September Blog Challenge -- Day 30

It's the last day. I'm not quite sure what to think of that. Ani says September went fast, which I suppose it did, but August still feels a good distance away. So in that sense it doesn't seem to have gone fast.

Ah well. Time is a mysterious thing.

Day 30 -- Daily routine.

That's very amusing. Do you see that? They're assuming I have a routine. Like, a consistent one. Which I don't. Every month it's something different. Sometimes it switches up twice in a month.

The only semi-constant in my days is my writing. I try to write from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (approximately) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I used to go to the Library at those times on Mondays and Thursdays, but lately it hasn't been worth the effort. Besides, I have that wonderful desk in my closet to work on.

Then there's spaghetti night on Mondays, which I'm in charge of. Occasionally I'll make the chili on Friday, if Rosie can't manage it. Obviously I get dressed at some point every day, but that specific time varies as drastically as my wake up time from day to day. As does when (and if) I do my hair (which involves having to wash it, otherwise I just pull it back in a big puff at the back of my head).

Yeah. Compare this post, with Ani's Day 30 post, and you have our personalities in a nutshell.

How 'bout you?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 29

Caught up, now, and almost to the end of our blog challenge.

Day 29 -- Family

My Mother always tells me this story about having so many children. With every new child, she wondered how her heart could handle so much love without bursting into a million pieces. A mother's love, times nine. And with that the love she has for my Dad, and his love for us. All held together by God's love.

So, to answer in short (for once), true family is love. Deep, binding, amazing love.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 28

I tried looking for the correct photos I wanted to post for Day Whatevernumberitis about vacations, but I'm still searching.... Like I said, they're worth the wait, so be patient.

Day 28 -- What do you want?

That's a slightly ambiguous question, and could go either way, towards philosophy or material desire.

Knowing me, don't be surprised I choose the philosophical perspective. Heh.

Currently what I want is wisdom. When I was younger, I looked at the story of King Solomon and wondered, had God offered to give me anything I asked him for, if I would have thought to ask for wisdom. Of course I understood that wisdom was a good thing to have, but lately I've been realizing just how precious wisdom is. Of all the wonderful things one could get in this life, the ability to make wise, prudent decisions far outweighs any of them. It's not just a handy little ability, it's something that can actually determine the overall quality of your life entirely.

And wisdom isn't the ability to know what to do in a given situation. Well, it is that, but not only that. It's also the ability to know when your own knowledge is insufficient, and to know who to go to for sound advice. I have always loved listening to and talking with people who are older than me because the simple fact that they have been alive longer gives them wisdom I cannot gain otherwise, unless I just wait to get to their age.

I've discovered, though, that once you get to a certain age, you know more about how to act at, say, sixteen, than you know how to act at 20. So you still need wisdom for whatever age you happen to be because foresight comes from hindsight. Which is why God gave us parents, I believe, as mentors as well as caretakers. I can say with confidence that I am eternally grateful for both my parents. They have taught and guided me my whole life. Even as I get older and make more decisions based on my own knowledge, I still often go to them and ask for advice.

So yes. Another long post about life stuff. What do I want? Wisdom. How about you? Fell free to answer the question however you like; you don't have to get philosophical like I do if you'd prefer not to.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 27

In my defense, we had Dana over this weekend, and I rarely get online when there's company visiting.

On an intriguing note, we figured out how to conclude FtGG. May I say, it will be a grand finale. I'm quite excited.

Now, on to business. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Day 27 -- How do you envision your life to be?

In a word, different. My entire life has been characterized by rebellion. Not in the modern sense of the word, where rebellion is some sort of breaking free of tradition in a dangerous, self seeking, often morally debatable manner. No, my kind of rebellion is actually much more subversive, and much deeper than that. I rebel against rebellion.

To be more specific, let's take a look at my family. Nine kids, Christian, homeschooling, Military, and, to use another modern definition, bi-racial. The way my family has chosen to live life is contrary to every mainstream society in America, including mainstream Christianity and homeschooling. I view life in a way that very, very few people do. That isn't going to change.

So when I say my life is going to be different, I say this in a relative manner. To me, it will be the same as it always has been. But it will never be similar to what the world says life is meant to be like. As I grow older, this fact becomes increasingly more obvious.

Sometimes it scares me. There are few people who I can turn to for assistance. My life is not normal. The world doesn't know what to do with me, they have no self-help or advice guides that will give any sort of wisdom into what I should do. Even within my own family and circle if trusted friends, my life is my own, and I will have to write my own story within the story of our collective experiences.

