What Are We – Poem (and more)

I swear, I have written more ‘good’ poetry in the past week than I have all year. Sometimes one needs a focus, and right now, I have one. (on a side note, I’ve been watching too much ‘magical-ish’ type things as I’m thinking of ley lines and focuses for magic) But as writers, we do need a focus. Be it a song, a picture, or a person. Everyone needs their muse. My muse is a person right now. Frustration runs supreme with him, but it makes for some of my best work. I honestly wonder if writers can actually be happy. Maybe they need the unhappy in life to write the happy. Because I can say that I write best when I’m in a depressed mood. Not like seriously depressed, but when I’m not my perfect giddy self. When I’m giddy, I just want to absorb life. When I’m down, I write to escape life. I focus on the gritty of life. I write poetry and I get my hands dirty. So to speak.

So, as you can see, my frustration is hitting my poetry. And I’m listening to the most amazing playlist and it works with my mood. Check out the playlist here, Great Northern Campfire Vol. 5. 

Maybe you can play it while you write. Maybe it will inspire you during this cold time of year. While the nights come too soon, and the new year is here.

Kate

Winter Haikus

View image | gettyimages.com

I was inspired recently by C.B. Wentworth‘s post on haikus, The Haiku Debate.  Her article was quite interesting and I urge you all to go take a look.  I liked how she talked about traditional form and non traditional.  The 5-7-5 rules and how Japanese haiku was never written in three lines, but one long line. I figured that out from reading Liza Dalby‘s East Wind Melts the Ice (a personal favorite book of mine).

 

I actually really like haiku, though I don’t read much of it.  It’s rather soothing, short and says a whole lot in a very little space. I’m very wordy, never get my point across quickly, and ramble. So this is like a breath of fresh air for me. So, haiku is this cute little package of poetry. You can jot it down on a small piece of paper and it doesn’t take up any room.

 

View image | gettyimages.com

So I pulled out my Haikubes the other night and used them to come up with two wintery haikus. I just picked some keywords and added in what I thought fit for the time of year. Here is what I came up with

 

 

 

Winter promises

English: Flying geese over Marsh Farm Marsh Farm campsite http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1396185 has lots of fishing lakes to attract birds, these seem to live on the site full time apart from when they all take their evening flight. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Grand icy traveling

 

Fire warms any heart

 

 

 

And

 

 

 

Flocks of lofty geese

 

Flying giant arrow vees

 

Wind over water

 

 

They might not be quite right, but I liked the thought.  And it’s practice. I feel I should probably read Basho’s book on haiku, but I’ve not gotten around to reading it yet. I only have so much time for poetry and I have a lot of poets I follow now.

 

But I want to thank C.B. for her post because it was the inspirational kick I needed.

 

What do you all think? And do you write haiku?

 

Kate

Here We Come A-Caroling

This year my Christmas music choice has been more melancholy and quiet. Folk with older acoustic and country, with a touch new age.

If you click the picture, you will be taken right to one of my current playlists that is really hitting me this year.

Each year music, like my nail polish choice, changes and depends on my mood. I think last year I was in the oldies Christmas music with forest green nail polish being my choice. This year, due to Boris telling me, “It’s red. It’s always red;” in regards to my nail polish, I am wearing red for him. I was going to go turquoise, but well, I might splurge right at the end of the season. I have to admit, red is rather nice. And my music choice is something you could listen to in a library, or maybe in a cozy bookstore. I was writing in the stacks at my library the other day listening to it. Plopped down on the floor by the poetry, headphones in and scribbling frantically away in my notebook. It’s rather nice.

So, tell me dearies, what kind of Christmas music do you like? Does it change from year to year? Do you start listening to it full force once the holiday season starts? I’d love to know.

Listening on

Kate

Christmastime Rewind A La Charlie Brown

It’s the second of December and tonight A Charlie Brown Christmas will be playing.  I’ve yet to watch It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!  I feel like I am horribly behind with these Charlie Brown’s. I think he’d be proud.

I seem to be quite behind with certain things. I haven’t watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade….. Yes, I dvr’d it. This seems to be my MO for a lot of holiday things. I record them then get back to them when I can.

Sometimes I wish life was like this. I wish I could record something or put something on hold till I had time to get to it.  Pause a part of my life so I could skip forward to what I want to do or need to do.  Rewind if I make a mistake. Fast forward when I really want to get out of the icky parts.  Not that I’ve had a ton of ick, but you know, sometimes it happens.

Life hurries by to quickly, but then not fast enough sometimes. I’d like to be able to stop and savor or fast forward at will.  For instance. I’m a 32 year old woman who lives at home and is waiting on Mr. Right.  (I am not willing to settle for Mr. Right Now) Years ago, this would be okay, but by societies standards, it’s not.  Yes, I run the family business with Mrs. B, since Mr. B can’t, but still, I am a 32 year old woman living at home.  My parents would like me gone, but at the same time they tell everyone they couldn’t do it without me.  They tell me I can go at any time, but they also are getting up there with health issues that I am not ready to help manage.  I feel like I can’t even manage myself.  Heck, I can’t even find a guy who will take me. (that sounds really weird when I write that out….)

