The Truth About Writing

 

Writing stories is like eating a ‘push-up’.  You know, the orange sherbet ice cream treat?  The story sitting on top is the one that is currently nagging me to be written.  It will sit there and constantly reveal bits of itself until it just has to be put down on paper.  Meanwhile the stories living in the layers below will send out little bits from time to time as if they are just reminding me that there is more work to be done.  Once the story on top is written, it no longer nags and disappears as if it had been licked away and the next story is at the top of the ‘push-up’.  On most days I can see up to three or four stories deep into the ‘push-up’.  Hopefully, I will never reach that white plastic disk at the bottom of all that orange flavored goodness.  Because if I do, hopefully there’s more ‘push-ups’ in the freezer.

 

The truth about forty

Today marks the end of my Thirties.  The final day of youth.  I’ve spent the last 39 years and 364 days wasting a lot of time.  I am always putting things off until “whenever.”  I had hoped, by now, I would be a jogger.  Sounds funny doesn’t it?  Me jogging?  Please.  But I have always wanted to start and starting is the hardest thing to do.  I had hoped, by now, I would be in a rock band.  I have been playing guitar since high school.  I’m not too bad at it but I have a short attention span and will only sit long enough to learn the begining of songs.  I mostly play things that I have made up.  I had hoped, by now to be a writer.  I want to write novels.  This I have started, with my other blog, albeit it’s more along the lines of “micro-fiction” it’s a start.

 

So, I enter middle age with an understanding of myself.  Hopefully I will stop putting off the “whenevers” and start getting busy with the things that I know i want to do with my life.  Like playing with my kids more, they won’t be little for much longer; getting into better shape so I can be around for a lot longer; and start doing things that bring meaning into my life instead of waiting for life to happen for me.

 

I consider myself very lucky for having the great family that surrounds me and the friends I have in my life.  I can be kind of an ass sometimes and I’m glad no one has deserted me yet.  Thanks for putting up with me!

 

Well I’m off to do something meaningful.  Well, maybe after a nap…

=>

 

Jesse

The truth about snow days

What can be better than a SNOW DAY?

Our snow day started with the anticipation the night before.  “Are you gonna call in?”  I was asked.  “If we get all the snow that they say we will, I’m calling in.”  I answer.  “Should I call in?”  I’m asked.  “If we get what they say, you should.”  I answer.

Don’t I sound excited?  I know I don’t, but I am.

5:30 a.m. comes quickly.  I look outside.  I turn on my cell phone.  I call in.  “Should I call in?”  I’m asked.  “Yes.”  I answer.  We go back to bed.

The “no school” call comes from the school.  Bri is in bed with us so we tell her.  “WOO HOOO!!!”  She got so excited, I laughed.  She got up to look outside and couldn’t believe what she saw.  She was bouncing off the walls.  We settled back down and I didn’t get up until 8:30.  When Eric got up he thought he overslept until he looked outside.

Debi made pancakes, riddled with guilt for calling in.  She’s so funny.  The pancakes ROCKED!

I finally got outside around 10 or so.  I grabbed the shovel and cleared off was the patio for easy potty breaks for Buster.  Then I fired up the snow thrower and didn’t shut it down until 12:30.  Meanwhile, Debi and the kids made two snowmen.  They had a blast.  Afterword, they came in and baked oatmeal raisin cookies.



Buster came out to play.  He didn't quite know what to think of everything.  I imagine that it looked like the whole world changed for him.  He tried to walk in the snow but gave up.  He figured that the sidewalks were easier.  He is SO my dog.

I finished with the snow and came back in with red burning cheeks.  I got in the shower and then waited for the plow to create more work for me.

We had boloney samaches for lunch and just hung out for awhile.  Around 2:30 the plows came.  Back out I went, plows are evil.

One good thing about the plows though is I was able to run to the store for supplies.  I wanted a beer and Debi wanted some wine.  DONE!  The rest of the evening consisted of Ravioli Os, playing pool and showers.

Bed time is fast approaching now, and I’m ready for it.  It’s been a good day.  A day the kids will probably remember their whole lives.  That’s good and they have their Momma to thank.  You’re a good Momma Debi.  I love you.

The truth about Magic!

My first post to this blog is a sad one.  Eric sufferred his first broken heart tonight during the Giants Cowboys game.  He lost a tooth earlier today and was getting ready for bed, planning to put his tooth under his pillow.  He came to Debi and I and asked the question "Is the tooth fairy real?"  Debi decided that I should handle it, I couldn't.  Debi has had a hard time with the Lies of Christmas, Easter and the Tooth Fairy since the begining.  I've been the one to handle the doubts and to reaffirm our kids belief in magic.  All the while Debi's heart breaks one piece at a time, year after year.  So, we asked Eric what he believes.  He didn't want to play along with this, he just kept on asking for an answer.  So, after we got Bri to bed, we sat down with him and talked about it.

We wimped out kinda by asking him again what he believes.  We let him come to his own conclusion.  When the truth dawned on him he started to cry.  His heart was broken.  I don't think that I have ever heard him cry so hard.  Through his tears he said these words, "Even though I know the truth, I will still believe."  How perfect is that?  We sat with him awhile and let him cry it out.  When he settled down he asked "So does that mean that Santa and the Easter bunny aren't real either?"  Debi's worst fear.  She hoped it wouldn't come to this.  We wimped out again and let him figure it out.  He started crying again and this time Debi's heart broke, mine too.  He cried for awhile longer.  Once he got it all out he seemed okay with it.  Debi felt that he seemed to grow up a little right before our eyes.