Birthdays and Art Saturday

Quote of the Day:  The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Oprah Winfrey

Birthdays are great.

Celebrate life!

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly: Happy Birthday, Mary!

Pad Thai

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE (deserves all caps)

Sisters

Friends

Coffee

Chocolate

Sweet gifts

Dinner and spending time with the Biker Chef

Massage

Hair cut

First week of school

Lunch with writers and lovers of words

and many more blessings

ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!

First birthday party at the Primo Art Spa!

The best lunch you could get anywhere.

Thanks for the spring rolls and movie night!

I've been celebrating for about a week, now, but my friend Krista said, "That's okay. It's the octave of your birthday." Cool. I still have few days (notes) left to complete it! (Do you think I could sneak in the sharps & flats, too, the minor & major chords?)

This week we had our first Art Saturday. Go to our Primo Art Spa blog to see photos and find out what's coming next and how you can get moving on your creativity!

Coming soon: a chance to win tickets to "Charlotte's Web" at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis! Yippy. He's some pig.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are you celebrating?

Celebrating Lyla

The contractions were coming right on top of each other and my epidural was only slightly successful at mediating their intensity. Lyla's heartbeat was dropping fast and she wasn't making any progress toward the outside world.

Childbirth had always been the easy part of pregnancy for me. As I carried each of my babies, I became far too familiar with the smell of my toilet bowl, dehydration, and hardened veins from all the IVs. This last pregnancy was the worst of all of them, perhaps because of my age, or the fact that my body had gone through such extreme sickness so many times already. Probably it had something to do with both.

But that last nine months had also been sweetened by an outpouring of compassionate service from friends and neighbors. As I lay on the couch, half-aware from all the medications, the women from church made sure my family continued to eat. They brought meals 3-4 times a week, making sure there were enough leftovers to get us through. My children had play dates and rides to and from school. I had rides to and from the hospital twice a week. And more than a few times, someone showed up on my doorstep with rubber gloves and scrub brushes. Yes, I even had clean toilets to throw up in.

We will ever be grateful for the sacrifice and loving watch-care of so many good, good people.

We were taken care of.

And then there was no heartbeat. Another contraction. Still no heartbeat. No stranger to delivery room dynamics, I immediately recognized the change of atmosphere. My doctor's smile faded into pure concentration. The NICU team arrived. And the cheerleading efforts of one or two encouraging nurses expanded into an entire squad of scrubs and white coats, focused only on the very clear instructions given when something is wrong.

The thought that I might not get to meet this one gripped me, became tangible. I felt desperately powerless. 

So I prayed. I mean EVERYTHING in me prayed. Because at that point it was the ONLY thing I could do.

I heard the doctor call for forceps, then felt my baby being yanked out of my body. 

The unwinding began. Her umbilical cord was wrapped twice around her neck, then around her waist, and her feet, and then her neck again. With each contraction as Lyla had descended out of my pelvis, the cord that had once sustained her was pulling tighter and tighter around her tiny six-pound body.

Up, Over, Around. Up, Over, Around. The doctor and nurses worked quickly to free my baby from her full-body noose.

Tears streamed down my face as Lyla took her first breaths.

Adoring smiles returned to the faces around me. Everything was right again. Peaceful.

Once again able to turn his attention to me, my doctor confessed, "In all my years of delivering babies, I've never seen an umbilical cord nearly that long."

But I was only half-listening. Now looking deeply into those precious little black eyes, I thanked my Heavenly Father for the chance to feel Lyla's chest rise and fall against my own. 

And as we celebrated her third birthday today, I thanked him again.

A Birthday, a Blanket, and Some Fuzzy Math

As a mother of five, I often push the boundaries of what is mathematically possible.

Three hours between kindergarten drop off and pick up? No problem. Costco is twenty minutes away. Right around the corner from Target, The Grange, and Home Depot. Sure, I can squeeze it all in. But wait! The car needs gas, too. 

The math somehow works out often enough that I keep using it. Really? Intuitive math? Seems kind of...fuzzy.

