Anne Rice's long awaited book

I can't wait. March 4, 2008 and I'll finally be able to read the long awaited "Christ the Lord, The Road to Cana." If it's half as good the first in the series, "Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt," it will have been worth the long wait.
I've already signed up to be notified by e-mail as soon as the book goes on sale.

This is the book description from Amazon.com:

The Road to Cana, Anne Rice’s second book in her hugely ambitious life of Christ, begins before his baptism in the Jordan and concludes with the miracle at Cana. It is a novel in which we see Jesus, the man, living quietly in Nazareth as he has for many years. He is still known as Yeshua Bar Joseph. And he is enduring a winter of no rain, endless dust and looming trouble in Judea.

Legends of a virgin birth have long surrounded Yeshua, yet for decades he has lived no differently than the others who come to the synagogue on the Sabbath. All who know and love him find themselves waiting for some sign of the path he will eventually take.

And at last we see this quiet man emerge from his baptism to confront his destiny–and the Devil. We see what occurs when he takes the water of seven great limestone jars and transforms it into cool red wine; when he is recognized as the anointed one; when he is urged to call all Israel to take up arms against Rome and follow him as the prophets have foretold.

Like Out of Egypt, the first novel in Anne Rice’s series on the life of Christ, The Road to Cana is based on the gospels and on the most respected New Testament scholarship. The book’s power comes from the profound feeling its author brings to the writing and the subtlety with which she summons up the presence of Jesus.

I've posted about fictionalizing the life of Biblical people before and how in the past I wasn't sure it was a good idea. But I've come to feel that if reading a completely and thoroughly researched account of a Biblical figure can cause someone to open their Bible and read, then it can only be a good thing. I've read and loved such books as "Two Women of Galilee" by Mary Rourke, Bodie and Brock Thoene and others and absolutely enjoyed them.
I love the Lord so much I get excited just thinking about reading Anne's upcoming book and it's my prayer that some unsaved person will read it and be led to salvation as a result.

What do ya'll think? Is it wrong to write fictional accounts of Biblical people?

Confessions of a Food Network Junkie

I admit it. I'm a Food Network nut.

I watch every day for way too long.

I start out with Paula Deen so I can hear her delightful cackling laugh. I always hope I'll get to hear her say "mix some butter with some awlive awol yawl."

I move on next to the incredibly beautiful and exotic Giada DeLaurentis. Yes, I have one of her cookbooks and yes, I use it. Now she has a show called "Giada's Weekend Travels" and I got to see her take MY dream vacation on the Greek Island of Santorino! Sigh.......maybe someday.

Then on to the amazing Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. I want to be Ina Garten. She cooks the most delicious looking food and lives in that awesome Cape Cod style house in the Hamptons. And she has that cute little hubby Jeffrey.

Next I move on to the much maligned Sandra Lee. Poor Sandra. Everyone makes fun of her but I adore her. She's pretty and I love to watch her take tiny mincing steps toward the fridge or oven while never taking her eyes the camera. And if I'm really lucky, I get to watch her close a drawer with her hip and say "woooooooo!" Last Halloween, I discovered she does a killer Cher impersonation. Yes, I love Sandra.

Then comes the cute, bubbly, effervescent Rachael Ray. At least she used to be cute, bubbly and effervescent. Lately, she looks tired and stressed and she's just - dare I say it - loud and kind of obnoxious. She's become a Supa Star and she's dyed her hair black and tanned her skin and it kind of reminds me of when Rosanne Barr did the same thing right before she spontaneously combusted. I wish Rachael was still the old, not so famous Rachael. I loved her then.

Now when it comes to the guys on Food Network, my fave is the cute and ingenious Alton Brown. His shows are not only entertaining but educational. Love 'em!

I love all the guys from Dave Lieberman to Tyler Florence to Bobby Flay, but I have a crush on Chef Susur Lee. Maybe it's his long, flowing black hair. I just love him.

