Donnie and Marie

by Cindy R. Williams

 Donny and Marie. What does that mean to you? A little bit country? A little bit rock and roll? Paper Roses? Puppy Love? Mulon? Depends what year you were born.

Sure, I grew up with them. I even attended Marie's wedding reception when she married Steve Craig --the first time.

I will be attending the Donny and Marie Show in Las Vegas with my mom, husband, son and daughter and son-in-law soon. It will be my second time seeing them in the past six months.

My mother is a huge Donny fan and gave us tickets to see their Christmas show at the Gammage. It was incredible. Donny and Marie are true showmen/women/people!  Both have incredibly trained voices and insane stage presence.

Let me tell you a little story about my mom and Donny Osmond. A couple of years ago, my brother took our mom to Las Vegas to see the Donny and Marie show for her birthday. (He always does one-up my sister and me.)  They arrived just in time to unload their luggage in their hotel room and change for the show. Mom was so excited that after she brushed her teeth, she forgot to put her one false tooth back in. It is the second from the top front, so yeah, it shows. She, and said brown nosing brother, hurried to the show.

Afterword, there was an opportunity to shake Donny's hand and get an autographed picture. They waited in line and when it was their turn, Mom grinned with her mouth closed but wouldn't talk. My brother is a funny guy. He told Donny that Mom was a super fan, but embarrassed because she forgot her tooth. Mom about melted into the ground. Donny flashed his million dollar smile then quickly grabbed an 8 by 10 glossy, signed it and handed it to Mom.

When they got back to their hotel room, Mom looked at the picture. Donny had written, "To my dear friend. Don't forget your tooth!  Love, Donny.

I am looking forward to the show, not only to see Donny and Marie, but to watch my dear mother act like a kid in a candy shop.

Donny and Marie forever!

LIFE IS NOW!

By Cindy R. Williams

Line upon line, precept upon precept.

One step at a time.
           One day at a time.
Minute by minute.
           Put one foot in front of the other.
You have to begin to find the end.
            Stay put and fail.

There are tons of cliché’s along these lines. Simple? Yes. Profound YES!

The only way to live is RIGHT NOW! This second.

You would be better off getting up right now and taking care of that thing you know you should be doing rather than reading this. However, if you choose to read on, I hope you will find some food for thought that will help you make the most out of your life.

You only have this moment to change your past. Think about it.

We don't live our lives in chunks. We live it right now, second by second.

"Are we there yet?" How many times have you heard this while traveling somewhere? Many of us think that we will be happy when we finish this, or when this is or that is over. This is NOT TRUE. We can and should be happy RIGHT NOW!

When writer Erma Bombeck was dying from cancer she penned a list of things she regretted and would have liked a "do-over." Here are a few items:

ü  "I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for a day."

ü  "I would have talked less and listened more."

ü  "I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage."

ü  "I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded."

ü  "I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life."

ü  "There would have been more 'I love you's' and more 'I'm sorry's.'"

ü  "Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us."

ü  "But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it ... live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!

Good advice Erma!

So CHOOSE to live RIGHT NOW! Stop living in the past. It is GONE. We can't change it. Let's focus on the happy parts, the good things we did, not the mistakes. Let's live right this minute, think better thoughts and toss that rewinding loop of "Why I Can't Do Something" that rattles in our brain day and night. Toss it right out of your left ear or your right one if you prefer. Just banish it from your brilliant mind.

Goals are great. Living in the moment is greater!

Yes, they go hand in hand. We set our goals, and then we do a little something each day to get there. But it's the getting there that is what it's all about.

Let's ENJOY the ride. Let's take each second and choose to live.

Life Is All About The "Ing."

By Cindy R. Williams

Some serving, some writing, some working, some praying,

Some studying, some eating, some sleeping, some playing,

Some giving, some taking, some going, some staying,

Some crying, some singing and some day after daying.

Now here's the thing, the most important "ing",

The secret of life is living and loving.

One last cliché I read in the wrapper of a piece of Dove chocolate, "I am flawed and fabulous!"

Are we there yet? Yes!

 That special day is today! Choose to live this moment well and when you climb into bed tonight, smile. Tomorrow is another special day!

Today's Thought

 

Life is good.

If it's not, I will make it good.

If I can't make it better, I will be happy anyway.

Harping and Writing

by Cindy R. Williams

Two of my favorite people, Tony and Joanni Judd, on their wedding day.

