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These are the thoughts of an aspiring writer. I hope to take every day life with all of it's feelings and emotions and put them into words.
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I love this picture because there are so many thing you can write about. I have mine below. It's kind of somber, and might need some more work to touch it up, but I like it and I hope you do too.
I close my eyes
And take a breath
But still I feel the pain in my chest.
I wrap my arms around myself
And tears drip down
My face is wet.
I long to sing of better days.
And hear the soft sweat sound of success.
I know its near, it's within reach.
I just can't see it, through the tears.
I try to fight, I hold on tight.
I grip and claw my way once more
I can not stop I must go on.
Though the pain is heavy and my heart is sore.
I close my eyes
And take a breath
But still I feel the pain in my chest.
I wrap my arms around myself
And open my eyes to see what's left.
Over the mountain the sky is blue.
The clouds are white, and birds fly too
But still by my the sky is dark
And there are no birds at play in my park.
I must get over that mountain of pain
and feel the healing of the rain.
I'll grip and claw my way once more,
I won't give up until I soar!
Don't I wish 'Back in the Swing of Things' meant writing, but I don't. I have been very busy though. I've been swinging more like that cute monkey hanging there. Isn't he adorable? I think I'll call him Sam. Why you ask? Well why not?
Anyway the reason I'm back in the swing of this is this:
Work is picking up even more the before (as I stated in past posts), in fact so much so that my company is moving in the next few months. We are in the process now of painting, updating the electrical, building walls, building sterile rooms, the works, so yeah, things have been busy there.
My personal life has been busy too. The boys are back in baseball and you guys know me, it's one of my favorite places to be. My oldest has also taken up kick boxing and wrestling, while my youngest added guitar to his piano lessons. So how can I possible find the time to write much less find time to post?
I'm still trying to figure that out. But- I'm still here and that says a lot. As they say, where there is a will there is a way, and I'll find a way.
It's a great motto and I love it. What have you guys been up too? Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you.
In the mean time I'll be resting in the beautiful swing there hidden in the trees. If I could just find the time, and the swing. LOL
Oh, and thanks for stopping by Susanna's blog and checking out my pitch for my picture book,
A Noise in The Dark everyone has had wonderful advice!
Hey,
I'm so glad you stopped by.
Now get out of here and head over to Susanna Leonard Hill's Blog to critique my pitch for my picture book A Noise In the Dark for Perfect Pitch Wednesday!
And since I don't want to leave you empty handed:
Take a puppy with you, or should I say cupcake? Aren't they just too cute to eat? I love it!
And hey, Thanks for all the support!
Picture Book Fans!! I have an announcement to make!
Tomorrow is Perfect Pitch Day over at
Susanna Leonard Hill's blog. It is also the day in which she will be featuring my perfect pitch for my picture book
A Noise In the Dark.
Please click over to Susanna's blog check out all the wonderful goodies she has on her website and don't forget to critique me!
At the end of the month, don't forget to go back and vote for the best pitch of the month! Thanks everyone!
Okay I can't take credit for this photo, it came from Ellen DeGeneres Show. Don't you just love that husky? Such a character! Okay tell me your story or poem.
I'll start:
Can I have it? Can I have it?
Do you think that I should take it?
They left it, they left it
How can they have left it?
It's so hot, and it looks so cold.
So refreshingly wet on my nose
Can I have it? Can I have it?
It's so green and so bright,
Ooh it looks like such a delight.
One taste, just one taste.
They won't know
I'll be done before they know.
Just one, just one tiny one
Oh darn I don't have thumbs!
I hope you like this game. I know I do. So let's play again. I've another picture for you. I hope you like it.
"I hear ya frog, this class is boring, at least you can hop away."
Doesn't he look like he wishing he could be a frog and hop away too? All I can think of is a science class field trip. What do you think of when you look at this picture? Tell me, I'd love to know.
That's right,
It's time for Tell me a Story
I found this picture and I automatically thought of the month of March. You know how it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Look as the sun is breaking through shinning on the water as it roars down the the stream until it hits the quite calm. I love it.
Peace can be found, but only after the storm
The sun struggles to give life for the danger is forlorn.
Okay, now it's your turn. tell my your poem or story. I'm listening.
Children's poems has always been an interest of mine. I can't say I've had an interest in them as far back as high school, college maybe, but I'd say more recently to be honest. I think it started to really take root when I started having children of my own.
I always wanted my boys to have a strong love for reading, and having a son who isn't fond of reading, I though it would be fun to spice things up with poems. There are so many wonderful poems out there for kids. Let's face it Shel Silverstein is just the icing on the cake.
