A Gift Unused is ...

God's grace denied.

A profound thought. At least for me it is.

Consider the following verse:

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various form..." 1 Peter 4:10

I've always thought of God's grace as an amazing gift that I don't deserve, but so thankful to have. But never before did I really consider that I could be used as a vessel to deliver His grace to another person. According to Peter, though, we are to be faithful in administering God's grace through the gifts we are given.

We are instruments through which God extends His grace to others. Doesn't that make our responsibility to discover our gifts all the more important? It does to me.


Blessings,

Eileen

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The Word of the Week: Grace (definitions brought to you from http://www.dictionary.com/

1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied: The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses. Compare grace period.
8. Theology.
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
11. (usually initial capital letter) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually prec. by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces, Classical Mythology. the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.
13. Music. grace note. –verb (used with object)
14. to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.
15. to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence. —Idioms
16. fall from grace,
a. Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor.
b. to lose favor; be discredited: He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.
17. have the grace to, to be so kind as to: Would you have the grace to help, please?
18. in someone's good (or bad) graces, regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone: It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.
19. with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly: He apologized, but did so with bad grace. Also, with a bad grace.
20. with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly: She took on the extra work with good grace.

Origin: 1125–75; ME < class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">grātia favor, kindness, esteem, deriv. of grātus pleasing


Wow, that's a lot of uses for one compact, beautiful word.

May grace guide my every deed.

55 days left to reflect and celebrate our Saviour's birth.

Creativity--Where does it come from?

This is a picture of my eldest daughter's recent art project. Though it's difficult to see in the photo, it's a three-dimensional depiction of the front of an old church. To build it up, she cut small paper tubes for the pillars, made use of broken glass, rolled paper for the framing, a cement type compound for the doors, and tinted DecoArt Snow for the steps and crown-molding of the pillars. It just fascinates me to look at it, and to feel the different textures she's incorporated into it.

Alisha has always been a well-rounded student, but I always thought she tended more toward the maths and sciences, like both her parents, but I have to wonder now. Seeing how engrossed she was while working on this project, and how quickly she decided which medium to use for the next portion, I now wonder if we have an architect or artsy of some kind budding within our home.

Children have a way of making the future seem so exciting? Seriously, if I'm bored with my life, or just simply procrastinating while waiting for the next big scene to present itself for my wip (that's work in progress), all I have to do is think of my three daughters, and wonder what vocation they'll choose, or if it will be several for each of them. What a great way to brainstorm for your characters, too. Perhaps I just have to think of them as my babies, and let my imagination run wild like I do for my girls' future.

One big problem with that, I refuse to dream up nasty conflict for my daughters. A sure sign of a dud story, but makes for a happy dream life for my girls.

Children can be an inspiration for so many things. So I say, let's celebrate them, and all they accomplish while discovering themselves. A blessing like no other!

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The word of the week is back, and today it's brought to you by Dictionary.com :

expeditious \ek-spuh-DISH-uhs\, adjective:Characterized by or acting with speed and efficiency.

His problem was to get from Lookout Valley to Chattanooga Valley in the most expeditious way possible.-- Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs

The criminal may of course use some short-term act of violence to 'terrorize' his victim, such as waving a gun in the face of a bank clerk during a robbery in order to ensure the clerk's expeditious compliance.-- Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism


Expeditious is derived from Latin expeditus, "unshackled, unimpeded, ready for action," from expedire, "to free (one's feet) from a snare; hence, to get out, to set free, to get ready for action," from ex-, "out of" + pes, ped-, "foot."

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May the weekend bring you a surprise or two!


Blessings,
Eileen

69 days left to reflect and celebrate our Saviour's birth.

Summer...You're not technically over yet!

It's been a while since I wrote a Friday's Musings post. This could take some work, so please pardon me if I mess up!

Something that came to mind as I toured our gardens while encouraging our puppy to do his business is that summer ISN'T really over yet. In the past week I've heard many a parent utter the infamous "Come on now, summer is over..." But according to my calendar, it's not over until midnight Monday, September 21st. And I'm none too anxious for it to come to an end this year. Oddly enough.

You see, I'm one of those people who love all the four seasons that my part of the world offers. Usually as we near the end of one season I'm joyfully anticipating the next to roll on in. There's something different about this forty-third summer of my life, though. Hmmm...I wonder what it could be?

Perhaps my tipsy-turvey summer has me analysing life a little more aggressively these days. Or, could it be that the weather wasn't optimal enough for pool enjoyment these past months, and just this week I've gotten really into doing my laps for exercise. The girls going off for their annual week at horse camp was later this year, too, perhaps that messed with my internal calendar. I could come up with a scroll of possibilities, but I won't bore you with all of them. In any case, I intend to enjoy the last seventeen days of summer. Swim as much as possible, tour our gardens and continue dead heading and weeding until the colors fade and become like the earth, then I'll welcome fall and all of it's glory just in time to see my most favorite season approach in all it's splendor--Christmas.

I hope you enjoy these pictures. Phil toiled over the flagstone patio and path all summer long. Doesn't it look awesome?

