11-24-13 RMB Tug-of War

11-24-13 RMB Tug-of War

On this beautiful Sunday morning, I drove the sister to an early morning meeting and proceeded to Lake Murray where I walked with the dog. Perhaps she thinks it is she who walks me. I remind her constantly that the intention of the leash is not to facilitate tug-of-war.

A thrift store visit gave me a dose of comfort. I like all of the colors sizes and shapes of everything there. They reflect society. I prefer that over the new stores that work to shape society, telling us what will be cool this season, what colors to wear, with a mannequin that displays how it all should fit.

The boys like the thrift stores too. They sift through toys, finding treasures. It isn’t about what is cool, it is about discovery and finding something different at every turn.

Today my novel America was sent to the editor…again. My writing has ebbed. We are becoming more comfortable with each other, almost too comfortable. I know the words will be there when I sit to write. They wait patiently to form. I make them wait too long sometimes. I seek the discipline you have displayed in your career, producing numerous novels.

If we are to accomplish anything, we must do something. With my destination in mind, I sit to write.

You inspire me,

Loraine

11-23-13 RMB Week’s Lesson

11-23-13 RMB Week’s Lesson

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

I take notes of my days, lest I forget their lessons twix then and now, when I can take a moment to write and reflect. Here are my notes for this week:

11-17-13 Sunday A bit out of sorts, so was JR, a back ache, JR too. Wrote, developed Ric & Liv’s ticks. Walked, shopped & did laundry.

11-18-13 Monday A long day at work, but I did take a mid-day walk, spent it talking to Moe about painting chairs to sell and then took a 6pm walk in the mall and read Venus Envy.

11-19-13 Tuesday Picked up boys and went on an applesauce hunt, took sis to get meds, watched Sanctuary with Amanda Tapping.

11-20-13 Wednesday Walked in the mall after work and talked to the friend that I can tell anything to.

11-21-13 Thursday Work, can’t solve the problems, but why the hell not???

11-22-13 TGIF Stopped by thrift stores on the way home, in the rain.

11-23-13 Saturday A good morning of writing followed by non-stop errands and boys and writing and sister and ugh, I am exhausted. Birthday wishes got out to RMB, typos and all.

Normally, I take a day and draw from it a vision or thought, sometimes only brought about by the retrospect forced upon me by these letters. So thank you. Through this effort that places word after word in these letters, I am a better me.

The days in this particular week seem more a unit, a sort of rainbow of lessons, with each day adding its own color, its own flavor with themes tying them together, work, writing, family and friendship. These were difficult days, trying days, frustrating days, and they were days blessed with friends offering support; blessed with three boys seeking and finding applesauce. Mission accomplished.

I count the thrift store among my blessings. Everything there had a home of some sort and then it was donated for a good cause. A good feeling courses through most thrift stores and I think that is part of its source.

I count you, RMB, among the friends that joined me as I read Venus Envy and wish you a Happy Birthday.

This week tells me there is much to do, including being thankful for our blessings.

Many thanks,

Loraine  

11-16-13 RMB Current of Consciousness

11-16-13 RMB Current of Consciousness

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

I have started reading Venus Envy and today I came across the phrase “current of consciousness”. Again I marveled that you are putting up with me and my letters, when so much of what I speculate on, you have already mulled over and written about.

On this day, I am going for a walk with an old friend, an ex-boss and one of my favorite people in the world. Later, I will meet another friend and two sisters for dinner, more favorites. That phrase brings me to wonder if those that we draw near to are chosen, at least in part, by that current. They fill in the blanks for us. They pull or push us on, effecting us as we, possibly subconsciously, wish to be pulled and pushed.

Many have said that there is a reason for every person in your life. I don’t believe that whole heartedly. I’ve also heard that if you fail to plan, someone else will make plans for your life and you will be living out their wishes and not your own. There is a combination of the two at play.

Being aware that there is such a thing, a “current of consciousness”, is big. There is a choice to be made, or rather a choice that can be made on…which current shall I surf today?

Thank you for your words RMB. I like these three.

Yours truly,

Loraine