Ignoring the Oscars and meeting deadlines. Wednesday, here I come!

Wednesday (Photo credit: teachernz)

I decided to take a day away from my notebook last Friday. It sat quietly folded closed on the kitchen table, but in my mind’s eye, there was a feeling of it glaring at me, asking, “Why wasn’t I playing today?”

I thought it might be relaxing to get out and breathe some fresh air, especially as my husband has been making little jokes here and there about my appearance. It would seem he is tired of seeing my excellent ‘casual wear’ collection (they allegedly look like pajamas but are in my world, casual wear). Apparently, Americans and Brits have different ideas as to what construes as casual wear… and I am rapidly becoming a target for some ‘Howard Hughes” jokes. Therefore, Friday I dressed in jeans, sweater, jacket, “going out clothes”. Proud of me now, huh?

I digress. I had a wonderful afternoon wandering in the village shops, buying food and enjoying an unseasonably warm sunny February day. Every time I thought of writing, I tried to put it to the back of my mind, chastising myself like a small schoolchild. Later, I cooked dinner and spent the evening relaxing, drawn into the wonderful world of Grimm.

Then it hit me today, a mental slap upside the head, Wednesday is coming. It is nearly here! Two days…

What is so special about Wednesday?  Before you state the obvious…it is the last day of the month, it is the day I declared in the New Year I would finish the draft of the book. Yes… the book.

Fooled you, I know you were thinking, “Claire has blogged, therefore historical notes for the week” I could tell you it’s a Leap year, or try to confuse you by saying intercalary or bissextile year. That it only comes around every four years and for the next three years I can’t say to anyone “Wow, it’s a year since I finished my draft!” because the day will not exist.

Furthermore, Wednesdays were in fact, named after Wōden. To explain it easily I am going to quote Wikipedia for you “It should be noted at this point that Old Norse had two different words spelled óðr, one an adjective and the other a noun. The adjective means “mad, frantic, furious, violent”,[2] and is cognate with Old English wōdThe noun means “mind, wit, soul, sense” and “song, poetry”,[4] and is cognate with Old English wōþ. In compounds, óð- means “fiercely energetic” (e.g. óð-málugr “speaking violently, excited”). Easy, huh? (My Window’s grammar corrector is having a fit over this!)

The pagans and wiccans believe Mercury the planet is the ruler of Wednesdays. It is a day of text, language and communication. Let us also not forget ‘Wednesday’s child is full of woe’, I hope not!

All of this seems appropriate for my book and I am rather pleased and now very determined to have the draft finished this Wednesday making it feel rather special. As for the words ‘mind, wit, soul and sense’ and “speaking violently, excited” completely fit my story.

It is also a reminder of advice given to me in the past “Make sure your opening paragraph is strong!” Therefore, I lay myself at your feet for total judgment. This is the opening page to my book, ‘The ride to Liberty’ before the Editor takes it to mold and dissect:

“Chapter One

Lydia Castle looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror; she couldn’t believe what had just happened to her as she wiped the blood from her neck. She looked down at herself seeing the blood slowly trickle down her long, pale legs. She was in shock, trembling, wondering how it had all come to this moment.

It was a Sunday in August; the sun promised to break through the clouds that floated over Yorkshire, though it rarely managed to and when it did the countryside lit up, like someone turning on a light, drenching the green landscape in a warm golden glow, even the gritty Yorkshire stone buildings of Hoakley seemed to look warm.

Hoakley, an old market town in England, hustled and bustled on a Friday with the local farmers selling their produce of vegetables, stallholders selling cheap shoes and clothing in the small, cobbled market place, with its Victorian clock presiding proudly over it. The town huddled in a valley with a dark, but sparkling river coursing its way through the center of it, where small rowing boats moored up, for the tourists who came every year, thinking the small town quaint.

A place you could easily leave to return years later to find nothing had changed, except that useful shops, like the butchers and grocers had become yet another charity shop. The people you knew had grown older and dismal, looking more like the buildings they inhabited, gray, and slightly depressing, not a town, where the word “fun” would spring to mind. People meeting to drink as a social and community evening in its many pubs was the usual idea of a ‘good evening’.”

Having spent time trying to ‘make it strong’, grammatically correct and to avoid using ‘passive grammar’ I welcome all comments, ideas and thoughts, good, bad and indifferent.

I will post all corrections once the words, clarified, renewed and invigorated by an editor are back in my possession. It is always interesting to compare the before and after’s, like a makeover show on Bravo.

