I Love Rocks

Uh oh. I missed blogging yesterday with a computer cut free from the internet. Withdrawal? You bet. But the router has been upgraded and things seem to be moving along nicely this morning. So, here's a short 100 day challenge blog for today. (I'll try to catch up with the missed blog later!)

I love rocks. Plain weathered rocks from a path or shaped and polished to gem quality, I just love 'em.  Some are for holding and contemplation. Some for studying and admiring. Some are just because I like the shape, size, color, feeling... Guess it comes down to the fact I simply enjoy surrounding myself with stones. I've been told I have an earth spirit, so that makes sense!

I'm not the only one in my household that is a rock lover. Whenever we go to a rock show, my brother picks at least one geode from the bin and has it split. This is one of my favorites--in fact, I kinda appropriated this one. Although you can't see it well, there is a bit of pale amethyst among the crystals. But what I like best is the shape of the cavity.

I write romance. What a bonus to open a geode and find a heart! Okay, some folks may not see the raggedy shape as a heart, and that's okay. It's my rock and I'll see what I want in it. :)

Oh, and did I mention that my favorite shape for a polished stone is a sphere? Yep, I love balls too. (and you can make of that whatever you will!)

Star Wars and Writer's Block

A few days ago I was going through a drawer where I've stashed empty journals. Like so many writers (and others) I have a thing for paper, and notebooks, and journals and pens. So... the drawer. I found some interesting things--like the attempted start of a journal after I was divorced. Hey, at least now I can figure out the date. Never let it be said I have a good sense of time in the day/month/year aspect.

One of my stashed blank books is a Star Wars journal celebrating 20 years of the phenomenal galaxy far, far away. (Not a new journal, huh?)

Star Wars... (the original movie, the first one made, which is now the fourth movie, arrgh, it gets so confusing...THE Star Wars). There's always been something about this movie that sparks my desire to tell my own stories. In fact, long ago, in a notebook thankfully far, far away, I started a story to explain the beginning of The Force and Yoda's birth and subsequent part in developing the ancient religion. At that time, it wasn't a well written start--although there are still promising ideas that come from that beginning.

Even now, watching Star Wars makes my fingers twitch to start storytelling. It doesn't matter if the tale I'm working on isn't space fantasy--the movie sparks my muse. Writer's block? Hey, it's a great excuse to watch a movie.

There are other movies in my list of block breakers... but Star Wars will forever stand at the top of the list.

How about you? After reading this **100 day challenge post** are there movies that help you get past the tough spots in writing--or life itself?

Waiting for Windows

The house where I live is getting new windows! Hooray--I'll be able to open and close them for fresh air without having to stand on the crank to get it to turn. And I'm not putting the mini-blinds back up. I don't need 'em. I don't want 'em. When I pull back the curtains I want a clear view of the world outside...

when Goku isn't in the way, that is. Handsome fellow, isn't he? I'm sure he'll enjoy the new windows too, batting at bugs and those things that only kitties can see.

And so will Lessa... until she gets dog snot all over her level of viewing.

When there comes a day I'm having trouble thinking of what words to use to fill up my 100 word challenge, maybe I'll write about what my four-legged housemates see when they look out the window.



I don't have to wonder what the fish think...
 Feed me. Hungry. Hungry....

What ideas come to you when you look out a window?


**this has been a 100 day challenge post

The Tower of Bable

          I'm not talking about the tower that was the starting point for the world filled with multiple languages, but rather the stack--okay, stacks--taking over my space. I'm talking books here, folks. Towering stacks of books.


BABLE--Books Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy


I love books. Writers do, ya know. I loved books and started my towers long before I decided to commit to writing my own. My earliest book memories are of Beatrix Potter's Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse. This was the first book I could read by myself. Over and over again. And then the Golden Book We Love Grandpa. This book told the story of Grandpa babysitting a young brother and sister. At that time I didn't have any siblings, but I sure did love all the time I got to spend with my Grampa.


So, I've collected books. And books. And even more books. Will I ever be able to read them all? I doubt it, but it sure is fun trying.

And I love all formats of books, paper, audio, electronic. One special benefit to the audio books on my Ipod and the ebooks on my Kindle is that they don't contribute to the actual, physical tower! Thank goodness. Otherwise I might end up on a new reality show--Book Hoarders. Come along dearies. Wind your way through the mountains of my books. Sadly, I can visualize that.


How about you? Do you have an overpowering tower of books?


**This post is part of my journey to create somewhat intelligently for the next 100 days. You''ll find these 100 day challenge posts here or at Creativity for Happy Endings, Mz *lizzie cooks, or Heartland Writers Group. Follow me around this mini-blogging universe and see what trouble I get into--uh, I mean, what fine thoughts I discover!

The creativity alphabet moves on to G

Stop by Creativity for Happy Endings

and see what Dee Ann Carlson

 has to say about

 the letter G!

Perseverance

Remember

when you see a man

at the top of a mountain,

he didn't fall there.

~Unknown

Photo credit: clarita from morguefile.com

Ann Stephens gets to B Creative!

Author and fellow Heartlandian Ann Stephens is visiting Creativity for Happy Endings today to talk about a B word. No, not that one... about Balance!