Traveling Across Town for a what??

Aunt Eunice heading for McCoy's Furniture Mart

I was watching TV with Aunt Eunice the other day and after the commercial was over, she suddenly jumped up, grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.

"Aunt Eunice, where are you going?" I asked.

"That announcer said they are having a sale on their sexual sofas, so I'm heading across town to McCoy's Furniture Mart and buy me one!" she announced.

"Aunt Eunice, you must get your hearing aids adjusted.  He said they are having a sale on their sectional sofas!"

This encounter with Aunt Eunice reminded me that we must be careful of what we think we hear.  Otherwise, we can get ourselves in a whole lot of trouble.  

And that's all I'm going to say about that.
www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's Peaceful Palm Sunday on Palmer Drive

Popcorn lounging on a cold, rainy day

I've stayed close to the homestead these past two days.  

Rain, wind, and cold have kept me indoors, 

lounging and reading by the fireside, 

wrapped in a cozy shawl while writing in my office, 

or snuggled under a quilt, 

power-napping on my bed.  

Of course Popcorn is beside me at all times.  

Rob?  He's working, bless his heart.

Today is Palm Sunday and I look forward to watching 

The Passion, my annual tradition.  

I have been invited to attend a Passover Seder 

tomorrow evening 

(I must remember to iron my white blouse), 

and I look forward to attending Easter Sunday services 

with my family. 

In the midst of the world's uncertainty, 

cozying up to my Savior and best friend gives me an 

inner calm that nothing else can.  

Whatever you're going through, I hope you too, 

are experiencing the peace of the Lord.

I wish you oceans of EASTER blessings.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  

He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  

He leads me beside still waters.  

Psalm 23:1-2

www.sharonleaf.com

Aunt Eunice travels back to town

Aunt Eunice...Miss South Carolina 1946

(BLOG IS WRITTEN IN LARGE BOLD PRINT TO PREVENT BLOODSHOT EYES)


Hello darlins!  I dropped by for a quick visit with my niece, Sharon.  I'm sitting in her office while she goes in the kitchen to pour us some un-sweet tea.  She's very serious about her health, weight, and her facial situation.  It's about time. 

I can't stay long ... I'm on my way to the airport to catch a plane for Hollywood.  My dear friends Betty White and Lily Tomlin have invited me to spend the week-end at a luxurious spa, all expenses paid.  They want to glean all my beauty secrets that I'm compiling into my novel (based on my true story), Luscious to Look At.  

I have thousands of beauty secrets but my beauty tip for the day is:

"If you don't want folks to look at your make-up ... go naked!"  

Ooops ... Sharon is returning to her office so I better get off her computer.  Have a wonderful day, and don't forget to keep slathering lots of Vaseline on your face!  You'll be looking twenty-one again in no time!

By the way, I have my very own blog on Sharon's website, so drop by anytime! www.sharonleaf.com

"Wild wRide as a Writer" A few words from Lady Traveler

A Jennifer Richardson design

For Writer's only ... everyone else will be bored by the subject matter.

Writers don't have a whole lot of time to read for pleasure.  

They should.  

I'm a writer.  I write in my travel journal.  My personal journal.  

My writing journal.  My blog.  Guest blogs.  

I published my first novel last year 

(Lady and the Sea, incase you didn't know).  

I'm now rewriting my old manuscript, Lady on the Run.  

On and on.  

I spend lots of time researching about writing, 

editing, publishing, marketing.  

In books.  On the web.  On Facebook.  In between rewrites.  

Don't all writers?  You feel guilty if you don't.  

Now, I'm going to be real...  

Last week I grew bit weary of all the 

Reading, wRiting, and Research thing, so I prayed.  

Don't all writers pray?  

I told God,  I'm doing the best I can with what I have but 

I feel like I've hit a brick wall.  

I know Lady and the Sea is in Your Hands, 

so I'm looking forward to what You have up your sleeve.  

Well, something like that.

That same day I read this quote from author Mark Batterson's book, The Circle Maker:  

"I make the distinction between 

qualified and called with aspiring writers all the time.  

Too many authors worry about whether or not 

their book will get published.  

That isn't the question.  

The question is this: 

Are you called to write?  

That's the only question you need to answer.  

And if the answer is yes, then you need to 

write the book as an act of obedience.  

It doesn't matter whether anyone reads it or not."

What is your answer to Mark's question?  

Mine is yes, I am called to write.

I'm an older author.  

I call myself the almost-famous author.  

I published my first book last year.  

I'm pleased the way Lady and the Sea has been accepted and reviewed by those who have read it.  

I'm not looking for awards or making lots of money or fame.  

I wrote Lady and the Sea because 

I was compelled by God to write the true story of 

a WWII ship and the lady who loved her.  

Same with Lady on the Run-- another compell-ment from God.  Not going to push books today.  

I just wanted you to know that all writers go through stuff.

  

It's a big world of books out there.  

Don't get swallowed up in all the hoopla.  

Focus on your own personal journey.  

That way you'll have time to stop and smell the roses.  

Don't you love that old saying?

Now, after writing all my random thoughts, 

I must get back to my writing ... after I smell a few roses.

I Wish you smooth Writing and oceans of creative blessings on your Wild ride as a Writer!

p.s.  The day I prayed that prayer and read Mark's quote, I sold two books from my Facebook page!  Hey, it was my confirmation that I'm on the right path.  Prayer and obedience works.  As if  you didn't know.

Talking with my publisher way back when!

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com

www.sharonleaf.com

From Israel to the Interstate, I love to Travel

Sailing from Sochi, Russia to Haifa, Israel on the MS Restoration ('95)

As I watched the The Bible series on the History channel the other night, I was taken back to the days when Rob and I traveled through Israel.  The Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, Masada, and ahh, the Holy City, Jerusalem, surfaced from my memory bank.  David's citadel, the Upper Room, the old city, and my favorite place, the Western Wall where I placed my small, white piece of paper between the stones.

Rob and I at the Western Wall

Rob and I have traveled to many countries and found each one unique.  But no matter where we travel, or live, what makes up the places where we are?  The people.  It's the people who add flavor, zest, and wonder to that particular corner of the world.  Cultures are different, so the people are in so many ways.  In my travels, I took the time to get to know the Swedes, Norwegians, Finnish, Russians, Estonians, Latvians, Turks, Greeks, Israelis.  And of course I have to add that their delicious food and delicacies was icing on my cake! (note: I write about my travels in my novel, Lady and the Sea)

When we moved from sunny Southern California to sultry South Carolina, it was a big adjustment.  More for Rob than me.  I was born here so I was returning to my southern roots.  But Rob is a beach boy at heart.  Thankfully, we are only a few hours from the east coast shores, and we can visit our hometown of Huntington Beach periodically, but this is our home now.  We are surrounded by big-hearted folks who have taken us in like their own children.  Pretty nice since we're in our mid-sixties.

Driving down the Interstate

So remember, wherever you travel, near or far ... wherever you live, on the west coast or in the heartland, get to know the people around you.  Those are the ones that God has placed in your lives, whether for a small season or for years and years and years to come.

I wish you smooth driving and highways of blessings!

And remember ... there's NO PLACE like HOME

At the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.  

So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest  

Hebrews 4:9-10

www.sharonleaf.com
www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com