A to Z

Well, I’ve been quite busy lately... so I apologize for my absence!! Now that I have some free time, I should be posting more. :) However, the posts I’m working on at the moment will take a bit more work than simply sitting down to write. So until then, here’s a quick and easy A to Z survey, so you can all get to know me better! :) 

 Thanks to Kelli at She Learns as She Goes for this survey! Also thank you to Claudia over at Lashes and Beard, where Kelli originally got it. ;)

 A // Available or Married?
…. How about neither?? :) 

 B // Book? 
Wait... you mean I’m only supposed to choose one?? :P Well, at the moment I’m reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Super interesting so far! The other books I have out from the library are Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn and Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert. (These are two of my FAVORITE authors! Super excited to start reading these.) I may or may not have also downloaded 14 free kindle books today. Here’s a link to Bethany Publisher House’s specials. 

 C // Cake or pie? 
I’ll eat any dessert... But I have to go with cake for this one. But not the store-bought birthday cakes... more like the blueberry coffee cake, or my mom’s gluten free chocolate cake. :) 

By Any Other Name--a short story

By Any Other Name

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

~William Shakespeare

She remembered exactly how it had started. They had entered the main lobby from a walk at the same time, she happy and warm in only jeans and a sweater, he grumbling about the cold weather, despite his coat and scarf. She had admired the expensive-looking dress coat, but found it rather amusing, given that their Florida resort was 50-ish already, at only ten in the morning. He had caught her gaze and turned, smiling.

“You don’t think this is freezing?” he asked incredulously.

“I spent the last winter in Wisconsin, and the winter before in Maine. No. This is quite warm, actually.” she answered.

He finished unbuttoning his coat and untied his scarf. “I am from southern California, so this is very cold. Are you headed toward the coffee shop?”

She ducked her head, “Yes. But not because I’m cold, I just need caffeine.”

They had enjoyed their Friday morning coffee. This was an extended weekend conference for writers, editors and publishers, and the first session was not until after lunch, leaving them time to become acquainted with the very luxurious resort that housed their hotel, conference center, and multiple restaurants, a gift shop, and a coffee shop. They had discussed everything but themselves. Shakespeare, Keats, and Wordsworth, to the latest books on the New York bestseller’s list. It went from a serious discussion to a mild flirtation before their coffees were half gone. They had departed for lunch reluctantly, only to end up again in the same restaurant. They shared a table, both having come to the conference on their own, as opposed to the many publishing companies that had sent large groups, who talked loudly, laughing and criticizing. They had been tucked in a quiet corner, and ate their lunch almost shyly, their discussion turning to their mutual love for traveling. They did not purposefully seek one another out, but over the rest of the day, they bumped into each other several more times, almost as if it were fate.

Saturday morning, both migrated to the coffee shop at the exact same time as the previous morning, and again sipped their coffees together, this time discussing politics and history. The mystery of their acquaintance was so entrancing to both that even after that, the fifth meeting, they still had not exchanged names. Something in the ability to freely state their opinions, and even their heart, without strings attached, kept them silent on the subject of personal details.

They parted way for the morning clinics, only to meet again at lunch, and dinner.

Sunday night was the climax of conference, with a masquerade. She went as Elizabeth Bennett, in a silvery Regency style ball gown, with her hair twisted up in silver combs, and a beaded silver mask that outlined her eyes and shaded her cheeks. She danced a dance with a Zorro, and Sherlock Holmes, and a Robin Hood, before meeting him again, dressed, to her great delight, as Mr. Darcy. He recognized her, even behind the mask, and bowed long and low.

“Miss Elizabeth, may I have this dance?” he asked in perfectly serious courtesy.

She ducked her head and blushed, then curtseyed, “With pleasure, Mr. Darcy.”

Neither danced with anyone else the entire night, and they parted after the unmasking with a gentle kiss and whispered good nights, addressed almost teasingly to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the only names they knew each other by.

Monday morning they were officially released, and though both stopped at the coffee shop for a coffee before they left, neither saw each other, and both left with a small sense of dissatisfaction.

In the coming days and weeks, that grew into misery. Their times of talking had made both wonder if they had truly found their soul mate, but without even a name, they had returned to their daily lives, knowing that there was no other recourse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Fine, Evie, I will come.” she said tiredly.

“Good! My boss is in a funk, and you are a grump, but maybe I can cheer you up, at least.”

“Great.” she said, “I’ll land at 11:00, and meet you at your office and we can go to lunch.”

“Perfect!” Evie chirped. “Please don’t forget to pack your smile!” She said cheerily before hanging up.

She hung up her phone sadly. She was a grump and she knew it. Her latest book had not gone beyond outline stage. She could hardly bear to write a romance. She told herself that it was nothing, that what she had shared with her Mr. Darcy was simply a short flirtation, two lonely adults that had enjoyed each other’s company, but she still longed for it. Maybe a visit to California would help.

Maybe it would not, she realized as she stepped out of the airport. This was the state where HE lived. Maybe she would see him. It seemed very likely, she realized sarcastically, given that there were 38 million people living in the state.She shoved those depressing thoughts out of her head, and picked up her rental car, determined to be cheerful for her friends sake. She flipped on the radio as she headed toward the office building where her friend worked. Maybe something peppy would keep her from being grumpy. Instead, the song on the radio was something about a lost love, and made her click it off in frustration.

She arrived at the building, a publishing company,, and made her way up to the top floor where her friend worked. Evie greeted her cheerfully and directed her to a chair.