My week will be spent in ‘casual wear’ in front of this screen determined to meet the deadline I have set for myself, ignoring the Oscars, recording favorite shows for when I am finished. However I wish you a fantastic week, full of adventures and promising new ideas and when you do, I hope you will share them with me.

Blessings

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woden

Oops, nearly forgot Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake day!

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Yes it is Pancake Day, but we can have pancakes any day I hear you say. Why is today so special? It’s Shrove Tuesday in certain religions.

It is the day before Lent, and ‘Shrove’ meant to hear someone’s sins and ask God for forgiveness. The word ‘Shrove’ came from the word ‘Shrift’ or ‘Shrive’, to take little heed to one’s problems; ‘to make short shrift’ or try this one for size: ‘To make a short shrift and a long rope’ meant a ‘swift judgment  and hanging’ in ages past. On a lighter note in certain places it is called Fat Tuesday and we now make pancakes.

Now let’s just clear up one thing here…they are not the fat, chubby, pile ‘em high pancakes that Americans are used to. No these are the thinner, skinner version, that some people call ‘crepes’. They can be rolled around delicious fillings or simply folded into quarters and sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar…yum!

It is believed that this all started around the 12^th century, people would celebrate by playing football in the streets until the UK government passed a highways bill saying it was not helpful to block the streets off, though some places still practice it, calling the ‘Ball Game’ or ‘Hurling the silver ball’.

It used to be a half-holiday starting at 11:00 am in the morning, when church bells pealed in towns and villages heralding in the day.

There is an old wives saying that, one lady was late to church, she ran out of the house carrying her pancakes and frying pan with her, and so started the tradition of “Pancake Races” whereby people run races with frying pans, tossing pancakes as they try and finish first.

Scarborough

In Scarborough, Yorkshire the Town Crier rings the pancake bell, the sea front is closed, along with the schools and people are invited to skip, yes skip with a rope…

I understand that this is celebrated in many places in Europe as well as Kansas in the US, therefore if you are thinking of a simple snack this evening may I suggest…pancakes. Whether they are filled with savory fillings of chicken, cheese and spinach or simply folded with either preserve or lemon juice and sugar.

I wish you a wonderful and happy Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day!

If you want to know about Shrove Tuesday check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday

Imagine… the wildest ride!

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I have been thinking of my past a lot recently, I know it’s from writing the book I have been working on though it is a work of fiction, it started to make me think of our imagination and how we draw on it.

Remembering as a child constantly being told off for daydreaming and not concentrating on what was happening around me… to sit in a boring class, the teacher droning on in a monotone voice. It was truly dismal.

The only teacher I remember back to who inspired, was a man teaching English and an Elvis Costello look alike. He was funny, interesting and could be profound at the strangest moments, but the best part of his teaching was not trying to mold anyone, he listened to everyone and their thoughts. He learned from us as we learnt from him. This is what made him inspiring and when I was in his class there was no time to day dream.

I was told that I had a ‘strong’ imagination’ almost as if it is a muscle to be flexed to make it grow. I am sure you have all been there. Who wants to learn algebra, when you can gaze out of the window and suddenly be a famous ballerina, an astronaut or a witch at Halloween flying over trees and rooftops of houses on a broomstick?

We are told to keep our feet on the ground and to stay in the real world, but can you imagine a world without drifting off into another land in your mind? It would be so miserable. Books inspire our imagination; this is what sinks us deeper into the plots.

Or how about applying for a job which asks for resourcefulness, ‘requires thinking outside the box’ when you think about the synonyms: originality, thoughtfulness even fabrication. What a dull world it would be without a colorful imagination!

Think about how people sit and meditate for a while each day, isn’t that grown-up day dreaming? The inspirational and motivational posters in offices which tell you push forward through hard times as the stars are waiting for you.

I sit writing each day, my mind in another world, one of heart break, of wonderful sensual pleasures, of characters both good and evil, emotions floating between burning sadness and rising elation. I read that if the writing doesn’t move you to tears and joy as you write, then you are doing something wrong and have a detachment from the wonderfully interesting people you are invested in. I have days when I walk away from the screen happy and overjoyed, other days I find myself rooting for the heroine to make it another day…which is ridiculous, as I have the power for to make it. There is a quiet voice in your mind which says ‘What if she doesn’t, what if your imagination just makes it that bit harder for her’

 

Don’t listen to people who say it’s crazy.  Sit awhile quietly alone, close your eyes and travel, use a colorful childlike rainbow as slide in a playground, climb atop a dragon, straddling his neck as he lifts off and soars effortlessly amid snowy mountain tops, lay amid bright yellow sunflowers in a field as the sun warms your face. You can travel anywhere and be anything, anyone. How wonderful!

