Oh, where, oh, where have my little girls gone?

I'm going to return to the blogosphere in force shortly. In the meantime, I'll leave you with this:
I was searching for my girls to tell them it was time to do chores when I found them like this. I'm a sucker for girls reading and they know it. They got five more minutes.

Here we come a caroling

I'm totally stealing this blog post idea from Lisa, but I decided not to clog up her comments with any more links and just post them here! She talked about favorite Christmas carols yesterday, and of course I was off and running. So, here's a bit of drive-by caroling for you. It's a little scattered, but isn't that kind of how life is at the moment?

I mentioned hearing "Noel Nouvelet" at Gail's son's high school concert Tuesday night and the memories it brought back of junior French class. We learned carols in French then had a French caroling party, which ended up at one of the student's homes for hot apple cider and holiday treats. I was extremely shy in junior high and high school, and this is one of my best school memories ever. I felt comfortable participating in this activity whereas I was normally terrified of going to activities away from school with classmates. I felt a part of it, included, and it's a warm memory indeed.

I got to thinking about these beautiful songs, and I entered the youtube video spiderweb. Because you know it's like a spiderweb--once you climb in, it's hard to climb back out.

I remembered another one we sang--"Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabelle!"--and found this lovely harp guitar performance. (I'm not sure I've heard of a harp guitar before. Looks like it was built in 1915. What a beautiful instrument!)

I can't hear this song anywhere, ever, without getting little chills.

Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle
Un flambeau, courons au berceau.
C'est Jesus, bonnes gens du hameau,
Le Christ est ne,
Marie appelle
Ah! Ah! Que la mere est belle
Ah! Ah! Que l'Enfant est beau.



Let's see how well my retention of the four years of French class is:

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabelle
Bring a torch, come see what is here.
It's Jesus, good people of this village
Christ is born
Mary is calling
Ah! Ah! How beautiful is the mother,
Ah! Ah! How beautiful is the baby.

And now for the official translation. Huh, not bad!:

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run
Christ is born,tell the folk of the village
Jesus is sleeping in His cradle
Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother
Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son

That was fun. There's are more verses, but I'll let you look those up yourself.

Here's a performance of "Noel Nouvelet." I don't recognize this group (Anuna?), but they remind me of Celtic Woman. This is the way we sang it. Solemnly, that is--not that we looked this good. :) Some versions are more upbeat.



And for a recent favorite, "If it wasn't for the Night," from my favorite singer/songwriter, David Wilcox. I couldn't locate a video or song play, but you can link to the full lyrics here. Here's just a peek.

... Even then somehow in the bitter wind and cold
Impossibly strong I know
Even then a bloom as tender as a rose
Was breaking through the snow
In the dark night of the soul
In the dark night of the soul

If it wasn't for the babe
Lying helpless on the straw
There would be no Christmas day
And the night would just go on ...

Last year, my brother sent us a recording of my five-year-old nephew singing a Chanukah song, over and over and over and over ... until finally, you hear my brother whisper in the background, and he quits. Cutest thing ever.

Chanukah, with what do we celebrate? With gifts and games and candles bright!
Chanukah, ohhhhhh, what a miracle! Only enough oil for just. one. night!

The world "oh" got longer each time, as well as the definition between just, one, and night. (Couldn't find the specific lyrics, so this might be a slight paraphrase.)

Thanks for taking a stroll with me. I hope you're hearing (and yes, singing along) with all your holiday favorites, too.

Tag, you're it, and warm wishes for a very happy Christmas, Chanukah, or whatever you happen to celebrate in your neck of the woods!

Are you my mother?

In need of a good laugh?
Go read my post over at my family blog.

In a word, I'm still not from around here

My friend is reading my manuscript and we talked about it for an hour or so this afternoon. She paged through and mentioned things she'd noted, such as specific words that didn't work for her.

I grew up all around the country (and no, I wasn't a military brat--it was worse, I was a "PK," or preacher's kid). I learned and relearned slang and other vocabulary each time I moved, as well as changed my wardrobe to suit the bratty kids who teased me about my clothing, too.

When I came to Texas from Colorado to go to college, I had to learn to drop the g's from -ing verbs, because people laughed hysterically at my roommate and me when we were speakin' so formally. (She was from Denver, too.)

I learned to say y'all instead of you guys (but NEVER yous guys!!) as often as I could, although you guys has come into fashion even in the South finally, and I probably say it more often than y'all these days once again. I learned to say cokes instead of pop, and I am forever fixin' to do something rather than getting ready to, of course.