We also stained our garden shed. It took three coats this time. Why? you might ask. Well, see the shutters? We purchased that high-quality stain from the pre-mixed sale bin. Did the first coat of the whole garden shed in that...and hated it. We teased about waiting for our neighbors to drop subtle hints about how hideous it looked. They must have been away on vacation or hiding from us that day. Neither Phil or I could stand looking it any longer, so out we went and paid optimal price for a color we could live with. It took two coats of the darker shade to cover the pooh shade. The shutters are a reminder for us to never settle for a pre-mixed sale unless it is very close the original color we had intended to purchase. A lesson my arthritic fingers will not let me forget...ever! (I'll leave the back garage door story for another day--three coats seems to be the theme of summer 2008.)

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Word of the Week:

Verisimilitude

Meaning, by The Merriam-Webster Dictionary: The quality or state of appearing to be true or real.

Sample Sentence: Authors may utilize redundancy to bring verisimilitude to a piece of dialogue.

(Note: I learned that tidbit from William Brohaugh's Write Tight instructional book that I'm currently studying. Cool, eh?)

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May we all enjoy the remaining days of summer, and if you had a tipsy-turvey summer like me, my prayer is that God would infuse a little more peace into your coming seasons.

Blessings,

Eileen

Physiotherapy for the dogs? ... and Vocabulary Enrichment

Hi, All:

I pray all is going well for you, and that your summer vacation is heating up, too! So far this summer my family has had the privilege of attending two equestrian schooling horse shows, and now today, our Church's VBS (Vacation Bible School) wrapped up with more than 70 kids attending the whole week. A fun time was had by all, I believe. And what an awesome group of youth to work with. I pray they all learned how to Listen Up! for God's messages a little bit clearer this week!

On top of all that so far, my family has also been deep into physiotherapy work with our little Yorkie-poo, Tucker. His right front elbow is healing very nicely. The pins and screw have stayed where they belong and the bones are mending well. It's his flexibility and muscle tone that really needs work, and for that, guess what we do?

We take him to doggy physiotherapy if you can believe it. Some will be rolling their eyes at this, I know, but around here, in my family, pets are like children and you do what ever you have to to make their life better. For Tucker, in this case, it's physiotherapy, because if we can't get him to use his leg properly then it will have to be removed. Considering the investment we've already made in having his joint surgically repaired, physiotherapy seemed like a no-brainer to us when the doctor gave the directive. I must admit, though, both my husband and I were expecting exorbitant fees for this type therapy, but thankfully, we were pleasantly surprised. When you compare it to the surgery cost, it really is not badly priced at all, and well worth the effort. I highly recommend that people not shrug this type of work off without first checking out the actual cost.

We've been taught several exercises to do with Tucker at home throughout the week, between sessions, and then when he's in his half-hour session, he gets therapeutic ultrasound and laser therapy done, and spends time in the underwater treadmill, as well as doing some floor exercises with the trained therapist. Since we have a pool, part of his daily work-out regimen is to swim to help build muscle. He's responding quite well.

Next week we go back to the OVC (Ontario Veterinary Clinic) to see Tucker's orthopedic surgeon, and have x-ray done once more. We're anxious to see what improvement his doctor notices. Our little Tucker is still quite a joy to have around and continues to do his work-outs with fun and his usual attitude thrown in their too. Just like having a baby all over again. So glad he isn't a human one, though!

So that's my Tucker update. Hope you enjoy the pics, and that your weekend is marvelous! Smile lots, everyone!

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Vocabulary Enhancement:

I've chosen this weeks word from a study I've been doing to prepare for my upcoming blog course: Applying Business Practices and Principles to Your Writing Life. You'll have to stay tuned to see where the word of the week comes into play in that course. (Hint: It's early on in the study.)

I've heard this word many times, and often thought it was an interesting one, but one that may have gained a connotation or two that it didn't deserve. So I did some checking, and discovered that given the true definition, I really like this word a lot, and it deserves to be understood and defined correctly.

Moxie, is the word we'll discuss today.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition for moxie is: 1: , Energy, Pep 2: Courage, Determination

The American Heritage Dictionary definition for moxie is : 1: The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.
2: Aggressive energy; initiative: "His prose has moxie, though it rushes and stumbles from a pent-up surge" (Patricia Hampl).
3: Skill; know-how.

My favorite definition for what I'm wanting to use the word for is: "The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage." Don't we all need at least a little moxie to fulfill our role in life?

What sentences can you come up with using the word moxie?

Blessings,

Eileen

Summer Writing Goals and Vocabulary Enhancement Friday

There's something very scary about publicly announcing one's goals. At least it is to me. I'm referring to the accountability factor that comes with letting others know just what you're hoping to accomplish.

I always have numerous goals set out for myself. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people whose success level is becoming more and more dismal with each passing year. It's not that I don't set out to make it happen, it's that life has a way of interrupting. That, and sometimes perfectionism, as well. I need to learn that sometimes doing something well, but not perfectly, is better than not doing it at all. (I need to remember this especially for my gardening.)