I'm not afraid to be different. In fact, I crave it. It's something God instilled in me. To be unique, special, to offer something to the world that no one else can give, something that will matter. A saying I've seen circulating goes like this, "To make a difference you have to be different." This is a challenge and a frightening one. It makes me think of the old trailblazers who would set out into the Western wilderness with only their little group, forging a trail by trial and error, leaving marks for others to follow, but having no guide for themselves save their knowledge of travel and survival. Wisdom gathered from travelling paths brought together to create a new path of their own.

That's how I envision my life to be. Hard, but meaningful. I will never have what people call happiness, but I do believe, as sure as God is faithful, that I will have purpose. And to me that is far more desirable than happiness.

I do not know what specific events God will place in my life. I suspect marriage and children and writing. How, where, when, why, who, and what are questions I consider, and try to predict, even, but with a clear understanding that I will never truly know what God has in store for me until he gives it. I'm content to wait. His timing has proven trustworthy my whole life, and I will not doubt Him now.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 26

Since I have switched computers, any randomly downloaded files I had on Cali remained on Cali. Which means that's where my blog challenge list document is at the moment.

So I devised a devious scheme. I waited until Ani posted her blog challenge post and then I knew what the question was. Shhh.....

Day 26 -- Something you could never get tired of doing.

This one is somewhat similar to another question I answered earlier... Or maybe the answer is just the same. Writing! I don't ever get tired of writing.

But since I gave that answer already, I'll come up with another one.

Singing. I never get tired of singing, and I never will. Next to writing, singing is my favorite pastime. I sing in the church choir, but mostly I sing around the house. I'm nowhere near professional. There's just something about singing that feels wonderful. It's the universal language, you know, music. Even if the words can't be understood by everyone, the tune and the feeling can. It's quite fascinating the way music can connect people and lift the soul. I enjoy being part of that.

How about you?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 25

Forget the fact that I'm technically two days behind right now.

Day 25 -- What made your day special?

This one is easy to answer.

Today I didn't feel well. I've been forgetting to take my vitamins, and that always leaves me foggy and tired for a few days. Today was one such day. So today wasn't anything special. If anything, it was a little depressing. I couldn't write anything, which never does good things to my mood.

But then Katie arrives. My wonderful cousin. Truly, there ought to be more people on Earth like her. Every time I think I'm going to be in a sour mood when the cousins come over, somehow she always manages to bring a smile to my face. She's kind hearted and encouraging, and every time I think of her I think of sunshine.

She made my day special today.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 24

Right, so I just realized I forgot to do day 20. How many of you guys noticed that?

However, I have not forgotten day 23. I am purposefully skipping over it until I can insert some pictures which are currently saved on the desktop rather than my computer. It'll be worth the wait, trust me.

Oh! I got a new computer, as well. Unfortunately, my old computer, Cali, gave up the ghost. Faithful though she was, she got rather cranky and slow near the end, and finally just quit. So I spent the next couple weeks being chased from computer to computer (we have two other laptops and a desktop) trying to get my writing and other stuff done while not getting in the way of the kids' school and such.

The other day Dad took me to Best Buy, and we (meaning he, since he has all the money) bought a Microsoft Surface RT. I've had her, Chelsea her name is, for two days now, and I have already grown quite fond of her. She works perfectly for what I need her for and has excellent portability.

Now on to the question. And yes, I do realize this is yesterday's question.

Day 24 -- Goals for next month.

Next month. October. What do I have planned? Well, I may do some outlining for my NaNoWriMo novel. I'm actually beginning to wonder which I ought to write. I have two ideas, suddenly, so I'm a little confused.

But I'll think about that in October. For this week I must finish the beginning of LBT once and for all.

Other than that, though, I don't have much going on in October. I do intend to dress up at some point, possibly to go to the library, or one of the farmer's markets. We shall see.

Yeah. Not all that interesting. Ah well.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 22

Catching up, catching up...

Day 22 -- One thing you've never done that everyone else has.

I'm assuming that 'everyone' is a generalization. Working off that assumption, I could name a few things that 'everyone' else has done that I have never done.

One would be that I have never actually set foot in a public or private school. Since I was homeschooled, that's more plausible, but even a lot of homeschoolers nowadays are taking classes outside the home at co-ops or from local public or private schools.

Never did that.

And there are about a bajillion fandoms that I'm not a part of that everyone I know participates in.

I've also never been to any sort of dance.

Yeah. Pretty short post. I can think of a lot of things that I have done that others haven't, but things that others have done that I haven't is pretty much all of modern society. We do everything different to the norm.