In my endeavor to learn as much as I can about poems and writing picture books in verse I stumbled on some really great authors and bloggers and thought I'd share some of their links with you.
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/ is a great site
http://readwritepoem.org/ is another one
http://readwritepoem.org/
and then there is
Susanna Leonard Hall who's link you can always find on my side board.
There are also so many more, and don't worry in the next few weeks I plan on covering some other great sites.
let me know if there are sites that you frequent. I'd love to add them to the list.-
I thought this would be fun. Please take it seriously. Look at the picture of this adorable child and the basset hound and write me a short story, or poem.
I'll start:
"Yippee, Yippee, Oh happy day!
The doctor says I'm cancer free
What fun, what joy to run and play
Now Charlie come with me.
We'll run and jump and play hide and seek.
No cancer can find me.
For I won I won and now I see a future bright as can be.
Please put your story or poem in the comments. If I get a large response I'm going to try this one a month.
There is a game I like to play with my boys, and I thought it would be fun to share it with you. You see my boys love animals, what kid doesn't right? We flip through a book and give the animals a voice. It really brings the picture to life. I posted mine below the picture.
"Aw, mom, really? Everyone is watching!"
See even Mom tigers can't kiss their kids in public.
What would you have the tigers say? Put your caption in the comments and share with us. I'd love to see your thoughts.
I found this saying on Facebook last week, and I felt I needed to share it. Now I can't speak for everyone, and as you know I never do. I only speak for myself, but I find when life gets a little rough around the edges I turn to my faith. You see, we are not supposed to know why things happen in life. We are not supposed to know why things happen the way they do.What we are supposed to know is that there is always a plan. It might not be our plan, but it is a plan non the less.
Sometimes, we fight the plan laid out before us, and that is when the road gets harder to travel. Sometimes that is good. It challenges us, makes us prove we really want what we are fighting for. Other times no matter how long and hard we fight nothing changes. I've decided those are the times when you have to say, "Okay, it's just not my time yet, but my time will come."
Have faith, keep fighting and remember, you're time will come. Maybe not the way you planned. Maybe not in your time frame; but there is a reason for that. Once we get through that rough patch, hopefully we can see why things turned out the way they did. So have faith, and know we never go through those rough patches alone.
Hi Everyone,
I know I know, I've been gone a long time. I come and go like the season's lately. I've been working on my novel, working at my day job, etc... You all know the drill. Through it all I have neglected my blog. There have been many times when I thought I might scrap it all together. Let's face it. I'm not hear as much as I used to be and I tried many times to revive it. I want to say thank you to my loyal visitors, it means a lot to me that you keep returning hoping to find something new.
Well, now I have something new for you.
It's called Tell me a Story. Once a month (notice I'm trying not to commit myself to much here in case things go wrong. LOL) I'm going to post a picture of something. It is your job to write me a short shorty or a poem about the picture. Note: This is for fun only, there are no prizes, just a fun writing exercise to broaden our skill.
I will always start you guys off with a story or poem of my own to get the juices flowing. The first
Tell me a Story starts Tuesday March 4th so make sure you come back then to see what picture I have for you. What do you say? Do you like the idea? Let me know in the comments
Well I'm back from my weekend at Okemo Mountain and I have to tell you, it was very cold We made our way up Friday night after the boys got out of school; there was no way I was going to take them out of school. We stopped a few times for dinner and bathroom breaks; not to mention feed and walk Rascal.
It was around nine by the time we got there, so it wasn't long before everyone was off to bed so we could get an early start Saturday morning.
My husband got up early with the boys and sighed them up for snow boarding lessons, much to their delight(they were not happy). I hit the slopes with my mother-in-law mid morning and got a few runs in on the magic carpet to warm up, before buying tickets for the lift and taking a break for lunch back at the house. After lunch my Mother-in-law and I hit the slopes again before joining my husband for a few runs, before picking up the kids.
Sunday, it was too cold for me, so I stayed home. I was really upset about it too, but with the temperature being 17 degrees, and the wind chill at around 3 degrees the furthest I got was walking Rascal around the block. Even then I had to put on snow pants and thermals. I could barely walk let alone ski.
Monday morning we headed home praying that we weren't headed towards a driveway full of snow that needed to be shoveled. Yes, that's right, if you live in the North East like me, you heard or dealt with the snow that came in Saturday. Thankfully their wasn't much snow, and I was able to get Rascal to the vet for an evening appointment. Thank my friends is a story in itself. Stay turned. I'll tell you all about my puppy, next post.
In the mean time, tell me how your President's Day weekend went?
