My ministry verse is Isaiah 61:1-3. These verses have been around in my life for years. In all teh struggles, hardships and victories in my life, they've kept me going. When I write, these are the verses that guide me. There is a song that is taken right from these verses. I'd like to share it as my tune for you this Tuesday. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Meet Heidi M. Thomas
I'm glad to have a special guest blog post today. Please welcome Heidi M. Thomas to the blog.
Heidi is a longtime writer, a journalist and a pre-published novelist. In addition to writing for herself, Heidi edits manuscripts for others and teaches classes in Memoir and Beginning Fiction Writing. Heidi lives in the Pacific Northwest. Her latest book series is on cowgirls. The books, Cowgirl Dreams and Follow The Dream tell the story of Nettie, a 1920s cowgirl.
I think it is a fresh idea that young adult readers will enjoy. I'm looking forward to everyone getting to know Heidi and Nettie better!
Welcome Heidi as she talks about the cowgirl behind the series. Enjoy!
In a scrapbook my grandmother created is a clipping from the Sunburst Sun (Montana) newspaper, Aug. 26, 1922, that reads:
Program
1:00 Parade of cowboys and cowgirls, headed by Cut Bank brass band
2:30 Tootsie Bailey will enter competition with entire field, riding wild steers with only one hand on cirsingle
Another clipping states “Tootsie Bailey won first and Mary (Marie) Gibson second prize in the steer riding.”
Marie Gibson was a well-known Montana cowgirl and won national awards for bronc riding.
Tootsie was my grandmother and she would have been 17 at that time. I did have the opportunity to spend time with her, ride horseback, and get to know her pretty well before she died suddenly when she was only 57 and I was 12.
I know that she was an avid horsewomen and that she was more at home on the back of a horse than behind a dust mop. My dad told me she had competed in rodeos, riding steers, when she was young. I kept thinking how courageous that was, especially as I got older and watched bull and bronc riders. Grandma was petite—five-feet two-inches and weighed a little over 100 pounds. I was amazed that she would pit herself against an animal that weighed 900 pounds or so, one whose sole purpose was to get that pesky rider off its back and then maybe stomp on her!
My character, Nettie, has a dream to become a rodeo star and the tenaciousness to follow that dream. In Cowgirl Dreams, during the 1920s, she faces family and social barriers to that dream. The sequel, Follow the Dream, finds her still holding on to her dream. But the drought and depression of the 1930s forces her to make some tough choices and rethink how her dream works in with her family and life in Montana.
Both books are available through my website http://www.heidimthomas.com/, from my publisher http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/SDHeidiThomas.html and from the normal on-line sources. Follow the Dream is also available on Kindle.
Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a ranch in eastern Montana and now lives in western Washington where she writes, edits for other authors, teaches community writing classes and blogs http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com She is a member of Women Writing the West (http://www.womenwritingthewest.org/, Skagit Valley Writers League (http://www.skagitwriters.org/) , Northwest Independent Editors Guild (http://www.edsguild.org/) and VBT—Writers on the Move (http://www.vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/) .
Thanks to Heidi for guest posting today! If you'd like to meet and get to know another amazing author stop by Robert Medak's blog where Debra Eckerling will be guest posting.
Heidi is a longtime writer, a journalist and a pre-published novelist. In addition to writing for herself, Heidi edits manuscripts for others and teaches classes in Memoir and Beginning Fiction Writing. Heidi lives in the Pacific Northwest. Her latest book series is on cowgirls. The books, Cowgirl Dreams and Follow The Dream tell the story of Nettie, a 1920s cowgirl.
I think it is a fresh idea that young adult readers will enjoy. I'm looking forward to everyone getting to know Heidi and Nettie better!
Welcome Heidi as she talks about the cowgirl behind the series. Enjoy!
The Cowgirl Behind Cowgirl Dreams and Follow the Dream
In a scrapbook my grandmother created is a clipping from the Sunburst Sun (Montana) newspaper, Aug. 26, 1922, that reads:
Program
1:00 Parade of cowboys and cowgirls, headed by Cut Bank brass band
2:30 Tootsie Bailey will enter competition with entire field, riding wild steers with only one hand on cirsingle
Another clipping states “Tootsie Bailey won first and Mary (Marie) Gibson second prize in the steer riding.”
Marie Gibson was a well-known Montana cowgirl and won national awards for bronc riding.
Tootsie was my grandmother and she would have been 17 at that time. I did have the opportunity to spend time with her, ride horseback, and get to know her pretty well before she died suddenly when she was only 57 and I was 12.
