The paint brush of the Heavenlies

Has come here.

Nature’s Shadows – haiku

Nature’s long shadows

Deep in the afternoon

The night not far

Fall Flowers – a haiku

Fall flowers sunkissed

Bright colors reaching for light

Their time rather short

Loving You

Loving you is like

Coming home and being wrapped

In heaven’s embrace

Monday Work Haiku

Multitasking Work

To do list overwhelming

Press on for money

Sunday Morning

 

Morning knowledge gained

Anticipation and the

Book Review with espresso

Fall Evening

Fall evening descends

Twinkle lights glowing bright now

Another blessed moment

I Love Actual Books But Not Actual Newspapers

Just a few days ago I announced how I had abandoned the Kindle 2 in favor of the tactile experience of books.  Today I found myself not reading the tactile paper edition of the New York TImes (Sunday edition) but the online version.  In fact, at one point today I was also reading the Sunday edition on my iPhone on the NYTimes iPhone application.

I have always read newspapers.  The actual paper copies – I have moved all over the country and the first thing I do when I move is subscribe to the local paper.  Until May 2009.  We moved to our new apartment and a few days later received the subscription renewal notice for the Dallas Morning News. We did the math – to subscribe for a whole year it was over $400 dollars.  It didn’t help that the newspaper always came after I left for work – so If I read it at all it was a quick skim in the evening.  We made the decision to forgo subscribing to the newspaper.  It did take some adjustments mentally.  For weeks I would look for the paper only to remember I did not renew it.  Then I didn’t look for it anymore.

Like many people I get my news online. I check the news many times a day, usually just a glance at the headlines. At least once a day I do read an entire article – the weekends even more articles to read because I do have a bit more time. Would I pay for online content?  Yes.  Would I pay $400 for online content. No.

I know many are predicting the end of print media.  I do not fear the end of books – I have been to the Kindle 2 world and although it definitely had it’s benefits it lacked character and even romance.  I fear newsprint has always had less character and that will be their demise.  But after the initial shock will we really miss the tactile feel of newsprint?

Half Price Books – Where Books Go To Live Again

I love Half Price Books.  It’s one of my favorite book-type destinations. If you do not need the latest a greatest read but a read that was great once and still is – this place is for you. In 16 states scattered across the country you can find this wonderful store.  The concept is simple. You have books (or records or cds or dvds or even VCR tapes) that you do not want any more.  Load them up and take them to your Half Price Books – now unless you have some pretty rare books or books that will bring a pretty penny – you won’t get rich selling your books. But you will get more money to buy more books or just the money if you prefer. Sounds perfect to me.

Today, Husband and I made the trek to the big Half Price Books on NorthWest Hwy in Dallas.  It’s the big one – there are smaller ones scattered around the D/FW metroplex but this one is giant.  I really could spend hours there but it was college football Saturday so I had a time limit.

I love the old books with the yellowing pages.  I love the dusty, musty scent of the place laced with fresh brewed coffee.  I love the fact, if I wanted to, I could get a back massage right on the premises next to the coffee shop. Today being Halloween – most of the employees were also dressed up.

I love the old paperbacks and the clearance aisles where the inexpensive used books are even more inexpensive.  I love that sometimes you can take one off the shelf, crack it open and read some sentiment written by someone to someone maybe a really long time ago or maybe just a little time ago. Maybe a thought of good wishes in an old Bible in the Religions section.  Maybe just a note mentioning how good this book really is.  Sometimes you might even get an old bookmark – if your lucky.

Used bookstores of all names and shapes and sizes – they are places of magic and mystery. How did this book get here?  How did the owner decide this one just didn’t make the cut while packing to move? Did the owner need some extra cash to buy another book or even buy some bread? However they got there – they have a renewed life, a new chance to be read, a new chance to make a difference — a new chance to inspire and inform.

NaNoWriMo 2009 The Prelude

NaNoWriMo 2009 starts this coming Sunday. A fact I just realized about 30 seconds ago.  Another fact?  I am very happy it’s beginning on a Sunday. I could and probably should kick the event off by staying awake Saturday and beginning to write at 12:01 Sunday morning.  That will probably make church the next day and chore but I am still leaning that direction.  Lots of writing hours on Sunday.  That can set the tone for the whole month.

I am still very happy with my outline and my story line in general.  It’s a good idea. And it’s funny.  And who knows…

Dot Dot Dot.  Who knows maybe the world will love it and I will be famous by summer.  Or maybe my Husband, Mother and friends will love it and I will be famous amongst them.  Every dream starts with the first step.  Every dream needs that moment where the fear of failure is overshadowed by the fear of not even trying. So you take a deep breath, you walk to the edge and you step off into valley of your dreams.  You find the path and your journey has begun.  Scared? You bet.  Reluctant? Every dreamer is at sometime. Brave? Fake till you are.

First steps coming soon