This Life is Real…and so are the Answers
Author of Women's Christian Fiction – This Is the Day!
A couple of weeks ago, our second oldest shared this song with me. I not only really love the song, but as our daughter pointed out, it is Orin and Annabella’s story…and that part was really neat. If you haven’t read, A Place of Refuge yet, this is a spoiler alert! But give it a listen anyway because it’s a fun song. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR4YE7htLgI
Thank you Michael Buble and Meghan Trainor for a great song!
That got your attention, didn’t it?! I’ll have more men readers today than ever before! 😉 This post may get a couple people in my family upset. My husband because he thinks I have too many shoes, my daughters because they think I should give them away…to them, of course!
Shoes!!! I love them. Pretty strange for someone that prefers going barefoot, and once did most of the time. Not so much anymore, need a bit more padding in the foot area these days. But just think of the shoe options! Pumps, platforms, flats, chunky heels, spikes or kitten heels. Beaded, sequined, ruched, leather or satin. And the lists just go on and on.
Each time we have moved, my husband has commented on the amount of shoes I have, the boxes I needed for them. To be fair, I don’t really have as many as I have seen some women. I don’t have a huge walk-in closet lined with shelves of shoes. I keep mine in their original boxes, stacked in neat rows on the bottom of my closet.
Which is why I’m posting this today. Every year, usually the first of April and the first of October, I get ready for the new season. I have posted on the cleaning aspect of this a couple of times on here, so you can go check that out if you’re interested. But I also rotate my shoes. My closet is small…sigh…and I move those stacks every six months. And yes, I’m a bit late this year. But the flip-flops just don’t work in December…really people. Unless you live in the tropics. So put them away until warmer days arrive!
When I had all those boxes pulled out, I took some pictures to share. And now you can see that I really don’t have that many. Of course these pictures show only a few of my shoes. I thought I should add that disclaimer.
You always need a dressy shoe for that special occasion. The black ones don’t show well in this picture, but they’ve had a lot of use. The silver ones are really comfy!
I love the turquoise flats and they are SO comfortable. The pump in the back has a lovely tweed look to it and I haven’t even worn the other platform sandal yet. That is one that could show up missing if my daughters have their say.
Again, more shoes that I haven’t worn yet! The navy blue and white pump is really pretty and great for summer. The slingback goes perfectly with a dress I have. The red, cute, cute shoe in the back was bought for my daughter and I have a blue pair that I have worn a lot. Again, a dress that goes perfectly with them!
And of course, boots!!! I adore boots and I wear them a lot in the winter. The burgundy pair in the background was a really nice surprise today. I had purchased them in the summer and I had completely forgot about them! Happy Birthday to me! The black ones in the front go over my knees and they are really comfortable and warm. Purchased for my daughter, but she gave them to me after a season.
Do I have a problem? Should I seek shoe therapy? I think not. Every pair of shoes I have are purchased at extreme sale prices, almost always under $20. I wear my shoes for years, wash them after each use and pack them in their little box. I don’t spend my life shopping for shoes and I don’t keep them on display. But I do enjoy what I have! Now I just need to wear them more!
This is a little bonus for you. Aren’t they adorable? Yes, we start women to thinking about shoes very early on in their lives.These cute, cute little shoes made me think of our newest grand-daughter, due to arrive on December 23rd. And no, the white pumps at the very top are not mine, but they are gorgeous! I wonder if they come in my size? 😉
Sometimes you just have to share. This video was taken a couple of months ago now. It has taken me this long to find a way to put it on here! Can you get anymore cute?! Oh, our son did a pretty good job with the guitar and singing too! 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowI9QWsT-g&feature=youtu.be
I know, I know, people are going to become sick of hearing this, but I really want to win this little war! The cover for the first book in the Rubyville series, A Place to Call Home is in a cover war at this site: http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/. You can vote on a cover once every 24 hours, and they are very strict about this. They won’t take your vote until it’s been the 24 hours. The cover war for this set of 15 covers will end on Saturday, the 19th. So, please vote for Rubyville…even if you think another cover is better! 😉 I personally think mine is the best one, but I’m a little bias on this one.