Just a short note to wish you
A Merry Christmas
I'll be back on Tuesday, have a safe and happy holiday- Cynthia
I have to admit I did not write this. I do not know who the author is, but I enjoyed it enough to share it with you. With the holiday season upon us I also thought it was appropriate. Enjoy.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise...e jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if...the jar was full. They agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.
This is the time of year when everyone concentrates on family and traditions.
But what happens when families change? Traditions sometimes change as well.
Change is hard. It even harder on kids. During the holiday's many families have traditions, but what happens when a loved one is lost, or someone moves away, or the family grows to big to fit all in one house? Well then sometimes the tradition has to change to accommodation the changing family. Makes sense doesn't it. Of course it does. That doesn't mean change is easy. The changes in families are very stressful times. Holiday's make these changes even more stressful.
There is always that age old question; do you see your in-laws for the holiday or your family? Or do you stretch yourself and see both? Do you take turns with the years on who you see? Do you go to mid-night mass or go in the morning? Do you have time to go in the morning? Will you do able to stay awake if you do go to mid-night mass? Personally I always fall asleep in at mid-night mass. Hay, it's the thought that counts, right.
The point is, try not to add more stress to the holiday then need be. Concentrate on what is important. Your family and loved ones will understand if things go wrong with dinner, or plans or what ever is it. Slow down, enjoy the loved ones who are around you, and remember with fondness these who can't be with you.
Most of all enjoy the season, the ones who have left us would want us to be happy and enjoy ourselves. Remember those traditions with them, and make new ones. That is what the holiday season is all about, enjoying old traditions and making new one.
Get out there and VOTE!
Honestly I can't believe it is actually here, voting day; and I can't tell you how happy, and stressed out it makes me at the same time. I see myself as a very patriotic person so I take voting very seriously. There are many issues on the table this year, a lot of important decisions have to be made.
These decision are not easy ones, some times I wonder if there really is a right or wrong way. There certainly isn't an easy way, I'll tell you that. The important thing though is that you get out there and voice your opinion, what ever that may be. Too many people have died fighting for our right to vote, and many still and will die for it. So stop complaining about what other people voted for. Instead, thank those who fought for our right by going out and making your voice be heard by voting. It's that simple.
Is it really Halloween?
And when did Halloween become work?
Like the little jack-o-lantern? I thought he was simple and cute too. As most of you know I don't put scary stuff on my blog. I'm to sweet for that. LOL.
Anyway, sorry I'm posting this late. Sandy has thrown most of the North East out of sorts. Parts of the south aren't weathering the storm any better. Most of my family is in NY so I've been slowly trying to get in touch with family members and friends to make sure everyone is safe and sound. Work is crazy because of Sandy and with Halloween here now, I don't know what's going to happen.
Thankfully Halloween will go on without a hitch here in RI, but NY, CT and a lot of other states, I'm not so sure. I did hear that part of CT celebrated Halloween last night or something. No idea why early instead of later, but what ever- as long as the participants were happy and safe.
I'll be taking the boys out tonight. I tried to make plans for it with friends, but it was hard to pull off with all of the commotion of Sandy. I'm not worried, I'm sure the kids and parents will be out in full force tonight now that everything is getting back to normal here.
One last important thing: I got an Award from Laura Stephenson over at
From the Desk of Laura Stephenson. She's got a great blog going on there so make sure you hop over and check her out. Thank you Laura.
Wishing you all a Safe and Happy Halloween in more ways then one.- Cynthia
Yes you heard me correctly, I'm thinking of snow.
Every winter over the February break my boys go skiing while I'm typing away at work. This year I decided I had enough of sitting it out. My sister-in-law had the idea of a family ski vacation and I took the bull by the horns and decided she was right.
So if I'm not typing away at work, writing my book, or critiquing, lately I have been busy on line trying to find a house or condo to rent in Vermont to book for the February break.
I have one problem. My brother and sister-in-law have a dog and just like my family they like to travel with their dog as well. So, now I'm in the process of finding pet friendly places that are available during February break.
I'll let you know how it goes. I'm nervous, I haven't been skiing in years. What are your plans for the winter? Have you even thought about it yet, it's only right around the corner.
Fall is in the air here in New England and I have to say I am loving the way the leaves change, the nip of cold that is in the air, and the sent of pine in the forest. I am not however looking forward to winter.
Winter for me seems a long time away though. You see I am still in baseball mode. Yup, you heard me. My youngest is in fall ball and his team has done so well they are in the championships again. He was in the championships in the spring as well, although they lost. That's okay though, they worked hard to get as far as they did and they should be proud.
Now in the fall the base ball the season continues on in my house, and as usual, I am loving it. Although I'm getting cold and ready to stay in doors a little more. We have done the apple picking, I already bought the Halloween costumes and I am waiting to pick up the pumpkins for the boys to carve.
