linen closet and looking down into the basket, I pour my heart aches, pray for my kids and husband, project my worries, and give thanks into the basket. Envisioning that the bin is Jesus, encouraging me to release the frustrations of the day and the uncertainties of tomorrow.
I don’t have a war room I have a burden basket.
We are living in chaotic times. But this basket gives me security to know that I can release all my thoughts at Jesus’ feet each and every night; for he alone gives me peace, for he alone knows my heart, for he alone gives me comfort.
Jesus take away my burdens in the basket.
Donald J. Trump wrote “The Art of the Deal,” I’m a writer whose penned tall tales while trying to stay real and true to my writing.
We can agree that this 2020 year has been interesting. For those of us publishing books whether it’s been via traditional publishers, or like me, indie publishing, things have certainly been more challenging.
Reading is up. Statistics will tell us. See References below.
I’ve been reading a lot more too while preparing my latest release, “She Made It Matter”. An Inspirational/Christian drama about one woman’s fight to regain sobriety, find salvation, and earn forgiveness after years of guilt from being abandoned by her mother and then losing her brother to cancer, a struggle to vanquish the demons of her past and make her life right again.
And, since I’ve had the time, I’ve also been experimenting with a lot more tools and resources to get exposure for my book. Will it help? I don’t know. Time will tell.
Any published author will also tell you that promotion and marketing are the most challenging of responsibilities when it comes to publishing. I’m normally a shy person, but I’ve had to dig really deep to find my courage and push myself beyond the limits to “seize the moment”.
Here are a few takeaways and things I did on my social media platforms that may help a fellow author or two:
I’ve talked to myself and to my computer camera more than I’ve wanted to. Lol! But, I believe the best conversations are with yourself, anyway.
So, I’ve put myself out there. I’ve tripped up and stumbled on those videos, but I’ve still kept them true to its form because I’m not a “Hollywood” star, or a renowned bestselling author. “… I’m just a ‘nobody’ who uses storytelling to encourage others to find their purpose and save their souls.”
The reality is, like my characters who are flawed, and because I write realistic drama with an inspirational/Christian flare, I too, am flawed and broken. I want my readers to know that I’m a real person. And, writing is not glamourous work. For me, it’s dutiful, inspiring, life changing, and adventurous.
I often tell people that I have two addictions: reading and writing. I feel restless and empty when I can’t read fiction, write my deepest thoughts in my journal, or even write down story ideas. Writing calms me, centers me, and provides a healthy outlet for my communication with imaginary friends.
I am the communication tool to share and showcase my characters. If they influence readers to be better versions of themselves, then why not? If my writing directs someone to open up their Bible, then so be it. If my writing only touches the few, then I’ve done my job. I write for an audience of ONE, my savior, Jesus Christ. He gave me the gift of storytelling, and I am obliged to honor that.
So, if anything I’ve learned during Coronavirus and quarantine is that I can take chance. I can RESTART just where I am. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
So, fellow writes/authors/readers don’t be afraid to be REAL. The world is full of fakes and falsities already.
If only everyone WOULD BE real.
Music inspiration for this post: Mandisa, “What if we were real”.
Until next time…
Be well. Be safe. Be happy.
References:
If you are interested in buying the book, click here. Available wherever books are sold.
https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Art-Deal-Donald-J-ebook/dp/B000SEGE6M
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/july/state-of-bible-reading-coronavirus-barna-abs.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52048582
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/movie-maker-10-free/9mvfq4lmz6c9?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
She Made It Matter book trailer
When a strawberry speaks, be sure to listen.
Most of my life I’ve been told to choose my friends wisely, don’t get in with the wrong crowd, keep my friends close but my enemies closer, etc.
As a parent with two elementary-aged daughters, I find myself saying those exact things to my children. The vulnerability and desire to “fit-in” and “stand out” with peers weigh heavy on both of my pre-teens’ minds. They just want to have friends and be known.
Too many times though, that nativity can get someone in trouble if the obsession “to be someone known” overpowers their rationality. And then what do we have? Peer-pressure to perform or do something that can have negative consequences.
As of late, no matter how many times I’ve tried to explain to my girls on choosing their friends carefully, they still don’t understand. Until… a trip to the grocery store changed all that, and one type of fruit to tell it like it is.