So please vote every day through the 20th and help Rubyville – A Place to Call Home to win!!! And of course, if it looks interesting, give it a read and let me know what you think. It’s available on kindle and paperback through https://www.amazon.com/Rubyville-Place-Call-Home-Book/dp/1518744672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479222875&sr=1-1&keywords=deborah+ann+dykeman
Yes, I voted on November 8, 2016. Who I voted for is not the purpose or topic of this post. I am always disgusted by bad behavior, no matter where it comes from, or who does it. It’s not about your gender, color, background or education. It’s all about your actions in this life.
I am a Christian, and I believe in the Sovereignty of God. And as a Believer I abide by the laws of the land and respect my leaders, no matter who they are. I may disagree, be angry, want to fight, but I can still show respect. Christians are in the world, but not of it. That means you take part in what is going on…vote, pay your taxes, abide by the laws, and train your children to do the same. Yes, there are isolated situations where you may need to take a stand for your beliefs, but you can do it with respect and love toward others, shining as a light in this world.
As a citizen of the United States of America, it is my responsibility to uphold the laws of this land. This country was founded on a great value system, which included God. No, all the founders didn’t live an ideal life, no they weren’t perfect and yes they made mistakes…but we all do. I sincerely believe they were in prayer about establishing this country and they did the very best they were led to do. Now it is our responsibility to do the same.
Elections in the United States of America are not about and shouldn’t be about the candidates color, gender or most of the ‘stuff’ mainstream media has made it . It should be about the very best man/woman for the job. The person that can lead our country and uphold the values we were founded on. It has become almost a popularity contest like we all would have seen in high school.
America was great, is great and I pray it remains so. We are a country like no other. We do have equality in gender, color and background, and if you disagree, check out the news in other places. And we are still striving to be better in all those areas. People in America are standing in the streets protesting the new president-elect. Other places that I can think of, this would not be tolerated. Generally, here in America, we have the right to live our lives as we choose. That is not so in many, many places here on this earth.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall. It’s simple. I do understand disappointment, fear, anger and hostility. But our actions are what makes the difference. I can disagree with someone’s religious views, abortion, homosexuality, being a vegan and whether they don flip-flops in the winter. But once it leaves my thinking process and enters my actions in a negative way, it’s wrong. Having respect for another person in any decision they make, from whether they voted for Trump or Clinton, to how many body piercings they have is what it’s about. God looks on the heart/soul. Man looks on the outward appearance.
Let’s stand united! Let’s look toward the next four years and what we can do as a nation. Let us respect and love one another, building up and not tearing down.
I had the pleasure of attending another event in our little town on Saturday night. It’s called Candlelight Charm and it’s held every year on the first Saturday in November. The purpose is to get everyone in the Christmas shopping mode. The stores all stay open late and they have specials, drawings and refreshments for the shoppers. It’s just another neat tradition our little town has.
Of course I was there with my books! Our oldest daughter was chained to our booth, so she didn’t get a chance to walk around like she loves to do. But it was great to have her there for moral support and to talk to people. I’m a much better writer than ‘speaker-to-people’ person. If I have a speaking event, then I’m good with that. But small talk is not my forte! I usually end up babbling, talking in circles, until my face turns red and I just smile.
But when a grandchild enters, I have no problem babbling.
As you can see, when it comes to grandchildren, I can be a pretty scary person. Poor Ava, if she could walk, she probably would have jumped from the stroller and run very, very far away.
We had a good time, sold a few books, ate some fudge and met lots of people. All in all a great evening. Until next year…
Here’s the rest of the family, minus a couple working sons-in-law, and of course the picture taker, our second oldest. I think they had a good time too.
Do writers feel more than other people?
Do they have more pain, more emotional trauma, more joy or excitement in life?
Do they have more difficult lives, or easier ones?
No, to all of the above! Writers just have to express it more than other people. It is a need within them, almost as much as eating or sleeping. Although when I have a story in my head, sleep takes a back seat as well.
Some writers may also be great talkers, sharing everything. Other writes may be quiet, having the need to express only on paper/computer.
I definitely communicate better on paper/computer, and always have. When I was a child, I always had a pen pal, or someone I was writing letters to. I could be who I wanted to be, who I felt I was in those letters. Meet me in person, the two might not mesh so well!
