Susan's Thoughts and Ramblings

I Corinthians 13

2012-02-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

"But the greatest of these is love."

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Quote

2012-02-10T07:56:00.001-08:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Jules Verne's Birthday

2012-02-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

The Nautilus was piercing the water with its sharp spur, after having accomplished nearly ten thousand leagues in three months and a half, a distance greater than the great circle of the earth. Where were we going now, and what was reserved for the future?
~Jules Verne

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea...

A Journey to the Center of the Earth...

Around the World in 80 Days...

As I kid, I wanted to go wherever Jules Verne led. I devouring both his books and the movies made from them.

To me, none can match his call to adventure, wonder and fantasy.

So... Happy birthday Jules Verne! Know that your creations live on in all who dare to dream of a world without bounds!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,

Susan

Because I love boooks!

2012-02-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

"Keep READING and Dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Wedding Ring Day

2012-02-03T08:44:00.001-08:00

A journey begun

Still friends, lovers, and soulmates

Wedded through the years

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

2012-01-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite artists:

Annie Stegg.....................................

.................................Rose Guass

Jerry Bennett

(Click on their names to go to their websites)

Keep reading and dreaming!
God bless,
Susan

Books

2012-01-27T10:27:00.000-08:00

If only it were just 10, lol.

"Keep reading and dreaming"
God bless,
Susan

Winter Word Cloud

2012-01-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"
God Bless,
Susan

Have You Ever Noticed...

2012-01-13T23:49:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that the only person who can't hear a dog barking at 2:00am is the owner?

Have you ever noticed that in the fall 58 degrees is cold, but in the spring it's deliciously warm?

Have you ever noticed that during a parking lot encounter with another driver going the wrong way, they often look at you as if you are the intellectually challenged one?

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,

Susan

2012-01-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Wispy, shimmery

Bubbles floating to the sky

Fragile as a soul

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,

Susan

And the Word is: BUBBLES

2012-01-06T15:36:00.001-08:00

Have you ever tried to create a scene and the words just don't come. There's a wonderful description in your head... but you just can't get it down on paper. Try writing one word associations.
Ex: My bubble descriptions above
Instead of: I watched the bubbles rise as Jim blew them into the air.
I have: The fragile bubbles floated through the air, wispy, shimmery balls of nothing. They danced away from the wand, transient and gone.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Fiesta!!!

2012-01-03T05:32:00.001-08:00

Way to go Oklahoma State Cowboys!!! We're proud of you!

(That said, I felt sooo sorry for that Stanford kicker, poor guy:-(

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

2012

2011-12-31T22:39:00.001-08:00

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,

Susan

New Year's Count down ~ Spiritual

2011-12-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

Spiritual ~ Make it a point to get to know the Father who created you. He's always there, the one being you can depend on... it's you who created the distance. Repair the relationship.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

New Year's Countdown ~ Physical

2011-12-30T08:40:00.001-08:00

Physical ~ Most of us put "loose weight" at the top of the list. Maybe it's time we think, "get healthy" instead. If the emphasis is on getting healthy and not dropping pounds, it might be a little bit easier to stick to goals.

(see previous post for mental and emotional)

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

New Year's Count down ~ Mental and Emotional

2011-12-29T12:15:00.001-08:00

Are you making resolutions this year? Do you share your resolutions, or keep them to yourself? I always try to make a resolution for each part of myself... mental and emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Mental and Emotional: When your emotions are out of whack, it affects your entire mental state. How about this year you resolve not to be so hard on yourself? Give yourself a pat on the back when you do something right instead of berating yourself when you mess up.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Quickie Interview: Gayle C. Krause

2011-12-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

Where do you live?

I live in northeast Pennsylvania, where New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania meet at the Delaware River.

What was your last work published?

The last poem I had published was titled, Biker Dude, in the April issue of The Minnesota Safety Council Magazine.

What is your next work coming out?

I have a short fantasy titled, In Shadow and Silence, coming out in a British Anthology titled, Rebel Wing sometime at the end of 2012 or the beginning of 2013. Also, a poem, Cartwheels in the Sky – Boys Quest, August 2012

What are you reading?

I just finished Juliet Marillier’s The Seer of Sevenwaters, the 5th book in the Sevenwaters Series. (historical fantasy)

Where is your favorite place to snuggle down and read?

That’s a toss up. Either in my antique Victorian bed in the summer, with the sound of country crickets echoing through the windows. Or in front a popping fire in our large stone fireplace in the winter, snuggled under a flannel rag quilt that I made and sipping a cup of spiced tea.