Don't worry, I have no intention of listing my numerous goals here, but I do want to share my high-priority writing goal because it has to do with what I post about tomorrow. My summer writing goal is to have my final, final revision of my very first story, A New Beginning, completed for the ACFW National Writer's Conference that I'm hoping to attend in September. If I can polish this baby of mine until it's the miracle that every child is, then I'll feel as though I'm finally free to delve deep into editing and revising of my other two stories. Reading and Writing are the pillars of learning the craft of fiction writing, and I'm ready to move on, so I need to finish this final run-through of edits and concentrate on my other stories. I know that my writing will never be perfect, as I'm continually learning, so I have to be satisfied with doing my best now and then let it go and expend the bulk of my energy on the next project waiting for my attention.

So there you have it. I'll do a goal check again in September as a follow-up, and pray that I will be announcing the successful completion of A New Beginning's face lift. Feel free to join me in praying for that. I'd love it if you did!


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Okay, on with my chosen word of the week. What new addition can I add to my limited vocabulary today, I wonder?

How about, Doughty?

Definition:

dough·ty
Spelled Pronunciation[dou-tee]
–adjective, -ti·er, -ti·est.

steadfastly courageous and resolute; valiant.

Related forms
dough·ti·ly, adverb
dough·ti·ness, noun
—Synonyms brave, bold, intrepid, fearless, dauntless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.


Using doughty in a sentence:

The doughty goal-setter will succeed.

Let's see what sentences you can come up with using doughty.

Blessings,

Eileen

Write! Canada Conference and Vocabulary Enhancement

(First, let me apologize for how these pics end up in this post. I'm not very good at html and placement. Hopefully you'll enjoy looking at them, though!)

Where do I begin with writing about my three intensive days of learning the craft of fiction writing in the beautiful, peaceful haven of Guelph Bible Conference Center? I'm still processing it all, so what ends up in this post will surely not be inclusive.

This was The Word Guild's twenty-forth writer's conference, my second to attend, and it did not disappoint. With approximately two-hundred attendees including faculty, there was ample opportunity to mingle, network, worship, and lots of great learning to be had, too. For me, this year's line-up of workshops and continuing classes seemed most fitting. I was especially excited about the Romance Writing Intensive continuing five-hour class lead by one of Steeple Hill Love Inspired's best authors, Carolyne Aarsen. Carolyne is an amazing author and a wonderful, personable teacher. You couldn't help but feel at ease in her presence and that makes for the absolute best learning experience possible. If you ever get an opportunity to hear Carolyne Aarsen speak or participate in a class she is leading, don't hesitate, get thee to the front of the room. You won't be disappointed. Her humor and sincerity blend into a spell-bounding talk and her shared knowledge offers great learning for all writers.




Our small class of eight for the continuing class on Romance Writing ended up being a mix of genre writers, not all of us were romance writers, but we all learned from each other. I believe we all went out from those classes with more direction for our own individual stories, as well as gaining valuable writing skills and concepts to enrich our craft.




Attending writing conferences is most definitely "the" way to move forward with respect to writing. No matter what genre you write or whether you write fiction or non-fiction, it's at writer's conferences that you get to connect with others struggling just as you are and learn from those who have defeated the hurdles you may be stumbling to concur yourself right now. The interaction, learning, and networking that happens at writer's conferences is invaluable and very much a stepping stone to reaching your dream as a writer.






If you are blessed enough to partake in a Christian Writer's Conference like Write! Canada, then you gain the added advantage of the most amazing worship time as well. The peace and security you feel when you wake up early in a mini resort-type place such as the Guelph Bible Conference Center, and stroll across the well-manicured grounds into a Fireside room, complete with a stone fireplace, to hear praise lifted for Him in the form of devotionals and wonderful music, is like none other. It's the perfect way to start the day and focus on writing for Him. Boy, I wish Write! Canada's worship team could be a part of every morning for the rest of my life! It's such a wonderful experience to be a part of!

I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to The Word Guild team who organized and prayed this wonderful Write! Canada conference into being! Your amazing effort and attention to detail is greatly appreciated, and although you'll never know how many lives your efforts have touched, please know that your work is truly a ministry and I'm praising God for all you've done! I'm looking forward to next year! See, I already have the countdown on my side bar. I'm not too anxious, am I?

Also, I was just reminded that Bonnie Grove, a member of The Word Guild, will be continuing in the spirit of learning at Write! Canada, with a great line-up of blog postings to help writer's fine-tune their manuscripts with some great guest bloggers participating as well. So bop on over to her blog, Fiction Matters, to continue the learning.
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Considering the topic of this Friday musing, my vocabulary enhancement word of the week I've chosen is: Erudite.

Definitions:

er·u·dite
er·u·dite [érry dt, érr dt]adj

very knowledgeable through study: having or showing great knowledge gained from study and reading scholars erudite in Sanskrit

[15th century. From Latin eruditus , past participle of erudire “to instruct,” from rudis “untrained” (source of English rude).]
-er·u·dite·ly, adv -er·u·dite·ness, n Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

or,

er·u·dite [er-yoo-dahyt, er-oo-] –adjective

characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly: an erudite professor; an erudite commentary.

er·u·dite·ly, adverb
er·u·dite·ness, noun

—Synonyms educated, knowledgeable; wise, sapient.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

My sentence for erudite:

The erudite writer attends conferences and shares their expertise and knowledge for budding writers to gain from. (And we budding writers thank you oh so much for sharing!)

