Sunday Scribbles - "Inspiration"

Inspiration

This is the prompt from this week's Sunday's Scribblings. I have decided to participate on the sly for a little while. I don't know how faithful I would be at it, as well, as I rarely visit a computer on Sundays, so my entries wouldn't be until later in the week. Anyway, here is my first attempt!

My inspiration for writing short stories, nearly always comes from a dream that I had at some point. It wasn't until after having written such a short story and having it read by someone close to me, that I was challenged to explain the process of my writing.

My stories are most often loosely based on a dream that I had, but the characters/players from that dream take on their own new lives as I begin writing about each of them. Even from the moment I settle on a name for that character, it begins morphing from what I dreamt about to what I imagine for my story.

My dreams are strange beings as well, as I'm certain many or most other people's dreams can be. Many times, though I may be the main player in the dreams, I am not necessarily myself. Most of the time, I do look quite different (shorter, taller, thinner, thicker, different hair color, etc...) from myself, but I am still dreaming from the first person's perspective, as if it were me. Oh, and many or most of the time, my dreams that become stories are not based on anything in my normal reality. The people that I love and know in my reality don't even exist in the realms of my story-dreams. This is not to mean that they don't mean enough to me to dream about, OR that I wish they weren't part of my reality. It just seems to be how my subconscious inspires me to write (or that is what I chose to believe).

Oh, and I do have many dreams that are based more in reality. All the normal players in my life are in my dreams and things are just as they are now, for the most part. (I still have dreams about being in high school...ugh!!!!).

In trying to explain how my writing process works, I have found, as usual, it is difficult for me to explain things about myself. You would think that for a writer at heart, descriptions would come quickly and easily...LOL...I seemed to have missed the activation of that part of my talent!

Basically I have come to the conclusion that I have a more active dream life than a number of people I know, or perhaps, a better memory of my dreams. I wouldn't trade that for the world, though (even the really intense/scary ones).

Miracles DO happen!!!

Saying “Hello” again to an old friend.

It must have been in my Senior year that I remembered a place I had been to a couple years before, when I had to take “Behind the Wheel” training to be able to get my Learner’s Permit. The instructor was a very nice man, and though I can’t remember what he looked like or much about the training, I did get one treasure from that course that will be dear to my heart for a lifetime. At the time, there was nothing significant about it. We were required to take a 15 min break halfway through the training each day, and for this break, he would direct me out to the tiny “nothing” town of Alviso, to what I came to know as the “Alviso Pier”, or what had once been the Alviso Pier, at least, but now was part of a Natural Wildlife Reservation. Basically, it was a little parking lot pretty much surrounded by reeds and weeds. The pier had once been used by fishermen to launch or dock their boats, back when the Bay came in that far inland, but it no longer reached the pier, and eventually the reeds took over and became home to many species of wildlife. For the three days of training, it simply was the parking lot we spent our 15 min breaks in.

Fastforwarding back to my Senior year =>=>=> Growing up in the church/school that I did, there were many times that I really just wanted to get away from it all. I wanted to find a place where I could go and just relax and just be me. I wanted to get away from the expectations that were imposed upon everyone who went to this particular church/school. I was in it 6 days a week. Sunday all day for church and Monday-Friday for school. Saturdays could have easily been eaten up there, as well, but my parents thought that there should be at least one day for family time (Bless them). The problem is, though, the Bay Area is not known for “wide open spaces”. We lived in a Condominium Complex (surrounded by other families that attended the same church, including several teachers from the school), so there was no where at home to run to for some peace and quiet. Then, towards the end of my Senior year, I remembered that pier that the driver instructor had taken me to, and determined to find it again.

Thankfully it wasn’t too difficult to find at all. The best part about it, NO one from the church/school seemed to know it existed (it was in Alviso, afterall…pretty much the “slums” of the area as far as most people were concerned). In addition to that, though, it really wasn’t ever busy. At the most, there may have been 3 or 4 other cars there whenever I’d drive out there for some quiet time.

Over the next few years, Alviso Pier became known as “My Pier”. Mom and Dad had an idea of where it was, but even they didn’t bug me out there. I could drive out there, roll the windows down and just enjoy the quiet. Yes, I had found a quiet space in the Bay Area. I wrote many poems and letters there, cried many, many tears, released hundreds of frustrations, and recharged my batteries more times than I can remember. Alviso Pier had become my best friend. It never judged, never whined, never demanded anything of me. It was always there for me, comforting me and accepting me with no expectations.

