Farewell to Summer. Welcome Autumn!

God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor,

light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above,

unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Author Dorthea Benton Frank's service at The Cathedral in Charleston, SC

I ended my summer in Charleston
at the funeral service of low country NYT best-selling author
Dorthea Benton Frank.
Her death was a shock to all.
Gone at the young age of 67.

I was introduced to Dottie in 2004.
When Rob and I flew from California to the south to visit
family, we spent a few days in Georgetown, SC at a quaint B&B.
After dining at a seafood restaurant, we walked along the river walk
and of course I ended up in a small bookstore.
I was looking for a summer read so the first book I picked up was
Sullivan's Island by Dorthea Benton Frank.
Never heard of her, but I liked the cover. So I bought it.
(Side note: I returned home to California and told my daughter,
"You must read Sullivan's Island."
Jacquie answered, "Mom, I bought that book at Barnes and Noble last month."
Small world, huh?)

Since Dottie's first book, I've read many of her twenty novels, and had the pleasure of
meeting her at several book signings at Books-A-Million when I worked there.

DBF lived a brilliant life but her sudden death once again reminded me
of how short life can be.  We don't know when we'll be taken out of
this world and placed into the next.
Saying that, I'm here to remind us that life is precious.
Love those around you.  Give a hug where a hug is due. Or even when it isn't due.
Speak a kind word to someone.

Simple autumn decorations sprinkled around our cozy condo

I love my Fall mantle. Pumpkins and shells.

Boating as much as possible before the chilling weather blows our way.

I wish you oceans of Autumn blessings, and remember ...

Keep those bodies movin'!


Then I will lead the blind along a way they never knew...
I will make the darkness become light for them,
and the rough ground smooth.
Isaiah 42:16

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

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!

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

To wRiters, tRavelers, and Runners #walkeRs out there in Lady Leaf Land ...

To wRiters, tRavelers, and Runners #walkeRs out there in Lady Leaf Land ...

A safe-sorta-sunny harbor day in Ventura, CA 2018

I'm loving my time at Leaf's Lake House,

but a touch of cabin fever was beginning to settle in.

Not to complain but ...

so much rain ... too cold.

Then just in time, it's time for

The Carolina Christian Writers Conference!

Two days hanging with

fellow writers, friends,

gifted speakers, editors, and authors

left me inspired to continue my writing journey.

Mostly.

I admit there were moments I caught myself thinking, 

What are you doing here?

What makes you think you can write?

You still have SO much to learn.

All the negatives that haunt the writer

loom around every corner,

waiting to tear you down,

shred any confidence you may have

in your writing skills.

So I wait for those profound words

that will drive me to keep typing on,

forging me ahead to finish 

that article, that blog, THE BOOK.

The words come from the guest speaker.

She softly says,

Reclaim your time, your activities.

Shed distractions.

Be still in your calling, your purpose, your anchor.

Choose rest.

Create and honor a sacred place of prayer, meditation, and rest.

Ahh.

Such kind words.  Wise words.

So much better than all the worrying and negative thoughts

that invade our minds each time we receive yet another

Rejection letter.

On Lady Leaf's Loft wall as a reminder to ... Type! Type!! Type!!!

The last moments of the conference

gave me a very positive meeting with a
major representative from a trad-publishing company

regarding my manuscript, Lady on the Run.

Another Ahh.

There is light at the end of the writing tunnel.
I am called of God to write.

It all shall come to pass in God's timing, not mine.
I'm again inspired to write on!

Your angel is running with you!
Drawing from my original '70s Lady on the Run manuscript

In the meantime,

What Now?

This RED (Retired-Extremely-Daring) lady continues to
venture to the gym, walking with the international Run 4 God group,
and head out my door for the invigorating power walks.

Living healthy is keeping our bodies moving---at our own pace.
And to plan the next tRavel tRip to ....

I wish you oceans of wRiting, Running #walking, and tRavel blessings!

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us--at our own pace!

Hebrews 12:1

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

Remember to drop by to read my latest blog on website:

www.retirementandgoodliving.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

Christmas Cheer is Here!

Thanksgiving in our new home

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  All of us have much to be thankful for.  I cooked a scrumptious Thanksgiving meal for family and friends.  What a special time it was celebrating the holiday in our new home.  But life moves on.  This past Tuesday my hubby, Rob, had his shoulder surgery (his first, I might add).  He is a trooper and I'm a great nursie, so we're doing pretty good, learning as we go.  I'm a bit tired and he's a bit grumpy (I blame it on his drugs ... oops ... meds.)  

