The Sunshine Award!!

Well, it was bound to happen...I lost a draft that I spend a couple of precious hours composing!  So, I will need to be brief, since my time is so limited these days!  But, I am honored to receive this award, thanks to Bethany Telles. It is given to those who's blogs inspire positivity and creativity in the blogosphere.  Thanks, Bethany!

 Bethany has good things to say on her blog, Perched in a Tree, sharing her view of the world from a lofty vantage point.  I love the fact that she sees the good in everyone...Bethany calls that a weakness.  I call it a strength! She is blessed to be able to stay at home with her children.

In order to accept the Award, we are to answer the following 10 questions, and then pass on the award to others.  Some say around ten, but, I will need to hone it down to four, but not because the awardees are limited!

Here are my questions:

FAVORITE COLOR:


      I would have to say green.  When I was younger, it was blue, but now I love sage green, seafoam green, honeydew and forest green...all the greens but olive and army.  Green speaks of life, energy and renewal.

FAVORITE ANIMAL:

     I love all animals in God's kingdom, but, right now, it's the hedgehog...my daughter owns an adorable one named Pippin.

FAVORITE NUMBER:

     It's seven...it always has been.  The perfect number according to the Bible.

FAVORITE DRINK:

     Tea!   All kinds, but mostly milk oolong, Japanese Cherry, and specialty drinks such as Thai and Bubble Tea.

FACEBOOK OR TWITTER?

     Even though I use both, it's Facebook that I use the most.  I love to see what my friends are thinking and doing....

MY PASSION:

     In writing, it's to make history and Scripture come alive for my readers, who are mostly women and children.  In my daily life, I love to plan and take my family on "educational field trips" to various parts of the world.  We visit locations we are studying during our homeschool year...it's history we will never forget!  The trip always includes a visit to a missionary family we know in the area.  This blog began as a travel log of our trips...the side bar shows some of the links.

PREFER GIVING OR GETTING PRESENTS?

     I'm embarrassed to admit this...I enjoy getting gifts if it's what I need or want.  So, because of this, I prefer to give to others, and spend some time studying people's preferences before I purchase a gift.  Sometimes, it's something that I already own, that I know another friend or family member would appreciate.

FAVORITE PATTERN:

     That is a tough one for me!  I love pretty patterns of all sorts...especially on vintage clothing or wallpaper.  So, since they are usually floral, I'll say flowers, swirls, or any floral pattern.

FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK:

     It used to be Fridays, the end of the work week.  But now that I am home educating our teens, I would say Sundays.  It's a day of rest.  After church I love to come home and sit down after dinner with an inspirational book.  We do that as a family for at least a hour.  There is little time the rest of the week!

FAVORITE FLOWER:

     What flower don't I love??  Sweet peas and stargazer lilies (in my bridal bouquet) are among my favorites, but I will say my absolute fav is my birthflower: lilies of the valley.


Now its time to PASS ON THE SUNSHINE AWARD:


These are the worthy recipients...amongst many others yet to be chosen:

Laura Miller   for her whimsical drawings

Miranda Paul for her literacy work in Africa

Alison Hertz for her helpful writer's posts

Kirsten Larson for encouraging creativity in kids


Grab the Sunshine Award Button above, ladies, and spread some sunshine to others...congratulations!



   

Another Challenge for the Writer's Platform

Here I am again, with yet another challenge from Rachael Harrie's FourthWriter's Platform-Building Campaign.  This time, we have a variety of options.  To begin with, we have one written prompt, and four seemingly unrelated photos (one is below), which to me, is the ultimate in challenges!

Since I am off to a Family Economics Conference this weekend, I chose to do only one of the options...another flash fiction of less than 200 words.  And  I'd like you to make a comment below.  Let me know what you liked (if anything), and how I could have done better.

If you'd like more info on the Writer's Platform Campaign Challenge check this link.  I'm #70, if you'd like to give me a thumbs up.  It would be much appreciated!  And while you are there, check out the many other creative entries...


Here goes:


Too Close For Comfort


Hyperventilating because of my near death experience, I leaned against the rusty remains of a concrete bridge, thankful to be alive.  Miraculously, I had only a cut on my leg. Becky, my best friend, had rescued me again. But this time, it wasn't from a social faux pas. And she had only wet hair to show for the feat. 

Swimming  near a tributary of the Amazon, I suddenly felt myself pulled under and spun like a whirlpool on a wooden spoon.  I panicked, and cried out to God. Thoughts of my young son on a Brazilian Estate flashed through my mind. Instantly, Becky pulled me from the undertow, and onto the bank, where national children rummaged through a garbage dump.

A brilliant web of tiny stars whirled before my still closed eyes. "Vicki, Vicki...are you okay?  Wake up...speak to me!"

Coming back to reality, I felt a gentle slap on my cheek. Becky had somehow delivered me to the crumbling bridge, leaning me against it to catch my breath.

"Looks like it's not your time to go, Vicki...the mission still needs your help!"

I smiled weakly, thanking God once more...I would see my son again.



So, what do you think?  Any constructive comments would be appreciated...thanks for stopping by!

A to Z Blogging Challenge: With a Little Help from My Friends!

Well, the challenge begins in 27 days...what challenge, you ask?  Here is a rundown:

Who will participate?  

ME...and hopefully over 1,000 other bloggers!


What is the Challenge?

Compose 26 posts during the month of April...one each day, not including Sundays.  Each day, the post's title or topic will begin with a letter of the alphabet, in order, and progress until the last day, when the Z post will finish the challenge.

Where will you find the posts?

Here, on my blog, and on almost 1,000 other participant's blogs...so, sign up on the right to follow me.  I would love to have you comment on my posts!

