Happy Halloween

I love to bring you the best of the blogosphere, though I've been a little remiss of late. My choice as "best" may not always be yours, but I share those that I like personally, in the hopes that you might enjoy them too.

So, you might like to see what Sean at the Blue Boar has to say about Halloween. Sorry I didn't get this to you this morning, but I hope you enjoy it, even if it's past the day by the time you see it.

Writing

A few days ago I shared with you a few snippets of a conversation about my children, which began, "If you had known you had this gene, would you have given birth to your children?" (The answer, for those who didn't read that post, is "Absolutely!")

I wish I could share with you the article I've now written on that topic. But if I were to post it here, there would be no chance I could get it published in any magazine. Magazines want first serial rights, something we who blog might like to keep in the back of our minds as we write. It could be done the reverse way, though. If it gets published, I could post it as a reprint at some point. So hopefully I will share it with you eventually! Thank you for the encouragement you gave me, and now for your patience.

In the meantime, I just need to figure out how to make pictures available, and where to submit the piece (I do have one idea where to submit, but am open to suggestions as well).

I have another question for those readers who are in the know about writing: Would any of my readers have advice for a high school student interesting in writing fiction? (Not my own child, someone else.)

Have a wonderful Halloween, Eve of the Feast of All Hallows (All Saints). However you may celebrate it, may it be a happy and safe day and evening for you and yours. God bless you.

Life Out of Balance or "Are You Organized?"

First of all, I'm sorry I stopped writing (three whole days). Well, I didn't actually stop writing. I only stopped writing here. I haven't ever stopped writing for nearly fifty years; it's just a matter of what I write: letters, emails, lists, possible books, potential articles, and of course, my blog. That's right; I said "blog". See, I'm so behind and so ashamed, I'm trying to pretend I don't have four blogs, three of which I've largely ignored for at least a month.

Sometimes in life, it's hard to keep everything in balance...even if for you that balance doesn't always include writing, on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. At one time, we're lonely and bored. At another time, we have too much to do and think about, and are overwhelmed. Even though some of what makes "too much to do and think about" are wonderful activities and people, it sometimes means we take time away from something else or try to "do it all". Have you ever noticed how the pendulum swings? You know what's neat about asking questions on a blog? Some of you might actually answer.

Someone reading this might get the idea I'm disorganized, and then get the idea to try to help me get organized. You might not know that I already know most of the organizational systems and techniques that are currently known to man (that's mankind, as in women, men and children). Remember, one of the things I write are lists, and one of the things I do is plan. One of the things I do, too, is live too much in the future (and occasionally too much in the past).

If you want to get organized, if you want to do what I've learned, not what I do (does that sound like a good parent?), you can try the following for starters:

Website (free): Flylady

Book: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey



If you'd like to share tips with our readers for getting organized, you are most welcome! Just realize that this reader is pretty hopeless. But hey, I'm always open to new ideas. It gives me something to think about.



P.S. If you happen to be an editor, please know that I do meet life's deadlines!

Praise God for My Children!

I think I feel a possible magazine article coming. So I want to go light on this post. But I just have to share with you what's on my mind tonight, my dear blog readers.

I attended a social event today with a friend. When my friend asked me something about my kids, I didn't want the other lady who was sitting with us at the table to feel left out of the conversation. So I explained to her that one of my sons became blind six months ago. After discussing this, she asked me a question.

"If you had known about this gene, would you have given birth to your children?"

Did you get that the first time? "If you had known about this gene, would you have given birth to your children?" I still can't believe that I didn't stand up on my chair and shout it out for the whole world to hear when I answered,

"Absolutely!" There was more to this conversation but I'm not going to discuss it for now except to say that I told her they have a lot to contribute! Let me just add,

Praise God for each one of my wonderful, beautiful, content, faith-filled children!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above the heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.