Little Things

Want to know fifteen* little things that make me happy?

Corn. On the cob. With butter and salt and pepper. Mmmm.

4 happy Kids doing after-dinner kitchen jobs together.

Watermelon. At least twice a week.

A stack of books by the bedside. (Megan Whalen Turner. Try her. Start with “The Thief.”)

Dryer sheets. So much so that they made an appearance in a scene this week.

Rope Swings over the canal. Muddy heaven.

Sibling sleepovers (“We’re having so much fun. Can we sleep in the same room?”)

Morning sunshine, afternoon storms.

Email.

That feeling when you’re done your 3 mile jog, but you think, “I’m not really Done-done.” (This is new. Brand new. Never actually had that feeling before yesterday morning.)

Glitter toes (Kid 1’s, not mine).

New violins, with no squeak and much richness of tone. It’s all coming worth it.

Great blog posts (everyone else’s).

Sleeping past six.

Feeling “enough.”

*Why fifteen? Well, why not?

Susan Auten - Ditto on the corn, and the sibling sleepovers.July 28, 2010 – 8:31 am

Kazzy - WHat a great list. And now I have and incredible craving for corn on the cob. Dang it!July 28, 2010 – 9:54 am

Carolyn V - Oh, I want to sleep passed six. But I don’t think that will ever happen. Not till the kids decide it’s okay to sleep in! =)July 28, 2010 – 4:00 pm

Melanie J - I miss muddy fun. I need to make more time for it. I think I’ll carve it out of dish or laundry doing. I know you wouldn’t give those times up, but I could gladly let them go. :) July 28, 2010 – 9:45 pm

Terresa Wellborn - Love this post!

Dryer sheets, essential. Sibling sleepovers, ditto (our 3 oldest share a queen bed most nights, year round — we have no single beds in our home)!

The canal sounds like so much fun! I haven’t swung on a rope since Girl’s Camp last year.

Enjoy your summer, Becca. By the looks of it, you are, very much. :) July 29, 2010 – 4:35 pm

Choosing the Uphill

On my run jog I decided to do The Hills. It’s so not pretty to see me jogging up it, but it is a lovely part of these mountaintops. It’s up, then flat, then up, then flattish, then up and up and up, then a bunch of blessed down. And do you want to know the coolest part?

I control the sunrise.

No, I do.

As long as I get out of the house before the sun comes completely up over the east mountain, I can keep it from rising. In fact, I can re-set it (during certain pieces of the route) so it goes back behind the mountain and doesn’t get in my eyes. I know. Striking amounts of power, no? The price? Jogging up The Hill. Sore everything. Gasping. Sniffing. Sweating. The reward? Dominion over the sun. Is it worth it, I ask you? Well, duh. Of course it is.

Sometimes I get that heady feeling of Total Control when I write. I can reset the sun if I so choose. (That’s called editing, friends.) I can resurrect the dead (revision) and heal the sick (delete key) and create friction or harmony. But there is a price. Sitting at the keyboard. Typing out the words. Sore shoulders. Gasping. Sniffling. Sweating. Well, only sometimes. But the reward? Creation.

Creation.

Is it worth it?

Do you have to ask?

DeNae - Absolutely fantastic. What beautiful writing, Becca.July 23, 2010 – 11:30 am

Kimberly - Oh I am just in love with this post. Beautiful and poignant insights. Even if it does hint rather strongly that all writers are control freaks…(well, aren’t we?)July 23, 2010 – 2:02 pm

Amber Lynae - No you don’t have to ask. You are so wise. And you articulated the feeling so perfectly.July 23, 2010 – 8:58 pm

debbie - What an incredible way of looking at things. And who wouldn’t want to control the sun?July 24, 2010 – 11:48 am

Such a Premise

Yesterday, Husband and I took Kids 3 and 4 to a movie – one they have been SO EXCITED about for over a year. See, we have this preview channel on our computer, so we regularly watch previews months in advance of a film’s opening. This movie, which I’d rather not name, had such a funny premise. And so many talented people involved. And the preview is really hilarious.

And the film was completely disappointing.

Maybe that’s not fair. We did laugh a few times. But the potential was HUGE, and the payoff? Way minor.

