I Have an Addiction

I’m on a high, writing, learning craft, writing, learning craft. Going to writing workshops, seminars, writer’s guild meetings, fellowship with other writers. I love this lifestyle. Runners get a high from running, when a writer is writing the adrenaline flowing can be addictive, a good addictive.

I challenged myself in my last blog to set a goal for my writing. I haven’t gotten as far as I would like but I am working at it. Taking a huge step in the right direction.

Today, like many of the wonderful summer days we are experiencing, I am sitting on my deck working on my craft.

This is what things typically look like:

notebook, mechanical pencil (my favorite writing instrument, I have them all over the house. Sam’s Club sells them in bulk),

cup of tea,

writing books,

 reading glasses (does anyone else need these?),

my camera

and my Netbook or my laptop spread out on the table. The umbrella on the table is up to block out the scorching sun or I couldn’t sit out here.

My companion Sammy remains close by.

Occasionally I have to stop to take a picture of the wildlife around me.
Two precious fawns grabbed my attention.

Like many writer’s I struggle with not trusting my writing. If it all depended on me I should be worried but God says write and He will provide the inspiration to make it into something worthwhile. My job is to show up daily and see what He drops into my spirit for that day. It may be to add to my story, maybe to write a blog or perhaps I need to read one of my many
books on the craft of writing.

It is all a part of this business called writing, and I LOVE IT.

“When I am writing I am doing the thing I was meant to do.” Anne Sexton

Night and Day

Last night driving to church was an adventure. Blowing snow, icy streets and lots of cars made for a very slow trip. My 20 minute drive became 45 minutes of alertness and prayer, “angels, don’t let anyone slide into me and don’t let me slide into anyone.” I’m glad I left early. I arrived in the parking lot at 7:00pm, I made it on time!!!

This morning the sky is so beautifully Colorado blue and the snow is a clean, bright white.

I sat with my cup of tea (see previous post) looking at my back yard. There were three Mule deer enjoying our hospitality. Momma was eating off the Pinion pine and one of the young ones, born last year, was munching on a Yucca plant. The other young one was still curled up from the night.

When there is snow on the ground it is easy to tell where the deer have bedded down, just look for the oval bare spot.

It was such a contrast from last night’s tense drive on icy roads.

It makes me think of the times when we have had a rough day and we know we have blown it. We know that it was a day that we were not pleasing to the Lord. Not that we did some huge, horrible sin but we know we could have done better. The argument with one of our children just before they went to bed and then the disagreement with our husband about how we handled the situation. Those are the icy road, blowing snow days.

But God is so gracious to us, His Word tells us:
Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day. Lam 3:21-23 TLB

MERCY! Thank you Lord for your daily mercy, we so badly need it.

And he doesn’t stop at mercy. He always gives more.

His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is joy. Psalms 30:5 TLB

JOY! He promises us joy in the morning!

What a wonderful God we serve. He knows our painful stumbling and provides the balm of Gilead to heal.

What is Your Drink of Choice?

My drink of choice is Hot Tea. I find it very comforting. I am one of those who likes a black tea and I like to drink it strong. I leave the tea bag in the whole time I am drinking it. Earl Grey is my favorite; even the scent of it is delicious.

What is great about tea is that if it cools off or gets downright cold it still tastes wonderful, unlike coffee when it turns lukewarm, yuck.

I am not against coffee and I do enjoy a Starbucks latte, with sugar free hazelnut or their sugar free cinnamon dolce latte. Yum.

For a cold drink it is iced tea. Did that surprise you?

I know I don’t drink enough plain water but why drink it plain when you can take a simple tea bag and make the water something special, something that can take you away from the everyday.

I always seem to have a cup sitting by my laptop or by me when I am reading. Even when I go out of the house I have my travel mug of hot tea.

What about you. Do you have a favorite drink that hangs around you? One that has become your constant companion?