You are here: Home / Archives for a girl

the merry old land of oz

September 21, 2009

the wizard of oz

It feels cliche to love it this much. It’s such an obvious choice for a favorite childhood movie. But I can’t help it. It isn’t even like I ever read the books. If I’m honest, it all started because of Dorothy. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.  Years later when I heard her described as ‘chubby’ in commentaries about the movie, I was so confused. Chubby? Hardly. To me, she was perfect.

I’ve seen the movie countless times, to the point where I not only know nearly every line, I also know hand movements and head tilts. I own the collectors edition hardback copy of the script. I can sing the scene in Munchkin Land from the Coroner to the Lollipop Guild. I know how to spot nearly all of the many goofs and bloopers, like how Dorothy’s pigtails change from scene to scene and how props reappear in the wrong places.

I love reading about the making of the movie, like how the Wicked Witch of the West was originally scripted to be glamorous and beautiful since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a movie that was so successful the year before, had a glamorous evil Queen. Or how “Over the Rainbow” was almost permanently cut because it was too long and they thought it was degrading for Dorothy to sing in a barnyard.

It was 1939 when The Wizard of Oz was released on the big screen. Now, we have a chance to see it in the theater for a special one night only 70th anniversary event this Wednesday, September 23. Find out if your city is showing the movie in the theater. And then be sure to tell me all about it, because unfortunately, mine is not.

Filed Under a girl 25 Comments

the book proposal

September 1, 2009

Hey, remember how I told you I finished a book proposal? And then remember how I didn’t tell you anything else about it? Yes, well that would be because I don’t like talking about things that are in process. I like to talk about things after the fact, with the benefit of perspective and time and maybe even closure. It’s the same reason why I haven’t told you much about the girls going to Kindergarten yet. I’m still processing, and I don’t like to process in front of people. (Can anyone say controlling?) So this book thing? Well, I am right smack dab in the middle of it.

Just to be clear, I do not have a book deal. And I have not written an entire book. I have finished a book proposal, which is basically a collection of facts, figures, passion and three sample chapters of the actual book I plan to write. It is like a 56-page-long marriage proposal, one that begs an answer to the question: Will you publish me? A publisher has yet to answer that question. There has been some interest, which is infinitely encouraging, as there is a secret part of me that wondered if I would be laughed at.

SHOES

But telling you the details is like taking the risk all over again. So every time I sit with the intention of telling you more about the book idea itself, I end up on Facebook or reading Amber or trying to find Chuck Season 2 on Amazon or looking at my house on Google Earth.

The energy meant to form words and thoughts are hidden down deep and come out in crazy ways instead, like in hot tears or short, snappy parenting or manic coupon cutting. And the words remain a swirling soup, flickering like a film-strip but not allowed to take hold.

I break my own rules about focus and passion.

I can’t tell you how many times over the past few months I have wished my passion was cooking. Oh, to want to write about cooking! What joy! Or house-y stuff. Everyone loves a good house blog, right? Colors and fabric and beautiful homes. Or crafts. Or sewing. Or scrapbooking. Or makeup. Those things don’t tend to be so…personal.

So I am taking steps this week to share with you more about this book idea. I’m excited about it, and I don’t want to do this alone.

Filed Under a girl, a little bit crazy, a writer 37 Comments

there is a person

August 11, 2009

3811276741_9c60a49aa6

Behind the skinny actress with the Oscar win, behind the tagline that you think is stupid, behind the company that sells things you would never buy and the book you would never read…

Behind the marriage that is falling apart in public and the speaker on stage with the fancy outfit and the sign on the street that says Help and God Bless…

Behind the bars of a jail cell and the woman at the Food Lion who scans the cereal and the man sitting in the Oval Office, there is a person…

Seen by God, created in His image and longing to be loved and accepted.

Just like you.

Sometimes I forget to see the person behind things. I think that is a big mistake.

Filed Under a girl 65 Comments

many things

August 4, 2009

Welcome to Tuesday, a day devoted to noticing the little in the midst of the big and taking a moment to celebrate it. I want to invite you to link up below to a post with a story or photo of one of your small, ordinary, extraordinary gifts. This is your last chance to link for a few weeks, as I’m taking a small break from hosting the linky. I hope you understand.

the sisters

my sister and me

It was an honor to be asked to co-lead a couple of sessions at She Speaks this year. Even though our little bloggy sessions didn’t fill conference rooms and they certainly weren’t the main attraction, I was so pleased to meet some sweet new friends and talk about a medium I have grown to love. But more on that tomorrow.

My role was small in the scheme of the entire conference, but I still found myself unable to settle-in and learn. There is something about knowing I have something to give that makes it difficult to receive. So instead of sitting in on sessions about writing, I was pacing the hallways, reviewing my notes and nervously checking the time on my phone.

renee swope

Renee Swope

On Sunday morning, my responsibilities were over and I had a chance to simply sit and receive truth from the Lord as expressed through Renee Swope’s unique personality. Know what she talked about? Receiving gifts. My favorite.