When I moved from Texas to Alabama for a couple of years, I learned that the plural of y'all is all y'all. I learned that when people called my two-year-old daughter groany they were really saying growny and that she was "You know, 'grown up' actin'," and not whiny. And that when she was ill, she was whiny, not sick, and didn't need tylenol for that. I was about ready to turn a lady in to child protective services when I asked what was wrong with her daughter, who had her head down and was covering her face, and she kept telling me, "Oh, nothin', she's just ill," but didn't seem interested in doing anything about it.

Anyway(s), you get the picture.

So, today, I learned I've been saying something all these years in Texas that nobody else says, and nobody has ever bothered to let me know until today.

Gail: I don't think a child from Texas would say "tennies." I didn't really know what you meant at first.
Julie: Huh? Tennies? You've never heard that?
Gail: Well, only from you. I think that might be a Colorado thing or something.
Julie: No way. Girls?! Come here (calling to daughters). What do you and your friends call your tennis shoes?
Girls: Tennis shoes? Maybe sneakers? Gym shoes? Athletic shoes?
Julie: Am I the only one in Texas who says "tennies"?
Girls: Yes. Except us, because sometimes we say it to you.

Oh. my. goodness. I had no idea.

But look. It is right here.

More than 20 years in Texas, and nobody ever set me straight until today.

From the trenches

We're in the midst of Texas tornado season. When it's tornado season in Texas, you've gotta be prepared, right?

I have this little O/C routine when the television radar says bad weather is approaching. You can't miss it--it's like a national crisis. All the tv stations go to special weather reports. Usually, the radio stations igore it, though. I haven't figured that out. Oh, and the sirens don't always sound, as I've mentioned. Perhaps the always elusive "they" figure the world is glued to American Idol, anyway, so other warning systems are irrelevant.

Wednesday night, we got the radar reports and I started my routine. I am convinced if I follow it to the letter, the bad weather will pass, leaving us unscathed. So far, it's worked, so I say it's a good routine, even if my husband thinks I'm a little off.

Here's how it works. I fill a small laundry basket with the things I would miss most if my house fell down around me. Into the basket goes my laptop computer and charger, my external hard drive with old files and photos, my purse with my i.d., cards, and cell phone, my old cell phone that functions like a tiny flashlight, and, of course, my wedding and honeymoon albums.

I place the basket in the floor of the laundry room. (The amount of faith I put in the laundry room is nothing to be sneezed at. If it's in the laundry room, it will be fine, okay?) I have an additional plastic tub full of other family pictures, and it slides in beside the laundry basket. If these things survive, along with my husband and children, all will be well. Nearly everything else can be replaced.

Well, this year, I've started adding additional items to the basket as time allows. I mean, if you've got 20 minutes until the storm arrives, why not add a pair of tennies? Socks? Favorite pillow. Water bottle. All practical stuff, right?

When the warnings pass, I unpack everything, and life goes on. If the weather is iffy for the next day or so, I'll sometimes leave the things I don't immediately need in the basket. Takes less energy to pack the next time.

So, we had that kind of night Wednesday. Todd was out of town, and we talked on the phone about how everything had calmed down again, but the rest of the week was sketchy. I went back to my regularly programmed computer surfing and eventually headed for bed. I usually read for a while before I go to sleep, but couldn't remember where I'd put my books.

I'd taken them along to the girls' piano lessons earlier that afternoon, and thought I remembered bringing them in the house along with the fast food we always get when Todd's out of town. Alas, they weren't in the usual spots I drop things.

Oh, well, I thought, I'll get them out of the car tomorrow.

I grabbed another book (after all, I'm reading about 30) and read it instead.

Yesterday, I never made it to my car. Didn't have carpool duty at any time of the day for a change, so never emerged from the house. Late last night, I wanted to read again, and was so frustrated with myself for waiting until it was too dark and creepy outside again to check the car.

Oh, well, I thought, I'll get them out of the car tomorrow.

A few minutes later, I was distracted by other things, but walked by my little emergency laundry basket. Huh, I thought. I had never unpacked the extras. Tennies ... socks ... hard drive ... bottle of water ... yep ... all there. And ...

Pat Conroy's Beach Music. Donald Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel.

