Time to visit Chicago. Look how beautiful the view is. We’ve had a mild winter (knock on wood); however, that is about to change. Temperatures have dropped and tomorrow we are supposed to have snow.
When I see this view I think Harry Potter is going to be flying by soon.
A perfect view to spark a writer’s creative thoughts!
Imagine in July when the Blue Angels are flying by. It’s spectacular!
Can you tell I am getting ready for Spring?
Tara Lazar, children’s book author, came up with a great way to start every new year. It’s called, “STORYSTORM.” The concept is simple, it’s free and all that is required is that anyone who signs up for “STORYSTORM” comes up with 30 book ideas in 31 days.
Good news, this is stress free, because you are not held accountable for showing anyone your 30 ideas. You are the only one that knows if you did it or not. However, by signing up, you can join the discussions on Facebook, read posts by other authors, agents, editors, etc.
Lazar only does this in January. Last January, I found out about it, but it was at the end of the month, so I missed the boat. This year though, I am right on time.
Let the story ideas BEGIN…
2019 has been a tough year. I feel like this mountain climber, I’ve had to stay strong, hang on for a few years… or… FALL to my doom.
Good news – I hung on. FINALLY, right before Christmas, I was offered a great job. I had a Christmas miracle. I am extremely grateful.
It’s been a tough few years of job hunting. We’ve all been there, if not with a job transition, with some other part of our life that isn’t going as we would like. It’s not easy, it’s tough, like the mountain climber, there are sad and scary moments, then moments of triumph, but through it all we become stronger — WE WANT TO REACH THE TOP.
There is always that ray of hope, if we continue to fight, to believe in ourselves that we will once again be on top!
So, I am here to say, my VICTORY happened!
Stick with it, if you are waiting for a victory or break through — IT IS COMING!
On to NEW goals for 2020!
It’s time to try and reach even higher (my children’s book, need to dust that off and start working on it again!)
Happy New Year!
I was at Macy’s the other day looking for a gift. Look what I came across, a Santa Mailbox. They even had the note paper, quick and easy.
In my Junk folder I saw an email about Certified Santa Mail. REALLY, what a way to make money off of children’s wishes. When we were little, I admit, it was fun to write a letter to Santa hoping we would get our red bicycle or new radio, whatever it might be. However, it was simple and innocent, our letters were written on lined paper that we used for school homework.
Now, there are all sorts of websites with specialized Santa care packages, certified letters, etc. I’m smiling at that, because a young child does not even know what a certified letter is or means, so these company’s are selling to the parents WHO play the role of Santa.
Anyhow, just for “giggles,” I was tempted to write a letter to Santa and put it in the mailbox.
DEAR SANTA,
ARE YOU REALLY ALL MIGHTY AND POWERFUL ABLE TO MAKE ANY WISH COME TRUE? HOW OLD IS RUDOLPH NOW? YOUR SANTA SUIT IS LOOKING A LITTLE WORN AND YOUR SLEIGH WAS SQUEAKY LAST YEAR.
I’VE TALKED TO MY FRIENDS, WE ARE WILLING TO MAKE A DONATION, SO YOU CAN HAVE A NEW SUIT. MY FRIEND SALLY SUGGESTED STARTING A “GO FUNDME” CAMPAIGN FOR YOU (SANTA NEEDS A NEW SUIT AND MONEY TO FIX HIS SLEIGH).
WHERE SHOULD WE SEND THE $$$$ THAT IS DONATED?
CONTACT ME AT — SANTANEEDSHELP@GMAIL.COM
__________________________________
All joking aside, I bet people would donate to that fund and the next photo would be of the crook drinking a margarita in the Bahamas wearing a Santa hat. Ho, ho, ho —
On Sunday, all of the stores were closed in Munich, except places to eat and the Christmas Market stalls. This was good, because there weren’t as many people out, so I could walk and really look at the store windows.
I thought you’d enjoy these holiday decorations. Really beautiful with the gigantic nutcrackers. Notice that I was able to take pictures with no “shoppers” in the photo. The store had Christmas music playing in English, I was singing along.
The perfect way to end the day!
Gee, I guess I haven’t had Mentos in a while. I got a pack and was eating them on the plane. Since the lights were low, I wasn’t paying attention and dropped one into my lap. Unfortunately, I had to turn my light on to find the darn thing. When I did, I looked at it TWICE wondering if that was indeed my Mentos. On a plane, who knows what you can find.
Sure enough, it was my Mentos, but it had a funny smiley face on it. I found that weird, so I took ALL the Mentos out of the package to assess the situation. Turns out they ALL had some sort of a smiley face or “emoticon” on them. Next, I looked at the outside of the packaging… aha, some “Say Hello” campaign going on.
