On the Road with Aunt Eunice

Aunt Eunice at her best

Hi y'all! As you know, I've been out of town for several months (I'll talk about that later). Upon my return I was shocked to find that my niece, Shaa-ren, is fast becoming a famous author-in-the-making from her debut novel, Lady and the Sea. Just before I left town I ran into her at the Piggly Wiggly buying a gallon of sweet tea and fried green tomatoes from the deli. Well, things have changed. Yesterday I saw her at 14 Carrot Natural Food Market filling her basket with Zacharia bread and stuff I can't even pronounce. But that's not all! She had her very own nutritionist with her, reading labels and explaining the value of each ingredient. I can tell you right now that I have better things to do with my time! Speaking of me ...

I know you've missed me but I am proud to share with you that I have been on my own personal journey. My friends told me that once I retired I needed to purchase one of those big motor homes and go see the USA. Well, that's exactly what I did and I've returned home a changed woman. Without going into details, I'm downright flabbergasted at the shape of this country. For example, every time I pulled into one of those KOA camp sites, I would invite my RV neighbors over to sit by my campfire to roast marshmallows, sip sweet tea and tell a few ghost stories. I guess there's a ritual called BYOB, so within an hour, everyone was dancin' around the campfire singing Sweet Home Alabama. But that's not the half of it. Without fail, as the songs became a bit more risque, an old geezard would cozy up to me and whisper, "Hey, gorgeous, ya wanna ... " I can't repeat the course of the conversations, but I realized after eight states of the same behavior that it is very dangerous for a beautiful woman like myself to travel alone. Let this be a lesson to all my lovely friends out there in Blogland.

I'll share more of my adventures on the road as time goes by, but right now I need to go outside and wash the Arizona dust off my candy-apple-red RV motor home. Until next time, keep splatting Vaseline on that pretty face of yours if you want your man to whisper sweet nothin's in your ear.

fRiendship and Roses

Roses from my garden remind me of the beauty of friendships

I should be writing, or doing something productive, but instead, I'm sitting on my back porch sipping coffee and thinking about how blessed I am to have such lovely friends in my life.  I don't have to see them or even talk to them on a regular basis; just thinking about them makes me feel warm and cozy.  And I'm thinking one of those friends might be you.  I want you to know that I appreciate your friendship, no matter how near or far you are.  I ignored Mr. Guilt when he whispered in my ear, "you should write each friend individually, not on a impersonal blog."  That is probably true.  However, through the years I am learning to ignore that dark feeling of Mr. Guilt, and listen to my heart.

Yesterday I worked in hubby's office--it is now up and running (yes!); afterwards I experienced a quick workout (whew!), and then went for a 'girls night out' with visiting So-Cal family to celebrate my granddaughter's twenty-first birthday (smiling!).  What fun we had acting like silly girls.  Laughter is the best medicine for a weary body and soul.

My website is still down but I shall live and not die.  Technology shall pass, but the love of God and the love of family and friends shall remain.  Wait ... I seem to be drifting again, like I often do.  I must get back on track...

To my friends out their in Blog Land, I wish you smooth sailing as you enjoy your week-end.  Work a little, play a little, love a lot.

Oceans of blessings from your almost-famous author,
Sharon

Oh yes, I must mention that Lady and the Sea (a great summer-read) is heading for the New York Times Bestseller list ... should arrive sometime in this decade.  Roses Friendship Summer Writing

Moonlight and Technology

Moonlight on our backyard pond on the Golden Hills golf course*

Technology can be a love/hate relationship. For me, at the moment, it's the latter.  Why?  Right now my website is down.  Go ahead, try it.  Won't work.  www.sharonleaf.com.  It all has to do with Apple's recent changes.  I won't bother going into details, but I want my fam, friends, and fans to be aware that I haven't disappeared for no reason at all.  If you need me, just send me an email at  ladyleaf@me.com.  

So I had a choice of getting all bummed about the whole mess, or taking a deep breath, and be thankful that everything else in my life is going great.  I chose the latter.  Speaking of great, let me tell you about my hubby ...


For our 24th anniversary, Rob bought me the cutest little golf cart.  I named her Baby-Baby.  Each evening, as soon as the golfers  disappear, I jump in Baby-Baby and cruise around the golf course at dusk, taking a neighbor lady with me.  With the breeze blowing in our gorgeous faces and the moonlight glowing on our wind-blown tresses, we begin to give way to our inhibitions.  And that's all I'm going to say about that, except now each evening, we look forward to our eight-fifteen date.  Baby-Baby sits four comfortably, so I'm feeling a party-ride in the air.  

Oh, gotta go.  Aunt Eunice just barged in the front door for her first moonlit ride, so for now,  enjoy the summer before it slips away.  I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings, wherever you are.

*hmm, sounds like a movie ... oh yes, On Golden Pond with Henry Fonda
Moonlight Technology Thankful www.sharonleaf.com

summeRtime and wRiting

I must write ... on paper, on a typewrite, on my iMac ... I must write

Have you ever written a 'to-do' list and accomplished two out of the ten to-do's?  That's  me lately.  On the other hand, I'm feeling so content with my two accomplishments that I have decided to lower my expectations for myself.  I've never been an over-achiever (still can't spell the word), and now since I've quit comparing myself with them, I am doing what I love to do ... smelling more roses.  It's too hot to do anything else.  And besides, Aunt Eunice has offered to write my blogs for the next month while I focus on book signings, speaking engagements, writing blog interviews, hosting the Gate Beautiful Blog Talk Radio Show, and my new venture ... Camp Restoration.

I watched a Lifetime movie the other day about two adults who had achieved power and fame--with lots of money--but realized that what they wanted the most was to keep  Camp Pine Lake open, the place where they met and found first-love when they were kids.  Isn't that sweet?  But so true.  The sooner we learn that its the simple things in life that bring the most joy and happiness, the sooner we'll stop looking at all the possessions we think we need, and invite those around us to come over and share a meal, a coffee time, anything simple.  Splashed with a lot of love.

The other day a neighbor asked me, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a little get-together now and then for the ladies of Palmer Drive?"  Then it hit me.  Camp Restoration.  I'm sure you can guess where the name came from (check out my website www.sharonleaf.com).  When I lived in Fort Mill, I started a small group called Le Artist's Studio that gathered once a month. Since we began, our dark-haired beauty is now a life coach, our bubbly blond is continuing her nursing career, our mother earth is an artist/writer who started an inspiring blog and is selling her art online, and our almost-famous author is busy promoting her debut novel.  We've come a long way, baby!  And the best is yet to come!

Now I'm ready to open Camp Restoration.  Anyone is invited.  I'm a simple kind of gal, so don't expect anything fancy, but I guarantee that fun, food, and fellowship will be on the agenda.

I have to go now ... my roses are beckoning me.

For now, I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings!

Write Typewriter iMac Paper