But it's the same math I turned to when Halle came to me two weeks before her birthday with a special request.

"Mom, I REALLY miss my silky blanket that we left in Idaho. Why did we have to leave it in the hotel? I'm SOOOO sad about it. And Lyla uses the other blanket you made me when I was a baby and ANYWAY it's too small for me now. So can you make me a new one for my birthday? Pleeeease?

Thoroughly amused by the expression of her extra drama chromosome, I began calculating the insanity of the end-of-school-year rush, two family birthdays, and a baptism occupying the next two weeks. An additional calculation including the five children to feed, clothe, clean up after, and run around in five different directions brought my available hours to just shy of, um...zero.

"I think that's a great idea, Halle!" (What?!)

Shortly thereafter, we headed to the craft store, where Halle's color choices went all over the map before finally landing somewhere near the intersection of Christmas Joy and Pepto-Bismol.

                                                                                                                                                

I didn't waste any time getting started.

It's amazing how much I accomplished by removing certain household tasks from the equation. Ignoring dishes, laundry, and apparently Lyla's facial hygiene, I was able to finish the grid in just over a week.

The pattern? Oh, I stink at following patterns. I'm much better at intuitive math, remember? Even when it comes to making blankets.

I turned the finished grid on its side and crocheted back through each row.

My children ensured they were not left out of the equation, stopping at nothing in their attempts to redirect my focus.

Finally, a few pizza deliveries later, I got down to the last few rows.

The moment I set my crochet hook back in its bucket and fanned out my aching fingers, Halle came running in to snatch up her new blanket. It was, after all, two days late.

Nothing like a little bit of fuzzy math to say 

Happy 6th Birthday to my Halle.

Open to Youthful Events (and cake)

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Cake by Joy Ciaffoni

Millie and Willie attend the twins' birthday party, double the fun, double the guests, double the cake.

Anyone else thinking of the old Double Mint Gum commercial?

 

Millie:  Willie, aren't you excited? It's the twins' birthday.

 

Willie:  Yes. That means double the cake!

 

 

Millie:  And, a loud and boisterous Happy Birthday.

 

Willie:  Do you think those young fellers would teach me how to play that video game contraption?

 

Millie:  I'll need to triple the pancake batter for breakfast.

 

Willie:  Mmm. Pancakes. Are we going to share our freshly tapped and cooked Maple syrup?

 

Millie:  You know we are, Willie. It's for the kids. And, some of them helped collect sap.

 

(After the party festivities wound down and all the boys went home to sleep in their own beds, Millie and Willie attended a local production of The Glass Menagerie.)

 

Willie:  That was just as good as anything I've seen at The Guthrie in Minneapolis.

 

Millie:  I am astounded by the talent right here in the Brainerd lakes area.

 

Willie:  That woman who played Amanda, Laura Busch, could have been my mother, Millie. She wasn't a Southern Bell, but she did have a command of the family, if you know what I mean.

 

Millie:  Yes, Willie, that is the most memorable characteristic of your mother. I was quite taken with Tom, of course. He told his story with love and sentiment. Kevin Yeager is a fine actor, indeed. Maybe he'll be in a show with us some day.

 

Willie:  That young Linda Nichols might as well apply to the University acting school right now. She could audition at any of the theatres in the metro.  She was so believable as shy, young Laura that I wanted to walk right on stage and hug her and give her some courage to face the world head on.

 

Millie:  (chuckling) The costume designer deserves an A+ for all the great outfits, especially Amanda's party dress. What a hoot!

 

(Millie and Willie go to bed ruminating on the themes of the play, loss of youth, or the clinging to it and the past, as they rest up for Sunday's music recital.)

 

Millie and Willie play a little something during refreshments after the recital.

 

 

Millie:  They were all so good, Willie. I want to applaud one more time.

 

Willie:  They are all so brave to get up on that bench and play their songs, or sing in front of all these people.

 

Millie:  Music lessons and recitals build character, Willie.

