THT: Week 7

Treasure Hunt Tuesday, week seven.  You might wonder why I’m keeping track of the weeks; its a way to pleasantly surprise myself with my own follow-through.  Sure, we all know that this blog is just for fun, but sometimes its nice to be reminded of what you have achieved.  I’m not sure if its all enjoyment, though- where did the weeks go? I’d continue on that tangent, but its early and I’m not certain I’ve had enough coffee for the really deep thoughts.  So, on to the Treasure Hunt!

Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank

“Yeah, he’s about five-ten and has huge blue eyes, thick blond hair and more teeth than Antonio Banderas.  Not skinny, just fit, you know?”

I began to choke on my Pepsi.  She had just described her father without realizing it.  Christ on the couch of life, Freud breathes and Oedipus did the CPR.  She was going to get her little heart broken-I knew it.  I struggled to maintain my composure,   steadfast at the wheel, as we sailed into the treacherous, uncharted waters of romance.

Every time I read this particular scene- from Dorothea Benton Frank’s Sullivan’s Island- I laugh out loud.  Perhaps its because I’m the mother of a teenage daughter as well as someone who can appreciate the ingenuity of including a reference to Christ, Freud and Oedipus in a single, blasphemous quip.

I’ve read several of Frank’s books, all of which I’ve enjoyed.  She has an ability to express a picture of the south that rings true even where I live, which is surprisingly similar to the Low Country she writes about in her books.  Her characters could have been my neighbors growing up, which makes it that much easier to slip into the world she creates.

Another simple quote from the same book that I love comes during a scene full of grief over the loss of a loved one.

She put her cup on the night table, extended her arms to me and sighed a sigh that sucked in the whole room and then blew it all away.  Shakily, I leaned over her bed and kissed her on the cheek.  She smelled like sweat and old perfume.

I can’t think of a better reason to choose these words as this week’s Gem- words that can immerse you in a scene- or in a feeling, like the second quote- should always be considered a treasure.

Week In Review

I missed you, did you miss me?  This week flew by!  I know, I didn’t post yesterday, but I had good reason, I swear.  Yesterday was Migraine Day.  It comes about twice a month on average and involves lots of medication, dark rooms, cold air and sleep.  Its generally a miserable day all around, but there is one oddity that occurs on Migraine Day: I get cravings.  Usually its for vast quantities of food, which is unusual, since I’m generally ambivalent on the concept of eating to begin with.  Most Migraine Days, I want red meat- which I never eat unless (a) my iron is dangerously low or (b) its Migraine Day.   Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, I know I’m not alone in this-  check out Stacey Snacks: Migraine Munchies for an example.

Circus Peants- Puffy bites of made from sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, soy protein, food coloring and artificial flavor. Yum!

Every once in awhile, though, something ridiculous happens: I crave sweets.  No, no- not that stuff I normally eat- I’m talking the big guns! Things like Candy corn, Circus Peanuts and Smartees, anything that is nearly pure sugar.  I have no idea why this happens, as my typical junk food choices are salty over sweet.  When choosing sweet on a daily basis I opt for the Hershey bar (with almonds, thanks!) or a Kit Katt- something with chocolate, but not all chocolate.

Believe it or not, there is a point to me sharing all of this with you.  During yesterday’s horrible Migraine Day, the medication has kicked in and I’m happily ensconced in my dark, quiet room when BAM! the sugar craving hits.  Only problem? There are no sweets in the house.  None.  Not so much as a Popsicle (which is quite shocking, since this is Florida in August)!  In my drug-induced stupor I try to reason with myself.  I don’t need the sweets, I just want them.  Have you ever tried that line of thinking? How’d it work for you?

It failed miserably for me.

So, last night at about 10 p.m., my husband was on his way to the store.  At this point you’re probably asking yourself what wondrous confectionery he purchased for me, but if you are, you’re in for a surprise: he bought eggs.  See, in my desperation for something sweet, I remembered that, a few weeks back (right after a Migraine Day, actually…lol) I bought a box of Funnel Cake mix and my husband promised to make them for me.

Yes, I was enjoying funnel cake at 10:30 last night. It was WONDERFUL- almost as wonderful as my husband, who always seems to have the best sense of humor and patience when indulging my odd behavior.

