Watching Paint Dry

When a person says “that’s like watching paint dry” – they mean some activity is very boring.  After an incredibly hectic month of having to be somewhere early every day, I am relishing the opportunity to be bored. And yes I am watching paint dry.

The finished basement of our condo is being repaired and painted. After three years of living in this house, we finally decided to turn our downstairs from a giant storage room into usable space. Somebody has to be home during the process, and since Charles is traveling—tag I’m it!!! 

This whole summer has been anything but relaxing and I have spent my time rushing from one activity to another and juggling a lot of balls. The good news is that I have been able to keep up the pace, and at my age                                                        and stage that is something to celebrate.

In approximately six weeks, our church will move into its new building. Since selling our former church to a student housing developer, our congregation has been meeting in an abandoned school. Everything has been packed away and stored except the basic necessities. And a lot of the church programs have been on hold.  I was asked to head the Organization Team with the responsibility of reactivating the church programs and ordering classroom furniture that we will need in the new building. So I feel like I am helping renovate the church while I watch my basement paint dry. When we began the basement renovation about six months ago, we had no idea that the effort would coincide with the church project. So there has been a lot of prayer for physical and mental strength to get it all done.

 

This past weekend, I attended a local Christian writers’ conference. It was a very welcome change of pace, and a reminder that everything in life has a purpose. I have put my book writing efforts on hold for now, but I am sure that at some point the events of this summer will become fodder for new stories.Writing this blog post reminded me of an account in the Bible when Jesus and his disciples were overwhelmed by the crowds that were pressing them for attention. And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:31)

Sometimes being secluded and watching “paint dry” is the best therapy there is.

  

Our Visual Diaries

My high school scrapbooks filled with memories of dances, clubs, trips, and other special events barely made it to my 40^th high school reunion. I recalled some things I wanted to share with my old classmates, but what had been important years ago had crumbled into shreds and faded into faint blue writing. The last time I worked on a scrapbook was ten years ago. Charles surprised me with a birthday party that included many family members and friends. It was such a special event; I immediately wanted to record the memories and made an attractive scrapbook that I still enjoy today.

Blue - Alexa
Red - Frieda

Yesterday my ten-year-old granddaughter announced she wanted to make a scrapbook. My plans for her three day visit included playing dolls and Disney video games. Her changing interests show how quickly she is growing up. So the money I planned to give her was spent at the craft store instead of on back-to-school clothes.

Just for fun, I decided to research the subject of scrap-booking. I discovered the concept has been practiced for at least 500 years. In the 15^th century young ladies, compiled Commonplace Books which were collections of recipes, quotes, letters, and poems. By the 16^th century, Friendship Albums were all the rage. Girls wrote notes in other girls’ albums and decorated them with artwork that signified their friendship. Creating a photo album was the next wave after the development of photography in the 1830’s. Collectors identified the photos by describing the people and the location of the picture. The 20^th century saw the advent of the School Year Book. Collecting signatures and notes in the yearbook was a sign of the owner’s popularity. Hardcover and digital scrapbooks have taken the lead as the preferred methods for storing today’s memories. Scrapbooks made today will last much longer because the quality of the paper and computer storage options.

Today scrap-booking is a big business that reached its peak in 2006. Specialty stores are dedicated to the craft and hobby stores contain aisles of stickers, colorful papers, ribbons, and other embellishments. Alexa and I spent an hour figuring out how much stuff she could buy for the money I gave her. We brought the supplies home so she could begin her project entitled “My First Ten Years.” It was fun watching her creativity bloom and a reminder to me that I need to get busy again storing my memories. Then it occurred to me that my blog is a visual scrapbook–an online diary–that records my life events and thoughts not just for a few, but for all to see. 

No matter what form we choose, all of us should find a way to preserve our memories for future generations. Our efforts will provide us a sense of accomplishment and will inspire others for years to come.

