Over One Year Already!

Oh, my! It's been that long!!!
I have been working on outlines and trying to find a direction for my writing....but nothing has clicked yet. The one good thing: I'm closer to regaining my muse than I have been in years.

In the course of his work a few years ago, my hubby went to a nearby town and City Hall. This pond is what he discovered. It always has families of geese and often ducks gliding across it. The first pic is that of the Town Hall from one side of the pond, the second pic is is the view we had from another side of the pond where we sat on a bench. The blue sky, the wildlife and the soft breeze were such a joy!

My memories of 9/11/01

I was home in Central NJ....TV off for a change. DH was on the road. A friend called asking where he was....after learning he wasn't in NYC he told me what had happened. I fell to my knees in tears when I saw the TV coverage and immediately called my DH. Life was never the same. For 3 days no more overhead planes coming in to Newark Airport. That morning I had my first sight of a military jet darting in the sky overhead as it banked, flying cover over NYC. The smell of the smoke in our yard and some embers landing from across the bay separating us from lower Manhattan. And the worse thing - the screams of my 20-something son as he came down later in the morning and I told him - and the agony in his voice as he yelled "Mike is up there!" His best friend was on the top floors and suffered an agonizing death with all of the others at Cantor Fitzgerald.
I hope NO ONE ever forgets what happened that day. Maybe it takes having been in those buildings as I was or knowing people such as Mike who died and others who almost died that day to feel so strongly - I hope not.

When will I write something...

...other than the scribbles I put on my desk calendar?
The short answer: I'm not sure. I have some crochet commissions to complete and I always want to send things in for the our wounded Miltary members and their families, so I'm afraid writing has been put on the back burner yet again. I haven't given up on getting back into it, though. When you're a writer there is no retirement age...LOL!

My Review of: Love Finds You in Revenge Ohio, by Lisa Harris

This is a wonderful story. In the late 1800’s Catherine Morgan has always tried to do the right thing in her life and watching over her sisters is only one of them. She thinks she has her life all figured out until former fiancé Corbin Hunter returns to town – as Sheriff. She’s confused and not sure how to deal with the turmoil this causes her when life then throws her the biggest curve ever. In seeing events unfold through Catherine’s eyes we continue to admire her inner strength as she tries to protect the ones she loves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it!

Review of Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace

Enduring Justice by Amy Wallace is the third book in her Defenders of Hope Series and it doesn’t disappoint! We learn more about Hanna, Stephen Kessler’s sister, and the deep secret she harbors. We watch as FBI agent Michael Parker faces his own personal issues even while he works to discover the identities of the people perpetrating terrible hate crimes. How Hanna and Michael grow in both their faith and trust in God and in each other amid the inhumanity that surrounds them, makes this book a very powerful read.
The entire series can be found as a set on www.christianbook.com

I'm still waiting...

...to hear from an editor at The Word Among Us about an article I submitted. I know: put the waiting to god use by working on something else.
I do have my pen and pad ready to write an essay on the exquisite silence and beautiful, fluffy snow I experienced in our back yard last night. Before the end of the day I'll have that down...

A Review of: Out of Her Hands

Out of Her Hands is a wonderful read written by Megan DiMaria. We are back with the Revere family, and Linda learns that just when she thinks the hardest part of parenting is behind her she and her husband are about to learn otherwise. Although Out of Her Hands is a work of fiction, as I read this book a truth resonated within my spirit and confirmed something that I’m still learning: God always has lessons for us to learn if our ears are open to hear and receive His wisdom.

Still here...

...but not writing.
Yet.
I'm definitely being drawn back in that direction, but for now crocheting is both my ministry and obsession.
At the moment I'm deeply saddened by the news that one of our oldest friends may be losing her battle with cancer. The lump in my throat won't go away. Judy (we share the same name)is a woman of deep faith, and my prayers are with her and her family as they hope to be able to participate in another medical trial.

Review of Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria

In Searching for Spice, Megan DiMaria has hit a home run. You’ll experience a wide range of emotions as you follow Linda and Jerry Revere as they approach their 25th Anniversary. Linda is looking for more romance from her husband and thinks that this is the one thing she needs to make her life complete…until curve balls begin to come her way. You’ll find yourself turning the pages of this wonderfully-told story as fast as I did…and along the way you just might feel, as I did, that you’ve found a “sister” in Linda Revere.

Review of Healing Promises by Amy Wallace

In Healing Promises Amy Wallace has delivered another heart-tugging story. In this, Book Two in the Defenders of Hope series, the lives of FBI Agent Clint Rollins and his wife, Sara, a doctor, are turned upside down when they learn of his life threatening illness. Fighting the physical and mental weakness he hates, Clint still tries to help his partner track down a serial killer of young boys. The twists and turns of this story will have you turning the pages long after you should be getting on to other things…
Amy Wallace has crafted yet another terrific tale!

