Good evening from the deck of The Ark.
It's been raining , hard, for 2 days, with it not due to stop for another 2.
I wish I could send some rain to Colorado!!
SO sad, seeing people's lives ruined and hearts broken.
I prayed for the firefighters and everyone else helping with evacuations.
Life is put-putting along.
Little Miss I Only Call When I Need Something hasn't called in a while.
Do I care?
Hmmmm.
Should I?
Yes.
3 solid years of never listening gets a wee bit tiresome.
Especially when she calls and begs for advice.
Which she never EVER takes.
Ever.
Well, I lied.
She did start taking birth control last summer when she thought she was pregnant.
And then again in the late Fall after she ran out in September.
Yeah.
A two month gap.
But, like, they still have the ability to prevent pregnancy when you don't take them for two months.
Right?
Yuh huh.
And people wonder why I go to extremely remote villages in the Andes?
I leave for Oklahoma City three weeks from tomorrow.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I'm secretly hoping Wes Studi is on the plane so I can drill him about Magua in Last of the Mohicans.
My friend Karen is friends with Wes Studi's friend.
I know, we'll fer shur meet up.
I've lost 5 pounds in 10 days.
I am on track to be about 10 pounds down before I go on the Indian Taco Road Trip.
I barely eat carbs right now, and I'm going to HAVE to be good on the trip, or I'll fit real nice into our old tent in the garage.
I've shaved 8600 words off my WIP.
It's exhausting!!!
So...questions for the day.
Who is your favourite movie villian and why?
OR
What did God do lately that just freaked you RIGHT out??
Santa Cruz, California, October 28th, 2014
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
For the not so faint of heart.
Watch this with the sound OFF, it's all wind.
This is how I travel in-country in Bolivia on my mission trips.
I LOVE Bolivia!!!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Research, road trip and hopefully no arrests.
Well.
The trip.
My good friend Karen Antone is Mohawk/Tuscarora/Oneida.
Yes,she's an American Indian.
Living in Fredericton, NB, doing mission work with Canadian Native people.
Her family did evangelism all across the US and Canada. She has been to every state except Alaska and Hawaii, or to the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
So when I started my book back in December, I began asking her questions regarding the Navajo culture. The hero is a Navajo Indian.
Before long, she suggested we do a road trip across Navajo country and I could meet some of her Navajo friends and get an insider's education from Navajo people. One that would not happen if a white Canadian just showed up at a Navajo cultural centre (that is how to spell it properly) and started asking questions. To walk up to someone and say "So, you're a Navajo Indian, tell me everything !" is bordering on insulting and well within the boundaries of stupid. To really have the little nuances that would make the book so much more authentic, I would need the grace and kindness offered only to a friend.
Although Karen's plan sounded awesome and incredible...there were a few minor, slight, ever so tiny problems.
A) We couldn't afford it.
B) We have 3 kids at home and 1 living with her *gem* of a boyfriend.
C) When could I go? School, hockey, school, soccer, school and of course, hockey. The logistics are enough to make you weep.
D)John is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS away in July for work. I cannot remember when he was home in July. I can not remember. I am single every July. I manage everyone and everything.
E) And holy cow, Arizona and New Mexico are very far away, hotels cost ALOT of money in summer and hahahah, HOW are we going to get there? Airfare in July? Bwahahahaha!
But when you pray, and you ask HIs will and for Him to lead you down the path He has made for you...God things happen.
John's work budget got cut. It got cut be roughly what he'd spend to do his field work. In July. Sooooo. No field work. In July. That means he'll be home. In July. To keep the house in order. In July. The kids don't have school. In July.
We have 11,800 Airmile points. A flight to Oklahoma CIty is 4350 points. Plus...get this....including travel cancellation and health insurance, my flight cost me...$248.53. Bahahaha!!!I cannot fly to Saint John for that! And Saint John is anhour's drive from here!
She has friends and family everywhere between Oklahoma and Phoenix and back. All with guest rooms and extra towels.
And Karen is needed in Oklahoma...in July. She's *driving* down with her sister. They leave next week. After they are done their work in Oklahoma, there is just enough time to drive from Oklahoma City to New Mexico and Arizona. And room enough in the car to bring a friend.
And what is in Arizona and New Mexico???
The Navajo Nation.
God is good.
The trip.
My good friend Karen Antone is Mohawk/Tuscarora/Oneida.
Yes,she's an American Indian.
Living in Fredericton, NB, doing mission work with Canadian Native people.
Her family did evangelism all across the US and Canada. She has been to every state except Alaska and Hawaii, or to the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
So when I started my book back in December, I began asking her questions regarding the Navajo culture. The hero is a Navajo Indian.
