Upcoming Events

Wanted to let everyone know who may read this... uh, if anyone does since I'm not a consistent blogger these days... I am writing though, fyi..

October 6th

You can see my blog post from last year's Sculpture on Campus that Jessica created.

I had the privilege of working with Jessica one day for her new sculpture (she again was selected for Sculpture on Campus) and although I'm her mother, it's quite impressive.

I'm looking forward to the event.

October 14th

I'll be among other local authors for a book signing/book purchasing bonanza - and although this isn't MY book, my story is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul - Merry Christmas! Uh, not the most current edition of Chicken Soup's Christmas books, but it's all I got. I thought it'd be fun to just hang around with other authors--those who have inspired and encouraged me to give it a whirl to enter into Chicken Soup. If you haven't received or purchased a copy, stop on by as there are lots of authors at this event. LOCAL authors, with their own books or current Chicken Soup or other anthology books.

So the above two events are for those in and around the St. Louis, Missouri area. Specifically, Sculpture on Campus is in Edwardsville, Illinois and Indie Author Day is in St. Charles, Missouri.

Now if you are in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, you might want to check out the ECKANKAR Worldwide Seminar held the weekend of October 20-22 How to Become the Awakened Soul. Folks from all over the world gather with like-minded spiritual individuals. You'll see me there!

Check back in November... for more events.

Here Kitty Kitty

We have two cats. Kitty and Smeagol. Smeagol is the black and white cat. I’m not sure what to call Kitty, except sweet. Smeagol, not so much. But they do love me. Follow me around where ever I go, like:

when I’m cooking,

 

 

 

doing laundry,

 

 

writing,

 

 

 

 

 

painting,

 

going to the bathroom,

 

 

after grocery shopping,

 

when outside walking,

 

 

getting ready to travel,

 

unwrapping a gift,

 

working outside

 

or whatever I’m doing, they are not far away, usually sleeping or trying...

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes Smeagol wants my attention and does so by tearing up paper. Do you want to know what that’s like for a writer/trying-to-be artist? Heaven help me if he ever figures out that books are made of paper. So far he only chewed a corner of one that had been sitting out in the open. If they are on the shelf, he’s not bothered.

 

 

Well, they are cute stinkers, aren’t they?

Winner of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to:

VAL

Just let me know your address so that I can mail your copy - and if you'd like it personally signed!

I decided to use random.org as I've read others who have used this random number generator. 

And Happy Thirteenth Birthday Logan!!!!

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Merry Christmas!

Today is the day! It's official, it's here!

Some sneaky chick elf visited my house in the night and left me with a surprising present... and I just love it!

 

Writing/Weight - Why Wait?

Okay, writing and weight, what do they have to do with each other? For me, as a writer, I sit a lot. It’s hard to stand and write. Sitting (along with a lot of other things) creates weight gain and I have done plenty of that lately. Of course, then the self-loathing and beating myself up comes into play. Why did you get so lazy, Lynn? Why didn’t you keep that weight off? Why did you eat that cookie? Why, why, why… and well, anyone out there that deals with this, knows exactly what I’m talking about.

I debated for a while to purchase a Garmin Vivofit, but since they were on sale and the cheapest I’ve seen these tools, I decided to get one… however, I may return it (although it has made me move more) just because the universe works in mysterious ways (which I just love) and a few days later a friend sent me her niece’s newsletter: Wise Girl Daily and you can find it at:  RobinBrande.com. There was something in her post that caught my attention… about weight and it led me to The Susceptibility Quiz and to this woman: Susan Pierce Thompson, Ph.D.

I don’t normally blab on about things (hey, wait until I finish because I know what you're thinking...) that I don’t know much about and in this case, Susan Pierce Thompson. But what I’ve discovered… the little I’ve discovered has already changed my life and my thinking.

If my friend (thanks, Leslie) hadn’t shared with me, then I’d still be lost… would still feel hopeless and so I had to share with anyone who might read this.

So, why wait if you want to do something about your weight? And why wait if you want to do something with your writing? I’m doing both. YAY for me.

Blogger Slacker

I just want to apologize to all my blogger friends out there... those who have been gracious enough to read this blog and comment. I have been a blogger slacker. Sometimes I'll take a quick peek at one of the many blogs that I follow, but lately I've been neck deep in stuff. Aren't we all though, too busy? But I have been doing creative stuff too... like writing a letter every day and drawing every day and journaling every day.

I have a website that I'm getting ready to take down and thought I'd incorporate some of it here in this blog... hmmm. You can see for yourself. I'm a bit wordy, I'll admit, but then, hey, I am a writer. But also as a writer, we are to be concise, to the point. My husband and son feel like I babble on before I make my point. I'm thinking it's the difference between how males and females like to tell stories. The men give no details, while the women probably give too many, but... I like details.

What about you?

At any rate, I love all you bloggers out there - and all of you other peeps out there. I'll get it together, maybe... but if you really want to hear from me... just say the word and I'll write you a word or two or three...

Happy New Year 2015!

Wait. What? I hadn’t blogged since November 2014? It’s 2015, in the second week no less.

I thought once 2015 hit, things would slow down a bit. Not so. January appears to be as busy as December. I’ve been contemplating what goals and intentions I’d like to set for 2015, but first a little recap for 2014... in the way of creativity.