It Took Me a Month...

...but I finally have a draft for a piece I want to submit to The Word Among Us. I've been pubished with them before, and it seems that my own life experience is the way to go with my writing, so... The only reason I got going is accountability. There's nothing like being accountable to a couple of other writers to get me moving. One is writing for professional journals and another is doing her Masters' thesis, so my small effort pales in comparison - but it's words on a page!
I'll read my article tomorrow and see what it looks like with fresh eyes.

A Time for a New Beginning...

After decluttering my former yarn nest and making it into a true office (thank you, hubby), I now have the incentive I needed to kick start my writing. I also have some ideas in mind to help get my feet wet since I have put any writing on the back burner for over a year.
My first piece that was ever bought and published was non-fiction. I think I need to have my first attempts be from that angle once again. I'll know if it's not working....

Better late than never :>)

Baby Dean is home!!!
He came home with mom and dad on Sept.1st, home to his room filled with stuffed animals, including a too-cute Aussie kangaroo (with Joey) and a koala from a Crochetville friend Down Under. He was wearing a tiny BICO (sweater) crocheted by a sweet friend, a Navy wife, also from Crochetville.

September 11, 2007

Six years later the grief is still there, just under the surface and ready to boil over.
I don't want to get over this; I don't want anyone to forget the pain and horror that we went through that day and the pain that the families and friends of those who were so brutally taken from them still experience.

Life will never be the same for our country. Children growing up now don't know why we have such stringent security measures in place at every public venue, but at airports in particular.

They won't know - unless we tell them - why today is called Patriot Day.

They won't know - unless we tell them - why Newark International Airport was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport.

Let us learn from history so our children's children are not doomed to repeat it.
Lord, be with all those who have suffered loss.

Never Forget

I'm Baaaack!

I took a hiatus from writing - not that ideas weren't flitting through my brain! They did...but none landed - at least no good ones! :<(
I'm hoping to get back on track and balance my days between writing and crocheting. I've become obsessive over crocheting. I do have Christmas gifts I want to make, but otherwise...
I have to accept what the Lord has been showing me: my life has been out of balance and I need to use all my gifts (not just one) but in particular I must spend more time with Him in the Word.

A short piece I wrote...

...is being included in The One Year Life Verse Devotional (by Jay Payleitner). It's on February 28th's page. The publication date is October 2007.

A Wonderful Read!

Ransomed Dreams, by Amy Wallace, is a fast-paced read. We can’t help but feel Gracie Lang’s horrific pain as she suffers the greatest loss a wife and mother can experience. We follow her attempts to find justice and her fledgling efforts to try to return to a normal life…a life that may also once again include (after meeting FBI agent Steven Kessler) experiencing the love of a family. This is a wonderful book, full of intrigue as well as being a love story. As you follow the twists and turns of the plot you’ll find it impossible to put this book down! I highly recommend it.

New Writing Website

Linda Fulkerson of ACFW is launching a site on May 1st, called "Fiction Fundamentals". I signed up for it already, and I'm sure she'll have great things to share with all of us. It's at: http://fictionfundamentals.com
Happy writing!

A Blog Without a Split Personality

I'm no longer going to post crocheting topics on this blog, instead, I'll use this one solely for writing and general posts on where the LORD has been leading me.
My brand new blog for crochet and other handcrafts (along with pictures) is: www.judysyarncreations.blogspot.com

My Secret Pal

I can't wait to learn her name! She's the best, and I'm confident we'll stay friends forever. She's going to assemble her "reveal" package next week when her grandchildren will be visiting. They're going to have such fun! Kids love surprising people - which is why I guess I'm still a kid myself!!

Another hospital ghan...

The latest: It went faster since I had more than enough for one blanket and only had to whipstitch and border the piece.

Scarves, and two ghans done for the hospital project!

A Terrific Crochetville Secret Pal!

Here's a pic of the goodies that came yesterday - completely unepected! A beautiful thread doily, in white and green, matching my kitchen, and a pile of squares to help me with the hospital ghans I've been assembling.
SP - you do great work!

An Even Bigger Ghan!

In my effort to make different sizes, this is my latest effort.

Another ghan for the hospital!

This one's a little bigger and I stitched 3 crocheted flowers on it which one contributor so kindly provided!

A Sweet Secret Pal

She sent me a puffy, which arrived today - and it included stuff for my furbabies!! She sent me Koala bear patterns, afghan patterns, and other stuff that is soooo practical. She really knows me! Here are Susie (in her crate) and Sparkie, enjoying their gifts - and a pic of my goodies, too!

