Southern Living Yankee

You remember that phrase--"Can't see the forest for the trees"--used to describe the frustration of details getting in the way of the big picture? (That's the way I always understood it--correct me if I'm wrong). I guess that's how I'm feeling, or try "Can't see the dandelions for the spiders." I'm at a low point. Spiders are problems, and weeds are the outcome. It's a metaphor for writing my book on Ruth. The spiders are many: Lack of competence leads to lack of confidence; no lack of confusion leads to no lack of distraction; unclear thinking leads to thick, dull writing; is it worth the time and effort when the outcome is just going to be a dandelion? But I'm not ready to quit yet. Last week was the writers conference I attended the past two years. I didn't go this year, but when I sent out a simple little "How was it?" sort of email to the friends I met there--Wow! They replied! They looked for me, they missed me...

I'm pulled in a variety of directions right now so I'm temporarily scratching this blog off my "to do" list. Once things settle back into place I will email you to let you know I'm posting again. That way you won't have to keep checking back here and finding the same old same old. The Hardy Hotel will be occupied for the next couple weeks, plus I'm still trying to get through the editing on the book proposal, plus a few more chapters to go, plus revisions. Plus Miss Hiss will soon be going home. I want to have a going away party for her, but doesn't look like that will materialize. Plus I'm trying to work more hours at the library--helps pay for gas for all the places I still want to go this summer. Plus, and of utmost importance, our boat should be coming out of the repair shop soon and will demand a lot of attention. (Boats are like that--always after you to take them out for any afternoon or evening of lolling around the lake--shameful, isn'...

There is still a glitch in my blog so it's been hit or miss on posting the last couple weeks. Thanks for your patience. A lot has happened, tho--a lot to be thankful for. At the beginning of June my neice, Megan, had her beautiful baby boy and soon found out he had a serious heart defect. At six days old surgeons cut his chest open and installed what was needed. He has since beat all odds, recovery is splendid, and outlook for his future is very good, and very near "normal." The whole family is amazed and grateful to God for His mercy and grace. Then just a few days ago my cousin, Ben, ended up unconscious in ICU. We're grateful once again that God spared him from serious and complicated injuries. He got knocked out and has a bad black eye, but he could have been run over by a tractor! Like his sister wrote me, guardian angels were on the lookout that day. One minute Ben's driving the tractor, next minute his face is in dirt and the tractor is on it's way. I d...

My attempts to add pictures have failed. But I'll keep trying. My computer had two viruses over the last couple weeks. Tom got them off, but apparently some settings still need to be tweaked. Just to catch up, though . . . I left you hanging with curiosity about Shawnee State Park Lodge, didn't I? Plus, Tom has pictures from the Indy 500, and you've got to get a look at Miss Hiss (my elderly boarder) before she goes back home in July. She's looking very plush and beautiful now--much better than her infamous photo shoot in the winter. Back to Shawnee--it was cool. We'd like to go back when the weather is nice, and it'd be really beautiful in the fall. Our room had high vaulted ceilings and a private balcony that looked right into the woods. Birds and squirrels were just an arms length away. There were 2 olympic size pools-- indoor and outdoor, a couple huge stone fireplaces, sauna, whirlpool, restaurant, spacious decks and porches, lots of casual conversation ar...

OK, it's really the 3rd round. The testing that got posted was from Tom's computer. Then I tried to post from my computer and got the screaming ERROR message. But then AHA! I BRILLIANTLY allowed pop-ups, and it looks like this time it's going to post! AHA! Take that! Next round: pictures!

Just testing to see if that "error" message comes up again. It's kept me off of here for the past weeks. I think it might have to do with the computer I was using. Let's see if this will save.

I don't know why, Memorial Day gives me a sad little spot this year. I think I'm trying to avoid it. On a lighter note, today is our wedding aniversary! Has it only been 6 years? Weddings, graduations, kids moving out, kids moving to Seattle, us moving to Dayton, Tom's three different jobs . . . It seems like several lifetimes packed into those few years. Thankfully they've been filled with happy stuff and no other close family funerals or serious health traumas. We're celebrating with an overnight at Shawnee State Park Lodge. It's 100 miles southeast of here, at the southernmost point in Ohio, just 5 miles from the Ohio River and Kentucky border. I'll tell you all about it next time. Right now I'm going to get ready to go! Have a happy Memorial Day!