What's At Your Convenient Store?

"Excuse me, dear, I have to run to the nearest convenient store and get a bathroom scale."

It sounds ridiculous, I agree. But I was at a small convenient store, and yes, there near the front of the store was a display with digital bathroom scales for sale.

Now I admit that I am an illogical logical person, but a bathroom scale?

I understand food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other seemingly strange items. At least, I can justify a sudden need for those things.

But a bathroom scale? It's not like I am going to get ready for bed and suddenly have such an urge to weigh that I have to rush to the nearest convenient store for a bathroom scale. Nor am I likely to want to pay a little extra for the "convenience" of weighing so quickly.

I stood staring at the display in bewilderment while waiting to pay for my purchase. Days have passed, and I still think of the bathroom scales sitting on the display near the register trying to capture the attention of a desperate customer or impulse buyer.

I can't help but wonder if I have been so unobservant that I have missed items such as these at convenient stores? Are there other items for sale at them that have little to do with the immediate needs in our daily lives?

So, I ask you. What is the strangest thing that you have seen sold at a convenient store ?

His Child

The Bible tells us in Mark 10:14 "...Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them..." I learned this verse very early. I colored several pictures throughout my early years that showed Jesus with his arms outstretched and children running to Him. I grew in faith with that verse in the back of my mind.

As an adult I see other things in that verse that bring me comfort.

The children wanted to come to Jesus. It was the adults that were standing in their way. The children wanted Jesus. They wanted Jesus to know them. But the adults discouraged them. Oh, I know they had their reasons. But they missed a major point in Jesus' teaching--the gospel is for all. Jesus came to earth for everyone--man, woman and child.

I find enormous comfort in the fact that no matter what anyone else wanted, Jesus wanted the children to come to Him.

The Bible tells us in John 3:17 that Jesus wants us to be saved. He didn't come to the world to exclude but to include. He wants everyone. I draw much comfort in knowing that however messed up I am and whatever I do that Jesus wants me to come to Him no matter who or what is in the way. He wants me to draw closer to Him.

Finally, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, has more than enough love to reach everyone. He shows no preference but calls us all. His example of perfect love shows me that when it comes to His love, it is never divided between His people, but multiplied for them.

I thank God that in reaching out for the children that He wants me no matter what and that I can still get to him no matter what the obstacle. I pray that I do not stand in the way of any child of any age that wants to come to Jesus, but will do what I can to help them get to Him.

And I thank God that He calls me His child!

Ideas Flowing for the Flu?

The flu struck our house like dust bunnies under the bed. The hardest part is knowing what to do once you feel better yet still "quarantined." You may not feel like reading or writing. Television becomes boring after a while. You really want to be productive, and you want to be with your family. You walk the floors. You eat because that's all you feel like doing.

So what do we do to keep the flu from flowing and ourselves from going crazy.

Below are just a few ideas--some especially for children.

• Paint your fingernails and toenails a wild and crazy color. Mine are teal at the moment. My husband says that it is a good thing we are stuck in the house and no one can see them. But I kind of like them. So don't be surprised if you see me next time with orange or teal or purple polish or a combination of them all.
• Fix your hair in a different way. Parting it on the other side is a start. Remember it is only temporary. Of course, you have to feel well enough to wash any goo or "purple" from your hair once you have experimented.
• Stack the antibacterial gel bottles in a design or like building blocks. This works good with engineers who are sick.
• Text your kids/parents funny messages to cheer them and you.
• Make up limericks about the flu and you. You can even set them to music.
• Carry a pocket size recorder around with you to tape thoughts, reminders, and messages to friends and family.
• While laying in bed, think of the funniest thing that ever happened to you. Write it down, record it or tell a loved one. It will cheer you. And you never know, it could be the idea that sparks the next best seller.
• Play soothing music..
• Bark or imitate an animal singing your favorite song (This comes after the sore throat has left).

I hope these tips will prove helpful to you and help you conquer whatever ails you.

