Flash Fiction Blogfest

The rules for Ali's flash fiction blogfest were to write 250 words or less about something unexpected that occurs on Independence Day. Since I can't write short stories to save my life, I resorted to my PR background and wrote a very cheesy, "fictional" news article. It even has a picture. For those familiar with The Onion, this is the kind of article you might find there. Enjoy!

“UTTER” CATASTROPHE MARS MOUNT RUSHMORE

MYSTERY COW HEAD APPEARS OVERNIGHT

Rapid City, South Dakota, July 4, 2011 – Workers at Mount Rushmore National Monument were startled Monday morning to discover a giant cow head carved into the rock beside the four presidents. No one can account for how the gaffe came to be.

“I’ve never seen anything so bovine in my life,” an unnamed night guard said. “Who wants to watch Fourth of July fireworks coming up over the head of a cow?”

Local cattle spokesman, Hugh Heifer, defended the position of the mystery sculptors. “I don’t know who they are,” Heifer said. “But if I did, I would applaud their expression of patriotism. Cattle have played an integral role in the history of this great country and the artists clearly felt this would best show that.”

Much debate has been sparked regarding what to do with the cow head. Some argue for blasting it off, though there is concern of how that might affect the rest of the monument. Others believe the new addition should stay, a tribute to the bullheadedness and hard work of unknown artists.

“In the end, being Independence Day,” Heifer said, “whether you’re a cattle lover or not, there's no reason not to celebrate until the cows come home!”

Flecks of Gold

There's a story of a young man who sold all his possessions and left Boston in 1849 to join the California gold rush. He worked hard, but all he ever found were rocks. One day an old prospector came by and commented on the large pile of rocks the young man had collected.

The man complained that he hadn't found any gold. To this the old prospector took two of the rocks and smashed them together. He showed the young man the flecks of gold inside.

"But I want the big nuggets like the ones in that pouch of yours," the young man said.

The prospector handed over his pouch. When the young man looked inside, he found it was full of gold flecks. The old prospector had made a fortune out of the small, seemingly insignificant flakes of gold.

Too often in my efforts to parent and publish and serve and grow, I discount the little flecks of gold because I'm looking for the big nuggets. I forget that the patient accumulation of hundreds of gold flecks - a moment of laughter with my kids, getting a full manuscript request, bringing a smile to some one's face, adjusting a negative attitude - amounts to quite a fortune indeed.

What are the gold flecks in your life this week? Why do we disregard our small efforts/accomplishments for something bigger? What "fortunes" have you discovered in your life from seemingly small efforts?

Just to Make You Laugh

We were at a barbecue last night and one of the guys there had some Chinese candy from work. My boys tried some, and then my second son came over and quietly asked me: "Does eating that candy make you speak in Chinese?" I laughed and laughed!

What funny things have your kids said or done lately? What's been a LOL moment for you? What ethnic candy/food would you love to eat and instantly be able to speak that language (me: a tie between French and Italian)?

Better With Age

In one of the book clubs I'm in, we're reading Gone With the Wind this month. I tried to read it in high school, and due to procrastination, I only made it about 800 pages. I almost wasn't going to attempt to read the book again - I LOVE the movie and have seen it enough times to know the story and characters.

However, I decided to give the book a second chance, and I'm glad I did. I don't know if I'm enjoying it more because it's not an assignment this time or because I started well in advance of the book club deadline. Or maybe I appreciate the writing and storycrafting more because I'm writer too. Or maybe I like the book better because I'm older and wiser, with more life experience, than as a teen. Whatever the reason I'm glad I'm giving this book another shot.

What book(s) did you struggle reading as a teen, but now you enjoy as an adult? Or vice versa? What have you read recently that you surprisingly enjoyed?

Too Excited to Wait

I was going to share my news on Thursday, but I can't wait! I entered a pitch contest through eHarlequin for their Love Inspired Historical line (I pitched my Pistols and Petticoats book) and I found out tonight I'm one of the six winners!!!

On Thursday I'll have a chance to chat online with one of the editors about my book. I'm a little nervous, but mostly just excited. Thanks, eHarlequin.

Wish You Were Here

With spring in the air (and spring break on the horizon), I'm feeling a familiar itch to travel. And while one of these destinations may not end up on the itinerary this year, I love to look at these pictures and dream.

Scotland

I've visited just a tiny portion of this country and loved it, but I want to see so much more.

Ireland

Most of what I saw of this country was from the bus heading north.

So again, I want to go back and really explore!

 Mackinac (Mackinaw) Island, MI

I lived in Michigan for a year and half but never got up to the upper peninsula. The Grand Hotel (above) was built in 1887 and featured in the movie Somewhere In Time. No one is allowed to drive a car on the island. 

Prince Edward Island

Anne of Green Gable's home - need I say more?

Do you love to travel? Is there a place you visit often? If you could go anywhere this year, where would it be?

Slowing Down

I hate driving in the snow or heavy rain and last Saturday I did just that. I was driving with my boys to a store about twenty minutes from our house. It was raining and I was nervous to traverse the wet, busy, and construction-clogged freeway. Because we didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time, though, I reminded myself I didn't need to hurry. And guess what? My confidence increased as I allowed myself to take things at a slower but steady pace.

How many times in life do we get moving at breakneck speed and all sorts of stress, worry, or fear set in as a result? Of course there are things we have to do and places we have to be. But if we could slow down and proceed through life at a less rushed pace, I think our confidence in ourselves and what we can do would increase and so would our enjoyment of life.

What do you do to slow life down a bit?