New Discoveries...really?

Most new discoveries are suddenly-seen things that were always there.

I miss you, Tuscany!

I took a summer sabbatical break from blogging
and devoted more time to relaxing, reading, and boating.
And adding thousands of words to Lady on the Run

A little update:

As of April 2019 I needed to write 12,000 more words to transform 

Lady on the Run from a novella to a novel.

Here I thought I just wanted a novella.

God had a bigger plan.
As of August 2019 I added those 12,000 inspired words
and now have a little over 51,000 words!

Now I'm speaking words of faith, believing that
my novel will be published within a year.

As writers know, the publishing process can be stressful.

This is where I wrote my last inspired 13,000 words of Lady on the Run.

Through my writing journey I have learned a lot about myself.
I'm still in the process of learning to apply patience to my daily life.

This journey has been lots of fun,  

meeting writers, young and old.

Seasoned. Newbies. And all the in-betweens.
I'm in there somewhere.

I love taking our South Carolina road trips. Ya never know who you'll find along your journey!

I have a confession.
As a writer, there are moments when my insecurities outshine all the
confidence that I've tried to muster up over the years.
I'm a member of an awesome writers group that has many
successful authors, bloggers, speakers, etc.
Out of the blue, a feeling of jealousy comes over me when they speak of their success.
Then I shake myself! "Wait! What's wrong with me? I'm happy for them!"
Then, as I speak blessings over them, my negative, selfish feelings disappear! Yay!

I have another confession ... just being honest.
As a woman, I still go through the insecurities of being
the good wife and mother.
When certain circumstances arise, as they did recently,
I find myself asking, "what am I doing wrong now?"
I literally have to fight off the glooming darkness of depression.
Many call that 'feeling sorry for yourself.'
Yep, that's me.
I was tempted to write a post when I was in the middle of my selfishness,
but decided that no one would read it.
And besides, I choose not to dwell on the negative.
God has a much better way.
I run to His Word.

Giving more time to our church...feeding the poor,
encouragement to those who have lost a loved one,
and fun fellowship.

Since we sold our motor home, we have more time to spend with our
friends at Flourish Church.
I recently joined a women's Bible study where we are learning through scriptures
'who we are IN Christ.'
This is where our confidence lies.
Through the years I've been an insecure gal who literally has had to
jump in the ocean and leave my insecurities on the shore.
And that, my friend, is what I choose to do every day.
Fighting the good fight for Jesus!

I leave you with these positive words:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His
lovingkindness is everlasting.
Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, 
or can show forth all His praise?
Psalm 106:1-2

Lady Traveler wishes you oceans of Autumn blessings!

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Lady Traveler ~ No place like home for Christmas

Lady Traveler is home for the holydays!  

I'm re-posting this blog from last year (2016) because the message is the same.  

Enjoy, and I'll chat with you next year.  2018!

Christmas in our first South Carolina home in Fort Mill, 2006
The mural painting was in the house when we bought it.
The canal reminded us of when we lived in Uppsala, Sweden in 1991-92
so I kept it and created a little cafe where the Le aRtist's Studio
met each month to share our dreams. 

There's no place like home for the holidays,

No matter how far away you roam...

Fa-la-la-la-la, la la la la!


On the other hand...
For a few moments while we were on the road

traveling cross country in Moon River, our 40-foot motor home,

the thought came to me,

I could do this...full-time.

Everyone is so busy at home...

No one would miss me.

Everywhere Moon River took us,

the wide open roads seemed to be 

beckoning me,

from Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri

across I-70 through Kansas and Colorado.

Even on the I-15 from Utah to California,

the desert, the hills, the blue Pacific

I heard them calling...

Come, stay with us.

Like my Daddy, I have a spirit of wanderlust.

I'm a happy wanderer.

A gilded gypsy.

A vagabond.
A sojourner.

I've traveled the USA by bus, bike, train, plane, car and RV

HOWEVER, like my sweet southern Mama,

I'm a homebody.

I love to nest.

I adore my little treasures

from around the world.

Russia, Siberia. Latvia. Estonia.
Turkey. Greece.

Sweden. Norway. Finland.

England. France. Spain. Italy. Germany.

Israel.

There are more countries but I can't seem to remember.

That's what treasures are for, 

to remind us of those places where we first saw them, brought them home, and 

found a special place for each one.

beLeaf in your dreams and they will come true.
Believe.

Some day I might have to part with these treasures, but not today.
And the highways and byways will have to wait.
Because for now, I'm singing ...


There's no place like home for the holydays,
where
family and friends gather
to celebrate
the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.


No matter what you believe,
I wish you oceans of holyday blessings!


And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son,
and thou shall call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.
Matthew 1:21


and He still does.

Lady on the Sea is available:

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sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler says Ciao! from Italy ... Part 2

Italy in the Fall


When you're traveling, you are what you are right then and there.

People don't have your past to hold against you.

No yesterdays on the road.  Enjoy that luxury.

Part 2
Our European Trip September 2017

On a hill overlooking Florence, Italy

After arriving in Rome--smooth flights, by the way--
we hopped a train and two hours later we arrived in Florence.


Although we were now on Italian time--6 hours ahead of South Carolina time--
I was all eyes from the moment I stepped off the plane until we
arrived in Florence.



I cannot describe my love for this city.

Pictures cannot capture the beauty of the architecture.
The people.  The food.

The land.

Eleven days in wonderful Tuscany. 

Rob and I made each moment count.

Whether we were strolling cobblestone streets,

savoring the food in outdoor cafes (the best spaghetti I've ever tasted),

or touring the hills of Tuscany in our 1972 Fiats,

we soaked in the glory of each day.

Due to circumstances beyond my control,
I couldn't log into my blog so I was six weeks without blogging.
But I did write in my journal.  Whew!

Sometimes less is more, so this blog is focused more on the visual and less on words.

The street where we lived for eleven days.
Our flat was just above the Gucci Store.
"Temptation, get away!"

Three flights of stairs brought us to our one bedroom flat,
complete with kitchen and washer/dryer,
and a lovely balcony for basking in the late afternoon sun.

A day in the hills of Tuscany in our 1972 Fiats
with son Jason and Xyla.

Our Fiats took us to a hill where we dined el fresco!

Did I mention the out-of-this-world Italian cuisine?
(Did I mention that I gained 10 pounds?)

Who's leaning, me or the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Another day in the Tuscany hills.
Dining at a local farm/winery.
Another day of delightful dry red wine!

Dining at a Tuscany farm/winery.
Jason, do not touch my pasta!
Xyla, do not touch my wine!

Too much food to post on one blog.
This is one of Xyla's favorites.
It should have been mine, but I just could not resist the spagetti!

The famous bridge across the Florence canal.
Diamonds galore in blocks of jewelry shops.
Xyla, Rob, and me sharing a cozy moment.

We had the luxury of taking our time to enjoy each day.

Coffee and light breakfast in our flat.

Morning touring at our own pace.

Stopping for a relaxing outdoor lunch.

Home for a shower and afternoon siesta (the perfect way to deal with jet lag).

Then venturing out in the evening for a late dinner 'cause

that's what they do in Europe ... dine late, and stay late!

Now, my suggestion:
Go make your own memories.

Discover new territory.

Learn from your own experiences.

Whether in a foreign country, or in your own neighborhood,

gather pictures to look back on when you're

relaxing in your rocking chair on the front porch,
or, like me, chilling on my backyard screened portch.

See you next blog in ...

SPAIN!

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the skies announce what His hands have made.

Psalm 19:1



Thank you, Jason and Xyla

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