Through an Author's Eyes - Part 15

 Good morning!

It's a cold morning here. 12º F/ -11º C. The ground is pretty well covered with sleet and snow. Once again this week's weather has been crazy. It was 71º F on Monday and then didn't get out of the 20ºs on Tuesday. It sleeted and snowed on Wednesday and yesterday. But at least the sun is coming up in a clear sky today. Next week is supposed to be warmer. Of course it will also be March as well. Not that we haven't gotten 12 inches of snow in March before.

Anyway. This week's writing hasn't been as good. Lawrence & Lenexa have gotten stuck. I know what the problem is, but I'm not sure how to fix it yet. So I've been writing some other stories that were started. And thinking about some other stories. And getting ready for camp.

Speaking of camp. The gates open today so if you are wanting to join but haven't registered, head over HERE and find the registration form at the bottom of the page. I'd love to see you. And if you are registered, I'll be over in just a minute to say hi.

I hope you enjoy this next part of this story. The first paragraph is what Annette wrote. Can you picture it?

 

Through and Author's Eyes

Part 15

 

    The world was hushed waiting for the great monarch of the day to rise from his wanderings in the eastern hemisphere, rouse all the slumbering creatures and scatter the mirriads of glittering stars. A few birds, eager for the day to begin, chirped and twittered. The friends gathered on the dark mountain slope waited and watched in hushed, almost breathless silence as first a faint light glowed in the eastern sky, then grew a little lighter. Clouds, hovering on the horizon changed from dark to pink. The sun was coming up. Yellow gleamed in one section of the far distant horizon proclaiming that there is where the great king of the day would make his grand appearance. The light grew brighter. The yellow, almost golden in color, advanced up in the sky and a white light followed. It was coming. More clouds joined in the celebration of color, some were bright pink, others purple while the ones closest to the rising sun were orange. Behind them the sky was almost a rosy blue though that color didn’t seem possible. Higher rose the yellow, followed by the white. Then there it was. The sun. A glowing, pinkish-orange ball. It came up slowly, ever so slowly, yet one could almost see it move. The dark silhouette of a bird flew across the expanse of sky between the sun and those watching with bated breath. Nature’s orchestra was tuning up. Birds began to sing, animals in the nearby trees stretched from their nights rest, or settled into their beds until night again claimed the earth.