Dia duit,
~Penny

Legend Post -- Selkie's Tale

I miss posting these. This time, I'm just going to post the story, and let you tell me what you think of it.

Here is a brief introduction. A fisherman by the name of Neil one day came across a group of seals playing along the shoreline. He watched for a while, but then one of them noticed him, signaled the others, and they fled to the ocean just as the tide began to go out.

All made it but one. Unable to reach the waters before the last wave rolled down the beach, her sealskin slipped free and washed away with the curling foam, leaving her alone in the form of a human woman.

Whether out of pity, lonliness, or merely because her strange, seal-like beauty captivated him, Neil took the poor Selkie woman home. He fed her, gave her warmer clothes, a place to stay, and offered her marriage.

She accepted.

The wedding of Neil MacCodrum and the selkie woman was set for the time of the waxing moon and the flowing tide. All the folk of the clachan came, six whole sheep were roasted and the whiskey ran like water. Toasts overflowed from every cup for the new bride and groom, who sat at the head of the table: MacCodrum, beaming and awkward, unused to pleasure, tapped his spoon to the music of fiddle and pipe, but the woman sat quietly beside him at the bride-seat, and seemed to be listening to another music that had in it the sound of the sea.
After a while she bore him two children, a boy and a girl, who had the sandy hair of their father, but the great dark eyes of their mother, and there were little webs between their fingers and toes. Each day, when Neil was out in his boat, she and her children would wander along the machair to gather wild parsnips and berries, or fill their creels with carrageen from the rocks at low tide. She seemed settled enough in the croft on the shore, and in May-time when the air was scented with thyme and roseroot and the children ran towards her, their arms full of wild yellow irises, she was almost happy. But when the west wind brought rain, and strong squalls of wind that whistled through the cracks in the croft walls, she grew restless and moved about the house as if swaying to unseen tides, and when she sat at the spinning-wheel, she would hum a strange song as the fine thread streamed through her fingers. MacCodrum hated these times and would sit in the dark peat-corner glowering at her over his pipe, but unable to say a word.
Thirteen summers had passed since the selkie woman came to live with MacCodrum, and her children were almost grown. As she knelt on the warm earth one afternoon, digging up silverweed roots to roast for supper, the voice of her daughter Morag rang clear and excited through the salt-pure air and soon the girl was beside her holding something in her hands.
"O mother! Is this not the strangest thing I have found in the old barley-kist, softer than the mist to my touch?"
Her mother rose slowly to her feet, and in silence ran her hand along the speckled brown skin. It was smooth like silk. She held it to her breast with one hand, and put her other arm around her daughter, and walked back with her to the croft in silence, heedless of the girl’s puzzled stares. Once inside, she called her son Donald to her, and spoke gently to her children:
"I will soon be leaving you, mo chridhe, and you will not see me again in the shape I am in now. I go not because I do not love you, but because I must become myself again."
That night, as the moon sailed white as a pearl over the western sea, the selkie woman rose, leaving the warm bed and slumbering husband. She walked alone to the silent shore. Then she stepped lightly over the rocks and unrolled the speckled brown parcel she carried with her, and held it up before her. For one moment maybe she hesitated, her head turning back to the dark, sleeping croft on the machair; the next, she wrapped the shining skin about her and dropped into the singing water of the sea.
For a while a sleek brown head could be seen in the dip and crest of the moon-dappled waves, pointing ever towards the far horizon, and then, swiftly leaping and diving towards her, came six other seals. They formed a circle around her and then all were lost to view in the soft indigo of the night.
In the croft on the machair, Neil MacCodrum stirred, and felt for his wife, but his hand encountered a cold and empty hollow. He knew better than to look for her and he also knew she would never come to him again. But when the moon was young and the tide waxing, his children would not sleep at night, but ran down to the sands on silent webbed feet. There, by the rocks on the shoreline, they waited until she came - a speckled brown seal with great dark eyes. Laughing and calling her name, they splashed into the foaming water and swam with her until the break of day.

An interesting tale, don't you think? Now you tell me what it means to you. What is the moral? What is to be learned, if anything? And how do you think a sequel to this story would go? Even if you don't post answers in the comments, it's interesting to think about those kinds of questions.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 21

Alright, I give up. There is no way I'm going to stay on schedule.

Day 21 -- Someone who inspires you.

This is actually a tough one. I'm not easily inspired as much as I am encouraged. There are several key people who encourage me.... But that's not what the question is.

Let's see if I can follow the rules this once.

You know what, I think it's my Dad. When I think about it he's probably the one person who actually inspires me.