Paula

P.S. I might look a little different next time you see me. How long does it take purple to come out of your hair?

Seth - Who?

He was Adam and Eve's other son. After the "fight" with Cain and Abel, Eve bore another son. You might be thinking, "Seth, what did he do?"

It was the story of his brothers that is taught to our children at a very early age.

But Seth...Seth who?

There are two memorable things about the story of Seth. The Bible tells us that after Seth was born, people began to call on the Lord. The neatest thing about Seth is that it is through his seed that Jesus is born--not his other brothers.

So what does this tell me about my children? People--teachers, parents and friends--sometimes give the gifted or the problem child more attention. If the child is no problem, if the child is just ordinary, he can be neglected or ignored.

But big things come from the child that is just ordinary.

Children may not have a behavior problem. They may not be gifted. But they are children. We may not see their name in the paper. They may not be the greatest athlete. They may be quiet. They may be the last one picked for the team. They may sit on the back row. But they still need a front place in our hearts.

Their minds can be shaped. They can make a difference.

Just look at Seth-God had a purpose for him.

Back to School

It's that time again. Time for back packs, composition books and two-pocket folders. For parents it's a time for fear and that sense of not being able to protect our children from the dangers lurking.

In celebration of back to school and as an encouragement I will be studying children in the Bible gaining insight and inspiration from their lives.

JOSEPH

Joseph is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. Here was a boy hated by his brothers, sold and taken to another place having no contact with his family. For all practical purposes he had no family.

But that didn't stop him. He made something of himself.

The story doesn't end there. Because of the lies of others he was put in prison. You know the story.

Why does the story of Joseph mean so much to me?

Here was a misfit that was "victimized" who rose above his misfortunes. He couldn't change his past. But he could change his future. It didn't just happen. Joseph had patience. Joseph had determination. What Joseph didn't have was hate in his heart. It would have been so easy to want revenge.

I want my children to rise above the disappointments and failures. I want them to gain strength and wisdom from the events in their lives. I want them to have patience and determination. I want them to have love in their hearts and not hate. I don't want them to want revenge.

Yes, reading and writing are important. But along with that too heavy back pack I pray that they will carry these traits with them as they face whatever is in front of them.

I pray that they remember that Joseph overcame many obstacles and that they can, too.

I pray that they remember that they carry their mom's love and the unmeasurable love of our God.

Next time - Seth

Many People Don't Wear Hats

The westerns from many years ago depicted cowboys who were good and bad. The good cowboys wore the white or light-colored hats. The bad guys had the dark hats. As soon as you saw them on the screen, you knew which ones were good and which ones were bad. The problem is now the good guys no longer wear the white hats and the bad guys don't necessarily wear the dark hats. These days most people don't wear hats. It's hard to know the good guys from the bad ones.

How does this affect writing?

If as a writer, I can influence a child, I want the child to know good from bad. I want him or her to know the good guys from the bad guys. I want them to read about a character not that they can just identify with, but someone they can aspire to be.

Thinking Thursday - The Normal Child

Many years ago we had a saying that, “Oh that child is not normal.” I also heard people say, “Oh, they don’t come from a normal family.” Writers wrote “normal” books, and people lived normal lives.

Somewhere along the road things began to change. The normal “gauge” changed norms. A series of not-normal activities brought a lack of trust in what was always considered normal. In the case of writing that was good. There were more ideas, exposures and situations.

I am not so sure about our families. What changed the gauge on the normal children and normal family? I think we have to look at the definition of a normal family before answering, and there lies the problem. Many years ago a normal child—one with normal behavior, habits and questions for someone of the same age—came from a normal family—two parents, neighbors who took care of each other, a ritualistic bedtime for the children and a time for creating happy memories together.

Now, a normal family cannot be defined in those terms. There are two many one parent households, next door neighbors whose names we do not know, bed times whenever and very little time together. All of this not only redefines normal, but takes a toll on our precious children.