This is my magical harp, Arvilla. Did you know if you are the first owner of a harp, you have the privilege and responsibility of christening it with it's eternal name. Arvilla is the middle name of my favorite, and only dear mother. The name reminds me of vanilla, a yummy taste and a sublime smell. My mother doesn't like the name so much so it's fun to tease her a bit by using the name - not that I ever yanked her chain growing up or anything.

Playing the harp channels my muse and also calms my soul. I often play late at night in the dark. It's not like playing a trumpet so I don't wake anyone. If they do happen to stumble out of bed, they think they are hearing angels so it's all good.

I have found that writing harp music is pretty much the same process as writing stories. Sometimes the notes flow out and they sound wonderful, but other times, nothing comes. Nada, stone-cold dry. When that happens, I play whatever my heart desires and enjoy the lilting music that floats around the lofty ceiling. When nonsense or no sense comes out of my fingertips on the keyboard of my computer, I often dive into the pool and float on my back make cloud animals.

Just yesterday there were dragons swooping in and out of thunder clouds along with some slashes of lighting giving me two good reasons to slosh out the pool. The first and most important was to quickly jot down the dragon scene before it slipped away and the second reason was to avoid getting zapped by lightning. Maybe not in the correct order, but both important none the less.

The muse is a tricky little minx at best. I think I will try enticicing the muse with chocolate. Has this worked for anyone? What works for you?

Seeking Self Truths

                                                                by Cindy R. Williams

While Mother's Day shopping at Deseret Book, I came across THROUGH HIS EYES - Rethinking What You Believe about Yourself by Virginia H. Pearce. The cover is a lovely pastel blue with a pearl in an oyster shell. I picked it up and read the inside cover and new it was for me.

The blurb began with, "As anyone who has ever cleaned out a closet or a basement can attest, clutter is a reality of life. And it's not just a physical reality. Our minds can become cluttered too, filled with beliefs about everything from our relationship with God to our feelings about our bodies to our housekeeping methods."

I bought the book and upon returning home, handed it to my husband saying, "Here's my Mother's Day present." He smiled and was thrilled that he had finally gotten me something that I really wanted.

I am reading it slowly so that I can ponder the messages and make the much needed changes. The author, Sister Pearce, is the daughter of President Gordan B. Hinckley. If you have ever heard the man speak or read his words -which I am assuming most of you reading this blog have - you know that he always made you aware of your great eternal worth and that there is hope. Sister Peace has the same ability.

Sister Pearce lays the book out in an easy-to-read clean and concise manner. She teaches us the steps to be successful at discarding the lies and half-truths that may be hindering our progress.

I hope to be more of what I am supposed to be here on this earth as I work through this inspiring book. If you decide to check it out, let me know. I would love to hear other inspired stories.

Firefly

by Cindy R. Williams

I just returned home from spending several hours with three of the most amazing young ladies. Their names are Melanie, McKenzie and Madelyn, also known as the Nashville recording artists and country music group, Firefly!
My eyes watered several times as I listened to their magical harmonies and saw their joy in music close up. Their music surrounded me with life and energy. I had the ultimate privilege to watch as they finished the lyrics and music to a new song. I even added my two cents--or four words, "I give my all," to the song.

These three young ladies have it all. Fabulous voices, music writing talent, showmanship and are gifted musicians and dancers. They have one more thing that other music groups don't have, and that is they have a testimony of Jesus Christ and live their lives so that His light shines in all they create. Firefly will do much in creating joy and lifting hearts along their journey.

Thank you Melanie, McKenzie and Madelyn for letting me watch you dazzle!

For a sparkling treat, check out:

FIREFLY

Why I Write

by Cindy R. Williams

I received the ultimate compliment at my last ANWA Chapter meeting. My heart is full just writing about it. Pamela Reynolds shared with me that her little boy with Autism has a special book he loves. It's the first book he has ever read all by himself. That book was Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today, my little children's picture book I wrote a few years ago. If I never hear another nice word about my writing I'm pretty much good forever. I wrote that book out of love for my own little boy, Chase McKay, and it brings me joy to share it with other little girls and boys. Check this one off my bucket list Pam, and give your little son an extra hug for me.

I could pretty much call it good in the writing department, except characters keep waking me up at night demanding that I tell their story, so . . . I shall do my best to get them out of my head and trapped in the computer for now. Having said that, I will probably start having nightmares about my characters being cramped and smashing into each other in my computer. Dragons will step on faeries. Evil Shadows will smother angels. Goblins will steal ice cream from back yard picnics. Cyclopes will shoot lasers from their one eye at the nice little old grandma. They will all come alive and escape my computer. Alas, the reality or insanity of being a writer.