So naturally, I’m applying this to books. You know that thing, where you pick up a book and read the back, and maybe a few of the blurbs inside, and you think, hey, with a cover like this and a premise like that and sunshine-y reviews like these, this is a book I’m going to Lurve? And then you get inside it and it’s, well, hack?

Yes? You know?

This is a large fear of mine.

Maybe other writers share this fear. This concern that we’ve made something with such great sound-bytes and beautiful packaging and the world’s best premise and hey, what’s not to love? But then it turns out to be… meh?*

Now maybe other people saw this film and lurved it like I wanted to. Maybe there are people who are, how do I say this nicely, less discerning. Like Kids 3 and 4, who said a dozen times as we left the theater, “That was awesome. Thank you for taking us to see it!” But these are the same children who can watch any of a number of television shows and call them awesome, too. I’m just saying. Entertainment for them is… easy. Am I a snob? Possibly. Do I require much? Perhaps. Will I withhold “awesome” until I feel it’s deserved? Probably.

And I know that what I write is not fine art. It is not “high” anything. But I hope it’s consistent. I hope that you get what you expect, plus a little more, when you finish the experience. I work to satisfy the premise. I fill a niche, and I hope (and work) to fill it in a way that leaves you smiling, not going, “wha…?”

Like that.

* A writer’s prayer: Oh, let me not be… meh.

Sarah A. - If this is the movie I’m thinking of…i.e. viking helmets and dragons….it was the same with me. The kids LURVED it…Marc and I? …meh….

But….there were redeeming things about it…some funny lines, etc.

And I think you’re awesome, for what it’s worth. ;) July 22, 2010 – 8:20 am

Susan - I own this fear right along with you. Sometimes it paralyzes my brain and I have to find ways to let it go. I need to know the movie so I don’t waste money on it. Send me an email. Seriously, if I pay for crap and you could have warned me…July 22, 2010 – 8:33 am

Kimberly - I withhold “awesome” too. And I confess that I rent certain movies for the express purpose of being unimpressed by them (I have issues, yo).

But that sort of thinking holds me back because the books I’m writing have fabulous premises (she said oh so humbly), but I live in fear of never having the skill to do them justice.

Having read two of your books I can tell you quite honestly that you have never even come close to approaching the realm of “meh.”July 22, 2010 – 5:09 pm

Oh, I did.

And since the Kids wanted to eat at Wingers (and I thought, “ack”) I ordered a side salad and ate it up. Then I pulled a little tray of tuna rolls out of my purse. Yea. Really. And I enjoyed them very, very much.

Then End.

Kimberly - You are hilarious!

Whenever we go somewhere where the health of the food is in question I pack baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, and a small container of hummus in my purse. So glad I’m not the only one who does this.July 21, 2010 – 11:29 am

Didn’t Quite Expect…

… The house to feel so empty without the two teenage girls, who left this morning for a week at camp.

… To have to practice the piano quite so much, when it’s Kids 3 and 4 who are taking the lessons.

… To feel such a jolt of the new-baby joy on behalf of my sweet friend, who just adopted (again).

Didn’t expect it, but filling up with it all, anyway.

Indigo - *Smiles*. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the most impact. (Hugs)IndigoJuly 19, 2010 – 11:56 am

Kimberly - What a gift it is to have those moments of quietude when you can actually feel that, that filling up feeling.July 21, 2010 – 11:27 am

Feeding the Soul

You know that thing, where you have an event to look forward to, and you arrange stuff, and you (oh, let’s just say it) get someone to do your parenting for you, and you take some time to just do something you WANT to do?

And then it turns out that it was so totally worth it, and awesome, and a blessing in your day?

Yeah. That.

Thanks for coming all the way out here so we could have lunch, Melanie J. You’re a darling.

Good conversation. Laughs. Book talk. Mama talk. Tomato soup (I’m just saying). Getting it. Being real, and being fabulous. Isn’t that what it’s all about on those rare girlfriend days?

(*Sigh*)

Good times.

