Just when I thought I was going to have a normal morning, my husband called us to the window to observe a bear in our backyard. After snacking on the breakfast buffet (our compost bin), he chewed on our hoses (to get a drink of water?), and then knocked over one of the potted plants to peer inside the sun room. Afterwards, he settled down for a nap. Good thing the wiener dogs were inside! Oh yeah, not a peep out of them. They’ll bark at every Tom, Dick, Harry and squirrel, but nooooo, not a bear! Guess that was good though. He would have snacked on them, too. Go figure! What a day!

Bear stops in at the Tieben Household

THANKS EVERYONE! I WAS NOTIFIED (ON JUNE 14TH) THAT THEY MET THEIR GOAL! NOW THE MUSEUM WILL GET A NEW ROOF. AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO AT $10 AND $20 A POP.

Please go to this site and check out this post. Helping this project brought back good memories of the amazing southern women in my life. Their rich history and teachings gave me perspective and a nudge towards the person I am today.

http://blogthefarm.wordpress.com

The Beauty of Appalachia: Saving the Historic Monteith Farmstead

It snowed on my garden. I misjudged. I planted too early. We covered everything in sheets of plastic but not everything survived. I can’t beat myself up enough for jumping the gun. Everyone told me it was a false spring. It was so warm. Who knew? I wanted them in! I felt industrious after a long winter. I just had to get out and get ‘er done! Such is my life. Even when I know better, I sometimes jump the gun. Most times, I learn from my mistakes and I move on. It is the same in life and writing. I look at is as an exercise in layers:

LAYERS

THE GARDEN:  The first layer is creating a bed. I have a raised bed that we built for all of the herbs, lettuce and carrots. I also dug out the grass in two other areas which I surrounded with the 4,000 large rocks that were left stacked up against my fence by the last owner of the house. I learned that in Colorado there is this horrible yellow cake clay that the builder plopped around the yard after digging the basement out. This is underneath the bare layer of topsoil in which they laid the soil. Once I realized that this clay was what was underneath the grass that I dug out, I promptly dug it out as well. Next, I emptied many, many bags of topsoil and Supersoil that I bought from Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and King Soopers in order to make a fertile bed. I then prepared the beds one layer at a time, blending and mixing, combining each subsequent layer until I got it just right. The soil does get better over the years after many amendments to the layers. A month before, I had started the plants from tiny seeds inside the house. I put them under grow lights and plastic and nurtured them. I planted the seedlings outside and watered them thoroughly. It’s up to them to grow. I made sure that I protected the newly planted garden with a fence that I built around the garden. Otherwise, the bunnies eat everything down to the nub – nice for them but not for my family.

Over the years I’ve continued to try many methods to get plants to grow out here. I’ve tried all kinds of species of plants to try and get them to grow. I learned about growing zones and that Home Depot doesn’t always sell you plants for the right zone so they die. I take them back, get reimbursed, and try another plant. I will continue to change the gardens and, hopefully, the weather will cooperate. But when it doesn’t, I’ll replant. When life gives you snow, you learn to deal with the death of a plant and move on.

KIND, CONSIDERATE, THOUGHTFUL, COMPASSIONATE, EMPATHETIC, CARING

Ever wonder what would happen if we allowed these words and deeds come into our lives? If we can learn to accept and have happiness with whom and where we came from, we can accept ourselves. If we can learn from our parents’ lessons and mistakes, and not dwell on the negative things that happened in the past, we will become a saner adult, and a saner nation.

The best (and worst) thing I remember about my mother is that she was a clean freak. I am happy that I have learned the cleanliness factor from her, but I also gained the obsessiveness from her. It’s hard to lighten up. I believed in her principles, however: A clean house, clean garden, clean desk and clean mind sustained my sanity. Even when I was poor, I didn’t mind buying soap and other cleaning supplies. Even when I didn’t have a great place to live, it was clean and clutter-free. I didn’t have a lot of money to buy many things, so I really didn’t have much clutter. And, once I established a clean environment, I could work at for the greater good. Things really did begin to look up.

