Tag: Writing

Shedding Light on the Dog Days of Summer

Welcome to the “dog days” of summer, the time of year when heat and humidity force many of us indoors. As a Floridian, I think of this season as our winter. Some of us estivate in our air-conditioned homes and only come out to buy groceries or take the trash out. That is, unless we need to walk a dog.

Until recently I associated the phrase “dog days of summer” with the time of year when dogs pant more frequently and lie down more often. Dogs feel the heat just like their humans. But instead of sweating, our furry friends cool themselves by panting. When dogs inhale and exhale rapidly, the evaporation of water allows them to cool their body from the inside out. Dog owners know that they need to supply plenty of fresh water and shade to keep their pet from overheating.

Actually the phrase “dog days of summer” has nothing to do with the habits of dogs. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the “dog days” begin in the Northern Hemisphere on July 3, and last for forty days until August 11. (Unless you live in Florida, where the “dog days” seem to last until October.)

The phrase originated with the ancient Greeks, who discovered the rise of the Sirius star in the summer. The name Sirius stems from the Greek word “Seirious,” which means scorching or glowing. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris (the Greater Dog) and is the brightest star in the night sky. The Romans nicknamed Sirius the Dog Star, which led to referring to the hottest part of the summer as the “dog days”. The phrase stuck.

The ancient Greeks and Romans thought Sirius emitted heat and contributed to the rise in temperature during the summer. The Egyptians correlated the flooding of the Nile River with the “dog days.” Sirius became a “watchdog” for this weather event. No matter how you look at it, summer ushered in a time of extreme weather conditions. The Romans saw the rise of Sirius as a bad omen, responsible for drought, disease, discomfort, and insanity. They even went so far as to sacrifice dogs in hope of appeasing the Dog Star. Excuse my pun, but might that be a hot dog?

The ancients didn’t understand that the “dog days” are caused by earth’s orbit around the Sun. Remember our general science class where we learned that the northern hemisphere receives the most direct angle of sunlight in the summer? Soon after the June twentieth summer solstice, the North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the Sun which makes our days longer and hotter. Sirius is hotter than the Sun, but it does not affect our weather because it’s further away—8.6 light years from Earth. 

Whew! I feel better knowing this uncomfortable season was not named after man’s best friend. Aren’t you thankful we live in the year 2025? During our “dog days” we can run to the comfort of air-conditioning and take Fido with us.  

Seeking A Life of Simplicity

What does it mean to simplify? Consuming natural foods? Downsizing your possessions? Saying no to those who make demands on your time? All of these actions can contribute to less stress, better health, and greater happiness.

Throughout history many writers and teachers have voiced the importance of living simply. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus (460-370 B.C.) wrote “Let your occupations be few, if you would lead a tranquil life.” Jesus taught that we should trust God and not get caught up in the busyness of life. Thoreau believed spending time in nature is the key to a life with less anxiety. By listening to all of these different voices, we can conclude that living simply is the way to find peace, happiness, and a closer relationship with God.

I’m sure we can all remember simpler times in our lives. As children, we occupied ourselves with play and our worries were few. We relied upon our parents to meet most of our needs. Later life became more complicated when we joined the workforce in order to make a living. Even so, the technological advances of the past fifty years made our jobs easier, not more difficult.

Today’s modern conveniences make it possible to spend less time on household chores compared to our parents and grandparents. One would think we would be the most contented people who ever lived. Instead many of us feel frazzled and exhausted from trying to keep up with our busy calendar. Could it be that we have too many choices to make regarding how to spend our free time?

When I retired from teaching I felt unmoored. I needed to do something meaningful to fill my day. Once I expressed my feelings to a friend. He said, “There are many things you could do, but only pursue one thing.” At the time I’m not sure he was aware of the significance of his words. His suggestion opened my eyes to the truth about myself. I wanted to write, and I’ve been writing ever since. Hence, the founding of this blog in 2016.

Now I live in a retirement community and I am surprised at the schedule of activities which are offered. We have fitness classes, trips, chef’s demos, lectures, drop-in-bridge, ice cream socials, and shuffleboard! Yet, here I am— sitting at my laptop, banging on the keys.

But I am as happy as a clam because I’ve said yes to the “one thing.”

If you feel pulled in many directions and can’t seem to find a moment’s peace, stop and ask yourself, “How can I best spend my time in a way that brings purpose to my life and also encourages others?”

Then start doing it!

Be An Overcomer

Don’t allow your obstacles to loom larger than your goals.

Like many writers, my motivation ebbs and flows according to my mood. When I feel a lack of drive to persevere in my craft, I like to read historical fiction novels which include characters who overcame challenges.

