One book leads to another...

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Woes and Wows




A slight breeze stood a strand of wheat colored hair straight up on his head as he crawled from a muddy drainpipe. A sliver of pale blue between slowly parting clouds seemed all the assurance he needed to hike up his little jeans and resume whatever journey he’d been on before the downpour; the downpour that had separated us.

I expected anger, fear. I anticipated relief when I called his name. A thorny vine of grief tightened around my heart when icy blue barbs glared from his tear-streaked face as he quickened his pace away from me. 

Stunned by profound sorrow, I didn’t, at first, realize that it had been my own voice wailing “What have I done?” that awakened me. But I was ever so glad it had. And I spent the rest of the dark hours thinking about what in the land of languid lizards had possessed me to have a dream like that, and I thought about the passing year in general.

I certainly learned a lot in a year far more eventful than most. From tempestuous trials I learned determination, through jubilant triumphs; humble restraint, infinite patience is required for much-anticipated weddings, and I learned quiet acceptance when unexpected funerals don’t always bring folks together.  Once I had it all mapped out, each in its own drawer of memories, it was easy to see the thread that ties them all together—people. Good, bad or ugly, people make the world go up, or down in just about every conceivable way.   I can count quite a few who’ve influenced events—or outcomes of said events in the last year alone. How about you? Can you count on one hand the people who affected events in your life last year?

I’m of a mind that as long as you’re still learning, you’re still living. I guess I am most assuredly still doing both! But there’s been one thing missing of late. Writing. I haven’t been writing, and I dearly miss it.  Here is where the insecurity pours in like a busted dam upriver; flooding my mind with bony bent twigs of inspiration being swiftly washed away as a treasured muse with an icy blue glare drifts past on an old oven door.  Do any of my fellow InsecureWriters ever feel that setting aside writing for awhile might mean never getting it back? 

Wednesday Word(s):  Truncated Domes: A strip (typically bright yellow) of strategically raised buttons (the worldwide language of braille) placed on the ground near stores, restaurants, parking lots; anywhere pedestrian and vehicular traffic intersect to warn the visually impaired of possibly dangerous areas. It’s not just a courtesy—it’s the law. This product was created by Tilco Vanguard™.   Pretty cool, huh? Honorable mention due to National Braille Month. Does anyone have any books published in braille?

14 comments:

  1. Hi, dear Diedre!

    I always wondered about those yellow domes in parking lots. Thank you for the explanation.

    Mrs. Shady and I both reported odd dreams and nightmares the first two nights of 2016. One of mine closely resembled the plot of the Australian and U.S. television series The Slap. Have you seen that fine series? In the dream I was organizing my valuable collection of old books and records when a small, unidentified boy entered the room and became disruptive. He began grabbing my prized possessions, tossing them to the floor and damaging them. I told him to stop. He ignored me. To prevent him from destroying any more of my miscellany I slapped his face, at which time he turned on me, glared fiercely and grew into a giant. I awoke as the 50 foot brat was about to attack. Can you offer an interpretation?

    Every year we negotiate the rapids, coping with change, surprises, triumphs and tragedies. People and circumstances influence our lives and each of us has the power to choose how much or how little. We can choose the manner in which we respond to external stimuli.

    Diedre, I expressed this to you in previous comments. You are a sensational writer. You prove it in every post and in your comments and replies. It amazes me how many people who call themselves writers and authors apparently don't know the first thing about writing a decent comment on a blog. "Twitter tweet" aka "hit and run" comments are a "slap in the face" to the blog's host who might have spent many hours crafting the post. You are different, a cut above. You care. You put tender loving care into every sentence you write and it shows. I can't understand why you would ever feel insecure about your writing ability.

    You wrote:

    << Here is where the insecurity pours in like a busted dam upriver; flooding my mind with bony bent twigs of inspiration being swiftly washed away as a treasured muse with an icy blue glare drifts past on an old oven door. >>

    That glorious sentence alone is more than enough evidence to sway any jury.

    Your honor, I rest my case!

    Happy Wednesday, dear friend Diedre!

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    1. Good Morning, dear Shady!
      It seems as though the 50 ft. brat may well have been the culmination of what had been troubling you - as well the impetus for the subsequent solution. I'd say "Well done!" except I know how disturbing dreams can be;-)
      Bless your heart, my friend, you say the kindest things. While some folks wear their hearts on their sleeves, I guess I tend to write it. I appreciate you making me think it's alright to do so:-)
      It's a rip-roarin' day, here in the Sonoran desert with a police stand-off, pouring rain (5 inches recorded in the Santa Cruz river!) and the disappearance of somebody's grandma has caused a Silver Alert! As I diligently try to get tax forms out I hope your Wednesday is off to a quieter start;-)

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  2. I know that setting the writing aside for a while will never result in me not going back. The itch just continues to grow until I have to do something about it.

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    1. See? More proof that you are indeed a writer! Isn't that the truth about the itch? I've composed entire scenes and had to run inside all muddy just to jot it down!

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  3. I always fear that, but you know what? After 20 years I've learned that you always go back to writing, even when you take time off. Writing is something you ARE, not something you do!

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    1. "...Something you ARE," I love that! While there will always be other things in life, I do adore writing! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Stephanie:-)

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  4. I've always believed you should learn something new every day. I love learning.

    I can't stop writing, even when I stop temporarily, I never stop for good.

    I almost has a short story published in braille but it didn't work out in the end. It would've been really cool though.

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    1. I guess it's that first quiet moment when you take a deep breath and think "Now that I can, what will I write?" Ack! Thankfully, the frightful moment passes...
      I was surprised by how many big name publishers actually do publish in braille. Only down-side might be that most braille publications are donated. I wouldn't mind contributing to the cause.;-)

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  5. I haven't been writing like I've been meaning to--I get distracted plenty. Yes, there have been those people who have inspired me and made me think more deeply. Last year was a good year for me, but not for writing.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Aw, but when you do write or blog, people listen. That's what counts;-)

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  6. Sounds like a very eventful year and that can throw us off. I believe you'll get back to writing. It's always there and can go a long way to dealing with anything life throws at us.

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    1. "A long way to dealing with anything..." there's a lot of truth to that, isn't there? Writing does have the power of spiritual restoration and deliverance. Thanks for reminding me, Nick! :-)

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  7. I think you're an exceptionally talented writer, Diedre, and that's only from reading your blog posts and comments (it all counts as writing, IMO). Have no fear, the muse is bound to return to you. We all have bad dreams from time to time, some that make sense and some that are completely bizarre. Best just to shrug them off. Wishing you a great 2016!

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    1. Well, thank you Debbie :-) Bless your heart. I have a feeling my muse will appear again - when the coast is clear - ha! I think that all dreams are helpful in either laying something to rest, or bringing it to the forefront so you can address the issue. My favorite are the dreams that take me to carefree places where worries banished:-)

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