So, while I didn’t share a Mentos sweet treat in person with someone, I am sharing this message with you, so you see what they look like. They are cute and funny.
It’s “almost” like sharing the real treat, right?!
It’s officially Black Friday even in Munich. As I was walking down the street I came across this BIG beautiful Pyramid. My ex/mother/n/law is German and my first introduction to the pyramid was from her. She would get the box where it was stored and show me how to put it together and then the fun part was adding the candles at the bottom, so the heat could move the propellers. I fell in love with this Christmas traditional instantly.
To view a nice assortment of German ornaments and the pyramids, visit Käthe Wohlfahrt of America’s website. I am not affiliated with this site, mainly sharing with you, because it took me “forever” to find a website in America that sold the pyramids. Good news, they come in different sizes. Bad news, they are bit pricey for the 3-tiered ones. However, they are a Christmas tradition to be handed down to your children and grandchildren. Start small, then go BIG.
NOTE: Make sure you buy extra candles, because you cannot find the right size pyramid candles at normal stores.
If you come to Europe for the Christmas Markets depending on where you go, you will see even bigger pyramid displays.
Merry Christmas!
Hello, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I am in Munich, Germany. Before I left, I downloaded some books for the trip. I’m in the HERO mood lately. Actually, I’m in the process of trying to find an athletic challenge for next year. My daughter is going to train for a marathon. I am not a runner, I prefer hiking, so I am investigating those kinds of challenges.
In my research, I came across this GREAT book that I started reading last night, “Natural Born Heroes,” by Christopher McDougall. It’s really good, if you like learning about heroes. The author has a fast paced, high energy, writing style — not boring at all. For sure, you won’t put it down, you’ll feel like you are running right beside him on his quest to find out “what makes a Hero.”
He says a Hero is not about strength and force, but about compassion, because hero’s are known as the protectors. He’s got all sorts of stories and analogies. I like it!
Oh, he has a chapter on Greek Mythology. This brought back memories of my Italian mother. While we were eating dinner, she would read to us from this Greek Myths book. Growing up in Italy, when she was in school, they were taught about Greek Mythology, so she would say it was her “DUTY” to teach us as well. And guess what, this book is a bit “old looking now,” but my Mom pulls it out to read to the grandchildren. YES, they must learn about Greek Mythology too! I smile when I see this book.
Ok, I’m off to explore Munich, one of my favorite cities.
It’s raining… Again, I think of my mother. When there was lightning she would say, “Zeus is mad at us! You see how he is throwing thunder bolts from the sky.”
Yesterday, I was walking to work and I heard “Christmas music,” coming from a hotel lobby. I looked up and this hotel had already decorated for Christmas. I shook my head, we haven’t had Thanksgiving yet.
As I continued walking, I immediately thought of some of those Hallmark movies where the person falls, hits their head and suddenly, they don’t remember anything. That’s how I felt. Did I miss something?
I looked at the date on my phone for confirmation. It was indeed November 19, at least one week or so BEFORE Thanksgiving. I had a vision of the Board meeting at the hotel where the President said, “Look, we KNOW we have to put Christmas decorations up, let’s just GET IT DONE, so we can ENJOY our time off next week for Thanksgiving. The crowds will be awful on Black Friday, if we put decorations up now, our life will be easier.”
The President of the hotel smiled, gavel went down, DECISION MADE!! The Christmas season will OFFICIALLY start ONE WEEK EARLY at this hotel! He calls his secretary to verify that she has finalized his trip to the Bahamas leaving on the TUESDAY before Thanksgiving. He sits back in his chair proud of his decision.
REALLY, don’t you think that is how it happens?!
We can’t even enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving anymore. It used to be time spent with family. Now, it is all about Black Friday sales and moving Christmas up.
REI has it right! For the fifth year they are closing on Black Friday, so families can enjoy Thanksgiving together. They are not worried about losing sales. Would be nice if MORE companies did this… but I won’t hold my breath!
FYI – I do enjoy the Christmas holiday, but in December, not middle of November.
Ok, off to buy apples for an apple pie!
I was walking down Michigan Ave rushing in the cold weather to an appointment. Suddenly, I came across these adorable owls. I had to stop, smile and take a photo. I’m not sure who the artist is, there was no sign, but certainly this is a winning art display.
I share this with you, hoping it makes YOU SMILE TOO!
If you are writing for NaNoWriMo, keep at it! We have the weekend to catch up on our word count!
Have a great day!
Brilliant Viewpoint 