Before long, she suggested we do a road trip across Navajo country and I could meet some of her Navajo friends and get an insider's education from Navajo people. One that would not happen if a white Canadian just showed up at a Navajo cultural centre (that is how to spell it properly) and started asking questions. To walk up to someone and say "So, you're a Navajo Indian, tell me everything !" is bordering on insulting and well within the boundaries of stupid. To really have the little nuances that would make the book so much more authentic, I would need the grace and kindness offered only to a friend.
Although Karen's plan sounded awesome and incredible...there were a few minor, slight, ever so tiny problems.
A) We couldn't afford it.
B) We have 3 kids at home and 1 living with her *gem* of a boyfriend.
C) When could I go? School, hockey, school, soccer, school and of course, hockey. The logistics are enough to make you weep.
D)John is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS away in July for work. I cannot remember when he was home in July. I can not remember. I am single every July. I manage everyone and everything.
E) And holy cow, Arizona and New Mexico are very far away, hotels cost ALOT of money in summer and hahahah, HOW are we going to get there? Airfare in July? Bwahahahaha!
But when you pray, and you ask HIs will and for Him to lead you down the path He has made for you...God things happen.
John's work budget got cut. It got cut be roughly what he'd spend to do his field work. In July. Sooooo. No field work. In July. That means he'll be home. In July. To keep the house in order. In July. The kids don't have school. In July.
We have 11,800 Airmile points. A flight to Oklahoma CIty is 4350 points. Plus...get this....including travel cancellation and health insurance, my flight cost me...$248.53. Bahahaha!!!I cannot fly to Saint John for that! And Saint John is anhour's drive from here!
She has friends and family everywhere between Oklahoma and Phoenix and back. All with guest rooms and extra towels.
And Karen is needed in Oklahoma...in July. She's *driving* down with her sister. They leave next week. After they are done their work in Oklahoma, there is just enough time to drive from Oklahoma City to New Mexico and Arizona. And room enough in the car to bring a friend.
And what is in Arizona and New Mexico???
The Navajo Nation.
God is good.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tell me what you think, is this acceptable or not?
This scene is from my WIP, it is when the hero, who goes by two different names, finally gets to kiss the heroine, named Sarah.
Tll me what you think...
**************************************
Simply being allowed to hold his girl was enough to cause Tag to send up prayers of thanks. Sarah had turned around to see the night sky and was standing with her back against Tag. After tightening his arms around her, Tag took a breath to speak. It reminded Sarah of her first night at the ranch, riding Black home under the night sky, safe from the darkness as Tag held her and comforted her.
"Do you like poetry, Sarah? Emma made me memorize quite a few poems, but I never thought that I'd ever use this one. I shall try and remember it all".
His fingers moved the wisps of her hair out of the way, then he put his lips down by her ear. Slowly, with a bit of pomp, he began to whisper.
"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”
Stopping for a moment, then tightening his hold, Tag slowed his speech and deepened his voice.
“And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all
A heart whose love is innocent!"
“That must have be written just for you, Sarah. That is how I saw you that night, out on the plains. I came out of the dark to see the most beautiful woman standing there. I knew you were frightened and had no reason to trust me, but you did. I think I lost my heart the moment you put your foot into my hands and let me lift you up onto Black. On the ride home, I could feel you shaking. Then, as I spoke to you and Black carried us home, you started to trust me. “
Sarah rested safely against his chest, not afraid of what might come next. Never had anyone made an effort to woo her with such tenderness, to make her heart long for just one more word. The heady rush of being loved was so foreign, yet there was nothing to fear. Tag held her for a long while. All she wanted was to feel his heart beating and lean against him. No other thoughts entered her mind.
“Are you alright, Sarah? You have been so quiet."
She let out a small laugh.
"Well, Rides Like An Arrow, you held me and whispered Byron into my ear, I can manage nothing more.”
Tag rested near her ear, his voice was so soft, she knew it was one that he saved for her alone.
"I know quite a lot more poetry. I might recite something else for you, but be careful because you shall not be warned."
“Well, sir, I think perhaps just hearing you whisper the alphabet in my ear would be enough. But I’ll take Byron as well. Or maybe some Navajo, you can choose.”
“Mmmmm, what shall it be?”
“…anything.”
The moon floated across the night sky, sending a gentle breeze through the heavens. Sarah could almost hear laughter as the stars twirled in circles above the earth. Never in her life had she shared a moment such as this. Tag had proven his strength and his gentleness, Sarah was unsure which was more wonderful.
But Sarah knew that she had to let the magic fall from her hands and float to the ground.
"Well…if we are to make that journey tomorrow, a good night's sleep would be splendid. We really should go back to the house."
“Mmm hmmm.”
Tag unwrapped her from their cocoon and sighed deeply as Sarah turned around. He caught her as she came face to face with him.
"I do have one more request."
“Oh?”
"Will you say my name again?"
