Staircases adventures

Here's this week's Don't make me turn this car around! column appearing in newspapers...

Staircases adventures can create big steps to fun

Got a staircase in your childhood? If so, I’ll bet – like me – you were always just a step away from great adventures.

The neighbor kids and I used to push our Slinkys down Laurel Watkins’ steep steps that led to her basement. Other times, those same stairs became either a badge of courage or sum of all fears when we ran and leapt over the final four. To push five – now, that’s what we called adventure.

The staircase in Sherrie Leffel’s 1940s-era home provided great adventures. “We loved sliding down the banister! Sometimes, when we were called down to dinner, we took two or three turns each,” said Leffel. She and her siblings eventually graduated to climbing over the railing and hanging over the stairs. Until they discovered laundry basket races.

“We ran up, jumped in a basket, scooted on the floor and pushed off,” said Leffel. Their baskets – and laughter – bounced down each step.

“Pretty soon we’d all be going at once. We landed at the bottom in a heap of kids and baskets. When someone started crying, we’d stop until the next time we could sneak it in,” Leffel said, stressing they only raced when Mom was away.

Joy Venton and her sister have great staircase memories. "We were about 5 or 6 years old when we started sliding down the stairway on our blankets. We had so much fun!” said Venton.

Then there’s Val Hix, who counts staircase adventures as “one of my favorite childhood memories,” she said.

Hix and her family took six-week road trips each summer from Covington, La. to her Grandma Moo’s and Grandpa Holly’s old farmhouse in rural Washington.

“My brother, sister and I spent many days with our cousins on the farm. On rainy days we spent the day downstairs. We all loved to bump down the steps and see how fast we could get going, racing two at a time to see who was the fastest,” said Hix.

The challenge was to avoid a brick hearth at the bottom, Hix recalled.

“We bumped for so long that our backsides were sore, bruised and rug-burned. But did that stop us? No way – we just kept going. And we always remembered to shut the door at the top of the stairs, thinking no one had a clue as to what we were really doing!” laughed Hix

Whether sliding down on blankets, baskets, or our bottoms, one thing’s for sure: I’ll bet you were always just a step away from great adventures.

Copyright © 2007 by Judy Halone

Workouts and two writing tips

Started today with a workout at the gym. I usually work out for an hour late in the evening, but today I went really early. It felt great. Did 30 minutes each of cardio and strength-resistance training. Each week seems to get easier. I leave on a natural 'high'.

It's now late evening, and I just returned from another hour workout -- this one with one of my daughters and her best friend. It just feels so good!

Worked on next week's column today. It just wasn't jiving; I realized what I was working on wasn't right for my column's readers. It belongs instead in a business magazine, which I'll pursue. It's important to keep the readership at heart.

But thankfully another column idea started clicking after dinner, so I quickly got it down and saved it. It's simmering, like a good stew, until tomorrow morning . Then I'll read it with fresh eyes while sipping a good strong cup of coffee. And when it feels right for my readers, I'll submit it to the editors.

Here are a couple of writing tips I teach to new writers:

1. No matter how much you love what you've written, let it simmer like a good stew. Allow the thoughts, transitions, and take-aways to blend their fragrances for the readers you have in mind. You will never regret holding on to your finished product while it gathers its aroma.

2. Write the best you can for that moment. When you read it later you'll probably kick yourself and say something like, "How in the world could I have written that? It could have been so much better!" And you're right-- it could have been better. But you know that now because you practiced.

That is the world of being a writer. We are constantly improving. It's important to know that the best writers --even the best actors-- look back at their work and see how they too could have done it better. That's a sign of growth -- that we're always striving for the best.

Whatever you do today, I want to encourage you to do your best. I don't care if it's sending a query letter to a New York editor or cleaning out cracker crumbs from your toddler's car seat. Just do your best, then let it go. And you'll have no regrets.

Copyright (c) 2007 by Judy Halone

Changes

God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change; the courage to change the one I can; and the wisdom to know it's me.

When a girl becomes a ma'am

I thought I'd start including my weekly newspaper column, Don't make me turn this car around! in my blog. It's so fun to write! Please let me know what you think of it -- I'd love to hear from you! Here is this week's edition...enjoy!

