On our trip to the Yukon we took a ferry from Skagway to Haines. I read in one of the guides that you can look any direction in Haines and have a beautiful view. I was skeptical. After all, this was a tourist brochure, meant to lure in visitors.

But it is absolutely true.

We arrived via ferry and stopped for a picnic lunch at this beautiful site. 

Thousands of bald eagles gather near Haines in the fall and winter. We were fortunate to see a pair nesting thanks to a  tour group who let us see them through their high-powered scopes.

Fort William H. Seward, the first American army post in Alaska, was built in 1902. The distinctive white buildings of the fort, now an arts and commerce community, makes for a stunning first view. And it’s true…the views are everywhere. 

From the Fort buildings to the harbor to the skyline to the   

museum  where we saw how the mild costal climate has benefited the area. The long days of summer have made for some fantastic crops. A Mr. Anway grew fruit and vegetables. Strawberries as big as eggs, a record-breaking 100 lb cabbage.

I have to say it is as beautiful a town as the brochures proclaim. I anticipate using this for a setting of a future story. In fact, I might have to return to do more research.

Anyone want to come with me and be my research assistant?

And the Yukon. This sign says ‘larger than life’ which is a pretty good way of describing the north. Everything is big. And beautiful. I was overwhelmed by the size and the beauty.

Here is a picture taken as we are on a ferry leaving Skagway for Haines. The tour liner is one of many that stop here every day and disgorge thousands of tourists. When 5 of them are berthed at the docks the streets of Skagway are so crowded it’s difficult to walk. However the early mornings and late evenings when those tourists were back in their ships, the streets were quiet.

Skagway is a picturesque town that has maintained much of the construction and atmosphere of its earlier days during the Klondike Gold Rush. Departing from Skagway over the White Pass was one way of reaching the gold fields.

The other pass was the Chilkoot that left from Dyea…now a ghost town. We hiked about looking for evidence of this town that once had a population of 10,000. Only a few scattered bits of boards remain. And this false front. An interesting little hike though. Trees planted along the former main street of Dyea have not stood up well to the test of time. In fact, they are quite spooky in appearance.

Contrast that with the new, fresh growth of younger trees in the same area.

Despite the gnarly old trees there is unbelievable beauty everywhere.

Flowers, mountains, streams.

We saw lots of the Arctic Lupine.

(Click on any of these pictures to enlarge and enjoy more.)

But of course, the best thing about visiting Dyea was to see the Chilkoot Trail. After walking a short distance on it I am amazed to think of men and women, burdened with heavy loads, crossing this in the winter (or summer). And it only gets steeper and more rugged.

Note the moss and other evidence of being a costal rain forest.

There was so much to see and do and enjoy. I will share more with you in the coming weeks. Of course, I did tons of research and have lots of ideas for stories. Now to find the time to write them.

There will be SNOW. And I don’t mean a little. Even with much of it melting as it hits the ground, we have a good covering of snow.

This is the feeder that a few days ago had birds at it. Mostly I get gold finch and house finch.  Right now they seem to be hiding

someplace warm and dry.

Would you believe we are going somewhere with nicer weather? North to Alaska/Yukon.

Last weekend I went to a ladies retreat. It was very nice to get away from everything and not have to cook or clean or supervise. The retreat was held at Sunnyside retreat center beside a lake.  I only had to go down a feet steps to be right beside the water. The sun was warm, the water lapped at the shore. I sat and thought. I sat and enjoyed peace and quiet. I even did some story planning.

Accommodations were nice. I  had shared a bathroom with another lady. I felt like I had always known this lady. We just hit it off. Thanks, Marilyn.

The retreat allowed plenty of time for visiting, meditating, walking or playing games. Whatever suited your fancy.

There was a nice prayer chapel on site.

I read a bit from one of my books and talked a little about writing. The guest speakers were Rick and Kathleen Gibson who spoke on their journey of triumph over West Nile Virus. Kathleen has written a book. Buy it and read it if you get a chance. It’s a very inspiring story.

I had a great weekend.

Then returned to normal life.

Sigh.

But I suppose normal isn’t too be scoffed at. I’ve had weeks that weren’t normal so I know the truth of that.

However, the weekend was a chance to regroup and refill. Something we all need from time to time.

Baer as in Judy Baer who has written (according to the information in this book) more than 70 books. (B is also for be in awe of someone who has so many books under her belt.) The book is put out by Steeple Hill (publisher of my Love Inspired Historicals). It is a refreshing, fast paced story  of a missionary kid who accidentally won the lottery. Over 20 million dollars in fact. Her quandary was what to do with so much money when she’d been raised to believe living simply was the best way. I enjoyed this book. A good read.