Now that Migraine Day is behind me, here’s a great blog to check out for yesterday’s Talkabout Thursday:

Nicole Balch’s Making it Lovely

Its one of the most visually appealing blogs I’ve ever encountered and I love how creative Nicole is in her style choices.  Plus, I think there’s a little voyeur in us all (have you peeked in someone’s medicine cabinet before?) and this peek into their lives serves that darker side of us, the one we hardly every….well…indulge…lol.

A final note: For those of you who are wondering why I’ve typed Migraine Day in bold and italicized it, you must not suffer from migraines.

THT: Week 6

I can’t believe it’s time for another Treasure Hunt Tuesday post already- time sure is flying by these days!

Today’s quote comes to us from Benedict de Spinoza. From Wikipedia:

Benedict de Spinoza

Benedict de Spinoza (November 24, 1632 – February 21, 1677) was a Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Jewish origin. Revealing considerable scientific aptitude, the breadth and importance of Spinoza’s work was not fully realized until years after his death. Today, he is considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy, laying the groundwork for the 18th century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism.

Spinoza has had influence beyond the confines of philosophy. The nineteenth century novelist, George Eliot, produced her own translation of the Ethics, the first known English translation thereof. The twentieth century novelist, W. Somerset Maugham, alluded to one of Spinoza’s central concepts with the title of his novel, Of Human Bondage. Albert Einstein named Spinoza as the philosopher who exerted the most influence on his world view (Weltanschauung). Spinoza equated God (infinite substance) with Nature, consistent with Einstein’s belief in an impersonal deity. In 1929, Einstein was asked in a telegram by Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein whether he believed in God. Einstein responded by telegram: “I believe in Spinoza’s God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.”[14] Spinoza’s pantheism has also influenced environmental theory. Arne Næss, the father of the deep ecology movement, acknowledged Spinoza as an important inspiration.

It stands to reason that Spinoza wrote a lot of rather influential things, but one simple quote stood out to me above the others.

Prop. IX. The more reality or being a thing has, the greater the number of attributes.

For many people, this quote is something that applies to a scientific or philosophical understanding of the world around them. I found it rang true from a different perspective: that of an author.

Consider that the ‘thing’ in question is a character, and the ‘reality or being’ is just that. In order to make a character realistic, to make it live and breathe and almost seem to walk among us, it needs to have more attributes. Sure, you can start by describing height, hair and eye color, but it isn’t until you venture into the land of personality quirks, political leanings, emotional baggage and bad habits that most characters really come to life.

You might be tempted to think that the increase in attributes only helps the reader connect with a character, but I’ve found it to be exactly the ’stuff’ needed for characters that practically write themselves. When you create a character with such a strong reality, their path through a set of obstacles becomes obvious, their reactions to their surroundings natural and their interactions with others almost predictable. As a writer, what more can you ask for?

I found this quote in the book The Rationalists | Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz. I’ll be the first to admit that The Rationalists isn’t a light read, so if you’ve never tackled something like it before yet want to read it, you’ll probably need to absorb it small doses. It is really well worth it, though- there are so many gems in it, so many inspirational, controversial, amazing or simply profound items contained within the pages that it lives on my ‘Keep Forever’ bookshelf in a place of honor.

Better Late Than Never & Black Holes In The Dryer

I know, I know, I know. I’m late.  I never posted the Thursday Talkabout.  Does it help if I make excuses? I have an laundry list of them ready for you- I got busy and the day got away from me, I was working, it was the season finale of Burn Notice (oh, Fiona, how I adore thee!), it was bedtime before I knew it…I can go on. No? Okay, then let’s just move past it.

The truth is, I was going to post about a ‘Mainstream’ blog, one over on MSNBC, and the delay actually led to an interesting new post over there.  But we’ll get to that in a minute.

