randomness...

Because it is really late (or early, depending on how you look at it) and I'm wasting time...

8 Random Things about me...

1. I have been known to order a hamburger with no onions at the same time as an order of onion rings.

2. I can type 80+ words a minute, which comes in handy when having word wars with my writing friends.

3. I can crochet and knit, but only simple things (scarfs, hats and blankets).

4. My favorite jam/jelly is chokecherry from this family in WY... it rocks.

5. I have written two novels, a screenplay and many other short works (and works-in-process).

6. I can touch my tongue to my nose.

7. I hated the color pink while growing up, but in the last five years, it has become one of my favorite colors.

8. If I could have any pet in the world, I think I would have a giraffe.

down in the funk...

I've heard a lot of talk lately about being in a funk, depression and what not. It happens to the best of us. And yes, it happens to me.

I found out a few weeks ago that one of the guys that I was in PC with decided to ET (early terminate). It stuck me pretty hard. He was one of the guys that I thought was really cut out for PC, he was level-headed and easy to get along with. I had a lot of respect for him (and I couldn't say that about everyone in the group). He is leaving because it's just not the right place for him to be. I know that feeling. I'm not sure why it hit me but it did.

And then I realized that I've been in a sort of funk since I came home. I haven't really talked about it with anyone because it is hard to put my finger on. And there isn't really anyone who knows exactly what I went through in Africa. Seeing Dara last month helped, and talking with her, but other than that, well, it's kinda lonely.

The good news is that thanks to CleanPlace (the teen writing forum), I'm starting to find some sense of purpose again. Granted, it complicates things like future plans, but what doesn't?

Am I any closer to understanding my life? No. Do I have any idea what I'll be doing in six months? Not a clue. But that's okay. I'm still in a funk but I'm sure it won't last forever.

a little something...

Because it has been forever (if ever at all) since I've shared creative writing on my blog, here is a poem I wrote a few weeks ago as a challenge on the forum I mentor with. I set up the challenge and used an assignment from college. We had to write a poem with the first line: No moon, it took an hour. Now, for your reading pleasure!

(untitled)
No moon, it took an hour
for the rune to gain full power
and the starlight to reveal what it had known.

A kingdom bent in weeping
through the vigil they were keeping.
Mortal jars hold souls of love and hearts of stone.

Up above, the leaves they shiver
as the fairies start to quiver
letting teardrops fall in effort to atone.

Silent footfalls pound the earth
and echoes tell of the rebirth
of one worthy to reclaim the empty throne.

No moon, it took an hour
for the rune to gain full power
and the starlight to reveal what it had known.

As the rune reached full glory
at the start of a new story,
the prince once lost, into a king now had grown.

Darkness hides both fear and grace-
Oh may they mingle and embrace,
To teach courage that can face the vast unknown.

In the darkest towers
Of hearts drenched by raging showers
Do remember well the lessons hope has shown.

No moon, it took an hour
for the rune to gain full power
and the starlight to reveal what it had known.
(C) by SDD, 6.26.07

pardon my absence...

I've been busy. A few of you know that I recently became a mentor on an online, teen writing forum that a friend of mine runs. Well, this week we've had several of these teens here in town for a visit. I was a bit apprehensive about meeting so many teenagers, but they soon put my mind at ease. We've gone hiking and read some of our work out in the lovely Colorado outdoors. We've been writing a lot and even went to the top of Pike's Peak. Here are a few photos (in an interest of not posting photos of minors, I'm not including pics of the teens).

Me at the top of Pikes Peak. This is the first time I've been up there in years and I drove!

A nice shot looking over the valley.

This is my friend, Dianna, who runs the forum. She's a sweetheart :)

tirp to the zoo...

This morning, I joined Shelly (and her 3 kids), Becky (and her 3 kids), Krista (and her 2 kids) and Deb (and her child) at the zoo. That makes 9 kids and 5 adults. We had a lot of fun. Here are some pics.

This little guy was born just last week, so cute!

Here is one of our two resident elephants, posing so nicely for the camera.

Sitting in the shade, just hanging out.