Now if only they would tape some new cooking segments, I'd be in Hawg Heaven, as Paula would say. But even if they don't, I'll keep watching. How can I stop? I'm a Food Network junkie!

The Last Sin Eater

I rented The Last Sin Eater and watched it last night.
First, let me post the synopsis here, quoted from Moviefone:

Michael Landon Jr. directs this period drama set in 1850s Appalachia and concerning a young girl who carries a crushing burden. Ten-year-old Cadi Forbes' (Liana Liberato) sister has died as the result of a tragic accident, and now the surviving sibling can't help feeling somewhat responsible for her sister's untimely death. Desperate to shake the guilt she feels and absolve her dearly departed kin from her Earthly sins, Cadi seeks out the assistance of the one person rumored to have the power of achieving both goals -- the mysterious Sin Eater (Peter Wingfield). In the midst of her redemptive quest, however, young Cadi uncovers a malevolent secret that threatens to destroy her family and divide her tightknit community. Only after discovering the truth about Jesus Christ and the human condition does Cadi realize that there is only one man capable of providing absolution of sin, and the word of that man can only be found in the Holy Bible. Henry Thomas and Louise Fletcher star in a feature adaptation of the novel by best-selling Christian author Francine Rivers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

It wasn't what I was expecting and since I haven't read the book, I don't know exactly what I was expecting.
The first thing I'll say, is that in some way it reminds me of an M. Night Shyamalan movie. There was something kind of suspenseful, other-worldly and spooky about it.

What I didn't like about it was that there was way too little of Henry Thomas, who I adore. He barely has a couple of scenes in the movie.

I didn't quite understand the Lilybet characher. Was she a ghost, an Angel, an imaginary friend?

And something that really bugs me is the fact that they kept referring to the Native American lodgings as "hogans." Huh? This story takes place in the Appalachians. The Natives in that area, probably Cherokee, didn't live hogans, those are Navajo lodgings in Arizona and New Mexico.


Soren Fulton, who played Fagan, was the real stand out of the movie. What a fantastic young actor and he had the only convincing Welch accent of the entire cast.

Overall, I did enjoy the movie but it was a distant second to my favorite Michael Landon, Jr. movie, Love Comes Softly.

Waiting on the Lord

Psalm 62:
1 My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold;

I shall not be greatly shaken.

Have you ever noticed that when you're going through something tough - some personal crisis or uncertainty, an answer will come through exactly when you need it? That is what has happened to me over the last couple of days.

Today while I was driving I had the radio tuned into Charles Stanley and the subject of his sermon was waiting on the Lord. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

I've been restless lately, waiting for answers on several things of importance in my life. I've prayed and I've talked to people that I thought could give me "expert" advice. Then I prayed some more.

But the hardest thing for me to do has always been to wait. I want to help things along, to influence in some way. I wonder how many of the Lord's blessings I've missed out on simply because I couldn't wait for a clear answer.

Do I trust in Him? Yes.

Do I believe He has a plan for my life that was designed before I was born? Yes.

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

I do believe that but I never thought about it until recently. For a while now, I've felt strongly that God has something He wants me to do and I'm eager to get started, but I'm still not completely sure what it is.

Does He want me to witness for Him through Inspirational novels? Maybe. Or maybe its something different.
Right now I feel at loose ends and my patience is wearing thin, but I continue to wait. To resist the urge to "do" something on my own. In my heart I know whatever "it" is, I'll be ready when the opportunity presents itself, and it will be right for me, because I'm waiting on the Lord.

Psalm 27:
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Prettiest Flowers in the World

See these flowers?
They're the most beautiful flowers I've ever received or probably ever will receive.
You know why?
Because they were sent by my son in Iraq!
Sure, they were a day late but that's okay and I got a call from him at 7:30 this morning, which made it all the better. Great day when I get both a phone call and Mother's Day flowers from my son the Marine!
I hope all the moms out there had as great a Mother's Day as I did.

