Our Pandemic Theater

 

Hubby and I don't watch television much at all, but we used to go to the theater to see movies now and then. The pandemic changed that. Daughter #2 helped us out by signing us on to Prime Video. We've watched several interesting historical shows, which both hubby and I enjoy. But we also watched a few insipid movies. Daughter #1 recommended the Tudor Monastery Farm, which was an in-depth view of life in the time of Henry VII. It is amazing how much work went into simply surviving in those times. 

Do you have any historical series you'd like to recommend?

All People Make Mistakes

Wooden Cross on the Beach at Ocean Grove, New Jersey

 All people make mistakes. Some won't admit their mistakes. Some make excuses for their missteps. A segment of the population seeks to blame their errors on others.

On the other hand, there are those who spend their lives crippled by guilt, which isn't healthy and there are people who are burdened with mental heath issues. 

A lot of us are in very sad shape. This makes it easy for a writer--in any genre--to find characters for their novels. The characters could be tortured heroes or depraved villains or anyone with a checkered past. 

But I find it rather satisfying to write Christian fiction because--in the end--there is hope. Christ died on the cross for everyone. God really does love us--imperfect though we all may be. 

If you're looking for a dose of hope, buy a Christian novel. Pelican Book Group publishes my books under their Prism imprint. but they offer many others, too. There is a large variety and there are plenty of sales as well. Many are available through Kindle Unlimited. 

Buy a good book today!

Unity

You can see it if you look closely. Printed on our United States currency you can find the Latin words, "E pluribus unum." Translated it means, "Out of many, one." In other words, despite our country's many states, races, ideologies, and regional differences, we are united. Most of the time, it doesn't seem that way. We proclaim ourselves as Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, Northerners or Southerners, white collar workers or blue collar workers, Christians, Jews, or Atheists. We divide ourselves with labels. Out of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, there was one big miracle. We were all united. The feeling did not last long, but it was there for a time. The churches were full, the flags were flying, we were all listening to patriotic music--we were all Americans. It is sad that we have since returned to putting ourselves back into our respective corners, keeping ourselves separated from each other and denigrating the other side.

Yes, I labeled myself into my little corner, too. However, I do mingle (as every writer should) and I do my best to be open-minded. As my father always said, "Live and let live." May we always strive for unity, for that is where our strength lies.

Sunshine in My Life

I became a grandma recently and I am quite delighted. I’ve been helping my daughter—mostly by holding the baby so she could do something else. I sing songs to my new grandchild when she’s alert, which isn’t often considering she mostly just wants to eat and sleep. But this tiny child has brought a ray of sunshine into my world. After eighteen months of COVID-19, it is a welcome shot of hope.

I haven't been writing much, but I'm sure I'll get back to it with renewed energy when things settle down. Perhaps I'll have a few new plot ideas as well. After all, I started writing in earnest when I was raising my own children so long ago. In my case, motherhood brought my artistic tendencies into full flower. 

But for now, I'm basking in the warmth of a bundle of joy. 

 

Letters

Once upon a time, a long distance phone call used to be a rare occasion due to the expense. So I wrote letters--real, handwritten breezy little missives--to my near and dear to keep in touch. I wrote to my brother and his wife. I wrote to my aunt. I wrote to my parents and my sisters when I was in Italy one summer. When I returned home, my mother handed me all the letters I had written to her. What a treasure!

Many years ago before she died, my mother found another letter tucked away somewhere and gave it to me. I had written to Mom and my sister when they were visiting my grandmother in western Pennyslvania. I had written it only a few weeks before my hubby and I were married. Using a fountain pen and my best handwriting, I rambled on about the bargains I had found such as my white, wedding shoes for $9.

I told them about the bedroom furniture arriving in the house hubby and I would soon share. I had spent the whole day waiting for the furniture to arrive and had met one of the neighbors.

Then I told them about the wedding shower hubby's family gave me in Brooklyn. I listed all the wonderful gifts I received, but I knew very few people in his family at that time and told my mother I felt like an orphan since none of my own family was there. (A few weeks later, my family threw another shower for me.)

Reading the letter, I realize now how young and naive I was. I have changed--a bit. 😁

Too bad very few people write letters anymore. E-mail is not quite the same.