We still stay, “I did not have a normal childhood.” Now we don’t know what that means.
We need to be able to define a normal childhood and address the issues that will help make our families “normal.”

What do you think?

Thinking Thursday - People Skills versus Computer Relationships

I wonder sometimes with the onset of technology that my people skills will diminish. I am talking about the day to day, one on one contact we have in person—the confrontations, the companionships and the friendships-- versus the relationships that rely on technology.

I will admit that e-mailing people at midnight appeals to me as a convenience. I also like being able to delete those messages from certain people. I learn about others over the internet. I can see that from the popularity of internet dating.

But I also understand the joys of having a "live" friend at my side, the smiles and the touch.

One of the joys of writing is to observe. I observe body movements, voice inflections and eyes. I revel in seeing the excitement on children’s faces. I want the picture in my mind and the memory in my heart. I want to witness it.

I learn from confrontation. I grow from confrontation. It gives me plots in my writing.

Will friendships be only on the computer in the future? Where will I find my plots? Will I have to rely on the two-dimensional relationships (computer or texting)?

“Oh, you’re exaggerating,” some people have said. They tell me it will never happen. Some accuse me of momentary lapses of sanity and exhaustion.

Maybe I am exaggerating—and maybe not. Do you think technology will cause our relationships to become two-dimensional?

Do you think this shortage of "in person" interaction will affect writing in the future?

Thinking Thursday - Happy or Sad

I mentioned in a previous blog that I have happy endings in the books I write. I know that there are several good books out there with sad endings.

Books to me take the reader to exotic places and offers escape of the drudgery of life. They provide hope and sometimes information. They give us time to heal.

If I am reading a book, I want it to end on a happy note. I want to close the book after the last word and feel the satisfaction of knowing that I made the right choice in my escape. If I wanted to cry or feel hopeless, I don't have to read about it to do so.

Perhaps, I am looking at this the wrong way. Maybe books should provide solutions to real-life problems. But do they? Perhaps books should send a message that the sad feeling is normal? But do most children want to feel sad? Do we want children to base an opinion on reading on a sad book?

Maybe, just maybe, for a few minutes children want to smile.

What do you think?

The Kid in the Picture Book

Confession time.

I’m the kid in the picture book--you know the one with a problem searching for an answer--the one who uses the illogical logic to find the way to the happy ending.

And yes, in my writing children have happy endings.

I’m the kid who does the stupid things and learns from them--eventually.

I am the one that focuses on the problem at hand willing to give anything a try to get passed it. And hopefully, I am the one that does what it takes to get to the solution.

I am the one that finds peace in the simplest solutions and the satisfaction in knowing I tackled the problem and won.

I am the one who uses time-out as a planning period and nap time as plotting time.

I am the kid that doesn’t look past the nose on my face for help, cause it’s a hard enough journey to get that far.

I am the one that looks for possibilities with every touch, every smell and in every adventure.

But...

Just as a picture book has limited pages to find the happy ending, my life has a limited number of days.

I am the kid in the picture book!

And the only thing that matters is the journey between the front and back cover.

I'm Not Shy; I'm a Writer

Normally, I don’t like the silence. You most likely will find me talking with my hands, maintaining eye contact and being what most would call a very animated conversationalist.

Then there are the other times.

When my children were young, I sat on the bleachers at ball games isolated. I rooted at the proper times, and bragged on them at the proper times. Otherwise, I sat alone looking somewhat down during the rest of the game. Some people tried to start a conversation with me. Some probably thought I was rude.

There are times when I look for characters and times when I develop the characters. Attending a ball game and sitting alone watching people, I look for characters. What brings the young professional with the well-manicured fingers, a golden tan and not a clue on how to play the game to the ball field? What does he and the older gentleman with the mismatched socks and the 70’s style shorts find so hilarious in their conversation? Of course, I will never know. But it’s at those times that I develop the conversation in my imagination. What could the commonality be?

I like sitting at the chairs in the mall and observing people. I like sitting at airports and watching people. I like watching people in the grocery store. And yes, I like seeing what’s in the shopping cart and writing a story around it in my mind.

