Weekly Recap: On the Road

Happy Fourth of July!!




It has been a packed summer thus far--trip to California and now a trip to Utah via southern Idaho. The trip was actually delayed a few days due to complications from the 'summer flu' in my last post. I had bronchial pneumonia! But by Tuesday this week, after a full round of antibiotics and sucking on cough drops for a week, we were able to leave for Utah.

The weather has been terribly hot and without air conditioning, which are camper-truck is fully rigged to provide, we would be miserable. Traveling across country in harsh weather is nothing compared to what our ancestors once endured. En route to Utah we follow remnants of the Oregon Trail and Mormon Trail. My husband and I have often commented as we travel across country in our "modern" covered wagon that our ancestors would be horrified at the things we complain about today. For instance, my modern camper refrigerator had trouble enduring the 100 degree plus heat yesterday. We had to buy ice to keep everything chilled. Of course, when we arrived at our designated RV campground, we simply plugged into AC. Awe gee......we are so spoiled.

Sharon in front of our camper, Shoshone Falls parking lot

Shoshone Falls (southern Idaho). Isn't it beautiful?

We popped in our DVD of Robin Williams's RV and had a relaxing evening. We watch RV every year to remind ourselves of all the stupid things that RV'ers do, which of course we won't do now that we have been adequately warned, right? WRONG. Yesterday after packing up again and heading south on the road into Utah, we heard a thump-thump and didn't think anything of it. When we stopped to make lunch, we found our TV on the floor. Amazingly, it didn't break in the five-foot fall and landed on its side without a scratch (we still haven't plugged it in). We have a check list of things to check when we leave a campsite. For some reason, 'secure the TV' was not on that list! We are now sitting in our daughter's family's driveway in Utah. We watched the grand kids jump on their outdoor trampoline last night in their beautiful back yard and ate pizza on the patio. Awe......life is tough.

On the writing front, not much going on there. I did spend time before leaving, looking at books I have started that are in various stages of progress. I added a list to my Works in Progress page with images reflective of each book's theme. I did it more for my inspiration and motivation but feel free to check it out.

On a different note, I thought it would be fun to promote an amazing product I bought for my feet. I have been a bare-footer most of my life and noticed one day how terribly cracked and dry my heels are. I struck out on a mission to solve this problem to no avail. I tried pricey creams,Vaseline and even Vicks. I was at my favorite store in Moscow, ID recently and discovered another pricey cream ($8.99). A clerk told me she had heard others loved it and said it really worked. I thought: yeah, right....been there, done that, but I plunked my money down and guess what? It worked! It changes the PH of the skin, which apparently is part of the problem. Your skin actually tingles in the beginning. So here it is, my summer cream tip for healthy feet: O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet. Trust me, this cream works!!

Okay, that's it for me. My best to all of you for a safe, healthy, and fun-filled family summer. Remember, life is short. Always make time for those you love!!

Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing

  

Weekly Recap: Summer Flu

Hi . . .
I wish I could say the trip to California was wonderful. It was for the first four days at least, but then the family came down with the flu....all six of us (our son's family and me--Vince escaped all). Sore throat, achy skin, chills, fever, cough, runny nose, clogged sinuses and ears, dizziness, red eyes, nausea, fatigue (my symptoms to be precise). (I hope my family will forgive this grumpy post). So much for the flu shot, but I assume it would have been worse without one. Online I learned that 2012-2013 has been one of California's worst flu seasons. However, I then discovered my mother was ill in Bothell, WA with the same bug, so maybe it was a west coast thing.

There is something about flu in the summer that seems so unfair. Sitting in front of a cozy fire under a comforter with a hot mug of lemon and honey tea just doesn't work. It was hot out all last week--in the mid-80s. It soured my mood considerably (you don't want to be around me when I'm sick) . . . and mostly (the worst part) it sapped my energy.

We did fit in a really interesting trip to JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), swimming, dinner out, karaoke night, Wii bowling, and put-put golf.

With our grandsons - waiting in line for JPL tour

Boys having fun on the put-put golf course

Most importantly, Vince was able to help our son fix a major electrical problem in the house, which took several days to fix.

Dad and son at Santa Anita Park

 In hindsight though, more rest for the grandkids (late nights every night were the rule) and more one on one time with our son and daughter-in-law would have been nice. But it happens when you only see each other once a year. You try to fit in precious time with the grandkids because they are growing and changing so fast. Unfortunately, the children often come away thinking it's all about them and the adults come away exhausted. 

