Keep Writing and Writing and Writing

My husband posted this video tonight and told me I had to watch it. It's a short audio clip from "Ira Glass on Storytelling".

It's two minutes long and my head did not stop nodding for one second. I really needed to hear this!

Hopefully you will be inspired.

Keep writing... even if it sucks. You will get better.

Le Grand Danois, chapter 5

Read Le Grand Danois, chapter 4, here

It had been two weeks and the puppies were now walking around and playing. It was time to move on. Their warehouse had been visited a few more times by the evildoers. Momma did not want her babies to be around that unsavory element. 

There had to be a place they could go to get away. She remembered once seeing a big house that sat alone in a park-like area. Maybe she could take them there. It was so peaceful. It was so green. It was so far away. How could she make her puppies travel for miles and miles on their tiny little legs. No, she would have to find them homes here in the city. She took a deep breath and stood. 

"Now children, you will need to stay close to me. It is a very dangerous place, this city."

"What's a city?"
"What's danger us?"
"Are we gonna come back?"

Her children asked their questions, talking over each other. She did her best to answer them.

"The city is where we are, where this building is. There are a lot of other buildings outside very close together, with cars that move quickly between them. Cars can run over you and hurt you. And that's what dangerous is. Now we need to leave."

She lined up her pups like a mini military brigade. She nodded once in salute before turning around to lead them out into the world.
--

Read chapter 6 here.

Dust Motes Haiku

I was thinking of the scene in the warehouse with Momma. She wakes up to sunlight streaming in through the warehouse window.

dust motes in the air
dancing through a happy ray
fall down to the earth

Le Grand Danois, chapter 4

Read Le Grand Danois, chapter  3 here.

Sunlight came shining down through the upper windows. Momma lifted her face into the beam of warmth. It was morning at last. All was quiet, and thankfully the henchmen had cleaned up the place before they left. The smell of blood had been making her ill, knowing the source. 

Momma needed to get her puppies away from this place, but they were still too small and helpless. She should not have come to this creepy warehouse to whelp, but it was the only building she knew of that had a secret entrance. And nobody would find their hiding place. It was behind a bunch of large crates with only a tiny opening between them. 

Hopefully they could enjoy some peace and quiet for a while.

She felt tiny pushes against her belly. The babies were hungry. She watched as they all squirmed and rooted around for her nipples. As they latched on she sighed and lay her head back down. For now she was content. It was her job to make sure her babies felt the same.
--

Read chapter 5 here.

Movie Review: SIRIUS

Another movie review??? What's up with that?

Sorry, I write what I feel like writing. Today, it's not about puppies.

A new world, connected by the information superhighway, no longer beholden to government misinformation? That is pretty much the main idea behind this film I thought was just going to be about alien encounters.

Sirius is really a thought-provoking commentary on government cover-ups and corporate greed. Whether you are into conspiracy theories or not, this was a fascinating documentary. I've always loved UFO and paranormal stories, but you don't need to be a believer to enjoy this film. It delves into the science of energy, technology, genetics, shadow government, and much more. It is long, though, so you do need to be a fan of documentaries.

Watch Idiocracy to see where we're all headed if we don't wise up. That's me talking, not the documentary.

Movie Review - Song of the Sea

We just watched a really sweet family film called Song of the Sea,

A young boy finds himself among the magical beings of Ireland when he discovers his little sister is a selkie.  In the beginning he resents her. Along the way he learns about love and selflessness.

This was a beautiful story and animation at its finest! Very stylized. It reminded me of Sita Sings the Blues (another very cool animated movie).

My husband had been to The Cartoon Art Museum a few weeks ago, when they were showing the art of the film. He came home and put this at the top of our Netflix list. I'm glad he did.

I'm not a big fan of animated movies, unless they're Disney or Pixar, but once in a while I'll see something that really grabs hold of me and won't let go. This was one of those times. I highly recommend it. Great for all ages.

Le Grand Danois, chapter 3

Read Le Grand Danois, chapter  2 here.

A loud crash woke Momma. She immediately looked to her pups to make sure they were okay. They were whimpering softly and sniffing the air. 

Humans were here. 

She stood up on shaky legs and nosed her babies into a group, so they could warm each other, then went to investigate.

Maniacal laughter reached her ears, making her freeze. She knew that sound. She remembered it very well. This madman liked to torture his victims, usually with knives and razors. She had been unlucky enough to witness this more than once. 