I'd love to see what sentences you can come up with using erudite. And for your effort you'll be entered into my CATY drawing for a Starbucks gift card. May we all have a wonderful weekend ahead.

Blessings,

Eileen

Musings Friday and Vocabulary Enhancement

Hello, All:

I've written this post ahead of time as I am currently at Write! Canada, a writer's conference in Guelph, Ontario. I'm hoping that I'm learning lots and meeting wonderful writing friends and getting reacquainted with others that I met last year at this conference, too. The praise time is likely a highlight for me, once again, since the coordinators of this event do such a wonderful job of planning daily worship. I so look forward to the songs and readings!

Tucker update: Tucker is doing wonderful. The cast came off just in time for our unseasonably high temperatures. Praise God. We bought our Little Man a doggy stroller so that he can join Tippy and I on our walks again. The doctor has limited his exercise for the next couple months to bathroom breaks only until his bones are well healed, so the only way he can get a walk is by being carried or pushed in a stroller. I don't relish carrying him in this heat, so the stroller won out. I must say that I feel rather foolish pushing a doggy stroller while being tugged along by another dog. I'm sure people are thinking I'm nuts not to just walk the other pooch too since I'm walking the big black one anyway. And trust me, as soon as Tucker gets the go-ahead to walk for exercise again, he's out of that stroller. He can keep up with Tippy no problem when all four legs are functioning and that's what I pray will happen again soon. We are very pleased with how he is doing!

This has been a busy week of preparing for my absence in our home as well as getting all my ducks in a row for conference prep, so I haven't much more in the way of musings this week. Too busy to really sit and think up a great topic quite frankly. Please forgive me. But I did come across an interesting word in one of the submissions I critiqued for the Romance Intensive course I'm taking. So I think I'll use it for my Vocabulary Enhancement word.

The word of the week: Fisticuffs.

fist·i·cuffs [físti kùfs]npl

Definition: fighting with fists: fighting using the fists (archaic or humorous)

[Early 17th century. Origin uncertain: probably from fisty “with the fists” + cuff2 “blow.”]Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Using fisticuffs in a sentence: The fisticuffs continued as the entertained onlookers cheered the participants on.

May you all have a wonderful weekend and may fisticuffs NOT be a part of it!

Blessings,

Eileen

Writing Essentials and Vocabulary Enhancement

Hi, Everyone:

My hubby picked a great word for my vocabulary enhancement part of this post, but for an entirely different reason than you'll find me using it below.

He's been away on a business trip since Tuesday and felt the word fitting regarding how he felt about our girls and me, with missing us and all. Oh, to be so in love nearly eighteen years into our marriage. We are truly blessed! I praise God for him and our girls every hour of every day. No wonder I gravitate to romances, eh? (Yes, I am truly Canadian), and I guess that's why I read books like Keeping His Pants On...Until He Gets Home, too. Keeps the spark alive. Hey, if you haven't already commented in the posting regarding this new release to get in on the wonderful Blog Tour basket being offered as a giveaway to all commenters throughout the blogs hosting Joyce S. Oglesby's interview and book release info, stop into this post after reading this one and see what it's all about and leave a comment if you want in on the drawing. Good luck to everyone!

Okay, enough sappiness. I'm sure if cyber space had a camera on many of you you'd be gagging right now. Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

I'm actually going to take this time to talk about Writer's Conferences. A very important and motivating topic for sure. If you happen to pick the right Writer's Conference to attend, then there is much to be gained from them! These conferences aren't cheap, especially when you include travel and lodging in with the cost, so you have to be choosey--no doubt about it.

In the past I've attended an ORWA conference in Ottawa called Sweet and Spicy. This was a small gathering with a wonderful teaching lineup. The intimate and small group was just what I needed as my first Writer's Conference experience being the natural introvert that I am. I learned a lot at that conference and wish I could attend the second edition of it coming up this fall, Sweat & Spicy 2, but I'm hoping to swing the ACFW National Conference instead to try it out. I'm told this one is amazing and huge. Please God prepare me well for it!

Writer's conferences are on my mind a lot lately as I'm going to my second Write! Canada conference in Guelph, Ontario next week. (I'm getting very familiar with Guelph as I visit there weekly with my little Tucker for splint/bandage changes.) Last year I thoroughly enjoyed EVERYTHING about this conference. The early morning praise time was amazing and the perfect way to start the day and the workshops were informative, directional, and most helpful!

This year I believe next to the amazing praise time, the highlight for me will be the Romance Intensive course lead by Carolyne Aarsen. So apropos to my desired line of writing, isn't it? I'm currently working through critiquing the other participants' 3000-word submissions and looking so forward to all that we can share in this five-hour intensive class spread over the three day conference. Other highlights will be learning about Platforms, Blogging so people will read your posts, hearing the three key-note speakers presentations, one of which will be Carolyne Aarsen too and much, much more.

As with all conferences, there will be editors and agents there too. My shy nature keeps me from interacting with many of them, but it is nice to get seated at a table with one of them and just eaves drop in on their conversations and occasionally answer a question they may ask. A good way for us introverts to scout out who we may or may not want to work with once we're reading for the pitching stage.