*

    Annette’s fingers stilled and she sat motionless. The beauty she had just witnessed couldn’t fully be described by tongue or pen. She doubted that even the lens of a camera could capture it. As the sun rose higher and its light spilled around the watchers, the others began to stir.
    “Did you get it, Annette?” Savanna asked.
    Annette shook her head slowly. “How could anyone describe a sunrise? It’s like trying to describe . . . well, I don’t know.”
    “But you wrote something,” her cousin protested. “I heard the keys tapping.”
    Shrugging, Annette turned off NEO and zipped it back in its case. “I’m not even sure what I wrote makes any sense. I’ll read it over and see. Are we going to eat a little now and then set off again?” She looked at the rest of the party who were digging in backpacks.
    “Yep.” Levi nodded. “Now that the sun is up, we figured it would be good to take a quick time for food and then we’ll hit the trail again.”
    It didn’t take everyone long to eat. Granola bars or some sort of energy bars seemed to be the main choice of breakfast before the group started off again this time with head lights packed into backpacks as there was enough light to see by.
    Elijah gave up his place in the front and Gabe took the lead. There was more taking this time, at least for the first little bit when the trail was fairly flat, but as it grew steeper, the talking dwindled until it became only a means of encouragement to those who struggled or lagged. Annette wasn’t one of them. Though the air was thinner than in the Appalachians, she had gotten used to it at the ranch and knew to keep drinking. Her pack didn’t bother her for it was lighter than she was used to on her other hiking excursions, and she was able to keep up with the first group of Gabe, Elijah, Bethany and Vic. Each time she glanced behind her, the other group seemed farther away. “Are we going to lose the others,” she asked, Vic who was before her.
    He looked back and then shook his head. “No. The trail is pretty straight and if it changes we’ll wait for them.”
    For a time the trail followed beside a bubbling, bouncing, babbling stream, and Annette, though she knew it would be icy cold, paused to dip her fingers in it. “Wow,” she laughed, shaking off the drops of water and drying her hand on her sweatshirt. “I’m glad we don’t have to wade across that!”
    “Yes, wouldn’t that be awful?” Bethany agreed. “The creek in one of our pastures is always freezing cold even in the middle of summer, I can’t imagine how cold wading through this would be.”
    “Numbing.”
    Bethany laughed.
    The summit was reached at last and Annette exclaimed over the vast view. “Wow. There is nothing like this in the entire length of the Appalachian Trail!”
    “You’ve hiked the entire thing?” Gabe looked impressed.
    “Well, not the entire thing. Last year. Dad and I hiked a lot of it, and Mom drove along and met us with more supplies. It was a very special time.” She fell silent remembering the time she had spent with just her dad, nature and God. It had changed her perspective on many things and had opened up a new level of communication with her dad as well as a closer walk with her Heavenly Father.
    As they waited for the second half of the hikers to join them, the first group wandered around on the ridge, taking pictures, admiring the view, checking the map and discussing the possibility of going down a different way, and testing their singing voices. Elijah suggested that when everyone had arrived they should try singing “How Great Thou Art” on the top of the mountain.
    It was all a memorable experience to Annette when the others arrived. Lunches were eaten and then, gathered in a group, the sang the grand old hymn. As she sang, her soprano voice soaring heavenward on the higher notes, Annette wondered if anyone below could hear them or if their praise was only for the ears of the Great Creator.
    All too soon it was time to head down the mountain. Several had remarked the absence of other hikers, but no one thought much of it. Levi and Judah had both agreed that they could head down the other trail as it was one big loop and would take them back to the van. Packs were hoisted back onto backs, hiking boots were tied tighter, and everyone fell into line.

Did you have crazy weather this week?

Would you like to sing on top of a mountain?

Are you joining camp this time?

Through an Author's Eyes - Part 14

 Good morning and happy Friday,

Friday has come once again. And once again we have sleet and snow on the ground. Our weather just can't make up its mind. It was in the 60ºs Wednesday night and Thursday morning it was sleeting. We had sleet and snow yesterday. Today is sunny and it's supposed to reach into the 40s. Then 50s on Saturday, 60s Sunday and Monday, and by next Wednesday it's supposed to snow again. Crazy! I think it would be easier on our health if it just picked on temperature, say the 50s, and stayed there for a week. This up and down is so confusing.

I came down with a cold Monday evening. It's much better now, but not completely gone. Hopefully the warmer weather will help. And my sis is fighting a cold too.

Writing this week has been pretty slow. I've still managed to get something written each day, but not 1k every day. You see, Lawrence & Lenexa is kind of stalled and I haven't figured out why yet. I have worked a little on a couple other stories, but I really want to finished L&L before I really get working on some other book/story. If you read my post on Tuesday you will have seen my long list of story ideas or started stories. Last year was not a good year for publishing stories for me, or getting a lot of writing in. I'm trying to make this year better.

Well, I hope you enjoy this next part of this story.

 