Do you have a website?

Yes. You can find out everything there is to know about me there. Photos of school presentations and writer conferences, my bio, announcements and a link to Scholastic Book Clubs where you can order ROCK STAR SANTA for the holidays.

What is the URL?

www.gayleckrause.com

Do you have a favorite quote?

I’d have to quote my father. “Plan your work and work your plan.” I’m sure it’s not original to him, but he lived his life by it and so do I. It hasn’t failed me yet.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Two of My Favorite Christmas Books

2011-12-16T09:16:00.001-08:00

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree brings the joy of Christmas to a lot more homes than just his.

The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson

A Inn with no room in a town called Christmas Valley. A young pregnant woman and her husband arrive in a broken down bus decorated like Christmas, with no place to stay. Trust me, it all makes for a warm and humorous Christmas novel!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Guest Poet: Bob Lazzar-Atwood

2011-12-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

The Little Christmas Tree

A happy little Christmas tree

Stood bravely in the cold,

And prayed, to some nice family,

It one day would be sold

It dreamed of all the pretty lights

They'd string around its limbs,

And of the warm and quiet nights

They'd fill with Christmas hymns.

It pictured all the happy smiles

On each and every face,

And all the brightly colored piles

Of gifts around its base.

So every day the little tree

Would stretch its trunk up high,

And hold its limbs out gracefully

As people passed it by.

And many people loved the tree

And often told it so,

But most of them would later leave

With larger trees in tow.

With Christmas just a week away

The rush for trees was on,

They sold them faster every day

'til most of them were gone.

But not the little Christmas tree

It stayed upon the lot,

And when it closed on Christmas Eve

It still had not been bought.

With heavy heart and weary limbs

The tree began to weep,

And as the day grew cold and dim

It cried itself to sleep.

That night an angel passing by

Took pity on the tree,

And flew it swiftly though the sky

To find a family.

She left it by a poor man’s door

And knocked so he could hear,

She knew that he could not afford

A Christmas tree that year.

On Christmas Day the tree awoke

To loud and joyous noise,

It saw the smiles of happy folks

And laughing girls and boys.

Its limbs were draped with popcorn strings

And ribbons tied in bows,

And up on top with tinfoil wings

And angel proudly posed.

No treasure to be found on Earth

Could match the little tree's,

For none could be of greater worth

than love and family.

And way up high above the clouds

Where only angels roam,

A light was shining brighter now,

The tree had found a home.

About this Christian Poet:
Bob Lazzar-Atwood is a poet and songwriter who lives in Bellingham, Washington with his wife Karen and his daughters Alice and Frani. The Christmas season has always brought him a special measure of enjoyment and enlightenment and he frequently uses this special time as the focus for his songs and poetry.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,

Susan

The 10 Most Charitable Companies in America

2011-12-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

I found this article interesting. Congratulations to those companies who are giving back, not just as a token donation, but with real help.

The 10 Most Charitable Companies in America

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Oklahoma State

2011-12-05T00:19:00.001-08:00

Way to win the game, Pokes!!!

(My Heroes Have always been COWBOYS)

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Mixed Feelings Weather Report

2011-12-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

~Winter chill mixed with the perfect hot chocolate.
~Soft white snow looks pretty, but be prepared to dig your car out.
~Jingle Bells start out swell, but there is the risk of Frosty overload by Christmas Eve.
~Brisk winds make sitting by a fire dandy, but create the chance of frostbite in delicate places when walking the dog.
~Choice of risking a winter blizzard or staying inside and creating a little personal heat:-)

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Weather Report

2011-11-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

Today's weather report has a number of safety precautions you should take note of:

Tornadoes are coming - seek shelter in the interior of your house.

Earthquakes are coming - avoid the interior of your house and go outside if possible.

Hail is present - avoid open areas.

There's lightning outside - avoid high ground.

There's a flash flood warning - avoid low ground.

Parts of the state have received over 5" of rain in three hours.

However – because of the drought, we have a burn ban.

Welcome to Oklahoma!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

From a t-shirt

2011-10-24T20:39:00.001-07:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

End of the World Calendar

2011-10-16T17:51:00.001-07:00

"Though scientists say that 2013 will come, the Maya predict that the world will cease to be on 12/21/2012. Before time runs out get your copy of Jeremy Macy's 2012 End of the World Calendar."

Jeremy is a friend and Oklahoma artist. Click on the picture above to visit Jeremy's website.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

You Come and Go...

