You Look Just Like....

I have heard that ALL my life. I look like someone's neighbor's daughter's friend or a niece or a girl in their high school class or the cashier at their grocery store or, well, you get the picture. People come up to me and start sincere conversations based on their observations. I've met alot of nice people that way and they have made me smile. And I have to say that I often remark that I have noticed two people who are unrelated and do not know each other carry a striking resemblance that is hard to ignore. Some say that each of us has a twin somewhere on the planet. I believe that could be a definite possibility. (One last note --Funny but I never hear, "Wow!! You look just like that Victoria Secret model. You know!!? The beautiful brunette in the TV commercial wearing the wings!!" Hmmmmm....)

Why Women Have Hips --a List

What would you add?

* to carry school books
* to carry laundry baskets
* to carry children
* to carry groceries
* to carry a child AND a bag of groceries
* to close drawers
* to close car doors
* to balance a lamp on the right one, while picking up a moving box to carry with your left arm
* to lug bags of mulch to the various flowerbeds around the yard
* to keep the back door open so that your hands are free to give hugs while scooting children & dog (...and perhaps the husband) inside the house

The First "Teaser" as Promised

The storyline for this book has been growing on paper since 2005. I have challenged myself to dedicate time everyday to get this story from brain to hard copy before year's end. Here is just a peak into the world that my heroine must navigate to insure the future of the life precious to her and those she loves:
"She slipped out of her tent soundless as a wood elf, making her way unobserved to the large outcropping of boulders jutting from the edge of the forest that encircled the right flank of the encampment. She perched on the highest vantage point bending her knees, gathering them close to her chest and resting her chin on top. She hugged her legs as she gazed up at the rich, black velvet heavenly ceiling spread above her. The twinkling stars seemed to multiply even as she watched. She felt totally insignificant. "You sparkle at me in the night just as the countless campfires burn around me. Why do we fight? For some the challenge comes from the desire to be rich -- merchants sponging off the need of warriors' preparations, solders hoping for royal favors in the victorious aftermath. Religion calls to some who are called to fulfill holy destinies. Others are simply loyal to the king and that is enough to offer their service. And, always, there are those who enjoy the sight of seeing another warrior slump to the ground at their feet -- broken, sightless, lifeless. Death is a constant all must acknowledge. May the soldiers chosen to be in its gathering path on the morrow be remembered as devoting their spirits and last noble efforts to finally destroying this subversive, festering evil which has slithered through our land fed by devouring, raw greed."

This Brain of Mine is a Very Busy Place!!!

I have to tell you -- I am tired. On top of everyday living (family, job, friends, unforeseeables like water in our basement last week, etc etc) I have a total of eight --that's right -- EIGHT books that live in my head wanting, DEMANDING to be brought to life in written form. And, believe me, I would LOVE to do just that because the story lines and characters which make up their worlds are overwhelming mine!! I'll be waiting on a customer and an idea for a subplot POPS up....or I am cruising up I-71 and BAM a conversation between two characters grabs my attention. Constantly I am scrambling for a pen to scribble notes on any piece of paper within reach. There are currently three children themed books based on the bedtime stories I created every night and four adult (no, not Mature rated) oriented and one HUGE richly layered, grand-scaled epic that is really pretty darned exciting. Today I just wanted to introduce you to my crazy mental world and tomorrow I will tease you with a small peak into the kingdom where choosing sides is inevitable, the inhabitants colorful, the adventure gripping and the risks worth taking for the future of all.

My Favorite Things #3 & #4: Chicago and Flying

Chicago and flying. Can't wait to experience both next week. Been to the town countless times. Each opportunity leads to new discoveries. The hum, the museums, the neighborhoods, the energy, the flow of this city lures me to return time and time again. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.
The Art Institute is pure magic. A must stop for this girl EVERY time. Each gallery absorbs my senses. I saunter past priceless masterpieces, lingering to capture a glimpse of the artist's soul revealed through the clues their creation whispers. Many, many hours have witnessed my passion for the treasures housed within those walls.
I truly appreciate the engineering feat constructed from an elongated, metal tube with two long, nearly flat appendages and some massive whirly-gigs that easily transports me anywhere, saving hours on the road and creating personal catch-up space. Instead of having to pay attention to traffic, I get to relax and immerse myself in the last few issues of Smithsonian that have been collecting in a stack at home, waiting for my attention. But, best of all, I am the passenger hoping to claim a window seat during each opportunity for sky passage. I cannot tell you how I look forward to the immeasurable delight the view from that small , transparent square bestows on my spirit. The majestic canvas created by the incredible tapestry of colorful landscape patterns flowing beneath this observer is a visual experience freely given, sharing a rare panorama of the innate beauty of the greatest country on earth to any and all who accept the gift.

In High School....for Life

What is it about those four years that continues to intrude into our consciousness throughout the rest of our lives? They nudge us. They push their way in and bother us. They let us relive our triumphs and mull over the regrets. Next year our class should have a reunion. My first thought: What should I wear? (something cute, sassy, trendy, fun -- you know -- want to make the girls wish they look as good as me...and the guys wish they had dated me!!) Second: My hair? (Styled up or down? Make sure the blond highlights look just right.) Third: How's the figure? (hit the gym harder and eat less -- shrink that stomach. Going for the jealousy factor here.) Fourth: WHY am I even worried about these people I haven't seen in YEARS??!?
It is that age-old answer: BECAUSE. Because each and every one of us wants to make the **splash** we didn't make in high school. Because you want to make that guy you had a crush notice you now. Because you want to show them all to notice that you have changed. Because you want them to realize they should have selected you as Homecoming queen (not what's-her-name).
So WATCH OUT , classmates! Come next summer this chick is showin' up and lookin' good. (And, yep, you are gonna kick yourself cuz you SHOULD have asked me out!!)

Sounds of Silence

The title of that famous song by Simon and Garfunkle kept coming to mind last night when I went to bed. Numerous EXTREMELY LOUD, seemingly electronically-charged particles were zipping through my brain in some sort of cosmic orbital dance as soon as I lay down. The pitch-level was astounding. It took over 40 minutes (yes, I checked the clock periodically) for the "disturbance" to quiet enough for me to fall asleep. I kept thinking of what comparison I could use to convey accurately the very sound and intensity of this cacophony so that you could "feel" this phenomenon as I did.
First, being beside a fast speed train encountering the consistent whining buzz of the wheels as they were skimming across the track ties, shining silver body flashing past me came to mind. Then the humming of highly tuned car engines as a constant stream of vehicles whizzed on either side of an invisible me positioned between the lanes of 315 during morning rush hour seemed an equal analogy. And, concentrating more, the vision of someone standing on a runaway in front of huge, rotating propeller blades of an airliner, immersed in the thundering rush of the whirling winds struck me as appropriate as well.
This is not the first time I have heard this overwhelming, albeit annoying, raucous. My brain obviously was not ready to slumber when the rest of my body was and let me know it in no uncertain terms. Next time I'll read...or write a blog entry(!) to work off some of that bubbling, kinetic steam.