Nice photo of daughter-in-law - Farrell's Restaurant

I guess there still needs to be a healthy balance between finding time for both the adults and the children. But with families living so far apart these days, how does one do this effectively? All said, I am thankful for three loving grandchildren and their two very devoted parents.

No writing in two weeks but back to work again, although still coughing and a bit grumpy . . . Did anyone else happen to catch this notorious bug?

Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl

Weekly Recap: Perseverence Pays Off

Hi . . .

I woke up to a beautiful morning in eastern Washington today. My bird feeder is now a popular addition in the neighborhood (the 'Ritz'), this after breaking and falling a few weeks ago--my $40 plus feeder that I later discovered could be purchased for half. It scattered seed all over the patio and later awaited repair on our kitchen floor. Vince finally fixed it last week and attached it permanently to a pole. Apparently, a swinging bird house in the wind is not a good setup (considering the winds we get here). 

It was truly the week of repairs. My computer had a 'mega' infection. Our microwave went 'kaput', the garbage disposal clogged, a rock busted through the lawn mower and left a golf-size hole, the shredder wouldn't shred, and the treadmill had an annoying glitch. Amazing man that he is :-), Vince fixed them all!! It happens when you are married to someone who built his own airplane. They think they (and usually can) repair anything. He is still working on the Subaru problem, a sensor light that keeps coming on, but I am pushing for taking it to the dealer on this one.

I have been tackling the garden planting, including a brick border that is taking longer than I expected. Everything has to be level....what a tedious project, but I do like working with my hands. (I once repaired phones for the telephone company). Oh...remember the seed experiment? Unfortunately, the squash got planted too early and died.

Rhubarb and strawberries in front left. Three planters on right now with seeds.

The garden plot is actually on the wrong side of the yard!!! Big boo-boo on my part. Squash would not have thrived there anyway. All those sun-loving veggies have to go somewhere else. Sooo.....I will now plant peas, beets, carrots, kale, Swiss chard, and greens, which can handle some shade. Perseverance will pay off in the end. I'm the 'true grit' of gardeners! 

The trip to our son's home is almost here. It has been a year since we have seen his family. They have the cutest three boys in the world. Don't you agree? Sigh....wish they lived closer.
 

Grandma Sharon with the boys 18 months ago

Last....but far from least, I persevered and managed to work on my novel over 20 hours a week for three weeks in a row. I find I need to write this amount of time to stay vested in the story. The book is coming along and one chapter in particular made me cry and gave me the shivers (think I nailed the scene this time). Three and a half chapters yet to revise. I know the trip will be a huge distraction, but I am prepared to muscle my way through when I return. Perseverance works for me!


How about you? What energizes or frustrates you most when life piles up and conspires, and let's be honest here, who doesn't have a full plate? We all seem to react differently it seems. For me it helps if the basics are in place.....financial security, sound relationships, belief in God, and good health, but even there, life can get the best of us at times.

 

My preference is to muscle my way through  
whenever possible. 
  



William Blake once said: 
"Great things are done when men and mountains meet."

Focus - Stay the Course

Josiah, Asher and Elisha with Grandma Sharon

I am back from California after spending 2-1/2 weeks with two adorable grandsons, so Mom and Dad could adjust to the birth of son  number three. Looking back when I first took on 'nanny' duty taking care of my daughter's two children for 3 weeks in July (while Mom finished her Master's degree) and my son's boys in Calif. in August for 3 weeks (while Mom was in China), I realized that I had committed over 8 weeks of my time this year to young children. The need was there and I would not change it for the world, but it was more than challenging trying to meet a book goal this fall (i.e., November), added to the fact I also came down with a case of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.

Huh?--you might say. A year ago I would have told you this is a childhood disease, but so many parents are opting not to vaccinate their kids these days (Washington and Idaho being two of the worst offenders; I live on the WA/ID border), adults are suddenly vulnerable to this serious respiratory disease. Doctors now recommend that adults get the Dtap vaccine, because--guess what? More and more adults are coming down with it, especially those who work with children.

Well, I have no idea how I came down with it (fortunately, my grandchildren didn't succumb). It is a serious disease and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It took weeks to recover, and then on top of it--after feeling better and suddenly getting my energy back, I went bicycling and fell, whereupon I broke an already sore and stretched rib (due to coughing) and added to my recovery (more than 6 weeks!). On top of this, a beloved nephew died suddenly at age 30.