Why are you doing this?


To flex my blogging muscles, drive more activity to my site, and, most importantly, share things that are on my heart, and inspire others.

When does this all begin?


April 1st...no kidding!


How do I join in the Challenge?


Click on this link, and you will find the sign up list and other info you need...we'd love to have you join us!

Now here's where I need a little help from my friends:


I have my list of potential posts for the month of April, but have quite a few empty spots, so here's where I need your help...I have ideas for letters A, B, C, D, G, H, P, Q, S, T and W.  But, I haven't yet thought of post titles for the other letters.  If you can think of a topic for one I am missing, let me know in a post comment below.  Here's the catch:  my theme is 'Lessons from Life, Leaders and Literature.'  So, if it fits the theme, I'll consider it.  If I choose it...I will feature a link to your website, or, of another's that you enjoy, on the day I post that letter, as a thank you for your help!

Looking forward to those ideas....

Tag...I'm It!

Well, it finally happened...I was tagged last Wednesday, by Stephanie.  On
Thursday, I was surprised to discover that I was tagged a second time...by
Traci!


It's a game we Campaigners play to bring traffic to our sites, stretch our writer's muscles and encourage creativity.  When we are tagged, we answer the questions the tagger has given us, then, tag others, and develop another set of ten questions for the new "tagees".
What to do now?  Answer all the questions?  Only one set?  I liked the one suggestion I was given: Mix and match them.

Okay, here is a mix and match of Traci's and Stephanie's questions, and, of course, my responses:




      What color best describes your personality and why?

I used to like blue as a child, and I'm not sure why.  Maybe I felt stress in my life at that age, and blue calmed me down.  But, as an adult, I suddenly am attracted to green. Bright greens, like lime, pistachio, spring and sea foam green.  They describe how I feel in this fifth decade of life: alive, alert, fresh, growing and learning!

     Which would you rather do, go to the dentist or watch a Pauly Shore movie?

I don't mind a visit to the dentist...and I have bad teeth!  So bad, that on the average, one tooth cracks each year, so I spent quite a bit of time in the chair.  In fact, a wedge shaped piece of my molar just fell out a couple of days ago, so I'm off to my 'teeth healer' again.
I've never seen a Pauly Shore movie, but, from what I've gathered from google, I wouldn't bother!

     If you were forced to travel back in time to live out the rest of your life, when would you prefer to end up (you have to go back at least a hundred years)

That's a tough one...I love history!  Each century has its good and bad points, but in general, I'm fascinated with the Renaissance and Reformation. Even so, I would choose to live in the time of Jesus.  Imagine sitting at his feet like Mary, and hearing the Words of life in person!

     Are you a seat of the pants writer, or do you plan out every detail?

It depends.  If I am participating in a contest, and need to come up with a piece quickly, I write by the seat of my pants.  If I have time, I plan out the details.

     What, besides writing, do you love to do in your spare time?  

I love to travel, so, I'm naturally the one to plan our mega family field trips. We've travelled to every continent but Antarctica!  Did I tell you that we home educate our two teenagers?  I have a sparse amount of spare time...

     How far would you need to travel to get to the mountains? 


I'm closer to the Adirondacks than the Rockies...about a thousand miles.


     If cheap, safe space travel were possible, would you hop on a ship or stay firmly planted on Earth?

I'm afraid of heights, so, I would have my feet planted on Terra Firma!

     Why did you decide to start a blog?  

I wanted to share the amazing things we saw and learned on our family travels.  But, what began as a travel blog, is morphing into a journey through the Writer's World!


     How many books/short stories/poems/songs etc. have you written?

I have written five PBs...four based on Scripture, and one, a hedgehog.  Two
are being considered for publication at this time.

     What genre is your current wip? 

A non-fiction picture book about an incident which took place during the smallpox epidemic in the 1800's.


     Do you write what you know, or stretch your imagination, or both?  

The challenges I have participated in; PiBoIdMo, 12x12 in 2012, A to Z Blogging, and the Writer's Platform Campaign have forced me (in a good way) to stretch my imagination, especially in the area of fiction.  I have a tendency to read and write non-fiction, so the stretch is good for my literary muscles!

     Who would you like to see on a coin/money?  

I'd love to see those that were martyred for their faith, such as missionary Jim Elliott, honored in such a way.  So many people who gave their lives for their God and country deserve to be recognized...

     What’s your favorite place to write and why?  
If I can't get away by myself to a quiet, scenic outdoor location (which rarely happens), I like to settle into my comfy high-back chair in my own Victorian sitting room.

     If you could move anywhere in the world where would it be?
What a difficult decision from one who loves to travel the world!  Someplace quiet, I would say. Probably a little cottage in the Cotswolds, or tiny house in the French countryside.

     What book (craft or otherwise) have you learned the most from?
I have to honestly say "The Bible".  One can never run out of things to learn.  It's like looking in a mirror within a mirror within a mirror...endless!

Now, for my questions:

1. Did you know when you were a child, that you would be a writer?  If so, share the moment...

2. Would you order a meat dish or go vegan at a restaurant?

3. What was your favorite subject in high school?

4. When you are working on a story, which do you find most difficult: writing a beginning or ending?

5. Do you have more trouble with grammar, or finding just the right descriptive word?

6. What would you not want to leave undone before you left this world?

7. What makes you laugh?

8. Are you an introvert or extrovert?  What about your characters?

9. If you were limited to writing and publishing only one book, what would  the subject be?

10. If you wrote your autobiography, what would you entitle it?




Who will be answering the above questions on their blogs?  Who did I tag?


The winners are:   Ruth Schiffmann  and Jodi Su...Congratulations, Ladies!