WORK IN PROGRESS: 75, 870 words

It’s late in the evening on this July 4th. As I sit in the quiet of the night, I listen to the burst of fireworks that can not be seen. I hear the trickle of a bird bath behind me, and fumes of chlorine drift from the pool that I have settled down beside in which to write my post.

The night air is like a fall afternoon, not too warm and the breeze just right. Perfect after a humid day that registered a mere 102 degrees.

Another well celebrated Independence day.

Yet, as I sit here by the pool, independence has another meaning to me. I know that this is a national holiday, a day we celebrate the day our country won its freedom. A grand thing, indeed.

Today, I was also reminded of a different independence. The kind we all achieve on our own.  For you see, the nature of independence is to simply break free of something. Or more precisely, thanks to my “handy-dandy” dictionary (as my son would say from watching too many Handy Manny shows) Independence is defined as the irresponsibility to any one superiority.

Hence my oldest daughter. 

As a mother, I can sympathize with every woman out there who complains about children’s behavior. As a mother, I can admire the streak of independence that rears its head in each of my children. Especially in those times when children have no say, like bedtime or going to school.

Somethings, just have to be done. Ask my oldest daughter about doing homework in the second grade.

There is an independent streak in all of us that taught to use properly we can conquer our talents and strive as individuals as much as those that fought wars to allow us to become the nation that we are today. Freedom of speech and all that…

When I see my toddler demonstrating independence by buttoning a shirt or dressing herself in mismatched clothes, I applaud her. Or when my son makes a decision to give up a day of swimming in a relative’s pool rather than to clean up his toys. And then my oldest daughter, who stands and faces the world while putting her worldly armor on so that no one, but a mother, could see she’s cringing inside of the feat yet to come.

I hear the boom of another faceless firework. The trickle of the bird bath continues through the night. There is not a star in the sky, which to wish upon. But on this night of Independence, I salute all those who have stepped out in their faith in Christ, those who have fought wars for our country, and for every mother who has raised or is raising  a child through the nature of independence.

Zena’s use of film clips and descriptions of media was very captivating, especially as a writer. She broke down writing scenes and visualized them into how movies are made.

There is no other way to describe  Zena then simply PASSIONATE about what she does and teaching it to others.

So, why as a writer would you want to take a workshop conducted by a film maker? Whether you are writing a novel or writting a script, Zena’s workshop has a little bit of everything to keep your creative juices going and introduceing you to a new concept of writing.

Zena is conducting a writer’s workshop on May 14 and 15, 2010  in Clarksburg, WV. For more information about this workshop you can click on the following link:

http://www.zenawriterworkshop.vpweb.com/

As many of us are aware, there is a wonderful program called “Make a Wish Foundation“.  This foundation makes dreams come true for kids with terminal illnesses.  Isn’t that just a great way to say “I love you”?

So, today’s idea is based on the same principle – make a wish come true for someone you love.

Have you ever sat down with someone and talked about your dreams and what you wanted to do in the future.  A goal, perhaps, or something you’ve been saving up for?

On my fifth wedding anniversary, my husband took me to Hawaii.  Okay, not really.  A couple we knew who had been married a week before us were going to Hawaii, my husband and I couldn’t afford such a lavish trip, so instead, my husband decorated our bathroom with lais, fake palm trees, and wrote and drew on our bathroom mirror.  He filled the tub with water, and while our oldest was napping we put on our swimsuits, sat in the tub, and snacked on pineapple, Mandarin oranges, and laughed. 

It was the most special anniversary gift my husband had ever done for me, one that I shall cherish for a very long time.

Your goal is to find out one wish of your loved one and creatively make it come true.  Don’t be discouraged if it is something you can’t give them, but remember you can support them.  If your loved ones wishes, for example, to write a book – buy them a pen and journal to get started.  If their wish is to go to europe someday, start a savings account, or like my husband create the next best thing.

Have fun, and give it a try.