Crocheting for Charity

Here are pics of lapghans I've joined together (from donated squares) along with a small yellow preemie blanket I made to donate to a NIC Unit. More on the way!

ACFW

I've renewed my membership in American Christian Fiction Writers. I thought my writing days had passed, but I find I can't get away from thinking of myself as a writer. I have taken a break, and hopefully I'll have regained my enthusiasm and the ideas will begin to percolate once again! I'll still be crocheting, mostly for charity, but I'll try not to have it be an obsession. I need to achieve some balance in my life.

Present in the Mail!

I wasn't expecting anything from my Secret Pal for a while...but today I had a wonderful surprise! My bright green mailing envelope revealed 3 pattern leaflets - and I don't have any of them - 3 herbal teas and a beautifully embellished journal. The finishing touches were put on by my SP's granddaughter (who happens to share my birthday, no less!) She's the sweetest...and we're getting to know each other through chatty emails and cards, too. It's like chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee! This Secret Pal swap has been terrific. I'm so glad I signed up for it.

Betty Lou's question...

...I would love to answer your question about the squares I made, but you didn't leave me any email address where I could contact you. If you'd rather reach out to me on crochetville, send a PM to me. My name there is: judianne.

A Really Nice Surprise from My SP

My SP is terrific! I received a cute note card from her today...and inside was a perfectly balanced, lightweight, German-made crochet hook! It's a size "J", which I use a lot...matter of fact, I only own one J hook right now since I lent mine to a friend I was helping get started crocheting after a long hiatus. My good deed got "paid forward" as they say - when I wasn't even looking for it...and in such a wonderful way!
TY, secret pal...you're terrific.

My Secret Pal

My unknown SP has been terrific! Contact with emails, ecards and "getting to know you" emails have been waiting for me ever since this swap started - and it's been wonderful! The best part is knowing that you're in someones thoughts and that all they want to do is spoil you and make you feel great!!
Thank you, my friend!

Crochetville Secret Pal Swap

Thank you to my Secret Pal, who sent me a Valentine's Day ecard!! The next 2 months of this are going to be lots of fun!

Crochet project updates

I'm making a pink and white baby "quilt" and have just joined a 9-patch block to the star I crocheted...slow progress, but it's progress - and I do have some charity/gift items in the works, too!

Here are some of my crochet projects... the skiens of yarn are for an involved pattern, working with the star posted here. I'll post more progress in a few days (hopefully!).

Mom

Mom passed, peacefully, only one day after my last post. She was much-loved, and the best mother-in-law any woman could ever hope for - which I told her often, especially as I could see the end coming. We will miss the way she used to be before she was destroyed by the cruel illness that had her in its grasp.
May she finally know peace in the arms of the LORD.

Mom

I call her Mom, but Ginger is my mother-in-law. When I married her son in December 1967 she welcomed me into the family with open arms...and cookbooks, which I sorely needed! My own Mom died in 1980 but even before that Ginger had always been there for me, without complaint. She also taught me how to be a good mother-in-law.
She's in hospice care right now and it's only a matter of days, possibly weeks before she passes. I sat with her yesterday and held her hand, stroking the fine bones. She watched me, but couldn't communicate by voice or movement. It's so sad to see this once vital woman leaving us this way. She has suffered a lot, and our family has suffered with her. I'll always remember her, and be so very grateful for her presence in my life.

The New Year

What a day! DH and I cleaned the house from top to bottom and began working on decluttering. I need the prodding, since I'm a pack rat, but I certainly feel better as each part of the house is dealt with.
Lots more to go, though!

Busy Bee

I've been crocheting squares for comfortghans (requests from members of www.crochetville.com), but have had to slow down a little. I went to the hand surgeon yesterday and after looking at the swelling still present on my wrist he confirmed that I'd been doing too much. I'll just have to find a way to crochet without moving my wrist too much. To tell the truth, though, I think it's typing on the computer that's also the culprit!

I'm baaaack....

...though not quite as good as new, but I'm on my way. The cast came off two days ago. The first evening my arm was free I picked up my crochet hook and worked on my current WIP, stiff fingers and all. Yesterday, the second day, I was on the computer and doing a lot of typing. Today I woke up and there was very little stiffness in my fingers! I think I've discovered my own version of physical therapy. My wrist is still feeling fragile and is tender, so I have to be careful with how I move it, but I'm amazed at how well my recuperation is going so far. I just have to be careful not to rush it - and as a reminder, the wrist is still slightly swollen. I have so many crochet projects I want to return to!! Patience...patience...

My future path seems clear...

