Author: deborahanndykeman

Writing has always been a love of mine. Except for school reports! I didn't cherish those moments. I began with poems in grade school, and short little stories that I illustrated. I created something for each family celebration and probably wore my family out. But I graduated to a longer 'book' by the time I was 18. Following traditional romance novel writing, I pounded out a pretty cheesy story on a Royal typewriter I had found at a garage sale. You didn't worry about your nails when using one of those! When four of our five children were still young, I wrote my first full-length book back in 1998. I followed it with three more in that series. Those are my current WIP, needing many updates and editing. I'm happy to say as of this writing, the third in the Love Defined series is almost ready to be released! Currently, I have eleven published books. My husband and I have been married for forty-one years, and we have five children and nine grandchildren. I've been a homeschooling mom, Sunday school teacher, AWANA director and a pastor's wife. I've worked as a CNA and an Activity Director. A new love of mine is book cover designing! Stayed tuned for more on that. When I'm not busy writing...which I love, BTW, I'm working on home projects, marketing and attending events, where I love to meet you...my readers!
Gardening

Cooler Days are Coming!

deborahanndykeman

Summer! Hot and humid days, sun so bright that everything is a blur. Nights that barely dip below 75 degrees, the air dripping with moisture. That’s what it’s been like here in Kansas. And I’m ready for fall!

I’ve been trying to get back on track with my walking. It really takes a nose dive during June, July and August. This morning, I finally made it out to the lake at around seven this morning. It was still ‘cool’, in a manner of speaking. Only 72 degrees out. But the steam hung heavy over the lake and after twenty minutes, I was soaked through. Ugh! Our daughter’s dog, Buddy went with us. He gave up before us and just about needed a lift back to the van.

But before summer ends we still have tomatoes to redden on the vine. Lots of peppers to pick and cucumbers that are as big as zucchini squash. I have made refrigerator pickles in the past. They are my favorite because I can put them in a jar, add vinegar and spices, and let them sit. And I don’t have to add sugar. After one bite that puckered our lips and rolled our eyeballs, I added a little bit!

I love sour pickles, but these were over-the-top. The ‘weeds’ in the jar, as our son called them, are dill. I’ve grown my own in the past, but these are store bought.

To be fair, this summer has been a little different than others in the past. We’ve had lots of rain, sometimes torrential downpours. My little fountain has been filled to over-flowing many times this year. The flowers, grass and trees have loved it. My hedge has adored all the rain and this Monster Hedge deserves a post all it’s own. I planned to keep it trimmed up tight and neat. I wanted to keep it trimmed that way! But this hedge has a mind of it’s own and now, our son-in-law will have to return with the chain saw. Sorry David! I really did try to keep it under control.

The above picture on the left was taken in March, shortly after the hedge was trimmed back. It looked so forlorn! You can see the shepherd’s hook and the hedge is the same height. The next picture was taken a few minutes ago. You can’t see the shepherd’s hook enveloped by the branches, just the white bird feeder. The hedge is probably five feet higher than the top of the hook. The little fountain is covered as well. And I notice just now, my sun tea sitting on the table. It’s heated to around 100 degrees by now!

Summer…very special in it’s own way, but cooler days are coming and I can’t wait!

Writing

Saying Good Bye

deborahanndykeman

My eyes are gritty, and I feel as though I haven’t slept in days. I went to bed very early last night, looking forward to a walk at the lake with my husband, our youngest and our second oldest’s dog, Buddy. This walk was suppose to take place at sunrise, when the air is in the upper seventies and a bit muggy. Rather than later when it’s in the nineties and unbearable to breathe.  And then I laid there for hours, conversations going through my head, reminding myself of things my characters needed to do.

Finally, I got up, at almost two in the morning and I wrote for two hours. The words came fast and furious…yes, just like the movie, and I accomplished much. My mind was purged of all those conversations. I went back to bed and laid there for another hour before falling into a deep sleep. The kind of sleep I look forward to and rarely achieve. So, no walk for us…or at least all of us. My husband and Buddy still took a stroll, so all was not lost.

Now, I’m out of sorts and trying to get back on track. I’m at 66,000 words on my last book in my Rubyville series…and I’m sad. These books are all around 64,000 words, so you can see I’m having a bit of a problem letting go. I’ve been with this family for a year and a half now. I’ve argued with them, cried with them, laughed at their faux pas and watched them all grow up and…die. It’s very similar to sending a child off to college, watching them get married, or saying good bye to someone you’ve loved your entire life. It hurts, and it makes you sad. If you don’t write, you will think I’m crazy. If you’ve read  a great, all-encompassing book…you know what I’m talking about.

