Old Television Shows

With the new digital era our non-cable TV now receives more channels. One such channel is the Retro Television Network that has great shows from the 1970s such as “Emergency!”. As a teenager I loved that show. I think it was responsible for me going into nursing.

It’s been a lot of fun to watch this show again (and a few more like ‘Alias Smith and Jones’) and it reminds me that good script and plot writing doesn’t need sex and violence to sell. It was just plain well-written material by talented writers. The story drives the show.

For fun, I dug out the ancient photo album from my teenage years and posted a camp picture from what I believe is 1976. We always thought we would never, ever forget a date or face, right? So, why write dates, names, etc., on the back of photos?

Be sure to check out my photo section where this “old time” photo is posted under the personal gallery. This camp photo shows me pointing to a set of pictures of my two favorite paramedics: Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto. Guess I couldn’t leave home without them.

In other news, my husband and I are currently taking classes with the Citizen’s Police Academy. I’m hoping they will allow me to take a few pictures to post. I’ll keep you informed of our progress.

Writing is slow, but coming along. Summer is just around the corner and I’m loving it.

Until Next Time,
Beth

Sweet Maple Syrup

I’ve just returned from a great weekend at the Mohican State Park Resort. It was their Maple Syrup Making Weekend that included a day at Malabar Farm…Ohio’s only historical working farm. Ohio is almost at the end of its maple syrup harvest, but we were able to watch as they tapped trees and processed the sap. Do you know it takes almost 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup?

Harvesting and making maple syrup is very labor-intensive. No wonder it is so expensive. But it sure is good.

The slow process of making maple syrup reminds me of how long it can take to write one good chapter in a book. It takes a while for the ideas to “drip” onto the page and it has to be “boiled” and “filtered” until its just the right “consistency”. Sometimes the ideas flow very fast like a Sugar Maple tree on a warm, sunny day and there are times when the ideas are sluggish…when it’s cloudy and only 48 degrees. But the final product is worth the effort and time.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their spring. May God’s light shine on you.

Hugs,
Beth

Growing and Growing

Have you ever had spiritually dry spells followed by the wonderful rain of getting close to God? Right now, I feel like I’m growing in my walk with Jesus…..almost like a growth spurt. I’m studying Colossians and learning so much.

I just finished reading the book, “23 Minutes in Hell” by Bill Wiese and found it to be very thought-provoking. His story appeared to line up with the Bible and gave me great cause to renew my efforts to share what God has done for me with others. There have been similiar books on the market, but they don’t always agree with the Bible—the yard stick by which I have to measure everything. If you haven’t read Wiese’s book, it’s worth your while.

On to other things: I’ve finished my taxes and survived using a tax software program. Yeah!! Now, I can get back to writing again. My current manuscript is still coming along and I’m seriously considering a writer’s conference for the fall where I can pitch my book.

Until next time, may God’s light shine on you.

Beth

Deep Freeze

Okay, I’m ready to move to Florida. If you’ve been a regular reader of my blogs, you already know I’m a warm-weather type of person. This Midwest deep freeze has me running for cover–or covers.

This year promises to be a good year, because God’s blessings are renewed each morning. If I based the year on the economy, politics or happenings around the world, there wouldn’t be much hope. I’m glad God is running the show. That gives me hope.

I was so sorry to hear that Heartsong is dicontinuing its new cozy mystery line. Those are great books. I’m sad to see it leave and hope it might return when the economy begins to recover.

I’m actually writing more this month and it makes me feel so good to hit the keys again. The story is evolving along and I’m always excited to see which direction God eventually takes the book.

Stay warm and pray for an early spring.

Hugs,
Beth

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It’s been a great two weeks. As mentioned in my previous post, my daughter and I volunteered to help at the Ohio Village…part of the Ohio Historical Museum. It was wonderful. Be sure to look at the photos posted today. Between the setting and dressing in character, it was like stepping back in time. We met so many wonderful people.

Christmas is fast approaching and it looks like I might not get around to making my iced sugar cookies. They do take time to make and ice, but they are so good. Rot your teeth good.

May God bless you during this time and throughout the new year.

Hugs,
Beth

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is approaching fast. It’s one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. This year, my youngest daughter and I are doing something different. We’ve volunteered to help at a historical village for their Dicken’s program. What fun! I hope to have some pictures posted within the next week. Check back in the photo section.