SPARKIN

by Cindy R. Williams

I took the big plunge into vanity, vanity license plates that is. When it came time to renew my plates, I did it online, which by the way was awesomely easy. (Yeah, I did just use an "ly" word here, but you know how they say you have to know the rule to break it. Well, I know the rule and I chose to break it cause that is pretty much how I talk.) Now back to my vanity plate.

When you renew online, there's a place where you can click to personalize your license plate. On an impulse, I clicked it and decided to see if a few things were available. I tried stuff like "WilliamsFamily", but of course that was way too long, so I tried "Williams" and also Willsfam", but both were still too long. ADOT only allows seven characters. Then I got thinking about having a plate with something to do with my writing on it. "Author" was taken and so was "Writer". I didn't like the idea of using either one of them with some random number, so I moved on.

My middle grade fantasy has occupied the main recesses of my mind for the past three years so I tried "Sparkin" the name of the dragon that takes the young hero on some pretty wild adventures. It could be a good marketing tactic.

Voila, it was available. I thought long and hard --at least for one minute that is --about any possible connections to something unsavory or untoward, but figured the worst thing "Sparkin" could be linked to was going into a dark closet and chomping down on wintergreen lifesavers to make them flash and spark when I was younger. Sparkin was also used on dates by the same couples that ran off into the woods to snipe hunt. Not me of course, but I did witness some pretty slobbery kissing going on do to sparkin and snipe hunting, but that is fodder for another blog or story.

It took about four weeks for my new license plates to arrive. When they did, I felt like a kid on Christmas. I opened the yellow packing envelope and gazed down lovingly, yup another "ly". It was almost like seeing my book in print as I admired the Arizona sunset behind the big capital letters S P A R K I N. Almost like seeing the name in lights.

My sweet husband was delighted for me and promptly replaced my old plate. ADOT sent me two of the same plate so I put the second one in my writing place where I can admire it and dream of how maybe someday I will be driving around in my mommy-mobile-mini-van and someone will point at my license plate and say . . . "Hey, that's the name of the dragon in the book I'm reading."
Here's hoping that dreams come true.

Paraprosdokians

By Cindy R. Williams


My sister, Vicky, sent me these. We are not sure where they all came from, but they are a lot of fun. A "paraprosdokian" is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. (Note: the two groups of text below have both similar and dissimilar lines.)

How about these?

1. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
2. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
3. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.
4. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
5. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
6. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
7. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
8. We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.
9. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
10. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
11. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
12. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
13. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.
14. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
15. Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
16. Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
17. I didn't say it was your fault; I said I was blaming you.
18. Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars but check when you say the paint is wet?
19. Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?
20. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
21. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
22. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas! (This is my personal favorite and I plan to use it often!)
23. Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
24. Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.
25. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
26. Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.
27. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
28. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
29. You're never too old to learn something stupid.
30. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. .
31. Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.
32. A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

FEMALE TEACHERS' CONTRACT - UTAH 1923

by Cindy R. Williams

In 1922 my grandmother, Alice Rupp Sample, was a school teacher in Utah. Her career lasted all of one year because she got married the next year, and believe it or not, married women were not allowed to be teachers according to the Female Teacher's Contract which came into effect in 1923. My dear mother, Verlayne Sample Richardson, found the contract a few weeks ago and gave me a copy.

Here are the 12 rules:

1.  Teacher is not to get married. This contract becomes null and void if the teacher marries.
2.  Teacher is not to keep the company of men.
3.  Teacher must be home between the hours of 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless in attendance at a school function.
4.  Teacher must not loiter downtown in ice cream parlors.
5.  Teacher may not leave town at any time without permission of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
6.  Teacher is not to smoke cigarettes or drink wine, beer or whisky. This contract becomes null and void if teacher is caught smoking, or drinking wine, beer or whiskey.
7.  Teacher may not ride in a carriage with any man except her brother or father.
8.  Teacher is not to dress in bright colors.
9.  Teacher may not dye her hair.
10. Teacher will not wear dresses more than two inches above the ankle.
11. Teacher is to wear at least two petticoats.
12. Teacher is to bring a bucket to school to clean and scrub the building every week.

My, my, my, I wonder what bloggers or "light year word writers" "space word floaters" or cyber writers" whatever they will be doing or called in 2110, a hundred years from now, will think about the rules for female teacher of our time.

I DID IT!

THE QUERY LETTER IS DONE!

What's a query letter you say? It's a letter that is meant to convince an editor that your story is the greatest story ever told and that they absolutely have to have it even more than chocolate. A query letter is your proposal of sorts, your calling card, you’re desperate plea to "PICK ME! PICK ME!" without sounding the least bit whiny or desperate.