DeNae - Two of my favorite people in the entire world, having lunch together. The only thing missing was me! (I’m sure that’s exactly what you guys said, huh?) So glad the stars aligned to give you a perfect afternoon. We moms don’t get many of those, and it’s bliss when they come along.July 17, 2010 – 10:45 am

Stacy - How fun!

My husband and I had an afternoon like that yesterday- movies, Coldstone, and some shopping. Much needed!July 17, 2010 – 5:11 pm

Kazzy - OOoo, I love me some girlfriend time! Glad you guys had fun. :) July 18, 2010 – 7:39 pm

Susan - I saw this on Melanie’s blog. I’m so jealous. You’re the two I would love to have lunch with. Glad it was fun!July 19, 2010 – 6:13 am

Kimberly - I haven’t had girlfriend time since Storymakers…it really does feed the soul. So glad for you both!July 19, 2010 – 11:06 am

Melanie J - It was a perfect, lovely lunch. And you were so right about the soup. Soooo very glad we could do it.July 19, 2010 – 12:37 pm

Cool – It’s CLEAN!

Hey, kids. Check it out. I just found out about this awesome new site – It’s called Squeaky Clean Reads, and they review and rate books (and so can you, if you jump on there) by their merit and their offensiveness/inoffensiveness. Isn’t that cool? As a mom of voracious readers, I love the idea of having a place for the Kids to check out the content of books before they read them. Sort of like the movie guidelines, you know?

And they’ve put MRRO up on their site for review. It’s here. So if anyone wants to read all about it (and leave reviews) it’s right at your fingertips.

Not only that, but there’s an interview with Little Old Me up at Authors Unleashed from the girls at Teens Read, Too. You know, in case you Just Can’t Get Enough…

(And once again, I should remind you that BBM is going Really Cheap in the Summer Sale. Because I’m promote-y like that.)

Carolyn V - Squeaky Clean Reads? What a fantastic idea! I will have to go check it out. (And your interview! Sweet!) =)July 15, 2010 – 2:30 pm

Kimberly - Ooo…love the clean reads site!July 15, 2010 – 4:32 pm

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig

And reunion was lovely. As a whole. A success in the following ways:

The kids who vomited were neither mine, nor in my room.

My children love their cousins, all zillions of them.

I have great sibs.

Want to hear some funnies? Well, here are just a couple:

“Just because I’m looking at you, doesn’t mean I’m having bad thoughts.”

18-year-old cutest nephew ever sent a text to Grandpa the morning reunion was beginning. “Some Aunts got into the food. We need six more muffins and a dozen more bagels.” (None of those Aunts was me. Also, none were Aunts, as far as we know. Only Ants. But much funnier the way he sent it.)

“That’s my Aunt Becca. She’s my best friend.” (Bribery, anyone?)

“I love our family.”

“Sometimes I feel I’ve got to (bum-bum) run away, I’ve got to (bum-bum) get away.”

“This toilet experiences Poor Flushing.” (Which led to the teen girls’ rap, including the words, “The flushing is poor, don’t go through that door…”)

“I’m a finger licker and a double dipper.”

“Uncle K. is awesome.” (which, although it isn’t all that funny, is certainly true. And sweet. And awesome.)

So, all together a good experience. The next one is already in planning stages (but don’t tell Husband. He’d have a coronary. We’ll let this sink into a fuzzy memory before we bring up the future plans…).

DeNae - I’ve had two wonderful family reunions this year. Go figure!! And your family is so big; that’s lots of opportunities for love and fun!July 13, 2010 – 2:45 pm

DeNae - …and I totally know the rhyme your post title came from. I know! I am THAT literate!July 13, 2010 – 2:46 pm

Susan - Love me a family reunion. Glad it was a success. My cousin visited with her five kids this past weekend. Soooo fun.July 13, 2010 – 3:14 pm

Carolyn V - LOL! Sounds like it was a great time! =)July 13, 2010 – 3:27 pm

Sarah A. - They were great times to be had by all….and I must selfishly add thatI was feeling very blessed that the sickies weren’t ours either… Loved being with you guys!July 14, 2010 – 1:25 pm

Kimberly - Suddenly I’m feeling homesick. So glad there was so much awesomeness.July 14, 2010 – 3:52 pm