The Write Life

Today I went to my mailbox and was thrilled to see a beautiful envelope embossed with a treble clef and musical notes. I opened it with a growing sense of excitement. Inside was the first real letter I have received in years.

I read through it, and then read through it again. My friend in Tokyo has begun writing letters to brighten peoples' day. I decided almost instantly how nice it would be to send her a letter back. I went in search of stationery. Do you know I drove all the way across town. I stopped at these stores: Walgreen's, Micheal's, Hallmark, Office Max, Target, Fred Meyers, and last but not least Walmart. No luck until Walmart. If I had known that I would have stopped there first.

The reason I had avoided Walmart to begin with is, because when I checked online they had nothing. I bought a nice set, of which they only had two, and I will be writing her back. The sad thing is people do not write letters anymore. They scrawl hasty messages in note cards or send email, or texts. Therefore stationery is almost a thing of the past. I felt the strangest urge to cry today when I realized that. I remember my grandma reading letters from distant family as a means to catch up. She would be so happy to read their words....

What does that say about technology? Does it steal our means to communicate in a more meaningful way? With a letter you reach a level of connection that I just don't think an email can achieve. Maybe I am wrong, but it is really worth testing the theory. So I challenge all of you to put the theory to the test.

Even if you don't buy stationery, sit down and write someone a hand-written letter at least two pages long. Then come back and tell me if you could recreate that special feeling with an email. I am curious to see if anyone else can?

Today I am happy to report that I wrote a short story. Yoshi had been chewing on the idea for a while and he was finally ready to be his usual demanding self. So it is only about 350 words, but the idea is absolutely hilarious. I don't usually write comedy, or horror, but this just grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go. On top of that, I ended up cleaning my kids' bathroom. There is nothing worse than a bathroom that two teenagers, two elementary students, and one hubby share.

Eek, I am lucky I am here to tell the tale. The things growing/hiding in there were rather frightening creatures. Mildew, that crawled and shrank away when I sprayed the cleaner. I swear I heard some terrified shrieks too, but I can't prove anything.The stuff that hides around the edge of the toilet, yeah that stuff, was just as bad.

I carried my cleaner like a shield, in glove-clad hands. The sponge I carried I used as my sword to face the mighty beasts. With a lot of valor, a good dash of courage, and a strong heart, I conquered the monsters, and the bathroom once more shines, like a princess's tiara.

Feel free to ignore the previous silliness, the mood just struck and I couldn't willingly let an opportunity to play pass.

Rewind back to Sept 29th, 2008, I submitted a story to Killer-works. It was just a short fiction piece that I was trying to find a home for. They said wait twelve weeks. January 5, 2009 I still had not heard a word, so I sent a query regarding my submission. No reply that is until today. Sadly they didn't think my short would be a fit with what they are looking for right now. The good spin you ask? Well, they did say they would enjoy seeing more of my short fiction. I printed the rejection and it is hanging by its twin up on the wall above me. Why you ask? Because, I believe, and this is just me, that each rejection pushes me one step closer to a acceptance. Also it's proof positive that I am out there submitting work. That after all is the biggest step in the right direction, to face down the fear and submit.

Saturday morning I was up early and ready to go again. I got my usual coffee and hurried across town. I can't explain the level of excitement thrumming through me. I was alive with nerves and curiosity.

Funny story really, I had not yet met the psychic. Well I walked in and this lady is like, "May I help you?" I kind of went, "well I think I need to talk to her." I pointed at the lady that had told me to come see the psychic. The lady looks at me and says, "She's the one that wanted to ask you a question."

^-^;; This is so my luck. Anyway the Lady was very gracious, and answered my questions. I did not have a tarot reading done. I may go back for one, but I am still searching for my own deck so that I can do it myself. We shall see. Now for the good stuff.

The Vertigo I mentioned? Well, I did ask, and it turns out that the earthquake that morning in Seattle had affected her. I had felt off too, but did not realize why. So the vertigo was literal, but brought about by the earth's movements.

She answered my questions, and I was relieved to have someone confirm most of what I knew. I now also understand the term lightning rod better and how it relates to me. I also have a semi-label for myself which I knew, but I hadn't thought of it in that sense.

You see a bit of personal information will explain. I am quite sensitive... My body is over-whelmed by strong medications, my skin is quite sensitive. I have sensory issues, smells bug me, as well as sounds, and sometimes even visuals can overwhelm me. I hope this makes sense. Also my nervous center is sensitive. All in all I am literally sensitive....physically, spiritually, and emotionally...

So when she pointed out that I was a sensitive, I was taken aback. I had never put it all together in that package....

Well I finished one piece today. It was a short at 426 words. I then edited something else. My big project from Sept. and Oct. I spent the afternoon re-reading and polishing it. I am almost satisfied now, the problem is going to be finding the right home for this piece. It is unusual to say the least.

On a different note, I have something to share. If you all saw the prior post, I ended up with the moon tarot card, which isn't too far off the mark. That quiz was snagged from Live Journal. Anyway it led me to share a story. So there is this tiny store near Office Max called Spiritual Healing. Well last Wednesday my father and I stopped in there.

They have lots of interesting things, but here is what got my attention. I was asking the woman working for advice, when she recommended I come see their psychic. The Lady comes in on Saturdays and she does tarot readings. Now I don't know if I need a reading. I would prefer to get my own deck and learn to do it for myself.

Rather, I want to pick the psychic's brain for technical information. I have been told several times over that I am quite sensitive. I am not fully certain of the terms of my gifts, but for the most part I understand.

Instead of a reading telling me what I already know, I need to know how to fine tune what I already have to work with. I hope this makes sense.

Anyway back to my story, I'm sorry for the ramble. I decided to go see her yesterday. Imagine my disappointment to find out she called in with vertigo. I am not sure if the woman meant literal vertigo or more of a psychic form. I plan to ask, not to be nosy, but am I ever curious. Next Saturday I am going to try again....

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.