 

Willie:  And, confidence. I didn't have nearly that much confidence when I was young. I could barely raise my hand in class to ask a question.

 

Millie:  I love people who support the arts.

 

Willie:  I love all those kids, and their teachers. Music teachers are the best.

 

Millie:  They create good things.

 

Willie:  Amen, Millie.

 

Spring Piano and Voice Recital at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, MN

 

&&&&&&&&&&&

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  How have you supported the arts lately? Anyone else have a birthday? My babies turned 13 today! Now, I am a mother of four teenage boys. (send help)



 

 Click here for show times and tickets to The Glass Menagerie at Central Lakes College.

Millie and Willie are Guests at a Party

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

The Cottonpoly's had a busy weekend. It will take several days (and letters) to tell you all about it.

Open to Being a Guest at a Party

 

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, dressed up for the party

 

Willie:  Thank you, Millie, for making me this great costume for Annie's birthday party. It was so nice of her to invite us.

 

Millie:  You're welcome, Willie. I had to search in my old fabric box to come up with the right costumes for the medieval mystery theme party.

 

 

Willie:  You look darling in that headband, Millie.

 

Millie: Thank you, Willie. It off-sets that prim and proper look of the old-fashioned skirt. The headband says, Dude, I'd jump on your Harley in a heartbeat.

 

Willie:  My heart is beating a little faster right now.

 

Millie:  Willie, you're losing focus again. We were going to tell these folks about the birthday party.

 

All of the guests arrived in costumes, including Millie and Willie

 

Willie:  I got a kick out of the youngsters in their clever costumes.

 

Millie:  A couple of them did so well, staying in character and using accents the whole time.

 

Willie:  Joy and Mary were a hoot as the Host and Detective.

 

Joy as the Host

Mary as the Detective

Joy made both these costumes.

 

 

Millie:  I think they had more fun than the kids.

 

Willie:  I overheard Mary say that she was inspired to write her own mystery party play.

 

Millie:  Then, Joy chimed in and said they could write several and provide the entertainment for kids' parties.

 

Willie:  They're a creative pair, those two. Did you notice the fondue snacks afterwards?

 

 

 

Millie:  I noticed that the chocolate was dripping down your chin.

 

Willie:  Were you wanting to lick it off?

 

Millie:  Willie, the kids might be reading this. Stay focused.

 

Willie:  Thanks, Annie, for inviting us to your party. It was the best birthday party ever.

 

Millie:  Yes, thank you, dear Annie. You're a great neighbor.

 

Willie:  (Starts melting chocolate on the stove and whistling I've been working on the railroad)

 

Millie:  (shakes her head and opens the bag of pretzels)

 

*****************

 

Come back tomorrow to see who the Cottonpoly's were hanging with after the party!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever attended a mystery party? Were you a suspect, the criminal? What kind of theme would grab your interest?

Happy Birthday to Me!

I sat up in my bed, pillows propped up and my favorite blankets wrapped all around me.  Cozy.  Wes SURPRISED me with a new camera.  Yay!  The kids came in, too, and showered me with handmade art, creatively wrapped in baby blankets or otherwise tucked behind their backs while I promised to close my eyes.  

Hugs.  

Kisses.  

"Mom, I'm hungry."

The kids all got escorted downstairs for breakfast and Wes locked the door behind them.

Alone time for me.  I got back to my propped up pillows and being wrapped up in my favorite blankets.  A whole morning to read, write, prep my primary lesson, and pray ON MY OWN.  A hugely appreciated birthday gift.

Thanks, Wes.  Thanks kids.

Birthdays, Nerf Bullets, and Snow!

Quote of the Day:  The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? J. B. Priestley

It looks like we got about six inches!

 

Minnesota is beautiful after a snowfall.

 

Leo is hesitant to go out, despite his snow camo!

