Winter Stories

Further more . . .

2012-01-05T16:30:00.001-08:00

. . . I promise, to do my gall darnedest to keep my pledge of 12 x 12 in 2012. You know, it sure has a nice ring to it and I'm kinda liking the pink an all. Zeebs now heads off to the Marshmallows and the microwave. Time for a little science experiment.

Promises

2012-01-05T15:54:00.000-08:00

Pretending to wear her sisters girl scout hat from 1967, Zeebs stands, no scratch that, sits in her bed under her electric blanket with her dear sweet daughter of 18 years sitting next to her. She is waiting for Zeebs to get up and help her to melt Marshmallows and make Corn Flake Christmas Wreaths.

Zeebs clears her throat. "On my honor, I will do more than "try" to serve God and my computer, to help myself to many cups of coffee from the Everlasting Urn at the Blank Page Cafe and live by the 250 Words a Day Challenge."

http://inkygirl.com/250-words-a-day-project/

How I love the first of the month!

2011-12-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2011. The month wasn't quite how I expected. It didn't end the way I had hoped for, it took new twists and turns. And, some times that's good.

I didn't do well in Nanowrimo but I did in PiBoIdMo. And for that I applaud myself.

Thanks again, Tara for all your hard work and all your guests also.
http://taralazar.wordpress.com/

2011-11-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

OUR BOY HAS COME HOME

This pretty much sums up what I have been up to lately.

11, 11, 11

2011-11-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED,"WRITE ABOUT YOUR WORKSPACE."

I am very mobile when it comes to my workspace. I tend to follow the sun. So in various areas of the house I set up spots to sit and claim my own. I bring along my trusty Gateway Laptop. I call her "Shemp." I guess I call her that because back in the day I had a Genet 10 speed I called Shemp. He took me everywhere. Now, that's the job of my laptop.

He has long ago gone to rest. My dear brother rode him over a very dead, huge log. The brother sang a few high notes, and poor "Shemp" sang his last note.

I usually bring my cord, my laptop, a cup of coffee my cell phone and a warm quilt (especially in the month of November). If I am in my car, playing chauffeur, I bring a cup of coffee and my AlphaSmart Dana, I call it "Shemp" also, saves burning up all my memory cells.

November 8, 2011

2011-11-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

Three Days .
Three Cows
. . .
Three Strikes,
You're Out.

Well, I'm not out but I have been as still as these cow.

It's time to get Moooo-ving!

November 5th, 2011

2011-11-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Remember When . . .

I guess it's all relevant to how old you are, but do you remember when you were told you had to take typing in High School and you wondered what you would ever need that for in the future. Kind of like Science, Math, and History.

All those unnecessary subjects. Well who'd of thought it. The electric typewriter replaced the manual. Then came the word processors, computers, ipads, iphones, software, downloads. Is any of this helping me reach my word count for Nanowrimo?

¡Ay, ay, ay!

November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T21:06:00.001-07:00

Day Four . . .

I guess it's about how you see things in life. I was forever called "Four Eyes" as a child. Kids can be so cruel.
Well, this set of four eyes is my dear sweet husband, John, and myself. We were at the wedding of one one of our children's dearest friends. And No! We hadn't been drinking. Although John sort of looks like he is one step away from being my sock puppet.

Today was a different day for me. I started my seasonal job of making Christmas wreaths.
Have I been slacking? Noooo! I am one idea ahead with my PiBoIdMo ideas. Today's has to do with glasses.
As far as Nanowrimo. The night isn't over for me, I have yet to type a word towards today's word count. So, look out 1,667 here I come.

November 3, 2011

2011-11-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

A CAT'S TALE

Third day at the OK Corral. I don't know about the rest of the November writers but I sure wish I was this guy. I've been able to sleep in the last couple days which is a far cry from my 4:30 wake up November 1st. But, these late nights are a challenge.

