I didn't really know what to title this post; I have a lot of thoughts running around inside my head. I might tell you of some of them, but some I'd better think on how to tell you in a fictionalized version; folks don't like it if they think you're talking about them. :) Also, I'm not in the best of moods,and so I'm afraid if I start telling you all that's on my mind, it might bring you down. So, I'll try and be careful.
Here's something positive. I told you in a couple of posts ago that I am getting a second printing done on "Wild Heart" and publishing a children's book. Well, the children's book is called, "GOLD! A Tall Tale" and I've been in contact with the illustrator, who is also going to design the new cover for "Wild Heart." (MERCY i CAN'T EVEN BLOG FOR EVERYBODY TEXTING ME) GRRRR! Anyway, I forgot what I was saying.
As for the audio book, working on that, too. Keep in touch, and you'll know when the books will be out, maybe sometime in the middle of the summer.
I took some of my books to Ripley yesterday. A lady owns a little book store up there and offered to try and sell some for me. The store, "Books and More" is located at 321 N Church Street, if you are ever in that area. She also has a free book exchange.
You know, I wasn't going to complain, but I miss my dog, George. I miss how he just knew how to find a door, or an empty seat or whatever. Yesterday, I know it wasn't intentional, but I felt like I was being pulled in several different directions. I got out of the van, unfolded my trusty cane, which if I had anything to say about it would be magical. Anyway, I unfolded the cane, maybe I'll name it Cujo and rounded the back end of the van, heading for the door of the store. Ok I know that rhymed, but stick with me here. So, my friend, along with my daughter Faith, which btw is a much better sighted guide than most, went with me. My friend takes my elbow and for a moment, it looks like this old lady is being led by the blind woman. But, I quietly told her I would rather follow, so she let go. I figured if she was going to talk the entire way to the door, I surely could follow. But, she gets behind me instead, and says, "Walk straight. No, straight. Ok, turn a little to the right. Now, walk straight again."
I turned, but she said I turned too soon, even though I didn't run in to anything. I was looking for an intersecting sidewalk, you know one that would lead me to the door, but there wasn't one, just gravel. So, I try to keep my mouth shut, grit my teeth in frustration and try to follow her directions, again. Let me ask you something. How can a person turn right and walk straight at the same time? Well, I know I can't walk a straight line, but come on! Don't grab me, turn me toward the right and say "Walk straight"! And all the while, she is pulling me this way and that, saying, "Let me help you stay out of this mud." GRRR! I'd rather walk in mud!!! Now, I love this lady very much. She's a wonderful person. She's great with my kids, but sometimes...
Can you believe I went out to eat with this person, after all that? Well, we did and it wasn't as bad. See, I got smart and told Faith she had to hold my hand cause that was mommy's rule. :) So, the rest of the day wasn't that bad. In fact, my lil 3-year-old led me through Ponderosa, around tables and people and i used the cane and we didn't run in to a thing. My hip didn't knock over anything, either. We did cut a few corners a little too sharply, but at least she wasn't pulling at me.
I don't know if it was the happenings of the day or not, but I dreamed all night about getting lost and losing things, and feeling around for stuff. I woke up this morning, and oddly enough, remembered my eye doctor who wouldn't do surgery until after I had lost my vision. Bless his heart, he knew what he was talking about. What a precious gift, the gift of sight. So, I cried for a bit this morning, asking God for strength, and now, I'm trying to get it all out by writing about it. See, I don't always have it together; I struggle like everyone else.
I told a friend a few weeks ago, I would try to blog about things people want to know, like my disability. So, if you have any questions or issues you would like me to talk about, drop me an email at
ShannonNicoleWells@suddenlink.net
and I'll try to answer your questions or concerns.
So, y'all mind if I rant a little more? Good, cause I guess I'm not finished.
Ok, so I was trying to follow my friend in the parking lot at Ponderosa, yesterday, Faith was holding my hand, and here is the problem with following nervous people. She walked so close in front of me that if I were to extent my cane and use it properly, I would have hit her. So, I pull it in close and walk slow enough so i don't run in to her, but she keeps turning around to look at me and saying, "Over to the right. Over to the left. No this way." Good night, I can't figure out how the lady kept from running in to something, herself, she kept turning around to look at me. If it had been anyone else, it would have been funny for her to run in to someone. lol But, I''m glad she didn't; I don't want nothing bad to happen to somebody. Anyway, I could have held my cane and just walked along side her, my hand on her elbow, but I didn't want to do that. I wanted to be independent. However, you know what happens, sometimes when I try to be independent? I usually end up aggravated and wishing I'd never went.
Once, when my aunt took me and the girls to a doctor's appointment at CAMC General in Charleston, she made me so mad I wanted to leave her there. She grabs me right before I almost ran in to the door, she got on my nerves so bad that finally, because I was ready to beg for a private room and a bottle of meds, I gave her my cane, grabbed her arm and said, "Now, let them think you're the blind woman leading that fat girl around." "Here," I finished, handing her Kierstin, "you carry her, too." And she carried Kierstin, my cane and led me, all the while trying to keep Faith with us. I'm sure we looked mighty confusing. Needless to say, I haven't asked her to go anywhere else with me. I won't either, unless something major happens.