2011-10-13T20:09:00.001-07:00

My own Manga!

2011-10-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, yeah, I may have a wee bit too much time on my hands (actually, I have more than enough to do, I'm just playing hooky).

In the mood to goof off? Click on the picture to create your own scene:-)

God Bless,
Susan

Horsefly Hank and the Osage War Sheild

2011-10-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to go to Amazon

CHECK IT OUT!

Horsefly Hank and the Osage War Shield is Written by David Roper and illustrated by Jerry Bennett.

Both David and Jerry are fellow Okies. Congratulations, guys!

Fall Haiku

2011-10-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"
God Bless,
Susan

New Hobby

2011-10-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

As if I didn't have enough to keep me occupied and safely out of trouble (at least most of the time) I've found a wonderful new plaything on the internet. It's called Pintrest! And let me tell you, it's addictive!
I could spend all day browsing posts/links on Books ~ Crafts ~ Decorating ideas, just to name a few of my interests:-)

Come check it out for yourself. But I warn you, it's addictive:-)

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-02T11:56:00.001-07:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Fall Dress

2011-09-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

I wore my fall dress this week. It's a dress I've owned for more years than I can remember (of course, with my memory that's not as long as it sounds).
As you can tell from the picture above, my dress is actually a sundress. But I never wear it in the summer. Instead, I pair it with a light cardigan or jacket and it becomes my personal introduction to the fall season each year.
As you can also tell from the picture, there is nothing special about the dress, except to me. Each year, as soon as the weather cools, when a crispness first appears in the air, I get a yen to wear my dress. I may only wear it a couple of times during the season. But that first wearing is my way of saying hello to fires in the fireplace, bursts of color on trees and "sweater weather."
Fall is here!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

How NOT to Get Published

2011-09-18T19:44:00.001-07:00

A group of Hams, er actors (including myself) had a little fun at the last SCBWI Oklahoma Conference.
Check out "How NOT to Get Published."

"Keep reading and dreaming,

"God Bless,
Susan

Good-bye Summer

2011-09-18T11:24:00.001-07:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

9-11

2011-09-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

~From a headstone in Ireland

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,

Susan

Touch of Fall

2011-09-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's not officially fall yet. And, the high temps of the summer probably haven't deserted us yet... but it feels wonderful outside! A cool front that brought a night of gentle rain with it has dropped our Oklahoma temps into the fall weather range. It was actually only 65 degrees when I left for church this morning! Compare that to 102 of other Sunday mornings and you'll understand my excitement!
I love "sweater weather" and can't wait until it's here to stay. Until then, I'll enjoy this little sneak preview we're getting:-)

Happy (almost) fall!

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Angels

2011-08-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Angels descending, bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
~Fanny J. Crosby

Check out this wonderful Angel Maker I found:-) Click on the Icon to create your own angel.

This maker is the property of inkscribble. Check out more of inkscribble's incredible art HERE.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Want Joy?

2011-08-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Favorite T-shirt Sayings

2011-08-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons ~ for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

Han Shot First!

How would you feel if Death were your older sister?

Poe's Poem, The Raven (written in the shape of a raven)

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,
Susan

Summer goes by

2011-08-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

Sunburns and splashes

Beaches and warm sunny days

As summer goes by

National Kids Day

2011-08-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have spread my dreams beneath your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. ~W.B. Yeats

Little hearts have big dreams. As adults it's our job to nurture, teach and then let go.

Today, run through a sprinkler with your child. Get an ice cream cone, read a bedtime story, say a prayer... BE THERE. That's what they will remember.

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God bless,
Susan

Quickie Interview: Annie Stegg

2011-08-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Where do you live? North Georgia

How did you get started drawing? I've been drawing since as far back as I can remember. I started as soon as I was able to hold a pencil in my hand!

What were some of your artistic inspirations? My father and my grandparents are artists, so they had a large influence in my life, creatively. I also look up to illustrators such as Brian Froud, and classical painters like Bouguereau.

What is your favorite place to work? Once I have decided on a piece and really get into it, my favorite place to work is at home in my studio. It's nice to be able to shut myself away from the world and just put all of my concentration into a piece. For field study and inspiration, however, my favorite place is outdoors and especially on the beach. Nothing beats the sound of the ocean and a canvas!

What are you working on now? I have an art/tutorial book coming out in August, called "Memories".

Do you have a website? What is the URL? Yep! Its http://www.anniestegg.com

Do you have a favorite quote? “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see" - Edger Degas

"Keep reading and dreaming"

God Bless,

Susan