What I'm giving for Christmas--ADVICE!

Yes, I'm giving advice for Christmas. Here it is, in handy-dandy list form in case you want to print it out and take it with you.

1. If you're a singer and you feel the need to record a Christmas carol, please remember this: Rarely does a well-known melody benefit from being slowed down (I just heard "Sleigh Ride" sung so slowly it was almost a lullaby--I'm sure the horses pulling that sleigh are sound asleep) or with variations on the rhythms that make the song just silly ("Jinnnnnnngle bells, jinnnnnnnnngle bells, jinnnnnnnngle allllll the way-ay-ay-ay"). If in doubt, ask me. I'll tell you.

2. If you really feel you're smarter than anybody else, keep it to yourself. I've had another encounter with Miss Snip, who's once again been dismissively rude to me. Honey, all God's children are equal! I'll just attribute it to the fact that you're half as old as I am--and half as nice. This time of year, we all ought to have on our Christmas spirit as if it were a sequin-sparkled sweater, right out there where everyone can see it. After Christmas, put the sweater away and keep the spirit out.

3. Think before you speak. Think before you email. Think before you act. Hey, in general, just think! That's actually going back on my own resolution list for the New Year.

4. Shop early. Mail early. Thus says the woman who spent over $60 to send one package out.

5. Write stuff down. This is good if you have a memory as flaky as a fresh-baked croissant (like moi) or if you're a writer (like moi). Those books don't write themselves.

6. Keep your promises. I mean, seriously. Do it. That includes anything from saying I'll be there at 5:00--and showing up at 5:00, not 5:15 (Note to self: Put on resolution list!) to signing book contracts with deadlines (Ditto on the resolution list thing).

7. Compliments should come faster than criticisms.

8. Love your family, your friends, your pets. They are your treasure, your chance at heaven on earth.

9. Laughter and a smile--every day.

10. Say your prayers.

Have a merry Christmas!

Baby, it's COLD outside!

I was in Massachusetts this weekend, and everywhere I went, people asked about the weather here. Apparently there was a little matter of a blizzard, and talk of temperatures that bottomed out at 27 below zero, without factoring in the wind chill. I suppose when it's 27 below as the absolute temperature, well, you're already cold.

I've given in and dug out some mittens. I'm like a little kid--I hate mittens and hats and shoes and mufflers and take them off as soon as I can--but there are times when even I have to give in to the weather. Fortunately I got a new scarf in Paris that's keeping me warm. And mittens that make me smile every time I put them on. When I bought them, the sales clerk told me that an old woman in Wisconsin knitted each pair by hand. Got them home, read the tag inside, and gee, you never know what you'll learn by reading the tag in your mittens. I didn't know there was a Nepal, Wisconsin!

But that's what the tag says: Made in Nepal.

Stay warm! And keep your mittens on.

Ah, Paris!

I have a wonderful excuse for not posting recently--I went to Paris! My good friend Lila and I went, and we stayed in a friend's flat in the Rive Gauche (Left Bank), only a block from the famous Cafe Les Deux Magots. I never realized how much I would love Paris. Actually, PARIS and LOVE are linked--and I think I know why.

The people were incredible. They were kind and lovely and gracious. I felt like my French with the flat midwestern accent must be painful to them, but they were helpful and encouraged me to try more.

And that's the first reason Paris and Love go together. Love is encouraging.

People walk together there. Mothers and daughters walk with arms looped. Young schoolchildren hold hands. Adults kiss--a kiss on each cheek upon meeting, perhaps, or the lingering kiss of lovers that never exceeds the bonds of good taste. Love is accepting, Love is near, Love reaches out and touches. Love isn't timid.

We noticed older couples strolling, arm in arm, and Lila pointed out that they listen to each other. Their eyes meet and hold during a conversation. It is truly give and take. Love listens.

The parents we saw with their children were wonderful. Their laughter, their delight in their children, was clear. We viewed parents who truly treasured their children. Love is respectful.

Our last night in Paris, we had just settled in at a favorite restaurant--on a very busy Saturday night--when we realized we'd forgotten to bring money (details, details) so we popped up to go back to the flat and get it. The waiter stopped us and asked us if we were coming back. I said I didn't know and he said.... (Get ready to drool, this is GOOD!)

You will return. If not tonight, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then next week. If not next week, then next month, but you will return.

That said it all. I will be back.
Love returns.

I voted!

I didn't put this on my list below, but I should have, since as much as I love to make lists, I love crossing things out on them even more.

Add this, please:

8. Vote.

Now, look at it:

8. Vote.

YEA! I voted early. My chickadee voted in her first presidential election, right next to me. How cool is that?'