Through an Author's Eyes

Part 14

    When the van pulled to a stop, everyone piled out and backpacks were unloaded from the back. “Who’s is this?” Reuben asked, hefting a full pack.
    “Mine.” Annette stepped forward and took the back, sliding her arms through and hoisting it to her back.
    “Good grief,” Reuben chuckled, “we’re only going to be gone for hours not days.”
    “What did you pack in that, Annette?” Savanna questioned, eyeing her cousin’s pack.
    “Just the things Dad always told me to take. Except I don’t have my tent, sleeping bag or as much food as usual since we won’t be gone the full day.”
    “It’s going to get mighty heavy,” Judah warned slowly.
    “Think you can make it the whole way without making one of us carry it?” Reuben teased.
    “If I can’t, I’d be ashamed to admit it to my dad!” As she talked, Annette had pulled on her ear warmers for the morning was chilly. Next her head light was adjusted and turned on, it’s soft red light casting a quiet instead of harsh light on those around.
    “Why the red light?” Levi asked.
    “It’s easier for your eyes to adjust from the red light to the dark and back again. And it can’t be seen as far away. Dad and I always have red lights when we hike in the dark. I think many headlights have the option for red.”
    Levi nodded and reached up to adjust his own light. Switching something, he turned it to red. “I have red, I just never thought to use it and always wondered why it was there. Anyone else have a red light?” Three others did and the light around the group, grew to a soft glow. Judah signed the group on to the ledger and then Levi gathered everyone for a word of prayer before they set off.
    Elijah, who had been the most recent one up that trail, volunteered to lead. The others fell into line as they wanted and the caravan of hikers started off through the trees.
    All was hushed and still. Annette tucked her hands into the pockets of her sweatshirt and followed Vic. She was going up the mountains. She was finally going to be able to watch the sunrise from the Rockies. She knew Bethany had her camera and she had NEO. Between the two of them she was sure they’d be able to at least partly capture this experience.
    Only the sound of footsteps on the dirt trail, an occasional broken stick or a soft whisper broke the silence of the early morning. The gentle murmur of a stream caught Annette’s quick ear and soon they were stepping on half submerged rocks to cross the trickling mountain stream.
    On and on they hiked. Sometimes the trail wound around through the woods, other times it seemed to climb almost straight up. Once the path was blocked by a fallen tree and the guys had to assist the girls over and through it’s branches. Pausing to let everyone catch their breath, Elijah pulled a water bottle from his pack and took a drink. “You all had better drink if you haven’t been,” he said, his voice, though it was scarcely above a whisper sounding strangely loud in the darkness.
    The break was short and everyone set off again single file as before.
    “Eli!” Judah called softly from behind Annette. “Isn’t the lookout just ahead?”
    “Yep. Should be.”
    Hugging herself, Annette would have climbed faster, but didn’t want to run into Vic. They were almost there. Almost to the place where they could watch the sun come up. Already she had been hearing the soft, faintest twitter of a few birds. They knew the sun was coming. Were they as eager to see it as she was?
    Breaking out of the trees, Annette glanced up. The sky was clear. Thousands of sparkling, twinkling diamonds shone in the dark sky. Soon they would return to their beds for slumber while the sun reigned for the day.
    With great sighs of relief, the party reached the large outcropping of rocks just above the tree line. They were high enough that no trees would block their view, and the lookout was in such a place that below them was the valley stretching out in a great vast sweep of rolling hills. Settling down, Annette slid her pack off and reached into it. She knew just where everything was located for she had packed it often. Finding what she was after, she pulled her writing device out and unzipped it from it’s protective case. It was a bit chilly sitting there on the rocks with no trees to block the cool mountain breeze as it swept down and around them. Pulling out her gloves, Annette started to pull them on, but stopped and tucked them back in. Those gloves wouldn’t work. She couldn’t type with full gloves. Back went her hand to her pack and seconds later she had pulled out another pair. This one, plain cotton, had the tips of the fingers cut off and and she quickly slipped them on before turning out her head light.
    “Annette, what are you doing?” Savanna whispered beside her.
    “Getting ready.”
    “For what?” Gabe asked.
    “To attempt the impossible.”
    “Sounds cryptic. You’re not going to try to climb straight down are you? Or try to fly?” Reuben teased.
    “Nope.”
    “Shh,” Bethany urged, jabbing her brother with her elbow. “She’s going to paint the sunrise with words.”
    “Huh?”
    Annette didn’t reply though she couldn’t keep back a smile at Reuben’s puzzled voice. He was a rancher, not an author. How was he supposed to understand things like painting with words.

Do you like painting with words?

Have you had up and down weather this week?

Would you like to watch the sunrise in the mountains?