My prayers are with the three soldiers who were captured in Mahmoudiya, Iraq and with all our troops. This is a parent's worst nighmare. May this war be over soon.

I didn't get anything else done over the weekend that I'd planned to do like watching the movies I wanted to review, but I'll get that done soon.
Have a great week everyone!

Researching Herbs or Too Much Time On My Hands

I've been researching herbs for my WIP and I've become fascinated with the subject. I've always admired herbalists or just anyone with a knowledge of how to forage through the woods and find things that heal and nourish. I guess I'm a cross between a wannabe Herbalist and wannabe Survivalist.

Anyway, my Heroine makes lace and sells it to a dressmaker in town. She made this tincture and gave it to the woman who was having "women's complaints." I've decided I'm going to make it and try it!
By the way, I'm in NO WAY condoning self medicating or replacing medications prescribed by doctors. Herbs are medicine and one should always be very careful when taking them. There...that was my disclaimer.

I got this tincture recipe from herbalist Rosemary Gladstar:

Gladstar recommends using high-quality dried herbs which you tincture yourself in good brandy or vodka. You can also make this formula from store-bought tinctures. The formula will last you a very long time. Use the tonic consistently over an extended period of time to assure steady, long-lasting results, she adds.

2 parts wild yam
1 part sarsaparilla
1 part black cohosh
2 parts Siberian ginseng
1 part dang qui
3 parts sage
3 parts licorice
3 parts dandelion root

Mix the herbs together. Put 4 tablespoons of the mixture into a wide-mouth jar and cover with 1 pint of good-quality 80 proof brandy or 100 proof vodka. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, place in a dark place and let stand for four to six weeks. Shake daily to mix the herbs with the alcohol. After four to six weeks, strain into a clean bottle through a strainer lined with cheesecloth. The recommended dose is 1/4 teaspoon three times a day for three months or longer. Dilute the tincture in water, juice, or tea before drinking, Gladstar suggests.

To avoid irritability, you should avoid consuming caffeine and other stimulants while using ginseng. Some herbalists say Licorice can raise blood pressure so be careful with that herb if you have high BP or perhaps use a smaller amount in your tincture.

Anyway, I bought the herbs and other supplies and I'll put it all together this weekend. Can't wait to try it in about, oh - six weeks!

The Nativity Story

I finally watched "The Nativity Story."

I had wanted to see it at Easter but for some reason, I didn't.

I liked it....but it didn't satisfy me. By that, I mean that I long to see a real blockbuster of a movie, an epic worthy of de Mille or at least with the zeal of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

I want it filmed in a location that looks authentic, not the wasteland of Morocco. I want a great cast. I want to see a story from the birth of Christ all the way through his life, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection.

I know it was done and done well in "Jesus of Nazareth" but I want an even better version with a Christ who looks like an ethnic Jew, not a blue eyed blond.

I think I'll e-mail Gibson and tell him to get on it.

This weekend I'm renting "The Last Sin Eater." Hope its as good as it looks!

John Schneider and Hidden Secrets

A couple of weeks ago I saw John Schneider being interviewed on TV. He was talking about his new movie, "Hidden Secrets." The plot of the film centers around the sudden death of a Christian “hometown hero,” and the longtime friends and family that gather for his funeral. Together for the first time in years, some begin to reveal hurts and mistakes they have been hiding from one another.

I read somewhere that the movie is sort of a Christian "Big Chill." Now I have to be honest, this doesn't really sound like my kind of movie but it stars John Schneider so how bad can it be? I've loved this man since he was Bo Duke and everything since then from his role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to Smallville. I'm sure I'll see this movie, too.

I hadn't realized that John is a born again Christian and.....okay, this is going to sound really ugly, but I am a born skeptic, I just can't help it and I wondered if he was just saying he's a Christian because of this movie. So I did a bit of Googling and I discovered, much to my joy, that he co-founded The Children's Miracle Network with Marie Osmond in 1982 and he founded FaithWorks Productions in 1995 to produce family-oriented videos and recordings, so he's had his "ministry" for a very long time.

