The Summer That Wasn't...

I'm not sure about the part of the world you've been in, but up here in Northern Ontario, it's been one long, wet and sometimes downright chilly, summer! I must say that in five years of making the trek up to the Canadian woods of Muskoka, this was
the worst weather we've experienced. We used our boat a total of five days. Great for the wallet as we didn't have to keep buying
gas, but I'm telling you, rain gets old pretty quick!
We did have the Olympics to watch, and I went through my stack of books I brought with me. Even got some writing done.
So all in all it's been a great time. As we wind down and start to look forward to home, of course the sun is shining.
It feels rather fall like however, many of the trees have already begun to change color, which is lovely to see since we don't
get that in Bermuda.
I guess it reminds me that whatever expectations you enter into a situation with, things can change.
I'm going to remember this as I make preparations to attend the ACFW conference in September, only a few weeks away.
I used to go with stars in my eyes and heart-pounding vain imaginings of what 'might' happen - I 'might' finally get an agent or a book contract. Well, chances are, unless you're something really special, you won't come away with either of those things, at least not right away. This year I think I'm going to be able to meet with two editors, since I don't need an agent appointment, but I'm really trying to just relax about the whole thing.
It's funny, since I've told people I have an agent, a common question is always, "When is your book coming out? I can't wait to read it." Would that things happened that quickly! Sadly, I have a feeling they're in for a long wait.
I can't tell you how hard it is for me to be patient. I don't think they've invented a word yet that would adequately describe the feeling. When they do, I'll let you know.
But for now, I must practice what I so often preach, stupid me, and put my writing into God's hands. That's the easy part. The hard part is leaving it there.
I'm trying. Really.
So my intention is to get through this next week, enjoy some final times with family and friends, deposit dear daughter back to university and try NOT to be a basket case this year, then it's back home to house building and all the million things on my desk before I pack up and head to Minneapolis. I'm planning to go with an open mind and accept whatever God brings my way. I look forward to seeing friends again, meeting new ones, learning a ton and fellowshiping with the neatest bunch of writers I've ever met!!
Are you going to be there? Let me know!

I'm a Guest Blogger!

Okay, the countdown is on - one more week of dealing with dial-up! Then I shall be much more diligent with my posts here.
Anyway, today I'm a guest blogger on my agent Rachelle Gardner's site.
If you have time to check it out, please do.
http://www.cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
(Sorry you'll have to copy and paste that addy as I can't get the link to work).

Ouch, Charlie!

If you have children old enough to use the Internet, you've probably been subjected to or even enjoyed the You Tube clip with the two little Brit boys, the older brother lamenting that his younger brother, Charlie, has bitten his finger.
Sticking your finger in a baby's mouth isn't advisable at the best of times folks, but apparently Charlie has some choppers. He also has a pretty sadistic little laugh for a baby of his age.
The thing I find so amazing about this four minute or less clip, is that it's almost got a cult following. Everywhere you go, someone is saying, "Ouch, Charlie, that really hurt..." in a pathetic attempt at a British accent. Go ask a few teens if they
know who Charlie is. I bet they do.
And now, what of poor Charlie and his unnamed older brother? They're pretty much labeled for life as far as I can tell, because their parents or some idiot adult thought it would be fun to post a video of these poor kids on the Internet.
Imagine in a few years when Charlie tries to get accepted into a posh nursery school. Well, they already know he bites, even seems to take pleasure in it... And his brother...well, who wants to hang out with a kid who's stupid enough to stick his finger in places fingers shouldn't go and then has the nerve to whine and cry about it?
Puhlease.
Poor kids.
I think the lesson here, if you really must find one, is don't ever let your parents post a video of you for all the world to see.
But if you have no say in the matter that's another story.
Okay, I'll narrow it down for you.
If you're old enough to take responsibility for your actions, think about the consequences of what you're about to say or do before you act.
Afterward it may be too late. You might for instance, say something about somebody that wasn't true...a harmless comment of course, but it doesn't really matter because that person won't ever know you said it. Oh yeah? Chances are, those kind of things come back to bite you. Like Charlie.
And, like his brother, if we'd only thought before we acted, we wouldn't have anything to cry about. We can save ourselves the pain, can't we?
"Charlie bit my finger..."
Yep, he did. And it was your own darn fault.