Through an Author's Eyes - Part 13

 Good morning,

Happy Friday and welcome by to this little corner of the internet. I had no idea when I started this blog 13 years ago that I'd still have it going today. Thanks for reading it. If it weren't for my readers and those who leave comments, I probably would stop posting.

This week has been good. The Widows' Luncheon at church on Sunday was great! We had 10 out of the 11 widows there, and 16 of the 24 secret sisters in attendance. Since the pen names we used last year were bird names, our theme was nature and birds. Lots of pink and yellow and ivy and flowers and bird nests, and birds.

Anyway, now I'm working on getting everything set up and ready for a new year. Our pen names this year are official Crayola color names. :D Would you pick Razzmatazz, or Desert Sand, or Salmon for your pen name? Or would you rather have something plain like Yellow or Green?

I have been busy writing this week. I am almost to 7k for the week. (I need about 200 words more.) I don't think I'll be writing today since all my nieces and nephews will be spending the day here. And tomorrow I'm helping with a wedding, so I don't know if I'll feel like writing tomorrow. But maybe I can get the 200 words in and reach 7k. We'll see.

Well, I hope you enjoy this next part of this story because I didn't have time to think about finding something different.

 

Through an Author's Eyes

Part 13

 

    Aunt Yvonne laughed. “I think it would work if everyone spent the night here. That way you could all get an early start and not have to wait around for the other too arrive.”
    “Oh,” Jaina exclaimed, “that would be fun.”
    “And we could all sleep in Annette’s room.”
    “Do you think you’d get any sleep?” Vic asked, speaking for the first time since the conversation had begun.
    “Probably not, but who cares? Maybe we could take a nap on the mountain side.”
    A general laugh followed this idea and the planning went on. Levi called Judah and after some talking, some waiting for Judah to call back, then another conversation, it was decided that Friday would work the best. They would hike early, be back in the early afternoon, and then Uncle Art and his wife would be over for supper. Annette was almost shaking with excitement. It was going to happen! She was going to go hiking in the Rocky Mountains! She was thankful she had brought her backpack and her usual supplies.
    The days that followed were even busier for Annette. She and Savanna, along with Ava, went to town and bought some supplies. Annette made the energy bars that her mom always made when they were going to go hiking on the Appalachian trail, the backpacks were packed with food, water, dry socks, rain gear, first-aid supplies and other things they might need. Into her pack, Annette slipped her NEO zipped securely into a close fitting protective cover. She hoped to be able to describe the sunrise as she watched it.