It fills me with so much joy every time I see a celebrity come forward and say they're a Christian. We so desperately need Christian TV to offset the mainstream garbage coming our way.

On to another subject. My heart so goes out to those in Greensburg, Kansas after the tornado that swept through the town. I can't quite wrap my mind around the horror of a town being 95% wiped out. Those folks will be in my prayers.

We're having another stormy day here, too. It was storming so badly this morning that we didn't go to church. My daughter and I got dressed and started to go - in fact we were half way there and driving through flooded streets and I decided it was just to scary to be out and about. When I passed over the Little Blue River it was running faster than I've ever seen it run.

Looks like another lazy day watching old movies and bumming around the house.

I bought tomato and pepper plants and intended to put them out this afternoon after church but the weather channel says we'll have rain all through next week!! Sheesh.....guess I'll have to set them out in a mud hole and hope for the best.

I also got some fresh herbs which I'm going to pot and keep outside. I've never done that before so I don't know how they'll work but I love cooking with fresh herbs, especially parsley and it seems like all they ever have at the market is those scraggly little sprigs of parsley in plastic containers.

Well, hope ya'll have a nice week ahead. God bless and walk in the Word.

Me waxing philosophical

The first thing someone told me when I started this blog is don't say anything controversial - nothing political and keep the religious comments generic. Sorry, I don't think I can do that, I'd rather not blog at all.

I've been thinking and thinking about what I wanted to say about several things in the news including the Imus debacle and the horror that took place at Virginia Tech. Since I wasn't keeping up the blog, by the time I got back to it those things were pretty much old news.

I could say that my heart breaks for the families of those who died at Virginia Tech, and of course it does. I could say that I think Imus, although I abhor the "shock jock" genre, was a sacrificial lamb offered to appease the gods of political correctness. I could say that the real loser in the Imus controversy is us, the American public, because all that came out of it was a renewed racial divide and having to watch Black Panthers spout hate speech on national TV. I thought we were past that in the United States but if the media and the media hounds have their way, we'll stir up all the old racial tensions of the 60's and 70's. In a time in our country when we have a real common enemy, why should we turn against each other?

But none of this really touches on what is niggling in the back of my mind. I guess what bothers me is what is wrong with our country and is there anything we can do to make things better? Is it already way too late? I've said here before that I have seriously considered getting rid of TV in my home and maybe Internet, too. I could do my writing research at the library and they have little Palm PDA's to use for looking up Bible phrases, so in reality, I could do without the Internet. But that would only affect my little family and wouldn't really be doing anything to better the world in any way.
I could pray for our country and the world, and I do, but is there even a small "tangible" thing I can do to make a positive impact?

I don't know. The Bible teaches us that we are to be different than the rest of the world - set apart. People should be able to watch us and know we're different, and I don't mean little cutesy bumper stickers or just going to church on Sunday. I want to find a real way of showing the world that I'm a follower of The Way and that I'm not going to partake of the filth and hatred poisoning the world today.

We're all angry and frustrated. People are mean and rude on the phone, on the road, in the grocery store, in the workplace, Bad news is in our faces 24/7 and coming from every corner of the world. When something happens in a state half a continent away, it's flashed on our TV like it's happening across town. I don't know about ya'll but that stresses me out and causes anxiety. Maybe if I turn off the TV and spend quiet time with my daughter in the evening I wont be so wound up and frustrated during the day. Maybe I can be a little nicer on the road when someone is tail gaiting me or when someone
stands 2 inches behind me in line at the grocery store invading my personal space (my pet peeve).

This is just my little first step in de-stressing my life a bit and I'm sure it wouldn't work for everyone. But I truly think if we all look for just one way to slow down and stop to smell the roses with our loved ones, it might make us nicer people and maybe we can pass it on.