The bottom line, though, is that Writer's Conferences host a wealth of knowledge, networking, friendship-building and hands-on-learning that you can't find anywhere else in this industry. So take a look around, get some recommendations and if you are seriously wanting to grow in the craft of writing begin attending conferences that boast a line-up you can gain much from. Pray lots for the event to be graced by God's presence and that you might hear what He wants you to. That's where I'm at now.

Good luck to everyone as they conference shop and please do feel free to drop me a comment on your experiences and how best you have utilized conferences in the past.

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Tucker Update: Yesterday we went to the OVC for Tucker's weekly check and bandage/split change, but this week they were adding his first post-op x-rays to the routine. Guess what? I'm so very pleased to announce that new bone is growing and fusing the breaks together. The bones are still in perfect alignment (well, as perfect as reset bones can be) and the pins and screw are still in the identical position that the surgeon placed them in during his three-hour operation. So, this is the absolute best case scenario we were praying for. He came home free of bandages and splint and his stitches were removed as well.

I've got to tell you, though, our little Tucker has chicken thin legs when you see them shaved. He's adorable.

What's ahead: Well, it's highly likely that our little guy will not keep those pins and screw in his leg forever. Most need them removed, which will require a second operation sometime in the future. For now, we need to encourage him to use his healing leg so that it will stimulate more bone regrowth, but we also have to watch that he uses it cautiously until the breaks are well recovered. We're on the right track, but much can go wrong from here, so prayers are still needed. Thanks all for your concern and joining in my family's prayers. He's hearing us, and so far He's agreeing with what we're asking! Praise God!

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On with my Vocabulary Enhancement for this week.

This week's word is: Desideratum

Some definitions:
desideratum
noun
something desired as a necessity; "the desiderata for a vacation are time and money"
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.

de·sid·er·a·tum [di sìddə rtəm, di sìddə ráytəm]

(plural de·sid·er·a·ta [di sìddə rtə, di sìddə ráytə]) n

something desired: something that is desired or felt to be essential (formal)

[Mid-17th century. From Latin , a form of the past participle of desiderare (see desire).]Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

And my chosen sentence for Desideratum will use the plural version of it, Desiderata:

Writer's conferences should be considered desiderata for all who want to grow in the field of writing.

I welcome your sentences using desideratum or desiderata.

Be sure to check out my Current Giveaways, links are available to the appropriate posts on the top of the left-hand side bar. Comment away and Good Luck to everyone! And remember, commenting in any of my posts also enters you into my CATY Giveaway drawing each month! My way of saying thank you for stopping by.

May you have a blessed weekend and may you see how desideratum your spouse, dear friend, or relative has become to you and may you find an appropriate way to let them know of their importance in your life.

Blessings,

Eileen

Lilacs, Tucker, and Vocabulary Enhancement

Aren't lilacs beautiful?

They last such a short while around here that you have to take the time to enjoy them while they are in bloom. My flowers opened up earlier this week and so I cut several off my light and dark purple trees (from the bushes you see in the above photo) and another from my white lilac tree that is in our backyard. I bunched them together in a vase and placed them on our kitchen island. We've been enjoying their awesome aroma and beauty ever since.

I don't recall having so many flowers last year, I wonder if lilacs actually took to our unusually difficult and long winter, unlike many roses and weaker plants that didn't survive this past one. In any case, I plan to enjoy the vast blooms by bringing a fresh supply in often and placing them in several of our rooms to aromatize the area. I just love their scent.

Tucker update: Tucker was doing awesome until we went for his bandage change yesterday. I have no idea why, but he could not settle after having the new bandage put on. I tried to comfort him all afternoon at home and then decided to call the OVC (Ontario Veterinary Clinic) about it. His doctor requested to take a look and so when hubby came home we made the fifty minute trek back to the small animal hospital where they removed the new splint and put yet another new one on only to have him squealing and yelping from discomfort again.

Deja vu all over again from when he initially fell down the stairs.

They administered what the vet called a "happy" drug to calm him down and basically knock him out for a few hours. But by the time the girls got home from the barn he was whining again and very uncomfortable. We had a rough night with him and although he's moving around this morning, and sometimes appears to be our old Tucker with his tale wagging and standing up walking on his hind legs energetically, occasionally he yelps and squeals for no apparent reason. Prayers would be greatly appreciated! I know I keep sending mine up for him to be comfortable and for the procedure to work so that he can use his leg once again in the near future.

Vocabulary Enhancement Word for this week: Mercurial

mer·cu·ri·al [mer-kyoor-ee-uhl]

–adjective 1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature.
2. animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
3. pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury.
4. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the god Mercury.
5. (initial capital letter) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.
–noun 6. Pharmacology. a preparation of mercury used as a drug.
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[Origin: 1350–1400; ME <>

So, considering my family's experience with Tucker as of late, my sentence for mercurial will be:

Tucker's mercurial behavior has us quite concerned.

Be sure to check out my Current Giveaways, links are available to the appropriate posts on the top of the left-hand side bar. Comment away and Good Luck to everyone! And remember, commenting in any of my posts also enters you into my CATY Giveaway drawing each month! My way of saying thank you for stopping by.