My Dad is the type of guy who always strives to do better, to be better. Excellence is his endless goal. Sometimes I think perfection is his goal, but I think that may just be the standard of comparison. He's smart enough to know perfection is unattainable, but he does try and get as close as possible. Thus inspiring excellence.

Dad is not a talker. If you didn't think the Strong and Silent archetype didn't exist, you're wrong. That's my Dad. Tall, black, and strong. He's a logical thinker and a dedicated, very hard worker. We're very different. We see things and approach problems and solutions from different perspectives. But whenever we talk about life, especially my writing life, there is something about the words he says that give me a push.

I can do it. I can achieve excellence. I'm capable perhaps not of wild fame and glory, but nonetheless great things.

A lot of times I'm plagued with thoughts of mediocrity. It's difficult for me to look at my work, myself, and sometimes my life, and see greatness. I see beauty and love and wonder, but in the kind of world we live in now, I really wonder, will it matter? Can it make a difference? What can we do for our world with the amazing talents and perspectives we have? And more so, what can I do? Do I really have anything to offer that will make a difference that will last?

My Dad tells me yes. He doesn't give me a talk about how I ought not to feel these things, and tell me I'm special and wonderful and destined for greatness. No, that's not Dad's style. In fact, it doesn't occur to him to ask those questions, because he already knows the answers.

Of course I have something to offer. Of course I'm capable, and he helps me see how. The way he speaks of schemes I would think grand and unreachable as if they were just a bit of hard work away restores hope, and actually raises my standard of what I can accomplish.

He inspires me. Whether I feel capable of achieving my dreams, I know I always have Dad's help, and that frees me to dream big. He can solve, seriously, almost any problem. He can pave a road or build a bridge to any dream I could possibly imagine. Realistically. He makes things possible, and encourages me to think in the same way.

I don't know if he knows he does this for me. I don't know if that's what he's trying to do in the moments where we're talking, or if he's just trying to give me a way to do the things I would like to do. Either way, he inspires me. To reach for excellence, to work hard, and never give up on your goals, no matter how insurmountable they seem. Every mountain can be climbed. It could be difficult and require determination, but don't every say it's impossible.

I love that about him. As I get older, I'm beginning to notice and appreciate all that my Dad has done for our family.

Love you, Dad.

 

 

Dia duit,

~Penny

 

September Blog Challenge -- Day 19

I'm on tiiiime. Hooray.

Day 19 -- What's in your bag?

I'm at the library right now. The internet in our house totally crashed (again), so I hitched a ride with my bro to be able to check emails and such on the library computer. This doesn't bug me much, but it does make emptying my entire handbag onto the desk a little awkward. So I won't do that, but I will rummage through it and take a gander at what all I have in there.

My purse is a small black affair that's somewhat flimsy, discolored, and quite what one would expect from a four year old Target clearance item. I like small bags. The temptation with larger bags is to stash everything and the kitchen sink into it so that it drags my shoulder out of its socket whenever I'm forced to carry it around. Smaller bag, less space. Less space, less stuff. This obviously doesn't prevent me from needing to clean it out every once in a while and getting sick of lugging the thing around, anyway, but it helps.

So, contents.

~Phone
~Check for my Aunt
~Loose coins
~Address for my other Aunt
~Cards
  -Military ID
  -Debit card
  -Library card
  -Healthcare card....thing
  -A business card for Janet McGregor at Cantebury Books
  -Leftover meal card from the OYAN SW
  -Business card for Jennifer Janisch at Adored Salon (where I got my latest haircut)
  -Victoria's Secret rewards card
  -Cross in my Pocket card/poem
  -Smileage card for Menchie's (frozen yogurt place in Florida)
  -Business card for The Penny, a neat movie
  -Walk Thru Bethlehem business card
  -Business card for Faith and Patience Pennigton's Little Women, a "funky vintage found object jewelry" etsy shop
  -Hancock Fabrics Preferred Customer Card
  -Driver's license
  -Clubhouse minature golf and ice cream parlor $2 off card (must use)
  -Business card for rating and reviewing Parajon Orthodontics
  -Friendship card
  -Live Curly Live Free busniess card
  -Smoothie Cafe rewards card (best smoothie place on the planet, in Florida. Sniff.)
  -Maurices Take 10 card
  -Medieval Times coupons (only valid at Florida Castle)
~Spence, my external harddrive
~Pink earbuds
~Gum (Rain 5)
~Jeet Kune Do patches
~Leftover reciept from somewhere
~Gum wrappers
~Compact mirror
~Four AA batteries
~Pure Ice "Rumors" nail polish (Mom's color)
~My inhaler
~Glasses cleaning cloth
~Lime green cigarette lighter (no, I don't smoke)
~Softlips chapstick (watermelon)
~The magic rock Dana gave me when he got sick of me absently pulling apart paper napkins at the OYAN SW
~Ticket stub for Star Trek: Into Darkness

And that's it. It's a very long list, but as you can see, most everything on that list is rather small. So it manages to fit without being too heavy. Still, there are a few things that somehow ended up in there that really need to go. Like the nail polish. No idea why that's in there.

