FOR THE BIRDS.

Linda Ford Posted on by

LESSONS FROM THE BIRDS

Birds fill the trees. They sing from every perch. Their songs make us glad. If I take time to observe them I can learn many things.
1. They sing like no one is listening. Lesson for me: Use the talents I possess. The woods would be silent if no birds sang there except for those that sang best. (quote by Henry van Dyke).
2. They enjoy the bounty of nature. Lesson for me: Get out and take note of the beauty and abundance of my yard and garden.
3. They sing no matter what the circumstances. Lesson for me: Stop looking at the problem and look up. God is big enough for every problem in my life. Rejoice.
4. A flock of blackbirds can sweep across the sky and never run into each other. Lesson for me: There’s no need to butt heads or elbows with other people. There’s room for everyone.
5. When a cat stalks a bird, the bird simply flies away. Lesson for me: Don’t wallow in dire possibilities. Get up and move on. There’s a lot of world out there.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL

I laughed when I read this quote: Birds, birds in the sky dropped a pooty in my eye. I don’t worry I don’t cry. I’m just happy cows don’t fly.
‘Nough said. Right?
 
 
 
 
 

IT WAS THE WORST PLACE. IT WAS THE BEST PLACE

Linda Ford Posted on by

NOT A PLACE ONE WANTS TO VISIT

No one wants to be at a cancer clinic but I was there with my daughter last week. They’ve done their best to make the place welcoming. The sun room was a nice place to sit and wait while she had her procedure.

 

BUT IF YOU NEED TREATMENT…

You couldn’t ask for a better place to be. The staff and volunteers are kind and helpful. My daughter received the best of care and cutting edge technology.

BUT THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

We are home. Things are going well.

FULL OF POSSIBLITY-or how a story idea is born.

Linda Ford Posted on by

IS IT EMPTY AND DESOLATE OR….?

Yesterday I made a long drive south to Montana. The scenery varies–glimpses of the Rockies, the Sweet Grass Hills, deep river valleys and odd looking hoodoo formations. The picture above shows what much of the scenery is…rolling hills.
Some may think there is nothing to see here. But I see little bubbles of possibility. What lies beyond each summit? What treasures hide in the valleys? I imagine the wideness of the view,  the vastness of the blue sky, the tug of the wind and the searing heat of the sun.
My imagination goes deeper, wider and I see a young woman standing atop one of the hills, looking yearningly toward the south, her hand cupped over her eyes to shade them from the glare. She’s waiting for a young man to ride toward her on his big black horse. A story is born. Or at least, the fledgling idea and the tugging emotion of it.
And yes, I guess that says I am a writer.
How about you? Even if you aren’t a writer, what views call to the you in the depths of your heart?

SHROUDED IN MYSTERY…OR ROMANCE?

Linda Ford Posted on by

It was early in the morning. I was alone on the trail except for two runners and three people walking their dogs and they soon disappeared from view. The quiet was deepened by the fog. The boats moored along the shore were barely visible.
Something about those shrouded views drew my imagination. What would it be like to be on such a vessel out on the lake, unable to see more than a foot or two ahead? The idea was both inviting and a little fearful. Were the people on board running from something? Hiding? Escaping? Were they together reluctantly or following their hearts against all odds?
The fog made me think of writing. Doesn’t everything? 🙂 I realize that the uncertainty and the possibilities of new story ideas pull at me. It’s as I work on a story that the fog lifts and I begin to see the details. But those first quiet, foggy moments are exciting.
But a greater truth is evident in the fog. Life is uncertain. We never know what the future holds. Certainly, we plan and hope, but that’s all we can do. However, whatever life holds, God is my rock and my anchor. We live by faith, not by sight. So go enjoy discovering what lies ahead. I plan to.

BARE BONES/BARE BRANCHES

Linda Ford Posted on by

I’ve been doing edits this week. I’m going over a manuscript that has been professionally edited, choosing whether or not to accept the suggested changes. It’s tedious work and hard on my eyes. Following the suggestions takes my story down to the bare bones.

Or bare branches.
I realize this is not how I write. I like to leaf out my story. Maybe add some pretty flowers and berries.

No. I’m not telling you which story it is. I’ll wait and see if you can tell which one and if my readers like it or don’t.
Which reminds me. Watch for announcements regarding the release of a new series which will be available for e-readers only. (Or you can use the Kindle program on your computer without the necessity of purchasing a Kindle reader.) I think you will enjoy the stories

SPIDER SPIN ME A WEB

Linda Ford Posted on by

I am back from a week at the lake with some of my family. Most mornings I went out for a walk before the others wakened. Along one stretch of the boulevard, I discovered a beautiful display of cobwebs. (Not that I’m that fond of spiders.) One particular display caught my attention. Some were so intricately perfect. Like a finely crafted story.

See the web on the right? That’s how the story I am trying to revise looks. Full of holes and hanging precariously. I hope to take it to the perfectly crafted web on the left.
What do spider webs make you think of? (forget about spiders for a moment.) Plot? Life? Beauty? 
 
 

I’VE CHANGED MY MIND!!!!

Linda Ford Posted on by

Remember last week when I told you how much I enjoy birds?? Well, not so much enjoyment this week. I have a nice saskatoon bush that is covered with berries. I love them and can’t wait to pick them and put them in my mouth and maybe some in the freezer to enjoy this winter. But I must fight the birds for them. I put netting over the bush but the wind tugs a little opening in it and that’s all the birds needs. Especially the juvenile robins. I chase them out but they come back. They even come back while I’m picking.

Pesky birds.
Which makes me think. Is perseverance a virtue or a vice? Hmm. I have to say I tend to think it’s the former especially when it comes to learning a new skill or trying to figure out a new story. But it’s certainly a vice at times like when  child keeps asking over and over even after they’d been told no.
I just hope I can tell the difference in my own actions.
 

THE JOY OF BIRDS

Linda Ford Posted on by

I enjoy watching birds. They are so little and yet so hardy. Some of them even overwinter in our very cold climate. How on earth do they keep warm? When I walk I hear birds singing, I see them everywhere. I thought I’d share a few of my special moments with birds. I was going to try and think of clever captions for each of them but decided to let you simply enjoy them.

Isn’t our world amazing? Isn’t God, who made the world, amazing?

SUMMER IS

Linda Ford Posted on by

Summer is picnics and parades and plays written by little boys and girls and performed by cousins.
It’s Canada Day and fireworks and wiener roasts.

Summer is splash parks and river and lazy days at the beach.

It’s flowers and fruit and vegetables from the garden and on the table.
It’s baby animals, visitors and vacations.

Summer is sunshine and rain and rainbows.
It’s sunburns, storms and heat.
It’s all good things bundled together into a few short weeks.
 

TALKING ABOUT TREES AND IMAGINATION

Linda Ford Posted on by

I met some odd tree creatures this week.

Wouldn’t these make great characters in a child’s story? I suppose it goes to prove that I find possibilities everywhere. As I’ve said many times, ideas and inspiration can be found everywhere.
I know I have an active imagination but tell me I’m not the only one who sees these creatures.