Her heart shot to the sky, she could not take her eyes off his face, nor could she speak above a whisper. Sarah’s hands got lost in Tag’s long hair and then met up again behind his neck.
“Rides Like An Arrow.... I love you.”
Rides Like An Arrow took hold of Sarah’s face and kissed her forehead. His heart began to pound as he kissed her cheek. He could barely breathe by the time his arms found their way around her. He ran his hands down the back of her arms, pulling her close enough to feel her breath on his neck. When he felt how fast her shoulders rose and fell, he knew she was overwhelmed. Tag wanted to kiss her like he hadn’t kissed a woman in a very long time. But he wouldn’t take what was not freely given and he loved her too much to go any further.
“Sarah?”
“Yes?”
“May I?”
All time and thought stopped. The moon could have fallen from the sky and Tag would not have noticed. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else was there. Just her. Only her.
Sarah felt like she could fly. The air around her felt like the sky before a storm. Like Christmas angels were getting ready to sing. Like a thousand lions were about to roar. Fear was gone forever.
Sarah reached up and pulled Tag down toward her, down to where she could feel his ragged breathing on her face.
“Yes.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
Rides Like An Arrow made the world disappear.
Tll me what you think...
**************************************
Simply being allowed to hold his girl was enough to cause Tag to send up prayers of thanks. Sarah had turned around to see the night sky and was standing with her back against Tag. After tightening his arms around her, Tag took a breath to speak. It reminded Sarah of her first night at the ranch, riding Black home under the night sky, safe from the darkness as Tag held her and comforted her.
"Do you like poetry, Sarah? Emma made me memorize quite a few poems, but I never thought that I'd ever use this one. I shall try and remember it all".
His fingers moved the wisps of her hair out of the way, then he put his lips down by her ear. Slowly, with a bit of pomp, he began to whisper.
"She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.”
Stopping for a moment, then tightening his hold, Tag slowed his speech and deepened his voice.
“And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all
A heart whose love is innocent!"
“That must have be written just for you, Sarah. That is how I saw you that night, out on the plains. I came out of the dark to see the most beautiful woman standing there. I knew you were frightened and had no reason to trust me, but you did. I think I lost my heart the moment you put your foot into my hands and let me lift you up onto Black. On the ride home, I could feel you shaking. Then, as I spoke to you and Black carried us home, you started to trust me. “
Sarah rested safely against his chest, not afraid of what might come next. Never had anyone made an effort to woo her with such tenderness, to make her heart long for just one more word. The heady rush of being loved was so foreign, yet there was nothing to fear. Tag held her for a long while. All she wanted was to feel his heart beating and lean against him. No other thoughts entered her mind.
“Are you alright, Sarah? You have been so quiet."
She let out a small laugh.
"Well, Rides Like An Arrow, you held me and whispered Byron into my ear, I can manage nothing more.”
Tag rested near her ear, his voice was so soft, she knew it was one that he saved for her alone.
"I know quite a lot more poetry. I might recite something else for you, but be careful because you shall not be warned."
“Well, sir, I think perhaps just hearing you whisper the alphabet in my ear would be enough. But I’ll take Byron as well. Or maybe some Navajo, you can choose.”
“Mmmmm, what shall it be?”
“…anything.”
The moon floated across the night sky, sending a gentle breeze through the heavens. Sarah could almost hear laughter as the stars twirled in circles above the earth. Never in her life had she shared a moment such as this. Tag had proven his strength and his gentleness, Sarah was unsure which was more wonderful.
But Sarah knew that she had to let the magic fall from her hands and float to the ground.
"Well…if we are to make that journey tomorrow, a good night's sleep would be splendid. We really should go back to the house."
“Mmm hmmm.”
Tag unwrapped her from their cocoon and sighed deeply as Sarah turned around. He caught her as she came face to face with him.
"I do have one more request."
“Oh?”
"Will you say my name again?"
Her heart shot to the sky, she could not take her eyes off his face, nor could she speak above a whisper. Sarah’s hands got lost in Tag’s long hair and then met up again behind his neck.
“Rides Like An Arrow.... I love you.”
Rides Like An Arrow took hold of Sarah’s face and kissed her forehead. His heart began to pound as he kissed her cheek. He could barely breathe by the time his arms found their way around her. He ran his hands down the back of her arms, pulling her close enough to feel her breath on his neck. When he felt how fast her shoulders rose and fell, he knew she was overwhelmed. Tag wanted to kiss her like he hadn’t kissed a woman in a very long time. But he wouldn’t take what was not freely given and he loved her too much to go any further.
“Sarah?”
“Yes?”
“May I?”
All time and thought stopped. The moon could have fallen from the sky and Tag would not have noticed. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else was there. Just her. Only her.
Sarah felt like she could fly. The air around her felt like the sky before a storm. Like Christmas angels were getting ready to sing. Like a thousand lions were about to roar. Fear was gone forever.
