Back at Last!

Well, it has been a couple weeks since Easter but I'm back...and it's still April. Most of the early Spring flowers have already bloomed out and now Iris and Azaleas are blooming. Trees and shrubs sport the lush green leaves that will take them through Summer. I awoke one morning to the sound of a lawn mower and looked out to see my neighbor's son wheeling their riding mower around the yard. The grass now has been cut for the first time this year. Listening to the hum of the mower, my thoughts drifted farther back in time to another lawn and a young boy whose life was shaped by rituals: Douglas Spaulding, in the summer of 1928.

I was 15 when I first read "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury, one of the books our ninth grade English teacher had on her book report list for our Spring literature class. Now, I have always loved to read, but book reports were another matter. I hated having to get up in front of the class for any reason. I know you can relate to that! Anyway, I read "Dandelion Wine." Not once, but twice, and the next time I went to the mall with my folks, I ducked into the book store and bought it for myself. It remains at the top of my favorite books list, because good books, like fine wine, mellow with age. And like the characters in the book, I occasionally slip down to the cellar and take a sip of the golden nectar... like Summer in a bottle. Or, for my purposes, Spring. Oh, I still froze up doing the book report, but what the heck.

Life is filled with rituals. Whether we are aware of it or not, we shape our lives through the rituals that we observe. We can also change our lives by changing our rituals. On Life's journey, it is important to focus on those things that will lead us toward the fulfullment of our purpose in life. You have the power to choose which rituals you wish to focus on and to discard those which no longer serve your purpose. You also have the power to choose which path you take toward your destiny. Your Dreams are real... you can get there from here. You only have to start.

With the first mowing of the lawn, I know that Summer is not far away. "Dandelion Wine" reminds me to keep believing in the miracle that is Life and that rituals are just that...rituals. The power they have over us is the power we give them. Focus on the positive to overcome the negative; keep your destination in sight, but focus on and enjoy the journey.

Cheers!

StellaD

April, and the Rain Cometh

The first day of April dawned overcast and by mid-day a gentle rain was pattering down. Much needed, as the pollen count here has been at a 12 yr. high. And...for all the blathering about the beauty of Spring, I, like many others, am suffering from the side-effects of pollen overdose...sinusitis/bronchitis. When I walk across the room, I feel like I am walking on a tightrope in the wind. Quite a "heady" feeling. So I have been and will be out of commission for a few (more) days while I recover. With the Easter holiday coming up, I sure hope to recover soon.

The rain has, thankfully, stayed around, sometimes coming down heavily. Though there is still much pollen to be generated, my truck has now returned to its original color. The Georgia pines are putting on new growth, and a fresh coat of green covers the woods at the opposite end of the pasture. There is still much beauty to be enjoyed. Now, April is here; it is Azalea time. Look around at the community in which you live and find the hidden beauty that this new month will bring to light.

Whether you celebrate Easter as a religious holiday or a Spring holiday, be safe in your travels and remember to take the time to observe the world around you. I will be off-line until after the holiday. Until then,

Happy Rambling!
StellaD

Something's Missing...

Mother Nature has totally outdone herself. It's like the grand finale of the Fourth of July fireworks display; color is bursting out in every direction. I have been absolutely awestruck. I spotted my first Iris, a white one, today, which means April is just a breath away. These last two weeks have been a sensory smorgasbord. So it's no wonder that with all the new Spring signs popping out all over the place, I almost didn't notice. Something was suddenly missing from my drive to work. The white ducks on the pond, alone...where did all the others go? Those beautiful Mallards with the iridescent heads were no longer there! But, where...? You may have already guessed the answer. It wasn't until a Northern friend mentioned in an e-mail all the geese that she had seen and heard recently that I realized where the ducks had gone. They were on their way back to their Northern home where they would likely raise a new family to bring back for a visit in the Fall. Until their return, I shall miss them. I'm sure the white ducks will, too.

As a writer, you can get so overwhelmed with the big picture, the story, that you lose sight of the details, or miss important details that keep the story crisp and fresh. You begin to look at the whole, the sum, and neglect the individual parts that add up to the whole. You may be vaguely aware that something's missing...but it might take someone else's insight to put you back on track. As a story grows and develops, becoming more multifaceted, it can be hard, especially after a couple hundred pages, to remember details from the first twenty to thirty pages. Even with the best-kept notes, you can still get lost. A fresh set of eyes, in the form of someone whose input you respect, can easily spot places where the detail becomes fuzzy.
This could be a friend, relative, or a local writers group.

Joining a writers group is an option many writers choose. These writers, who meet on a regular basis, offer encouragement, inspiration, and constructive criticism to one another. A group often contains a mix of writers in different stages of their careers, from beginner to more experienced, published writers. This type of group offers multiple benefits. Aspiring writers find encouragement and mentorship, and the experienced writers find fresh new ideas. If you feel that you could benefit by sharing your writing in a group setting, you can search online for a listing of writers groups in your area, or you can join an online group. Whether from a group or a trusted individual, getting feedback on your story while it is still a work in progress enables you to tweak it for the audience you wish to reach.

Happy Writing
StellaD