Spring – OLD THINGS NEW

Let me start off by saying that the biggest thing I learned in April is that I’ve become very, VERY lazy about carrying my “real” camera with me and I’ve relied on my iPhone way too much. While this is good for Instagram, it is not so good for blog posts 🙁

Caution: Poor quality pictures ahead!!!

It has been another busy month, filled with ups and downs and everything in-between. Isn’t that just how life is?

Early in the month I had the chance to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference in California. It was a huge opportunity for which I’m extremely grateful and I owe a debt of gratitude to my husband for making it happen.

These conferences aren’t cheap by any means and the fact that Mr. OTN was willing to spend his hard earned money to send me caused me to realize (I learned), once again, that my husband believes in me and supports this writing journey of mine. For better or for worse 😉

The setting of the conference in the California Redwoods was amazing, but so was the chance to spend time with my beautiful friends: Debbie Kitterman and Michelle Bengtson – Las Tres Amigas!

I learned, (though I already knew) how much I miss the company of my writer friends when we are apart.

I sent a portion of my book manuscript ahead for review and went in a little fearful of what they might say about my writing. After meeting with the reviewers I was very encouraged and felt ready to push forward with greater intensity. After thinking about their suggestions I also realized that I need to change up my story quite a bit.

I was encouraged to use my life experience when writing this story, but not to think about it as our story (hubs and mine), as doing so will keep me from allowing my characters to step outside of my life own experience. I’ve learned that this has freed me to become much more creative in my writing.

I am having so much fun!

We were invited for Easter dinner to the home of Greenville friends, Mark & Leslie Hoyt. This is the most fun-loving couple I know!

Here’s Leslie after testing the cheesecake. LOL!

In the interest of saving a friendship I’ll share with you a more flattering picture of this lovely lady. I’ve learned through experience that it is always best to share the most flattering pictures of your friends.

I’ve learned, during my third Spring here in SC, that April is my favorite month in the Upstate. All of the trees are so green and the flowers are at their peak. Here are a few pictures from my yard.

Another thing I’ve learned is that I never grow tired of spending time in downtown Greenville and it is also most beautiful this time of year. Hubs and I took an entire Saturday and spent it downtown at Fall’s Park on the Reedy River. Writing, napping, and snapping photos with my iPhone.

After a day in the park and dinner at Pomegranate – a local restaurant with Fabulous Mediterranean cuisine – we went to see our local hockey team, the Swamp Rabbits, play game 5 in the playoffs. I learned that sitting iceside can be a scary place to be!

I accomplished quite a bit of writing during the month of April. I’m writing in my dining room now, which is nice because I can spread out all my books and papers and leave them there (until I have company – then I stash them under the table). I’ve learned that the only problem with writing here – well, anywhere in my house really – is that I get distracted with decorating and wanting to change things up for the seasons.

Case in point: As my eyes wandered away from my computer they were drawn to this plain frame. Very soon it was bedecked with Spring flowers.

April included a Celebration of Life for me. I learned quite a lot in the months leading up to this celebration and one day I will write about it here.

Our month ended with a rockin’ concert by The Newsboys. This is Michael Tait, their lead singer, pouring his everything out on the stage. I learned, that this is one band that does not disappoint 😉

That almost wraps up my April except for:

We’ve had a few dogs in our lives and in the past two years both of our Beagles have passed on. We still have our ten-year-old Boxador Sasha, but things have been a little quiet around here with all us seniors! In April we learned that a dog we’ve been waiting for would soon be ours.