Well, you're probably getting tired of hearing all this, so I'll try to stop, but it's not easy. I tell you, it would be so nice to just go somewhere by my self. By that, I mean, just the girls and I, but that's not easy, either. When Kierstin gets a little more steady on her feet, maybe, but then I'll have to worry about handling 2 walking girls. For trips in town, I thought about getting a wagon. Don't know what I'll do for trips outside town, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Fshew, I'm feeling better already! It's good to write it all down; kind of puts things in to perspective for me.
Don't y'all forget about the book signing this Saturday, May 2 at the Rand Community Center beginning around 11:00AM. I'll be selling andsigning books, selling some music CDs and giving away some bookmarks. You can also get some hot dogs for lunch. Also, Sunday, I'll be announcing on my website
www.christianhomeplace.com
the winners to the book and CD drawing, so don't forget to go to my homepage that day and see who won. Gonna let Faith draw a name from one batch and Kierssy is gonna draw a name from the other batch. This way, because the girls can't read, it'll be fair. One lady tried to teach Faith how to spell her name so she could win. "Cheater!" I said. :)
Well, Faith's mouth is running and I can't blog and listen at the same time, so reck'n I'd better git. If you can't come to the book signing, pray for me. If you can, see you there. Take care and remember, if you see a blind person walking and think he or she needs help, be a kind soul and ask them nicely before grabbing them like you're gonna heal them! Sorry.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Blind Woman's Trip to the Circus
WARNING! This blog may contain cinnisism
The smells of popcorn and cotton candy thick in the air, I walked along with my 3-year-old, Faith and my mom toward our seats in the Charleston Civic Center. We were in the balcony, only 5 rows back. My biggest concern was if Faith could see, but it turned out I didn't have to worry at all; she sat on someone's lap most of the time we were there.
I hadn't been to the circus since I was a little girl, and so I didn't really know what to expect, but as it turns out, some things never change. While we waited, someone was walking all around calling out, "Lemonade!" Now, he may have been a clown, but I don't know and I didn't ask.
So, the circus starts, and the music begins. There's a sense of excitement in the air that no one could miss, and I was no exception.
Let me ask you something. What do you do when yu can't see what is going on, but you know something is, and you don't know what is so funny? Do you lean toward the person beside you and ask, "What's going on?" Or, do you concentrate with all your being, trying to figure it out for yourself? Well, asking isn't a problem, but hearing is. In all that big band music and the ring master yelling and the people talking, your friend beside you might not hear the question. If they do, you might not hear the answer. So, I just concentrated and tried to figure it out from what the ring master was saying and from the sounds of the music. I'd say I missed a whole lot!
When the ring master sings about flying in the clouds, I assume the woman he's singing about is up on the high wire. When I heard the sounds of motorcycles and the ring master sang about going up and up, I assume they're riding them on the high wire. I did ask my sister, at one point, and she tried to describe it, but what with all that noise and Faith talking a mile a minute, I gave up. Anyway, back to my interpretation.
There was a time without music, where the clown and ring master talked, and I figured out a lot of what was going on by what was said. Then came the music again. Now, don't get me wrong, I love music, but honestly, I felt like a blind and deaf person in there, most of the time. I will say that I figured out they had little ponies in the ring, wen they played that "My Little Pony" song.
They had an intermission, when Mom's friend went to get drinks and my sister took Faith to the bathroom, but soon, the music began again, and the struggle for me began again. At this point, Faith starts getting n to it a little bit, and she's jumping up and down saying, "Mommy there's penguins! There's penguins!" Thank goodness for Faith's eyes and mouth that never stop. lol Then, there was the lion, but after that, she sat on someone's lap and left me to fend for myself. Not her fault, but it got a little boring after that.
There was a man who did 3 sumersalts (not spelled right) in the air, but it wasn't until after the show that I learned what a sumersalt was.
And so, the show ends, we make our way surprisingly easily out of the place and walk to the Town Center Malls' parking garage. We went through a drivethrough and got a bite to eat, then came home.
One thing I was surprised about was that Faith never asked for a thing. I had brought money, intending to buy one of those lights, but she never asked for one. I'm glad; they were $22 this year and one for her and one for her sister would have been $44.
When I was a kid, I once had the opportunity to listen to headphones during the circus, with someone describing it, but who wants to put on headphones and miss all that music? Not me! Then, when I was about 12, they took us to meet some circus performers, before the show. That was more interesting than anything. I remember feeding peanuts to an elephant, feeling a clown's shoes, and talking with the performers about working for the circus. But all inall, a circus is not a place for someone who is blind. Would I go again? If that's what my girls want, I will. At least, I'll take them while they are small. In a couple of years, they will be a fountain of information, when it comes to describing things; they won't be able to help it. Kids will tell you more about something, just by saying whatever is on their minds.
Now, to end this blog, let me add something. When we were on the way home, i asked my mom, "So, are the performers mostly young?"
"Yes," she said.
"I'll bet they are built, too...the guys, I mean."
"Oh yeah," she said.
"And, what do they ware, mostly?"
"Not a whole lot," was her answer.
To defend those trapese artists, I said, "Well, if they had a lot of clothing on, they wouldn't be able to do 3 sumersalts in the air, the weight, I would think, would make it almost impossible."
But, maybe not seeing isn't such a bad thing.
