I needed Lassie. I was sure if I’d had Lassie I could tackle anything that came my way. Timmy was such a dope, always falling in a well, getting in a mine cave-in, or getting stuck high in a tree. I could clearly see the danger that he was headed for, putting Lassie to the trouble of bailing Timmy out. If she wasn’t staring down a mountain lion, or nudging a branch toward Timmy stuck in quicksand, she’d race home in record time to bring back help. Can you imagine what she’d have accomplished had she been blessed with vocal cords and opposable thumbs?
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
When I’m writing, I spend more time thinking about the past. That’s where most of my stories originate. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the future. I do what I need to ensure the best future but I don’t have a lot of control over what comes.
Time is the greatest gift a person can give. Whether you volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, help build a playground, or donate some of your precious vacation days to an ailing coworker, time is precious.
I have attended a few. Under pressure from my parents, I did one year at a community college, then transferred to Louisiana Tech University. After getting married, I finished my education degree at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana. I took a couple of courses at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. I completed my nursing degree at Northwestern State University in Shreveport, Louisiana. That is a long list.
Right now, I feel good. I was wide awake at one thirty, so I got up to write. I love it when writing kicks me out of bed! For so many years my soul was yearning to write but I was caught up in what had to be done. I was married with two children. Bud and I worked alternate shifts to care for them. I suppose I did write a lot out of necessity, now that I think of it. We both wrote a lot of notes.
“Make sure Kate doesn’t get off without her $12 dollars and permission form for the field trip. It’s in an envelope in her backpack. She has to wear that red Tshirt and white pants I left on her dresser. Don’t let John get off without a belt. He got a warning note yesterday. Matt Ford’s mother is going to drop him off for a ride to bus stop if it’s raining. Remind kids to get lunch money out of cup in kitchen window. I left a roast in crockpot for dinner. Please make sure it’s heating up before you lie down. Please have kids fold towels in dryer. Love you.”
I’d find a note from Bud when I got in. He would have just lain down for a late nap after the kids got in from school.
“John has to turn in his book report tomorrow! Don’t let him go out doors till he finishes it. He will get an F! I washed a load of jeans. They’re still in dryer. I forgot to call you, we need bread, milk, apples, and Kate needs posterboard. Can you run to Walmart? Sorry. She didn’t tell me till I was getting ready to lie down. Love you.”
Now the kids are long grown, we are both retired so I write what and when I want. Everything in its time.
What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?
I am fortunate to be at that time in my life when most of my time is my own. I get my housekeeping out of the way early so I do what I want the rest of the day. I putter with my plants, garden when it’s not too hot, crochet, cook, write, read, or visit my ninety-six year old Mother. We are homebodies but occasionally, Bud and I go out to breakfast or lunch with friends. I think it’s timing rather than habit that improved my quality of life.
I needed Lassie. I was sure if I’d had Lassie I could tackle anything that came my way. Timmy was such a dope, always falling in a well, getting in a mine cave-in, or getting stuck high in a tree. I could clearly see the danger that he was headed for, putting Lassie to the trouble of bailing Timmy out. If she wasn’t staring down a mountain lion, or nudging a branch toward Timmy stuck in quicksand, she’d race home in record time to bring back help. Can you imagine what she’d have accomplished had she been blessed with vocal cords and opposable thumbs?
If I were going to open a shop. Nothing would please me better than to offer my own baked goods, pastries, sandwiches, to go casseroles, and beverages. I’d have soup of the day simmering to entice famished friends.
It would have a bright open area with a few tables where friends could meet and visit. Artists, writers, and artisans could display their work. Maybe someone who reads this will like the idea and create such a place. I hope so.
Nutsrok 