She sneaked a peek around a large crate, in order to see what was happening. A heavily made up woman in skin tight clothing rubbed her body against a creepy looking villain, but he wasn't interested.  He smiled devilishly and signaled to his three henchman. 

Two of the goons turned to their unsuspecting partner. They grabbed the startled man by his arms and dragged him to a chair in front of their boss.

Momma turned away, not wanting to watch the horror. She went back to her pups, knowing the humans wouldn't notice them. She curled her body around her brood and hummed softly to them, trying to block out the man's screams. 

--
This sure got dark fast! Sorry.
--

Read chapter 4 here.

Too Cute Not To Share

I thought this image was so adorable.

From dogs to cats. I love 'em both!

I'll get to chapter 3 of the dog family tomorrow, I promise.

Nighty night!

Le Grand Danois, chapter 2

Read Le Grand Danois, chapter 1 here.

Momma lay down with all her pups. They were still blind and too tiny to walk on their own, so she hoped nobody would find her hiding spot in the abandoned warehouse. The layers of newspaper and cardboard she had gathered the week before kept them all fairly warm on the hard concrete floor. 

She glanced down at her babies. They were all sleeping now, having filled their bellies on milk. She hoped they would stay asleep for awhile, since she needed to get her own strength back. She knew it wouldn't be long before unsavory elements would creep into their haven. This part of town saw more than its share of dirty dealings. It was how she had gotten herself into this situation in the first place. She had been passing by when she was attacked by a big menacing guard dog. The men with him thought it was funny when he had pounced on her and grabbed her neck in his jaws. When he was finished with her she watched him strut away, so proud of himself, his humans praising him for his prowess.

Oh well, what's done was done and now she had six little ones to protect. She knew she would have to find them good homes before the dog catcher caught up with them. But that was a worry for tomorrow. She sighed and lay down her head for a much needed nap.

Read chapter 3

High School Has Begun

My daughter survived her first week of high school. Yeah! Actually, half the week was just orientation. On Thursday and Friday the kids started their new schedule.

They alternate classes each day. Three classes on one and three on the other. Friday is a check in day with their "mentors" and to catch up on assignments. Each class is 90 minutes, which gives plenty of time to learn a lesson and start an assignment, as well as meet with the teacher if having trouble.

I wish my school had been like this. I keep telling my daughter how lucky she is. All the teachers in her school are truly excited about their jobs and about helping kids. I remember a lot of teachers in my own school acted like they didn't want to be there. "Just read chapter three and answer the questions in the back. Blah-blah-blah."

Some people don't like charter schools, but I think they are good for giving regular public schools a much needed wake-up call. Already another local high school has adopted this same block scheduling. I think it's brilliant. It's less stress for both the students AND the teachers. Gone is the monotony of having the same boring schedule every day and you have a chance to finish homework before you get home. No child needs to face hours of work after spending all day working.

Le Grand Danois Haiku

Here is a haiku to go with my story, Le Grand Danois

Little black wet nose
sniffing for his first breakfast
finds a tasty teat

Le Grand Danois, chapter 1

Here is my new story about a Great dane puppy. I am freewriting and then editing. Hope you enjoy it.

He was warm and snugly, floating weightless on a sea of relaxation. Every now and then he would feel a nudge from something next to him, but it wasn't enough to shake his calm. He was just drifting off to sleep again when suddenly he was shoved downward, his head bouncing against something squishy. Then he was being squeezed, being sucked headfirst into a small tunnel. Slowly his whole body was gently crushed and released, crushed and released. 

He was falling fast. Plop! The landing was not hard, but not exactly soft. He tried to get back to his floating sensation, but it just wouldn't come. Wriggling around, he felt his cocoon break open and cold enveloped him. Then something big and rough was rubbing against him over and over, nudging him to a warmer, softer cushion. He couldn't see anything, but he smelled something good and his tummy rumbled. He knew it was food, whatever food was. He nosed a nubbin and had the urge to latch on and suckle. Mm, it was yummy. 

"That's my good puppy."

Momma! She was his momma and he was a good puppy. Peace washed over him again.

Read chapter 2 here.

We Are All One

In an earlier post I mentioned the new Netflix series Sense8 (So much for quitting television!). I think the reason I connected with this show so strongly is that it echoes my belief that we are all connected. Some people feel this pull more than others. And in this show there are clusters of eight people from around the world that can move and act as one being. They are each a part of a whole. It's like how some believe we are each a part of God. We are all waves making up the ocean.

I am not a religious person, but I am a spiritual one. I believe there is life beyond the physical plane and each of us is here for a reason, to help each other. I just wish everyone did, so we would end all the fighting in our world.