 My parents also taught me how to manage my life in a frugal manner, so no matter how much money I earn now, I always think savings and giving first. I save for my son and our future, and I give to those in need when I can.

Even with crazy spring snow storms, I have successfully planted both vegetables and flowers that thrive. Beauty and sustenance is an important lesson freely given to me by my parents.

Think about what you can do for others and help out when you can. Pass on your legacy to your children so they will grow up be kind and caring to you as parents. Teach them to teach others how to care and share.

So, get up, get moving, and remember to curb those back-handed compliments. Let’s all enjoy each other, let’s delight in the groove of the present moment without argument and become a kinder and polite society once again, like our mothers taught us. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.

My writer friend, Eileen Purdy asked to guest post her outreach to women with Type II Diabetes. Here is her post:

Have you ever wondered what sparks true, life-changing “Aha!” moments? What inspires “Eureka!” epiphanies that translate to action and alter your life’s course? And how the same event can motivate one person but not affect another? I do. When I learned I had Type 2 Diabetes last summer I immediately turned to books to help me. The problem was, each book I picked up seemed blaming, overwhelming and discouraging.

I felt like I was having a life altering opportunity to “carpe diem!” and take my health’s “bull by the horns” yet it was hard to find books that were speaking my language!

Go to the cancer section in any bookstore and hope abounds! The heart surgery and heart attack section will leave you inspired to live life to the fullest and seize the day! Swing by other sections and you will find stories of people conquering the greatest of heights against all odds.

The amazing testament to the strength of the human spirit comes to a screeching halt in the diabetes section.

The “Aha” moments and “Eureka” epiphanies with Type 2 Diabetes ARE happening but seem to be hiding.

I am determined to change that! I have decided to write a motivational book for women with Type 2 Diabetes. I want to showcase stories of women managing the ups and downs of their diagnosis and living a life they love. I want to provide inspiration so that women can feel they are now part of an empowered tribe not a defeated, drag on society.

My diagnosis was definitely a life-changing “Aha!” moment for me. At first, learning about my disease and trying to manage it seemed to consume most of my waking moments. It was exhausting and emotionally challenging. But, my determination and hard work paid off and the daily choices needed to manage my disease became my “new normal”. I am now enjoying renewed confidence, energy and a higher quality of life, all because of managing my disease!

To make this book a reality, I am looking for women who are also successfully managing their Type 2 Diabetes and thriving! If you or someone you know has Diabetes and have success stories to tell, please respond or forward this to someone you know who fits this description. I would love to conduct an interview with you or your friends for my book.

Please email me at eileen@type2trendsetters.com.

Two broken people come together to heal old wounds. One needs the solitude. One needs people and the fishing. In the harsh and rugged land, Anna and Kyle move towards forgiveness and love. Anna wants stability, a house and a home after travelling for so long and the lighthouse seems to give her that. The solitude disturbs Kyle to the point he has to flee. Rachel Weaver made me think about how I, as the reader, would react in a similar situation. Could I adapt to the stark loneliness and work hard to create a pioneer life, allowing my “muscles…wrap tighter to the bone with all the work and the cold rain”?

Rachel pulls together an amazing tale with vivid descriptions of the land and sea. The imagery she gave made me live in that wild land. I loved how she described the elements and their effect on the characters:

“We sat on the beach…and watched the polite water barely disturb the smooth sand of the shore….”

“It was beautiful in a way that demanded something. A landscape that has the power to ask anyone, at any time, to measure all the hidden parts of themselves.”

“Mountains and water and ice. I can feel myself stretch out, as if all this beauty were a couch where I could finally lie down.”

“The sea beneath me, dark of full of motion, rises to meet the sea within me.”

I lived a great experience through Anna and agree that “life moves in patterns, unless you break them.”

Point of Direction by Rachel Weaver is a fantastic book. Good show Rachel! Everyone: please read this book!