I would like to flatter these two men by saying theirs are the two most important books in my life. Unfortunately, it would be a lie. What it boils down to is I get bored sitting anywhere with nothing to do. I always take a book. I guess in my reasoning the other night, I figured if the house fell down around us, I'd be happy to have the two books I was most engrossed in while we were sitting in a shelter.

Or maybe if the tornado was only an F1 or F2, I'd read until it was over.

Need a good laugh?

You have to go look at the picture on Diane Chamberlain's latest blog post. I laughed out loud. Really. Don't click on that link if it is necessary for you to be quiet at this moment.

I think this is how all writers must feel when they've been spending a little too much time with the computer.

Ho Hum

Because I have nothing more exciting to report, I thought I'd play another fun game. I found the link to this one on Gayle Brandeis's blog, which I came across by chance yesterday. I haven't read anything by her yet, but I believe I will add her new book, Self Storage, to the TBR pile!

What Punctuation Mark Are You? I am ... a question mark!

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning. And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong. You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more. You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises. Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking. (But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!) You excel in: Higher education You get along best with: The Comma

This sounds about right, I think. I did excel in higher education--let's hope I excel in the real world, too! Preferably in publishing ...

Oh, it *is* snowing here in Texas, which seems to be big news, as always! Also, I'm getting good work done on revisions, so that's exciting for me.

Miss Cul lives on, and I survived as well

Thanks to Heather, I had to do a little research. If you read my last post, you might get a chuckle out of this news story about Miss Cul (pictured at right, as if you couldn't guess!). She is certainly a legend at HSU. Turns out she will be 88 this year, and is still quite alive. She was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2003, at the age of 83.

The skit went okay. It was verrry awkward while we were practicing and getting set up, but the final video was entertaining. The thing that sucks is when I look in the mirror, I do NOT see that extra 30 pounds. How does that work??? In my mirror, I also still look 25.

Who am I?

Well, according to these fun little personality tests . . . (highly recommended by Therese)

Your Superpower Should Be Invisibility

You are stealth, complex, and creative. You never face problems head on. Instead, you rely on your craftiness to get your way. A mystery to others, you thrive on being a little misunderstood. You happily work behind the scenes... because there's nothing better than a sneak attack! Why you would be a good superhero: You're so sly, no one would notice... not even your best friends Your biggest problem as a superhero: Missing out on all of the glory that visible superheroes get

What Should Your Superpower Be?

That sounds about right. Now, what kind of puppy . . .

You Are a Chow Puppy

Don't fence me in! You're an independent spirit that won't be tied down.

What Breed of Puppy Are You?

This was funny. No matter how many times I changed the answers to my "other gut feeling" I was still a chow. And I don't really like chows. One bit my son in the butt when he was 2. :-) And now, thinking about the description, I guess it's right. I didn't want to be tied down to being a chow. Heh.

Thinks to thought about

I like Elizabeth Berg's article about her New Year's resolution. It reminded me of my own resolution to spend less time on the computer at night and more time reading actual books, only she said it a heck of a lot better. When I read something like this--her description of the way a book feels and smells--it reminds me of the reasons I don't think paper books will go away any time soon.

I just surveyed my 10-year-old, who claims lately not even to be that excited about reading, yet has a Nintendo DS Lite (Crimson!!) as an extra appendage, whether it seemed more exciting to read a book on a small handheld computer screen where she could flip pages with buttons or to hold a read book, and with no hesitation she said a real book. She couldn't exactly tell me why, except to say she just liked having it right there with her, and anyway, the screen would probably give her a headache. I asked if she liked the way a real book felt and smelled and she looked a little embarrassed when she said, "Yes."

I gave her the thumbs up.

I liked the reminder that purchasing a book costs less than going to the ballet or a hockey game, for instance, or for me, sometimes less than a movie ticket, and certainly less than most concert tickets, but we hesitate to spend this money for some reason. Like she said, reading a book takes more time, too, and can be passed around to others freely. What a deal!

For the record, I'm typing this on my new computer! I think I've finally made the transition from the Velveteen Hoss to S!N!T! (Shiny New Thang).

I'm making very little progress on my own resolutions so far, but very little is better than none at all, right?

Because I have no news of my own

Oh, my favorite author bloggers are full of fun today! Because I have nothing of interest to report about myself, I'm referring you over to them.

Sara Lewis is about as crazy for Bruce Springsteen as I am for David Wilcox apparently (and lately Glenn Hansard/Marketa Irglova).