Like John Lennon sang, "I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together."

I am you and you are me. We are each other. I even made buttons so everyone can shout it out loud...er, quietly.

Opportunity Knocks

What do you do when opportunity comes knocking and you are not ready?

Opportunity knocked today. Someone wanted a completed manuscript. I have a story inside that has been germinating for five years, but nothing close to a halfway started manuscript! Is this just the universe telling me there are opportunities waiting for me and all I have to do is get to work?

Why is this fear holding me back? The voice in my head keeps telling me I'm a fool to think anyone would want to read my stories. I keep telling it to shut up, but it keeps coming back. I'm paralyzed.

Dammit.

Headache

Sorry, not tonight, dear. I have a headache.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Failure to Communicate

My daughter starts high school tomorrow and one of the things her school requires is a TB test. I found that out at the last minute. We rushed down to the Kaiser injection clinic last Monday for the test. My daughter went in by herself. When she came out she told me I could come back for the results on Wednesday. I forgot all about it, so went to get them on Friday. Too late!

It turns out I was supposed to bring my daughter back on Wednesday so the nurse could look at her arm! What?!? That's not what I was told!!!

The nurse who gave the injection had such a thick accent, I'm wondering if my daughter didn't understand her. It was either that or the nurse assumed my daughter knew what she meant when she said come back for the results. Sorry, we are not TB test experts.

Back my daughter went for another shot (totally unfair to her). We were told to come back on Monday, now 3 days later, rather than 2. Hmm. If we get there and they tell me we waited too long I will have a major meltdown.

I am all for equal opportunity, but effective communication is a top priority in any job, especially when dealing with the public. And when you have a breakdown of communication in a hospital you are just begging for a lawsuit.

What do you think about effective communication? Is it important?

Nudity in Movies

I say movies, but I also mean TV series that are uncensored, thanks to new internet stations. They are still movies to me, just told in episodes.

Tonight my daughter and I discovered a new series called Sense8, which is sort of like Heroes meets The Matrix. It's about a group of people who are psychically linked and can randomly feel each others feelings and hear each other's thoughts. They can even visit and possess each other. It's a mind-blowing series!

And I won't tell you how many episodes we just binge watched.

The point of this post is to mention nudity. There is a bit of nudity in this show, including full-frontal male nudity. None of it is gratuitous, in my opinion. For example, there was a scene where one of the psychic men was swimming naked, stepped out of the pool and was suddenly transported to his female psychic connection's wedding. She saw him and glanced down in shock (before fainting). We all knew what she saw, but the camera showed it. I burst out laughing because it was a hilarious scene, but my daughter just groaned and shouted, "REALLY!!!". She's only fourteen, so that could have something to do with it.

Personally, I am not bothered by nudity, but that's just me. I don't mind it in films, but at the same time I feel like a little mystery is just fine.

How do you feel about nudity in movies and television?

Drought Means Death

An article came across my Facebook newsfeed the other day. Some uber-rich dude in Southern California was whining about the fact that he pays more in property taxes and should not have to lower his water usage like people in poorer neighborhoods. Not only that, but I heard that some people in wealthier neighborhoods have increased their water usage, as an act of defiance.

Are these people out of touch with reality??? Do they understand what drought means? If they use up all the water to make their lawns greener, they are going to die of thirst, as well as kill everyone else in the state.

I'm not an advocate of public shaming, but I could almost make an exception in this case. When someone puts other people's lives in danger just because they are spoiled rotten and used to getting their way, they need to be taken down a peg or two. Do I sound angry? I am.

Stay thirsty my friends.

Music Education

Music is a major part of my household. We are all musicians. I sing, my husband plays guitar and sings, and our daughter plays drums, piano and now ukulele. She just picked it up one day a few weeks ago and hasn't put it down since.

I was thinking about how important it is for kids to have music in the schools. We were lucky because our daughter got into a parent co-op school that embraced the arts. I'm sure that's one of the reasons she loved school so much. But for all the kids out there in regular public schools that have dropped their arts programs, they need to bring them back.

I'm no expert, so here's a short and sweet article on the subject.

Music and Young Minds

Why haiku?

Since I started this blog a few months ago, I have written several haiku poems. What is up with that?!? I had never written a haiku in my entire life and suddenly I have the desire to write these little poems every other week or so. Bizarre.

I don't know why I am writing them or even if I am doing it correctly, aside from the 5-7-5 syllable rule. If they suck I imagine they will get better. Hopefully you are enjoying them. If you have any tips on haiku, I am all ears.