During morning coffee I watched the wind blow the last of our leaves off the four trees that line our property at the end of the driveway. I was inspired to write a PB about the adventures of my cat, Mike. Wow, he's seven. How time flies.

I'm off to add 1,500 words to my Nano story. It's going somewhere, it has to be. It's time to grab the cat and head off to the couch with my laptop. Have a great night.

November 2, 2011

2011-11-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

DRIVE-THUR MENTALITY-IS IT ALL BAD?

Today is day 2 of PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo. How did all the others out there do on day one, I wonder?

I'm getting organized as I go. I'm unstressed and enjoying myself immensely. I ran across a couple pocket notebooks. I found one from an entry from 2002. Allow me to share---

"Look how many years it has taken you to get where you are. For me it's been 50 years! We want to change behavior like a chameleon changes color and at the speed of a drive-thru. Pick one thing a day, focus on it. If you can do it two days in a row add the next thing. One step at a time."

Wow! I said that? Truer words were never spoken, at least by me. Perhaps PiBoIdMo shall be about a drive-thru experience.

"Two orange, sir? That will be two orange, sir."
"No!! Coke, no orange!!"
"Then that will be two orange, sir?"

True story, this went on for about 5 minutes.

Well, on to the Cracked Shoe to start my next 1,667 words.

Nano-Nano,
Zeebs

November !, 2011

2011-11-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL LOG

When there are large gaps of time in my life I begin to wonder what have I accomplished. This picture was taken in Santa Barbara March 30, 2005. That's 5 years and 7 months ago.

And, 7 months since my last post during NaPiBoWriWee.

I look around and realize that things look pretty much the same here. Different house, a few less kids, but still the same daily chores that keep me from writing. There are always promises to my self. "I will do this when I get this done. I promise."

Today it's day one in Nanowrimo Land and PiBoIdMo Village. It's time to go out to the local coffee shop, The Cracked Shoe and write. Just keep walking past that counter laced with kitchen duties. Push the laundry basket to the side. I have two hours until we go to the dentist. Plenty of time for 1,667 words.

As far as PiBoIdMo, I do have that meatball idea!

Cheerio and Stiff Upper Lip.

PiBoIdMo 2011

2011-10-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

Another year has hurled by. Thank you Tara Lazar for hosting PiBoIdMo again this year. Please check her blog out this month, http://taralazar.wordpress.com.

Third time's a charm.

2011-05-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

We'll see if that holds true. If I may borrow the quote from ERIN EITTER KONO, the guest author/illustrator for 2011 NaPiBoWriWee Day One, on Paula Yoo's blog,
“Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” -Shinichi Suzuki.
So that means seven days divided into ten thousand. That's how many years of doing PiBoWriWee before I acquire the skill. Tell me it isn't so.

Be sure to check out http://paulayoo.com/napi/

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

2010-11-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

They say the trick to keeping things healthy is to use it. I'm sure you've heard it said,"if you don't use it, you'll lose it." That works for legs, love, lungs, and numerous alphabetical words beside the 'l' letter. So what's my point?

I haven't used my blog for almost six months to the day. One tends to forget what their username is, their password, even the email associated with the blog. If it wasn't for the link to my blog I have stored, I probably wouldn't remember the blog name either.

What brings me back to this wondrous place of stories to tell while curling up with hot cocoa next to the fireplace is, NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo.

I'm in to my fourth day of doing both and loving it.

So now that I have my fingers warmed up and the whip cream is slowly melting around the edges of the cup, let it me my pleasure and hopefully yours also, to keep you updated on how things are going.

YAY ME!

2010-05-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

I AM THE PROUD WINNER OF LISA WHEELER'S DINO-BASEBALL.

After a two day recess from scurrying and scratching out 7 picture books in 7 days, I am so elated to have been a winner on Paula Yoo's website.http://paulayoo.com/blog

I won Lisa Wheeler's book, DINO-BASEBALL. Illustrated by Barry Gott.
http://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/LW/home.html

Take a look at the adorable You Tube video on her website.