She told the story of Mary and Martha, the sisters who were hosting Jesus at their house. Martha was busy doing all the work while her sister sat still with Jesus. When Martha went over to tell him her worries, begging him to notice her and all her efforts, he simply said her name. Twice.

Gently, sweetly, reassuringly.

Martha, Martha. You are worried and distracted by so many things. But only one thing is needed. (Luke 10:41)

Then Renee scanned the audience, looked directly at me, and pointed a well-manicured finger at my face. Not really, but she may as well have, because she asked the very question I desperately needed to answer: What are your many things?

O girl. Do you have a week? Because lately? My many things list has been deep and wide. Sitting there, in the midst of a room filled with talented speakers and writers, agents and editors, publishers and bloggers, my many things list felt heavy and impossible. Until Renee started to speak my language. She spoke of the choice we have to receive the gift of rest, because we have a God who sees and cares and notices. He will not come undone. He remains un-overwhelmable.

You are worried and distracted by so many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

I wanted to rush the stage and hug her. I wanted to stand up, clap and whistle. I wanted to burst into the ugly cry.  More, I wanted to give myself permission to sit down on the inside and live like I have a God who knows what He’s doing.

Her talk was on Sunday, but it is a gift I’m still unwrapping. Thank you, sweet, southern Renee…for speaking truth, for believing truth and inspiring this brown-eyed blogger at table 55.

What is the gift you are unwrapping today? For instructions on what to post or how to link up, visit the description page of Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Filed Under a girl, a writer, Tuesdays Unwrapped 48 Comments

charlotte

July 31, 2009

she speaks book

It’s a beautiful morning in Charlotte! Actually, it’s overcast and sprinkling, but it’s beautiful to be at She Speaks. I wish you all could be here and we could stay up too late and chat it up about writing and blogging and photography. But since most of you won’t be here, I don’t want to be all talky-talky about a conference you can’t attend. So tell me: when it’s all said and done, what would you like to know about She Speaks? Anything? Let me know and I’ll be sure to fill you in.

Filed Under a girl 18 Comments

you

July 27, 2009

Well. When I asked on Friday where you are all reading from, I expected a short little “Atlanta, Georgia” or whatever. But so many of you took the time to write thoughtful, encouraging words – some of you who have never commented before. I did not expect that. And I want to say thank you.

my feet

I read each one, as always, and smiled all the way. What an unexpected gift. You couldn’t know this, but your words have come at a time when this girl could use a bit of inspired courage. I should have saved that gift for Tuesday, but I just couldn’t wait. Both me and my big self are grateful for you. Come back tomorrow and unwrap your Tuesday gift with us. As always, I look so forward to reading them.

Filed Under a girl 4 Comments

behind the quiet

July 15, 2009

I have a bad, risky habit of waiting until the orange light comes on in the car before stopping to get gas. I recently discovered that my car has one of those Distance Til Empty meter things in it, consequently stealing all my thrill.

Then there’s my laptop. The low-battery warning flashes and beeps a full ten minutes before the screen goes black. Do I get up and plug it in? No, I do not. Because I’m comfortable in my chair and the need is not urgent.

But when that screen goes black? I jump right up, find the plug and get back to business. I’ll do anything to restore life to that little whirring, writing machine. Only when the laptop is completely out of its own resources will I turn to the power source.

behind the quiet

Yesterday, I posted about my re-discovery of the morning time. It has been a sweet reunion with my warm cup, the wisdom of Proverbs, and the silence of the cul-de-sac. It’s like the deep, preparatory breath taken in before a day-long marathon.

But I didn’t start to get up before the sun because it was the rules or because I’m trying to check it off or because I’m supposed to have my ‘quiet time’. It’s because sometimes, at four in the afternoon, my screen goes dark. And I’ve had it. Or during lunch when they won’t get along, the orange gas light begins to shine in my head, a warning that Monster Mommy is about to show up. And my need for quiet perspective suddenly becomes urgent.

Everyday I come to the end of my own resources. There are days when I have a few shining moments as a patient mom or a thoughtful friend. But there are also days when I trip over my own life clutter and can’t quite stand up straight. I know it goes against all the words the world and Oprah says are admirable: self-reliance, capability, strength, resilience. But I am in desperate need of Jesus all the time.

Sometimes I have to come to the end of all my girl-made resources to realize that I need him all the time, not just when I run out of gas. Because He doesn’t give me quiet perspective; He IS my quiet perspective. He doesn’t hand out strength in doses equal to the amount of time I’ve spent with him that day; He IS my strength no matter if I know it or not. He makes beauty from my ashes and strong from my weak. And that is what gets me out of bed.

Tagged Filed Under a girl 48 Comments
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »
Blog Widget by LinkWithin