A Flyover Blog

31 Days of Writing Inspiration

 

Seems everyone I know is fighting brain drain lately. Finances, summer heat, the economy and a thousand other things can zap a writer's creativity faster than a rejection letter. Don't despair. This is not the time to abandon your writing dream. Let's use the month of August to recharge, reimagine and recommit.

I'll be posting a quote a day from my collection of sage writing advice. Some of it is from writing greats; some of it is wisdom that applies to writers from people working in other fields. I invite you to drop by, read the daily quote and take a few minutes to apply it to your personal writing projects.

By August's end you should be ready to attack autumn with a new writing goal!

Red Friday - July 31

U.S. Marines prepare to return fire after receiving enemy fire in Lakari Bazaar, Afghanistan, July 19, 2009. The Marines, accompanied by Afghan soldiers, are assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. The battalion is the ground combat element of Regimental Combat Team 3, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan.

 U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. James A. Burks

The Making of a Commercial

 

No, this post is not about the car. Thought I'd share a link today that's sure to spark your creativity.  Don't know if you've watched that Toyota Prius commercial - you know the one with the catchy cover of the old Bellamy Brothers tune sung by Petra Haden. Well, I found this YouTube video on the making of the Harmony commercial. It's amazing to watch; all that work for 30 seconds. Incredible. FYI: I'd post the actual video but it's sure to gum up the works, so just click the link.

Bonus: Petra Hayden and The Sell Outs singing The Who Sell Out. Click here.

I found this photo on EnglishRetreads.com.

Under Construction

Been getting a lot of inquiries about our wall. Yes, the big rebuild is underway. Gotta tell ya, it's been no small feat coordinating the masonry contractor, custom sign maker, irrigation company and landscapers. Thought I'd post a few pics so you'll know we're still here.

 

Just to refresh your memory, this is what was left of our entry and fence after the accident a few weeks ago. This clean up job is was a little beyond a broom and dust pan.

 

Rosales Masonry sent a crew of 6 over here bright and early on a Monday, two weeks ago. It took them 10 hours to demolish what was left of the wall and haul away the rubble. Then they brought in blocks and equipment for the rebuild.

 

Before they left, they poured a foundation for the new wall.  All those shrubs had to go. After a one day rain delay, the construction began.

 

Here's the new wall at the end of Day 3.

 

Here's the new wall at the end of the first week. Hmmm... looks bigger to me.

Rebuilding the 3rd column and the fence came next. I can't tell you how many people have stopped to ask if they can have that big pot that crashed to the ground - poor lopsided thing. I can't believe the plants are still green. More pics as the work progresses...

Light

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be
The candle or the mirror that reflects it."

—Edith Wharton

Red Friday - July 17

 

UNDER THE WIRE
U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Worthington high-crawls through the dirt during the obstacle course portion of the Pre-Ranger Course in the Mojave Desert, Fort Irwin, Calif., May 18, 2009. The purpose of the 14-day course is to prepare soldiers to succeed in the U.S. Army Ranger School.

U.S. Army courtesy photo

Life According to Mel

"Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy — or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively."

—Mel Brooks

Red Friday - July 10

 

It's Red Friday again. You know what to do. In this week's snapshot, U.S. Army soldiers navigate across a creek during a dismounted patrol last month in the Nerkh Valley, Afghanistan. The soldiers are assigned to 25th Field Artillery Regiment's Battery B, 4th Battalion on Forward Operating Base Airborne.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Roman

American Pride

 

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."

-Abraham Lincoln

Happy Independence Day!

 

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."

- Benjamin Franklin