Fall in my house equals family, friends, apples, and parties. What does fall mean in your house hold? Tell me, I'll be warming up some more pumpkin bread and putting on the crock pot full of apple cider with Cinnamon to warm up the cold night on the field.
Some times we all need some one to give us a little push.
This blog goes out to my family, friends and critique partners who gave me the push I needed to put butt in chair and get cracking on my manuscript.
I have a long way to go, many pages to write, edit, cry, sigh, scream, and dream about, but the important thing is I'm back in business. This past spring, summer and fall has been a world win of activity in my life, some of it good, some of it bad, most of it just life.
I want to thank many of you for checking back in from time to time to see how I'm doing, and if I'm still around. The answer is yes, I'm still here, and no, I haven't forgotten any of you.
Now get plugging on those books! The world can't wait to read them. :-) - Cynthia
Looks like baseball is over in my house. Needles to say I have one very upset little boy. He was so proud to have made it so far. He really wanted to win last night.
It all comes down to a learning experience. I told him. We all fall down, it is what you do after you fall that counts. So, I asked him "what do you do when you fall?" He just looked at me waiting for my reply. "You get back up." I said. "And you keep getting back up."
I tried to put it in terms he can understand. I was honest, but I hope comforting. "Only a chosen few make it this far, the ones who try hard and play hard. The ones who get back up when they fall down. Not everyone wins the World Series, not everyone wins the Stanley Cup and that's okay, because there is always next year. Now is the time to get back up and get ready for next year."
It's important that kids learn to lose as much as they learn to win, it makes winning is so much sweeter. Knowing you fell down, got back up, and never gave up.
What lesson's have your kids learned recently? What lesson's have you learn? Tell me while I get ready for the next sport season.
I've been bad, I've been very bad.
I promised you guys I would post on which of my boys won their head to head game against each other and I didn't. Not that I didn't think about doing it. I just didn't have time, then when I had the time, I figured-heck, do you guys really even care?
Well surprisingly I'm still in the mist of the baseball season. My youngest son's team won that night. It was a great game, with great plays and a good time was had by all. My oldest is done with baseball now. By double elimination his team is now out of the playoffs, while my youngest's team has made it to the Championships. Tonight is the big game. If they win tonight they will play in the World Series on Saturday. Which mind you is my anniversary. Somehow neither my husband nor I mind sitting through one last game on our anniversary if they do win tonight.
Oh and I got an award while I have been away. I want to thank Shannon Taylor Hodnett for the Kreativ Blogger Award from ShannonTaylorHodnett.com. Now hop over and check her out!
And by hook or by crook I will post the results to the Championship game tonight!What crazy, lovely things have you been up to these days! Tell me, I'll be in the stands cheering for the Sea Dogs. :-)
A News Update!
Just checking in to let you know I haven't forgotten any of my friends in the blog world. I wanted to just stop in and let everyone know what I have been up too these days.
First off sadly enough, but I have not been critiquing any work lately. What is worse is that I haven't been writing either. I miss it, I really do, but unless/until things calm down either at work or at home I don't see that happening any time soon which is why I have been away for so long.
My husband is changing jobs this coming Monday so in preparation for that I have had to make sure all doctor's appointment and medicines are up to date with the change over of insurance. Never a fun thing when you have to get blood work done every four to six weeks to regulate my Thyroid medicine, my son's inhaler medicine and my other's sons ADHD medicine.
Work has me swamped, and my boys are on two different baseball team this season. Tonight they play each other. I can't wait. I'll have to make sure I sign in tomorrow so I can give you guys an update on who won and who lost. But really are there really any losers? All that matters is played your best and have fun. At least that is what I'm going to tell them tonight. LOL
Now you know where I have been part of the time, on the ball field, and loving every minute of it! What fun things have all of you been up too these past weeks?
Leave a comment, I've love to hear from you!
You know I honestly didn't think I'd find a picture of someone actually jumping a gun. Who knew. It is amazing what you can find on the web, isn't it?
Anyway, as you can tell this post is not the post I had originally planned. I had all good intentions of coming back into the blogging world, talking my time of course. I thought I was ready to handle the extra work load, but I have to be honest with myself, and with you, after all it is only fair.
I jumped the gun, and I'm sorry. I know I have been doing that a lot lately, but I just can't handle the work load. I hope to be back, but I just don't know when and if I will.
The little time I do have I'd like to concentrate on my writing and my critique partners work. I hope you understand. Best of luck with your writing endeavors - Cynthia
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I love that type of artwork. And your poem fits so well. Good job!