Sarah reached up and pulled Tag down toward her, down to where she could feel his ragged breathing on her face.
“Yes.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
Rides Like An Arrow made the world disappear.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
3 Mohawks, some Navajos and a white girl get in a car...
Six months of talk, weeks of planning, MUCH prayer to be able to go and finally, today, I booked my flights
Where to, you ask?
I fly Halifax to Oklahoma City, then I'm joining my 2 friends and maybe their dad, on a wee bit of a drive.
Friends? You have friends?
Yes, they are Mohawk/Oneida Indians. They do mission work up here.
So. A drive?
Why yes, a drive.
Where to?
From Oklahoma CIty to Albuquerque , New Mexico. From ABQ, as everyone calls it, to Window Rock, New Mexico.
So, why Window Rock? What's so great about Window Rock? In July?
Yup, the hottest time of the year.
Soooo, this Rock place? What's the big deal?
Window Rock, my readers, is the capital of the Navajo Nation.
I am going on a research trip for my book.
I am going to Navajo Country!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
God is SO GOOD!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Where do you go when your knees give out?
So, where DO you go when your weary knees give out? When you are spent. When you've sought after God's heart and you are exhausted?
I listen to music. I write. I stare of into the back yard, from my *office* in the dining room.
How do you cope when you are so tired you can't remember your own name?
Saturday, June 2, 2012
This is from my journal/blog on OpenDiary.com, written on June 22nd, 2001.
We'd had a miscarriage and I was utterly broken. I was 38.
This was my very first blog entry. My best friend Robyn had me start writing to cope with the pain.
So here we go...
There was a film made a few years ago about women in a POW camp in WW2. It was called "The Paradise Road", in reference to the road towards the gates of Heaven walked alone once one had died. Why do I mention this now??
We found out yesterday that our 10 week fetus was not 10 weeks along, but had died at 6 weeks. Holy smokes. I had just wrapped my head around the "we are having another Baby!!!"
Now they tell me that it isn't a baby, it's a mass of cells still attached to my uterine wall, somehow still in there. But it's NOT a "mass", it's my child. My DEAD child.
A lesson called" How to crush the spirit and still pretend to function"?
So now I prepare for the slow/fast expulsion of the "baby". Somehow.
How do I let this baby go? How do I cope with still harbouring a dead child? Ahhhhhhgh ! I thought and I thought. Then the shortest prayer many have uttered..."help".
Then, the movie's title came to mind." Paradise Road". Walk down the Paradise Road. I am a firm believer in an absolute and loving God. I know He put this thought into my blurred and worn out mind.
So I mentally wrapped my baby up, put it in the nice big blue pram, and walked down the long Paradise Road. I am not alone in this. God is there, walking ahead, leading us so I can keep my eyes on you.
So on we walk, Baby and Mother. Saying my goodbyes. It was so painful,I didn't even know if you are a girl or a boy!!!
We get to the Gate. I have to go back now.
I'll meet you in 60 years when I die in my sleep, then please meet me at the beginning of the road. You'll show me the way. Then you can tell me your name. Take the blanket. Even though Heaven is warm, you might need this. We loved you.
We'd had a miscarriage and I was utterly broken. I was 38.
This was my very first blog entry. My best friend Robyn had me start writing to cope with the pain.
So here we go...
There was a film made a few years ago about women in a POW camp in WW2. It was called "The Paradise Road", in reference to the road towards the gates of Heaven walked alone once one had died. Why do I mention this now??
We found out yesterday that our 10 week fetus was not 10 weeks along, but had died at 6 weeks. Holy smokes. I had just wrapped my head around the "we are having another Baby!!!"
Now they tell me that it isn't a baby, it's a mass of cells still attached to my uterine wall, somehow still in there. But it's NOT a "mass", it's my child. My DEAD child.
A lesson called" How to crush the spirit and still pretend to function"?
So now I prepare for the slow/fast expulsion of the "baby". Somehow.
How do I let this baby go? How do I cope with still harbouring a dead child? Ahhhhhhgh ! I thought and I thought. Then the shortest prayer many have uttered..."help".
Then, the movie's title came to mind." Paradise Road". Walk down the Paradise Road. I am a firm believer in an absolute and loving God. I know He put this thought into my blurred and worn out mind.
So I mentally wrapped my baby up, put it in the nice big blue pram, and walked down the long Paradise Road. I am not alone in this. God is there, walking ahead, leading us so I can keep my eyes on you.
So on we walk, Baby and Mother. Saying my goodbyes. It was so painful,I didn't even know if you are a girl or a boy!!!
We get to the Gate. I have to go back now.
I'll meet you in 60 years when I die in my sleep, then please meet me at the beginning of the road. You'll show me the way. Then you can tell me your name. Take the blanket. Even though Heaven is warm, you might need this. We loved you.
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