Friends and acquaintances shake their head and wonder what is bothering me. My family and close friends have come to expect it.

So if you see me out somewhere, don’t be shocked or insulted if I look like I am in another dimension. In fact, I will go ahead and answer your questions now:

No, I feel fine.
No, tell me your name anyway just in case I have forgotten it (I probably have).
Yes, the aisles aren’t big enough for two carts. It’s okay to pass.
Yes, I have plenty of shopping to do. I just sat down a minute to rest.
Yes, I see you. My hearing is fine. But wave your hands in front of me and call my name.
Yes, I saw it. I agree. The ump needs glasses.

And finally…
No, I’m not shy. I am a writer.

Creating Enthusiastic Characters

“It’s just clothes,” he mutters and throws the box on the floor. The child wanted a toy, a video game, a gift card—anything but clothes. When someone asks him what he received for his birthday, he rolls his eyes and shakes his head only to repeat it again, “Just clothes.”

We can tell if he really wanted it. The eyes sparkle, the hands move, and sometimes he has to be told to slow down talking so we can understand.

There is no doubt about the enthusiasm he has.

Much like a child’s enthusiasm to a present, we can be enthusiastic about the characters in our stories.

Do I dread writing about the character in the story? Whether the character is full of charm or the “bad” guy, I need to be excited to confront him on paper. I don’t need to find an excuse to keep away. Frequent breaks from writing may indicate a need to be away from the character. If I dread writing about him, readers will not want to read about him.

Do I find myself putting my character in “what if” situations? When I am sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office, what would my character be doing if he came with me?

The character needs to be real with strengths and weaknesses. I can like him or dislike him. This doesn’t mean that I need to write a story on a character in the doctor’s office. But I need to know my characters well enough to know what they would do if they were there.

It is hard to be enthusiastic about a character if I am forming the traits as I go along. I like to make a personality profile of the character and keep it handy. As I put my character in a situation, I refer back to the character profile to make sure he is doing everything in “character.”
The more situations I am in that I can do this “what if” exercise, the more enthusiastic I am about the character. It becomes a game and it exercises my imagination.

Am I ashamed of the character? I may not want to talk about my character at the writer’s group meeting or I may apologize for the character. I have even caught myself not even wanting to give the name of the character. Sometimes I say that I am still working on character development. That serves as a red flag for me. If I don’t want to talk about him, I have to ask myself why. Maybe the character is so bad that I cannot find any redeeming qualities in him. Other characters in the story don’t want to be around him either. Children want redeeming qualities in others. It gives them hope. I try to give even the most hopeless character hope.

What kind of reaction does the character bring out in me? Am I laughing or smiling when I think about the character? It is very similar to opening the present. I am very animated when I speak (my husband points that out frequently). I talk with my hands, very fast, and seemingly forever on the characters I love. I even do it with characters that just fascinate me or make me curious. One of the best exercises I have found is to look in the mirror and talk about my character(s). I watch how I talk about them.

I can be enthusiastic about gifts. I am one who rips the paper anxious to see what is on the inside. But I also need to be enthusiastic about my characters. If I am, then it becomes a gift I give to the readers. It helps to mold my book into something that others find can’t wait to open.

Print or Cursive?