RWA/ACFW Conferences and the #1 Son

I was doing a little bragging about finaling in my local RWA chapter contest and after the initial buzz wore off, I felt a bit depressed. Why, you ask? Because I started thinking that even though this event gives me just a small feeling of validation about my writing ability, I have always thought that in order to get published, one has to attend a conference and do the "pitching" to editors thing. I don't see myself being able to do that any time soon, so I thought I've pretty much done as much as I can do.

I got just a smidgen of hope after reading that Brenda Coulter was published right out of the gate on her first manuscript/first query. I don't expect that to happen with me, but at least it lets me know that some of the publishers are really reading the queries we send them.

What do ya'll think....are the conferences necessary? I mean, I know they're a good thing but are they a must?

Different subject. I finally got word that the care package I sent my son in Iraq reached him. I don't know if the homemade chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies reached him in edible condition, but at least I know he got them along with the cans of nuts, beef jerky, ibuprofen, Gold Bond Powder, movies, crossword puzzles, magazines, books, etc., etc.!!

He says the locals are friendly and when the Marines go out into town they are swarmed by children asking for chocolate, pens and their goggles. He said that at times when he and the others guys have been sitting out under a tree, local ladies have brought them warm bread to eat. Does my heart good to hear that.

I've been thinking that in my next package I might even make up little sandwich size baggies with candy, colorful pens and little toys for him to pass out to the kids. Sort of a little Mom good will gesture.

I pray for the safety of all our troops and that they'll come home soon.

Anne Rice update

I became a fan of Anne Rice after reading "Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt," which for me, was something I would never have believed could happen. Part of the attraction (other than the great writing) is the sheer joyous, amazing fact that Anne returned to the faith of her youth after decades of being into the dark Vampire Chronicles period. How wonderful that she has rededicated her life to our Lord.

I e-mailed Anne at her website after I read the book and she gave me a nice personal reply. My daughter said, "No Mooooom, it was her "assistant." I choose to believe Anne, herself, e-mailed me.

I just checked in at her website and read the book is being made into a movie. Shooting is to begin in Israel in October. Yay! Can't wait to see that one.

Also, according to her website, her next installment in the series, "Christ the Lord, The Road to Cana," is due out next spring. I'm truly looking forward to reading this book.

I'm a Finalist!!!

Yes, I've been gone for -ummm - a long time. So much going on in my life and I've been neglecting many things, but I just had to shout it out, I'm a FINALIST in the Heartland Romance Authors Show Me The Spark! Contest!!!
I was just notified today and the first thing I said to the coordinator was, "There were only 5 or 6 contestants, right?" She assured me the contest had plenty of entrants from all over the country.
I'm just thrilled that my entry will be critiqued by published author Carla Cassidy, Harlequin editor, Laura Barth, and agent, Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Woo hoo!!

I'll be back later to rant about Don Imus and talk about a few other things that have been on my mind.

Babies and RWA Chapter Meetings

First the great news...here's my brand-spanking new granddaughter Mia Grace. Isn't she beautiful?
Finally, I get to buy some cute pink things!




Saturday I went to our RWA chapter meeting and they were doing training on how to judge contest entries as opposed to critiquing a scene or chapter of a manuscript. I was very impressed with the fairness and the strictness of the guidelines. I can see that the judges will have to be on their toes all the time to keep their personal bias out of the judging.

Take for example, the heroine. The score sheet asks whether she is a clearly drawn, three-dimensional character with a unique voice...not if you like her. The trainer seemed to be having a little trouble impressing upon a couple of people the importance of remembering not to score according to whether they like the hero/heroine. A bit frightening for me to hear as a contest entrant.

The good news is I know for a fact that at least one of the judges is an inspirational/historical/western writer so maybe she will know where I'm coming from when she reads my entry. This is all new to me but so much fun!
I hope I still think it's fun after I've read my feedback. Eeek!

A Romance Lover's Imagination

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Archaeologists in Italy have dug up a couple buried 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, who died locked in an embrace. My first thought is, "Awwwwwww..." My next thought is, "Man, I hope they don't 'unembrace' them!" How horrible would that be?

