My Scribbler’s Heart

Gratitude Attitude

/ CAstfalk / 7 Comments

This post was born while I changed a poopy diaper. Not so surprising since I do a lot of that.

As is sometimes the case, my toddler fought my effort to make him clean, pleasant-smelling, and rash-free by flailing around, threatening to inadvertently smear feces over everything within heiney’s reach. As I struggled to wipe the mess from my precious son’s behind, I wondered for the umpteenth time why he did it. Not the pooping. I’m pretty clear on the reason for that. It’s the flailing that causes consternation. Continue reading →

Small Success Thursday

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Small Success Thursday

Why small success? Because that’s the only kind I know! Even the big ones come in small steps. With the pace at home rather relaxed, you’d think I’d be getting lots done, and I suppose I am, but it’s only the ordinary things: bills, groceries, meals, laundry, dishes. You get the gist. I measure little successes by the other things – the bazillion and one projects in my mental queue that desperately need my attention. Here’s my paltry offering for the week. Continue reading →

A Future Without Family: Interview with Chasing Liberty Author Theresa Linden

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Chasing Liberty Cover

I’m thrilled to share this interview with author Theresa Linden. I highly recommend her debut novel, Chasing Liberty. You can find it on Amazon, as well as my review.

I love the title Chasing Liberty and the name of its sequel, Testing Liberty. They are succinct and carry a dual meaning given your main character’s name, Liberty. Were the titles difficult to come up with or did they come about with the story idea?

My original working title was different. As the story developed, the title Chasing Liberty just made sense. It fit in so many ways. The main character, Liberty, is chasing her own freedom. She is also being chased, hunted throughout the story by the doctor who oversees the Breeder Facility where Liberty is supposed to go.
Continue reading →

How Writing Made Me Better Appreciate Art and Music

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Writing has done a lot of positive things for me, including enhanced my appreciation of art. I listen more carefully. I’m a more discriminating observer. I feel a kinship to artists and songwriters, especially up-and-comers, that I never have before.

It’s no surprise that participating in an activity gives you a greater appreciation for the dedication, expertise, and talent of those who excel at it whether it be a sport, an art, or a technical skill. I can appreciate the leg strength required for a dozen sequential fuetes because I studied ballet. I realize the difficulty of a particular piano or organ piece because I’ve played those instruments. I can gape in amazement at an outstanding catch in deep centerfield because I’ve played softball. And I can appreciate the depth, complexity, and detail of a novel, because I’ve written one. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way in understanding ‘it ain’t as easy as it looks.’ Continue reading →

Seven Quick Takes Friday

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Seven Quick Takes Friday

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As we dig through the detritus of our computer room in order to convert it into the girls’ bedroom, my husband unearthed these . . . these gnomes, which he painted decades ago. He presented them to our oldest daughter, who squealed with delight. She promptly informed me that the female of the duo looks like me. Really? Say it ain’t so. But, yes, she insists, it’s a remarkable likeness. I’m thinking it’s time for a total body makeover. Continue reading →

Using Hindsight to Discern Your Life’s Calling

/ CAstfalk / 5 Comments

Eye ChartFor the past several years, my optometrist has begun my annual exam by peering at my chart and asking, “You’re how old now?” My nearsightedness has required corrective lenses since I was in fourth grade, but in my early 40s, my vision up-close remains 20/20. Each year, he warns that it’s only a matter of time until I require reading glasses to see the fine print.

Ironic, isn’t it, that as our visual acuity diminishes with age, our living acuity–our horse sense–sharpens. With age, comes wisdom, so they say. It’s only in looking back, with the benefit of that proverbial 20/20 hindsight that I can see with clarity what I struggled so long to discover – the kind of work to which I was called. Continue reading →