Most fruits are packaged today, berries, raspberries, grapes, etc. One of our favorites is strawberries. My daughters love them dipped in Nutella, cut up small pieces and sprinkled over pancakes or waffles, and even on ice cream with whip cream.
It took inspecting packages of strawberries as a teaching moment opportunity for my kids. There they were, neatly stacked packages and packages of strawberries. First, I perused the rows and then eye-balled them from the back row, working my way to the front row, picking up the boxes peering closely and turning them over. My girls looked over my shoulder in impatience and curiosity (they don’t like grocery shopping because I take too long), wondering why I was scrutinizing each package. Finding the right words, it hit me.
Picking up one particular package, I said, “Let’s say this package of strawberries are representative of your friends.”
My older child rolled her eyes. “Really, Mom, another story?” Yep! It’s gonna be a good one, baby. I can feel it.
“Yes, now listen. Everything is going great with your friends, and everyone is getting along until something changes that dynamic of your group. Maybe someone gets jealous of your friend, maybe one friend doesn’t like your other friend, and then the fighting starts, who knows right, and there are so many variables that can break up friendships. Or maybe someone from another group suddenly joins your group and that leads to the spoilage of your current relationships.”
My younger daughter’s jaw dropped. No comments, good. I’ll continue.
“One rotten and moldy strawberry in a package can ruin the rest of the strawberries, and so can one person ruin relationships. Always be careful in the company of whom you associate with. You understand?”
My eldest nodded, but then asked, “I have friends of different cultures is that bad?”
I knew what she meant. We live in a diverse community and choosing wisely didn’t mean only picking a certain set of friends or sticking with one racial group. It was more than that.
I held up a package. “No. Not at all. Look closely, honey. Each strawberry in this package is different. Different shapes, different sizes, and different colors. Some are darker and some are lighter. That is all fine. You want a good mix, but not have any moldy ones because then they’ll all get mushy really fast. The same applies to friends. Having different friends helps you to grow as a person, but when they want you to do things you aren’t comfortable doing or pressure you to go against your beliefs, morals, and values, then that can make things go rotten and terrible. You get me now?”
One smiled. One smirked.
“Now, let’s pick a good package of strawberries.”
And that’s how I explained to my children how to pick decent friends.
THE END
Last week I was in “limbo”. This week I’m in the “hole”. It’s amazing how things have been changing so rapidly amidst this plague called Coronavirus or Covid-19. What started in Wuhan, China, back in January has gone around the world affecting and impacting thousands and thousands of people.
So many terms and expressions have been associated with this incredible, infectious, and sometimes fatal virus. I’ve recently read that this virus is said to spread at such an alarming rate, it is an “exponential expansion” virus. If one person is carrying the virus, he/she can infect three people, and then those three people infect nine people and it keeps growing and growing. Just read up on “patient 31” from South Korea, and how she spread the virus to so many people.
One doesn’t need to hear/read/see anymore depressing information every day. Just a few days ago, my kids were in school, now they are home for the next two weeks. All European travel has been banned and no one can come into the US. Today, Canada closed its borders. Restaurants and bars have closed up too. Only pick up or delivery. Casinos closed. Museums, libraries, Disney parks and all sports events are suspended. People even fighting over toilet paper and hand sanitizers.
What’s happened?
Media, CDC, and WHO all have been telling us to quarantine, self-isolate, social distancing, be home-based. This is no joke. Life has truly turned on a dime. In some states like California, especially, San Francisco, six counties have been in shelter-in-place order.
What can one do?
Pray?
I’ve read enough books and watched enough movies to think that this is something created to stop what??? I don’t know.
Now, we have to be alone so that we “flatten the curve”. But, we are social creatures and what will happen when we become too isolated. It’s like a long, long winter when the cold doesn’t break. We’ve been blanketed with this monstrous virus. Can we get out of it? Can we rebound?
I have to believe that we can. I have to trust my creator, Jesus, that we can overcome. We are a wicked and sinful species. We need to repent!
My hope is Psalm 91 and 2 Timothy 1:7. Every day, I am reading and rereading these Bible scriptures.
I have nothing left but my faith. I have to be strong for my daughters and my husband.
Be not in a reactive mode, but a responsive mode.
Until next time…
Be well. Be Safe. Be happy.
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