Thanks Lisa and Paula, I look forward to it's arrival.

NaPiBoWriWee

2010-05-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

Day seven is soon to come to an end. I have 7 minutes left to tell you seven things I love about NaPiBoWriWee. Here we go. Let's see if I can do this.
1. The camaraderie.
2. The short time in which to do this.
3. Why of course, Paula for thinking this up.
4. The charming thought of simple things to write for children.
5 Dreaming up the stories, through out the day, or digging up old ideas from a year ago.
6. Looking at the most obscure thing and working up an idea for a picture book.
7. Visualizing what an illustrator could do with my words.

Dancing With Raindrops

2010-05-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterdays book is being written as I speak, or is it type? Anyway, it's in the works.
I took the day away from NaPiBoWriWee. I wasn't sure if it was because I was just way to busy to even find the computer, or if mentally, writing #6 meant I was one away from #7, which meant I would be done. It's like that last few licks that are left on a big colorful swirly sucker. YOU CAN'T FINISH IT BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN IT'S ALL GONE!

So instead you save it. You stick it in a safe place, perhaps a dresser drawer. It get's covered with sting or lint. If you're lucky the mice don't find it. You take it out six months later and sneer up your lip. But, at least, you still have it. I can be so confused sometime.

So day 7 is here. Sadly! I have 2 to do. I'll be checking back with the blog world later tonight. There's closet work to be done as I dance with the rain drops.

Day 5 I'm still alive.

2010-05-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

For as busy as a day as this way for me, I did very well with the story number five. I tried to kept my word count down but the words kept flowing. My MC is an insect. A very unlikely pal.
May we be blessed with a good day number 6.

Two's company, three's a crowd . . .

2010-05-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

. . . four is tired, is bed allowed?

Today I wrote a rhyming PB. It is about the simplicity of seasons. One day follows another. That means, we can be sure day five is coming tomorrow.

Stop smiling and get to bed little snowgirl.

When You Don't Fit In

2010-05-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

It can be pretty lonely when you don't fit in.
That's the feeling Marie gets when her big sister seems to pull a fast one on her and excludes her from the skating party.
Lucky for Marie she is bigger than she thinks. So it goes for my MC in Picture Book number 3 of NaPiBoWriWee. Coming to your local libraries some day soon.

http://paulayoo.com/content/napibowriwee-2010-day-3-mon-5310

Captain's Log ~ Day 2

2010-05-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

I have one minute to ramble on about my ..... "Adventure in the land of NaPiBoWriWee."
What in the world does meatballs, cat tails, puffed wheat and cannons have in common? Well, I'll tell you--they are read together in a zany story with watermelon and a bicycle. Makes sense now doesn't it? In a nut shell . . . "What an amazing dream!"

NaPiBoWriWee

2010-05-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

It's May . . . again.

One would think I've been sitting in the grass for the past 358 day. Last I was here that's what I was doing. As a matter of fact my good friend Just Joany once asked me if I had gotten up yet and what was it like sitting in two feet of snow. Well, I have to tell you although I wasn't physically still sitting on the lawn watching spring turn to summer and then to fall, and onward to winter, my gumption for blogging was somewhere in the deep freeze.

There is only one word for my departure from blogology, MOVING. And, that we did. Here I sit in my unfinished living room which still screams for attention. Come with me as I throw open the windows, let in the fresh air and grab a brush and a pot of paint. Let's not forget, the laptop, my pen and pencil, and also my tablet.

Thankfully it's that time of year again. The asparagus is popping their capped green heads through the ground. The robins are pulling 4" worms out of the earth. Spring has once again come to the land of Winter Stories and it is again time for National Picture Book Writing Week. Come along as I venture into a week long journey into the craft of picture book writing.