After attending the Writer’s Critique group today, I’m feeling better about the way I work and the way I publish my books. Everyone gives a little bit to each other each time and it always helps. So, here’s my latest thought to everyone. Write; write some more; edit; edit some more and then publish. Only then can you move forward to your next project. Don’t let the opportunity get away from you.

Here is a great blog on the subject. Check it out:

http://tombird.com/the-fear-of-publishing-ones-book-is-far-greater-than-the-fear-of-even-writing-it/

i am always reflective about the people in my life around this time of year. Spring brings hope after a dismal winter. Here are a few things I am grateful for:

I am grateful that I am loved and wanted and have a wonderful house and community. I am grateful for a loving family, a husband who knows how to fix things and continues to learn how to build things. I am grateful that he continues to create amazing things on the computer for me and my books. I am grateful for a son who is smart and kind and champions little ones when they are being picked on. I am grateful that I have all my faculties still intact. I am grateful that I am able to create fun and interesting books by learning something new every day. And, I am grateful to pass on the tools I’ve learned onto others who want to learn. No matter what you have, tomorrow is the day to be grateful and support those around you. Happy Easter, everyone.

OR:
SOME PEOPLE NEED A SYMPATHETIC PAT…
ON THE HEAD…
WITH A HAMMER

I am always amazed at the response when I tell people I’m writing a book. The first response I get is “I could write a book.” I respond with “Well, good for you. Good luck.” What’s weird, though, is that they phase it in a way to let you know that the writing part isn’t that difficult and anyone can do it. I don’t know why people think this is a good response. It baffles me. I’m here to tell you that it is very, very hard to write a book and get it right so people will read it. But, a writer is driven to finish her work, and make it the best book possible so her readers will absolutely love it.

The second thing people say to me is, “Hey, I have this great idea that you could write about” as if we writers aren’t full of ideas. They demean the writing part as if it wasn’t important. Why is labor not important? In any field, you must have laborers to create a product. Writers are not only laborers; they are CEOs, accountants, technical staff, administrative staff, editors, publishers, and marketers.

And, why are writers the laborers and artists the dreamers? Writers have to be both. Great ideas don’t always create great books. It’s the crafting that makes a story come alive. And, we learn that craft by practicing. There is a pool of ideas that have been done over and over again. But, it’s how we craft our work that makes it our story.

This summer, I am speaking at to several book clubs who are reading Silver Element, and today, I want to clarify why I write.

All my life, I’ve read and enjoyed a variety of genres. I love science fiction and fantasy, mystery, contemporary fiction, urban crime fiction, literary fiction, and informative non-fiction. It is a wonderful escape into someone else’s world when I come up with dead ends, especially when I know something isn’t working and I have to cut it out completely. Research and reading allows me to explore where I fit in as a writer and where I want to be twenty years from now. Personal history helps me add depth to my characters. It also reminds me that I have done a lot of things in my life, and should be proud of my accomplishments.

Not everyone can write or write well. For those of us who choose to write—to tell a story—one that everyone will enjoy, the task can be both a delight and a curse.

For those of us whose write non-fiction, sometimes the task seems easy for others looking in. We have all these bits of information, facts that seem to organize themselves on the paper (or computer). The labor involved is how we prepare and present these facts on that very same paper. We understand what we want, but we have to make others understand. When I started writing fiction, I realized I had learned a lot from writing nonfiction. The storytelling is different, but the preparation is similar.

When I take on a new project, I over-prepare. I read and re-read everything in the genre. I take copious notes. I confuse me. I outline and re-outline. Then I sit. After about an hour of self-loathing, and questioning my sanity, I make many false starts.

I begin to think of everything else that needs doing around the house—writers know what I’m talking about. And, sometimes, I succumb to all those distractions, get up and get on with the doing. I put on a load of laundry. I wash the dishes. I go out to the garden and work for a while. Then, I take the dogs for a walk. And, by taking them for their walk, I realize that I have succumbed to their mockery.