B is also for balance…something I was determined to introduce into my life this year. So far not doing so good. 

"When our life is out of balance we have stress! Balance in your life does bring less stress to your life!"
Catherine Pulsifer

I asked some of my writing friends how they managed. I will share a few of their responses.

Marty Perry says, "Well, since you ask, I’m devoted to my lists. I live to check things off them! And I apply the Flylady principles to my house, working my way through it in fifteen minutes a day, with an hour of cleaning on the weekends and my husband’s help.

And I’m fortunate in that I can work anyplace. Put me in a car or sitting at a busy gate at the airport, and I’ll write. I don’t think beyond the next thing that has to be done, other than to consult my calendar to see how much time I have until the next deadline.  If I did, I’d be paralyzed and I wouldn’t accomplish anything! www.martaperry.com

Linda says: maybe my lists are too long. If I only put one or two things on them I might get done and feel like I’m in control.

Terri Blackstock says, "I’m not sure we can find balance all the time. We have to make sure that we have it in most of our life, but there are those twelve hour days and those marathon writing times that can’t be helped. We’re all leaders/writers/marketers/business owners. And juggling all that is getting harder all the time. Years ago, all I had to do was write. Now I have to manage a million other things. I think the main thing is not to forsake our first love. www.terriblackstock.com

Linda says: Besides shorter lists, I need to accept that sometimes the best plans fail. And I need to remember my first love which is writing stories that portray God’s love.

Lenora Worth in her usual funny way gave me this advise: On a clean house–Sweep the room with a glance.Dust bunnies don’t require feeding. On cooking–The best thing to make for dinner is a reservation. On exercising–Anything that doesn’t make you sweat. I find shopping to works best. I use all the major muscle groups trying on clothes and shoes! And walking the mall is much more interesting than looking at trees. (hah, hah) http://www.lenoraworth.com

Carolyne Aarsen says, "I love going for walks outside, gives my brain a chance to sort out some of the stuff that’s rolling around in it. Even when I’m tired after a long day, a walk outside looking at trees <g> seems to put things in perspective." www.carolyneaarsen.com

Linda says: I agree. Balance can be found in getting things into perspective.  I struggle to achieve it, often miss it by a mile, but I am learning to balance the requirements of my job, the requirements of my writing and the demands of life in general. I hope I’m getting better every day.

”You’ve achieved success in your field when you don’t know whether what you’re doing is work or play." –Warren Beatty

A is for April in Alberta with sunny warm weather one week and a blast of winter snow the next. We had the snow the beginning of this week. Needed the moisture but could do without the misery of bad roads. Our gravel road was almost impassable. A big freight truck got stuck and we had to pull it out with the tractor.

A is also for A. You see, I am overwhelmed with the selection of books when I enter the library. (Have the same problem of being overwhelmed by selection when I go to a store.) So I decided to start at A and pick a book from each letter of the alphabet, seeking in the most part to read a new author.

So A is for Atherton, Nancy and her book Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea. Atherton lives in Colorado but her book is set in the British Isles–Scotland. She has a fluid, descriptive way of writing that I found enjoyable. Aunt Dimity is a ghost. I thought she could have written the story just as well without the ghost who writes in a journal in response to the protagonist’s comments but that’s just me, I suppose.

A is also for appreciation. Specifically, appreciation that I have two manuscripts polished and at the editor’s desk and I am now able to work on the story that needs rewriting. This is story #2 in a series I call Wanted: A Few Good Men, set in the 30s. I doubt that the publishers will use that title for the series but it doesn’t matter. I also appreciated all the plotting, character development, conflict charts and workshops I have accumulated over the years that make it just a bit easier to work on a story.

April is over (and so are April storms). Enjoy May.

I have been deep into revisions and edits and polishing and…

Let me tell you about the process.

First I read the manuscript over and figure out how to fix things the editor has requested. At the same time I correct any story problems I see. That requires reading the story over at least once and making changes. It can take up to a week…sometimes more, sometimes less

Next (not always in the same order) I use a program called Textaloud to have the story read to me by the computer. It takes about two days and is tedious. The ‘almost’ human sounding voice makes me see things I miss reading it myself then I have to pause the reading, go to the manuscript document and make the corrections.