When a girl becomes a ma'am

Okay girls - this one's for us. Because we can handle almost anything, right? From babies screaming in the back seat to winning the missing sock battle.We girls can handle almost anything - except when someone calls us “Ma'am” for the first time.

I'm not talking about our polite friends who practice their Southern hospitality or military courtesy. This is about feeling like we're getting old before we're ready for it. But we can handle almost anything, right?

I thought I could. Until the day a courtesy clerk - cute and in his 20s, by the way - loaded groceries into my trunk while I leaned into the car to buckle up my baby boy.

“Have a nice day, Ma'am.”

I stood straight up and bumped my head.“'Ma'am'? You didn't call me ‘Ma'am', did you? ‘Cuz I'm, like, 23, you know. I'm not...I'm not a ‘Ma'am,'” I stammered.

Poor guy. He'd been hit with a heavy dose of estrogen and all he had to defend himself with was an empty grocery cart.

Elaine Koehn can handle almost anything. She first heard “Ma'am” as a new school teacher.

“There was a young man whose dad was in the military; he'd call me ‘Ma'am',” Koehn said. Koehn took no offense. “I understood - it was appropriate,” she said.

She also knows how to politely correct students who might call her “Sir.”

“I think ('Ma'am') is appropriate, just like if you were to call someone ‘Miss,' ‘Ms' or ‘Mrs.' But a connotation of belligerence? No,” Koehn said.

Jennie Peloli can handle anything. Almost.

To hear ‘Ma'am' means you're getting old! I'll be in a restaurant, and the server might ask, ‘Can I help you, ‘Ma'am?' I don't like that.”

Peloli plays a double-standard.

“Yet when I need to get someone's attention, I might use ‘Ma'am'; but when it's used on me, I don't like it!'” Peloli laughed.

Then there's Rachel Tschabold.

“I was probably in my late 30s or early 40s the first time someone called me ‘Ma'am.' It makes me feel like an old lady,” she chuckled.

Her story doesn't end there. Tschabold related going into stores where clerks behind the counter are more than half her age.

"What's worse is when they call you ‘Honey' - and they're younger than you!” she laughed.

So girls - this one's for us. Because we can handle almost anything, right?

Even when a girl becomes a “Ma'am.”

Judy Halone is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Societyof Newspaper Columnists. Copyright (c) 2007 by Judy Halone

Women's Retreat 2007: Meet me at the well

Grace like rain...

Recently I was honored to speak with two of my dearest author friends to a group of women at a beautiful retreat center on the edges of Lake Tanwax.

What an incredible weekend! These beautiful ladies came from all walks of life, backgrounds, family situations. Together we soaked up friendship's refreshing love.

Pamela Johnson spoke from her heart on following our dreams. She shared several stories, each inter-woven into the next: reaching out to a father's unavailable heart, facing depression, confronting fears, and following dreams. Many tears were shed.

Penelope Fry spoke from her heart on becoming vulnerable in order to reach out to others. She shared several stories and spoke openly about the struggles God allows to come our way. Many tears were shed.

I spoke from my heart on facing our inadequacies -- about difficult incidents in my life that have led me to embrace my Father's love. Many tears were shed.

We had a great time --sitting on the floating pier surrounded by evergreens, willows and late-winter breezes. Craft time. Worship. Shared meals. Laughter -- lots of laughter! Incredible!

I love these precious women we all came to know. They each have such hearts for their families. I can't wait for us to speak again!

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-drenched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Telephone Justice

***Chief Justice Gerry Alexander behind his chair in the State Supreme Court Courtroom. This man is one of the kindest and sincerest men I have ever met. I hold him in the utmost respect. (Photo copyright 2007 by Judy Halone*)**

Last week I stood with other journalists in the room where our State Supreme Court makes all its decisions. It was a very moving experience.


Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, a very humble and gracious man, told us this story:



He once met a visitor from Khazkstan when the country was experiencing the fall of communism.



The visitor, looking at the nine chairs around the long wooden table, asked, through the help of a translator, "Where is the telephone?"

"There isn't one," he replied.

"Where is the telephone?" the visitor asked again.