Even after life got so busy that I wasn’t able to go out to the pier very often, it ALWAYS welcomed me back, even for a quick drive through. Then, tragedy struck. I decided to take my hunny out to my pier, to show him my secret hidey place, and as we rounded the bend, my heart sunk. The entrance to the pier was boarded up, and there were cranes and heavy equipment all over. I was devastated. No more quick drives out for some fresh air and quiet. My best friend was being demolished and there was nothing I could do for it. My hunny patted my sholder and said he was sorry, and I know he was. I had told him just how much the pier meant to me, and he understood.

I drove away that day with a heavy heart, sorry for the loss of a friendship that could never be replaced.

Just last weekend, I had some free time and decided to go see what they had done to what had been “My Pier”. This time, as I rounded the corner, though, my heart did not sink, it jumped for joy. They hadn’t demolished my pier, after all! They had restored her. Well, not to a functioning Pier (the Bay still doesn’t come in there anymore), but to a nice park. There are now trails and picnic tables and the views are amazing. I sat out there for about an hour, just soaking up the karma that my best friend always had to offer. My best friend had been given a well deserved makeover.

My hunny and I went out Monday night for a few minutes (before it closed) just to walk around, but we’re planning to go back several times a week for walks along the trails, and eventually bike rides! I can’t tell you how happy my heart is that my best friend is back. And even though more people now know about her, its ok…she deserves to be appreciated by many.

Thank you “Alviso Pier” for all you have done for me over the years! =-)

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I would like to introduce to to the freshly made-over "Alviso Marina" (as she is now known)

Who knew all this beauty was out there? I sure didn't until Monday!

It's amazing what you can discover about your best friend that you never knew!

And its also amazing the gift's that your best friend gives you without your realizing it! I don't remember the bird at all, but it sure looks great in this picture!!!

The things we take for granted!!!

Every morning I go about my normal routine, always trusting that the things I need are going to be there and help me accomplish the goals I need to before I head out the door to face the day. On this particular morning, things were going well. It was Saturday, a nice leisurely day with the only planned outing being spending my Hunny's lunch hour with him.

The shower was delightful. No hurries, just relaxing peaceful moments to soak in the rejuvenating, clensing droplets of water as they cascade out of the showerhead. After completing my shower and dressing for the day, it was time for the normal hair drying routine. It was in those moments that I realized just how much I depended on my ever-faithful hair dryer buddy. I lifted the round brush to my hair and pressed the button for the dryer to turn on and tame my unruly naturally curly hair. Nothing! Not to worry, the "Reset Button" must need to be pressed. Nope...still nothing! Minor panic setting in! It's ok...we'll try the "Reset Button" once more...maybe I pressed it too lightly. NOoooooooooo! Not my hair dryer. It really had lived a long life. Nearly ten years of faithfully smoothing my hair, and now...now it was gone. No life, no final sputters of breath, just stillness.

With great sorrow I bade it farewell with a final "Thank you!"

In an attempt to do something with my unmanageable mane, I ventured into Mom and Dad's bathroom and borrowed Mom's hair dryer. It was a slightly different style, being quite a few years younger than mine had been, but I assure you, that youth did not bring talent. After 20 minutes of frustration, I finally came to a point of "That will have to do" and headed out to brighten my day by spending 60 minutes with my hunny.

We went out later that night to replace what was lost, but I assure, though the new one I got looks nearly the same, it still does not have the talent that my long lost buddy had.

So with a heavy heart, I bid you all to be greatful for even the little things in life, for you never know what you will soon discover that you currently take for granted!

President's Day Adventure

A Day with my Hunny!




My Hunny and I both had Monday off, so we got to do something we don't get to very often...spend a whole day together! WooHoo! As you can see in this picture, it was a gorgeous day, at that! We decided to take the Camaro out for a drive in the country. Yep, even in the Bay Area there are some country roads...and beautiful scenery. We drove through the backside of Livermore, then over to I-580 down to Patterson, and then back to Lake Del Valle and Shadow Cliffs Park before heading home.



