To win free art is divine

There is a fabulous giveaway by Jana. (Check out the sidebar.) She is an amazing artist. Her watercolors are to drool over. Head on over to her blog and check them out. You won't want to miss this. Really.

Nanowhatmo?

A few years ago, when I decided to write seriously—not just silly poems, stories for my kids or essays for school—some of my writing friends were talking about nano something. I nodded and smiled like I knew what they meant. But I completely did NOT.

Eventually, I figured out that it entailed writing. Still, my slow brain did not clue in to what they were talking about.

Somewhere, somehow, I stumbled upon the mystery of nanowrimo. You have to write a novel in a month, or at least 50,000 words. Okay, go ahead psycho writers. Have fun with that.

Then, I found out what the crazy word meant—National Novel Writing Month. That makes way more sense. Still, I did not have a desire to participate.

Until now. I think an insane alien took over my body and signed me up, because that was definitely NOT me. I cursed the alien.

And then, November 1 came. I couldn't just blow this off. I had to start writing. So I sat in front of a blank screen and let my fingers go.

Guess what? I'm not pumping out words like some do, but I'm kicking my own tush. I'm even ahead of schedule.

What gives? I have NO idea, but I AM having the most fun I've had in a very long time.

So . . . GO NANOWRIMO! And everyone who has chosen to live in front of your computer screen this month, too!

Halloween, the Holiday

Halloween.

Not my favorite holiday. Excluding the candy, its right up there with Toilet Cleaning Day. (Okay, I know that's not an actual holiday.) I absolutely do not like the whole trick or treating thing, making costumes, answering the door every five minutes, etc. etc.

As a matter of fact, several years ago I bribed my children into having a family Halloween party (pizza, pop, treasure hunt for candy, watch a movie) instead of trick or treating. They actually went for it. We've made it an annual tradition ever since.

But . . .

This year I fell in love with this amazing idea and thanks to my sister was able to pull it off. Thanks Jill!

I attended an actual Halloween party. I know. I'm as shocked as you.

Anyway.

What think ye?