An Order of Romance...Would You Like Kids With That?!

Valentine's Day is not the same when you have been blessed with children.  The romance is less romantic.  The silence is non-existent.  The chocolate box is swarmed and devoured by the kids.  The intimate dinner - actually - I am not sure this even exists!  I love my kids - don't judge! But I also would love to spend time with Hubby without being interrupted with fun facts about Josh Hutcherson or the ins and outs of fourth grade drama.

So, we weave some attempt at romance when the kids are otherwise occupied. We eat a family friendly meal, listen to the jokes and tribulations of the day, while we sip wine with our macaroni and cheese dinner.  We casually look at our watches and remind the kids that bedtime is coming.  We try hard to drink just enough wine to pretend we are celebrating, and not too much that we fall asleep when the kids do.  We wait patiently for the sandman to lull the hooligans into a deep sleep.  Then we celebrate in the quiet of the night with more wine and each other. 

Maybe this is real romance.  The stuff that builds the foundation of our relationship.  Maybe when our kids have grown, and have left the house, we will find Valentine's Day a little too quiet.  Right now it sounds tempting, but knowing we always want what we don't have - I am sure we will miss it.  And after they start their families, they'll need to dump their kids somewhere so they can celebrate the day smothered in romance - I'll bet the first people they call is Grandma and Grandpa.  So our Valentine's Day will evolve yet again.

Maybe that's what it's about.  Not just the romance, but the deep love we have (most of the time!) for our kids and for the family we created.  That, and of course, the wine.  Because wine makes everything a titsch better...

I can't believe it but...I admitted to drinking wine AND eating macaroni at the same time!

Happy romancing,

Kathy Pettit

The Tales of a Tale

Writing can be hard work!  Sometimes the creativity gets sucked out of your very being when you   think too hard.  That's why I tend to avoid thinking really hard...it's just easier that way.  Mindless roboting is WAY more creative.


But, when you have a tale to tell you have to think and plan ahead.  I have finally started the second draft of my novel (which, in case you were interested I started several years ago and dropped like a hot potato while juggling diapers, bottles, and otherwise time-occupying tasks!).  I say second draft...but to be perfectly frank, I don't yet have an ending in my first draft - but I do have a hefty portion completed.  You see all the ideas are kind of percolating in my head....dripping through the grinds of my brain...finishing with a fine cup of coffee great ending.  I feel a bit embarrassed that I am admitting, publicly (as only a few know my fanciful dream of publishing a book) this little "secret."  The thing is, it's on my bucket list.  If it goes nowhere - I can still say "I did it, I wrote a book."  If it goes somewhere, I can pretend I am very accomplished, carry around a Sharpie so at any time I can make a fans' day by applying said Sharpie to various body parts of the book.  But it's hard.  I am sure the second draft will be grammatically challenged.  Luckily my hubby is the best editor on the planet (according to moi)!  Before I can apply Sharpie sigs to any book, he'll first take his red pen and tsk-tsk me into grammatically perfect form.

So my fans (sorry, a little carried away with the fame and fortune thing) friends, if you want to contribute - I think it would be kind of neat to allow my readers to come up with an idea or name (it is a fantasy/fiction novel) every now and then.  Please add your suggestions to the "comments" section and I may include them in my novel-to-be - and of course credit you in my long list of people I need to thank in my life! 

I guess I am sharing because I feel like I have now made a commitment, cemented the end result.  Publicly (although, there is a handy-dandy delete post button just in case!).

The very first bit I am looking for suggestions on is:  The name of the boat for the "bad" royalty.  It's fiction/fantasy so let your imagination run wild!

Happy reading!

I can't believe it but...my project is public knowledge.  Gulp! (Sorry that wasn't nerves, it was a swig of wine!)

Kathy Pettit

Weaving Words

Best Designed Library Kansas City

I have a tendency to exaggerate.  I have always been a self-diagnosed story-teller.  Not the kind of tales that car salesman and fisherman make us all raise an eyebrow to.  (Sorry to my car-selling friend - totally NOT referring to you, ahem.)  That was awkward....!  But rather, I like to SEE stories in the mundane and everyday.  One tiny moment triggers a bit of a chain reaction in my squidgy brain.  The event may be something my kids or hubby says...it may be something I see or hear.  All these tiny little threads are weaved into a story or memory that I feel the need to share.  All of your threads have made their way into my tale.  Whether you are the reader, the crossing guard, the person who sells me my coffee, or even someone from my past, you have been gently woven into my being and my tale.  You fit in perfectly.  Especially after a nice glass of blush wine...because everything is better with wine.

If you are reading this, you and I are linked across the time space continuum (I don't know what this really means, but sounds smarty-like).  Thanks for being a part of my story.  Especially you.  Yeah -YOU!  You're awesome! 

I can't believe it but...I am admitting to a teeny tiny, barely noticeable, smidgen of a flaw in myself. 

Happy story sharing,

Kathy Pettit

If YOU Think a Fish Should Climb a Tree...

...and it doesn't - you're going to be very disappointed in that fish!  A friend and neighbour shared Einstein's insight with me, after a glass of wine (or two) and it took me a minute to realize what he was really trying to say.  Then I got it.  Wow. I poured my self another glass of wine to really get into "ponder" mode!  I pondered so much that it's a wonder I remembered this conversation at all :)  The other side is, not only will the fish believe itself stupid, but so will those who judge and believe it should be able to climb a tree.

How many times in life do we put expectations on others on what WE think they SHOULD do?  Or what WE would do if we were them?  I don't live in a glass house - but I'm still not throwing any stones.  I am plainly guilty.  The easy solution to criticize those around us is to assume we are better, smarter and more experienced - we think we have all of the answers to everyone else's problem.  Those assumptions are based on our own personal experiences, and we relay that knowledge assuming every detail is identical to our own.  Life doesn't work that way.  God blessed us each with unique talents and experiences.  If instead, we used those experiences as a stepping stone to HELP those that are struggling - rather than judge them - we would be doing such good in the world. 

If I think a fish should climb a tree, and base my judgement of that said fish on the fact that it can't - then of course my perception is going to be negative!  If I humbly (and this is a hard thing to do - no doubt!) took a step back and really thought about it, I might discover that the task would be an impossible feat.  Instant reaction, however, is to judge, give advice and criticize.  Shame on me.  It is the kinder, more thoughtful person that pauses before speaking and shares that knowledge with me, that in actual fact, it would be impossible for that fish to climb a tree.  My perspective was the assumption that animal was defective in thought, and action.  But that would be wrong.  Only from taking the time to learn about that creature could I discover that the task is impossible.

My goal is to work harder at pausing before giving opinions and advice.  To not judge harshly on decisions made by someone else that is prepared to take ownership for their actions.  I want to really try and see their side of the story and LISTEN to what they saying.  This will be hard for me.  I am going to try, readers.  I hope this posting has made you think about yourself, and how you can positively influence those around you.

I can't believe it but...I discovered something really deep and meaningful whilst enjoying my wine.

In deep thoughts,

Kathy Pettit