Blessings and may your weekend be a family-enriching time,

Eileen

Tucker's Home and Friday's Vocabulary Enrichment Word

We've been without our little yorkie-poo, Tucker, for several days now due his fractured leg. I can't tell you how relieved we are to have him back home, knowing that his three-hour surgery went as well as could possibly be expected given the severity of his breaks. The Ontario Veterinary Clinic in Guelph took very good care of our little Tucker, I'm happy to report.

He nearly jump from the technician's arms when he saw me, and then when he got close enough, he cleaned my face as only dogs can do. I never enjoyed wet kisses so much! It truly was a relief to see that his temperament/disposition had not been altered considering all he's been through since Saturday when he tumbled down our steps.

For all of you out there with very small breed dogs, I highly recommend you watch them very closely with stairs, jumping from couches, beds, etc. The specialists at the Veterinary Hospital apparently see a huge number of these fractures that you would think were caused by being hit by a car, but were simple accidents occurring within the home.

These small breed dogs have such tiny bone structure that one wrong twist, or stressful impact, can cause major damage. Tucker will need his splint bandage changed weekly for the next two to four weeks and then he'll still need to be kept relatively calm for another twelve weeks as his bones heal over the pins and screws. We are far from the end of his recovery, but it so good to have him home and no, we will never be allowing him to traverse our steps again. I never again want to hear my little man's high-pitched excruciating cry again. It's a sound that tore the breath out of me at the time, and still today when I think of it, I cringe and feel my insides all knotting up. I pray we'll be able to keep him safe and that his repairs will heal over so that he has many good years ahead with the use of all four of his legs.

I want to express a huge thank you to all who have prayed for Tucker's successful surgery. Knowing you all were out there joining us in prayer assuaged our very real concerns. We appreciate all your prayers and kind words. Thank You All!

Since this is Friday, and I offer a vocabulary enhancement word each Friday, I wonder, did you guess my choice word for this week from that last paragraph?

Ah, yes, you are correct if you picked: Assuaged

as·suage [ə swáyj]
(past as·suaged, past participle as·suaged, present participle as·suag·ing, 3rd person present singular as·suag·es)
vt

Meaning: relieve something unpleasant: to provide relief from something distressing or painful

Another example sentence: Constant reassurance could not assuage their fears.

[13th century. Via Old French assuagier from assumed Vulgar Latin assuaviare , literally “to sweeten,” from Latin suavis “sweet” (see suave).]

-as·suage·ment, n
-as·suag·er, n
-as·sua·sive [ə swáysiv, ə swáyziv], adj
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Be sure to check out my Current Giveaways, links are available to the appropriate posts on the upper lefthand side of the side bar. Comment away and Good Luck to everyone! And remember, commenting in any of my posts also enters you into my CATY Giveaway drawing each month!

Blessings, and may you all have a wonderful weekend.

Eileen

Victoria Day Weekend for Canadians

Tomorrow marks the start of our long Victoria weekend (Monday is a statutory holiday for Canadians). Traditionally this extended weekend sees owners opening their pools, existing gardens receiving a face lift, and even the creation of a few new flower beds in my part of the world.

For our household we'll be pretty much sticking to tradition. Phil (my wonderful hubby) has already made a head start on the pool opening. He'll continue to tackle the purifying of our salt water system so that soon we'll be able to flip the heater switch and then enjoy a dip even before summer arrives.

If we are blessed with cooperating weather, I'll tend to a few more of our garden patches. The one shown here got it's face lift earlier this week between my writing stints. We're going with a reddish mulch this year. Different from the usual brown covering we've become familiar with. It's growing on me.

This weekend I'll start to unload the garden shed of my collection of trinkets to adorn our varying gardens. I just love adding oddities into the mix of flowers and shrubs soon to be blossoming. As I look at our shed and arbor and climbing wine-rack trellis, I see that this is a year for some staining to be accomplished as well. Spring is a time of work for those who dress their outdoor space. When I see the list of to-do's to upkeep our yard and gardens and outdoor furnishings I sometimes wonder if I ought not be a more simplistic person. (By the way, that list never gets completed--it's always too long.) Less sure would be easier to maintain.

And around here, spring brings dandelions galore with it. This is a picture of the farm field directly behind our home. The yellow is all dandelions, so you can imagine how it encroaches on our yard.











This close-up photo is one of a tiny patch of many of these bright interlopers on our back hill. How can something so resplendent be so undesired? Maybe we really should consider yellow an acceptable color for our yards, instead of working so hard for a green one.

I hope all who are working on their spring clean-up will have a prosperous weekend and those who got a head start, may you enjoy your ice tea or steaming cups of mocha as you relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I hope to be one of you by this time next week...God willing!

Okay, ready for my Vocabulary Enhancement word of the week?

I got my hubby to help me with this one. The word of the week is... Ubiquitous.

u·biq·ui·tous [yoo bíkwitəss]adj existing everywhere: present everywhere at once, or seeming to be
[Mid-19th century. Formed from modern Latin ubiquitas “presence everywhere,” from Latin ubique “everywhere,” from ubi “where.”]

Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

A sample sentence: The ubiquitous dandelions existed in all their splendor.

Now it's your turn. I would love to see some sentences containing the word ubiquitous.

Blessing to all and may you have a wonderful weekend!

Eileen

Musings and Vocabulary Enhancement Friday

I've always been a big dreamer. It comes in handy for writing fiction, but it isn't just stories that I dream up. I also dream of renovation projects, much to my husband's chagrin.

I was informed today that I think of things he'd never imagine doing. One of which is replacing six-year-old carpet that already looks worn...to me, at least. Apparently not to my visually-impaired hubby, though. I seriously think he has selective-vision issues. Is your husband like that?

The best kind of home renovations that I dream up, though, send dear hubby on a whirlwind of misgivings. Especially ones that are based on a true need (even from his eyes--I know, hard to believe he gets it, eh?). 'Cause then he knows that he's treading dangerous reno-ground, for sure!

Now, like a lot of women, I imagine, I take it as my duty to dream BIG. No use wasting dream energy on anything small scale--the sky's the limit in my dream world, which by the way is the color of purple, since that's my favorite color and coincidentally my birthstone's as well. As a result of my "duty", I often come up with grandiose plans to upgrade any of our dilapidated situations, of which we have many at the moment with a twenty-something year-old house as our abode to tend to. But, since we can't possibly do everything at once (yes, I've conceded to this basic fact, much to my dismay), we've prioritized and our needy kitchen has ranked fairly high up on the list of "considerations for near-future projects". Our cupboard doors that have permanently dislodged from their hinges, along with counter tops that have more grout than tile and are surely infected with all kinds of micro-organisms that I don't want to think about, are just a couple of the deciding factors that confirm this baby needs a high ranking.

But I say, if you're going to redo a kitchen, isn't it understandable that you do that in conjunction with the sun room addition for the sitting area that you've been dreaming of for eons. Don't you agree? And while you're doing that, you might just as well incorporate that basement stairwell to provide a safe fire exit from the games room below that you've been meaning to get to for years, and since you have to excavate for that then you might just as well add a mini bar type area complete with stain glass windows like Cheers had to give it that real games room appeal next to the mahogany pool table you purchased as your fortieth birthday gift to each other to hold the pop and chips that you often eat down there anyway. I'm right, aren't I?

So I went on a google hunt for a gazebo style sunroom that I've been picturing in my head for our kitchen addition forever and guess what? I found something quite similar to the image in my dream-induced head. [Dear hubby, if you're reading this, brace yourself...now!]

Isn't it just beautiful!!!

Okay, back to reality. Think reality, Eileen. Think retirement, Eileen. Think girls needing post secondary education, Eileen. Think of the washing machine you just had to purchase last night because your sixteen-year-old one floods the laundry room floor everytime you use it now. Think of all the other sixteen-year-old appliances you have with their functionality hanging by a fraying thread and then, if that isn't enough, think of why you consciously work on combining all your errands so that you need only make one or two treks into town a week because of those large numbers you see posted high above the gas stations you pass by each time you make those journeys into town.

Sigh.

Okay, I'm cured. Maybe a little more thought needs to go into this after all!

Now, all this was preparation for my word of the week, of course. Today's word for Friday's Vocabulary Enhancement section is...

ennui

And I'm even going to create my own sentence using this word before I disclose its definition. To prevent ennui, I, Eileen Astels Watson, dream BIG.

ennui: [on wee] boredom from lack of interest: weariness and dissatisfaction with life that results from a loss of interest or sense of excitement
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Have a blessed weekend everyone, and for all you mothers out there reading this: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you!

I would love to see some more examples of how you would use "ennui" in a sentence. Click on the word "comments" below and type in your sentence and be sure to leave your e-mail address with spaces between the ''." and the "@" or brackets around them, for your own protection, so that I can contact you if you win my next blog comment contest (to be announced soon).

Blessings,

Eileen

Scrapping Nook Weekend and Vocabulary Enhancement

Today I'm travelling to my home town to spend a weekend with my Mom and two of my sisters at a Scrapping Nook weekend retreat. We have a suite booked at the hotel and will be helping our Mom get her heritage album well on the way of preserving all her wonderful photos.

I bought a new bathing suit so that I can enjoy the pool and hot tub in the hotel and I'm also booked for some pampering time to get a pedicure and massage along side of my sisters and Mom. So we won't be just scrapping, we'll be indulging in some quality family time while getting pampered too. Won't that be fun. As long as I can let go of my stories and writing to-do list, it will be. I've started praying all ready for God to help me let all my writing responsibilities go for this weekend away.

I've also been praying for a safe journey. I'm NOT a highway driver. I've always left that to my dear hubby. So this is an especially stressful event for me, as I must do the hour and three-quarter drive on my own. Well, not fully alone. I'm actually taking this cute little guy with me. His name is Brewster and he is my youngest sister's dog. They are heading north to Sault Ste. Marie for five days and so Brewster will stay with our Dad while Mom and us girls go to the retreat, then he'll return to town with me and stay with our family until they arrive back home in Kitchener next Wednesday.