This week’s Talkabout Blog is the Cosmic Log, something most of my family and friends have never heard of.  Its a lesser known part of the MSNBC website, but one of the highlights.   If you’ve never come across it before, it’s written by Alan Boyle, a winner of the AAAS Science Journalism Award, the NASW Science-in-Society Award and other honors; a contributor to “A Field Guide for Science Writers”; and a member of the board of the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing.  Rather than bore you with a list of reasons I love to read Boyle’s blog, I’m going to simply share this, an excerpt from today’s Cosmic Log:

“Last weekend, an eminent panel of theorists (including myself) gathered to reflect upon “cannibalistic socks” and other riddles at the SpoCon science-fiction and fantasy convention in Spokane, Wash. I think we may have made as much headway as the Solvay Conference did back in Einstein’s day. Here’s the rundown on our results:

Where disappearing socks go

Some people have suggested that socks go missing in the laundry because a space-time warp somehow transforms them into belly-button lint and dust bunnies that appear out of nowhere. That’s only half-right. Take a look at this diagram of the modern clothes dryer, then note the similarity to this picture of the ATLAS detector at Europe’s Large Hadron Collider. Is that mere coincidence?

I didn’t think so.”

Interestingly enough, had I posted this Talkabout yesterday (you know, like I was SUPPOSED to..lol) we would have had a totally different topic and the quote would have been more like this:

“Scientists are improving their technique for bending DNA into origami shapes. The latest twist uses custom-made chemicals to turn bunches of molecules into smoothly curving circlets and gears – a trick that eventually could set the stage for practical nanomachines.”

Since today’s topic was much more entertaining, I’ve begun to wonder.  Do you think it was a ripple in the space-time continuum that caused me not to post yesterday?  Some Dr. Who- like stroke of luck that aligned my procrastination with the forces of the universe, creating just the right atmosphere for a better blog? Perhaps, my friends, perhaps.

On a side note, I’ve been thinking a lot about those nanomachines.  At first they creeped me out (yay for scientific advances, but I’d like to avoid living out I, Robot, thanks!) Then I decided that if they can proof and edit manuscripts, I’m in!

All kidding aside, the Cosmic Log is a wonderful place to visit on your coffee break, a source of inspiration and education that, as a writer, I see as wonderful fodder for the next great Sci-Fi tale!

Blog Awards

Sandy Ackers, the creative mind behind Strangling My Muse, has sent me two Blog Awards.  In all honesty, she sent them nearly a week ago, but I’ve been swamped with work, putting the finishing touches on Saponifier’s September/October issue (which is fantastic, if I do say so myself). Knowing that it would take a bit of creativity  to answer the questions that accompanies the ‘awards,’  I thought it was in the best interest of you, my readers, to wait until I could come up with complete sentences.

Having said that, here are the awards:

You might be curious about the Honest Scrap award.  I know I was!  Here are the instructions I was given:

THT: Week 5

Kamilah, Kahlil's mother. Painting by Kahlil Gibran

Its time once again for Treasure Hunt Tuesday! One of these day’s I’ll come up with a logo to add to these posts, but for now, you’ll have to settle for whatever images strike me as appropriate.

Today I found an old gem, stuck at the bottom of the chest and dug it out just for you: Kahlil Gibran on Joy and Sorrow. Many of you will probably recognize it; if not, I’ll be pleased to introduce you to it.

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.” But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

I don’t think anyone will need me to explain why I consider these words a treasure.  Do you have a favorite Gibran quote? If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be this one (on Self-Knowledge):

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.
But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart’s knowledge.
You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.
You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

Mondays aren’t my favorite

I’ve never been a fan of Mondays.  Don’t get me wrong,  it isn’t as if I really hate them.  I just find it hard to transition back into work mode after spending so much time with the family and out in the world.  This morning, I’m making pancakes and sausage for the kids, listening to The Mamas and The Papas and planning all the work I have to get done.

The Mamas & The Papas – Dream A Little Dream Of Me

I have a lot of work to get done; several articles that need proofing and some photos to shoot to accompany them.  I also just lost one of my long-standing freelancers, so I’ll be posting a few job openings here in the next couple of days.

In other news, there’s a new challenge ready for you on SheWrites in the Flash Fiction group.  This week, we’re writing Postcard Fiction with the theme Foreign Places.  I can’t wait to read everyone’s pieces.

So what are you up to this morning? Do you have any tips for transitioning back into the work week?

Soul Food

Spending time on the water is like soul food to me.  Sure, as a writer I tend to spend way too much time indoors, so anything that takes me out into the sun is a bonus, but this is something deeper.  Perhaps its the Pisces in me, yearning to be where the air tastes like salt and the wind and waves turn into a symphony.  No matter the reason, being on the water renews me, as if the water washes away the dark places and the clutter from my brain, simplifying the world into a sea of tranquility.