Joshilyn Jackson is the hostess with the mostest when it comes to her animals and her antics.

Jacquelyn Mitchard is just a smart lady, and that's all there is to it.

So, go read about their exciting lives today, and I betcha you'll smile, laugh out loud, and nod, just like I did. (And maybe even blush a little on Sara's behalf. Too bad someone didn't have a hidden camera aimed at her. Tee hee!!)

So wrong

No, I'm not going to get on a soapbox. That's my other blog.

I was just going to say that I was so wrong about Oprah's pick. I could hear the strains of Oprah's and Elizabeth Gilbert's voices coming from my mother's room this afternoon, so as I am prone to do on occasion, I picked up the remote while I was working and selected the channel simply by listening for the matching sounds. (Because I have no idea what channels things are on, having come to watching much TV only in the last few years since I got hooked on a few evening shows.)

Anyway, I knew Oprah was announcing her latest pick today, and even though I had already cheated when I saw the news link on Yahoo, I wanted to tune in for a minute to rub a little salt in my wounds.

Yeah, yeah, so it's Love in the time of Cholera (Gabriel Garcia Marquez). That old thing. JUST KIDDING! It actually looks like an interesting book, and I will probably seek a copy. I just thought Memoirs of a Geisha would have made a good pick, too.

And in case you're wondering what all this has to do with my "writing journey," really nothing. Well, unless you count reading a-lot-a-lot of books as part of my education, which indeed, I do. But, really, I'm just trying to distract you. I'm not writing much right now because I'm working many hours and expending most of my brain power on delivering a beautifully edited and put together academic journal to the printer for my contract customer.

Me and this local coffee shop, America's Best Coffee, have become quite close in recent weeks. My friend and co-worker Gail and I show up there at our respective regular times most days and buy enough drinks and sandwiches to earn our free wireless privileges, and work, work, work at our favorite table in the corner by the window, sometimes for 6 or 8 hours at a time. It is the best place ever, and I'm starting to feel like one of those people in movies and on TV who are "regulars." They even know my name. Well, maybe it's because it's written on my frequent sandwich and drink buyer cards. But still. (A girl can dream.)

Soon ... very soon ... I will be back to my regularly scheduled programming, but I think I might still use ABC as my office several days a week.

... but NOT what he said.

A writer for The View?

Jacquelyn Mitchard has written a funny (yet very well put) poem on her blog about selecting an author to take Rosie's place on The View. (I think it's Rosie anyway...I can't keep up with those ladies.) She conveniently elects herself.

She might be on to something! I'd give her my vote.

Artist's date

Yesterday morning, I snapped some pictures of the flowers in my front yard after I took Kristen to school. They still had dew on the petals and leaves and were so pretty! I was going to double post here and on my regular blog, but after the layout nightmare I had getting them on my other one, I think I'll just link to the post and pictures here, and leave you with only my favorite shot on this page.

It was a nice jolt of inspiration to start the day and a calm oasis in an otherwise hectic week.

Guest blogger

I have a guest blogger today. My daughter told me I could post her school essay today if I typed it up and printed it out for her. I thought she had a lot of good advice and most of it could apply to growups, too!

If you are a third grader, and you are reading this, pay close attintion.
(this could help you)

When your going into fourth grade it can be a little tricky. So i am going to give you some pointers on how to have a successul year.

Do your best to try to get work done, Because if you don't, you will have to skip resses in study hall, and you will not get to talk and play with your friends.

Try to have fun or the year will go really slow. Havving fun will also make things alot easier. You will not take so long on things that are not fun if you Just Make them fun.

Follow all directions so you don't get in troble and so you don't get a sign.

Work very hard to pass on evrey paper. If you pass on pappers you have a chance to pass fourth grade.

Things to think about durring the summer like math facts help you not forget them, so you don't get lost durring a fourth grade math lesson.

You might want to know what homework you have for the night! So I would strongly suggest to make a list at home for the homework every night.

In fourth grade you will learn alot of new things, so you might want to keep your ears and eyes open and your mouth shut!!

I'm going to try to remember the part about Having Fun, and getting my work done so I can talk and play with my friends.

Brush up on your publishing terms

Thanks to my co-worker, Teri, for providing a hearty laugh in the name of "research" for the academic journal we edit.

Tom's Glossary of Book Publishing Terms

It's scary how many of them ring close to truth.