Eeeek! Excuse Me, please while I scream

In the midst of my 'edit-my-blog' frustration, I will furnish this lovely photo of Istanbul '08

This is a short blurp, apologizing for the the present confusion on my blog.  I thought I would spend some quiet time updating my blog.  After two hours, I am still making the attempt to update my blog page.  However, I'm hitting some bumps, sprinkled with a bit of frustration.  A lot of confusion.  I'm not good at the latest updates on bloodspot ... see what I mean?  I meant to type 'blogspot', not bloodspot!  eeek!  See that BIG, HUGE, LARGE photo of the lovely snowfall in our backyard (taken 2 years ago in our former house)?  Well, its supposed to be half that size, but I can't figure out how to make it smaller.  And that's only half of it.

For now, I must close down shop and get on with my Sunday, which consists of taking Popcorn to visit Mom, to the market, and then back home.  Since this is the day of rest, I shall not attempt anything else to better my blogspot, as it might cause me to endanger myself and those around me.  Luckily, Rob is at work and Popcorn is hiding under the daybed here in my office.

I wish you smooth sailing and a pleasant Sunday.  And without sounding too selfish, I wish the same for me as well.

*To be continued

Hej da! Friends from abroad and at home

Okay, hello everyone!  I confess that I have been unfaithful to my blog.  Forgive me.  Thank you.  Our house full of Swedes departed Saturday, leaving a small hole in my heart.  We've known them for over twenty years, see them once a year if we're lucky.  They either fly this way, or we fly across the pond to spend time with them in Uppsala.  No matter how long or how short a time you've known someone, a friend is a friend is a friend.  And you know who you are.  I've always wanted to be a better friend, but somehow my friends, and there are many ... not bragging, just blessed and want to proclaim it ... accept me just as I am. And for that I am thankful.

I am in the process of writing a special blog for "The Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour."  Once finished, I will sit down and write a longer and wittier blog.  Hmm, perhaps I'll call Aunt Eunice and have her write a blog for me.  Good idea, Sharon.  Yes, I sometimes talk to myself.

Latest news?  As of today, LADY and the SEA is available at The Lexington Public Library!  Somehow that excites me, mainly because I love libraries.  I checked out a book that I doubt if I'll even open for at least two weeks.  But no problem.  I can go online and re-check it out.  Oh, the joys of technology.  Reminds me, Rob got his iPhone 5G (is that what its called?)  And I, of course, inherited his 4S (?).  Whatever.

More news.  I receive lots of emails.  Well, not lots, but a lot for an 'almost-famous' author.  Today I received a Facebook email from someone who told me that she has been 'following me' and that I have inspired her to finish her manuscript that she started in 2007.  She will have it completed by Thanksgiving.  I inspired someone!  That makes me SO happy!  It's better than receiving a check in the mail!  So I shall celebrate this email by writing a few lines in the manuscript that I'm working on, LADY on the RUN.

Hey, we survived the election!  Now we shall survive the days ahead.  Not only survive, but we shall go out with joy and gladness.  It all begins inside of us, with our Jesus.  If you don't know Him personally, just tell Him that you would like to get to know Him.  And that, my friend, will make Him very happy!

Until next time, I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings,


Sharon

Listen, my son, and be wise, 

and keep your heart on the right path.  

Proverbs 23:19 NIV

Just call me Autumn Leaf!

Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes.

"The autumn leafs rush by my window, 

the autumn leafs of red and gold ... "

As the leafs* are slowly changing colors (*my favorite way of spelling leaves), so is my mood.  I get an extra oomph in my step as I gather sweater and leash to take Popcorn for a brisk walk.  Evenings are my favorite times to go for a stroll,  spying the fireplaces ablaze in my neighbor's homes, glancing at the harvest moon shining down to brighten the path down our culdesac, then heading home to spend cozy evenings tucked under my throw blanket as I watch (for the 10th time) You Got Mail.  Ahh, autumn.

This is the first autumn in our Lexington, South Carolina home.  The geese and the turtles in the pond, the bunnies, squirrels, and deer romping on the golf course and in our backyard entertain us anew each day.  This past week I threw a wild party for Rob's 65th birthday and the neighbors couldn't complain because they were all here.  And having Tom and Jacquie living ten minutes away enables them to join in each celebration, which is as good as all the southern comfort food that surrounds us.

Zion National Park, Utah 2012

I recently spent a week in Utah with my brother and his wife while visiting my 90-year-old father, and once again I realize the importance of family.  As care giver to Daddy and to Rob's mother, we both are faced with the reality of how fast time flies and how important it is to live life to the fullest for as long as we can.  Our health is fragile and we need to do our best to take care of the bodies that God has given us (no complaining about the odd shapes and sizes, please!)  I have written blogs about heart and cancer issues, and I will take some time in the near future to write about the baby-boomer generation of care givers.  Yes, Rob and I have arrived (and you will soon enough), and honestly, as challenging as it is at times, I wouldn't trade the time I spend with our parents for anything.  We should give thanks to God for the time we have left with our loved ones.  But I'll write more about that later, so until then, I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings!

I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you.

I always remember you in my prayers.  

Ephesians 1:16 NCV

Lady Leaf's Blog ~ Sharon (Cook) Leaf: Interview with writer Kim Blum Hyclak

Lady Leaf's Blog ~ Sharon (Cook) Leaf: Interview with writer Kim Blum Hyclakwww.awriterswindow.wordpress.com

Rose, Reality, and Roads less traveled

Rose is the main character in Lady and the Sea

Life is what we are alive to.  It is not length but breadth ... be alive to ... goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, the written word, God, and eternal hope.

I learned a lot about myself while writing about Lady and the Sea's main character, Rose (Rosie) Atkisson.  Go ahead, write a short story, choose a main character, and write away.  You'll soon discover many emotions, fears, dreams, and hopes that you have hidden deep inside of you.  I imagine the more you write, the harder it will be to put down your pen, or push yourself away from your laptop.  You'll be anxious to return the next day to find out where your character is going to take you.  Next door?  Down the street?  To the local cafe?  To another country?

With so much going on around us, here at home and around the world, life is not as dependable as it was in days of old.  I find myself longing for having just a day in the little two-bedroom house on Ibbetson Street with my mother, father, and brother ... had to share bedrooms, wait in line for the bathroom, stand over a floor heater in the mornings before heading out to school.  Okay, enough.  I admit that I have been a bit nostalgic lately.

I must keep this short, as I am finishing an essay that will be published on my author friend's Expat Chat blog.  Title?  "I Sailed the Seven Seas on a WWII ship and Lived to Tell About It"  Very true.  Read my novel, Lady and the Sea (based on my true story).

No matter where you are, what you are doing, take a moment to be thankful for the little things.  Call a family member who you haven't talked to in awhile (email and Facebook doesn't count!).  Hug a tree.  Kidding.  Hug a neighbor.

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the week ahead.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-27NIV