And also very cool is this: As we left, I noticed that most of the people in line were new voters, young and caring. I wanted to go up to each and every one of them and say, Welcome! This is one of the things about being a grown-up that carries a great deal of responsibility--and which will always make you feel good. You have a place in the US, and it starts right here, at the ballot box. Choose wisely. I am so glad to see that you care. It's a beautiful fall day, and yet you opted to come inside and vote. The future is in your hands--and it starts today.

I love this.

To-do list

This is one of those weeks when I have a gazillion things to do, and for some reason, there are no extra hours in the day, and no extra days in the week! How fair is that? Pfffft.

I love lists. Allow me to make one. This is: TO DO THIS WEEK.

1. Finish going through the stuff that's been tucked aside for lo these many years. Take to Goodwill or the library or the garbage can as needed. I actually do enjoy doing this--but I'm always interrupted just as I get some momentum going. We have a joke in my family, that every time I go into the basement the phone (which is upstairs) will ring--and I never get there in time.

2. Once I have all these lovely open spaces, they'll probably need to be cleaned. I like that part.

3. Laundry Mountain needs to become Laundry Hill, or preferably Laundry Plains.

4. I really need new shoes. It snowed last night and my sandals aren't...well, they just aren't. Oh, my toes hate being encased in shoes. I need to get some comfy and snappy-looking shoes.

5. I HAVE TO REVISE MY BOOK! I really love revisions, I do, I do, I do. I'm looking forward to a revisionfest. I'm not the kind who can spread it out over a couple of weeks. I have to sit down and do it.

6. Oh yeah, there's my job. Lots and lots and lots to do there, too.

7. Tell my kids again and again how much I love them.

Okay, time to get going! How's YOUR week shaping up?

Streets paved with gold

In typical Northern fashion, we've plunged headfirst into fall and don't we look nice. Today I was driving down a small residential street, and the trees arched overhead to form a canopy--a canopy of gold leaves that cascaded down on my car. The streets and lawns were covered with this gold, and as I looked at our Creator's majesty, I couldn't help but think: Wow, this looks just like the Windows wallpaper!

Yes, folks, this is why I'm a writer. Honestly. Sometimes I embarrass myself.

Anyway, it was raining and, for once, I was glad of it. People weren't out with their noisy lawn machines (blowers, mowers, and mulchers--it's amazing how much gas we'll use to control nature), sucking up every bit of this beautiful scene. Just for a while, it was nice to see the streets paved with gold--on earth, thankyouverymuch. And the only sound? The sound of wet leaves hitting the car. Lovely.

My son and I had a Book Binge this weekend. We love Book Binge weekends. We go to the bookstore and buy and buy and buy, and he stays up all night reading. I try but I poop out way too early.

And today being Sunday, you know what I did (besides laundry!)--Mystery Weekend on the Hallmark Channel, where I watched a Perry Mason movie that didn't have Raymond Burr in it--in fact, even Perry Mason wasn't in it. Apparently it was made after Burr died. Well, my darlings, I do believe that if you're going to call it a Perry Mason movie, then he ought to make an appearance in it.

Have a good week, all!

Things I'm thinking about

I've been thinking. Okay, I know. That's a dangerous black hole sometimes, but bear with me. It'll be fascinating. I promise.

Here's what I've been thinking about:

1. Motivation. I came up with the COOLEST motivation ever and I love-love-love it but I don't which of two books I'll use it in. Ooh, it's good.

2. Wall Street. I don't know what just happened but somehow I lost at a game I didn't even know I was playing. I hope I had fun.

3. Clothing. Why do I keep buying the same thing over and over? I've been on a jacket/blazer bender for about a year and a half now. Enough. If you go shopping with me, just slap my hands away from anything that looks jackety. Point me to the skirts and pants. I won't be happy, but I'll go.

4. Weather.We're playing hide-and-go-seek with the last days of summer as they make their exit from this year. Okay, fine. However, this means a 30-40 degree change in one day. I'll be comfy in the morning (see Clothing, above) but by the afternoon I'm sweaty and grouchy.

5. Temperament. I've been snappish lately. A lot has really cranked me, and apparently my patience is truly limited. No, it's not you. And to be honest, it's not me either. It's that big cosmic dump truck again. But it'll go away. It always does.

6. Mechanical ability. Seriously. I fixed my dryer. Victory dance!

7. The Desiderata. I revisited this beautiful piece of writing earlier in the week, and it calmed me right down. If you haven't read it recently, take a look at it. (Yes, you can Google it.) You'll feel MUCH better after a gentle reading of it.

Of course this isn't everything I've been thinking about. I've graciously omitted discussing laundry, the election, and the fact that my lawn has been officially declared Tall Grass Prairie and is thus protected by law.

Have a good rest of the week!