The Final Count

So here was the challenge: to write 50,000 words in a month and finish a book. I topped out 7217 words short. But that's ok. My memoir of Kenya is finished for the time being. I will put it a way for a month, maybe print out a few copies for innocent suckers to proofread for me. Then January 1, I will give it a good edit and start sending it out.

In the meantime, well, it is the Christmas season now, like that won't keep me busy enough. But I hope to go back to writing my novel about my little lost boy in Africa. I want to also try to get some smaller pieces, devotions or the like, out to some publications to see if I can get something in print. I mean, something other than my blog!

Thanks for following me this month. It's been a great way for me to get inspired and stay on track. Tomorrow, I am back to a normal blogging schedule and hopefully some TV time with my hubby.

Stay tuned.

My Very Last Distraction

Ok, now, honest to goodness, this is my last distraction.

Last night about an hour after the rat terriers we had for the weekend went home with their mom, this little love bucket came to live with us. His name is Brewster and I fell in love with him a month ago when I met him at a friend's house. I told her that if she ever needed to leave him with some one, I would take him in a heartbeat. She called me a week ago to say she is leaving for a three month stint in Long Island - she just started working as a travelling surgical tech and this will be her first gig. And she couldn't take Brewster with.

Oh, yes and he is a manx, which means he doesn't have a tail - the poor thing. But he is softer than fleece and a purring machine. So far he is getting along ok with Dino - as you can see, and the other cats will adjust I am sure.

So, tonight was my last free night to bond and goof off. Tomorrow it is back to the book - and tomorrow is also the last day of NaNoWriMo, so I will have to come up with a final word count by then. Yikes! And if nothing else Brewster will give me more to write about. After all, writers never have crises - it is all just material.

Are you ready? Or could you use a little more sleep?

“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” Mark 13:34-37 (New Living Translation)

This was the Bible verse that our sermon was based on in church this weekend. But as I am sitting here with my house guests literally on my feet (if you haven’t read yesterday’s blog, now might be a good time), I’m inspired to take this Bible passage a step further.

When my friend dropped off her two dogs on Friday night, I asked when she would be back for them. Well, she didn’t know for sure, maybe Sunday night, but if she got home too late, she might not come for them until Monday morning. Honestly, I am totally ok with that. Her two rat terriers really are no trouble at all. She can pick them up whenever. I won’t stay up waiting for her, but I will be prepared - and so will the dogs - whenever she gets here.

Shelley texted me yesterday morning, “How are the kids? Did they keep you warm in bed?”

She had warned me that one of them likes to snuggle under the blankets with her. Again, I was ok with that. If my 60 pound Dino can sleep on my feet, I think I can handle a five-pounder under my covers.

But then my husband got a call from work, they wanted him to come in at 2:30 in the morning. He went to bed around eight, and so as not to wake him up, I stayed in the living room, on the couch with all three dogs until he got up a little after one AM. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep, but that wasn’t really the dogs’ fault.

So, to Shelley’s text, I replied, “Long story, but everyone is doing fine.”

Shelley wrote back, “In short, what happened.”

And I typed, “Nothing, everything is fine.”

Isn’t that just like us? Jesus tells us He doesn’t know when He’s going to return and when He asks in the meantime how we are doing, we text Him four words! Jesus is coming back some day to claim His kingdom and just because no one knows when that is going to be, is no reason to blow Him off now. We should be talking to Him every day, telling Him all the little details of our mundane lives, because He cares about us so much that He wants to hear all about us. Sure, He already knows but don’t you think He wants to find out directly from us, have that relationship, that interaction with us?

And if Jesus comes for me in the middle of the night – awesome! Shelley, however, can wait until daytime to pick up the dogs.

(They look ready, all right. Ready to keep me awake all night. Can you believe my husband and me both fit in the bed besides?)

An Interview

This weekend, we have two house guests staying with us. One of the skills which all writers should develop is the ability to interview, so I thought that I would interview my two guests for my blog today.

Me: Welcome, Millie and Rat.

Millie: It is a pleasure to be here. We are having a great time and thank you so much for having us.

Rat: Humph.

Me: Rat, would you like to elaborate on that?

Rat: Some hospitality! Your dog assaulted me before Mom was even out of the driveway.

Millie: Dino was just establishing his alpha male dominance. He could see right away what a virile specimen you are and wanted to make sure you knew your place.

Me: I'm very sorry about that. I hope he didn't hurt you.

Millie: Just the poor baby's feelings.

Rat: Next time, I'll see to it that Marv stays here. He can teach that Dino a lesson.

Dino: That would hardly be fair. Marv is four times bigger than me. He bumped into me in the yard when your mom dropped you off, and he just about knocked me out.

Me: Marv is rather large. How do you two smaller dogs get along with a Rottweiler in your home?

Millie: Just fine. He knows who is in charge.

Me: Your master?

Millie: Oh, be serious. Everyone knows I am in charge in that household.

Me: OK. So, to change the subject, what are rat terriers known for?

Millie: For being wonderful loving loyal companions to their people.

Rat: Humph.

Me: Rat?

Rat: Everyone knows that rat terriers were bred to eradicate rats from people's homes.

Millie: That is right, Rat, and I noticed that there are several very large rats around this house. Would you like us to help you get rid of them?

Me: Umm, those are my cats, and I'd like to keep them if you don't mind.

Millie: Well, I don't see what purpose they serve, but if you insist, as long as you let me sleep in your bed again tonight.

Me: Sure. Anything else either of you would like to share?

Millie: Is it time for a treat?

Dino: Yeah, it's been like an hour since we ate anything.

Me: Dino, could you just once be a good host?

Dino: Yes, Mom.

Well, I think that wraps it up. I have to tend to the needs of these three and make sure the cats are still alive. Until next time.

The Transformation - the rest of the story

Every Thanksgiving morning for the past four or five years, Himey and Nick have muscled our dining room table through - not one, not two - but three doorways and into the living room. And every Thanksgiving evening they have carried it back. What a cool thing to be thankful for - two guys who are willing to give me my dream Turkey-Day. Also, a big thanks to my contractor, Steve Rigney, who in the spring of 1999 turned my attached two-car garage into this beautiful living room. Without that remodel, these Thanksgivings wouldn't be possible.

The Transformation

Hope you and yours had a safe and blessed Thanksgiving, gathered around one table or many.

(Don't you love Dino under the table!)

Something to be thankful for

Here's something to be thankful for this thanksgiving. Be thankful that you are probably eating turkey instead of goat. These are the goats which we ate while I was in Kenya. Scrawny things, aren't they? And tough as shoe leather. But we got used to it. Amazing what you will eat when you have to.

As far as word count on my memoir. My total is at 42,196 words. I have it all written, just need to go through the last couple chapters to see if I forgot anything. Then that will be it. Woot, woot. By next week, I will be begging for volunteers to proof-read it.