Scribbles and Scrambles ~ There's a Pony Somewhere In Here

I tend towards optimism. Having been called Pollyanna a time or two, maybe a little too much. My mom has said I get it from my dad. She thinks we both encounter a huge pile of horse poo and start digging because there has got to be a pony in there, right?

Maybe I've been gifted with a little more faith. Where I know Who's in control and that I can trust Him. I can't say I always trust or always feel this. Sometimes I get down in the dumps and cranky and feel sorry for myself, overwhelmed or depressed. But I'm always looking for a glimpse of blue in that gray, murky sky. I can't stay down long. Which is something I'm grateful for. I don't have a long list of grievances that I can stew over or chew like a cud. I generally take things as they come, planning ahead to keep the crazy controlled if I can. And accepting it if I can't. I also don't take myself too seriously. Which makes me terrible at grammar and the annoying details of writing a book. Oh, the trade-offs in life. A comma placement isn't going to make me crazy but I sure know some who'd fall on their sword over grammar.

When I run into other optimists I can't help but just bask in their attitude.  This guy, Adrian Solano is from Venezuela and his first experience with snow, ever, was basically as this was filmed. He trained by roller skiing at home in Venezuela and had never seen snow. He had planned to practice a month or so before the trials on actual snow but the border authorities didn't believe his story so he returned home. He finished dead last. But said the best part was falling because then he could get up again. 

Read his story here. 
(And if you feel really optimistic after reading this...sign up to win the $20.00 Amazon gift card I'm giving away. The rafflecopter link is here. http://fernandzula.blogspot.com/2017/02/money-money-moneymoooonnnnneeeyyyyyy.html ) 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Past Blast

My friend X-ta is one I picked up in a former life. No, not Shirley MacLaine style, as in a long, long time ago when I was much younger, naive and impressionable. 

I used to run a non-profit for child care providers. She ran a volunteer program for senior citizens. They should never have put us in the same private office. But they did. 

Within the first week of X-ta dropping into my life she had convinced me she was 15 years older than she actually was and introduced me to what a bachelors in theater looks like in the non-profit world. Ha. 

We did several collaborative projects. One an afghan representing the landmarks in our town wherein we got to do field trips and take photos of said landmarks. My favorite was the cigarette butt between the fingers angel statue. This photo was, of course, not included on the afghan. Her newsletter also featured my editing, suggestions and occasional art. This 20 something year old cartoon is not my art but I'm pretty sure it consumed much of my day anyways. 

X-ta has gone on to produce award winning publications in her current position. And she is a creative force behind Out of the Frying Pan. I believe we brainstormed the idea of two older strong-personality women who solved crime. One of which had to have the name Zula. Stay tuned for more. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Peek at the 1880's

While in Nebraska City I found some sweet things. One of the best was an autograph book or maybe school memory book. I took a picture of the cover and a couple of pages. I'll put the rest on the blog later. It's kind of amazing to touch something others touched over a century ago. And see how things change and stay the same all at the same time. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Beautiful

 It was a beautiful weekend in Iowa.