 

I think the first snowfall of the year brings out the best in people. The gals at the coffee shop were wearing their holiday hats and were as cheerful and Christmas elves. Drivers were being cautious. Of course, it was a Sunday, so people weren't in too much of a hurry. The Chef came over on Saturday and in anticipation of the big snowfall, took a look at my snowblower. He thought it might be too gummed up to run properly. We used it just once last year because we had such a mild winter. So, we hauled it over to a nearby shop where they fixed it for $2.00!  Merry Christmas! All it needed was to have some fresh gas run through it.

 

 

We also celebrated second son's birthday this weekend. He's a Pearl Harbor Day baby. He had some friends over on Saturday night, and his auntie Joy baked him a most delicious chocolate cake, from scratch!

 

He's 15, not 10. That's all the candles I had.

 

We spent the snow day, Sunday, indoors rearranging furniture, cleaning, and decorating a little. We found Nerf bullets in every nook and cranny! We still need put up the tree and decorate for the holidays. In the later afternoon, I asked the Birthday Boy to go out and use the snowblower. He went out to the garage, then yelled back into the house, "Mom, come here and look at this!" A kind neighbor had plowed out our driveway! All Zach had to do was shovel the walk and the area in front of the garage doors. Of course, the city snowplow came by around 2:00 a.m. which is great, but it woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep. Also, I'll need to be the first one of the season to use the snowblower and clear out the end of the driveway and the part around the mailbox. Otherwise, they won't deliver our mail. Snow is pretty, but it does create work.

 

Hope all your holiday and winter prep are going well!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Do you like snow? What's your favorite holiday song?

 

 

 

 

A Birthday in Review

Quote of the Day:  You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ Les Brown

Started the birthday with a Turtle drink at the Coco Moon with the Biker Chef.

Thanks, Lorie, for the coffee. Look, I'm trying to perk up!

Birthday lunch with friends.

Thanks, Anna at The Shante in Pillager, for the chocolate sundae!

 

 

Wishing for continued success.

With the help of these two, how could it not come true?!

 

All in all it was a great day. Got an oil change on my van, took a quick walk, sneaked in a short nap after lunch, and had dinner with my youngest boys. The guys in my life gave me books and movies and music as gifts. (They know me well.) Krista and I planned out two book ideas and set a date to start them.

 

Dare to dream. Believe in your ability to succeed.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you recieved any gifts lately, either tangible or in the form of support and encouragement?

Wishful Thinking

Favorite Photo Fridays

Quote of the Day:  At every crossroad, follow your dream. It is courageous to let your heart lead the way. - Thomas Leland

A Dream is a wish your heart makes. from Cinderella

"What was your wish, Mary?"

"I don't know, exactly. It was just wishful thinking."

Perhaps, the heart knows best.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What are you wishing for today?

Fall is My New Year

Quote of the Day:  Though I have seen the oceans and mountains, though I have read great books and seen great works of art...there is nothing greater or more beautiful than those people I love. - Christopher De Vinck

Our Second First Day of School

Bobby, the senior, stayed home on the official first day of school (district policy).

Our last First Day of School with Bobby, the senior.

Sigh, you can't stop the river of life from flowing.

The Fall of the year is my New Year. It is the start of a new school year. I have a senior, an 8th grader, and two 6th graders. Marking the growth of children is an excellent way to prove that nothing stays the same. I don't want them to grow up and leave me, and yet, I can't help but celebrate with them as they reach new heights, learn and grow, and seek their own adventures.

The Fall of the year is also my birthday, Sept. 6, this year, the first day of school. What a celebration it is! I started celebrating last Thurs. by going to the movies with a friend and watching The Help. It's an excellent movie. It translates well from book to silver screen, and so well cast, acted, and filmed.

Over the weekend, I saw family. My mom baked my favorite birthday cake, German chocolate with the coconut/nutty frosting, and I stayed overnight at my sister's house. Monday, I had lunch with my best writer-mama-pal, Roxane, in Fargo. Tuesday, I sent the younger boys off to school then joined many mothers and others at the coffee shop.

