Graduation Day

My youngest son graduated high school today. It was a of day mixed emotions - happy, sad, scared, elated, contented... for Jim. For me it was a day of errands, family, preparing camera batteries, and trying not to feel.

It began innocuously enough, eating humongous pastries bought by my parents who are visiting for the occasion. Then snacking throughout the day as Jim packed for his week-long trip to Myrtle beach with his friends. It's the typical Senior Graduation Trip and I dread it.

We iron his National Honor Society sash that he'll wear over his black gown - finish washing his new black gabardine pants and shirt - load charged batteries into cameras and those fans with the water misters.

Jim needed to be at the high school by 6 pm. The temperature was close to 100 in the shade - and our seats were in the sun. The Senior boys had to wear ties and long pants, while the girls wore dresses. A tad unfair in this heat wave.

We arrived around 6:45pm. Sun blazing, pomp and circumstance played by the band members sweltering in the heat, graduates dressed in their black caps and gowns, family and friends hiding under umbrellas to block the sun. I suddenly realize the fans with the water misters were left on the kitchen counter.

Tears fill my eyes on a few occasions during the ceremony. I'm proud of my son and all he's accomplished. I'm sad he's finished living at home. He's excited about his new life and I don't blame him. But I'll miss him.

For Jim, there is much to explore, much to experiment, much to live. May you live a long, healthy and happy life, Jim. I shall miss the boy I used to know. I am pleased to meet the young man before me. And I'm excited to grow with the man you're going to become.








Congratulations, Jim. We love you.










ps. Notice I didn't call you "my baby?"

Class Notes

As you might remember, my critique group decided to take an online class called Dirty Little Secrets taught by Keena Kincaid. I've learned a lot. It's very thought provoking and makes you realize how many dirty little secrets we all have that makes us who we are. Yes, that's a little cliche, but it's true.

At our critique meeting last Wednesday, we actually broke into a character discussion - and it was fun! We were all a bit surprised about it, but I guess it shows that we're thinking about what we're learning. HA. Good for us.

We began the class by studying several pictures then taking one and examining the secrets as told by the description of the person. Their dress, how they hold themselves, expressions, where they are, everything about them can point to a secret.

After we completed this assignment, we moved to our own work-in-progress (wip) and defined the major secret of our protagonist (or antagonist). How did the secret affect how they acted (or didn't), dressed, their mannerisms, and many more questions?

My character, Jack, has a fear of being considered abnormal because he has visions which come true. So, being an outcast for a 12 year old is a major big deal. How does Jack deal with his visions and with his family and friends? Well, for that you'll need to read my book Dragon Tears once it's published. However, I'll need to go back to the beginning (after I've completed this draft) to pull Jack all together.

I love taking these little short online courses, or attending a workshop, or conference. But it also makes me realize how much MORE work I need to do with my story. It's a bit frustrating because I have so many other stories waiting to be told, and I just can't seem to finish this one.

Guess I need to sign off and clean house. My parents and sister are heading into town for Jim's graduation on June 6th. Should be a wonderful time.

Thank You. Thank All of You.

Yesterday was Memorial Day.

People my age are the children of those who fought in WWII and Korea. Can you imagine your father or uncle, mother or aunt, grandfather or grandmother tossing grenades or firing upon another human being? I can't. But I'm grateful. And I'm terrified my sons might one day need to fight in a war.


My generation fought in the Vietnam War and yet we're the same generation who spit upon the soldiers when they returned home. It wasn't the soldiers' fault they had to go to war. So why did we punish them? Instead, we should have offered hugs and quiet THANK YOUs to these men and women. Just like we should do to those fighting in Iraq and elsewhere.

How have I celebrated Memorial Day?


When I was in my early twenties, I would celebrate the first official weekend of summer with a camping/canoeing trip. Nary a thought about the veterans who were killed fighting for my freedom.

Then I got married and had children. We didn't camp and canoe anymore, but we bar-b-Que'd and went to movies and slept in late.


Now my children are both heading off to college and I pray they will never experience the horrors of war.

Why it's so hard to say THANK YOU to the veterans I know? I want to let them know that what they fight for, what they endured for my freedom is truly meaningful to me. Yet, I feel awkward so I say nothing.

Well, not anymore. I shall try to let every veteran I know understand that I truly appreciate them and what they have had to do for this country, for my family, for my boys.



Thank You.
Thank all of you!

Cell Phones

We transferred from Alltel to Verizon today. Our sons have been after us for at least a year to make the transition. It's difficult to do when you're in a comfortable groove even though you have complaints about your service. I mean, who doesn't have complaints about something?

I lost my razor about a month ago. Had to borrow an old LG phone to be able to keep in contact with the family. It's got pictures, and neat ring tones, and just about everything you need in a phone. Except it's like 3 years old! Archaic! Efficient but old.

My husband, Ed, had been the proud recipient of phone hand-me-downs from our children for years. I can't remember the last time he actually held a new phone in his hands. The kids always get the fun stuff and us old "fogies" get their leftovers.

Not today.

Due to Tom, who's been the major instigator in wanting us to transfer our cell phones from Alltel to Verizon, who grabbed an old phone bill and headed off to the nearest Verizon store. It didn't help that he had just dropped his red razor on the sidewalk and it smashed the corner of the phone to partially tear the wire strip connecting the display to the main circuitry. Then, when he tried to use duck tape (courtesy of his dad) to try and tape the phone together, he only succeeded in ripping the wire even further so there ended up being no display.

Plus, it didn't help that Jim's display on his razor began to intermittently stop working for not apparent reason.

So, on Memorial Day weekend, when we're supposed to be off in the wilderness and enjoying the scenery, we're off to Verizon. I bring a book, crocheting, water, and a pillow. I anticipate that the boys (Ed and Tom) will be in the store a long time trying to figure out if Verizon can come close to what we currently pay with the conveniences we currently have. And in particular, to check into those "hidden charges."

I didn't even finish a chapter. The sales woman, Vickie, a young, attractive blond (gee, what a surprise) convinced both lads that they could match our service.

Guess what. They did!

We got four new phones, with unlimited texting, and a whole bunch of minutes - plus the boys have extra stuff that kids need (like email and movies etc.) for the same price we were paying before! How fun is that?

We rushed to Costco to pick up our Memorial Day dinner, and stood in the checkout line - all of us playing with our new phones. The woman in front of us, wearing a blue tooth ear phone, laughed and said she wished she had a camera to get our family in action pressing all our phone buttons. HA. As the people behind us didn't have a clue what was going on.

Jim lost his service on his phone for a couple of hours when we transferred his account over to his new phone. He grumbled and complained, not knowing what was going on. Then when he arrived home we handed him a bag with his new phone with all his contacts.

Happy Birthday, Jim. Hope you enjoy your surprise!

It was a great day. Spent way too much money, but it was still a great day. Everyone smiled.