A Proud Moment

I think, since time began, that grandmothers have reserved the right to brag on their grandkids. Right? Well, whether that is true or not, I’m going to do some bragging!

We are in the midst of fair season here in Colorado. A couple of weeks ago, my granddaughter and her neighbor participated in the talent show at one of the local fairs. They each sang a song in their respective age categories, then sang one together in the “group” entry. The little neighbor girl, who is 3, won second place in the 3-6 yr old category. My granddaughter, who is 7, won first place in the 7-12 yr old category, and the both of them won first place in the group category! Madison won a big blue ribbon, $30 in cash, and a T-shirt for her individual first, then they each received a blue ribbon and a wrist band for all the rides for their group first place awards. Then, they had a drawing for various other prizes with all the kids’ names and didn’t they draw Madison’s name first! She won a huge teddy bear that is almost taller than she is. It was quite an exciting evening!

I think what made me the proudest, though, was the fact that Madison never did brag about her first place status. I did, but she didn’t. If we met someone in town who I knew would enjoy hearing the news, and I told her, “tell (whoever) your big news”, she would cover her little eyes with her hands in total humility.

We could all take lessons from the innocence and the meekness of those two little girls. When they stood up there in front of an eager audience, handed the contest leader their CD, and began singing along with the music, they did so with all their heart. They didn’t expect to win and they didn’t really care. They did it for the simple pleasure of singing songs they enjoy and swaying to the beat.

For days before the talent show, they took time away from their usual play to work out their routine, practice it, and perfect it. They could have decided they didn’t want to participate, that after an hour or so of repeatedly singing the same songs and dancing the same steps, that this was totally ‘boring” and not fun anymore.

The determination and resolve of these little girls to commit to something and see it through to the end has put me to shame. If I could approach my writing life with that same spirit of striving to do my best, no matter what the outcome, I would feel a lot better about myself. If I would commit to practice my skills, always putting everything I have into doing the best I can possibly do without getting discouraged, I’d probably be surprised at how much my writing would improve. It’s so easy to quit when it’s not “fun” anymore.

And sometimes it isn’t. To give so much time to a chapter and present it to a new critique group, only to have them point out obvious flaws that I just plain missed, and so did the critics before them, is discouraging. It takes time and effort and concentration and determination to sit down and plan all the necessary elements of a story. Sometimes it’s just plain hard work.

Anything worth having is. So, I pull up another blank computer page and start to type words on it that will become sentences and eventually paragraph that will form a story. When seeds of discouragement begin to take hold, I draw in a deep breath and remember two little girls on a warm and rainy night in Southeastern Colorado who gave their best effort to a crowd of strangers. Who knows where it might lead them someday.

Simply because they chose not to quit.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Review of The Case of The Bouncing Grandma by A. K. Arenz

Be sure to read my interview with A. K. posted 10-18-07 on this blog, where she talks about the physical handicaps she has struggled with while writing this book.


Can a Wheelchair Confined Fifty Something Grandma Really Solve a Murder?

Glory Harper is not your typical fifty-something grandmother. Rather, she is known as the “bouncing” grandma because – well- I don’t want to give away all the secrets!. Now, Glory is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg and bored out of her mind after trying her hand at skateboarding.

No one really believes Glory’s theory that there’s a dead body next door, based on her observation of a foot dangling from a rolled up carpet belonging to the new neighbors as they move in. Despite skepticism from her sister, Jane, her daughter, Andi, and even the handsome blue-eyed detective who investigates her claim, Glory is determined to prove her case.

Suspense deepens as the new residents of small town Tarryton appear to be tied to a crime far more elaborate than harboring a dead body. Glory obtains her evidence simply by extending Christian friendship to the new neighbors along with a little internet surfing.

Glory and her sister Jane share a deep bond as sisters and best friends. The relationship between daughter Andi and grandson Seth is presented with humor intertwined skillfully with drama and real-life emotion. The promise of a potential budding romance for Glory adds depth to her character. Throw the town scoundrel and a past national scandal into the mix and you have a book that keeps you turning the pages until the end.

A. K. Arenz has done a fine job of delivering a great story in this debut novel. I look forward to more work from this talented author.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Review of Shadow of Danger by Jeanne Marie Leach

Be sure to read my interview with Jeanne posted 2-17-08 on this blog, where she offers great advice and writing resources for 19th century writers.

I’ve read several books over the past few weeks, but one of my favorites is Shadow of Danger by Jeanne Marie Leach. I felt a connection with heroine Rachel Ringold from page one, a young lady raised in an orphanage who is awakened in the dead of night and instructed to flee as far away as possible to avoid an undisclosed danger. Confused and frightened, Rachel makes her way to Colorado and the only friend she has ever known, Seb Jameson.

Seb is happy to see Rachel, although angered by the circumstances that drove her from the orphanage and shocked to see the little girl he remembered is now a young woman. He is engaged to another, but becomes torn as his fiance’s true colors fade against Rachel’s sweet innocence and gentle spirit.

Kind and trusting Rachel, who sees only the good in everyone, is unaware she is caught in a love triangle. Her sensitivity and compassion expose her to heartache, which she faces with the strength of her faith in God. She yearns for a home and family, but her dream of such stability slips away when she discovers Seb’s heart belongs to another.

Seb’s feelings for Rachel intensify when she disappears. That disappearance renews the reality of the harm that can come to her, as well as Seb and others she has befriended in Leadville. All dreams of happiness now seemingly beyond her grasp, Rachel flees to Denver, trusting God to help her lead the life He has planned for her, although empty and heartbroken over the loss of the man she has always loved.

Rachel is a sensitive, tender, and yet strong young heroine who delights the reader with her faith in God and her willingness, despite personal misfortune, to trust solely in Him. Seb proves to be a hero worthy of admiration and respect when he realizes he has let Rachel down and sets out to make things right.

The setting is delightful to any reader who enjoys 1800’s historical work. Jeanne presents the mining town of Leadville and the growing city of Denver with authentic and colorful detail. Follow Rachel’s journey of faith in 1800’s Colorado today.