Dreams

I was beginning to wonder why I bring my camera on bike rides.

We've lived here in New York for nearly five years.  This house has been empty since before we came.  It has always intrigued me.  Maybe it's because my sister and her family lived in a once-abandoned home, their "hope house."  Maybe it's the blue trim.  Today, the tree, the trim, and thinking about my sister made me stop and take this picture.

Abandoned homes are interesting.  Who lived there?  Why did they leave?  Why didn't they sell the home?  Empty homes are untold stories.

It used to be a farm house.  There are matching "no trespassing" signs all around a large area. There's a big old barn in back.  Now the home is right on the edge of a fairly busy road, probably too close.  This home, this land, was once someone's dream.

The last half of my ride, I kept thinking about abandoned dreams and some of the good and bad reasons people leave them. Many reasons.  I finally decided maybe it doesn't matter what happens to a dream as much as it matters to have one. 

Desert Mind

I am focused and searching and busy and happy and hopeful.  I am creating and loving.  Maybe that's all that matters.

Crawling Along

I saw several of these crawling along roadsides while I was on a long bike ride today.  March 11th of this year, I blogged about these little guys on a different blog.  That's the day I took this picture.  I said back then they must be a sign of spring.  Apparently, they are also on the move in fall. 

I worked on my fun story today.  I almost didn't.  Time has gone by too quickly with all my other responsibilities and desires coming first.  I didn't give it much time, but I'm glad I wrote anyway.  The story is slowly developing just like it should. 

Despite financial worries, and thanks to my hard-working, encouraging husband, I also registered for a new class-- creative non-fiction writing.  Perhaps it will improve my blog posts.  Two more classes to go after this one.

It's okay to move slowly.

Robot Mom

My ten-year-old daughter made this.  She called it Robot Mom.  She wore glasses, like me, and clip-on earrings.  Her mouth opened wide.  She was intended as a teaching tool to show how scary it is when a mom yells.  Sadly, she's already fallen apart.  I liked her.  Too bad she couldn't make me a working robot mom.  I could use one of those.

This week was time well spent, though it was definitely a crazy one.  Not crazy busy, just crazy crazy.  But that's okay.  I feel better now.  I even wrote a few hundred words yesterday.  Next week should be much better.

Have a great weekend!

Perspective

Time saver:  I won't be posting on this blog for a week or so.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great one.

Inspiration

I got a new story idea today from a color wheel.  This one was made by Goethe and is found in his 1810 "Theory of Colours." 

What happened to writing plays?  I researched the submission procedures for the contest I was going to enter with my ten minute play.  I discovered how fierce the competition is.  Out of thousands of entries, there is only one monetary award and it won't be given until next fall.  The odds are too low and next fall feels too far away for my ambitious self.  I will go ahead and submit to the contest, partly because I really like the 10 minute play and I have nothing to lose, but I need to move on to something with more potential.  I might write plays on days when I need a break from the bigger ideas.  Or maybe I'll use them as a way to get a story moving.  I guess the important thing to remember with all of these writing efforts of mine is to not give up.

Keep Writing Or Else

I discovered something fun while reading the comments in a friend's blog today.  Somebody suggested this website which motivates you to reach a word goal within a time limit and keeps you writing:  http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html.  I recommend scrolling down and watching the YouTube demonstration. I didn't really feel like writing today, so this was motivating and kind of fun.  I think I'll use it again in the future.  I don't think the word count is accurate; I think it might count punctuation or spaces, I'm not sure.  When you're done, you just copy and paste to a regular document and then you can edit, save, or whatever.  Apparently, he's also working on an off-line version that you can buy.  Fun!