As a friend, I need to make some phone calls.  As a writer, I just finished a writing project (finally).  As a Mom, I never come close to being the kind of Mom I would like to be ... saying the right things at the right time ... sending lots of money to kids and grandkids across the miles ... am I the only mother who goes through this?  The good news is that I come to my senses a lot sooner these days than in years gone by, realizing that no one is perfect.  So I continu, pressing for the prize that is set before me.

I'm rambling; I feel like I've taken some of Rob's drugs.  That's because two o'clock in the morning arrives just as I'm entering my REM sleeping zone.  But I must be faithful to rise up and give my Robinski his meds every four hours.  That's what all good nursies do.  I appreciate all the prayers you have sent our way.  We're feeling the love!
Oceans of blessings for the Christmas season!

Life begins each morning ... each morning is the open door to a new world -- new vistas, new aims, new tryings.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends.  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness.  His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIT

Birthdays, BeLeaf, and Patience

Happy days in California (Shawn, Bosco, and me)

Today is my son's 39th birthday.  Shawn is my miracle child.  Thirty-nine years ago, after extensive tests, our family doctor said it was not likely that I would conceive again.  His words brought me temporary sadness, but they didn't shake my belief that all things are possible with God.  I wanted a baby now, but the Lord had a different plan.  Unlike us, He doesn't stress over the timing of things.  My trust was in Him, so I waited, and waited, and waited.

I already had a darling daughter from my first marriage, a child that was conceived out of wedlock when I was nineteen.  Yes, I admit that thoughts of abortion entered my mind, but deep inside I could not do something that was against my moral principles.  So I made a choice that would change my life forever.  I would not do away with my unborn child, and nine months later, Jacqueline Shane was born, one of the biggest blessings of my life.  But I wanted a brother or sister for her to  grow up with.  I was twenty-seven and time was running out.  I laugh now, but back then my clock was ticking loud and clear.

So I would exercise faith, and patience, for my miracle baby to arrive.  But things don't always happen in a day.  If you have ever wanted something now--a job, a mate, a book published--but had to wait, and wait, then you know what I'm talking about.  Many have lost the joy and reality of God's abundant life due to frenzy and lack of patience.  We try to force our own plans on God, who becomes more of a delivery boy for our flesh than the Almighty One.  Many times we have missed God's best because of our impatience.  Selfishly running about, comparing ourselves with others, we bustle into something that never was God's plan.

Therefore, patience is a great strength.  It is the ability to remain focused and to rest assured that even though weeks, months, and years pass, the earth will eventually yield its harvest.  Life involves constant growth.  Life is sowing and reaping.  If we do not grow weary, we will reap in due time.

A few years later I finally said, "Okay, Lord, if you want me to have another baby, I'll be elated.  If not, then I'll accept your will and be content."  Two years later, I delivered a healthy baby boy, Shawn Christopher.

Today, thirty-nine years later, I'm still exercising patience--presently it's regarding my novel, Lady and the Sea.  It is so easy to get swept away into hours of marketing research, wondering if perhaps I should be doing more -- book signings, speaking engagements, blog interviews, and such.  But I admit as time goes by that it's becoming easier to lean on God's timing and to see what He has for me, not what I can conjure up.

So today I wish a very Happy Birthday to my miracle son.  I pray that he is learning, like his mother, to have patience for those dreams that God has placed in his heart.  And I pray this for you too, my dear bloggy readers.

I wish you smooth sailing, sunny days, and oceans of blessings!
  

I love book signings!

I had a blast at my book signing at Books A Million in Sumter, SC, the town where I was born.  The feeling of sheer nostalgia filled my senses as I drove past Shaw Air Force Base where my Mom and Dad met and fell in love sixty-eight years ago.


As I shared my story of Lady and the Sea, I could see their eyes light up at the spoken word.  One woman is taking Lady on her cruise next week; another will read Lady while convalescing from her surgery she's having tomorrow ... I love their stories too.  And I met several young women, Shannon and Jessica, who's passion is writing.  I encouraged them: "Don't give up.  Write your heart and soul.  Your dream can come true!"


The Books A Million manager invited me back for more book signings, so I'll be returning to my home town in the near future to meet more friendly folks.


Writing is one of my passions, but encouraging readers and inspiring writers I meet along the way is the frosting on my cake.  


Now I must go and finish enjoying my Mother's Day with the man of my dreams.  Actually, ladies, he is the frosting on my cake, if you know what I mean.  *wink*


I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the coming week.  And I hope you're having a special Mother's Day.  Sharing my day with my daughter, Jacquie, after being apart for five years, is another dream come true for me.  Hang on to those dreams ... they DO come true!