Strategically, you placed a piece of mistletoe somewhere above a doorway, hoping to catch someone standing beneath for that chance to give them a kiss.  However, now that the opportunity seems to have ended with the passing of the season, there is no reason to keep it up right?

Oh contoriar my friend, leave the mistle toe up!

They say January is a blue month compared to all the other times of year.  So why not spice up your relationship, and your mood during this month by surprising the one you love with a kiss every time he comes near?

If you don’t have a mistletoe, they are still on sale as stores purge their left over holiday surplus, or change your mistletoe into a bow, and hang them in every door way.  You’ll be sure to be puckering up soon.

One of the hardest things couples find on a date is striking up that first bit of conversation.  As a married couple, the conversation tends to lean towards children, household duties, and life beyond the two people who are talking.  Tonight open up a little conversation over a painting, a sculpture, and share your thoughts with one another over someone elses’ hand creation.

You’re bound to have an interesting evening.  Choose a favorite painting, item, or aspect of the museum to talk about on another evening.  “Hey honey, remember when we went to the museum?  I really liked…..”

What did you like?  or what was the best part of the evening?

As children, we rake them up, just so we could jump in them.  As adults, we stand back and watch our kids, or other kids gather them up, pile them up high, and have contest of who can scatter the most leaves.  Once in a while we may find ourselves tempted to jump in, and some times do.

But if leaf jumping isn’t for you, then the next time your out walking, pick up a leaf or two.  Write a special message, like “Autumn leaves as winter comes, but like the spring my love for you continues to grow.” 

Too sappy?  Then try “XOXOXO” or “I love you”, with a marker on the leaf.  Stick it somewhere he’ll find it, or when he’s sitting let if fall from above him, like the the leaves falling from the trees. 

You never know where your romance may lead you.  You just might find ourself outside jumping in leaves!

Take a moment and inspire love in your relationship by sharing this peaceful moment with the one you love.  As you watch the sun disappear ask them what their favorite part of the day has been.  Encourage them through any trails they are facing, and tell them how much they mean to you.

Where ever your busy schedule has you going at sunset, make watching the sunset a common event with your spouse, or the one you love.  Invite them to watch the sunset tomorrow, and always tell that person you love them.  We can never say these words enough,  because you never really know if we will be there to say them again when the sunrises tomorrow.

Reflect upon the promise of a new day.  Watch and appreicate the coming of the dawn in all it’s glorified splendor.  With soft hues of pink threading through a grey sky, and milky yellows flushing out the last reminants of night.  Turn to that special person sharing this sight with you and say, “I love you”. 

Whatever gloom may come upon someone’s day is quickly pushed away when their day begins with three simple, yet powerful, words.

Love is kind

It is not jealous

Love does not brag

And it is not arrogant

Love doesn’t not act unbecomingly

It does not seek its own way

It is not provoked

Love doesn’t not take into account a wrong suffered

It doesn’t not rejoice in unrighteousness

But rejoices in truth

Love bears all things

Believes all things

Hopes all things

Endures all things

Love never fails

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, paraphrased from the New American Standard Bible.

You can take that special someone to a favorite restaurant or a little nook in your very own kitchen.  Nothing says, “I love you”, or “Your special” than good food, flowing conversation, and a intimate setting.

If you are culinary challenged, pick out simple recipes or visit the pre-cooked items in a grocery store or restaurant.  The meal is not so much as important as finding a quiet place where you can be alone in each others company.

Turn the lights down low, add soft music, and light a candle or two to create a romantic atmosphere.

Set the table with a tablecloth, napkins, nice plates, and glasses.  A single favored flower as the center piece, and you can even create your own menu of tonight’s special meal.

Create an invitation before hand and leave it on your spouses pillow, or a place where your loved one will find it.  Make it personal.  Make it special.  Make it about the two of you.

When dinner begins, turn off the cellphones and other electronic devices that distract you throughout the day.  Sit in a place where television and computers are obsolete, and focus on getting to know each other all over again. 

Reserve this spot often and inspire love in your relationship on a frequent basis.  It takes two to make a dinner romantic.