Do you write poetry? What got you into writing it?

Hummingbird

A haiku for my spirit animal.

Shiny wings quicken
flitting from vine to flower
you help beauty grow

High School Beginnings

From high school reunions to high school beginnings.

Yesterday I said I didn't feel old enough to be going to a 30-year reunion. What about having a child in high school?!?

My daughter and her two closest friends start high school this month. Not only that, but they are each going to a different school. They won't have each other to lean on.

My best friend just gave them some great advice. She said there will be ups and downs, love and heartbreak, but the trick is to keep on shining your light, no matter what.

In the immortal words of REO Speedwagon, "Roll with the changes... and keep on rolling."

Now turn up the volume and dance like nobody's watching.

High School Reunion

Hard to believe my 30-year high school reunion is coming up! I don't feel old enough. I sure haven't accomplished the things I had planned in the last 30 years.

Don't get me wrong, I have had a wonderful life since high school. I just wish I hadn't let fear whisper in my ear and make me doubt myself and my abilities.

This is the year I am getting back to those dreams. Yay, me!

Follow your dreams, people! It cannot be said enough.

Follow your dreams!

Le Grand Danois

Le Grand Danois is french for Great Dane, which is known as the gentle giant. I found this out when doing some research for a story.

I love dogs. They are such beautiful creatures with their furry faces and sad eyes. When I see one I always smile. I may not want to go up and pet them, but I can admire them from afar. To those of you who feel the need to run up and cuddle every dog you see, be sure to check with their human guardian first. You never know if that sweet puppy has PTSD or an aversion to men with beards or children with blonde hair.

Safe petting.

No barking or biting.

Read chapter 1 of Le Grand Danois.

Legal Disclaimer Re: Images

I love images, but I do not own the rights to most of the ones used on my blog posts. I just found them via Google Images and borrowed them.

If you happen to own the rights to any image seen on this blog and would like me to give you credit for it, please send me proof and I will happily do that! Thank you for the use of your wonderful pic!

On the other hand, if you own the rights and prefer I take the image down, please send me proof and I will do that, although not happily because I love your image and would prefer to keep using it.

Thank you.

Holly Gray, Author

Thunder Booms

The thunder outside is freaking me out right now. The ground is shaking! Here in the Bay Area we never used to get such powerful storms. It's global warming at work.

I am logging off the computer because I am sure we're about to lose power.

Have a great night!

Sleepy Dream Haiku

For my daughter

Hearing my own breath
sighing so softly in sleep
I'm off to dreamland

Golden Beings (Black as Ink, part 5 of 5)

Read Black as Ink, part 4 here.

I felt calm, at peace. I did believe him. Magic had to be real. I mean, here I was looking at some sort of dinosaur thing that was talking to me. Telepathically.

I suddenly realized I wanted to go with him. I don't know why, or how it was going to work, but somehow I knew everything would be okay. I reached out my hand to him, resting it lightly on his cheek and he grinned.

"Welcome home," he breathed.

I blinked and my surroundings had changed. I was underwater, but breathing fine. I looked down at myself and I was no longer a body. I was like him, for he was no longer a body either. We were beings of golden light. We were smiling at each other, not with lips and teeth, but with an energy that was palpable. We could now go wherever we wanted and nothing could hurt us.

We explored the deep of the loch together. And we were happy.

The End.
----
Thus ends this particular freewriting experiment.
FYI, each chapter was scribbled down in five minutes, but then edited for another five minutes.

Music Apreciation

From Arctic Monkeys to Burt Bacharach, my musical tastes are vast.

Thanks to my husband, I hear a lot of great bands. Back in the 1970s he mainly listened to heavy metal. In the 1980s, when he went to work at a college radio station his mind was expanded. Now he is always searching for great new music.

It's so bizarre to me that some people only listen to one genre, be it rap, country or alternative rock. Life is to be experienced, in all its colors.

Do you appreciate music?

Puppy Walk

Today we took our puppy, Izzy, for a walk at the recently opened Cottle Ranch Park near our home. It is a fantastic place with all sorts of climbing things for little kids and learning areas for older kids. There are also miles of walking trails over grass and a manmade marsh. They even have sculptures of animals depicting farm life, without endangering any real animals.

Fun!

Do you have a nice park where you live?

So Sleepy

It's almost midnight and I haven't written anything.
But I promised to write daily, so here I am. Writing something.
Now I'm going to bed. Goodnight.