A Flyover Blog

Out With The Old

I've been setting up my new office this week. I'm tossing all my old notes for writing projects I never pursued and making room for new things. I got tired of running across scraps of paper with notes scribbled on them thinking, Oh, I never did anything with that.  Made me feel like I'd dropped the ball or missed out on something, when, in fact, I didn't miss anything; I just went with something stronger at that time. Not all ideas writers get are golden; some of them are real stinkers and deserve to fade quietly away in the bottom of a desk drawer.

I am happy to report that my bookshelves are not overstuffed anymore. The books have room to breathe and I can actually see each one. It's a good feeling. Our small collection of antique books is downstairs on the living room mantle and Mitch has plenty of room in his office for his reference library. We are book lovers, that's for sure.

Speaking of books, I met a writer, Cait London - for the second time - last year. We've stayed in touch these past few months and have found that, although we write in completely different fields, we have many things in common. Cait is getting ready to relocate in the near future, too. She's planning to move to the Springfield area; I hope she's close enough to meet me at B&N for tea! (Or McAlister's. Or Panera.) Cait's one of those wise, witty and encouraging people who is a joy to know. She asked me a while back where we first met. I told her I remembered seeing her sign books at a local author's workshop many years ago. I'm sure I spoke to her, but just briefly; she was busy.  Well, while I was cleaning out my desk Sunday evening, I found an old workshop program from 1992; inside was one of Cait's old business cards. I was right, Cait; we did meet at that workshop!

Sendin' A Bloggy Hug To...

I arrived home Saturday and found a package waiting for me from Angela way out in Colorado! In it was a beautiful card and an absolutely gorgeous original print - the prize I won in a recent drawing. In case you haven't met her, Angela is an author and gifted photographer; she has an eye for seeing things most of us overlook every day. Her blog is filled with wit and encouragement for anyone pursuing artsy endeavors. Go by and meet her; you'll be glad you did. Thanks Angela. You brightened my day!

An Angel Named Angela

I've had a perfectly crummy little week going here - one of those times when you can't see all the good stuff going on... even with a magnifying glass. I know you've been there. So yesterday, I got an email from Angela, telling me I'd won her drawing! I didn't even remember she had a drawing so that made it even more fun. Angela lives in Colorado, writes, takes stunning photos and has one of my favorite blogs. She has had a string of not-so-fun days recently, too. (There seems to be a lot of that going around in Bloggy Land.) So if Angela can get out there and smile, so can I. Sometimes you just need a little reminder that things are gonna turn out okay, and that's what she did for me. Thanks, Angela!

Four Birthdays in One Week!

It's not too often that one week brings so many birthdays, but this is one of those weeks. I'm splitting up my birthday wishes, and today I'll start with two of my bloggy friends. Patty Anne, my co-hort in bloggy madness turned, like 29 on St. Patrick's Day! Seriously, 29. I know it's a couple days late, but I wanted to say, Happy Birthday!

And, I just found out that Andrea, over at Decipher the Fog is celebrating her birthday today. (This is the part where I sing the birthday song to you both. Badly.) I have NO idea how Andrea is going to celebrate, but I hope ice cream is involved, preferably 3 or 4 flavors. (Hey, it's your birthday, kid. Live a little.) Seriously, I DO wish you sunshine, lots and lots of it. (It's been raining at her house, too.) Drop by and say "Happy Birthday" to Patty and Andrea. (You gotta see Patty's knitting gerbil.)

Thanks, Carolyn!

My sweet friend, Carolyn gave me this award today! Pretty cool, huh? It's great to be recognized, but my favorite part of getting an award is turning around and giving it again. Unfortunately, this is also the part I'm really lousy at. I've let several of these fall through the cracks, I'm afraid. Not so with this one. I made my list right away! Here are my blog award recipients:

1. Jeanne

2. Andrea

3. Patty Anne

4. Angela

5. Janelle

Drop by and say "hi" to each of these wonderful bloggers! 

Let's See If That Fixed It

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, three people told me that this blog has been loading s-l-o-w-l-y for the past couple of months, and seems to be getting worse.

This is about the time I started adding video clips to my blog. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. So, I've deleated some archived videos, replacing them with links so you can still view them.

Let me know if this helps!

DK

Need A Laugh?

I just returned from a very loooong day in Springfield that included - among other things - my first physical therapy session. It wasn't fun. More like annoying, painful and nerve racking. Now I know why there's a sign on the facility's door that reads - "no weapons, concealed or otherwise permitted inside."

My hand is screaming and Mitch is holed up with Halo 3; I probably won't see him for days. So, I decided to check my email before I crash for the night. Low and behold I found a newsletter from White Trash Mom. In it, she shares a Halloween craft that made me laugh out loud (which is a huge accomplishment after the day I just had.) It really defies explanation; just click on the link to see for yourself. (Gotta see the bat, too.) Michelle, you're twisted and I love ya - thanks for the laugh!

