Writing - the ups and downs

Mabel and the Garage Sale was dramatized by British Broadcasting and used on their short story program worldwide on public radio. I can't help it. I still love Mabel. What do you think? MABEL AND THE GARAGE SALE Interstate 64 is taking Mabel's house. The highway is slated to run south, through the middle of her living room, all the way to the ocean. Mabel figures the road will roll down right where the gold velvet love seat rests now. She gets uneasy thinking about it. But it's too late. They have the house and Mabel has the money. All that's left is deciding where to go with it. Her daughter, Donna Faye, has said she can move in with her. But Mabel knows the girl isn't sincere. So she's drawing out her last days in the house, trying to decide what to do. She has thought about renting one of the new brick garden apartments near the center of town. Except she isn't good with figures and has no idea how long $30...

For the next few postings I'll be putting up a few essays and short stories - published - hopefully for your enjoyment. Comments welcome! Happy Reading!

I was shocked to discover that it's Wednesday when I thought sure from the way I felt that it was Monday. I have a headache, I'm tired, out of sorts, our four wonderful grandchildren left with their parents this morning and there's a hole in my heart and I just want to lash out at someone or something. Not sure what that's about. But it feels as though the world is off balance. How can Wednesday feel so much like Monday? Our three daughters had an anniversary party for us on Saturday afternoon with family and friends from near and far. It was the best party in the world with great food and a scrumptious wedding-looking cake. I talked myself into a stupor as I visited with everyone and savored each second of the party. Am I feeling the results of all that fun? Or the after shocks? Is that what this deflated feeling is about? Having such a high from all the excitement and then being dropped suddenly to the ground without any warning when it was over? Have you ever felt li...

Thanks to 1st honorable mention win in the West Virginia Writers Contest this week end for KILL ME OR DRIVE ME TO FLORIDA, I'm back in the saddle again and ready to spur this story on to more adventure. Therefore, I'll be adding more pages and as Hemmingway said re: finishing a novel, I'll "write on through to the end of the damn thing." If the Lord is willing and the creek don't rise. (I'm covering myself!) Why is it that we need these little boosts to move us forward? Is it just me who can't seem to keep moving forward or are there others out there who need a fire lit under their behind to get them going again? I love the story I'm working on. I love all the stories I've worked on. It just seems that life keeps intervening and I fall off the wagon much like an alcoholic who wants to leave alcohol alone but just can't because the need to drink is greater than the will not to. Whatever the reason for falling away from my writing, I'm re...

Thanks to all who read my post about the loss of my niece dear sweet Charlotte and made such kind comments. I'm home from the family reunion which is what it turns into when someone dies and we all gather in West Virginia at the funeral home. Kathy from Cleveland, Ella & Paul from Dayton, Joann, Barney & Guy from Florida. Karen, David and family from Pennsylvania, and my family from around Ohio. Plus dozens of local family members and friends. I don't have an ounce of energy left today. I could go on with a long list of complaints. BUT I won't! The words of my mother come to me now - if you can't say something good - then say nothing at all. And today I can't think of one good thing to say. So I'll say nothing at all. Except, I'll post again after I regroup. The well has to refill and I need to let the comfort of my own life settle in around me. I'm praying the sorrow of loss gets easier for all of us to bear. And, may you and yours be blessed!