Sparkling White Winter

It is finally here; our sparkling white winter. For the last few years, there hasn't been any significant amount of snow. I know, this sounds like a real blessing, doesn't it? However, my daughter is coming home to get married, and one of her dreams is a white wedding and Christmas. Since she hasn't been home for Christmas for several years, she hasn't seen how little snow we have experienced for that time.




So, it was with great joy, that I watched as the snow fell...and fell...and fell! We are now up to about 8 inches of the white stuff. Which is more like what it is supposed to be like here in the frozen north.




This morning, as I left at first light for town and the swimming pool, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of my drive. The temperature had plummeted, through the night, and all of the trees, bushes, and fences were covered with hoar frost. Everything was white and sparkling with the frosty crystals. It was indeed a winter wonderland. How I wished that this was wedding day, and all of my daughters friends and new relatives from New Zealand were here to witness God's winter handiwork.




There was no wind to speak of, nor sunshine,so the beauty of the frost lasted all day. Just having this sparkling beauty around me kept my spirits up as I went through my busy day.

As I was driving home, I remembered when, as a young child, I had asked my father why they call it "horror" frost. My dad's response was, "because everything is so horrified at how cold it has become. They put on this layer of frost, which, like long underwear, protects them from the cold."

Well, I am now 55 years old, and that is still the only explaination I have ever had of hoar frost. So, until someone tells me different, I will continue to view it as the trees and bushes putting on their long underwear to ward off the bitter cold.

I wonder, did you ever ask about one of these winter wonders? What was the response you got? If you have a good "winter" story, will you email it to me at kbhwfe2000@yahoo.ca and I will compile and send them to everyone who has contributed a story.

There is much that is harsh about winter weather, here in Canada's Northland. However, there is much that is beautiful. I wouldn't trade the glistening white snow for all the sand in Florida.




Be blessed, my dear ones. Take a moment to remember the wonder that the white stuff brought to our young hearts. Have a warm cup of hot chocolate, and wrap yourself in the warmth of childhood memories.

Jude

Becoming Professional

I never much thought about being a writer as my profession. It is more something that chose me, than something deliberate that I set out to achieve. In the last several months, I have been in the company of, met both in person and online, several writers which fall into both the professional and non-professional category. With these encounters has come the revelation that I am, indeed, numbered amongst the list of professional writers.

Some of the criteria, so I have come to learn, is 1)having an accredited education in the craft of writing 2)having won acclimation for a piece or pieces of work 3)having had something published and 4)having writing as my sole occupation

So, there you have it, me in a nutshell. My entire day is about writing. While I eat, care for my house and husband, and even while I sleep, I am either stopping to jot notes in my writer's journal, stopping to get to the computer, or thinking out story ideas, or my WIP (work in progress). I teach fiction writing to adults at our high school, mentor, edit, brainstorm, fact check and encourage many other professional writers, as well as beginners, trying to get it all figured out.

Writing is my release, my occupation, my therapy, my joy. Being me...a multitasker to the extreme, I am working on two novels, at least 6 short stories, creating several courses to be offered through my website www.awriterstoolbox.com and trying to read everything I can get my hands on that pertains to writing. This last, including as many fiction classics as I can find. Learning from the masters, is always the best course.

Little did I know, when I decided to take a few writing courses, where it would all lead. I am very fortunate. While I waited until I was in my 50's to get things figured out, I am so very grateful that I finally have found what I want to do with my life, and had the courage to go for it.

It is my prayer that you figure it out...long before you are an old gal like me, and have the courage to leave whatever you are doing and move in the direction of your passion, your joy, your therapy, your release from the hum-drum life.

Be blessed, Know that God loves you, and so do I!