The Holidays

Writing about the holidays puts me in a holiday mindset almost all of the time.  You'd think a person would become sick of it, but it hasn't happened thus far!

I don't think I'd mind celebrating, decorating and living in a holiday spirit every single day of the year.  While I might become a bit desensitized to it after a while, there's always something to appreciate if you know how to focus on the beauty and true intention of a holiday- especially Christmas.

This is what I'm trying to keep in mind as we approach Thanksgiving.

I have a super family.  I really do.  But alas, no one in perfect.  I'm not naming names, but we've got some serious anxiety disorders and projection problems going on.  Luckily, most people keep them cloaked or under some carefully constructed control when we all get together.

And my sense of humor comes in very handy.  Hence the photo posted here.  (It made me laugh out loud- because I can see this going through a select few minds on the big old turkey day- laced with love, of course!)

What about you and your family?  Crazy, too?  Way too normal?  Just getting by?  Share with me- and any stories you want to share!  I love a good crazy family story.  It makes me feel less alone out here.

Christmas Every Day

I've been hard at work (okay- maybe lukewarm at work) on my full length novel, Christmas Every Day, for a while now.  It's slow-going, but I think I love it.

The work- I don't love so much- but the characters and story keep me coming back to work on them.

Can you imagine living in a small town where everything and everyone is committed to celebrating the spirit of Christmas every single day?  I know, I know, some people think you shouldn't have too much of a good thing.  In this case, I disagree.

The tricky part of writing this story is to keep the spirit of Christmas present in every scene.  How do I do that?  Music.  Decorations.  Fun conversations about Christmas.  There's even a bakery that creates traditional holiday goodies (in addition to more upscale delights- but that's going to be a whole other book...) where you can enjoy the tastes of Christmas whenever you like.

Help keep me in the Christmas spirit as I work on this book.  What's your favorite thing about Christmas?

Marriage to Divorce

I come from a large, crazy family.  I have two brothers and four sisters.  My parents have been married forever.  My grandparents were married for 63-almost 64 years when my dear grandfather passed away.  The trophy hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in a couple of months.

Yet while we have a nice history of long, relatively happy marriages (seriously- there is always something new to deal with!), there are plenty of divorces and broken families.  Mental illness, addiction and simple selfishness have all played rolls in the decline of various relationships.

Being a Christian, I'm told that marriage is a union designed by God.  Marriage should be considered a sacred union.

Yet I've seen some relationships that are truly toxic.  One partner tries to be a good spouse while the other is an addict or suffering from a mental illness that they refuse to get help for.  And don't even get me started about when kids are involved.  Separating seems to be the best solution for all involved.

So where is the line?  What do you consider justifiable- religious or not- for terminating a marriage?

Placing Value

Two years ago this coming week, I went for my daily walk with our little Sheltie up to the bluffs along the shoreline of our lake.  The day had been unremarkable to that point- nothing unexpected.

That changed when I reached the bluff and a skinny, small dog ambled over to us from a wooded area off the dirt road leading to the bluffs.  I put myself between the new dog and our Sheltie- you never know.

The dog that obviously had pittbull in her came over to me with her head down and sniffed my hand.  That gesture was all she needed to claim me as her own.

Even as we approached anyone we saw to see if they knew where she'd come from, she stayed by my side.  We walked a long distance to the only home in the area to see if she'd wandered away from them.  She only had eyes for me the entire time.

I didn't know what to do and it occurred to me that I my trophy husband might not be happy if I brought this stray dog home with me.  But there was no way I could leave her there.  I decided that if she followed me home, we'd just have to take care of her until we found a good home for her.

The sweet thing ambled the entire mile with me home.  I didn't have to coax her to come with me once.

My youngest came out to meet her and the stray rolled onto her back for her.  We gave her food and water.  She drank the water but would only eat the food if we walked away.

The trophy hubby was a good sport about her being with us even after she tried to take off his hand when he reached out to pet her.  Twenty-four hours of bribing her with treats and she was his best buddy.

Even though we started to look for a home for the girl we would come to know as Lola, she became a member of our family too quickly to consider ever giving her away.

She is the trophy hubby's girl, my companion and our kid's protector.  There is always some ridiculous antic or part of her personality that has us laughing and shaking our heads at her.  (That is Lola in the photo- enjoying a car ride with the wind in her ears.)  She also eats and drinks just fine now- she's a healthy sized girl!

We know nothing about her except that she's given us her trust and her heart.  These are beautiful, blessed gifts.  Everything isn't perfect, but she tries.  So do we.

I can't imagine how anyone could discard a life like that- especially now that we know our Lola.  How could anyone just treat this precious life as if it didn't matter?  Why did someone think she was of no value?

Dogs that we rescue are beyond special.  They know you are special.

If you are thinking about adding a pet to your family, don't shy away from a dog with little or no background.  He or she may very well be the best thing to happen to you.