    Finally it was Thursday evening. Judah, Bethany, Elijah, Reuben, and Gabriel arrived just in time for supper. Jaina had been there for several hours before. It was a living bunch gathered around the table. Aunt Yvonne had prepared a true ranch meal and everyone ate with hearty appetites knowing that it would be the last big meal until they returned to the ranch after their climb.
    Together the four girls washed the dishes, dried them and put them away, wiped counters and swept the floor, chattering the entire time, while the boys took care of the chores and packed things in the van.
    Looking in the kitchen later, Aunt Yvonne said, “You girls should probably get to bed if you want to get any sleep before tomorrow. What time did Levi say you had to leave?”
    “About two,” Jaina replied. Then, turning to the others she said, “She’s right, we probably should at least try to get some sleep. Mountain climbing does require real energy not just nervous energy. Are we ready?”
    A chorus of nods answered and, after checking with the guys to make sure they weren’t needed for something, the four girls headed up to Annette’s room where three sleeping bags were already unrolled on the floor. In spite of the fact that they knew they needed to sleep, it took the girls over an hour before they settled down and were at least quiet. Annette, excited and eager for the morning, tried to force her brain to stop whirling and go to sleep, but it wasn’t working. She tired quoting Bible verses, telling herself a story, but nothing seemed to help. Then she recalled a trick her Mom had taught her. Listening for the soft ticking of the second hand on her watch which lay on the nightstand, she blinked her eyes rapidly for sixty seconds and then relaxed. She didn’t know why it worked, but it almost never failed to help her fall asleep.
    The next thing she knew was the beeping of the alarm clock. Jumping up, she slapped it off, almost knocking the clock onto Bethany. A general giggle ensued and the girls stirred to life. Everything was rapid. Clothes put on, hair bushed and pulled back, last minute things grabbed and then the girls crept through the dark and silent house to the kitchen.
    Five of the six guys were there waiting.
    “Where’s Levi?” Savanna asked in a whisper.
    “Gone to start the van,” Vic replied. “Better make sure you have extra sweatshirts because it’s chilly out there.”
    The back door opened and Levi entered. “Everyone ready?”
    “Yeah, I think so.”
    “All set?” Uncle Cleveland asked, his voice deep from sleep. “Before you head out, let’s have a word of prayer.” Heads bowed. “Father, thank You for this new day. Thank You that these young people want to enjoy your beautiful creation. Please be with them and protect them on their adventures in the mountains. Keep them safe and let them enjoy time together and with You. In Your Son’s Name, I pray. Amen.”
    A soft murmur of “Amen” answered and then it was time to grab backpacks and slip out into the dark of the early morning. They would drive to the start of the trail and then hike up to an overlook and watch the sunrise. After that the trail wound up the mountain to it’s peak and then they would all return to the van and drive back to the ranch. It all sounded simple enough.
    The van was crowded as everyone squished in the twelve passenger vehicle Judah had driven over. There was some talk and laughter as they pulled out of the lane, but then all fell silent.
    “Levi,” Judah said, his voice sounding loud in the stillness of the van, “if you have your pocket Bible, why don’t you read something for us on the drive.”
    Annette settled into her seat a little more and listened as her cousin’s voice read one of her favorite passages.
    “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speak and night unto night showeth forth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.”
    For some reason, as she listened, Annette felt a strange excited tingling in her spine. She could hardly wait to start up the mountainside. 

 

Have you ever hiked in the mountains?

What color name would you want to use as a pen name?

Do you want more of this story or something different next week?

Through an Author's Eyes - Part 12

Good morning!

It's a cold morning here. There are 4-5 inches of snow on the ground with possible drifts a bit higher. I didn't go beyond the porch yesterday where I put some food out for the birds since it only reached 17º F. But today is supposed to get sunny. Already I can see clear sky and just patches of clouds. Of course it's not supposed to reach beyond the low 20s, but at least it will be sunny. You see, we got sleet Tuesday night, then light snow and wintry mix Wednesday. Then snow Wednesday night, and light snow yesterday.

I spent a bit of time this week getting ready for the Widows' Luncheon that was supposed to happen Saturday, but we are having to postpone it until after church on Sunday since the roads won't have time to clear before Saturday noon. I have to call all the widows today and see who can come. I am hoping and praying they can all still come. This is a very special event that they don't want to miss. It's when they get to find out who their secret sisters were. And the secret sisters can sign up for a new widow if they want. Everyone looks forward to it. Anyway, I was making corsages, and name cards, and getting table clothes and napkins, and figuring out what decorations I need to take.

Let's see, I've also been writing. Monday and Tuesday were both 2k word days. And Wednesday and Thursday were both 1,500 word days. Not sure what today and Saturday will be. :D 

Enjoy this next part of the author story. Things are going to get a bit more interesting. But that's all I'm going to say.

Through an Author's Eyes

Part 12

 