I am on my third reading of A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith. The main character, Tobias MacIvey, is a failed Georgia sharecropper who moved to the Florida scrub with his wife Emma and their young son Zech in 1858. The family lived in a lean-to made of pine limbs and palmetto thatch for a year until Tobias finished building their cabin.

Since wild animals were plentiful, Tobias managed to feed his family by hunting. When shotgun shells became scarce due to the Civil War, the MacIvey’s were desperate for food and money. Wild cattle freely roamed the state ever since the Spanish brought them to Florida. When Tobias learned of the demand for cattle in Cuba, he became a Florida cowboy, a.k.a. “cracker.” He rode a horse and cracked a whip to direct the cattle into a corral where he branded them. After branding hundreds of cattle, he hired a couple of men to help him drive the herd to Punta Rassa where the animals could be sold and shipped to Cuba.

Tobias lived in the Kissimmee area and didn’t really know how to reach Punta Rassa. Imagine no roads, no maps and no GPS! The location of the sun, rivers, and lakes provided signs of direction. Once he had to backtrack around a swamp filled with hungry alligators. The trip was full of dangers including violent storms and fierce wolves.

My favorite part of the story is the night before Tobias delivers the cattle to be sold. He felt as if all the work he had done was hanging by a thread and suspended in time. He stayed up all night wondering if he would find a buyer. What would happen if he didn’t?

Reading about Tobias reminds me of my own experience trying to overcome the challenges associated with writing and publishing.  Like most writers, my initial experiences with the world of publishing were difficult. My first book, Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street, was initially written as a rhyming picture book. The manuscript was rejected because the editors I talked with were looking for children’s chapter books instead. So I wrote a manuscript for a children’s chapter book. When I pitched the chapter book to an agent, I was turned down by someone who said, “Clearly you know how to write, but nobody wants to read about dogs.”

I put the book aside for a year until the next Florida Christian Writer’s Conference came around. This time I had an appointment with Deb Haggerty of Elk Lake Publishing. The morning of the appointment I paced my hotel room dreading the meeting. I honestly couldn’t take one more rejection. Like Tobias I felt suspended in time. I wondered if I could land a contract. What would happen if I didn’t? Should I quit writing?

God met me that morning. The Holy Spirit entered my thoughts with his still small voice. This time he said, “Do you trust me?”

“Yes, Lord. I trust you.”

That blessing was all I needed to give me the courage to meet with Deb. I think you already know the outcome of that meeting. Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street came under contract with Elk Lake and I became an author.

Henry Ford once said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”  As writers, the obstacles standing before us are not life-threatening. But the motivation to continue to work can disappear if we allow our obstacles to loom larger than our goals. The worst thing a writer can ever do is to stop trying. Your break-through might be just around the corner. Remember God’s timing is never too late.

An Uninvited Specimen

Poetry inspired by a visit to Zoo Miami.

I am a green iguana

Roaming at the zoo

Unattended feeding troughs

Are my dream come true.

When elephants are busy

I climb up a tree

Drop into their habitat

To munch on all I see.

I watch where I am going

Quick to get-a-way

When keepers try to catch me

I live another day.

If temperatures are chilly

Cover up your head

Watch out for falling reptiles

That look like they are dead.

I traveled here from Cuba

Onboard a cargo ship

I’ve found food and freedom

Miami’s really hip!

Tourists stare at animals

Confined within a space

But they look twice when they see me

Marching place to place.

Are You Viewing the Canyon From the Rim?

Several years ago my husband asked me to join him for a two-day guided mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. At first, I hesitated to give him an answer. I have no riding skills and I’m fearful of heights.

Even so, I began to entertain his suggestion. I’ve always wanted the experience of of being inside the canyon, instead of standing at the rim, so I agreed to go. Once he made our flight arrangements, there was no turning back. In the meantime, I focused on trying to think positive thoughts about what might await us.

Have you ever allowed fear to stop you from experiencing more in life? A few weeks ago one of my friends commented she wants to write more, but is fearful her work will be rejected by others. She avoids writing by busying herself with other activities until she no longer has time available. Her fear has become a source of self-protection. I appreciate her honesty. The first step to overcoming fear is acknowledging it.

I will never forget something I heard author Tosca Lee say at a conference. “Write like no one will see this.” Her advice helped me chase away fear and give myself permission to create. I believe we need to banish the self-critic in order to let our thoughts flow onto paper. Until we engage in our art, we will not move forward.