...and it will be crocheting for others (of all ages). Being forced to slow down taught me a lot. Not being able to crochet left me with a feeling of frustration but this experience also gave me more empathy for those who are permanently disabled. That's where this intense desire has come from to reach out and comfort others by crocheting something that will make them feel cared for and loved.
My secondary path will be writing. During this time of recuperation I could have written in a notebook, using a premise I'd outlined for a novel, but I didn't have the hunger or desire to write. If I'm to write again, I need to find direction and focus!

Thankful

I'm blessed...and what a better week to acknowledge that fact than Thanksgiving week. I came through the surgery last week with flying colors. There's no pain to speak of, and my DH has been a gem and absolutely incredible during these post-op days. I've had my impatient moments (such as typing one handed!), but am trying to deal with these minor inconveniences one day at a time. So many have it worse than I do. The cast comes off and the few stitches in my wrist will be removed on the 28th. I'm looking forward to scrubbing my floors... well, maybe not that, but...

Book Reviews

This is my third attempt at maintaining a blog...and, unfortunately, the last one I had I tried to make some changes to it - and it resulted in my losing all of the book reviews I had written and posted. I'm once again listing all of the books I've reviewed, and I'd ask you to please check them out. I don't recommend books lightly! My book reviws can be found on Amazon.com, cbd.com, and Barnes&Noble.com. The titles are: The Redemption by M.L.Tyndall, The Reluctant Burglar by Jill Elizabeth Nelson, When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall, Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins, and Wishing on Dandelions, by Mary E. DeMuth. Again, please check them out...you won't be disappointed. And my apologies to the authors for not having the complete reviews also posted here.

Wrist Surgery

Surgery will be on Thursday, the 16th, and the recuperation is 12 days. I won't be interested in typing one-handed, so in a few days I'll be shutting down the number of email contacts I maintain, including this blog. It'll be great getting rid of the pain...but this will be a lesson for me. A lesson in slowing down and accepting help in doing things. Sometimes I'm too independent for my own good :>)

Wrist problems :<(

Well, I will be having surgery on my wrist in a few weeks. Outpatient surgery, as most everything is these days. I'm trying not to think about it - but when I do I think about how great it'll be to get rid of the nearly constant discomfort and pain. The doctor is a specialist in hand surgery and he was right on target as he questioned me and poked and prodded. We're truly blessed in this country to have the medical care that's available to us.

Crochetville

I'm thrilled to have found yet another place for me to learn more about crochet. Crochetville forum is extremely welcoming and a great place to meet up with others who share a similar passion for this wonderful art form.

Baker Street Irregulars

I'm a very big fan of Sherlock Holmes. As an Anglophile it's a perfect fit, but it really all began when I started watching the old black and white Holmes movies on TV - the ones with Basil Rathbone as the Master. I've also begun looking into the Baker Street Irregulars, and I find the organization fascinating. I want to learn more about them and reread my Sherlock Holmes stories. In addition to writing, I'm anticipating a fun, new adventure for me: trying to become a Sherlock expert!

NaNo...Day 3

No more hiccups in my story. I know the direction in which I want to go, so now it's just a case of placing my butt in the chair, picking up the pen - and doing it! I won't be posting any further NaNo updates, now that I'm finally on track.

Dogs and The Time Change

It's been nearly a week and I still get "that look" or a very early bark as a wake up call from my older German shepherd. Her inner clock has her nudging me to feed her an hour earlier than my clock says she should! I'm hoping that by next week she adjusts. It's tiring.

NaNo...Day 2

Today I experienced a slight hiccup in my writing. I began wavering on the actual story idea - and froze. Nothing was accomplished. Oh, well...

NaNo...Day 1

Well, I've begun writing. I didn't start it on the computer, though. Instead I'm writing it longhand, so if my sore left wrist needs to be completely rested - or needs surgery, at the worst - I'll be able to continue. I don't do well on the computer using only one hand. The words are coming and I'm trying NOT to edit as I go along. Writing the story this way has advantages for me: I tend to get the bigger picture as I type the words into the computer from my notebook. The edits come much easier for some reason.

The Crochet Dude

This is a great site for crochet lovers, and Drew now has knitting patterns, too. Many are free, some cost a small amount and are downloadable. Definitely worth a look!http://blog.TheCrochetDude.com/

NaNoWriMo

...or National Novel Writing Month, for those wondering, begins in 2 days. It's a commitment to write a new novel of 50K words in the month of November. It has been more years than I care to remember since I wrote a novel (which did at least get to an editor's desk at Harlequin before I floundered, unsure what to do to fix the problems she brought up). There are no grades in NaNoWriMo, but I imagine, since I've never before joined in on this challenge, that the sense of accomplishment must be enormous - even if you only come close to the "required" word count. So, I've signed up. I have a story in mind and I'm excited about finally starting it.