For some people, Christmas and Easter are the only times during the year when they seriously think about Jesus Christ. Not me! He’s alive all year and celebrating Him with others culminates during these times. I want to share God’s love with people during this time and all year long.

I hope to post again before Christmas.

Hug,
Beth

Sluggish Little Gray Cells

I remember how easy it was my “little gray cells” to absorb information for a nursing or biology exam in college. Not that the material was easy, but retaining the data on my brain’s hard-drive seemed easier. Now, information comes in one side and leaks out the other. Actually, I thought things were going pretty well until I took up our pastor’s challenge to begin memorizing Bible verses again. No problem, right?

Big problem!

I’m only up to ten verses (some familiar) and I keep mixing up reference locations and words. Throw in a slightly different Bible version and my brain is putty. But I won’t give up. Even if the references float away on occasion from the correct chapter and verse, the words are making a difference. Like a song tune that sticks in your head, these verses keeping popping into my mind. That’s a great thing.

I’m working to improve the sluggish quality of my little gray cells by keeping my mind active, and eating and sleeping better. Maybe I’m expending them all in my books….like having to share my little gray cells with 2 or 3 characters. Some of these characters can be quite exhausting.

While I work to improve my gray cells, I pray that you have an abundance of God’s blessing over Thanksgiving.

Hugs,
Beth

Writing What You Know

As a writer, I have heard it said so many times to write what you know. After a while that might become boring, so we need to constantly be learning more and broadening our horizons. Last month’s post is related to such new experiences. Well let me tell you, the F-1 hurricane-force winds that ripped through Ohio last month was a new experience. I watched as huge trees in the park just leaned over and fell to the ground or across the road, and roof shingles and paper flew by. The electric was out for over a week in many areas.

When I walked outside and felt the sting of flying dirt, leaves and other debris, it made me wonder how those who live in coastal regions deal with much stronger hurricanes every year. Although the damages in Ohio reached into the high millions, at least it only took the siding and shingles…not entire houses.

It made me appreciate street lights, too. Without electric in many areas it made the nights very dark. City folks are so used to the night being partially lit and suddenly it was country-side dark. This brings out the good and the ugly. Someone took advantage of the dark streets and tried unsuccessfully to break into our garage. Others banned together and helped each other. Some homes on one side of the street had electric and ran long extension cords across the street to those who didn’t.

Although this is not an experience I would have volunteered to have, it is another learning time to add to my “what I know” file.

Happy Harvest,
Beth

Book Research

Remember back in school when the teacher announced that a research paper would be due in two weeks? I can still hear the moans and groans pouring across the room. Maybe we were looking at it wrong. Research does not need to be boring. It has everything to do with the subject, interest level and how the research is approached.

As a writer, I need to do research to make sure events, laws, and processes are as accurate as possible in my books. Sometimes research involves calling knowledgeable people or better yet, experiencing an event for yourself. That’s what I’ve been doing.

There are plans in the near future to write a cozy mystery which involves shooting a gun. As a child, I had learned to shoot a 22 rifle, but never a hand gun. So, I learned. There are gun safety classes and shooting ranges that give a wide array of learning. This is fun research. Now I know the difference between a 38 Special, 357 magnum, 45, and 9 mm. I know how it feels when the gun goes off, the noises and smells. There’s a burst of flame emitted from the gun (hence the name: firearm) that is spectacular during night tactical practice.

Gail Gaymer Martin mentioned this year in a class that she plans to take a hot air balloon ride to experience the event before having her heroine climb aboard. I find this fascinating….although you won’t find me climbing into one of those contraptions.

Research can be fun. Try it sometime.

Hugs,
Beth

Writing Themes

Welcome to August. Usually August is extremely hot, but for the past few days Ohio is experiencing perfect low-humidity, low-temperature days. This is what summer is all about.

Recently, my writing thoughts have centered on themes and plots. Many times it is the plot that comes to mind first and then God gives me the theme He wants. I will be speaking at a church book club this Sunday and much of what I will be dicussing revolves around the theme of the book.

To refresh my memory, I read through the book I wrote that will be discussed. Actually, I’m amazed at what God did with the theme of forgiveness…there was more there than I had planned. I’m quickly realizing that praying for God’s guidance in my everyday writing is extremely important. He can work through the words to make the theme what He wants it to be for those who will read the book…in spite of me. Amazing.

I’m still working on my manuscript. It went well for a month and then canning season derailed me for a while. I hope to begin writing like crazy again this week.

Keep Looking to the Son,
Beth