And please . . . allow me to remind you of Paula Yoo's site. The mastermind behind this madness.

http://paulayoo.com/content/natl-picture-book-writing-week-napibowriwee-2010-may-1-7-2010

2009-05-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

I laid in the grass yesterday and took pictures of my friends I have waited to see all winter long. They are as happy to be here as I am to see them.

I spent a whole week thinking Picture Books. I enjoyed the challenge immensity. It isn't that I am motivated by this type of challenge, the game, the hunt; last thing I am is a competitor. What I got out of it was the energy of the group. The inspirational kinetic energy that flows from the Creator of words and channels down through us. It's awesome.

Again I thank Paula Yoo, and everyone who spent the time to teach and enlighten us. I can't wait to return and soak up more information. http://www.paulayoo.com/

I dabbled in,

l - o - n - g - b - o - o - k - s,

short books,

good books too. :-)

Ones I thought stunk ;- (

and I said,

"Pee-u!"

The Zeb

Yet, most of all I enjoyed the spirit of just "writing."

How the Seasons of Life Never Seem to Really Change

2009-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Words!
It seems as I enter into the Golden Age, my vocabulary is taking a turn back to Infant Vocabulary. It's not that I am saying to my two month old Granddaughter, "Do you have a booboo?" It's more a conversation of, "Babcia (Polish for Grandmother) is going to do NaPiBoWriWee." The poor child looks at me with the indirect yet inquisitive eyes as if to say, "Sounds good to me, Granny."

The truth be told, as I have become involved with my writing vein, I have had to learn a whole new vocabulary. Like a private world of text for those of us that have a soul for words, there is NaNoWriMo, NaNoEdMo, by this point you have entered a new world and you become Script Frenzied. Once you calm down you turn the corner and there it is, staring you in the face. Thirty days of monthly writing has shrunk itself and turns into seven. It's NaPiBoWriWee.

Allow me to introduce you to "National Picture Book Writing Week." It is an honor for me to share this information and to pass along a website belonging to Paula Yoo, the creator of this week long challenge to write seven picture books in seven days.

http://paulayoo.com/

I also want to thank Tracy Cox for posting this information on my "home within my home", The Institute For Children's Literature, Writers Retreat. http://institutechildrenslit.net/index.php

http://traceymcox.wordpress.com

So, as I walk the fine line of sanity this week, please allow me to keep you up to date on how I am doing. I started last night around 10:30. I was able to plunk out a book of 589 words that seemed to fit my mood for the day. It is now Day 2 and I have much to accomplish before I can sit and be creative. Meanwhile, I will ponder the actions of my next character, Marco. It will be about preparedness taken to the level of obsession. It will be about the change of seasons, kinda the direction this blog should take. It's time to lay aside the Winter Settings.

Please come along with me as we walk through the week of writing.

Zebralynn-Bob.

2009-03-06T06:52:00.000-08:00

May you see your children’s children. Psalm 128:6
Finally a little ray of Sunshine in our lives.
As of last night, we are now Grandparents.
Thank you Lord.

2009-03-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Ah, the first of March. Sometimes known as the Kalends of March. Will I ever be able to post a picture without the appearance of winter in it.

*sighs*
Some day, hopefully, someday soon.

This month should go by quickly. I am busy with NaNoEdMo. A month long editing journey in writing.

Many things are happening in our family. Our son has joined the Military. Our daughter is soon to give birth to her first child and our first Grandchild. Our other daughter is soon to start her spring semester at the Art Institute.
Even though winter chooses to hold on. There is a current moving in our family, things are happening, life is going on.

A Valentine's Day Story of Love and Caring

2009-02-14T10:57:00.000-08:00

There once was a group of teeny tiny writers who lived inside a board. Not just any board, but a magical one. One where thoughts flew by as the sound of clicking filled the air.
One day after venting and ranting, they all needed to clear their heads and get some fresh air. The teeny tiny writers grabbed their Tootsie Pops and went off to the magical forest to feed "Baby Rhinos." It was a secret place where things appear as though they were not.