When author Annie Dillard was writing something particularly hard, she said she looked down and discovered that the dog was staring at her. In her book On Writing, she stated, “The dog opened one eye, cocked it at me, and rolled it up before her lids closed.”

She said: “People should not feed moralistic animals. If they’re so holy, where are their books?”

After all the non-writing, I finally take heart to the task at hand. I take a deep breath, sit in front of my computer, set up the page, and begin typing. I start thinking about writing my Great American Novel (which I am currently working on, by the way). And, Voila! I get a chapter done and I’m amazed.

Some days the writing is really easy. I think it’s the best prose, ever. Other days, I just cut everything out of the work because it’s so bad.

Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird, once stated that “We write to expose the unexpected.” We writers write for many different reasons. Some of us are driven to tell stories since we first learned to write. Some of us catch the bug much later in life (you can guess who that is).

The arduous tale can be told easily or painfully. Annie Dillard also said, “Much has been written about the life of the mind.” Not all writers understand why they are driven to write. They just do. We give our story to our readers who buy our books. We hope they love it, and not just because they didn’t have to write it. We want our readers to just have the fun and easy task of enjoying the tale.

However, telling the tale is just the beginning. Then the real work begins. You have to get through 152 edits—not just the surface edits my writing mentor and teacher, Rachel Weaver, reminds me about. The next 500 steps are both a curse and a joy, because now you’ve moved on to your next project and quite simply, you’re sick of the last one. However you choose to publish, be it through traditional or indie publishing, the tasks are all the same. You want to make the best book possible. The work is the work. The path is the path*.

But, the ultimate joy for any writer is seeing a beautiful book in final print, all glossy and new. We’ve had our say; our 15 minutes of fame, and now the masses can enjoy our thoughts.

So, everyone has a beautiful story to tell. It’s in a human’s genetic make up to connect, to talk about our lives, or our fictional lives. I write to celebrate my age, to be okay with aging. I write to explore different ways of thinking, different ways of expressing the thoughts. I write to celebrate older women who push the envelope, to make readers think, hopefully to the point that they head is about to explode. I want my readers to think outside the box, and understand that there are not always the fairy tale endings. I write to write. The money will come, or not. (And, does making more money make a well-written book? Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s well-written.)

I write colorful characters with a depth of layers that is fun to work through, to create people that are real, yet are superheroes in their own right. I write to solve the little mysteries and the big mysteries in my characters. I don’t have a formula, but I’m learning the craft as I go along. So, I may not ever be a million dollar seller (but I’m aiming for it). I do buy a lot of the best sellers, and I read them. I celebrate really good writers who make it up there. But if the work is bad, no matter how much money, or how little you make, it’s time to improve the writing. Sit down, do the research, make the story believable, even if it is a fiction book. Finish it, and learn to be satisfied with your work without any external validation.

Today my mantra is: Sometimes I really do know what I’m talking about.

Today I’m not beating myself up. It will happen when it is supposed to happen. I will keep working on the craft as well as all the technical stuff in the publishing end. I am doing my very best to make a great book.

________________

*Hugh Howey wrote this. He has helped me from time to time when deciding what direction to take. Check out this link: The Work is the Work. The Path is the Path.

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/about/

When you start thinking you’re the worst writer in the world, heed these words from Neil Gaiman:

Tell your story (emphasis mine). Don’t try and tell the stories that other people can tell. Because [as a] starting writer, you always start out with other people’s voices — you’ve been reading other people for years… But, as quickly as you can, start telling the stories that only you can tell — because there will always be better writers than you, there will always be smarter writers than you … but you are the only you (emphasis mine).

His 8 rules on writing:

1. Write
2. Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.
3. Finish what you’re writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.
4. Put it aside. Read it pretending you’ve never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.
5. Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.
6. Fix it. Remember that, sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.
7. Laugh at your own jokes.
8. The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it ­honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.