When you combine this lure with my love of photography, it is pretty easy to see what many of my photos consist of.  This morning was no exception.  While my husband and son passed their time fishing, I captured some of the inspiration around me, hoping to immortalize it and to share it with you.

These photos were all taken today, out on the Indian River Lagoon.  If you’re not familiar with it, you should check it out- it really is paradise.  You can, of course, check my Flickr page to get a better view- and to see the thousands of other images I’ve uploaded.

Friday 5: Taboo

In order for you, my readers, to understand this week’s challenge, I need share a bit of information from the Friday5.org blog:

“This week’s 5 is inspired by the party game called Taboo, in which players must make their teammates utter key words by giving them clues. The twist is that each key word is assigned five Taboo words, and players are forbidden from using the Taboo words in their clues. For example, one key word might be milk, and its Taboo words might be dairy, cow, drink, white, and carton. Your clue might be something like, “It’s a beverage from Bessie,” or “You add it to coffee,” or “The land of BLANK and honey,” or “It comes out of breasts.”

Your task is simply to answer these five questions without using any of the Taboo words or phrases. Challenge yourself not just to avoid using the words, but to think of fresh, new answers to these sort of cliched meme questions!”

Now that you know the rules of the challenge, on to my answers!

1.  Who’s making a positive difference in your life?
Taboo words: friends, family, husband/wife/spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend.

I think right now I’m making the most positive difference in my life.  I’ve pulled up my big girl panties and dedicated myself to truly working on being a writer.  As a result, those around me have become more supportive, offering feedback and encouragement at levels that just continue to propel me forward.  If I had ever had an inkling it could be this wonderful to be a writer, I’d have made the commitment long ago!

2.  Where would you like to be right now?
Taboo words: home, bed, anywhere but here.

I’m torn on my answer to this question. Part of me would love to be somewhere that is described with words like ‘windswept’ and that has rocky sea cliffs, heather and endless views.  Another part of me yearns to be in Indiana, where my best friend lives, so that we could spend some serious quality time together- its been years since we’ve seen each other and the internet, while great for keeping up with each other, just isn’t the same.

3.  What’s the first thing you’d do with a $5,000 (or your local equivalent) gift?
Taboo words: save, debt, vacation, payments, invest.

No questions here- I would buy a new computer (mine has SO many issues!) and a new camera.  I’ve wanted both for quite some time, but never seem to find the money in the budget to allow me a guilt-free purchase.

4.  What super-power would you really like to have?
Taboo words: invisibility, x-ray vision, flying, strength, transform.

My first instinct was to say empathy, but the more I thought about it, I realized how painful it could turn out to be.  So instead, I’ve decided on super-speed. That way, when I find I’ve procrastinated to the point of danger, I can catch up without worry! On the down side, I’d eventually become accustomed to the super speed, thus procrastinating even more.

5.  What’s your favorite sound?
Taboo words: laughter, music, ocean, wind, ____’s voice.

Well, this is a pickle. I can’t use any of my favorites, which are all included in the Taboo words, so I’m at a loss. Wait! I know! The sound of fingers typing quickly on a keyboard- the sound of writing, of progress. Yep, love it!

Have you ever noticed

Have you ever noticed that no matter how much time you spend proofing and/or editing a piece, the second it lands in print you end up finding something you’ve missed- a comma, or maybe you were supposed to type ‘then’ but only have ‘the’.

I’m not sure where these little imperfections originate, but I do know that I’ve seen them in many professionally edited and published volumes, in Classic books, in modern romances, even in other magazines. So I think its fairly safe to say that everyone suffers from this problem.

The question then becomes simple: How do you deal with them? I used to fight them, sending my work around to a list of various people, each skilled at detecting a different type of error. But these days, I’m less uptight about it, freer with my words. You’d be surprised how much personal happiness you can find when you let go of those little imperfections, embrace them even.

They’re going to happen. You can’t stop them. Tha is the beauty of it all.

Yes, I know, my ‘that’ is a ‘tha’ but somehow, today, it just doesn’t bother me.