March 2014-0010

 

I'm not really blaming the moon for anything. It accompanied me on one of my morning walks this week and I just wanted to share the photos with you. I just thought it was a catchy title!

I slept in this morning. I've looked forward to it for days and it lived up to my expectations.

I'll be scrambling the rest of the weekend to "get stuff done", but it was totally worth it.

 

March 2014-0004

 

I spotted a small patch of bluebonnets Tuesday. By Thursday, I noticed them blooming all along Austin's roadsides, together with Indian Paintbrushes.

So it's official: Spring has arrived in Austin!

No photos yet, unfortunately. For some reason bluebonnets don't bloom in Long Hollow, but my big girl camera is going back in my bag in case I see a safe place to pull over when I'm out driving to snap some. 

 

March 2014-0005

 

After meeting every two weeks for two years … supporting, critiquing, and encouraging each other … my writing group has disbanded. Temporarily, we hope.

I admitted defeat in my battle for writing time last week, and stepped out of the group. I was the third of the original members to do so in just a few weeks because of the demands of our lives.

Then this past week a fourth announced she was pregnant with her first child. She knew she wouldn't be able to focus on her writing or give the group the attention it required for several months. 

It's bittersweet, to say the least, but I know we'll all still be there for one another… supporting, encouraging, and even critiquing each other's work. Just not in person every two weeks.

 

March 2014-0006

 

I got together with friends on Thursday night to celebrate my friend Karen's 54th birthday with dinner and a movie. She chose "The Muppets Most Wanted". 

I have nothing against the muppets, mind you, and love some of the characters, but it wouldn't have been my first choice by a long shot. I wasn't alone. We joked that our gift to Karen was watching it with her.

But I'll admit to the world that I loved it! So creative, and the supporting actors like Tina Fey were hilarious. It had us laughing out loud, probably scaring the little boy watching it with his dad a few rows in front of us. They were the only other ones in the theater with us.

Time to search for the other muppet movies on Netflix.

 

March 2014-0009

 

My mom is doing much better lately. She had so many changes in her life in such a short time that sent her reeling, but she's settling into a routine, learning to accept the realities she's been given.

I'm grateful she's so close and that the home where she's staying is, for the most part, full of people who truly care about the residents. 

Thank you to all my friends who took the time to send her a card or note to brighten her day.

It's the smallest things we do that often make the biggest difference in someone's life, isn't it?

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16 responses to “Blame it on the Moon”

  1. Hilary Avatar

    Your moon shots are stunning, Barbara.
    I’m sorry you had to give up your immediate hopes for writing but some changes come about for such good reasons.
    I’m glad to hear that your Mom is doing better. How could she not with such a wonderful support system in place for her.
    I’m smiling that your friend made a Muppet fan out of you. Too funny.

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  2. lisleman Avatar

    Great moon shots which would be a good title.
    I read that without the moon humans might not be here. It certainly got me interested in science. I enjoy writing blog posts and coming up with parodies but a book would be too much like work.
    all the best

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  3. Ms. A Avatar

    I’m so glad to hear your mom is doing well and adapting to the move!
    My backyard bluebonnets are blooming! My daughter and her daddy put them out many, many years ago and it’s always a pleasant reminder of those times when the kids were little… and still liked us. LOL!

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  4. Lady Fi Avatar

    Those are beautiful shots of the moon!
    Perhaps your writing group could meet once a month instead?

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm sure we'll stay in touch and meet informally every now and then. And we've promised to be there for each other to critique online, if necessary. Meeting on a schedule kept me accountable, though. However, with everything else going on, there just wasn't enough time in the day, and there were too many higher priority things going on. I won't give up, though!
     

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  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It always surprised me to see bluebonnets growing in Deer Park. When I was growing up, I never saw them unless we drove toward Austin! Why didn't we think of planting them??
     

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    A book is, indeed, a lot of work!!! At least for me it is. I think it takes a bit of "crazy" to write one, too.
     

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thanks, Hilary. It's not the first time I've had to set my writing aside when Life demanded more attention. At least I have one of my books completed enough to send out submission letters…when I have time. πŸ™‚
     

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  9. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Writing groups wax and wane. A playwriting group I was in lagged for a time, then we re-defined its purpose to include other kinds of writing, which helped. Even if you only meet every few months to talk about books you’ve read, it can be helpful to everyone. My two cents.

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  10. lisa Avatar

    I am so glad to hear that your mom is doing well, Barbara. She really has been through a lot over the past year. All of you have.
    I am sorry to hear about your writing group, but it’s good that you will still keep in touch. Sometimes, life just happens, and plans need to change.
    I look forward to seeing the bluebonnets (but DO be safe!!). I just love those flowers.
    Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Lisa. I guess it's the detours that keep life interesting, right? Or at least keep us on our toes.
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Your two cents on writing and writing groups is worth more than everyone else's nickel. πŸ™‚ Thank you!
     

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  13. catskillblogger Avatar

    I’m sorry that your writing group dispanded. I hope you guys get back together once life settles down.

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  14. Gail Avatar

    Just like any group, life gets in the way and something’s gotta go. Maybe you all can keep tabs on each other in FB. I do hope you can keep up with your writing because you’re so good at it.
    Happy to hear the progress your mom is making. You’re so lucky that she was willing to move to be closer to you. My mother would not even consider it. :/

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  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I caught Mama at a weak, lucid moment. There have been times since then that she thinks we tricked her, or that she's just around the corner from her home and doesn't understand why we can't just drop her off.  I remind her I would never have made a four hour drive with her against her will. πŸ™‚ Thank you for the confidence and encouragement in my writing! 
     

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I hope so, too!
     

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