    “Yep. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything else.” He looked about him at the wide open space, the towering peeks of the mountains, the cattle grazing in bunches or in small groups of two and three. The calves frisked about, tails up and heels kicking the air. Taking off his hat and running a hand through his light brown hair, he smiled. After settling his hat firmly on his head once again, he said, “Ranching is my life, Annette. Dad does it more as a hobby, something to do when he needs a break from writing, but me? Well, I think I’d go crazy in an office job or even living in a town as small as Cats Claw. Nope I reckon I was just born to be a rancher. Cattle and horses are my life.”
    “With a certain girl too,” Annette added softly, her eyes twinkling.
    The color on his sun-tanned cheeks deepened just a bit. “I reckon. What about you? Do you plan on writing all your life?”
    Pursing her lips thoughtfully, Annette rode in silence for several minutes before replying. “I don’t know. Right now I write because I have stories that fill my head. They crowd in and if I don’t write them I get overwhelmed. I would like to do other things, try new experiences, like coming out here, but I have to still write. Someday maybe I’ll get married and have a family, if that’s what God wants, but I don’t know how I would be able to keep writing and take care of a house and children.” She shook her head. “Maybe if the stories would stop coming I would be more interested in doing something different. I don’t know. All I know is that right now I have to write.”
    Levi nodded. “God has given you a talent and a way with words, Annette. Don’t try to give it up unless you are sure that is what God wants. There is a sad lack of good, clean christian books out there. You are helping fill that void, giving your readers a taste for something better, something higher than the fluff and twaddle most authors are turning out these days. Keep it that way!” There was no time for Annette to say anything for Levi reined up and said, changing the subject, “This is the last fence line. We’ll turn here and head for home. Feel like a fast ride?”
    Annette gulped. “I’ve never gone faster than a  . . . oh, whatever it’s called. Are we going to gallup?”
    “Yep. Come on, let’s ride!”
    When Levi’s horse started off, Mouse, not to be left behind, started so suddenly that had Annette not been holding on, she would have ended up in the dirt. It took only a few minutes to realize that a gallup was smoother than a trot and Annette soon had the rythum and felt as though she were flying.
    Before they reached the final stretch, Levi slowed his horse and Annette did the same. “We’ll walk them the rest of the way so they can cool off.”

    Savanna was waiting for them at the barn and helped Annette unsaddle Mouse. “Where did you go?”
    “We checked the southern fence line,” replied Annette sounding very knowledgeable. “Only had to fix a small section. The cattle are looking good though.”
    Halting with the saddle and saddle blanket in her arms, Savanna stared at her cousin. “What do you know about cattle?” she asked.
    “Not a thing really,” Annette laughed. “But they did look good. And Levi didn’t say anything about there being a problem, so I figured they must be looking good. Writer’s have to make assumptions about things some times you know. And sound like we know things we have no idea about.”
    Savanna rolled her eyes and carried the tack in her arms to the other room.

    When she wasn’t riding her horse, Annette was busy with a dozen different things. She would help prepare suppers in the large kitchen, curl up and read in the cozy, well stocked library, talk writing with her uncle, and made a trip or two into town with Savanna. They hadn’t been to Boring yet, and Annette wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. In spite of all the busyness of the ranch, she found ample time to write. Sometimes it was up in her room, other times it was on one of the large porches overlooking the vast ranch. Her favorite place was the back porch where she could see the mountains and often she would be found just sitting, her fingers stilled as she gazed at the peaks, traced the tree line, watched an eagle soaring on a current of wind, or followed the rocks which formed the upper parts of the mountains until they disappeared into clouds.
    “You’d better get that hiking trip planned and put into action,” Uncle Cleveland remarked at the dinner table not long after Annette’s ride with Levi. “We don’t want Annette trying to hike them alone.”
    “I wouldn’t do that!” broke in Annette.
    “No, she’d just get lost up there in her thoughts,” Savanna teased.
    Annette colored, but didn’t deny it. Ever since she had first caught a glimpse of the majestic mountain peaks, she had longed to be up among them.
    “I hope you let me come along,” Jaina, who had come over for supper, said. “I love mountain climbing!”
    “Perhaps later this week,” Levi began. “I’ll call Judah and see what they have planned.”
    “Bethany wants to go when we do,” put in Savanna.
    Annette sat in silence listening to the plans being made around her. Soon, soon they were going to be going up to the mountains. She could experience the Rockies as she had the Appalachians. Oh, it would all be delightful. And perhaps– “Can we go early enough to watch the sunrise from up there?” she broke into the conversation to ask.
    Levi raised his eyebrows. “We’d have to leave mighty early to do that.”
    “All the better!”

Did you get any snow this week?

Have you ever been hiking in the mountains?

Would you rather read, write, or explore?