As a romance lover and a romance writer, this story captivates me. Immediately, my imagination starts spinning stories of how these eternal lovers came to meet their untimely end near the northern city of Mantua, Italy, a mere 25 miles south of Romeo and Juliette's city of Verona.

Just to satisfy my natural proclivity toward both romance and history, I think I'm going to have to sit down and write my own story of how these presumably young Neolithic sweethearts lived, loved and died together surrounded by flint tools and arrowheads.

I see them fleeing together after the young warrior saved his love who was being held captive by a rival tribe. After a long and treacherous flight trough the marshy countryside, the beautiful young girl falls from exhaustion. Her warrior love drops at her side, urging her to get up and run again but the enemy overtakes them and shoots an arrow into the warrior. Left for dead, they succumb to the elements, forever locked in each other's arms.

Ah, yes...I could think of a dozen other good scenarios. How about you?

Tomorrow, hopefully I'll have photos of my beautiful new granddaughter, Mia Grace, born February 5th.

What? Too much information??

You know how some mornings and the sun is shining, the birds are singing and you just can't wait to get out and face the day?
Well, this ain't one of those days.
It's Monday, it's cloudy, the beautiful white snow that blanketed my neighborhood yesterday is now tracked up from all the sledding and snowman making and the streets are filled with ugly black slush.
The holidays are over and my son has gone back to Hawaii with his new wife. The time for him to deploy to Iraq grows ever nearer and he doesn't call me much anymore.
I know, I know...will someone please call the WAHMBULANCE?!

Then we have the -- dare I say it -- crazy woman hormones. Actually, I think it's probably more like a good case of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I need sunshine!


But you know what I've discovered really, really does help me? A cocktail of Super B Complex, 1000 IUs of Vitamin E, and Salmon Oil. Don't ask me why, but when I stopped taking it for a couple of weeks, all the ugly symptoms hit me hard and heavy, but within a week of resuming the vitamins, I felt 100% better again.

Now that you know more about me than you ever wanted to know, I'll move on to a happier subject. I'm working with a writing partner on a western novel and we are within one chapter of being done with the rough draft, then on to the polishing and editing.
I never thought I'd like to write with another person but I'm really enjoying writing with my friend because he's a man and I don't have to worry about whether or not I'm saying things the way a man would say them. I think we've come up with a really good balance in our writing and brainstorming, and he is the soul of patience with me.
Hopefully, we'll have this manuscript completely finished within a short time.

Well, I'm making beef lentil soup and cornbread for dinner. Maybe some comfort food will make me feel better.

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 8:25

Snowy, snowy day

We woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow here in Missouri. I love when it's still like this...clean and pristine.

Caitlin and her older sister Kristin are out making a snowman and they've taken the sled outside so I need to get the hot chocolate ready.

This is my favorite recipe:

3 cups whole milk

1 cup half-and-half

1/4 cup good quality cocoa powder

1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place milk and half-and-half in a saucepan and heat to just below a simmer over medium heat.
Meanwhile, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, instant espresso or coffee powder and cinnamon. A few teaspoons at a time, stir the hot milk into the cocoa mixture to make a smooth paste. Scrape the cocoa mixture into the saucepan with the milk and simmer 2 minutes; do not let it boil. Stir in the vanilla and keep warm in a thermos.

This is where my thoughts are today

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Hello from the Frozen Tundra

Life can be a barrel of laughs in the Midwest.

Late yesterday I decided it was time to poke my nose out the ice encrusted door and venture out to the grocery store. The first problem was that the door didn't want to open, but being the go-getter I am, I was able to finally get it open.

Problem number 2 was getting from my glazed porch and across the ice rink of a yard, to my block of ice formerly known a a mini van. I made Caitlin help (of course she thought it was fun) and finally we got the van door open. She started the engine and we left it running for almost an hour until we were able to chisel the ice off the windshield.

