Serials and Scenarios ~ Frying Pan Update

Since Michelle and I finished our epic tale, Out of the Frying Pan, we've begun thinking about a follow up story. Since the first one took over five years to finish I suppose I shouldn't be shouting the news from the roof tops. Right? Yeah. Right. 

Frying Pan started as a fun little collaboration and one of us, (ME!!!!) kept putting off finishing the dang thing. First was the two years of insecurity. Yeah, that was fun. Then the few years that Michelle was publishing three novels of her own and writing two of them which, of course, took the pressure off of me and I didn't have to keep telling her no. 

But, interestingly, while I was visiting her in Minnesota she got two emails from two different publishers wanting to take a look at the whole manuscript. Can I claim that I was just waiting for the perfect, ripe time to get a fire under my rear end and just do it? 

Yeah. That's the story I'm going with. 

In the meantime, until we have a contract, I'm pretty excited to have it done (pending many, many edit suggestions from critique groups and future editors) and to actually like it. And it seems fun again, to ponder what the future holds for Fern Zula, Flynn and Kathryn. I can tell you that future will be troublesome because Zula is in major matchmaking mode. 

Serials and Scenarios ~ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty ~ Reviewed

Loved this movie. 

A film that challenges my status quo way of thinking and entertains me at the same time is a treat. From the amazing scenery on Walter Mitty's adventure, to the deep characterization, from the whimsical zone-outs to the day in and day out details of life, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a pleasure to watch. 

Not everyone is going to love this little gem because even though there is action and adventure there are moments of thoughtful introspection which slows it down a bit. But the combo of the two elements is perfect in my opinion. I also appreciate that I can watch this with older and younger folks and not cringe every five minutes because of language or raunchy humor. (Note: it does have a wee bit of suggestive commentary and a few words that parents might object to.)

If you are looking for a movie that will leave you feeling good, check out The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. 

If you like the following movies you should probably put this one on your list: Stranger than Fiction, Lars and the Real Girl, Juno, Bedtime Stories because there are elements of similarity in each of them. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Hmmm. Resolutions?

The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

Still keeping those resolutions??? 

 I ran across this fun and informative little article. Apparently, resolutions aren't a new idea. Nope. 1800's anyone? Yup. I thought you might enjoy reading it as much as I did. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Trip Review

Twin Cities…Minneapolis and St. Paul thoughts.

Seeing the world through baby eyes...

Do I recommend Minnesota in January? Well, it's going to be 23 degrees BELOW zero today. Nuff said? 

While we were there last week we did have some warm indoor fun.

At the Chatterbox we ate black bean burgers among other things and played a rousing game of Scrabble. 



We visited the science museum for the first time.

Newborn baby glasses...

Not wearing baby glasses, just shades...

We've visited the history museum, the art museum on previous trips over the years. 

I was a little "meh" about the science museum. I hate to admit that, but it just wasn't all that exciting. If I had little kids along, it would've been a different story. There are dinosaurs and fascinating exhibits that are geared toward kids. The interesting bits for me… a demonstration involving fire that toad boy would've loved back in the day. & and I played around with glasses that gave us the perspective of a newborn baby and magnified our eyes. Note to new parents, get in your baby's face if you want them to see you, seriously, six inches is about as far as they can see. There was a mummy exhibit with a CT scan and interesting mummy facts.  

The negative aspects for us beside the lack of kids, we had to stand in the indoor line queue for an hour just to get into the museum. And the cost was up there, too, $13.00 for just the basic exhibits and $10.00 to park. Overall, I would recommend the art museum for the cost as well as the pretties…when we went it was free. I'd also recommend the history museum because of the diverse areas that appealed to kids and adults at a few dollars a head cheaper. 

Michelle always loves to try out new recipes when we visit so we always eat well and way too much. She did tone it down a bit and offer a leftover night. I came home with some new recipes that are delicious, including falafel and vegan tzatziki sauce.

We also managed to slip in a visit to Comedy Sportz. At $14.00 a piece it's pricey but worth it for the two hours of LOL fun. They are ridiculous and funny. 

I wouldn't venture out to Minneapolis today. But, it's definitely worth a visit especially if you know any good cooks/hostesses. If you offer me enough of a finder's fee I'll even hook you up with Michelle's contact info. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Clear...

I stumbled here http://365grateful.com on the 1st of 2014. I like the simplicity of this idea. 

I want to take a daily picture of something that brings me joy, or peace or thoughtfulness every day.

This is my photo from the 1st of January.

Oddly, I love light shining through glass. Why? I don't really know. Maybe it's a spiritual picture of what I long to be…a light bearer, transparent, without shifting shadows. This is a pretty realistic picture of where I'm at complete with shadows and some opacity. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Fishing for Truth

Albert Einstein said

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Look for the admirable and strengths in others … and in yourself. 

A fish isn't equipped to climb a tree. A human isn't capable of spending life swimming in the coral reefs. A bird can not carry a man. A horse can not sing. But all, in their unique ways, are genius by design and are created to be the best creature they can become. 

A bird glorifies God by singing the song created for it to sing. A horse running toward it's goal is fulfilling it's purpose. A fish, brilliant in color and design, swimming amongst the coral is genius in simplicity and complexity. 

And what about a human? The value, the spirit, the soul of a human? Designed to bear God's image and fulfill the call of God, to walk in the works He prepared for each one…how can we call any human less than magnificent? Life is a gift and we are designed to live it to our full potential. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Endings and Beginnings…Thoughts for a New Year...

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? 

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. 

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. 

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 

Nelson Mandela 1994 inaugural speech