“I’ll be just a couple of minutes. My lunch break is in three minutes, but given the way my boss has been acting lately, if I were to leave early, I might not have a job when I got back.” Evie turned back to her computer. Her normally bubbly friend sank into the chair, then jumped to the window, gazing sullenly at the sidewalk down below, almost as if searching for someone. Evie shook her head and picked up the papers fresh from the printer.

Her boss entered her slightly open door. “Can you get these......Elizabeth?”

Evie gaped. Her friend had swung around at his entry, and stood with an absolutely awestruck look on her face. He took another step into the room, and she smiled.

“Mr. Darcy.”

Evie blinked, looking back and forth. Her friend’s name was certainly not Elizabeth, but that was obviously not bothering her.

“Coffee, maybe?” He asked, “Then lunch.”

“Iced coffee,” she told him smilingly, “It is too warm for hot.”

He offered her his arm, and they exited without a backward glance.

Evie turned off her computer and grabbed her purse. She was obviously going to have to find her own lunch. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comment, please! 

~Clio

Currently

Currently............

Today is my day to do a *currently* post, because I need to post, but am very much without inspiration. But, because I have so much going on, this post could be exciting.

Currently I am......

My most sincere apologies.

Really, I apologize. I should have pictures for two weeks! Actually, enough to round out the month. :/ But, I don't even have last weeks. I kinda knew this would happen. Which is why I've never started, but that isn't a valid excuse. I gave it a shot, and I think I'll try to finish this month's over May, and then try again in June. We shall see.

Everything is hitting peak right now. School, Bible quizzing, year end events, work, and other misc. events. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. But, I'm just gonna keep plugging away at it!

That's just a small update/excuse for the non-existent posts lately. And I'm sure all my fellow muses would say the same.

Sorry!
Erato

Week 2 Accomplished!

I don't really have anything to say in prep, except for the fact that I apologize that these are so late, :( so I'm just gonna start posting. Okay? Cool.

8. On Your Plate - *sigh* I have no accurate description for this. It's a marble cake that my mom made out of a box. But when you add frosting to it, and you haven't had cake in ages, it's pretty good!! Not as good as some plain frosting I had the other day though. ;)

9. Tiny - FLOWERS are coming up!!! I'm so excited!! Although, it did snow yesterday. But, the green plants and fresh spring air are coming!

10. A Place - This is a picture of a picture. The original picture was taken by my father at a castle in Germany! New Schwanstine?

11. Detail - Let me preface this--I Love puzzles! This is my favorite one I've done. Can you guess what it's of? (I'll tell you next week)

12. In The Middle - This word hangs in one of our living areas between some pictures and the words, 'Family' and 'Friends'.

13. View from your bed - Well, my rooms a mess. *shock* Actually, I had someone tell me the other day as I was organizing something outside of home - "Your room must be clean!" I started laughing. : )

14. Water - Now if I lived in some exotic area with a oceanfront view, I'd have a fantastic awe-inspiring picture for you. Well.... I have a dog! ;) So, here's how my dog sees water!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is the prompt I'm using this month! Join me! Even if it's just for a day! There are some days that I'm looking forward to especially!! :D (Like fire.)

Prayer

    Today as I was getting ready to post my week of photos, my computer goofed up. So I don't have all my pictures right now. Hopefully by tonight. Anyway, that's part of my challenge, but I have a different one for you.

The Boston Marathon was bombed today. As I'm posting this, I don't know much except for the fact that there were two explosions, and a controlled one. I've heard that 23 are injured and two killed, but that's not the final count. So, I sat there after receiving the news and prayed. I encourage you to do the same. And I challenge you to continue praying even after you've run out of words. To just sit there in silence. For, Romans 8:26 says, "Likewise the Spirit also helps our weakness: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Sunday morning our Pastor talked partially about just being still. We are so caught up in our lives, with technology, with work, with school, and with people. None of those things are bad, or evil, unless we use them as excuses to not just sit, and spend time with God. I've seen myself doing it more and more. Saying, oh, I have to go do this, this, and this, so I'll have to put off devotions, or praying right now. This world is hurting, and although sitting there and praying won't necessarily change the world, it will change you.

           Also, while you pray for people, please keep Ryan's family in your prayers - their blog.

Be sure not to get bogged down in the cares of this world. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." No matter what happens or has happened. Jesus won.

Currently

Well, I decided to try one of these "Currently" posts!  I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear what you are "Currently" enjoying! :)  

OBSESSING

Iced Coffee!  Starbucks Frappucinos were originally what introduced me to the coffee-drinking world, but being dairy free has ruled those out.  *sadface*  However, we now have a Keurig in the house, so my coffee cravings have been satisfied, although I still have not managed to drink a black cup of coffee. ;)   Anyway, enough of my coffee history!!  A couple of weeks ago, on our way home from a road trip, we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and a rest stop.  After glancing wistfully at the milk-laden choices, I realized I could still have a plain iced coffee without dairy.  I was doubtful that it would actually taste good without the usual dairy goodness, even if I was adding coconut syrup (Coconut is another obsession of mine)... but it did!  I have not yet had a chance to patronize a local coffee shop for another iced coffee... But I don’t think I can go much longer without one! ;)

ADORING

Yep!  My family has a new member!  It’s been quite an interesting few weeks.   Our new puppy is an English Shepherd, and his name is Louie. :)  He’s really adorable, and everyone we see loves him.  I love him, too, but I appreciate his obedient moments more and more!   Here’s a picture, because a picture says all there is to say!  :)  

He's now almost 11 weeks.  He's getting so big! :)