The smells of popcorn and cotton candy thick in the air, I walked along with my 3-year-old, Faith and my mom toward our seats in the Charleston Civic Center. We were in the balcony, only 5 rows back. My biggest concern was if Faith could see, but it turned out I didn't have to worry at all; she sat on someone's lap most of the time we were there.
I hadn't been to the circus since I was a little girl, and so I didn't really know what to expect, but as it turns out, some things never change. While we waited, someone was walking all around calling out, "Lemonade!" Now, he may have been a clown, but I don't know and I didn't ask.
So, the circus starts, and the music begins. There's a sense of excitement in the air that no one could miss, and I was no exception.
Let me ask you something. What do you do when yu can't see what is going on, but you know something is, and you don't know what is so funny? Do you lean toward the person beside you and ask, "What's going on?" Or, do you concentrate with all your being, trying to figure it out for yourself? Well, asking isn't a problem, but hearing is. In all that big band music and the ring master yelling and the people talking, your friend beside you might not hear the question. If they do, you might not hear the answer. So, I just concentrated and tried to figure it out from what the ring master was saying and from the sounds of the music. I'd say I missed a whole lot!
When the ring master sings about flying in the clouds, I assume the woman he's singing about is up on the high wire. When I heard the sounds of motorcycles and the ring master sang about going up and up, I assume they're riding them on the high wire. I did ask my sister, at one point, and she tried to describe it, but what with all that noise and Faith talking a mile a minute, I gave up. Anyway, back to my interpretation.
There was a time without music, where the clown and ring master talked, and I figured out a lot of what was going on by what was said. Then came the music again. Now, don't get me wrong, I love music, but honestly, I felt like a blind and deaf person in there, most of the time. I will say that I figured out they had little ponies in the ring, wen they played that "My Little Pony" song.
They had an intermission, when Mom's friend went to get drinks and my sister took Faith to the bathroom, but soon, the music began again, and the struggle for me began again. At this point, Faith starts getting n to it a little bit, and she's jumping up and down saying, "Mommy there's penguins! There's penguins!" Thank goodness for Faith's eyes and mouth that never stop. lol Then, there was the lion, but after that, she sat on someone's lap and left me to fend for myself. Not her fault, but it got a little boring after that.
There was a man who did 3 sumersalts (not spelled right) in the air, but it wasn't until after the show that I learned what a sumersalt was.
And so, the show ends, we make our way surprisingly easily out of the place and walk to the Town Center Malls' parking garage. We went through a drivethrough and got a bite to eat, then came home.
One thing I was surprised about was that Faith never asked for a thing. I had brought money, intending to buy one of those lights, but she never asked for one. I'm glad; they were $22 this year and one for her and one for her sister would have been $44.
When I was a kid, I once had the opportunity to listen to headphones during the circus, with someone describing it, but who wants to put on headphones and miss all that music? Not me! Then, when I was about 12, they took us to meet some circus performers, before the show. That was more interesting than anything. I remember feeding peanuts to an elephant, feeling a clown's shoes, and talking with the performers about working for the circus. But all inall, a circus is not a place for someone who is blind. Would I go again? If that's what my girls want, I will. At least, I'll take them while they are small. In a couple of years, they will be a fountain of information, when it comes to describing things; they won't be able to help it. Kids will tell you more about something, just by saying whatever is on their minds.
Now, to end this blog, let me add something. When we were on the way home, i asked my mom, "So, are the performers mostly young?"
"Yes," she said.
"I'll bet they are built, too...the guys, I mean."
"Oh yeah," she said.
"And, what do they ware, mostly?"
"Not a whole lot," was her answer.
To defend those trapese artists, I said, "Well, if they had a lot of clothing on, they wouldn't be able to do 3 sumersalts in the air, the weight, I would think, would make it almost impossible."
But, maybe not seeing isn't such a bad thing.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
I'm supposed to be doing laundry, but...
I'd much rather be writing! LOL Anyway, can't write much today, because the laundry is truly waiting, and if I don't get it done, well the hubby will complain about having no clean clothes to ware to work. Never has happened, before, no never! Y'all don't believe me, do ye? Well, you can believe whatever ye want 'bout it, but I'm not telling if it's true or not. :)
Anyway, I have good news! I'm getting a children's book published. I don't know how long before it's available, but promise to keep you updated. It's called "GOLD! A Tall Tale" and it's about a couple of silly families taking a trip to California looking for gold. The way the folks in the story talk, it makes them sound like hicks, but oh well. Just makes it funnier.
Also, I will be doing a reprinting of "Wild Heart". It may come out the same time as the children's book. It will be a revised edition, a second printing and should cost about half of what the book costs right now. See, Publish America raised their prices, and I know as well as anyone that $24.95 plus $3.99 for shipping is just too much for my little book no matter how good it is. So, keep checking back for more info about it.
I am also trying to find a way to get both books on audio, but the price is a bit up there, so am trying to think of a way to do it. Might have to pass the collection plate around. Any takers? LOL
Well, the dryer is callin' me name and Terry will be home soon. We have supper to eat and church to go to tonight. I'm thinking of eating out, but shh, that's a secret. What's that? I already did that this week? Ahh, well now ye wasn't sposed to tell everybody. Ok, ok, my secret's out. Anyway, I do need to hurry and go, but before I do, lemme say this:
I've been working on the sequel to Wild Heart, and lemme tell ye, writing a scene where a doctor pulls a tooth is much better than being the patient! Fshew, am I glad i'm not my character! So, do I have you wondering? Good!