The weather was warm enough that we were even able to take the T-Tops down on the Camaro and just cruise around with the wind whipping through our hair. The car is pretty new to us, and we've had a blast so far with it! She needs a bath, for sure, but may I introduce you to Sinister Shadow. She even has a Name Tag on the way, especially since California requires both front and back license plates. I ordered the plates a few weeks ago, so they should be in any time. I'll be sure to post the pics of her stylin and profilin in them! =-)

Just some shots from the day's adventures:

As you can see, even our shadow was having a fun drive!!!!

We even got to see some wildlife near the Lake!!! The deer were look right at me until the pictures were snapped....I swear! ;-)

Just a shot of the greenery we get to experience this time of year. Oh, and yes, you can bet those are HAPPY COWS...they're from California!

This is Carnegie, a local Motorsports reserve area. I'd never been there before, so my Hunny pulled over to let me watch the Motorcyclists literally climbing the hill. I've never seen anything like that. Its hard to get a feel for how steep the hills really are, but it didn't matter to the guys on the bikes, they attempted to get to the top on many occasions. Some made it close while others weren't so lucky. It was truly amazing to watch, though.

Our finaly stop before we headed home was Shadow Cliffs Park/Lake. It was a gorgeous setting to end our wonderful trip. We had a great day together, and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful man!

From two pasts to a Future

My Grandma recently remarried. Grandpa passed away several years ago, and Grandma moved to Klamath Falls, Or to be near her daughter. My Grandpa’s brother’s wife passed away a year or so ago, and upon a visit with my Grandma, they decided that they didn’t want to be alone anymore, so they decided to get married. Now the cute part of the situation is that they have fallen in love, so the marriage of convenience, for companionship has turned into more than they expected. I’m happy that my Grandma is happy, even though the situation *Could* seem a bit Jerry Springerish! (not really, but almost…know what I mean ;-) ).

Anyway, Mom is putting together an scrapbook to celebrate their wedding and mentioned that it would be nice to have a poem to include in it (Definitely more than a mention, like a suggestion nay, demand…you know how moms are, their suggestions and demands are one in the same, they just make you think you have an option.)

So here is the results of that *Ahem* request! Let me know what you think!

From two pasts to a Future
By Kat Mosher

A lifetime of memories shared, now united.
A lifetime friendship, in love now bound.
Two lifetimes past, now one future.
Two hearts beating, now one sound.

Their pasts were interlaced,
Now their future is entwined,
Their loved ones lost,
Are never “left behind”

The losses they’ve had,
They’ve shared from different views;
But the ties of the past
Bring a future anew.

Possibilities lie ahead,
Filled with memories from before.
Heart to heart, and hand in hand,
Their new future they’ll explore.

Familiarity blossomed sparks,
And Respect, a mighty wind,
Fueled the sparks into love
And the fire grew within.

Friendship and companionship,
Love and respect,
Memories and time,
Made their lives connect.

Alone no longer.
New ventures to share,
This love from friendship,
Joined a special pair.

For the love of Cali

I only have but a minute to post today, so the quick and easy post is photos. Today's collage is the many sides to California. The photos I have chosen are just a scratch on the surface of the beauty that the gorgeous state of California holds. I have been priviledged to see many of the splendors of Cali, but I also know that there are many more to enjoy and I can't wait to see more! As you can see from the photos we have magestic mountains, serene lakes, towering Redwoods, awe-inspiring sunsets on the ocean and breath-taking coastline. There are so many more, though, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Sierra-Nevadas, the LA skyline, San Francisco Bay, and too many more to list. I am grateful to live in this beautiful state and blessed to view God's Glory all around. This is my home, and I'm proud of it!

TGIF

So, I don't want to whine in here today, so I am just going to post this video. Its gone around a bit, but BOY, do I know how the little guy feels. It's pretty much how I feel as I log out of everything on Friday afternoons...but even more so after the elliptical machine reaches that 40 min mark...phew! That's it...it's weekend! Woo HOO!

I didn't use to appreciate Friday for the joy it brings to people's lives. Well, those on a Reg M-F schedule that is. Before our Department's management was changed around a couple of years ago, things were much more pleasant around here. Now the stress is so thick you can taste it in on your tongue, that is why I now have a new respect for Fridays!

So, to my Fellow Friday Fanatics...T.G.I.F!!!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!