I’d like to fast forward this part of my life.  I want to speed by and get to the point of where I meet Mr. Right (if that ever happens)

But then if I were to do that, I’d miss all the other things in life. It’s the unknown that get’s to you.

And if I could I wish I could rewind to moments in my life when it was really good. So that I could go back and savor.

But then, you are living in the past, before you knew what you know now. Was it really better?  Probably not. We think life would be easier if we were kids again, but that only works if you don’t know anything that you know now. If I were a kid knowing what I know now, I’d go insane.  Ignorance is bliss, and that is so true.  Yet, saying that, I don’t want to be ignorant. I want to know as much as I can and keep learning….

And all of this because of Charlie Brown. (This was not where this post was going at all. I was going to talk about Christmas music. Another time, I guess) But a rather morose post. Sorry, dearies.  But on a brighter note, this is my 400th post. Whoo Hoo!

Signing off

Kate

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary – A Review

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary New and Enhanced Edition
By General Editor: Ronald F. Youngblood, is a marvelously exhaustive dictionary for the home reader.  Filled with a wealth of images, enough even for the picture hog that I am, there is plenty of diagrams, maps and genealogy charts.  The information is perfect for the home scholar like a standard home school student or general home reader. I compared this dictionary to my mother’s The New Bible Dictionary.  While this book doesn’t have as much in depth information as the TNBD, it is perfect for anyone that wants the basics.  The information is easy to find and the cross referencing is easy to figure out. There is actually more information in areas like animals and foods of the Bible that I have not seen in other dictionaries. Which makes the information more user friendly.  The hardcover book has a nice glossy cover that would easily wipe clean.  The book is hefty, weighing in at just over five pounds, but it’s worth it with thick pages and plenty of fun stuff. There is even information that is crucial with references to other gods from Egyptian, Greek and ancient gods from Canaan.

 

I love this dictionary.  I am a sucker for dictionaries in general and I am always curious about things within the pages of the Good Book.  Maps are wonderful and the images of ancient architecture are wonderful. I love seeing what the gates of Babylon look like now. Ephesus  is one of my particular favorites.  Anything Greek or Roman, and this book is filled with it.  Along with a wealth of people mentioned that are not always in other dictionaries. I love how one entry references another entry and three hours later I might put the book down!  I love that the book is so sturdy. I hate flimsy pages and I love glossy pages.  The weight can be a little daunting when sitting in bed, but the information makes up for that. I know I will be using this book for years to come.  I say this book is perfect for any age, but especially for Christian home schooler homes just because it is filled with so much information and it will be useful in those categories. I also think it is perfect for any Christian home use.

I can usually say most non-fiction books get a five star rating and this is no exception. This book is a five star book and I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice Bible Dictionary.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Related articles

• Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary {a BookLook Blogger review}
• Book Review: Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Not Writing, But Not Not Writing Either

I’m sitting here writing a book review….. Okay, I’m not doing so good since this is not a book review.  Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Just My Imagination” is playing over the new sound system… Which is just connecting the larger computer speakers to a longer cord in Mr. B’s laptop.

I really don’t want to write this review…. not because I didn’t like the book, but because I don’t want to have to think about the complexities of writing a review.  In all reality I cringe when I have to write one. That’s usually twice a month! And part of this is coming from the fact that my write hand (not a typo) is in a brace. I somehow re-injured something and the wrist is acting up. I just had to take it off (a no no) to type faster than a henpeck speed, but I’m going to be sorry. Typing does not help it one bit. Maybe if I tilt the keyboard up….  A little better

I met a man today who is a writer himself, and we were talking about sometimes not writing. You know, where you step back from say I can’t focus on my Work in Progress (WIP for those who do not know the acronym)  The none writing. The flash fiction moments.  I’m starting to get more of those. My focus has been horrible as of late. Maybe because I have sewing projects on my brain and Christmas, and Thanksgiving, and winter, and Boris….I always have Boris on my mind

I actually have this story I’m working that came from a dream. Vampires, Disneyland, castles, sexy vampire hunters… The Disneyland part will not be included. That was just my weird mind, but the rest is actually turning into something fun. If I get the first part fleshed out, I will post it soon.

So I am writing, just not blogging. That’s why the Bookshelf has been so spare. My Saturday Inspires and Sunday quotes are pretty much it.  I’m inspired to write, just not a whole lot of blogging.

Sometimes though, you can enjoy life in the non writing moments.  It is never bad to step back from writing. Experience life. Look at life a bit differently.  Listen to music that touches the heart.  Right now the music has shifted to the Cairo Time Suite. (if you have not heard it, AMAZING)

Think about real life.  I was thinking about what it would be like to write a piece from the perspective of the person that has to clean up the synagogue in Israel after the horrific murders of the rabbis. What would it be like to see the blood smeared and then have to be scrubbing it away. Because it’s not just paint. It’s not just blood. It was a human life. It was someone of importance.  You have the mop and you are trying to remove the red.  The harsh metallic smell of iron or bleach, burning out your sense of smell. But at the same time you don’t want to forget, but you can’t block it from your mind.