"Call the medics, I'm turning blue here Chippy." said Zebra, gasping for air.

"This whole thing is total madness." laughed Chippy. "The emergency services are on their way, Zeb. Then again, nothing that a change of scenery won't help."

"Common' girls, it's time to feed the "Baby Rhino's" their favorite meal. Everyone got their, Tootsie Pop? The rest can catch up later. We better head out. Why, you are all looking a little less blue already." said Kate.

They each held on to their most delicious Tootsie Pop, trying hard not to open the paper and lick on the tasty hard candy shell. Gin looked over her pop watching carefully not to get hit by the Big Ol' Mean 'It.' Kate followed close behind her.

"Don't worry Gin, I'll swack it for you if it shows up." said Chippy.

"Thanks Chippy, but just to be sure I'm gonna hide behind my Tootsie for awhile."

"Where's Zebra?" said Kate, "She'd been ranting about octuplets, but she has taken a deep breath and gotten over it. I think. Isn't she coming too?"

Next was Eve and her fairy wings, followed by a line of eager writers wanting to see the secret place and all the magical wonders that awaited them in the magical forest.

"I'm glad you wore your wings Eve, because it's you who will have to fly us up to the top of the tree so we can feed the "Baby Rhino's." said Chippy. "I know it's winter but just in case we run into any spiders, or snakes, or lions, and tigers, and bears. Oh my!"

Eve bravely boasted, "I don't care how many great grandchildren of Charlotte's come across my path, they are all squished. I can handle some snakes, some mice, but no spiders."

"Yes, you are so brave Eve," Yaya smiled, "Besides, I don't think I will be able to hike up there with this big sucker strapped to my belt.."

::giggles, remembering the "Baby Rhino's" wet smile::

Kristi, and Tina, and Natalie was there. Shannon and DonnaRae too.
Dani, and Laura, and Claudette came along. Round and Destiny, what a slue.
They all took their Pops and headed along, beginning to feel not so blue.
Some went ahead and some fell behind but they got there, I tell you it's true.

**delicately saying so**

"I have mixed emotions on this case, but the strongest factor that comes to mind is the well-being of the FUTURE of those "Baby Rhino's." said Kristi.

"I agree," said Natalie, "I have some strong feelings about this which are driving me crazy!"

"Well I only want to add my quick two cents in, if it's the snow that is frightening you, please don't worry, we are used to this stuff." said Shannon.

"Well, here’s my opinion," spoke up DonaRae, "If we run really fast and really hard, we might get there quicker."

Then Tina spoke up, "Yeah but look at that dote in the Princess dress. She's gonna slow us down, who does she want to be like, Angelia Joelle?"

"Was she a patient at the mental hospital? I honestly do not know." remarked Laura.

"She must have a loose screw or two!" Round added in.

"Well, I'm not happy about it either." said Dani. "You think I'm happy running about in these summer clothes?"

The girls chattered and carried on. The 'spirit of rant' was still in their hearts. They began to worry too much on who wore what and what terrors might lurk past the porch. They knew they must get going because the "Baby Rhino's" were counting on them.

"Still, time is the only microscope that really counts in the long run." said Claudette. "Now girls we must hurry."

"I agree," spoke up Destiny, "Gosh this makes me so angry...we must leave now after our long winded ranting. Sorry, the "Baby Rhino's" are counting on us."

Those words ran so true in their hearts. They all began to realize the important job that was bestowed upon them as a group of teeny tiny writers who live inside a board. Not just any board, but a magical one. One where thoughts fly by as the sound of clicking fills the air.

They steadfastly trudged through the snow, around the towering pine tree, and into the secret place. There they saw the retired bird feeder that had become the winter retreat for the itty bitty "Baby Rhino's."