Y'all take care and thanks for reading my blog. Hmm, maybe belgin woffles for din... Sorry, thought I had stopped blogging, but guess I was still writing when I thought that. :D
Anyway, I have good news! I'm getting a children's book published. I don't know how long before it's available, but promise to keep you updated. It's called "GOLD! A Tall Tale" and it's about a couple of silly families taking a trip to California looking for gold. The way the folks in the story talk, it makes them sound like hicks, but oh well. Just makes it funnier.
Also, I will be doing a reprinting of "Wild Heart". It may come out the same time as the children's book. It will be a revised edition, a second printing and should cost about half of what the book costs right now. See, Publish America raised their prices, and I know as well as anyone that $24.95 plus $3.99 for shipping is just too much for my little book no matter how good it is. So, keep checking back for more info about it.
I am also trying to find a way to get both books on audio, but the price is a bit up there, so am trying to think of a way to do it. Might have to pass the collection plate around. Any takers? LOL
Well, the dryer is callin' me name and Terry will be home soon. We have supper to eat and church to go to tonight. I'm thinking of eating out, but shh, that's a secret. What's that? I already did that this week? Ahh, well now ye wasn't sposed to tell everybody. Ok, ok, my secret's out. Anyway, I do need to hurry and go, but before I do, lemme say this:
I've been working on the sequel to Wild Heart, and lemme tell ye, writing a scene where a doctor pulls a tooth is much better than being the patient! Fshew, am I glad i'm not my character! So, do I have you wondering? Good!
Y'all take care and thanks for reading my blog. Hmm, maybe belgin woffles for din... Sorry, thought I had stopped blogging, but guess I was still writing when I thought that. :D
Friday, April 17, 2009
Ahh, Friday!
I'm not really sure why I like Fridays, but I always have. It isn't like anything really special happens on the last day of the work week, but I guess it stems from my school days. I always got excited as a little girl when Friday would come, because I knew it was the last day of school until Monday. And, when you're a kid, the weekends seemed longer than ever on a Friday after noon. Now, it seems those 2 short days just fly by and before you know it, Monday is here again.
Now, I hate to always be talking about food, but do y'all remember me talking about that peanut butter egg? Well, the other night, I went and got out the second egg, hoping it too would have peanut butter inside. However, at the first bite I realized it was coconut. Now, coconut isn't bad. In fact, it tasted a bit like an Almond Joy candy bar without the almond, but when peanut butter is your favorite and you are looking forward to peanut butter, well, coconut is a bit of a let down. Now, that's not to say I didn't like it or that I'm not thankful for it, I am. I'll just have to work harder next year to insure I get more peanut butter eggs. That's awful of me! And, here I was planning on going on a diet today. :)
To those who are interested to know, I've been writing on the sequel, more here lately. I think I'm up to 43 pages. Now, that's not 43 consecutive pages. I mean, it starts at the beginning, but a lot of the middle isn't there. I write in bits and pieces, not from beginning to end. I just get an idea, and sometimes that idea isn't what happens next. Sometimes, it's what happened before. So anyway, what I have so far is bits and pieces of scenes. It gets a little confusing when i read it, but I know what I mean. Maybe when I'm further along, I'll post a small teaser here for y'all to read.
I tell you, it's really nice having a room on the back of my house to put all this computer stuff in. I'm sitting at my own desk, the one I've had since I was a little girl, and writing on my laptop. The window is up and a nice breeze, as well as the sounds of singing birds are coming through. Almost as good as being outside. The desk, I'm using, was the one I use to sit at when I lived at home. We lived in Shrewsbury, WV in a traler. By the time 1994 rolled around, there was me, Mom, Dad, a 12-year-old sister, a 5-year-old sister and the baby sister born in June of that year. I was 15, and all I wanted was to be left alone. Hard to do when you lived in a space no bigger than 14 feet by 70. But, I'd go in my room, shut the door, and bang away on my braille writer. One Sunday evening, instead of doing home work, I began writing a story that now is a published work You can read it if you haven't already. It's called "Wild Heart" and it was published by Publish America.
Got a baby trying to climb up behind me. She' brought her stool in here and she's grabbing on to my shirt, trying to get up behind me in this computer chair of Terry's. She and Faith, the 3-year-old like to climb up behind me and play with my hair or play peek-a-boo over my shoulders. It's the sweetest thing!