The potential setback in my writing was all there, lining up in perfect order, standing there at the finish line yelling and threatening to stop me in my tracks, but guess what? It didn't happen. My faithful writing coach got me through, encouraging whatever time I could eke out in writing as well as exercise. So, here I am with a completed manuscript (80,000 words) in hand, and except for line edits (2 more weeks to go), it's almost ready for review by the writers' group I belong to. I am now researching agents and publishers. I am so excited, and once again have proven that life events do not have to deter you from your writing (or any goal for that matter).

Focus, it is all about FOCUS. Moreover, I also have greatly enriched my life experience, which continues to be an excellent resource for future character and plot development. I can still hear the pitter-patter of little feet and those precious giggles and untold tears. Will their voices show up in a new book? Who's to say at this point--I don't know. But use what you have been handed, I say, and stay the course, whatever sail you have set. Your writing will soar to new heights--at least that is what appears to be happening to me.

Copyright 2011 © Sharon Himsl

A Busy Summer

It has been a busy summer babysitting my grandchildren, my daughter's in July and my son's in August. All in all it amounted to six weeks with these dear ones, ages 1, 4-1/2, 4-3/4, and 6.

Wow, I was quite unprepared being full-time Mommy again, when you consider I went from writing 20 hours a week in my quiet home office and daily lunches on the patio with my husband, but what a wonderful way to get close to one's grandchildren.

I had been insanely jealous of two friends who regularly spent time with theirs, as all are just a short drive away. Mine are 13 hours and an air trip away. I think I may have beat them this summer though on Grandma time. I am now an expert on Thomas the Train, Bob the Builder, Wii Mario, and Lightning McQueen and all the other cars. Plus, I had a good refresher course on changing diapers, morning routines, picky and not-so picky eaters, playing ball (all kinds), bikes with training wheels, finding playgrounds at the park, story times at the library, and good places to eat ice cream. Whew, what a busy time we had. Chatter, chatter, chatter all day long, and those little feet moved nonstop. 

 While gone, my husband was left in charge of a tree from Home Depot still waiting to be planted, a small vegetable garden, and other plantings. As he is not normally inclined in this direction, I was on the phone constantly, reminding him to water everything. Funny, not once during this process did I remember to ask him to water my house plants or feed my new fish, a sweet little blue betta.

When he arrived in California two weeks later, he was so proud of himself having taken care of everything. It was then, and only then, that I remembered the fish and the houseplants. Ouch! I was sure they would be dead after 3 weeks! But guess what? The houseplants survived and so did the betta. Bettas are amazing!! They are the perfect fish for the negligent pet owner.



 I really need to get the word out. Bettas are for you, if pets aren't your thing. I came home full of remorse, but the little guy was no worse for the wear and was swimming around happily in his foodless cage like nothing in the world was wrong. My daughter had actually recommended I get a betta, when I protested that her dad and I traveled too much. Come to think of it, I do sort of remember her telling me that these critters actually survive in mud puddles in the wild, so I guess his sterile cage complete with colored rock and plastic flowers is a grade up, right? Can you believe it?

Sadly, during my stay in California (and husband's, since he came for 1 week) we received the shocking news that a dear nephew (only 30 years old) had died. It has stopped the family in its tracks and we are all still processing the news. It will require another trip and helping out wherever there is a need. The day I found out, it was my birthday and the family in California was preparing a party for me.

We had the party and it was joyful, complete with mushy kisses on the cheek from my 2 grandsons but it was also bittersweet knowing that our extended family was grieving, a grief my husband share as well. I still remember caring for this nephew as an infant, along with his two little sisters so his parents could take a holiday in Cancun. It's hard to believe his short life is now over, and indeed it was SHORT. The old die first, right? I will grapple with this shocking, sad news for months to come. I know his parents will grieve for a lifetime.

Now after being back one full day, my quiet life with my husband feels like pure luxury. I am eager to start back on my writing and need to establish a solid writing routine again. My writing partner, who I check in with weekly, is already urging me to get started. I only worked 10 hours or so on my book during the six-week period. Although my rewrite is complete, I have been putting it through a thorough check for plot, and character and conflict development, and had found areas that needed another look.

After this revision, I will print it out again and begin a quick line edit (hopefully quick). Then I will send it off to a children writer's group I belong to for review. Meanwhile, I will start the long search for an agent and continue my ongoing study of the e-publishing market. Writing this book has been a long haul but I'm anxious to move on because I have so many other ideas for future books and I can't wait to get started.



Copyright 2011 © Sharon Himsl