I have been flying on Sparkin, the dragon's, back over Arizona for three years now and yet found the query letter about as much work. Wait a minute, hold the phone, and your horses or whatever it is you hold. I actually found the book an absolute delight to write. I love the characters, even the sinister ones and many times had to be called back to this planet to fix dinner, and attend to the worldly needs of my wonderful family. The query letter was more of a tear out your hair exercise that lasted through several months of research and 42 --this is not a typo, different versions, one to please each query letter expert. I studied the blurbs on the back of a gazillion books, and finally had an epiphany. Why not complete the exercise outlined by one of my most favorite agents that I was blessed to attend her presentation last April at the LDStorymakers Writers Conference?

So after the "why did it take you so long to figure it out?" moment, I finally hit upon what the heart of this book is about and what makes it unique. I realized it's a story of youth learning that they can do hard things, and learning that it is okay to be yourself even if you are different than others.

As Sparkin, a very noble dragon, would say, "It is ever so sweet" to have it complete.

Amateurs Vs. Professionals

Figure this one out. . . . . .

Amateurs built the Ark

Professionals built the Titanic

Blogs and Blurbs is floating in the Cyberspace

Cindy is in rewrites in another world right now. 

Blogs and Blurbs will be floating along for a little while. 

In the mean time, please enjoy the blog archive! 

Sunday Smiles ~ A Time for Reflection

Sundays are a day of reflection.  Once a week, take time to review what you did well and who you served.  Remember to pat yourself on the back and be happy with your accomplishments.  We are often too hard on ourselves and must also remember we have a place in this world and good things to contribute.

It is also the time to plan for the next week.  Plan to search out those in need and help them. Schedule time for your family.  Schedule time for both work and play. Be aware and take advantage of activites to participate in that will help you grow spiritually, mentally and physically into what you are meant to be. 

Show kindess and gratitude to loved ones and our Father in Heaven. 

Sundays make me smile.   

Monday Muse

Get lost nature.

Sunday Smiles

Sundays make me smile because I see so many wonderful people smiling at me! 

Friday Fun ~ Silly Things to Do

Lots happening. Isn't that how it should be. If not, what would we do all day: Twiddle our toes, eat rasslepups, chase worms, swim with birds, polish marbles, scratch chalk boards, dust feathers, fight butterflies, climb strings, paint salamanders, juggle pine cones, braid eyebrows, stir mosherpots, sniff jello, tweak stars, wash frambles, stack jaswats, scrub scribbles, catch mustaches, count earwigs, scoop clouds, dig tallywags, clip toothbrushes, squish mountains, fly doodlesnaps? These are some of my favorites. Any to add? (Previously posted elsewhere)

Tuesday Tip ~ Natural Home Remedies, Onions

Natural Home Remedies ~ Onions

I love using natural remedies. My grandmothers excelled at healing those around them without doctor visits. He is a natural remedy I read about the other day. First let me state; I am not giving medical advice. I am not stating that this will cure anything. I am just telling you something I read and found fascinating. 

A terrible flu was passing through a large area.  Most people in the area became ill and many died. A local doctor noticed that one large farming family never caught the flu.  He visited them to ask their secret. It turned out that the mother had heard from her mother who heard from her mother . . . that if you place an onion in a room, you will not get sick. So she placed an onion in each of the rooms in the small farm house. 

The doctor asked to take one of the onions with him. He had it tested and sure enough, it was full of the bacteria that was present in the flu being battled in that area.

Once again, I have no idea if this is a true story. I didn't find anything on Snopes about it. I do like trying natural home remedies so I thought I might put this one to the test.  You never know!

Mondays Muse ~ Planning Brings Peace

Mondays are amazing. If you let them, they can be overwhelming as you look at the mountain of work to be accomplished during the upcoming week. I choose to use Monday as a planning day, to very carefully schedule the "need to happens" and the "want to happens." I have found if I will take the time to sit in a comfortable chair and mull the week over with my planner, I relieve the pressue and stress that could smother me. Mondays are now one of the most peacefull days of the week. Easy for me to say, since right now all of my children are either at work, or at school, and my sweetheart is at work. The morning chores are done, the wash is sorted and running. I have visited two of my dear friends. I have done the dishes, tidied the house, have dinner planned, and have the music room ready for my guitar student this afternoon. I will cut one son's hair as soon as he gets home from school, then another son's after that, then the stress, I mean fun begins! I almost have myself convinced that this will be a peacefull week. Mondays are amazing!

Saturday Scribbles ~ QUOTE

Proof read carefully to see if you any words out.

Author Unknown