So if you all feel so inclined, please pray for safe journeys for Brewster and I and also for my hubby, Phil, to handle the weekend with our three girls and all the chauffeuring required for their activities. May they have a wonderful daddy daughter weekend with Mom away from the nest.

Now, on with my Vocabulary Enhancement word. I actually found this one in a reply to one of my Authors-Helping-Writers interviews. It's probably one you all know, but it was new to me and I really like it and thought it useful to add to my list of new words.

The word is:

Disparate (dis-pe-ret) adj: Distinct in quality or character (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Or, for a description I like even better, it means: very different: used to describe things or people so completely unlike each other that they cannot be compared.(Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation.)

A sample sentence, courtesy of Cheryl Wyatt, my next week's Authors-Helping-Writers interviewee is : Cold contest critiques will help prepare authors for disparate reviews too. (See, I even managed to give a sneak peak of my next interview way early.)

Thanks, Cheryl. I really like this word.

For a challenge, lets see what sentence you can come up with containing the word disparate.

May you all have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Eileen

Four-legged Writing Buddies and a New word

I have several four-legged writing buddies in my home. Two are of the canine persuasion and the other is our sixteen-year-old feline companion, Columbo, who we adopted from the Humane Society way back when he was just a kitten.

Our black lab, Tippy, is nearing her forth birthday and our little yorky poo, Tucker, and all his five pounds match the number of months old he is. We just adopted him in February and he loves to keep both Tippy and Columbo on edge. But, honestly, I think they're really enjoying our newest addition to the family. The house is certainly more lively with the pitter-patter of 90 lbs verses 5 lbs, or 14 lbs for Columbo, prancing around and jostling in their natural mode of play. Tucker and Columbo get into some amazing boxing fights and bless his heart, Columbo does keep his claws contained. Tug of war is the mode of fun for Tippy and Tucker, which often finds Tucker soaring across a room only to shake off the shock and return for more fun.

These three writing buddies keep me company during my creative time and they sometimes provide inspiration for scenes, too. Besides that, they often instigate much needed breaks for my eyes from the keyboard by way of play that draws my attention, required outdoor bathroom breaks, or as you can see in this one photo, tromping across my desk to get some undivided attention also does the trick. It's never lonely in a home with pets and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I added this campfire picture to remind me that we had our first campfire of the season last Saturday. Our youngest and I are roasting hot dogs and quickie pot pies in this picture, while Tippy makes sure her presence is known for sampling time. See her licking her lips!

Musings done, now it's time for Vocabulary Enrichment. What will the word of the week be today?

Okay, I found one, and it's related to one of the senses. You know how you see aroma, smell, scent, odour, as triggers to the sense of smell in many novels. Well, here is another word to add to that list.

Olfactory (ol-FAK-tuh-ree): of or relating to the sense of smell.

An example sentence, courtesy of Michelle Bevillacqua is:

For me, walking past the bakery every morning on the way to school was an OLFACTORY delight.

Let's see what sentences you can come up using the new word of the week, olfactory. Looking forward to reading them.

Blessings,

Eileen

Musings and Vocabulary Enrichment Friday

Remember that writer's office/haven I was working on? Here are a couple pictures of what I've completed so far.


Stage one is complete and it is mighty functional and I just love my time down here. In fact, I start my day here around 5:15 am and write until 6:30'sh, then I go upstairs and start preparing lunches and breakfast for the family. Then, after I see the girls and hubby off in the morning, I return to my little haven around 8:00'sh. Rarely do I leave it again until the muchkins arrive home after school. I'm just so comfortable down her now. It's wonderful!

I was never a basement person before, but this morning sunshine paint really is inviting. I've discovered that it is the quietest room in the house and I'm one of those people who need silence to work. So it's perfect for me. I do have an alarm clock radio that I set regularly to keep my commitments from being overlooked, and see my big white board? It helps me get organized immediately. And my full-spectrum lamp helps me wake up right away in the morning. Of course the colour of my walls helps with that, too.

I'm proud to say that it was I who painted this room, and it was I who assembled all my furniture, too. I bore the blisters and arthritic pain for many days afterward to prove it. I'm sure that in time I'll get around to adding a few more decorations and get some organizing done behind my closet doors, but for now I'm enjoying the simplicity of my room and find it quite pleasant to work in and it provides a professional appeal, too. I feel like I'm back in my old office building--working for real! To bad my chequing account doesn't see it that way!

Now, on with the promised Friday Vocabulary Enhancement. Drum roll please...

And the word of this week is: lachrymose (LACK-rih-moce): causing tears or sadness.

An example:

While most men I know dismiss An Affair to Remember as a LACHRYMOSE melodrama, the women in my office consider it one of the best movie romances in history.

Thanks given to More Words You Should Know by Michelle Bevilacqua for this weeks definition and example sentence.

I pray you all have a wonderful, sunny weekend ahead. Monday's post will be a continuation of the study of Writing the Christian Romance, the topic being, Sexuality in Christian Romance.

Can you give an example of a sentence you would use lachrymose in? I would be most interested in seeing some pop up in the comment box and as a thank you I will enter you into my book drawing!

Blessings,

Eileen