So, off to write, through another emotionally exhausting day. Maybe today will be the day I finally say, “Good bye to Rubyville.”

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Parenting 101

You are Gifted!

deborahanndykeman

I’ve always had a bent toward the artistic, creative side of things. I am extremely thankful for this gift and I have enjoyed it immensely over my years here on this earth. But only now do I feel as though I am starting to really feel some of the potential. It’s exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Exciting because there is so much more to explore and learn…over whelming for those same reasons.

When I was a little girl, I loved to draw. I was always sketching something, coloring. Of course art was my most favorite ‘class’ of the week and I longed to have it everyday…all day. I took summer classes to learn pottery, macrame and anything else that was offered. I also wrote poems and songs. I dreamed of being a singer and the bed post finials of my canopy bed made terrific microphones!

Then the teen years came. My maternal grandfather was a very talented man. If he had a desire to do something, he did it. He made it happen. He built stone terraces, laid brick, and worked wonders in a yard. He made plantation-style shutters for my parents bedroom windows, from scratch. When he needed a new tool, he made it and if my grandmother needed a new cookie sheet, he made one. He’s the one that taught me to do a job right…the first time. To this day, I know how to fold fitted sheets because of him. Because I admired him so, I wanted to learn all that I could from him, and I did. He is greatly missed in my life, not only because of his talents, but his Biblical influence in my life as well. I only wish I had absorbed more of his patience!

In my late teens, I wrote my first story. I typed it on a Royal typewriter I had purchased for $5.00 at a thrift store. I had some strong fingers and broken nails by the time I had pounded that one out! But I felt I had accomplished great things. The story wasn’t long…and probably more of a ‘Harlequin Romance’ genre. I named my lead character the name I gave our oldest daughter. It was to be my name, but my father did not like it, even though it was an old family name. I was very disappointed with that, because I grew up with Debbie. There were always about four of us in a class, and my opinion was that any girl with that name, probably wasn’t the brightest bulb in the package. I tried in school to have people call be by my given name, but to no avail. I think the Debbie was just easier for them, or I really didn’t seem like the brightest bulb in the package! I think my future husband was the first one to tell me he didn’t think I seemed like a Debbie and he wanted to call me Deborah. There’s marriage material right there!

My early years of marriage gave me many opportunities, much to my husband’s distress, to practice all those trades I had learned from my grandfather. I built rock walls and landscaped where ever we lived. And we rented! Yes, I know you agree with my husband on this one. I painted, sewed curtains, and really loved putting all my interests into our homes. When we finally purchases a run-down house, I ripped out walls…and my husband put them back together. I’d say we made a great team, but he wasn’t into all that as much as I was! He thought the kitchen was just fine where the kitchen was, and why did we need to move it to the opposite end of the house? I’ll never understand that. Sigh!

I’m very thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had to express myself in so many ways. I’ve learned to sew, and decorate cakes. I am able to play the piano, if needed and I would love to learn the mandolin and guitar. But I have benefited greatly from two of our children learning these instruments. Now that I’m older, the writing is wonderful. As I said in my bio on here, I can sit in my climate-controlled office and there are no hurting muscles, strained back and rashes to deal with. In my life, I’ve had so many chances to try different things, so many ways to express my interests. And as I observe our five children, they have been given some of the same talents and abilities…and they have gone even further. And that is what makes life fun.

Have a great day, and explore some of your talents. You probably have more than you think. You are gifted!

 

Parenting 101

Sunrise, Sunset

deborahanndykeman

Have you seen Fiddler On the Roof? I did, many years ago. For me it was really special because my mother had the sheet music for all the songs in the movie. So, by the time I watched the actual movie, I knew the songs. Sunrise, Sunset always made me cry, even when I was a little girl, and it was always my favorite one to ask my mother to play. Now that I have grown children and grandchildren…it takes on an even more important meaning in my life.

Here is a clip of that song in the movie, no copyright infringement intended, just enjoyment for the music.

The birth of a baby, a wedding and funerals are obviously very emotional and transitional times in our lives. A new baby certainly brings happiness with a new addition, but stress also comes with that. You are responsible for another human being…their welfare, in the form of food, clothing and shelter. As a parent you have much input in that child and they way they form their ideals for life.