Lately, several commercials depict children as young as four completing complicated tasks on the computer quickly. Visual images of babies with pacifiers in their mouths and tiny fingers on the computer run through my mind.
Will that affect handwriting and reading for coming generations? It already has.
Many schools today no longer teach cursive writing. School officials cite several reasons for this. First of all, children jump from learning the alphabet to the computer. Why teach a different style of writing when most everything is done on the computer? There is no reason to teach cursive, they say. Print is easier to read. We all know this to be true.
I had rather my child learn to print well than to learn to print and write cursive barely legible. That makes sense to me.
But here is where I have the problem. Many personal and historical documents are in cursive. If we don’t teach our children to write or read cursive, they will not be able to read important documents such as the Declaration of Independence. They will not even be able to read a letter from Great-grandmother to grandmother. Perhaps we are just a generation or two away from cursive writing being offered as an elective in art or as a foreign language.
It’s not that crazy.
I have checked with friends from other areas, teachers and other contacts and found that cursive is not being taught. In one instance I talked with a parent whose child never learned cursive. The elementary-aged child learned two different styles of printing in two years. This totally confused the student and parents. I was confused, as well, as I didn’t understand the point in teaching two types of printing.
With each generation comes change. The changes can be good. Learning to print is important. Adapting to accommodate to the computer-literate generation is a must. But we need to make sure our children will be able to read historical documents and letters from their family members already gone. These are things that help shape their future.

My Heart Cannot Count

In these economic times the number of heartaches can be too numberous to count and the money too little to count. Here are some tips that hopefully can help with some of the stress:

• Stop and take a deep breath. Matter of fact, take about three of them.
• If you can't afford it, don't buy it. Some stress over money comes from the purchases we make that we think we can find a way to afford it.
• Do you remember the old saying to stop and count to ten before you speak when you are angry? It does work. It can prevent a slip of the tongue and regrets.
• Say something kind to someone as much as possible and be genuine about it.
• Remember who you are, where you came from and where you are going.
• And remember, whatever the situation, it WILL pass.

Several years ago, I wrote a poem that sometimes reminds me that it will indeed pass.

My heart cannot count the aches,

the breaks,

or the time it takes

to mend from broken dreams.

It can only grasp each moment

and fill it with joy

and love

for as long as possible--

because my heart cannot count.

What's In My Pocket?

Welcome to Paula's Pocket! I hope you find leaping through my blog interesting, fun and full of surprises. I write children's picture books. This is partly because I have the mind of a child and partly because I just do. I find my ideas for discovering subjects for my books mind-blogging (pun intended). What follows is just one example.

Several years ago, my husband and I found a rather adventurous frog in our bathroom. Catching it seemed like it would be no problem. However...We cornered the frog just as it leaped on the toilet seat and coaxed it in with a rolled up newspaper. Then we flushed. Did you know that a frog can attach itself to a porcelain toilet and remain long after the flusing has ended? I know that now.

Perhaps the first flush weakened him. We flushed again. He remained. I know if I had seen his face, there would have been a smirk. We stuck the cleaning brush on him and flushed. He disappeared. High fives all around.

We turned around for a final glance (more like a gloat) before turning off the lights. He sat on the rim staring at us. This meant war!I grabbed an empty garbage can to see if I could coax him in there. This determined frog jumped and attached himself to the wall, and refused to take the hint. My husband and I placed the garbage can over him sliding the unrolled newspaper from side to side as we fit it barely between the wall and the can. If we couldn't coax him, maybe we could scare him.

Either the frog was afraid or it grew tired of the game, because it worked. Once we heard the "CA-THONG" of him hitting the side, we immediately flipped the can and covered it.

Being the animal lover that I am (well, a few exceptions), I insisted my husband take the can outside and release the frog to find his family. It was dark and pouring rain. My husband stepped onto the deck and emptied the frog there.

"That was quick," I said. "Where is he?"

My husband proudly replies, "He's out on the deck."

I flipped on the light for the deck. The frog wasn't moving. I felt guilty. Did all the coaxing kill the frog? I had heard that if you touch a frog it would die? And even if it didn't die, it wasn't moving. And if it wasn't moving, it was good prey for a snake. And I DID NOT WANT A SNAKE ON MY DECK--frog or no frog!!

I voiced my concern to my husband. My husband said I was too emotional over a little frog which meant he needed to take action.He grabbed an umbrella. I watched him from the back door as he picked up a stick to prod the frog until it leaped from the deck.

My husband walked back into the house happy to be out of the rain and happy to be without a frog. I was happy, too. I even had idea for a children's book...Now you know the story behind Chasing Frogs.