I'm A Recipient Of...

I was given this award by the incredible Karen Woodward whom I've admired since the very first day I found her blog. At the time, she was doing missions work in Romania. Since then she and her family have moved back to the states and are now getting settled in Virginia. Karen epitomizes this award in every way imaginable.

It is my priviledge to pass it on to 5 more bloggers - bloggers who have been an encouragement to me, a source of love, who have impacted me in some positive way, and have been a Godly example.

Rules for Participants:

1. Copy this post.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write at least a paragraph about each one.
3. Make sure you link to this post so others can read it and the rules.
4. Go leave your chosen bloggers a comment letting them know they've been given an award.
5. Put the award icon on your site.

These are the bloggers I've chosen:

I found Susie through her fabulous work. Everybody on the planet knows about Bluebird Blogs. Susie has made time in her busy life to launch her own design business, and in doing so, she's let her light shine all over the internet. What an incredible lady!

Carolyn is my earthy, everyday bloggy friend. She's holding down the fort in Kansas, caring for at least one church, a trucking company and her family while writing for waaay too many blogs... and all the while she manages to encourage her readers, too. Incredible.

Barbara H. loves God, loves her family and she loves books, which pretty much sums up my interests, too!  Barbara is thoughtful, as in considered, deep, introspective. These are wonderful qualities to have in this fast-forward, sound bite world, and I always look forward to my visits at her blog.

Barbara = strength. That's what I think of when I read her blog. This is a woman who knows what she believes, WHO she believes in, and she isn't afraid to share her message with the whole world. Heart of a lion in a deceptively disarming package. Go Barbara!

Andrea has such a sweet spirit. She's a wife, a mom, a poet, and she just has one of those hearts. Andrea stopped by to encourage me nearly every day after I came home from the hospital earlier this Spring. Her kind messages always made me smile. Thank you!

I Won An Award!

The effervescent Cindy Swanson over at Notes in the Key of Life gave me an award! I'm so excited; this is the first award I've won since, like gradeschool! Anyway, I'm supposed to pick 5 friends to pass this on to. So, here goes:

1. Karen over at For Such a Time as Now. Karen and her hubby live an adventurous life and I always love my visits to her blog.
2. Carolyn at A Prairie View. She's quite possibly the busiest blogger I know - and she changes her blog's look every week! Seriously. Go look yourself!
3. Angela - she writes, she takes pictures, she also makes me laugh. This lady does it all! You'll find lots of inspirations here! angela giles klocke
4. Theresa, who just moved back to the beautiful state of Texas! This badge will look so cool on her pink blog! Bullfrogs & Butterflies
5. My new bloggy friend, Tink, from the Netherlands who I met through the Thursday 13. ~*~Tinkerbell~*~

Congratulations, Bloggy Sisters!

I've Been Tagged!

Wacky Mommy tagged me for this meme. I also believe I was tagged by Jenny Ryan sometime in the last century but, for the life of me, I can't recall what that one was about, so I'll have to do a little sleuthing.  Anyway, here's my list of 10 (boring) things about me. There are no earth-shaking revelations here, but I hope you enjoy it just the same.

1. I don't like the ocean. It scares me. Too big. Too many "things" living in it. "Here there be monsters." I will take solid ground any day, thankyouverymuch.

2. While we're on the subject of oceans, I don't do seafood. I'm allergic to something in it; if I get a whiff of fish - any fish - I have the overwhelming urge to hurl. See, this is why we don't do Red Lobster.

3. The countries I'd most like to visit, in no particular order are - England, Ireland, Scotland, Australian and Germany. I had a bestseller in Germany a few years back.  If you're from any of these countries, let me know.

4. I've lived in the same tiny tourist town for the past 36 years. It's time to move!

5. I love to garden, but won't be doing that this season. All that bending, planting and weed pulling is too much right now. (I had major abdominal surgery 8 weeks ago.)

6.  I am wickedly allergic to garlic. Yeah, garlic. Seriously. As in, "let's get to the ER fast because my throat is swelling." Kinda limits my food options, but I don't mind... usually.

7. I hate coffee. Can't drink the stuff. But I LOVE the aroma! Sometimes I brew a pot just so the smell will fill the house while I'm working.

8. I have this thing for English actors.  English actors ACT. The good old USA turns out tons of celebrities, but precious few real actors.

9. I haven't had a vacation in 11 years - and no, living in a tourist town is NOT like being on vacation year round.  I'm not really very good on vacations. I don't know what to do with all the downtime!

10. I am trying to appreciate baseball. All our friends are baseball fanatics, and I would like to understand why. So far, I haven't been able to stay awake through an entire game.

Okay, everybody in the free world has already been tagged for this meme, but if you were missed and would like to jump in, consider yourself tagged!