It’s crazy how fast time goes
Isn’t it? Or, is it just me. It seems like Falco and I just did the Parade of Paws and yet it’s now over a month later. I am woefully behind on my posts. The time just slipped by. Of course, the summer seems to be doing much the same. Soon, it will be time to bring out coats. Argh…not a pleasant thought. It took forever for good weather to show up and now it’s slipping away.
Remember when you were a kid and time was so slow? Now it seems to rocket past. What’s up with that anyway? I go on record as saying, “I don’t like it.” Then again, I don’t have much choice. Time passes, we all get a little older (and wiser of course) and we go on. The alternative doesn’t much appeal to me.
So, I’ll whine a little bit and then get my behind outside to enjoy the sunshine before it disappears behind rain clouds, snow storms and other such wonders of a four-season part of the country.
Wishing you summer sunshine, sweet lemonades and cold beers…
It’s all about the animals
Sometimes it feels good just to step outside the day-to-day and do something different. For me, that meant loading up the German Shepherd and joing about three hundred other humans with their dogs and making a two-mile trek. For what purpose you ask? It was all about the animals. On Saturday, June 21, Falco and I participated in the Parade of Paws, one of the big fund raising events for the Spokane Humane Society. We’re big fans of adoption around here and so it was a quick yes when I was asked to join the Country Place pack and make the walk. Shaggy, our rescued St. Bernard, was supposed to be my companion for the walk, but whent the big morning came….Shaggy didn’t want to go. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she was going to get into the Yukon for the ride to the Humane Society. Now Falco had no such qualms. He jumped in the Yukon and had a fanastic day. He and I had a grand time and raised a bit of money to boot. Falco and I, along with all the animals at the Humane Society, say a big thank you to our sponsors. And, in case you’re interested, here’s Falco in the pool after the walk. You can find a few more pictures, including the entire Country Place Pack, over at my website, http://www.sherilewiswohl.com.
If you ever want to have just a grand time and do something really good at the same time, think about your local Humane Society. Every little bit helps.
Father’s Day
Father’s day is coming up and it reminds me of my Dad. Dad had to leave us nine years ago and we’ve missed him ever since. Funny thing about my Dad, we weren’t related by blood. No, he chose to be my Dad and that made him very special. We were far from the perfect family and yet it didn’t matter. The important thing was, we were family and that meant being there through the good times and the bad. Dad was and that’s why I stood by his side and held his hand the day he died. I’ll go visit him on Sunday and tell him Happy Father’s day. I don’t know if he hears me but it feels to good to say it anyway. In the years we were together Dad gave me so much and the least I can do is wish him a happy day even in heaven.
And how about your dad?
Tension in your writing
TENSION…TENSION…TENSION
Or – what makes your story sizzle!
So, how many times have a critique partner, an editor or an agent rejected your work because it lacked tension? Be honest now…because it’s happened to us all. But what do they mean when they say it lacks tension? Tension can mean many things from a weak plot to boring characters to an overused storyline. For me, ratcheting up tension means one thing—action. I mean think about it…when you’re reading a story, at what point does your mind begin to drift away from what you’re reading? It’s when the action starts to lull isn’t it? You know I’m right. You begin to skim waiting for the action to pick up. When things start to happen, you are pulled back into the story. The moral of this story? Keep the tension in your writing high by making certain that something happens on every single page. Start by reading every page and making sure there’s action on each one. It really is a simple exercise that will make a tremendous impact on your writing. I promise.
It’s here!
Yes it is…my short fantasy story, Dragon’s Fireis here and available from The Wild Rose Press. If you’d like to take a peek at the trailer, you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_foySqkiBr4
I’ll also be holding a drawing for a free download of Dragon’s Fire and all you have to do to enter is stop by my website at www.sherilewiswohl.com for the details. It’s easy, I promise!
Have a great day!
Is it just me?
Seems like everything is just a step off lately. Projects go awry, people are pissy, and everyday tasks become major ordeals. I thought at first a full moon was either here or on its way. Nope. Not even close. Is there a planet in retrograde? Nope. Not even close. Me wonders what’s with my little corner of the world right now?
Changes
Our friend is in the hospital today and he won’t be coming home. I can’t describe the sadness I feel or the resentment for change we cannot stop. The day is bright and sunny yet a cloud hovers over a great many hearts today. Perhap that’s why I’ve been so intriqued with vampire lore for as long as I can remember. Death never comes knocking and for today, I wish that were true. Alas, it is not and for our friend, we must let him go and instead, hold tight to the great memories he made for so many of us. We will remember his unique character, his fearlessness and all times he made us laugh. May he go in peace and know that he will never be forgotten.
Wrinkles and World Hunger
I was reading the paper last night and on one page there was a large article about how many children are dying worldwide from a lack of food. The numbers were appalling. On the same page was a huge advertisement for a local department store touting a sale on a trio of beauty treatments to stop the aging process for a mere $99.00. Now maybe it’s just me…but somehow that struck me wrong. I don’t like what aging does to my body anymore than most people. But, the world is going to be in the hands of the children someday. Maybe it would be $99.00 better spent on food than creams to take away the wrinkles…
But, that’s just my humble opinon
So you want a big dog…
Ten years ago we adopted a St. Bernard from the local shelter. She had been dumped in a remote rural area and left to make her own way. She was bone skinny, frightened and in general, a mess. It tooks plenty of time, attention, and visits to the vet to get Molly to healthy and happy. She was a fantastic member of our family for a decade. We lost Molly right before Thanksgiving and it broke our hearts.
Three weeks ago, we adopted another St. Bernard from the local rescue group. Thankfully, Shaggy was in much better shape than Molly. She is beautiful, full of energy, and a nice dog. We’re glad to welcome her into our home.
I can’t help but wonder, however, what people are thinking when they bring these dogs into their lives. Did they think a St. Bernard was going to stay that little white fluffy puppy? Hey, these are BIG dogs. It just makes me angry that people bring them home thinking how cute they are and then when they eat like horses and act like puppies, they can’t handle them and out they go. At least Shaggy’s former owners had the good sense to turn her over to the rescue folks. Molly’s did not. Their loss was our gain. Yes, both Molly and Shaggy are very large dogs, but I can’t imagine not having them in my life.
I could ramble all day. I won’t. Just hope that people think about these animals before they bring them home. If you don’t want a big dog, don’t get one.
Enough Already
Spent four wonderful days in Portland, Oregon. Sure, it rained a couple of them, but it was relatively warm. It’s such a pretty place with the lush green of a coastal city. Good people, good food, and great weather. And then….we drove home. Oh, even then, it was fairly pleasant. A fair amount of sun despite the rain. It all took a turn for the worse about the time we hit I-90 at Ritzville and went downhill from there. By the time we were at the top of the Sunset Hill, usually the place that makes you sigh because it is such a beautiful view of the city, we all just groaned. Why you ask? BECAUSE IT WAS SNOWING! It’s April…you know the month filled with sunshine, daffodils and clear weather. Yeah, right. Except for this year of the winter that will not end. I have only one thing to say. ENOUGH ALREADY.
Bring on the sunshine…I dare you.