Maybe what you write will only be read by you. Perhaps it will be shared with close friends or family. Not all of our creative works are worthy of publication. Rejection goes with the territory, whether it be from an editor, a friend, or a spouse. Sometimes my husband proofs my work and says, “I’m not getting this.” Then I know I haven’t made myself clear. Time for another revision. Rejection can make us better writers.

Accept the reality that there are people who can write better than you. Comparing ourselves to others chokes our creativity. Our culture demands instant success. But how do people achieve success? First they decide to start. Then they decide to continue. Most marathon runners begin by competing in a 5K. Slowly, they continue to build their stamina by participating in longer races.

We can receive encouragement from Scripture when facing fearful situations. One of my “go to” verses is Proverbs 29:25. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Just like a snare traps a small animal, fear traps us from pursuing our dreams. Pray for courage to throw off fear and trust God to take you where He wants you to go.

When I first descended into the Grand Canyon, I was afraid to look to the right or left of the trail. I kept my focus straight ahead on Olga, my mule. I realized she had traveled the path many times before. As Olga continued to steadily plod along, I began to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape around me.

Ask yourself what really matters in life. Are you content to stay in your comfort zone, or is it time to stop viewing the canyon from the rim?

Lessons from Lake Louisa State Park

Change is a fact of life, and everyone experiences loss. With that said, I will tell you my story. For several years during the fall and winter months Herb and I camped in Florida’s State Parks. We pulled a Viking camper with our Grand Cherokee, and always took Buddy, our beagle along.

In 2022 the jeep started having mechanical problems, which seemed impossible for any mechanic to diagnose. Herb didn’t think it would be safe to pull the camper, so we decided to sell it and the jeep, and buy a new SUV.

Since then, I’ve really missed going camping, especially when the temperatures drop in the fall. One day I remembered some of the parks have cabins for rent. The cabins have a “no pet policy,” so we hadn’t entertained the idea until now. Sadly, Buddy is no longer with us—which had the effect of plunging me into a no writing zone for the last two months.

When I discovered a cabin was available at Lake Louisa State Park, I booked it. The park is located only thirty miles west of Orlando.

Our cabin included a large living room, and a full kitchen. Everything was clean and comfortable. I could sit on the front porch overlooking the lake and write. What a delight to see the sun’s rays glisten upon every blade and leaf. I loved hearing squirrels chatter in a nearby tree, and birds squawk in the grass below me. What a gift to be in God’s creation again!

This was a different trip, without a camper or a dog, but it taught me God has the power to redeem my losses. I am reminded of the story of Naomi in the Old Testament. While living in a foreign land called Moab, Naomi had lost her husband, and both of her sons. She decided to return back home to Bethlehem. Although her daughter-in-law, Ruth, was a Moabite, she insisted on going with Naomi. Ruth denied her own culture when she said, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 NIV)

After Ruth arrived in Judah, she met and later married Boaz, who was one of Naomi’s in-laws. Boaz and Ruth conceived a child and blessed Naomi with a grandson, Obed. He became the father of Jesse, who became the father of King David.

Yes, God has a way of redeeming our losses and turning sadness into joy. As Herb and I hiked the trails in the park and relaxed around the campfire at night, I felt renewed in my spirit. The great outdoors is always there, and I felt so good to be in it again.

Take heart reader, if you are living with a loss, God will restore your joy in his timing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

God’s Timing

“Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him.” (Genesis 21:5)

When specific verses of the Bible seem to jump off the page, I feel like God wants me to pay attention. It’s almost as if He is speaking to me directly. Genesis 21:5 can be taken two ways. On  the surface, Abraham waited a long time for his wife to give birth to their promised child. On a deeper level, Abraham lived long enough to see God’s purpose for his life become reality.

Some people think once we reach our retirement years, our best days are behind us. I retired from teaching at age 60 and published my first book at 66. I’m a firm believer God’s timing is never too late! But sometimes our creative projects remain on the back burner for years.

I’ve had a picture book idea, Manatee School, in various stages of development for ten years. I’d bring the manuscript out—toss around the words, and make more revisions than I can count. In 2015 I pitched Manatee School to several editors, only to be turned down because they were looking for other genres. Eventually I rewrote the rhyming picture book into a Clubhouse Junior Magazine nonfiction article, Counting Manatees. Last year I entered my Manatee School  picture book manuscript in the 2023 Florida Tapestry Awards and won honorable mention.

Since then, the idea of publishing another book filled me with dread. I did not want to experience any more rejections, nor did I want the stress which accompanies launching another book.  That was until God spoke to me through Abraham’s story.

Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born. Biblical research shares that the “waiting” period was necessary to test Abraham’s and Sarah’s faith. When Abraham was 75, God promised him that his descendants would be a great nation. At that time Sarah was in her sixties and barren. She was well beyond child-bearing age, and laughed at the thought of being a mother.