In With the NEW

This summer season resembles the beginning of a new year. Out with the old and in with the NEW.  Change lurks around every corner. The picture of Charles and me in our hard hats standing in our NEW church building is just one example of how things are changing. Two years ago our church property was purchased for student housing at Kennesaw State University. Our congregation moved to an old school building and was grateful to have a place to meet with classroom space and a large gymnasium for worship. However, we have been away from our community and in a less than desirable location. The church also endured problems with freezing pipes last winter and no air conditioning during this hot Georgia summer. Most Christians in third world countries would be glad to have what we consider an inconvenience—so we try not to complain even though it is taking a toll on nerves and attendance. We will occupy the NEW building sometime in October but there is a lot to do between now and then to get ready to reach our community with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Charles and I decided we needed to find personal providers closer to home. We will soon see our NEW dentist and are still looking for NEW doctors. I thought I was all set with my family physician until I received notice he was moving to a new position in the hospital. Charles visited the replacement doctor and was not happy with his advice, so now we are both searching again. I finally found a NEW hairdresser five minutes from home after driving a long distance to see the same person for thirty years. Now I am looking for a NEW massage therapist to treat my fibromyalgia. She had the nerve to get married again and is closing her practice.

Speaking of marriage, two of my 64 years old friends found NEW loves and got married during the past two weeks. I am excited for both of them and remember that exciting time when Charles and I remarried later in life. New adventures are good for us when we are senior adults. Old patterns are changed and we have to move out of our comfort zone to embrace the new opportunities. 

Out with the old and in with the NEW.  We shouldn't be surprised by change. The Bible always is challenging us to do new things. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19.  We need to remain flexible and trust our future to Him and then be prepared for whatever NEW doors open for us. 

All in the Family

Family connections are important and I eagerly anticipate times of reunion with my scattered kin. This past week we gathered together to remember my brother-in-law, Curt Whaley, who died after a short battle with cancer. The funeral was held in Pensacola, Florida at the Naval Chapel and National Cemetery. Afterwards we gathered at the Officer’s Club to share remembrances and to reconnect with one another. 

I became reacquainted with great nephews and nieces who I haven’t seen in years and was pleased to discover how mature they have become. I was also surprised to discover how much we had in common. I had heard rumors there was a multi-generational interest in writing on my sister’s side of the family. Much to my delight, I spoke to a great-niece and a great-nephew who are pursuing careers in writing. Tommy just graduated from college and will teach research writing to high school seniors. Kathryn studies journalism in college and wants to pursue a career writing for newspapers and magazines.

In recent months, my youngest son Michael shared with me his renewed interest in writing. I have yet to read any of his work, but he wants to attend my writers’ group with me. His daughter, 10-year old Alexa, also likes to write and puts her skills in practice creating notes and cards.

Writing is at times a very solitary pursuit. It’s just you and your notepad or computer. At times you feel inspired and creative and at other times, it’s an effort to find the right combination of words for that blog or story. My family members have an advantage over me. They found their passion to write much earlier in life and will have many more opportunities to learn the craft and put pen to paper and hand to computer. But just maybe my writing experiences will encourage them to not waste the days God has given them. They didn't ask me for words of wisdom or advice about writing.  But if they did, I would be tempted to share the words of the Apostle Paul from Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”

British author, Neil Gaiman put it another way,

“This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after

another until it’s done. It's that easy, and that hard.”

Knowing that other family members share my passion and struggle provides great motivation to get busy writing my next book.

Round & Round She Goes ...

… And where she stops, nobody knows. I've never been one who enjoys going around in circles. For one thing it doesn't take me where I want to go and I always get clobbered with motion sickness. During my childhood I avoided spinning tea cups, flying swings, and merry-go-rounds or else I paid the price. These days I still have problems riding on hilly roads and spinning around on the dance floor.

So why was a nice girl like me driving on a winding mountain road in Colorado? It was not on my vacation agenda to get behind the wheel of a car I’d never driven before and descend 3,000 feet into the valley and not have a clue as to where I was going. But Charles had just been loaded into an ambulance near Rocky Mountain National Park and was headed to the hospital down in the valley. I had no choice but to navigate the mountainous terrain on my own. I couldn't enjoy the beautiful
Colorado Rockies with my eyes fixed on the road in front of me with its fading yellow lines and almost non-existent gravel shoulder. That was the most prayed over thirty-five miles of asphalt in the Wild West. Over an hour later, I pulled into the hospital parking lot and found him relaxing comfortably in his hospital bed. His blood pressure was normal but mine was through the roof. He was breathing oxygen through his nose, but I needed to blow into a paper bag to keep from hyperventilating.

