The first, Rainwater, by Sandra Brown was a truly moving novel that kept me reading till I finished it in one day.   I especially liked the ending.  Perfect.  I then read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, a novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.   This took place in England and was a light-hearted, with some dark moments, novel that was also a quick read.   From this one I became aware of the channel islands between England and France and I intend to learn more about them.  The theme of our summer book club meeting is World War II  so the books are during that era.  The last I have read is The Postmistress by Sarah Blake and that one had the most beautiful word pictures:

All around me, all of my life the glorious spectacle of human beings being

Behind the horizon of Will’s head, the morning sky arched over her and its blue un-breaking stare held hers

The light from the Friidaire slivered on the linoleum

Ahead of her the three roofs were commas on the line out of town

the tips of waves like white kerchiefs waving

I think these are just lovely!

In the last book,  the author  added some information about Nazi U-boats reaching our eastern coast and one reportedly actually in NY harbor!

The characters in all three books became so real.   I have never been drawn to write a novel but find I enjoy writing more of my experience and my perception of the world around me.    I do enjoy novels and think that they add to my treasure trove of knowledge when based on actual events.   They encourage me to expand my interests.

The Fourth of July issue of the Spirit of Bainbridge  was a welcome platform for my column:  Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.   (see my blog, Memoirs for it in its entirety).   Since I was in my late teens during the war, I was aware of the difference the war made in our lives.  I wrote of my memories in hopes of helping my readers who are of my generation, recall their memories and to give those younger a look at what life was at that time.

I have inherited a love of reading from my mother, and believe my love of writing as well.     As the mother of seven children, she found little time to write but some beautiful poems have survived her.

There is no excuse for neglecting this blog, but I have filled my already busy life with lots of reading.   Some, like Writing Tools and Writing Begins with the Breath have a section at the end of each chapter with ideas of how to utilize what you have just read.  So I have a companion note book to each of these books so that I can follow the suggestions and continue to grow.  They are so different!

I returned from Florida armed with resolutions to:  write an hour every day, pray every morning,   walk every day,  look into Sumi-e art,  perhaps give another try at tracing the inscriptions at grave stones, and to keep up with my two blogs, Facebook, Skype, and email.     Needless to say not everything gets done.  Since I enjoy doing so much with so many people — Amish country with my sister, Cheryl and daughter-in-law, Tina,   playing Skat with the Brown Baggers group, playing Mah Jong with my friends in Aurora,  enjoying cookouts with family,  bi monthly lunches with my five sisters, singing in the Holy Angels choir and commentating at Mass once a month there, and writing my column — my resolutions are quite a challenge for a procrastinator like me!

While Writing Tools is feeding my mind, another book is feeding my spirit.  Writing Begins With the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice by Laraine Herring begins each chapter with a quote and ends with what the author calls Touchstones.  These are ways I can concentrate, focus, hone my skills.   She also has what she calls Body Breaks which are simple exercises to use the body to increase mental clarity, stimulate the imagination, and develop in other ways.

I love to write but am the Queen of Procrastination.  Hopefully, these books will add structure to my life and encourage me to spend more time doing what I love — writing.

Rain makes all the greenery even greener.  I love the diamonds of raindrops on the leaves.  The world seems brighter and cleaner after showers.

I love to walk in the rain, with or without an umbrella.  Although rain in Ohio often lasts through the night or most of a day, when I was in Gainesville, FL,  on several days rain would threaten and finally around five in the afternoon  there would be a downpour.  The rain  usually only lasted a couple of hours and chased the heat away.   One evening, just as we were leaving to meet friends for dinner, there was a downpour.   Although we had umbrellas, by the time we entered the home of friends we were pretty wet.  However, by the time we left an hour or so later, we were dry, the rain had stopped and we proceeded to dinner.

Today was one of those days when rain brought peace to me and I enjoyed hearing its music;  seeing its beauty.    I thought of how much we enjoyed playing in the rain when I was a child.    Although we might sing, “Rain, rain go away, come again some other day” we really enjoyed it.  We loved the sunshine but we also loved the rain.  My dad had large vegetable gardens and the rain was welcome.    I believe it also helped make the blackberries so plump and tasty.   On summer days it washed away the dust and brought cooler air.

The rain has stopped; night is approaching.  The air is cool and the whole world seems refreshed by the blessed rain.   As am I.

Why do words from the Merchant of Venice come to mind?  “The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain …” .

My children have introduced me to computers and expanded my world through e mail, web site, bogs and Facebook.  They continually teach me how to use these tools, and they encourage and cheer me on.

Some of the speakers at the Storytellers’ Summit spoke of “a platform” and no one  asked what that is.   Afterward, Wes, Murial and I asked each other what it could be. Since my good friend, Mary C. Ryan has had several young adult books published (among them “Me Two” which was made into a movie by Disney), I emailed her.  She sent me a link that is invaluable to me!  The link was from Rachel Gardner’s blog. Now that I know what a literary platform is, I can begin building mine.   Wes had, in fact, correctly guessed some of what a platform is made of.   I was pleased to find that I do have a start on creating one to present to a publisher.

The current became swifter when I attended the Storytellers’ Summit, May 14-16, 2010 – at the University of Florida in Gainesville.   Saturday and Sunday, from 10 – 5:30 were filled almost non-stop with presentations by famous authors,  editors, and an agent.  I was absolutely thrilled when I asked Jane Dystel if I should look for an agent locally (I felt it would be easier to meet with one that way).  Her reply was that the publishers are in NY so look for an agent in NY — “Send something to me.”!   I have nothing ready yet, but I do have an agent!