A wedding is to be a happy time and celebration. But it can bring sadness, just as the above clip shows. For parents, that child is grown and beginning life on their own, with another person. You aren’t the most important people in that child’s life any longer. As a parent, you know the struggles and hardships that are to come…but you also understand the love and companionship that is shared in no other way. The weddings of our three daughters were very difficult days for me. They all married wonderful men, and I was honestly very happy for them and the life they were going to share with their husbands, but I was very sad. Sad for all the years that had gone before, all the memories that would never be re-enacted with them. A very huge part of my life, was being carried away.

Funerals are typically thought of as sad. Whether that person was here a few days or many, many years, there has been a bond formed, and they will be missed, by someone. For the Believer, they go on to be Face-to-Face with the Lord, and you rejoice for them. But those of us that remain behind are …sad. Sad for the loss of that person in our lives.

Sunrise, sunset…over and over in our lifetime. The magnificence of a new day greets us with hues of gold, lavender, pink and orange. Those colors bring hope and happiness to my soul, and give me encouragement to start the day off right. The evening dusky colors are often blazing orange as the sun sinks away as if to say…”Ta-da! Day is done!” God knew what He was doing!

Have a wonderful Monday! I hope the sunrise got you off to a great start. The above picture was taken by my husband on Friday night while I was at work. He, our youngest and our second oldest’s dog were enjoying the lake as the day gave its farewell.

Gardening

I Did It!

deborahanndykeman

Well, after only about 12 hours, I finally have an updated site! Am I any wiser about menus and widgets, plug-ins and gr-avatars? I don’t think so. I read so much ‘stuff’ that my brain is at capacity. No wonder web-designers get so much money for what they do! But, I am pleased with the result from my end of things, and you will have to let me know what you think.

Why all the roses? I love roses! I love flowers in general and would like a bouquet in each room of my house, fresh, every week. But…that would be more money than a web-designer. I love the delicate fragrance of roses, and I have some sweet-smelling ones on my trellis, planted near my kitchen door. I adore English gardens, with climbing roses tumbling over white fences. But Kansas is pretty far removed from that…so I’ve tried to create my own English garden.

And for some reason, people have always told me they think of flowers when they see me. I have always taken that as a great compliment. So, maybe a little branding going on here.

At any rate. I hope you enjoy the new site. I’m feeling comfy already. Now it’s time for a nap!

A Quick Thought

GRRR!!!

deborahanndykeman

Okay, it is late, and I am about to chew nails. See this picture below?

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This is me, trying to figure out how to update this blog. I would rather be out there, in a machine, moving gears in the setting sun, as I try to set this, little boxy thing, on a little ‘X’ marked on the spot it is suppose to go.

So, no, I’m not important and giving you a heads-up that my site is under construction and big things are happening. Then, when I’m finished, you’re going to be ‘wowed’ by all the improvements.

No, I’m just stopping for the night, so my eyes will stop bouncing in my head and then I will try again tomorrow to ‘upgrade’ this blog. Using this WordPress just boggles my mind! I should word that differently. I am able to use it pretty well now. But if I go to make any changes…forget it! So, just click anything you want to read, it’s there in triplicate…I think. If you want to purchase a book, go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and type in my name or title of the book, because the links aren’t working on here. Sigh!

And yes, I know you are to keep your site easy to navigate, clutter free and visually appealing. But right now, I’m just happy I haven’t lost it all yet. (I’m speaking of my blog, not my mind.) So, please don’t leave me, and I promise to return with hopefully…something! Good night!

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A Quick Thought

Peace of Life

deborahanndykeman

Hello…is anybody out there? Some days, you just feel…alone. It seems as though no matter what you say, it’s taken wrong. That you only have friends and family if you agree and support them. If the tables were turned…you’d be flopping on a beach, struggling for air.

Some days…we have those kind of days. Sometimes I wonder, if I just said what I wanted to, like others do to me, would I still have a friend or family member? If I expressed myself, did what I wanted, when I wanted…would people still speak to me…as I’m expected to when dealing with them?

There are days when I want to go far, far away, and forget all the troubles. I don’t want to worry about money, if the house is clean, the yard is mowed, the weeds are pulled. I don’t want to navigate the finances for a new furnace and overhaul on the house. I would like to only take care of my job at work, and have people help me as I always try to do. I don’t want to answer the phone for one more telemarketer or political call. Are the dishes done, the laundry clean, the oil changed in the car? Is the cat in or out…and is she up-to-date on her rabies shot if she’s out. Will the dog be sad and lonely if left too long? After all, he needs to be happy too.

Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

At times, this verse is hard to grasp. It floats beyond my reach, my thoughts of all the above crowding and littering my mind…until all I see is the miserable, selfish part of my life.

Be anxious for nothing. Instead of wanting to escape to a beach in Maine, far north where it’s too cold for others…I need to stop the quicksand of life in this world today. I need to stop and pray, thank God for everything that He has allowed in my life…good and bad. For He has allowed it for a purpose. Then I need to ask Him to help me with my day, my thoughts…and give me peace.

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In my mind, I can be on that beach. Listening to the waves roll in, the salty wind upon my face. I can watch the sunset and know there will be another day…and it may go better than the one I’m dealing with right now. And it may not, but I can have peace and contentment.

There are not too many of us that can change what is going on in our world today. We can’t put better, different people in office, we can’t make our neighbor live how we want them to. Unless you’re the boss, your co-workers don’t answer to you. We can’t use our rights to trample over everyone else’s. And no, we can’t even really control our own little world of family and friends. But we can choose to be at peace and live with contentment. Make a decision today to change your little world…and the rest of the world might not be so difficult to deal with. Have a great Monday!

A Quick Thought

Social Media…Be Happy!

deborahanndykeman

I’ve posted on here a couple of times about Facebook and social media. They are not friends of mine. The upside is the ability to connect with people you haven’t seen or heard from in ages. The downside is the ability to connect with people you haven’t seen or heard from in ages. Do you really want  to hear from that girlfriend or boyfriend you broke up with 20, 30 or even 40 years ago? Are the pictures you have of family and friends from the 1970’s really that great? If you look worse than you did in high school, maybe you want to stay in hiding. But… if you look fantastic, you may want to advertise it everywhere!

I really struggle with all the political stuff. Yes, we all understand that it is an election year here in America. But do we have to sling trash, insults and just keep the pot stirred? What does that say to the rest of the world we live in? Nothing good, I’m thinking! We are supposed to be the UNITED States of America. Not the ‘I’m going to do my thing and you can do yours, and if I don’t agree I’m going to treat you like yesterdays garbage’ States of America.

The abused animals and children information is something else I have a hard time dealing with. Yes, these are both horrendous problems in our world today. I would like to be able to stop it, have animals and people treated with respect. But I have a hard time getting my own family to listen to me…the rest of the world? Forget it!

I think the biggest problem, and this doesn’t just occur with social media, is about one’s rights. When your rights trample all over mine…you have exceeded your bounds. And this is rampant today.

Social media isn’t all bad…and I hope I’m not sounding as though it is. I love the really cute, funny items that are shared. The music videos are nice, and I love the beautiful pictures. And yes, I do adore looking at your photos…even if I don’t know you! (I think that is for another post, though!) So go ahead and Tweet, Twitter, Post to your heart’s content.

And if you have the time…watch this video. Just a little break in your day, and some good words to put to use in your life.

 

Writing

Newest Arrival in Rubyville

deborahanndykeman

I don’t usually post in the evening…but I couldn’t wait to share the news. My newest book, the third in the Rubyville series is now available on Amazon! You may purchase it right here:https://www.amazon.com/Rubyville-Place-Deborah-Ann-Dykeman/dp/1533528810/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469147741&sr=1-4&keywords=ru

All my books are available in paperback and kindle editions. Happy reading everyone! And as always…please leave a review. It is very much appreciated!

Where do I go?

Always hold something back

deborahanndykeman

Some very good advice…and I often do it. It helps me get started the next day…and hopefully I haven’t forgotten too much of that ‘feeling’ for that scene!

ellieholmesauthor's avatar

You sit down to write having wilfully ignored the distractions around you: the distant ringing telephone (yours), the barking dog (your neighbour’s). You pay no heed to the bells and whistles of Social Media which continually beckon you away like a siren’s song. You make all that effort but when confronted by the computer screen and your work in progress you find you have nothing to say. We have all been there, haven’t we? It’s so frustrating particularly if you have limited writing time and need to make it count.

Frustration Frustration by Peter Alfred Hess courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons licensed by CC BY 2.0

https://flic.kr/p/5x3DF6  https://goo.gl/sZ7V7x

You can coax the creative engine into life but it can be a slow process like trying to get an old car started on a cold and frosty morning.

Give it a good pushjpg Give it a good push by Christopher Amrich courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons…

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