No school today for the kids! Yipee!

Today's adventure was trying to get the mail. Of course, the mailbox was also encased in ice, so Caitlin took a hammer to it to get it open. What fun boys and girls! I may have thought this kind of stuff was cool when I was 12 but I no longer like walking on ice! I am so thinking about moving back to Phoenix! When I retire I want to be a snowbird for sure.

I confess, I've been lazy the last several days. I don't know...ice storms just affect me that way. All I want to do is sit by the fire and read or knit but alas, it's time to get back to work. I've had some thoughts milling around in my head and I'm ready to start writing them down. I really love my hero and heroine and I'm enjoying this WIP so much. I'm torn between wanting to be done and yet not wanting to be done. Maybe that means there's a part 2 to this story? I think there definitely will be.

Contest entry is in the mail

It's done. I sent off my entry for my local chapter romance contest. Now I just have to be patient and wait for the feedback until probably May or maybe even June. So now I can relax and get back to work on my current WIP and just forget about the contest until I get my score sheets back.

Ah yes...I was going to gripe a little bit about commercials. I don't know about anyone else but I am really tired of seeing commercials about "erectile dysfunction" drugs, people who have herpes and all the other herbs, gels, creams, etc. related to sex. I'm just sick of the whole drug ad thing in general. How depressing is it to see all these commercials for people with cancer? If, God forbid, I ever get cancer I'll trust my doctor to give me the prescriptions I need.

Whatever happened to the ads for diapers and detergent on daytime TV? I think I want to go back and live in the 50's. Or maybe it's time to seriously think about keeping the TV turned off except for special movies that I know will be good...like the latest of the Michael Landon, Jr. movies on the Hallmark Channel. Boy, I love those movies, but the very best of them was "Love Comes Softly." Sigh..I watch it over and over again with Caitlin. I've decided I'm in love with Clark Davis -- not the actor Dale Midkiff mind you, although he certainly is cute, but I want a Clark Davis in my life.

I'm so glad Michael decided to follow in his father's footsteps and create good, moral, family friendly movies. I hope to see a lot more from him.

Monday, Monday

Well, I've thrown Cowgirl Caitlin's kitty, "Chase" from my lap and finished the final edit on my contest entry and the E-ville, wicked synopsis that goes with it. Soon I'll be printing out the required five copies each, double-spaced in an appropriate 12-point font, collated, set with one-inch margins on 20 weight paper at precisely 25 lines per page, with a sheet of colored paper separating each synopsis and manuscript and bound with a bankers clip.

I'll include my completed, signed entry form, my check for the appropriate entry fee and my USPS Priority Mail (tyvek, no less) SASE for the return of 3 entries and my score sheets. (stamps only, no metered mail.) Boy are they picky or what?

Do I expect anything more than feedback? Nope. It's just the first real step in my journey to hopefully getting published someday. Hope I don't wimp after getting the brutal criticism I keep hearing about.

We shall see....

Also, today is the first day of my trying to cut back on caffeine. I'm a big caffeine drinker from waaay back and this ain't gonna be easy, folks. Oh, how I do love my Starbucks House Blend and my cup of hot Oolong, but lately I've been noticing the negative effects it has on me -- like LYING AWAKE IN BED TILL 3 AM, being dehydrated and shall we say -- a little edgy.

If this cutting back on caffeine thing works out for me, I'm going to shoot for almost no sugar. I've already cut way back on my sugar consumption but I'd really like to cut it and meat down to almost nothing.

Wish me luck on all the above.

I think tomorrow I'll complain about some of TV commercials I'm seeing. Blech...

Parasailing, RWA Contests and Brenda Coulter

Hey...just wanted to share a photo of big scardey cat me, PARA SAILING in Hawaii! Maybe ya'll think this is no biggie but if you had any idea what a coward I've been all my life about both heights and water, you'd know what a major accomplishment this was for me.

I just figgered it was time to conquer at least one of my fears and I managed to (sort of) kill two birds with one stone. And besides, my new daughter-in-law's mother was there so I had to be cool.