"We don't have a telephone in here," Chief Justice reiterated.



"But where is your telephone?" The visitor demanded.



The Chief Justice asked him why he kept asking about a telephone.



"So the Governor can tell the judges how to vote."

When Chief Justice replied that doesn't happen here, the visitor looked amazed.

"And that," explained Chief Justice Alexander, "is what is known as Telephone Justice."

Aren't you glad we live in a free country?

For Annie

Part of experiencing all God has for us means being willing and available to share our friend's burdens.

Just as this beautiful tree reaches upward toward the light, your friend will stand a bit taller because of the Light you're sharing.

Annie...my prayers are with you and those you love.

It's here!

The Embrace of a Father

Compiled by Wayne Holmes,published April 2006 by Bethany House Publishers. This is a very beautiful hardcover book!

55 stories celebrating the attributes of fatherhood. Contact me if you'd like to purchase a signed and discounted edition.

Let's hear it for kids and Waffle Wednesday!

Incredible: six neighbor kids.

Delicious: homemade waffles and hot cocoa.

Amazing: seven smiles.

Kids and Waffle Wednesday

Three neighbor kids came over this morning for homemade waffles and hot chocolate before getting on the bus.

We had so much fun that we've started "Waffle Wednesday" each week. They're inviting other neighbor kids, too! (With parent permission).

I recently learned that it used to take one adult to positively influence five kids; it now takes five adults to leave a positive impact on one child.

So the next time a child comes your way, remember: you don't need waffles or hot chocolate--just a listening ear and a huge smile. But keep in mind: it's gonna' change your life!

First haircut

My little two-year-old granddaughter got her first haircut yesterday. Her picture is on my desktop and I'm sure I'll have it printed and framed, too.

There's something about a child's first haircut: they look so old afterward!

She stands facing the camera, with her little hands outstretched by her sides, as if just ready to bust a button...like she can hardly stand still in her post-haircut excitement.

Her beautiful long eyelashes, pure-blue eyes, and the auburn-blonde red hair that Papa Brown had always wanted his children to have...she is just priceless.

How did she sit still at the salon? She watched Nemo, enjoyed her sucker, and picked out an orange balloon when it was all done. Now that's what I call living!

1000 pounds of chocolate

Today was our monthly critique group at Borders'Cafe.

I can't stress enough the importance of networking with other authors. I have two writing groups that I belong to, and both are worth their weight in chocolate.

Which, if combined, would be around 1000# of chocolate. That's not such a bad thing--to be worth your weight in chocolate.

Good writers help us see our writing through fresh eyes. They make sure we don't assume the reader understands what's in our head when we tell our stories; they want it in writing! (Show, don't tell).

Good writers offer suggestions to bring more action, create shorter sentences, and remind us of Point of View (POV) and Voice.

But more than providing quality writing suggestions, good writer friends are simply friends. We listen. Share goals. Report on acceptances. And returns--because any writer will tell you that you're not successful until your writing's been rejected. Why? Because rejection means that we tried. No pitches, no queries, then no returns. I could build a house with the returns I've received. But that also means there have been lots of acceptances, too.

Good writing friends tell us they need to read more detail. For example, today they went over next week's column which describes my time in Germany and the magical ambiance of family-friendly Bavarian Biergartens. I attempted to compare American's attempts at supersizing sodas to German biergartens. There is no comparison. The Germans have it. We don't.

So my friend said something about using the word "beer mug." That could create a picture of a huge glass of beer, which then makes the Bavarian scene complete. Right?

Well, her suggestion worked, because a guy with a fresh cup of coffee heard her say "beer mug." He sat next to our table. We laughed.

Now if my readers can pull up a chair, sip a cup of hot coffee, and read my column with that much enthusiasm at the word "Beer garden," then next week's column will be another hit.


So today, eight eyeballs helped me out. Plus a guy drinking coffee listening in.

Definitely worth 1000# of chocolate--don't you think?

Not a car singer? Then skip this.

If you don't sing in the car, skip this.

I traveled up north yesterday along I-5 and I-405. Alone. No music blaring out of my teenager's headsets in stereo behind me. Sometimes I can hear Michael Buble on one side of me; the other--maybe Daniel Powter singing about having a bad day. Both great singers.