Well, she's given up, but I want to see if I can get some more written on the story before they need me again. It's such a nice day out there that I'd like to take them outside to play. So, reck'n I'd better "Git on the ball!" like my mom always said. She'd catch me not doing my home work or she'd see my grades that should have been better and she'd say, "You'd better git on the ball and buckle down, Ole Girl!" :)
Now, I hate to always be talking about food, but do y'all remember me talking about that peanut butter egg? Well, the other night, I went and got out the second egg, hoping it too would have peanut butter inside. However, at the first bite I realized it was coconut. Now, coconut isn't bad. In fact, it tasted a bit like an Almond Joy candy bar without the almond, but when peanut butter is your favorite and you are looking forward to peanut butter, well, coconut is a bit of a let down. Now, that's not to say I didn't like it or that I'm not thankful for it, I am. I'll just have to work harder next year to insure I get more peanut butter eggs. That's awful of me! And, here I was planning on going on a diet today. :)
To those who are interested to know, I've been writing on the sequel, more here lately. I think I'm up to 43 pages. Now, that's not 43 consecutive pages. I mean, it starts at the beginning, but a lot of the middle isn't there. I write in bits and pieces, not from beginning to end. I just get an idea, and sometimes that idea isn't what happens next. Sometimes, it's what happened before. So anyway, what I have so far is bits and pieces of scenes. It gets a little confusing when i read it, but I know what I mean. Maybe when I'm further along, I'll post a small teaser here for y'all to read.
I tell you, it's really nice having a room on the back of my house to put all this computer stuff in. I'm sitting at my own desk, the one I've had since I was a little girl, and writing on my laptop. The window is up and a nice breeze, as well as the sounds of singing birds are coming through. Almost as good as being outside. The desk, I'm using, was the one I use to sit at when I lived at home. We lived in Shrewsbury, WV in a traler. By the time 1994 rolled around, there was me, Mom, Dad, a 12-year-old sister, a 5-year-old sister and the baby sister born in June of that year. I was 15, and all I wanted was to be left alone. Hard to do when you lived in a space no bigger than 14 feet by 70. But, I'd go in my room, shut the door, and bang away on my braille writer. One Sunday evening, instead of doing home work, I began writing a story that now is a published work You can read it if you haven't already. It's called "Wild Heart" and it was published by Publish America.
Got a baby trying to climb up behind me. She' brought her stool in here and she's grabbing on to my shirt, trying to get up behind me in this computer chair of Terry's. She and Faith, the 3-year-old like to climb up behind me and play with my hair or play peek-a-boo over my shoulders. It's the sweetest thing!
Well, she's given up, but I want to see if I can get some more written on the story before they need me again. It's such a nice day out there that I'd like to take them outside to play. So, reck'n I'd better "Git on the ball!" like my mom always said. She'd catch me not doing my home work or she'd see my grades that should have been better and she'd say, "You'd better git on the ball and buckle down, Ole Girl!" :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
And the rain rain rain came down down down...
Y'all remember that song from Winnie the Pooh? :D Well, the rain rain rain has been coming down down down! No wonder they call 'em April showers! Speaking of rain puts me in mind of another song; "The rains came down and the floods went up, and the house on the rock stood firm." I don't know about you, but I'm thankful my house is built on The Rock. Is your's? It can be.
What's that? You don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Why, it's that story in the New Testament that talks about the wise man who built his house upon a rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came, the wind blew and beat against the houses. Can you guess which one stood? Why, the one built upon the rock, of course. And the moral of the story? Well, if you build your spiritual house on the rock of Christ Jesus, then you'll not fall. On the other hand, if you built on sinking sand, when trials and tribulations come and beat against your spiritual house, it will fall.
Now, don't worry. I won't charge you for that bit of Bible class. Just had it on my mind and thought I'd share.
Ok, so on Sunday, I was telling y'all that I had 2 chocolate eggs. Well, that night, just before bed (a wonderful time to eat, i tell ye) I ate one of them. And, ye know what? It had peanut butter inside, after all! I was so excited, I ate the whole thing. Well, not really the whole thing; my girls shared it with me. So, now I have one more left. I don't know what's inside it, but it had better be peanut butter, or I'll just be so sad! :( Been putting off eating it, though, so not sure when I'll get to it.
I've actually been yackin' on the phone today, trying to finalize plans for my book launch party. As of right now, it's going to be on Saturday, June 13 at 1:00PM at the old Tompkins house in Cedar Grove, WV. If you've not heard of the Tomkins house, then oh my you are in for a treat! What a beautiful old mansion! It was built in 1844 by William Tomkins for his wife, Rachel Grant, a relation of Ulysis S Grant. No kidding. Anyway, the bricks that the house are made of all came from the clay mud on the Tomkins property, and so does the wood used in the bannisters and molding. on the walls and doorways. The folks living there now have had the floors restored as best they could, and it is lovely inside. So, if you live in or near the Kanawha County, WV area, you have to come, if for nothing else but to see this historical house. If you want directions or more info, drop me a line at
ShannonNicoleWells@suddenlink.net
I have already heard from one of you blog readers that the title, "To Tame A Heart" is a good one for the sequel to "Wild Heart". Haven't heard from anyone else though, so don't be shy about commenting. I would love to hear from my readers!
Oh, mercy, my shoulder is starting to hurt from sitting in the same spot, and there are 2 TVs playing throughout the house, so I might have to run. Thinking about digging out that other egg... OOPS! I didn't say that aloud. Did I? Aw, shucks! Reck'n I did. Oh well, it's always best to be honest. Right? :)
So, on that note, I'll git off here. Y'all be sure and come back soon, ok?
God bless, or as we say when we greet you at church, "Blesshee!"