The next program I use is called Autocrits. With this one, I paste my story into the program and it analyzes for repeated words, too many uses of words and phrases. It gives a summary at the beginning of each chapter. ‘You have use it…there 69 times. Remove 29 of them.’ It shows the pages with the repeated, used too often words and phrases in colored text. Very pretty but downright scary. Yikes. So I study the pages and decide how to tighten the writing. Another two days give or take.

Then I read the story over again to make sure all my changes and corrections didn’t turn it into gobbely gook.  I printed the pages and carried them with me. I read while waiting for my client at a meeting. I read while waiting for him at the doctor’s office. I read in between preparing a meal, loading the washer and drier, answering the door and answering questions. I read in the evening. I read over coffee. It still took two days. And part of a third to enter all the corrections. After that  I print it out. I will not bore you with the details of my printer problems. But finally it is ready to go. And I am happy.

I will not let the fact that I have to repeat it all on another book starting Monday rob me of the joy of having this one done.

We had three babies visit us on Easter. It’s amazing to have three close to the same age. Three learning to sit. Three soon walking (talk about having to baby proof!). And soon, three two year olds. Yes, that will be a fun time.

They are so different in physical build and in temperament. From day one they have exhibited unique characteristics.

It will be interesting to see how each will respond to circumstances and challenges in their lives and how their personalities will develop.

It’s a living object lesson on developing characters for my stories. I need to keep in mind that people are born with unique personalities but from the day of their birth, they are shaped by family dynamics, events, illnesses, etc. I read somewhere that the factors that influence personality development are:

1.environment at home provided by parents
2.teachers
3.mental & emotional condition of mother during pregnancy
4.general physical &mental health of child
5.friends
6.timely corrective measures taken by parents & teachers

I’m sure we could argue this and/or add to it. I know I can think of others not included here–for instance, religious upbringing.

P 142 of this book has an interesting chart to illustrate the factors involved in personality development. Napoleon and history painting: Antoine-Jean Gros’s La Bataille d’Eylau By Christopher Prendergast (Google it and you should get the book on line.)

One tool I really like to use is the enneagram personality typing. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/descript.asp. Lots of good information on their site. 

I know  I am going to enjoy watching the personality development of  these three babies.

It’s Easter weekend. We see signs of life and new beginnings all around. I look out the window and see a bald eagle soaring his wings barely moving at catching the wind. He is on his way north. From the window I hear robins and meadowlarks. The snow is almost gone. People are thinking about gardening though we know that in this part of the country it’s too early to think seriously about it.

Easter is all about the beginning so it’s fitting that we enjoy it close to spring time. It is the most sacred day of the year for Christians. The resurrection of Jesus enabled us all to think of new life. Truly a time of hope and joy. And one of my favorite holidays of the year.

I have few special Easter remembrances from my childhood though one stands out in my mind. One year my older sister saved up silver and gold wrappings from candy bars and used them to wrap candy. She then hid it outside for us to find Easter morning. I know it sounds like nothing compared to what kids do nowadays but it was the first time we’d had a candy hunt (and maybe the last).

I will celebrate the season with three baby grandchildren and their parents plus one little girl who just turned 6. We’ll have a birthday party for her as well. And of course there will be a candy hunt enjoyed by young and old alike. (Enjoyed every bit as much by the old )

Here’s the 6 year old last year at her birthday chasing bubbles.

There was lots of snow still. This year it is almost gone. This year she is going to ride her bike.

New beginning aren’t always exciting. Sometimes there frightening. Or annoying. For instance, I decided I needed to learn to use a speech to text program to save my wrist and elbows so much work.  However, it’s very annoying to train the program.

As well,  I have been requested to do over a story.

Sigh. From scratch. I get to keep the heroine. Nothing more. So I’ve been busy this week. My poor brain is ready to fry. A break to celebrate Easter sounds  might good.

May you all enjoy the reason for the season.

Spring arrived last week. And surprise, surprise we had spring like weather. Very nice. Of course we’ve also had snow and cold but I don’t mind. It’s almost April I know winter in on her last legs. And we’ve had fog. Again, I don’t mind. The hoar frost it creates is beautiful to look at especially when I can stay inside to admire it.

Here is a foggy morning at my house just as dawn breaks. In fact, you can watch morning breaking.

Yes, it’s very nice to enjoy winter and the beginnings of spring from the warmth of my house.

And today, I got my first look at the cover for my July book.  I love it. A real cowboy. Mind you, the background doesn’t look remotely like Dakota but never mind. It’s still nice. Don’t you think so?