Believe in yourself, your imagination; take a few moments be it in the shower, washing dishes, turning the mundane in to something extraordinary.

Exercise your mental power. Exercise your ‘imagination muscle’. It may be the cheapest vacation you had in a while; it may even help resolve any issues you have been struggling with. Let your imagination grab you by the hand and take you on the wildest ride of your life!

 

 

The quirky side of Valentine’s Day…Goats hide anyone?

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So I was thinking about how tomorrow is Valentine’s Day… again. Has it really been a year since the last round of chocolates, red and pink hearts on cards?

I have been a good girl and bought hubby a card, even though every year we say we aren’t going to do it, we do. I looked at the cards on the stands, and then laughed with my sister-in-law at some of the really cheesy gifts on offer; one was the strangest rose which ‘blossomed’ when you hit the ‘try me’ button. Of course we pushed it giggling like two school kids, who couldn’t resist such falseness? The jokes abound between us as to how it would last till the batteries ran out…there is where I most definitely stop recounting the story with the rose!

Little cheruby angels and roses had my mind turning… a lot of Easter  traditions have pagan roots. The Easter bunnies and chickens representing fertility, fish and eggs for the Goddess Hecate were eaten and buried at crossroads to say a thank you for making it through winter.

My big question started to kick in… was there something lurking behind St Valentine? I searched and…yes there is!

Here goes the story of Lupercalia:

Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, he was the Roman god of agriculture, along with Romulus and Remus (and nope, we are not talking Star Trek).

Luperci, an order of Roman priests would gather at a cave, where the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf. The priests would slaughter a goat for fertility and a dog for purification for the year. They would tear the goats hide into strips, dip it blood and slap women’s faces with them and crop fields. Apparently young Roman women loved it and looked forward to it. Afterwards, they would write out their names, drop them into a jar, which would be pulled out rather like a raffle at the end of the day and be partnered off to some young beau. It is alleged that many of these pairings ended in marriage.

It is understood that this was outlawed in the 5^th century by Pope Gelasius, who deemed it better to have St Valentine’s Day on the 14^th February…therefore no more women being slapped with bloody goats’ skin.

I am thinking personally, that yes, it has become a rather over commercialized day with chocolates and hearts, cherubs playing harps, cards and I’ve even heard of husbands giving diamonds… (Yes, I hear that’s no fairy tale either!).

If it’s a choice however between a poor dog and goat…or a happy love filled meaning card, I’ll go for the card, thank you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, shared with someone you hold dear and love.

Just in case you don’t believe the story of Lupercalia, try this link: http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

One good reason to wear purple this month?

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Why would I wear purple this month? I hear you say. Well, for one very good reason, Teen Dating Violence and Awareness and Prevention Month.

On January 31^st 2012 Barack Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/presidential-proclamation-national-teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-pr.

This helps bring awareness to the issues of Abuse and Violence, we tend to think of it in terms of only effecting adults or children, but each and every teenager is at risk of entering into an abusive relationship, be it verbal, physical or sexual and it is a subject to often brushed under the carpet or ignored.

Teenagers these days are exposed to more pressure to keep up with their friends, whether it’s the latest clothing lines, technical gadgets they have peer pressure on many fronts. However, statics show (Bureau of Justice Special Report: Intimate Partner Violence, May 2000) that 1 in 3 high school students have been or will be in an abusive relationship.

And here’s the really scary part! Most violent abuse happens in a home…not out on the streets. According to the studies 6 out of every 10 rapes of young women happens in their friends or relatives home and even their own! (Bureau of Justice Special Report: Intimate Partner Violence, May 2000).

Remember the old saying of ‘Safe at home?”!

Don’t worry, I’m not going to bang a drum for too long, but as I watch the news, read the local new websites there has been virtually no attention to brought this campaign.

When it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I saw pink ribbons everywhere; people wore pink ribbon pins, pink ribbon stickers on cars etc., but this month no purple or purple and teal ribbons so far.

The only poster I have seen was put up on a notice board to ask kids at the high school to wear purple one day to support the ‘Stop bullying Campaign”, which I completely stand behind, but I believe Teen Dating Violence and Awareness and Prevention Month encompasses it all and should be stood behind, as parents, grown-ups, community leaders, teachers etc…

A colleague called me last evening and wanted to talk about loan programs and finance. I listened as she explained it me and after she finished she asked me if I had any clients who may be interested in taking a look at it. I kindly informed her that I didn’t as I was taking time out to finally finish my book that I am working on.