Erika, Mary, Lisa, JeMA

I had lunch with my big boy, the senior.  The food was delicious, and the company was delightful. My big boy wants to be some kind of engineer. He's a techie, creative, and kind. We had a great conversation. He even asked me what I thought I might do once all the kids graduate. (I don't even like thinking about it, but I know I have lots of options.)

The boys had a great first day of school. We went out for supper (no kitchen duties for this birthday girl), and hit sack early.

Today, my group power class will enjoy my "Birthday Track" and later in the week, one more birthday lunch with a friend. I think everyone needs a week-long birthday celebration, don't you?

Go. Create. Inspire! And, fill your days with those people you love.

Journaling Prompt:  If you were free from social and family obligations, where would you go? What would you do?

Birthday Bash and Baseball

Quote of the Day:  Baseball quotes found here.

You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too. ~Roy Campanella

Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

Double the cake. Double the guest list. Double the fun. Double the volume (alright, the volume was more than double).  My own Minnesota Twins turned 11 last Friday.  It was a big birthday bash. Then invitations read, "and bring a baseball glove."  Thank God for nice weather.  They all ran, walked, or rode anything with wheels down to the park and set up their game of baseball.  When I got there, I suggested they turn the diamond around and hit towards the trees, not the road.  They hit.  They ran.  They argued.  I determined that middle school age boys still need an ump.  I did not volunteer.  I said, "Hey, I'm just here to take pictures."

It made me wonder.  Is the baseball field the first place where the male child tries to use his voice to get his way? 
Your foot wasn't on the base!
Yes, it was!
You didn't tag me!
Yes, I did!
I got there first!
I caught the ball before you stepped on the plate!

And, so on, until I thought, How can this be any fun? 

I stood up to leave and shouted, "I'm ordering the pizza."  Then, walked home, trailed by the pack of boys.

After the pizza, they used the football.  I think this is a game of 500.

I thought these pictures turned out great.  And, how can you argue?  The guy holding the ball is the one who caught it.

Finding your voice in the world isn't easy.  What's harder is being still and listening, and accepting that you're not always right, safe, or the winner.

Journaling Prompt:  You've just hit the ball and are running full speed to first base.  As your foot hits the base, you hear the ball land in the first baseman's glove.  Are you safe or out?  At what age can you play a "friendly" game of ball?

17 Years of Motherhood, and counting

Quote of the Day:  The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.  from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

My first born son turned 17 this weekend. He recently read "Catcher" and posted this quote on his facebook page.  I think he really liked the book.  He said that he plans to post a quote from good books that he reads.  Hmm. That sounds familiar. 

He once asked me if I had posters of rock stars on the walls of my bedroom when I was a girl.  I said, "No, I wasn't in love with rock stars.  But, Nancy (my sister) had pictures up of all the stars.  Her room was wall-papered with ripped out pages of Teen magazine."

"What did you have you your walls, Mom...horses?"

"Well, yes," I said.  "How did you know?"

Bobby rolled his eyes.  "There's two kinds of girls.  Those who are in love with rock stars and those who love horses."

He had it figured out by age 14.

He's a scholarly fellow, this first born son.  He likes good literature, thinking games, deep discussions, historical films, and technology.  We went to The King's Speech together.  I thought it was more of a gift to me, but he really liked it, and we talked about it afterwards.  It's a great movie about a man who never thought he'd be good enough to be king, or give inspiring speeches, or appear strong.  But, he did.  In making himself vulnerable to a commoner with great instincts and caring, he conquered fear.

Seventeen years ago, I was a new mom.  He was born at noon on a Saturday, 9 lbs. 3oz. and ready for lunch.  Both of us opened our eyes to new life and all the possibilities.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What posters or decorations did you have in your childhood bedrooms?  When did life take on new meaning for you?

The One Who Was Born on Pearl Harbor Day

Quote of the Day:  Naming My Daughter by Patricia Fargnoli

In the Uruba tribe of Africa, children are

named not only at birth but throughout their

lives by their characteristics and the events

that befall them.