What's that? You don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Why, it's that story in the New Testament that talks about the wise man who built his house upon a rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came, the wind blew and beat against the houses. Can you guess which one stood? Why, the one built upon the rock, of course. And the moral of the story? Well, if you build your spiritual house on the rock of Christ Jesus, then you'll not fall. On the other hand, if you built on sinking sand, when trials and tribulations come and beat against your spiritual house, it will fall.
Now, don't worry. I won't charge you for that bit of Bible class. Just had it on my mind and thought I'd share.
Ok, so on Sunday, I was telling y'all that I had 2 chocolate eggs. Well, that night, just before bed (a wonderful time to eat, i tell ye) I ate one of them. And, ye know what? It had peanut butter inside, after all! I was so excited, I ate the whole thing. Well, not really the whole thing; my girls shared it with me. So, now I have one more left. I don't know what's inside it, but it had better be peanut butter, or I'll just be so sad! :( Been putting off eating it, though, so not sure when I'll get to it.
I've actually been yackin' on the phone today, trying to finalize plans for my book launch party. As of right now, it's going to be on Saturday, June 13 at 1:00PM at the old Tompkins house in Cedar Grove, WV. If you've not heard of the Tomkins house, then oh my you are in for a treat! What a beautiful old mansion! It was built in 1844 by William Tomkins for his wife, Rachel Grant, a relation of Ulysis S Grant. No kidding. Anyway, the bricks that the house are made of all came from the clay mud on the Tomkins property, and so does the wood used in the bannisters and molding. on the walls and doorways. The folks living there now have had the floors restored as best they could, and it is lovely inside. So, if you live in or near the Kanawha County, WV area, you have to come, if for nothing else but to see this historical house. If you want directions or more info, drop me a line at
ShannonNicoleWells@suddenlink.net
I have already heard from one of you blog readers that the title, "To Tame A Heart" is a good one for the sequel to "Wild Heart". Haven't heard from anyone else though, so don't be shy about commenting. I would love to hear from my readers!
Oh, mercy, my shoulder is starting to hurt from sitting in the same spot, and there are 2 TVs playing throughout the house, so I might have to run. Thinking about digging out that other egg... OOPS! I didn't say that aloud. Did I? Aw, shucks! Reck'n I did. Oh well, it's always best to be honest. Right? :)
So, on that note, I'll git off here. Y'all be sure and come back soon, ok?
God bless, or as we say when we greet you at church, "Blesshee!"
Sunday, April 12, 2009
My New Sweater
Ok, so here's a pic of me in my new sweater that I crocheted. It took 2 tries before ending up with what you see, and even now, as I got home today, I noticed the seam was coming loose at one end of a sleeve. It's the 3rd time its done that, so I really need to figure out what the deal is. I'm told it looks more suitable for fall, what with the colors I went with, but who cares. It's so so very cold at 31deg F this morning on my way to Sonrise service that I wore it along with my jenes. Everyone loved it. And, in case you are shocked at me waring jenes, have no fear; I changed in to my Easter dress after breakfast. Anyway, if you want the pattern for this jacket, then you can go to
and search for "moderne jacket." It is no longer free, but I think it's only $3.99, which isn't too bad. It's not a hard pattern to follow, but I had never made a jacket before and had no idea what raglan sleeves are, so it took some practice. Thinking of making another one, but not sure.
Well, I'm too tired to tell you about my day, but I do hope you had a good one, like me. We're not having church tonight, so we're staying home and trying to rest up from getting up at 5:00AM. My girls got candy and toys and chocolate bunnies and I got a couple of chocolate eggs that I'm praying have peanut butter stuff in the middle. If they don't, I might go in to shock. Well, guess that's about it for now. Pray for me that I get some sleep.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday Morning Ramblings
Well, it's Saturday. Terry's still snoozing, the babies are playing and watching TV, and I who should be busy about the house am sitting in here playing on the computer. I have a kitchen to clean, cinnamon rolls to bake, laundry to do and breakfast to eat. Instead, however, I'm blogging. :)
I told you a little about my book in the previous post, but what I didn't tell you was that I'm currently working on a sequel. When writing "Wild Heart" I never thought about a sequel. In fact, I never thought about publishing it. But, after its publication, and after a few people read it, I kept hearing things like, "So, what happens to so and so?" Or, they asked, "So, when's the next book coming out?" I knew from those comments and questions that I'd have to do something and do it quick. I had a little idea of who I wanted the next one to be about, but no idea what I wanted the story to be about. So, one day, while playing around on YouTube, I happened upon a few country songs. And Voila! Just like that, I had an idea. So, 39 pages in to the sequel, I'm chugging right along. I'm also trying to come up with a title to it. Now, y'all don't know who and what the new book is about, but what do you think of the title, "To Tame A Heart"?
If I remember correctly, I asked y'all in the last post to pray for my grandmother. If I ddidn't, then still remember her, but I do want to share that she is home from the hospital. So, thanks for your prayers, no matter when you say them.
Honestly, I don't know what else to say this morning. I really think I'm just putting off doing those dishes.
I can't do it right now,but when Terry gets a moment, he's going to help me post a picture of me waring my new sweater I made on the internet somewhere. I finished crocheting it Tuesday and wore it the first time when I took my 3-year-old to her doc appointment Wednesday morning. I needed a button up top, so Wednesday after noon, I crocheted one and sewed it on. It's a bit misshapen, but no big problem. I wore the sweater that night to church, and everyone said they liked it. It's a bit too warm for this time of year, but the sleeves are short, so it doesn't seem that warm. It is heavy, though. I promise, you'll get to see it. Just as soon as it's on the internet somewhere, I'll get on here and tell you where.
