Trying to Catch My Breath

I can't believe that it is February! Wait! I can't believe that February is more than half over! I certainly don't have any pictures to show for it.








I started the year off with an ear infection that prevented me from getting outside...







Then we were into mid-terms and semester report cards...







And then there was the car accident...







Yes, two weeks ago I was involved in a car accident. My car "Ursula Sinead Popodopolis" was a total loss. I didn't even get pictures of that... My shoulder is still bothering me some but that is the extent of my injuries...I'm thankful that I wasn't a total loss. Actually, I am thankful for a whole lot in this situation.

Had I been 6 inches farther down the road my door would have collapsed in on me.  After the lady ran into me I ricocheted off her vehicle through two lanes of traffic.  There was no one next to me or behind me so I didn't hit anyone on my way through the lanes and I didn't get hit by anyone else.  I hit my shoulder but I didn't hit my head.  I was driving a Toyota so my car was worth $1000.00 more than what I owed on it.  The lady that hit me was honest with her insurance company so there was no "fault" dispute.  Ten days after the accident I was in my new car.  To borrow one of my favorite quotes, "God is...God is...God is God, you know?!"




So, I have a new car and the upcoming weekend is supposed to be warm (mid-50s) and sunny so I am headed to the Outer Banks this weekend. Maiden Road Trip for Shamgar "Chuck" O'Malley...







I am hoping that by choosing a tough and manly name, people will be less likely to run into my car. So I have christened my new car Shamgar "Chuck" O'Malley. Shamgar...as in the guy who is only mentioned in one verse of the Bible, Judges 3:31, yet killed 600 Philistines in one day--with a pointy stick. Chuck...as in Norris. And O'Malley...representing my inner banshee and every Irish curse connected to my heritage.







Anyway...time to get on with the journey.

Writing Is Like Tea...

E (the lady in whose basement I live) asked me today if I had ever written a book. When I told her "no" she said that surprised her. That I just seemed the kind of person who would write a book. Then I said, "Writing is like tea."


Here's what I mean. Tea. I have always wanted to be a tea-drinker...because it sounds cool and fancy and...sophisticated. "Can I get you something to drink?" "Yes, I'll have some tea." Sounds silly, I know...but there it is. Tea is ancient and ceremonial. It is mysterious. When you are served "tea", you not only receive a cup but a saucer as well and not just any cup and saucer but expensive, fragile ones that you can only hold properly if you stick your pinky finger in the air and that make dainty, tinkling sounds when you use them. "Tea" also comes with cookies, and scones and bite-sized sandwiches with no crust. Tea is not just something to drink, it is a whole separate culture...

And it is serious...

...and mature. As evidenced by generations of children--desiring to be "all grown-up"--dressing up and having "tea parties."



But here's the thing...having said all that...tea tastes terrible.

I keep trying it because they lure me in with those exotic names and spicy aromas...but everytime I think...BLAAEEHHCK! (or something close to that.)



I want to like tea...but I don't like tea.



Now writing. I have always wanted to be a writer...because it seems cool and intelligent and...sophisticated. "What do you like to do in your spare time?" "I write. Journal. Blog..." And again...I am fully aware of the oddity of this. But think of all the knowledge we have thanks to writers. Not just professional authors of books but young and old, educated and...not, intentional and incidental writers of diaries, journals, notes, letters, stories, memoirs, speeches, poems and songs. Writers are able to use words to convey concepts and ideas, feelings, pictures... They routinely reveal mysteries, increase options, heighten awareness, encourage growth, motivate actions and broaden imaginations.

And again...having said all that...I'm just not a good writer.

I keep trying it because they lure me in with fancy journals with gorgeous covers and hand-made paper or gilded pages (or with new templates for blogging...). Then I get half-way through and I think, "WHAT am I doing???" This frustrates me immensely because I am a really good storyteller...but writing the stories down is much harder.

I want to write...I'm just not very good at it.

BUT...I will keep trying.