The one who took hold in the cold night

The one who kicked loudly

The one who slid down quickly in the ice storm

She who came while the doctor was eating dessert

New one held up by heels in the glare

The river between two brothers

Second pot on the stove

Princess of a hundred dolls

Hair like water falling beneath moonlight

Strides into the day

She who runs away with motorcycle club president

Daughter kicked with a boot

Daughter blizzard in the sky

Daughter night-pocket

She who sells sports club memberships

One who loves over and over

She who wants child but lost one.

She who wants marriage but has none

She who never gives up

Diana (Goddess of the Chase)

Doris (for the carrot-top grandmother

she never knew)

Fargnoli (for the father

who drank and left and died)

Peter Pan, Iron Pumper

Tumbleweed who goes months without calling

Daughter who is a pillar of light

Daughter mirror, Daughter stands alone

Daughter boomerang who always comes back

Daughter who flies forward into the day

where I will be nameless.

"Naming My Daughter" by Patricia Fargnoli, from Necessary Light. © Utah State University Press, 1999. Found on the Writer's Almanac.

Yesterday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day remembered in the USA, my son Zach became a teenager.  Thirteen years ago, I was living in Grand Rapids, MN with his older brother Bobby and their dad.  We'd gone Christmas shopping that day - the only year that I started and finished that early.  We ended the day by going to the movie Flubber.  Zach started letting me know that he was ready to arrive a little earlier than scheduled - an early Christmas gift, if you will. 

With inspiration from Patricia Fargnoli - Naming my Second-born Son

The One who was born on a infamous day

The One who came early in a quiet hospital

The One who needed sunlight for jaundice

The One who looked like Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve

The One who slept best

The One who liked pancakes

The One who told stories and memorized books

The One who brought home Matilda

The One who makes friends easy

The One who sings

The One who plays trumpet

The One who broke his cheek bone

The One who doesn't have an appendix

The One who got the swine flu

The One who cared for me when I got it, too

The One who is a math master

The One who rocks at the breast stroke

The One who reads and reads and reads

The One who hugs

The One who doesn't think he's too old to say, "I love you."

The One who got sick on his birthday

The One I call my Christmas Baby

Journaling Prompt:  Write a naming poem for you or someone you care about.



BBQ Rib Recipe and Birthday Fun

Quote of the Day:  lyrics from Good in the Kitchen performed by Bearfoot:  Click on the song title to hear them performing it, living room style.  It's a cute ditty.

If you want to see my recipe, make it good in the kitchen, good in the kitchen, and get ready to eat...I'll bring the biscuits, you bring jambalaya...doobie doobie doobie do waaayy...

I wanted BBQ spareribs on my birthday, so I went to the grocery, where they were on sale!  A home-made sauce is so much better than the presoaked ribs you can buy at the stores in my neck of the woods.  I found this recipe in the First Lutheran Church Cookbook.  Those church ladies always share their best recipes.  This one comes from the kitchen of Margareth.

Barbecued Spareribs
2 T. vinegar
2 T. brown sugar
4 T lemon juice (or lime juice if that's what's in your fridge)
1 c. ketchup
3 T. Worchestershire sauce
1/2 c. water
Sauted onions
salt & pepper to taste

Brown ribs, pour sauce over, and bake at 300 for about two hours. 

A photo before baking.  After baking, they were falling off the bones delicious and disappeared quickly along with the mashed potatoes.  We finished off the meal with some birthday brownies.

I also had coffee with a friend, and lunch out with my boys.  They gave me three journals, a book, a CD, and large glasses for when we have rootbeer floats.

Painting by Art by JeMA.

 

Fried ice cream.

Food Art

And, a visit from two neighbor piano girls who offered to deliver Koolade to me on my birthday, "We'll just need a quarter," they said.

I've had a great week, celebrating one more year of life, sending my sons off to school and all the adventures a new school year brings, and reclaiming some creative space.  I'm halfway through Act 3 of my coffee shop drama.  I can smell the coffee of intermission.  It's getting closer.

And, to all of you, claim your own creative space - Go, Create, Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How would you like to spend your birthday?