I had submitted about 10 things for publication.

I had two articles published.

That’s it for writing, other than daily journaling and illustrating my children’s book, oh and the never-ending letter writing (by choice of course!).

I designed, drew, and created my own Christmas card.

I crafted handmade gifts for family and friends for Christmas.

Now, here’s what I sent out via the good ole postal service in the way of cards and letters: 809 items. If you include the family newsletters that I do quarterly, that brings the total to 1,321. Excluding the newsletters, I averaged 67 items per month. Not too bad.

I think I’ve talked about Letter Writing Month that is held in February. I decided that I’m going to write a letter/note a day. Why just do it in February? That might be a rather huge task, but at least it will keep me writing as I continue to illustrate on my book… that’s the other goal, to have the illustrated draft completed by the end of 2015 (if not sooner). Long term is to have it published by 2018 (if not sooner, again).

I’d like to challenge any of you to write a letter… say just one or two for the year. Anyone reading this, if they’d like a letter written to them, just let me know via email: lober13(at)gmail(dot)com and put LETTER in the subject line.

I have lots of other goals too, but… I’ll leave you with one of last year’s sketches…

Remember to keep the end result of your intentions in mind – the acting as if principal.

PART

I apparently skipped the 51st thesaurus word, so here it is. Don't know what this is about, look at some later posts and you'll get it... maybe.

Part of my problem is I can’t seem to make the book into a reality. Which is why I’ve been taking a break from blogging and working on my books to make them a reality.

(I felt like I had blogged about this and perhaps I did, but just in a different way.)

food for thought: “Fools! They know not how much half exceeds the whole.”—Hesiod

Here’s What’s Happening

It’s about another month since I last posted a blog… still off the grid a bit. For one thing, my computer was acting up and running so slow, I thought I’d lose my mind. I finally got the computer cleaned up, but still stayed off as I’ve been cleaning out closets and drawers while doing the September Minimalist Challenge. September 1^st you are to get rid of one thing, September 2^nd, two things, etc., and by the end of September, you will have gotten rid of 465 things. That’s some cleaning out, let me tell you. My little sister is going to have a garage sale on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11, where I’m hauling all my goods to her place to sell. Any monies made I’m donating to my favorite non-profit. I’ll post more details later.

If you’re looking for some old time fun, my little sister is participating at the Family Music & Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 4, in Washington, MO where she will be demonstrating spinning yarn on a spinning wheel and other things that have to do with fiber. Her and my youngest daughter are Fiber Freaks. Seriously, they sheered a sheep just for fun, with a scissors!

Next on the list, if you’re a writer and in the St. Louis, MO or surrounding area, you may want to attend The Write Direction Conference on Saturday, October 18 in Columbia, MO. I’ll be there with one of my writing critique friends.

The weekend following, I’ll be heading to Minnesota for a spiritual seminar.  It will be totally awesome and I can’t wait.

I’m still drawing, still illustrating my children’s book, still writing, still taking care of cats, still thinking of everyone, still… being every day… because I’m a

Happy Birthday Mark!

Mark is another grade school friend. There’s a group of us who have managed to stay in touch on a pretty regular basis. In grade school, I always thought Mark would be some kind of actor or in the movie business… and I was right. He’s made movies and writes screenplays and writes for television. And it hasn’t gone to his head… he’s still nice. Happy Birthday Mark!

DEGREE

I do not have a degree, but I don’t let that stop me from achieving whatever it is I desire… like writing or drawing.

food for thought: Do you have a degree?

Well Versed 2014

Looking for something to do on Sunday, June 1st, then come to Columbia, MO where you will see my four writing critique friends, Beth, Linda, Sioux, and Tammy and yours truly, me. See the flyer below for all the details.

PROTOTYPE

Things that are copied are prototypes. Dur.

 

food for thought: I don’t want to copy anyone, but I’m glad there are masters out there for both writing and drawing or I’d be up a creek without a paddle.

DIFFERENCE

The difference between an artist who is mediocre and who is great is in the amount one practices. Right now I’m mediocre (at best), but I have lots of practice to do. I may never be great, but I will get better. And that’s okay.

food for thought: “It is difference of opinion that makes horse races.”—Twain

CONTRARIETY

Without contrariety, there’d be no yardstick to go by.

food for thought: “Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good.”—Emerson

IDENTITY

Your identity is unique because there is no one else like you. (Ms. Kitty had to get in the picture.)

food for thought: “What’s in your wallet?”—line from commercial

CORRELATION

In case you’re counting, I’m at word 12 in the old thesaurus… check out older posts to see what I’m doing.

I need to improve my correlation, or do I? I used this word in relation to reciprocate. And no, it makes no sense at all, does it?

food for thought: “We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.”—Shaw

 Have you gotten the idea that when I’m clueless as to how to draw something related to the word, I color the word or a word that’s related? And you also can see just how bad my vocabulary and use of words are… yikes. I'm striving for progress and improvement, not perfection. Good thing.

CONSANGUINITY

Who would have known that consanguinity is like kinship, sisterhood, brotherhood, homefolks, etc. I never heard of the word before. I belong to a consanguinity of writers – the WWWPs.

food for thought: “Blood is thicker than water.”—Unknown   

“But sometimes the water is better.” —Me