That part is so emotional. I was affected by the images of seeing the blood smears on the tile floors on the news the other day.  Sometimes you just have to look at the bad in life. Because it is life. That is what makes life. Yes, I can talk how I love the happy ending, but to get to the happy ending you have to have angst.

So, I am writing.  And there will be a review tonight because I want to get a new book. I think.

 

Signing off

Kate

Saturday Inspires – Book Covers

I love book covers. Sometimes more than the book itself, in which case, I don’t read the book, but I get the image of the cover. It’s kind of like coffee. Coffee smells way better than it tastes. (I still drink plenty of coffee so it is a loose analogy)
Some of my favorite covers are my Emilie Loring books, and honestly, all Jane Austen covers are beautiful. I’m even a fan of all those silly romance covers because it’s, well, silly. Always in a state of passionate undress.

An Austen book of course

One reason I’m reviewing this is because of the cover

Some book titles get to me too

So, do you have any favorite book covers that you like more than the book itself?

Happy Saturday
Kate

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• 5 Ridiculous Jane Austen Book Covers Ever, Explained in Hilarious “Deleted Scenes”
• Cover to Cover

Saturday Inspires – Men

Men. Gentlemen. Guys. I love them. I collect them, so to speak. Okay, it’s more I collect images of them. Certain actors catch my fancy when they have a specific look. I like Ben Affleck only in Argo. Hence my one image of him. Same with George Clooney… I only like him in a couple things. And this collage does not even express all the other actors and guys I like. I just had these in a file and started selecting. There is a whole host of guys I’d add if I could. Oh, and I should add, all of these guys give me inspiration for characters in books. Though most have not become a character. Only five that I can think of. Tyler Hubbard of FGL, Colin O’Donaghue, Martin Freeman, and Campbell Scott, Alexander Skarsgard, are all inspirations for characters. I have three people I actually know within this list. Two are actors; Jesse James Youngblood and John A. Lorenz, were up filming a movie called Heathens and Thieves a few years ago. I was able to meet both of them and I’m still in contact with them. Great Guys by the way. Oh and my first crush is in here too. Cal. He’s the inspiration for a character as well. But I don’t tell him that. I might make him blush. 🙂

I just added this in because I can get going on gorgeous men

Eddie Redmayne

Mika

Alan Rickman (worlds best Col. Brandon)

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens

Alexander Skarsgard

Bradley

A friend of mine. On the left. So cool)

John A. Lorenz (I know him too)

Jesse James Youngblood (I know him)

George

Harvey

I think Louis can be sexy sometimes

Ryan Gosling

boxer Amir Khan

Adam Levine before the tats

Alan Van Sprang

Ben Stillar

Ben

Alan Arkin when he was young

Boris (Campbell Scott)

Daniel Henney

Godfrey Gao

D. Henney

Henry Cavill

Statham

Matt Lanter

Michael Fassbender

Phillip Phillips

western Sam Elliot

Young John Slattery

Stephan

Johnny Crean of the Enemies

Tom Hiddleston

John S.

Again…..

Some more of John S.

I love this man…

Levine

Baby face Darren Criss

I want …

to do…

a…

series….

of….

stories…

featuring…

these three guys….

Hamm

Gotta love Elliot

James Maslow.

Martin Freeman as Watson. Showing off the ‘stache

Florida Georgia Line

Colin. Oh beautiful Colin…

So, whew. I got going. Hence the first image. Happy Saturday, dearies. Signing off Kate

Saturday Inspires – Autumn

I honestly can’t believe I didn’t do a post on Autumn when I was doing my 31 days of October. I mean, can any other time of year be quite so perfect? Don’t answer, because if you are not in the Autumn love category, I don’t want to know.  Just kidding. I happen to love all the seasons and the things that make them remarkable, I just love fall a bit more.

So here are some images that have inspired me recently (I took them so they are mine, all mine, haha! <- That’s supposed to be an evil laugh.)

Perfect

Crabapples

Fall colors

Perfectly manacured piles

And the jingling bells ring on the cows

Country life

Autumn Streets

Meadows

Big Maples…

And country fences

Lazy dogs

Horses

Cleanup time

Signing off

Kate

Plans… Discarded

I’ve gone three days without writing a decent post and I had plans today to write something that was of decent capacity, but here I am writing about not writing. I want to update this blog a bit; I’m not exactly sure what I want to do. I think a bit of a new sidebar and a bit more information that I’ve kind of let go by the wayside. A new quote or two might be nice.

What would you like to see?  Any ideas? Categories you might want to see. A better index?  Do you like my Saturday Inspire posts?

More quotes? More flash fiction?  I’d love to know what you readers are interested in seeing.

Comment and let me know. I’m open to more options.

Signing off

Kate