I know that she was an avid horsewomen and that she was more at home on the back of a horse than behind a dust mop. My dad told me she had competed in rodeos, riding steers, when she was young. I kept thinking how courageous that was, especially as I got older and watched bull and bronc riders. Grandma was petite—five-feet two-inches and weighed a little over 100 pounds. I was amazed that she would pit herself against an animal that weighed 900 pounds or so, one whose sole purpose was to get that pesky rider off its back and then maybe stomp on her!
My character, Nettie, has a dream to become a rodeo star and the tenaciousness to follow that dream. In Cowgirl Dreams, during the 1920s, she faces family and social barriers to that dream. The sequel, Follow the Dream, finds her still holding on to her dream. But the drought and depression of the 1930s forces her to make some tough choices and rethink how her dream works in with her family and life in Montana.
Both books are available through my website http://www.heidimthomas.com/, from my publisher http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/SDHeidiThomas.html and from the normal on-line sources. Follow the Dream is also available on Kindle.
Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a ranch in eastern Montana and now lives in western Washington where she writes, edits for other authors, teaches community writing classes and blogs http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com She is a member of Women Writing the West (http://www.womenwritingthewest.org/, Skagit Valley Writers League (http://www.skagitwriters.org/) , Northwest Independent Editors Guild (http://www.edsguild.org/) and VBT—Writers on the Move (http://www.vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/) .
Thanks to Heidi for guest posting today! If you'd like to meet and get to know another amazing author stop by Robert Medak's blog where Debra Eckerling will be guest posting.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Creation
I started a new job in November. It is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Have you ever been to Salt Lake City? What a beautiful place. I might be a bit partial because you can see mountains everywhere you go. And I love me some mountains. Love. Them.
I was in Salt Lake a couple of weeks for training. Usually I despise traveling for work. However, I don't mind so much going out there. You know, the mountains are there :) The hotel my company uses has the best views of the mountains. This last time I was on the 14th floor. Did it ever offer a view.
I awoke early the first full day there for the sunrise. I just love how beautiful it is watching the city and the mountains come into view. When I pulled open the curtains and looked to my left, I gasped. The snowcapped mountains were breathtaking. Tears came to my eyes as I marveled at the artistry of God. That view reminded me to reconnect with Him. It reminded me to ask Him to let me see His work in the day to day mundane details of my life, as well as the special glorious moments like the one I was in.
God is the Creator of the universe. Every once in a while, He shows me in a big way. Like that morning. At other times, it's not a grand gesture but something simple like my daugher singing "Jesus Take The Wheel" when I start to verbalize a worry. Either way, He reminds me of His presence. I treasure that. Look for Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself. He won't disappoint.
As always......Be Blessed
I was in Salt Lake a couple of weeks for training. Usually I despise traveling for work. However, I don't mind so much going out there. You know, the mountains are there :) The hotel my company uses has the best views of the mountains. This last time I was on the 14th floor. Did it ever offer a view.
I awoke early the first full day there for the sunrise. I just love how beautiful it is watching the city and the mountains come into view. When I pulled open the curtains and looked to my left, I gasped. The snowcapped mountains were breathtaking. Tears came to my eyes as I marveled at the artistry of God. That view reminded me to reconnect with Him. It reminded me to ask Him to let me see His work in the day to day mundane details of my life, as well as the special glorious moments like the one I was in.
 |
| This picture does no justice to seeing it in person! |
God is the Creator of the universe. Every once in a while, He shows me in a big way. Like that morning. At other times, it's not a grand gesture but something simple like my daugher singing "Jesus Take The Wheel" when I start to verbalize a worry. Either way, He reminds me of His presence. I treasure that. Look for Him today. Ask Him to reveal Himself. He won't disappoint.
As always......Be Blessed
Mari
Friday, December 31, 2010
Ending the Year
Well, the last few minutes of 2010 are upon us. I was trying to decide what to write about as my last post of 2010. I thought I would leave you with two important things I want to take with me into 2011.
One: I need to watch my expectations when it comes to other people. I tend to set them pretty high. The problem with that is if they don't live up to those expectations, it is frustrating for me. That frustration invariably spills over into my relationship with them. It wouldn't be as bad if they know what those expectation were. They usually don't. And that's not fair to them.
So for 2011 - Watch my expectations of others
Two: God is bigger than any problem. He's already working on the problem. I need to be patient and wait for Him. Simple to say. Not always easy to live out. He's Lord of all. Period. My feelings do not equal His power over and in the situation.
So, for 2011 - Remember Jesus is Lord above all. Period.
Are there any lessons from 2010 you are taking into 2011?
Be safe and be blessed this New Years Eve and in 2011.
One: I need to watch my expectations when it comes to other people. I tend to set them pretty high. The problem with that is if they don't live up to those expectations, it is frustrating for me. That frustration invariably spills over into my relationship with them. It wouldn't be as bad if they know what those expectation were. They usually don't. And that's not fair to them.
