Castle in the Clouds

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Well, that's because there hasn't been much to report. If it weren't for my writing class, I imagine there still wouldn't be much to report. However, I am in a creative writing class so I have been writing. So far I've written and submitted six poems. I'm relatively pleased with them. This is pretty impressive when you consider I don't read poetry for pleasure and I was resistant to writing any. I have also been writing 300 words five nights out of seven. Most of them are journal-like entries (I may post some here eventually) but a couple have been pieces of fiction. One story was completed within 700 or so words. The other could be a novel or long short story...I'm not sure which. So, while I can't report any progress on the WIPs, I have been writing.

Thanks to those of you who said a brief prayer. Owen's home from the hospital and doing much better.

Owen, who is only 6 months old, was hospitalized yesterday for RSV , bronchitis, pneumonia, and an ear infection. From what I understand the last three on this list are likely caused by the RSV. Owen's oxygen levels are within the normal range when he's awake. However, when he falls asleep it dips down to the high 80s--anything under 90 is cause for concern. He had an oxygen treatment yesterday afternoon at 3:00. I'm waiting to hear from my sister on how he did throughout the night. If she doesn't call me before I leave work, I intend to call as soon as I get home. If you're so inclined, a few prayers would likely do a world of good right about now. Thanks so much.

Okay, here's one of the poems I wrote for my class last week. The only changes between what I turned in and what I've written below is the addition of punctuation. The original had no punctuation. Becoming Me Sometimes I think I have lived. Sorrows and joys echo through the past. Memories of warm sunshine, recollections of rain. Years of laughter tears and confusion serve as mile-markers in my journey of becoming me.

I got my first three poems back from my Creative Writing professor today. They're not nearly as bad as I thought. I believe she was being very kind and I'm grateful. I'm trying to decide which of the three to read if I get the chance. I think I'll read the one about "Becoming Me" because it had the least amount of fixes. It's also relatively short and I should be able to survive the exposure. So far I'm really enjoying this class. The most amazing thing I've discovered is I can write every day. Sad I didn't realize it sooner but at least this tells me I can do it, especially if I have incentive. I know it shouldn't take incentive but the proof is in the numbers I've been churning out (easily even!) over the last week and a half. I've written every day except for last Thursday. Of course, I haven't written my three hundred words yet today but I will.

I'm lame. I know it. You know it. Let's move on, shall we? The semester has started and I'm back in school. I signed up for Intro to Creative Writing. I wanted to skip it but I'm glad I didn't. I'm really enjoying it and this way I can take two semesters of creative writing instead of only one. For my class we have to write 300 words a night. So far, so good. I've only missed one night. This is great because I'm hoping it will help me develop a routine, one that will eventually turn into a habit. So far I've only been writing diary-like entries but I think I'll start playing with some pieces of fiction soon.

What a beautiful day! It feels more like spring than winter. Although I didn’t get to luxuriate in it much, the sun was shining and the world looked brighter and more appealing than it has in a good many days. Mother nature is teasing us. It’s not supposed to feel like spring is seeping back into the world just yet. There should be snow on the ground and gray clouds obscuring the sky. The kids should be bundled in their coats, snow pants, hats, and gloves. Of course, because we live in Michigan, we sent snow pants to school with the boys. Just because the temperatures were soaring into the fifties today, it doesn’t mean the snow is too far distant. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see flakes falling from the sky within the next hour or so.

I can't help it. I am not a morning person. I like to sleep and the alarm clock going off at 5 am totally sucks. Getting out of bed and crossing the bedroom to hit the snooze button a half dozen times might be necessary but it's not fun. It's a total pain in the arse, to be honest. But I shouldn't complain. I have a job I love. I could be getting up to go somewhere I detest, much like the last job. Still...mornings come much too early. Caffiene. I need lots and lots and lots of it. This morning was the first time in a very long time I've considered working toward overcoming my distaste for coffee. I've given up pop (or soda for those who are so inclined), which means my caffeine intake this week has been zero. I just don't know if I can bring myself to drink the bitter brew.

Okay, so it's a little late. I know. I just didn't feel like getting online much over the holiday break. Beyond strange but true none-the-less. I had a very nice little break. Christmas was very hectic but also very nice. Christmas Eve eve (that would be two night before Christmas), we celebrated with my Dad, my brothers, their spouses and their kids. The boys were, as always, spoiled rotten. I can't even tell you what they got becuase it was a melee. Six little boys tearing open packages at the same time can be a bit confusing. On Christmas Eve we did the traditional family gathering around the annual oyster stew. I don't know who started the tradition but it's still going strong. My husband loves the stuff. (I won't touch it and always make a back-up dish for those like myself). We had a pretty good turn out considering the timing. Christmas itself was very nice. We don't do any running that day. We get up, open presents, and then enjoy the