 

I finally calmed down when I realized that he was in the hands of good doctors and that his severe altitude sickness could be treated with medication and lots of oxygen. The doctors explained that they would be monitoring him for several days and I needed to find a place to stay. The concierge at the hospital helped me find a motel about two miles from the hospital. She gave me directions and drew a map with circles on it. Between the hospital and motel, I was expected to navigate six roundabouts in two miles. My anxiety level started climbing again as I entered and exited the first three circles. The traffic was building and coming at me from all directions and I had no clue how to get to my destination. The last roundabout was the worst with north and south exits to Interstate 25. I took the wrong exit and ended up heading in the wrong direction.

  

God and I had a lot more conversations before I found the motel and collapsed on the bed in my room. By this time my head was spinning and I needed several hours of peace and quiet to calm down. I was very thankful that Charles was going to be OK and that God had been with me on my journey.

Now that we are safely home, I can laugh about my big adventure and can pass along the following words of wisdom from an anonymous quote.

“If you find yourself going in circles, maybe you're cutting

too many corners.”

Rocky Mountain Highs & Lows

Estes Park, Colorado 8,200 Feet

Our trip to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in the Rocky Mountains turned out to be quite an adventure. Your prayers for my altitude adjustment were answered since I only had a slight case of nausea for about 24 hours after arrival. However, Charles suffered enough for both of us. Because he was so sick, we decided to cut the final day from the conference schedule and head back down to a lower 5,200 feet in Denver in the hopes he would feel better. Instead we ended up in the Estes Park Emergency Room with a doctor prescribing a forty mile ambulance ride down the mountain. Charles oxygen levels were dangerously low and his lungs were filling with fluid. The decision was made to admit him to the Cardiac care unit at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO. After three days and numerous tests of his heart and lungs, the doctors determined he had no serious problems. Lots of oxygen and diuretics helped to stabilize him. We were both so exhausted after his release we stayed an extra day at a motel to rest up before catching a plane on Wednesday for Atlanta. 

Charles' Hospital Feet

It’s scary being so far away from home when there is a medical emergency. We are so thankful for the kind folks at the writers’ conference who helped pack our suitcases, got Charles into the car, and led us to the ER. The medical attention at the ER and hospital was top notch and the folks at the motel were also very helpful. 

I was able to attend the better part of two days of workshops. The classes on the art and craft of writing fiction were excellent. All my notes and handouts will be just what I need if and when I write the novel that is in my head. I met with three acquisition editors and they gave me some good pointers on how to get started on my book. At least 75,000 words will have to be written before I can present a book proposal for consideration. That sounds like a daunting task. Another highlight of my week was meeting novelist, Tracie Peterson. I've probably read a dozen of her books. She writes the kind of historical fiction that I wish I could write. Charles, on the other hand, never dropped his fishing line in the water. 

Life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect them. I was so concerned about getting sick, I didn't even think about Charles having an issue. Last fall after our vacation in Florida, I was admitted to the hospital with cellulitis. We have decided that vacations are highly overrated. We are ready to get back to work and normal living at least until the next vacation bug bites. My pastor reminded me that our “adventurous” trips provide  fuel for future blog posts. Stay tuned.

An Altitude Adjustment

The title of this blog post does not contain a typo; although I admit my attitude sometimes needs an adjustment too.

My biggest concern right now is for an altitude adjustment. In the near future, Charles and I will be heading to the Rocky Mountains. I will be attending the Colorado Christian Writers Conference while my adventuresome husband hikes and casts his fly fishing rod in the sparkling waters in Estes Park. Who do you think will have the most fun?

The atmospheric pressure changes and the higher altitudes of the mountainous west have been known to precipitate my headaches and nausea. So why did I make the decision to take a chance and go anyway? The outstanding faculty of writers, agents, and editors at the Colorado conference was hard to resist and Charles dearly loves being in the mountains. I also hear that Estes Park is a very picturesque place—although a bit chilly this time of year.

 

Years ago, I spent part of my visit to the Grand Canyon at the medical clinic getting medication for nausea. But another time, I was able to climb the lower portion of Mt. Rainier with no problems. Our plan is to spend a couple of days in Denver so that I can adjust to the lower altitude before we make our way into the Rockies. And this time I am going prepared with a sack full of pills.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am not a good traveler. My high-maintenance body tends to rebel when it is away from the comforts of home and hearth. I am praying that this time will be different. My inspiration for this trip comes from one of the Psalms of David:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

When I write my next blog post sometime before the end of May, I will update you on our exciting trip. In the meantime, say a prayer for our safe travels and my ability to conquer those mountains.