So for 2011 - Watch my expectations of others
Two: God is bigger than any problem. He's already working on the problem. I need to be patient and wait for Him. Simple to say. Not always easy to live out. He's Lord of all. Period. My feelings do not equal His power over and in the situation.
So, for 2011 - Remember Jesus is Lord above all. Period.
Are there any lessons from 2010 you are taking into 2011?
Be safe and be blessed this New Years Eve and in 2011.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
18 years and counting....
18 years ago, I walked down the aisle of the church I'd attended since I was a little girl and became Mrs. Ricky Taylor.
It was my privilege to serve as matron of honor in my brother's wedding yesterday. As a special gift to me, my brother and my husband arranged for a special anniversary dance at his reception. Rick and I danced to the same song we danced to at our own reception 18 years ago. What a wonderful surprise!
18 years, 1 move across country, 2 teenagers and we are still together.
"Ricky, I love you. God bless and keep you safe and with me. Thank you for 18 years. Here's to 18 more!"
See everyone here next year! Be blessed!
It was my privilege to serve as matron of honor in my brother's wedding yesterday. As a special gift to me, my brother and my husband arranged for a special anniversary dance at his reception. Rick and I danced to the same song we danced to at our own reception 18 years ago. What a wonderful surprise!
18 years, 1 move across country, 2 teenagers and we are still together.
"Ricky, I love you. God bless and keep you safe and with me. Thank you for 18 years. Here's to 18 more!"
See everyone here next year! Be blessed!
 |
| December 18, 2010 |
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Crying Mom
Let me state the obvious: Mothering teenagers is a tough job sometimes. I don't know about you, but sometimes I want to go to my room, close the door and cry. Wait. I don't just want to do that. I actually do it!
To read the rest, head on over to WRAL. Leave me a comment if you'd like :)
Be blessed!
To read the rest, head on over to WRAL. Leave me a comment if you'd like :)
Be blessed!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
December Craziness
This year I am not going crazy over shopping that's not done. Oh no. That would be too easy. I have new challenges this year.
Since I have two daughters in high school now, I get a double dose of finals and the standardized End of Course (EOC) exams. Since their school is on block scheduling, they do a whole year's worth of a subject in one semester. So my oldest has two EOC exams and then two regular finals. My youngest has 3 finals and two mid-terms because her combined History and English class is actually a year long course. Let's not mention the number of projects they've had over the last couple of weeks. I know you are wondering what this has to do with me. I'm the "scorekeeper" so to speak. You know:
Since I have two daughters in high school now, I get a double dose of finals and the standardized End of Course (EOC) exams. Since their school is on block scheduling, they do a whole year's worth of a subject in one semester. So my oldest has two EOC exams and then two regular finals. My youngest has 3 finals and two mid-terms because her combined History and English class is actually a year long course. Let's not mention the number of projects they've had over the last couple of weeks. I know you are wondering what this has to do with me. I'm the "scorekeeper" so to speak. You know:
"Why is the TV on when you have a project to work on?"
"Did you verify the date when that project is due,
because I could swear it's tomorrow and not Friday"
"You have a test tomorrow too??"
"No I won't log onto the main computer account, use the homework account"
(the one that has Facebook, Twitter, Formspring and Tumblr blocked,
because really, you're supposed to be doing homework LOL)
And if my girls are up, I'm up. Blame my mother. She never left me up doing homework. She was always awake to provide moral support, sharpen pencils, type while I wrote or fix a snack for energy. I do the same for my girls. Can I just tell you, we've had a lot of late nights! Momma is tired of projects, tests and quizzes that I'm not directly involved in. I can't wait until next Thursday when the last exam is over.
Well.....actually I don't get a break then either. We're heading to Chicago to attend a family wedding. We just found out about it 2 months ago so this is a brand new wrinkle in our December schedule. My husband and I will also celebrate our 18th anniversary while we're there. Why? Because I refuse to deal with airport security on my anniversary. I'm just saying. Then we'll head back and spend the 3 days we'll have left getting ourselves ready for Christmas.
I'm finding it harder to find a hiding place for my husband's main gift than actually shopping. He's told me he searches for it when I leave the house. Really honey?? How old are you? It helped a lot to do some of this year's shopping online (free shipping is my new BFF). But then I have to act like a stalker, waiting for the UPS guy. After all, I need to grab the box so no labels are seen. All I have to say about that is.....Really family?? Wait until Christmas!!
Did I mention that I'm a little over a month on a brand new job. I'm learning a ton but still, with all this other stuff going on, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Just a tad. Okay a couple of tads.
Anyway, how is your December coming along? All done shopping? Any wrinkles in your holiday schedule?
I have to go check on a child working on yet another project, so I'll leave you with this...
Be Blessed!!! And be a blessing!
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