The tone in her voice picked up and asked me what it was about. I told her it was a work of fiction about one woman’s journey through domestic abuse and violence to healing and empowerment, at this her tone dropped with a “Huh”… long pause “Okay”.

“Yes” I replied, “Not really romance, knights in shining armor, fluffy bunnies or unicorns”

I laughed to ease the tension I could feel that was developing on the end of the line. There was still a long pause so I added “It’s simple, if it makes one person think about it at the very least, then maybe it’s not such a huge waste of time…”

She replied “I guess” slowly then politely said it was good to talk to me again, let’s stay in touch and quickly said her goodbyes.

Well, okay it’s not fluffy bunnies and unicorns, sadly it’s real… and if just one day this month we could all wear just something purple or just say something in support of Teen Dating Violence and Awareness and Prevention Month then it will create something much bigger in the future.

Lao Tzu (Chinese Taoist Philosopher, founder of Taoism,) wrote “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you wish to learn more then please visit the links attached below:

http://www.acadv.org/about.html

http://www.teensagainstabuse.org/index.php?q=home

http://www.breakthecycle.org/

http://www.lfcc.on.ca/warning_signs.html

http://blog.loveisrespect.org/

And if you own or run a salon or spa then I think this following link is a fantastic idea! How brilliantly inspiring and fun!

http://prettyinpurple.org/about.html

Blessings… till next time

Where is your happy place?

I took a day to procrastinate from writing my book, which at the moment is getting a little deep and I needed to take a break, a day of enjoyment, laughter and happiness. So when my sister-in-law suggested a trip to one of my favorite stores I jumped at the chance.

Once there it was full of Easter bunnies, yellow chickens and fake spring flowers heralding that spring is on its way and on the warmest day in January, yes, we hit a record high today. Retail therapy is happiness…sometimes, but this made me think.

What makes us happy?

     Well, if you read psychology reports they state our careers make us happy when we feel relevant, needed or break a new barrier, finishing an endless Excel report or PowerPoint presentation which took mind and soul to complete.

We know family makes us happy, a smile and a hug from a loved one. A small gesture which could be offering to cook dinner or wash dishes to them backing you emotionally on a project, hobby or sport etc.

We can also turn to spirituality. Too look to a higher power to engage in, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhist, Muslim. Whatever your faith, to believe, we are told is divine, empowering and comforting to believe that we are in fact all children being looked after

The basics of making us feeling fulfilled should always be there. When I say the basics we are talking food on the table, warmth, light, bills paid, the necessities we look for in life. But what happens if we start to struggle with these?

Of course one word: Stress.

     It is such a small word for a feeling which can have such major and significant impacts on our health and welfare. We catch colds more frequently or can feel nauseas, aches, pains, feeling dizzy. The list can be endless for the physical effects not to mention to emotional of feeling depressed, loneliness, moodiness and isolation.

So back to my first initial question:

Where is your happy place?

     I have asked people “What makes you happy?” My husband’s response was “You”… aww shucks. It is the small things in life. Someone opening a door for you or picking something up that you accidently dropped in the store for you. A simple compliment. A smile, one of the most amazing and warming gestures.

An act of forgiveness, though sometimes this I think can be the most difficult, it goes along with the word ‘Sorry’ which at times can feel like it’s stuck in your throat and you have to cough it out! Those are usually the times when it’s most heartfelt, I’ve found.

I have found my happy place. It is in my husband’s smile, my daughters Blackberry messages. My son’s laughter on the end of the phone line. A smile from my step daughter to say all is okay in her world…for the moment… (Teenager).

When life gets really tough I can go and meditate, dream of places I have visited and loved, especially Goodrington beach in Devon on a cold, wind-swept winters day (blowing away the cob-webs, as we say). Yoga (still struggling with that one!) curled up on the sofa with good captivating books, our fire-pit, coffee at my local artsy café, good friends and our cat, Freya, who meows every time I look at her while I’m writing this. Happy times, happy places, happy me!

When I was a child I would escape by dreaming of dragons and mythical creatures, of witches on broomsticks (Cheap transport seemed a good idea at the time, no gas or insurance needed to travel!) Of magic and control, and a happy place…

I love these quotes when I feel low:

“In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself.” Anonymous

“I’m so optimistic I’d go after Moby Dick in a row boat and take the tartar sauce with me.” Zig Ziglar

So my question to you is: Where is your happy place?