On to another subject.

I'm entering my first romance writing contest at my local RWA Chapter and I'm so excited and nervous. I don't delude myself for one moment that I'm gonna win or even place, but I hope to get some good feedback. I've heard all the horror stories about entrants being crushed by bad feedback from not-so-kind judges but I think it's time for me to jump in and get my feet wet. Hey...that kinda ties in with my overcoming my fear of water, doesn't it? (Okay, I'm giddy tonight.)

Brenda Coulter says she doesn't want to judge the RITAs because she's easily bored by bad writing. C'mon Brenda, be a good sport, girl! Somebody has to read your entry, don't they?

Books and More Books

I just watched The DaVinci code on DVD. Man am I ever glad I didn't spend money to see it at the theater. What a snooze and the book was such a page turner.
I know most Christians will say they didn't read the book but I knew I was strong enough in my faith to not be influenced by any of the nonsense...it was just fiction as far as I'm concerned.
But the Dan Brown book that I found very disturbing was "Angels and Demons." I think in that book Brown really showed his contempt for Christianity.

Watching that movie and thinking about the book prompted me to think about the books I've read this year and it was pretty diverse!

* Paul: The Mind of the Apostle by A. N. Wilson
* Leather and Lace by Diann Mills
* The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist
* Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
* The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart by Michael Phillips
* Two Women of Galilee by Mary Rourke (I loved this book!)
* Christ the Lord by Anne Rice
* Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
* And I'm just starting The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman

I always think I need to have a yard sale but I have a horrible time parting with any of my books and I have boxes and boxes of them -- probably just about every book I've ever read. After I've read them and loved them, they're my friends and I can't let them go.
Now I really need to stop playing on the internet and get busy writing the synopsis for my WIP.

Anne Rice's Christ the Lord

You know, I first saw Anne Rice talking about this book on The O'Reilly Factor. I had never read any of her books before but knew about her "Vampire Chronicles" books so I was more than a little skeptical when I heard her talking about writing a Christian book. She said she had returned to the faith of her youth and that she "realized that I wanted to write just about Jesus Christ for the rest of my career, in one way or another."

This was on the tail of Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" and all things Christian seemed to be coming into vogue.

Well, as I said I was skeptical and also, I wasn't sure how I felt about reading a fictional account of Christ's childhood. I was afraid it might even be sort of sacrilegious but I bought the book and read it. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

I believe Anne is sincere in her love of the Lord and that she really has come full circle in her faith.

This is a good thing...right?

• Healthy Fast Food at last?
  

I just read today that many of the major fast food chains are going trans fat free, or at least cutting way back. This is fantastic! Doesn't this mean that I can indulge without feeing guilty about contributing to the ruination of my health?



According to the articles I read today, Starbucks Corp. is cutting trans fats from the doughnuts, muffins and other treats in half of its U.S. stores, and plans to eventually drop the artery-clogging fats from company-operated coffeehouses across the country.



Trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease, are being removed from many fast food kitchens nationwide as companies try to improve offerings to health-conscious diners. Wendy’s International Inc. and KFC have already switched to a zero-trans fat oil, and McDonald’s Corp. is considering the change.
Taco Bell is owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc., which is also the parent of Pizza Hut and KFC, which announced last month that it was switching to a non-trans fat oil.



Everyone says the food tastes better when cooked with the "bad" oil but I say, hey....one of the reasons many of us eat at fast food joints in convenience not just taste so this can only be good news!

• Another cool thing in the news today... UFOs at O'Hare International! How exciting is that?!

In Chicago, Federal officials say it was probably just some weird weather phenomenon, but a group of United Airline employees swear they saw a mysterious, saucer-shaped craft hovering over O'Hare Airport last fall.The workers, some of them pilots, said the object didn't have lights and hovered over an airport terminal before shooting up through the clouds, according to a report in Monday's Chicago Tribune.