Well, enough procrastinating, I guess. My dad always said, "You take up more time trying to come up with a way not to do something, than it would have taken to just do it." He's right. I am like that. So, I'll try to just get busy. Y'all take care and get your Easter clothes laid out and ready for tomorrow morning. And, in case I forget, happy Easter.
I told you a little about my book in the previous post, but what I didn't tell you was that I'm currently working on a sequel. When writing "Wild Heart" I never thought about a sequel. In fact, I never thought about publishing it. But, after its publication, and after a few people read it, I kept hearing things like, "So, what happens to so and so?" Or, they asked, "So, when's the next book coming out?" I knew from those comments and questions that I'd have to do something and do it quick. I had a little idea of who I wanted the next one to be about, but no idea what I wanted the story to be about. So, one day, while playing around on YouTube, I happened upon a few country songs. And Voila! Just like that, I had an idea. So, 39 pages in to the sequel, I'm chugging right along. I'm also trying to come up with a title to it. Now, y'all don't know who and what the new book is about, but what do you think of the title, "To Tame A Heart"?
If I remember correctly, I asked y'all in the last post to pray for my grandmother. If I ddidn't, then still remember her, but I do want to share that she is home from the hospital. So, thanks for your prayers, no matter when you say them.
Honestly, I don't know what else to say this morning. I really think I'm just putting off doing those dishes.
I can't do it right now,but when Terry gets a moment, he's going to help me post a picture of me waring my new sweater I made on the internet somewhere. I finished crocheting it Tuesday and wore it the first time when I took my 3-year-old to her doc appointment Wednesday morning. I needed a button up top, so Wednesday after noon, I crocheted one and sewed it on. It's a bit misshapen, but no big problem. I wore the sweater that night to church, and everyone said they liked it. It's a bit too warm for this time of year, but the sleeves are short, so it doesn't seem that warm. It is heavy, though. I promise, you'll get to see it. Just as soon as it's on the internet somewhere, I'll get on here and tell you where.
Well, enough procrastinating, I guess. My dad always said, "You take up more time trying to come up with a way not to do something, than it would have taken to just do it." He's right. I am like that. So, I'll try to just get busy. Y'all take care and get your Easter clothes laid out and ready for tomorrow morning. And, in case I forget, happy Easter.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Why "Old Time Christian?"
"What an old fashioned title for such a new age thing!" that's what you're thinking. Right? Well, why not? The Word of God has been around for ages and ages, and if you know anything about it, then you know the Bible says that God's Word never changes. Back in the 1400's God's Word was made available for the first time in English for all to read. Suddenly, what was forbidden to the commoner was made attainable. At the time, it was new, and not all agreed with its being translated in to English. Now, however, in this mordern day with all our technology the Bible still remains on the bestseller list. So, I will ask again. Why not use the title "Old Time Christian" for my blog. I am in fact, an old time Christian, or at least, I attempt to be.
"So, where did the title come from?" Now, that's an easy one. Question is, will you believe me? Let's see. I was creating this blog, and it asked, "What is the title of your blog?"
"Hmm," i thought. Then, I asked, "Lord, what title would you like me to use?"
A moment later, that old Gospel song came to my mind. You may have heard it. Here's how some of it goes.
"I'd rather be an old time Christian than anything I know. There's nothing like an old time Christian with a Christian's love to show. I'm walking in the grand old highway, and I'll tell it everywhere I go that I'd rather be an old time Christian than anything I know."
Remember that? No? Well, hop on YouTube or something and look it up. It's a song worth hearing.
Anyway, that's how I would describe myself, an old time Christian. I'm a whole lot of other things, too, but over all, I am a Christian. I do not believe in evolution. (Genesis 1 KJV) I do not believe women or men, for that matter have the right to take an unborn baby's life. (Exodus 20 KJV) I do not believe that men and women are created homosexual. (Genesis 19 KJV)
What I do believe is that God and only God, Jehovah is His name, created the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. I do believe that God made man in His own image, and that He made woman from one of the first man, Adam's ribs. I do believe that God sent His son, not himself to earth to live as a man, to b crucified on a cross, and to rise again the third day. I also believe thatJesus, the son of God is alive, living at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. And, to quote another old song, "And, I believe He's coming back like He said. I believe that the trumpet's gonna soun so loud, one day it'll wake the dead. In a twinkling of an eye He'll split the Eastern sky. And, I believe He's coming back like He said."
And, you thought I was going to have a blog that resembled a little old lady. Didn't ye?
Ok, so I said I was a lot of other things, so here are some of them:
I'm a Pastor's wife,
a minister, but you probably already guessed that,
a mom of two beautiful girls,
a pianist,
a singer,
a song writer,
an author, but I'll tell you more about that in a minute,
a lover of books,
one who crochets,
one who makes bread the old fashioned way, by hand,
and last, but not least, I am a woman who is blind.
