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A to Z Challenge: “N”ame this plant…
At the end of last summer, I found three plants whose tags said they were good in shade and partial sun. They were also on sale, which meant if they didn’t make it to next spring, I wouldn’t be out a fortune. I do take it personally when plants die on me but that’s another story. To my great surprise, all three survived the winter and are now flourishing. The problem is, I can’t remember for the life of me what they are. I’m hoping that a kind, knowledgeable A to Z Challenger will help me identify the plant. Here’s what I remember: it is a perennial that stays low…
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A to Z Challenge: “M”ystery authors
There are many types of mystery novels – amateur or professional sleuth, police procedural, thriller, suspense or romantic suspense, historical, private eye, noir, crime, caper, etc. I grew up reading Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt mysteries (a mix of romantic/historical suspense) and would check them out of the library as soon as they arrived, in hardback! I like a wide variety of authors and genres, but I’m highlighting some of my favorite cozy/amateur sleuth mystery writers in today’s blog. Cozies were made popular by Agatha Christie, usually contain a bloodless crime and a victim that won’t be missed. And, they are usually as much character as plot driven, especially if…
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A to Z Challenge: “H”orsing around
Horses are amazing creatures! I’ve ridden horses when I was younger in Colorado, while I was at Girl Scout camp or up in Estes Park with my aunt and cousins. I’ve mainly ridden them on trails in the mountains, which is a beautiful experience and very fulfilling, at least until the horse senses that he’s almost home and it’s feeding time. Then I usually lose all control and end up galloping to the barn, feeling lucky to stay atop said amazing creature! My fellow riding partners would be impressed with my equine prowess if it weren’t for the scared look on my face as I dismount. You may have heard…
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A to Z Challenge: “G”ood, good Father
Continuing a bit with yesterday’s post of “encouragement”, I had to share one of my favorite songs. I can be in the car, streaming WBGL at work or home and this song begins to play at the appropriate time. It warms my heart and soul. Chris Tomlin sings the version that I know but the song has a neat history behind it with its original writers. The song was written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown. Tony grew up without a dad so the only person he’s ever called father is God. I had a very loving, warm, hard-working father who had an awesome sense of humor. He loved photography…
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Oh boy…!
Life is a journey, not a destination. So is my blog. Road leading to T. C. Steele’s workshop in Brown County, Indiana. © 2013 by Diane Weidenbenner Life got the better of me and I did not finish the Blogging A to Z Challenge. There, I said it. It’s out there. I’m a loser with a capital “L”! I am also excited because the Blogging A to Z Challenge is offering a second chance, of sorts, to 1) continue visiting bloggers who participated in the original 2014 challenge and 2) finish my own challenge. Since life is a journey and not a destination, I have a second chance. So, I…
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“I”nspiration and jigsaw puzzles
Early morning sun peaking through a wooded area in Terre Haute, near Deming Park. © 2012 by Diane Weidenbenner Inspiration is one of those things that you simply can’t define, explain or control. It’s intangible. Yet, when you have inspiration, whether you are a writer, painter or other type of artist, it’s the most wonderful experience in the world. That’s what photography is like for me. When I take my camera along, I have no set expectations of what I might see or photograph. It depends on available light, the time of year, whether I have a telephoto or regular lens on the camera, and whether I’m paying attention to…
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“Z”eal
Today marks the end of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. This has been one of the best writing experiences that I’ve had in the last 10 years. I honestly have had a certain zeal to finish it. Honestly, I did back-date a few posts but I was determined to finish on time (and under budget – ha!) The dictionary describes zeal as “excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end.” Check! “A feeling of strong eagerness.” Check! “Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; ardent and active interest; engagedness, enthusiasm.” Yes on all accounts. Check! I’ve been extremely busy this month with work and I’ve also worked…
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Blogging from A to Z: Novel idea
I have written about 100 pages of a cozy mystery novel and I’m stuck. You’ve heard of writer’s block? Well, I have “self-critique block.” After I’d written the first part of my book, I began reading more about the art of novel writing. I also attended a few writers’ conferences and began following several authors I enjoy, Nancy Pickard, Diane Mott Davidson and Janet Evanovich to name a few. (When I say “follow,” I mean reading their most recent books, not out-and-out physical stalking). Everyone has an opinion, or advice, on how the best novels are written. Some authors talk about outlining and plotting. Not that the story can’t change…
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Blogging from A to Z: Coffee and creativity, best when freshly brewed
Ever notice the smell of fresh coffee beans? They smell so good, you can almost taste the deep, rich flavor without even brewing a pot. I’m fond of exotic flavors of coffee like Chocolate Raspberry, Toasted Hazelnut or Cinnamon Bun. Many times the smell of the beans is more gratifying than the actual cup of coffee, unless I add Stevia and loads of cream. This Blogging from A to Z Challenge is just that: a challenge for me to write something substantive each day in April (sans a few Sundays). When I first signed up, I had robust intentions of writing the first six blog posts and scheduling them to…
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I got my cat at Kroger’s grocery store
When we can’t get to our locally owned grocery store, my husband and I shop at Kroger’s in north Terre Haute. Kroger’s offers you a discount on gasoline, based on your monthly in-store grocery purchases. We’ve been known to save 30 or 40 cents per gallon, easy. This summer a Sister of Providence that I work with told me she saw a black and white kitten at Kroger’s gas pumps the previous night. She talked to it as she filled her tank but it became frightened and ran under a wooden pallet piled high with wood for sale. She told us this story at a meeting because she knows that…