After ten more years of waiting, Sarah decided to speed up God’s timing by making her own plan. She encouraged Abraham to sleep with her Egyptian servant, Haggai, who conceived Ishmael. But Ishmael was not the child God had promised Abraham.

When Sarah rushed ahead with her own plans, God could see the couple’s faith had not grown enough to warrant His miracle child, the one to be the carrier of the covenant. So He added another fifteen years to Sarah’s barrenness. God did not doubt himself or his promise. He knew His words would come to pass in His timing. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 (NASB)

God had a timeline which involved Abraham and Sarah fully trusting in Him rather than relying on human possibilities. Their faith is noted in Hebrews 11:12, “And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” God wants everyone to know He is still in the miracle working business!

God sees the big picture of my life, and Manatee School is my promised child.  Like Abraham and Sarah, I have experienced a delay. Perhaps God is waiting for me to be more faithful to the work. Maybe He wants me to add something to the story to make it more relatable to children. The day after I read about Abraham and Sarah, I wrote new characters (a child and her grandfather) into the plot. I have a feeling God has not “closed the book” regarding the publication of Manatee School. Remembering Abraham helps me trust God’s timing.

If you are in the waiting stage of finishing a creative work, don’t lose sight of the finish line. Pray and ask God if you need to make any changes. Trust Him to give you the ideas and discipline you need to bring your project to fulfillment.

Poetry 101

Take yourself to a comfortable place

One without pain, loneliness, or suffering.

A quiet place

Far from the stress of living.

Center yourself

Between the future and the past

In a time called today.

Experience the gentleness of the moment

Nothing is owed,

No obligations or responsibilities.

You are riding on the crest of a wave

Carried by God’s will and no other.

In this space you discover

How to visualize.

Words fall onto the page like raindrops

One at a time

Until the deluge

All of a sudden—

the page is drenched,

and a poem is born.

Silence

Silence can mean many things

Appropriate in an elevator,

But deafening after a quarrel

Maybe we are fearful to speak

Or have nothing to say,

The truth is some thoughts

Are better left unsaid.

We avoid silence,

Yet travel miles to pursue it

God is a friend to silence*

Be still and listen.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. —Mother Teresa

Bees, Busyness, and the Bible

“Hello, how are you?”

“Busier than I’d like to be.”

Is this your response when you meet a friend? Everyone’s busy. In fact, our culture becomes busier every day. We’ve become a nation of multitaskers who find it difficult to wait at a stoplight without looking at our phones.

I have been busy for most of my life. Mastering the ability to multitask helped me survive the demands of my day. As an elementary teacher, I became a pro at taking attendance, listening to morning announcements, and monitoring the students simultaneously. When I arrived home from work, I helped my kids with their homework while preparing dinner. On Sunday mornings, after I sang with the worship team, I raced to help with children’s church. Sadly, I had linked my self-importance to my level of activity. The thought of too many blank spaces on my calendar made me feel unneeded. I was beyond busy…and eventually I burned out.

Retirement ushered in a major lifestyle change for me. After considering several creative interests, I decided to pursue one hobby—writing. I also decided to cut back on my volunteer work. In this season of my life, my old self tries to make me feel guilty about how happy I am.

Is all busyness bad?

Bees are busy. They work all day flitting from flower to flower collecting pollen in order to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. I’ve never seen a stressed out bee. Like the bees, each one of us has God-given talents which He purposed for us to use. When we stray from our destiny, we flounder.

“The busyness that’s bad is not the busyness of work, but the business that works hard at the wrong things.”

—Kevin DeYoung, author of Crazy Busy.

In addition to working hard at the wrong thing, we can work for the wrong reason. In my case, compliments from others about “what a good job I was doing” encouraged me to work harder, and take on my more responsibilities. I was trying to please man more than God.

A familiar story comes to mind from Scripture. Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. Upon his arrival, Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” She complained about Mary not helping her.

Jesus answered, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41,42 (NIV)

Was Martha working hard at the wrong thing? Was she working for the wrong reason? Either way, Martha had not chosen what Jesus thought was best. She busied herself with what she thought was important, instead of asking Jesus what he might want her to do. As a result, she became stressed out and resented her sister.

Have you noticed when we involve ourselves in God’s plan for our lives, we are happier, and more at peace? Work becomes a joy. Is that why the bees seem so content, buzzing while they work?

I confess I have not completely overcome my struggle with busyness. I want to tune into God’s plan and act upon the “one thing” which is needed instead of multitasking. How about you?