Yeah, you heard right. I do all that and I'm as blind as a bat, so the saying goes. I can't see a thing, and my eyes are fake, made of plastic, but everyone tells me they look real. I use a cane, sometimes, used to have a guide dog, braille my microwave, washer and dryer, use a color identifier when matching clothes, although, my 3-year-old is getting good at that job. I have a braille watch, a talking alarm clock that crows to wake us up, a speech program on my computer, and a lot of other neet toys that make daily living a bit easier.
I don't use any adaptive equiptment to make bread, accept I did mark my oven temps. A good friend taught me how to make bread a few years ago, and I love it. Also, love eating it. :) In fact, the folks at our church are looking forward to my cinnamon rolls for breakfast after Sonrise service this Easter morning.
Crochet? Now, that one was a challenge at first, but now it's something I love to do. Just finished a sweater, but need to make sure it looks good, before wearing it out in public. I've made afghans, hair scrunchies, mittens, and much much more.
I learned to play the piano when I was young. I'm not a concert pianist, but I can play well enough to back up my singing. I have a southern twang and love to sing. I don't exactly write down my songs, but I do memorize them as God gives them to me.
Ok, ok, I know this first post is long, so I'll shut up for now, but be sure to come back often. I love to write and want someone to read it.
Oh, that reminds me! I am a published author, too. My first book, "Wild Heart" was published by Publish America in January of this year, 2009. To check it out, you can go to
www.publishamerica.com
There is also a lot of info on it on my website
www.christianhomeplace.com
Just click on the "Wild Heart" link and all the info is right there.
Well, the babies need to be put to bed and the battery in my laptop might not last much longer, so have to run for now, but I'll be back, so watch out! :D
"So, where did the title come from?" Now, that's an easy one. Question is, will you believe me? Let's see. I was creating this blog, and it asked, "What is the title of your blog?"
"Hmm," i thought. Then, I asked, "Lord, what title would you like me to use?"
A moment later, that old Gospel song came to my mind. You may have heard it. Here's how some of it goes.
"I'd rather be an old time Christian than anything I know. There's nothing like an old time Christian with a Christian's love to show. I'm walking in the grand old highway, and I'll tell it everywhere I go that I'd rather be an old time Christian than anything I know."
Remember that? No? Well, hop on YouTube or something and look it up. It's a song worth hearing.
Anyway, that's how I would describe myself, an old time Christian. I'm a whole lot of other things, too, but over all, I am a Christian. I do not believe in evolution. (Genesis 1 KJV) I do not believe women or men, for that matter have the right to take an unborn baby's life. (Exodus 20 KJV) I do not believe that men and women are created homosexual. (Genesis 19 KJV)
What I do believe is that God and only God, Jehovah is His name, created the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. I do believe that God made man in His own image, and that He made woman from one of the first man, Adam's ribs. I do believe that God sent His son, not himself to earth to live as a man, to b crucified on a cross, and to rise again the third day. I also believe thatJesus, the son of God is alive, living at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. And, to quote another old song, "And, I believe He's coming back like He said. I believe that the trumpet's gonna soun so loud, one day it'll wake the dead. In a twinkling of an eye He'll split the Eastern sky. And, I believe He's coming back like He said."
And, you thought I was going to have a blog that resembled a little old lady. Didn't ye?
Ok, so I said I was a lot of other things, so here are some of them:
I'm a Pastor's wife,
a minister, but you probably already guessed that,
a mom of two beautiful girls,
a pianist,
a singer,
a song writer,
an author, but I'll tell you more about that in a minute,
a lover of books,
one who crochets,
one who makes bread the old fashioned way, by hand,
and last, but not least, I am a woman who is blind.
Yeah, you heard right. I do all that and I'm as blind as a bat, so the saying goes. I can't see a thing, and my eyes are fake, made of plastic, but everyone tells me they look real. I use a cane, sometimes, used to have a guide dog, braille my microwave, washer and dryer, use a color identifier when matching clothes, although, my 3-year-old is getting good at that job. I have a braille watch, a talking alarm clock that crows to wake us up, a speech program on my computer, and a lot of other neet toys that make daily living a bit easier.
I don't use any adaptive equiptment to make bread, accept I did mark my oven temps. A good friend taught me how to make bread a few years ago, and I love it. Also, love eating it. :) In fact, the folks at our church are looking forward to my cinnamon rolls for breakfast after Sonrise service this Easter morning.
Crochet? Now, that one was a challenge at first, but now it's something I love to do. Just finished a sweater, but need to make sure it looks good, before wearing it out in public. I've made afghans, hair scrunchies, mittens, and much much more.
I learned to play the piano when I was young. I'm not a concert pianist, but I can play well enough to back up my singing. I have a southern twang and love to sing. I don't exactly write down my songs, but I do memorize them as God gives them to me.
Ok, ok, I know this first post is long, so I'll shut up for now, but be sure to come back often. I love to write and want someone to read it.
Oh, that reminds me! I am a published author, too. My first book, "Wild Heart" was published by Publish America in January of this year, 2009. To check it out, you can go to
www.publishamerica.com
There is also a lot of info on it on my website
www.christianhomeplace.com
Just click on the "Wild Heart" link and all the info is right there.
Well, the babies need to be put to bed and the battery in my laptop might not last much longer, so have to run for now, but I'll be back, so watch out! :D
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