"Help me up, Eve. Me too. Me too." they each requested Eve's assistance. She being the winged Fairy you know, was the one to fly everyone up the tree. One by one she flew the teeny tiny writer's up to the snow covered tree branch. She was tiring so, and as she took her last flight with all the Tootsie Pops tied up in a bow, she skidded, doing a belly flop onto the branch strewing the Pops everywhere.

"Oh No!" they all shouted.

"I'll help you Eve, don't worry, " exclaimed her writer friend.

One by one they worked to shove the Tootsie Pops into the "Baby Rhino's" bird feeder. The girls sat and watched the others approaching that had fallen behind. Eve just rested on her tummy. She was pooped from caring all the Pops. While Kate and the others, looked in to see if the critters were alright.

The mother Rhino was no where to be found. Their little house was packed with fur and straw and every possible type of bedding a Rhino could find. The little bird house showed signs of neglect.

"The Mother Rhino is gone!" said Zebra, "Where could she be?"

"I firmly believe those children are in danger. She does not sound like a person who is capable of making an intelligent and responsible decision . . . ." said Yaya.

They all agreed, it was a good think that they went out to feed the "Baby Rhino's." The road to get there was long and it was cold. Even though they did not always agree, they had each other to encourage one another. And best of all, if they had to again rant, they could again, take another adventure.

I'm having a mental image, here::

::picturing a "Baby Rhino" sucking on a Tootsie Roll Pop::

It's soon to be spring, I can feel it in the way the ground is *squishing* under my hooves. I guess it was a good thing to take some Tootsie Roll Pops out to the "Baby Rhino's."

. . . . shame on me, I didn't realize it was part of their necessary diet.

To quote a well know author:

**fwap-fwap-fwap-fwap.**

Zebrakitchen

**removing her four rubbers with the frog eyes after going out to go feed the "Baby Rhinos"**

**passing the mirror on the way in and noticing the black and white stripes had returned**

Thank you for listening.

January's Determination

2009-01-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Winter just likes to hang on. It is a great lesson in: Determination. It knows it's course and it is going to run it. There are no surprises. We know what to expect of it. In December when it is 20 degrees we complain how cold it is. By January and it has been minus 10 and minus 20 degrees, we look forward to the days when it is again 20 and we say, "It's warm out today." That too is a lesson in determination.
The hardest part is being home bound, stuck indoors. How I long for any sign of a Spring flower to force it's way out of the earth. Until then, we wait, we shovel, we keep warm. That too is determination.

2009-01-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

As I sat in my special writing spot that morning of January 1, I saw the tiny lights I had strung up, shine upon the simple diamond in my wedding ring. Oh how it sparkled, and from such a tiny light. A little bit of light made a hard rock glimmer with life. Well that is how it is with me. I am often a hard rock and I needed just a little bit of light to make me shine through this difficult challenge.
Realizing that shingles are often caused by stress in ones life, I all of a sudden became very aware of the things I talk about to my husband. Like he is the trash can for all my negative woes, the weather, the kids, the bills, the drivers. I saw how I needed to heed what comes out of my mouth. The Good Book says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
I pray for light in my heart this year, it often gets a little dark down there.

2009-01-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

January 1st, 2009
A Diamond in the Tough of Life.

It's always exciting, and scary to start a new year. There are so many expectations and hopes. There is the good and the bad. As life would have it, the Bible says, as sparks fly up so go the troubles of man.

With that said, we enter in the New Year half way through with my husband having shingles. For anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of them, you know this is no was to start the New Year. Perhaps we are getting the bad out of the way right off the bat.

This did sneak up on us. We thought all the aches he was having was pain from pulled muscles from shoveling snow. Ah, snow. It continues to be a snowy, cold winter here. As the weeks go on we tend to adapt. That shows us how multifaceted we are to changes in our life; like a beautifully cut diamond in the light.

Help us Lord to be strong as you head us into the New Year. With each cut that life may put upon us, help us to shine through.