Don’t be afraid to express yourself or let others see who you really are. Writers, photographers, artists, musicians…anything you can think of with creativity is a way of expressing yourself. We all need that outlet. I personally believe it makes you a more well-rounded person. God gave us the ability to communicate, and it isn’t only through our lips.
It’s hard to let go. Does that sentence sound familiar? I’m going to try this again and see if I can stay on track. And speaking of rabbit trails, isn’t that a cute little guy, hanging out in the dunes by the sea?
The Rubyville series is finished. Some say it shouldn’t be, and they want the story to continue. And a very huge part of me agrees, because it’s hard to let go. The Barton family became my family. I lived with them fictionally for 100 years, but in reality, for the past year or so. I was a part of their dinner conversation, what clothes they chose to wear for the day, where they wanted to live, and I prayed with them. I laughed at their antics and I cried along with their losses. And now they are gone! And I feel a huge hole in my life. For those of you that don’t write, please don’t call the white coats. I’m really not crazy…just a writer.
Before I began the Rubyville series, before I wrote that first book of 65,000 words the month of March in 2015, I had another series. This series was near and dear to me for almost twenty years, at that time. I couldn’t even fathom starting another series. I didn’t want to be that close to another group of characters. I couldn’t stop thinking, or talking about that other series. And then along came the Barton family.
So that’s why I began my post yesterday with that sentence. I’m having difficulty letting go, and getting back to that first series. I haven’t visited with that other family in a long time, and I’m nervous about what they are going to think of me. Will I know them like I used to? Will we be friends again, close family that shares everything? Right now, it seems hard to believe. And it’s even scarier to think that this other series may not connect with my readers as the Rubyville series did.
But I have knocked on their door, and I’m waiting on the front porch, exchanging polite conversation until they invite me in, and include me in their lives once again.
I really need to say good-bye to Rubyville. Maybe not forever, but for now. So I’m going to share with you, my visions of the little town in Kansas that became so dear to me. I painted a picture of Rubyville and the Barton home. I used this to construct a little town using my village pieces. With the help of the paint program on my computer, I designed my proof covers for Rubyville. Each book depicts a new season. Here is winter and spring:
And summer and fall:
I absolutely love the covers that http://www.DesignByJulia.com did for my books! They are beautiful and I’ve had so many compliments on them. Julia captured the Barton women, and the fact that they were Rubyville, not the town. But I will always have a soft spot for what I picture Rubyville to look like.
Thank you for sticking with me for these two posts! I really appreciate you, my readers. Change is difficult, but I will survive, and I’ll work on being patient in the process. Until next time…
It’s hard to let go. This applies to so many areas in our lives. New jobs, moving, adding children to your family, losing someone close to you, and even the change of season. Change takes a certain amount of flexibility, and some are better at it than others. One person may be a real fighter and survivor. Rushing in, doing whatever it takes to live life. Another may just want to sleep it off, or bury their head in the deepest sand hill. And whatever route we choose to take, we never really understand the other side of the coin.
I’m usually a survivor. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of patience for other people that just want to curl up and sleep it off. My thinking is that if you are going to be here, you might as well live it to the fullest, doing the best job possible with what you have. I don’t understand the other way of thinking, the ‘branch bouncing down a rushing stream’ way of dealing with things. I’m going to swim to shore, fighting the current, and then I’m going to shake off the water and decide best how to handle the situation.
Is one way better than the other? Well of course I believe my way is the best way! It’s the one I’m comfortable with.
But my way also pushes people aside, just worrying about getting the job done, and not about how people are feeling or adjusting. Yes, I get the job accomplished, but I may not have many supporters when I’m through!
Am I envious of the slow-thinking, lovable, patient person that cares more about having a great time than if the chore is finished? Yes!!! And they drive me crazy! But there are many of their attributes that I wish I had.
My prayer is that I will keep changing as I grow older. I have already, just a little bit. I live with things around my house that I would never have looked at everyday a few years ago. Some of it just doesn’t seem to be as important as it used to be.
So thanks for reading my rambling thoughts for today. This is part one of this post because as you see from the first sentence, I didn’t really follow up on it. Sometimes, other stuff just needs to be said. Today is one of those days. So tune in tomorrow to find out the real reason I started this post with the first sentence!
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