But yesterday it was just me.

So for two and a half hours, I listened to whatever I wanted. With my CD player jammed in the magazine, and unable to afford to fix it because I make so much money as a writer, I'm currently stuck with the radio; I'll take Switchfoot any day, and if I'm really lucky, Tony Bennett on the jazz/NPR station.

I love cranking up the music, then turning it down when I head back into the driveway. It's a secret my kids don't know about. It's a way to relive my teen years. Which is about the only part of my teen years I'd wish to relive.

The hardest part about driving and singing are the stop lights. I nod my head with the beat, keep rythmm on the steering wheel, and if the lyrics are really good--and I don't want to stop singing when the guy in the Hummer next to me is watching-- I just look straight ahead and sing. Doesn't bother me anymore, what other drivers at red lights think of me...because I know they do it, too.

So tell me, if we meet at a stoplight, and your lips are moving, what will you be singing?

Recipe of the week

I try hard to cook something different for dinner each week. Usually it's something I've made in the past. Here's a fun and different dessert that my family loves:

Kid-friendly Red Hot Salad...'cuz who wants celery and nuts in their jello?


2/3 c. cinnamon red hots**
1.5 c. applesauce
3-oz pkg red jello
1 c. boiling water
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 mayo or plain yogurt (I use yogurt)

Stir red hots, applesauce and jello in the water. Cool. Pour half into 9X13" dish and chill until firm. Mix cream cheese with mayo. Pour over jello mixture. Chill until set.

Yum!
**Sometimes you can find the red-hots in celophane pkgs near check registers for 50 cents each.

See you at the pole

I heard a report on the news today about a local county that just approved additional spending to accomodate our growing prison population.

I'm not a politician, so I have an easier way to go about this: start investing in a child. Be there for them. Let them know you care. Then we'll wonder later on what to do with all the extra jail space.

A bunch of us invested in our local kids today when we met around the flagpole of a local school. We prayed for the students, their relationships with parents, their friends going through tough times, and every teacher by name.

It's hard to criticize and find fault with others when we're in their corner.

Who they really are

The neighborhood kids remind me of one of my very favorite quotes by Mother Teresa:

"Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

Two guys at my door

I heard an early-morning knock today. As soon as the door opened, two neighborhood kids excitedly told me all about the upcoming science fair and a presentation one of them planned on doing today (he was dressed in a jacket, shirt, and tie). His presentation was on a "dead person who used to be alive and was famous."

They didn't care that my make-up wasn't yet on or my house wasn't picked up. But they sure knew they were welcome(I make sure their parents know).

They had just enough time to drink hot chocolate, feed the squirrels on our back porch and ramble on about the upcoming science fair.

What an honor to spend time with children! We are the ones who are lucky, not they. I hope that all of us will take time to drop everything we feel is so important--deadlines, errands, projects due, presentations--and just listen to what a kid has to say. No unsolicited advice. No judging. No all-about-me's. Just listening and caring. Maybe we'll learn something.

Soon they walked out toward the bus. Then they stopped and turned in my direction. "Tomorrow? Eight o'clock?"

"You bet."

Better stock up on hot chocolate.

Lovin' the morning time

It isn't always easy for me to get up early, but I love the promise of a new day. I love the honor of praying for my family before my feet hit the floor; it sets the pace for the rest of the day--so that no matter what happens, I've asked God to surround us with His guidance and presence. It's a way of acknowledging that He is in control. I'm not. Things go so much smoother that way! To think that He loves each one of us so incredibly much, and loves to hear others' names brought before his heart...well, that amazes me!

This doesn't mean that the day is always easy or peaceful. But I know that whatever happens, I'm not alone. And either are you.

Here we go!

Hi. This blog stuff is so new to me!

Hopefully it will be a good way to warm up my writing each morning before starting another writing assignment.

I'm so blessed to have a large network of writer friends and hope to find more here through this site.

I'll sign off on my first official post with one of my favorite quotes from Blessed Mother Teresa:
"I'm a little pencil in the big hands of a writing God."

~Judy