So how's your bag?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 18

This question is actually a little freaky, solely because of the fact that Mom and I just finished having a conversation on this very topic.

Things like this have been happening a lot lately.

Day 18 -- An important trait in a potential spouse.

This would actually be a little hard for me to narrow down. I have a list in my head of traits I like, but deciding which would be the most important out of all of them is difficult. Mostly because I don't know if I've decided yet. And because one trait does not the man make.

That being said, my Mother reminded me of one single trait that I do believe is of paramount importance. And that is "he must love God more than he loves me." My Mother has such a wonderful way of being able to both articulate the core of a concept, as well as expound upon it. I myself ramble endlessly, as you have no doubt noticed, before I can finally manage to come to the point both out loud and in my own head.

Loves God more than he loves me. I would also label that as integrity. A man who loves the Lord more than anything is going to have a strength of character unlike any other. There would be other necessary factors in a potential spouse, but without that one foundational trait, none of the other factors would matter.

So. Yeah.

Dia duit,
~Penny

For The Greatest Good Cover

Did I mention I was planning on making FtGG into an e-book? I think I did somewhere. Anyway. I was meant to be working on transcribing another segment but I got completely and utterly distracted.

Bad Penny.

But look what I made!

 

 

Isn't it pretty? I made it using a website called ipiccy.com. It's a free photo editing website and it's awesome. I've made three covers with it so far, this one included.

 

So yeah. Completely distracted. I'll go write now....

 

Maybe.

 

Dia duit,

~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 17

I don't really know if I can answer this question, but we'll give it a shot.

Day 17 -- Someone who broke your heart.

Like I said, I can't answer this properly. First of all because I'm not the type to publicize past hurts, and secondly because I've never really had anyone break my heart. Not on purpose, and not in the way the question implies.

So instead I'll write a list of things that do break my heart. Really, I'm not all that compassionate by nature. I'm very empathetic, but I'm also a catalyst, so when I see something I don't like, I am not content to merely feel bad about it. I want to change it. So there aren't very many things that break my heart as much as make me angry at the wrongness that is causing whatever issue has raised my ire.

Even still, I think I can manage to sift through my heart and find the things that actually make me sad and not just upset.

~People who feel hopeless.
~Christians who don't seek Christ.
~An unloved child.
~Virtue that is undervalued or persecuted.
~Loss.
~The death of a dream.

So there. You can choose to answer the question however you like, or not answer it at all. Either way. I think evaluating the things that hurt us or make us upset is a good, healthy thing to do, but there is also the danger of thinking only of those things, and forgetting to remember all the wonderful things God has blessed us with. I know we covered the 'thing that fills you with excitement and joy' already, but I want to make a list of things that just plain make me happy. Things that restore my faith in God's goodness in the world right now.

~Children's laughter.
~Hugs.
~Fiery sunsets.
~The breeze through forest treetops.
~Singing of birds.
~A shoulder to cry on.
~Waves on a beach.
~A playful dog.
~Forgiveness and humility.
~A crackling fire and roasted marshmallows.
~Chocolate.
~A good story.
~Silly random games with siblings.
~Wise parents.
~Patient understanding and service.
~Spontaneous acts of love.
~Wading through creeks in the summertime.
~The smell of rain.
~Tea.

Well, that list ended up a bit longer than I anticipated. But that's a good thing, right?

Dia duit,
~Penny

Odd

So I was rummaging through my old documents, and I found this poem/limerick thing that I composed a couple years ago while still in Florida. It's called Odd.

Odd

by Penny Kearney

I probably shouldn’t be

But it always surprises me
How odd I really am

It’s just the little things
I don’t know I’m doing

Then I look up and see them

The laundry basket
Of unfolded clothes
Still sitting at the end of my bed
And yesterday I read
From beginning to end
My devotions out loud to my dog

I got angry today
and got down on my knees
and scrubbed the whole floor ‘til it sparkled
I kill off my characters
In cold hearted swiftness
Then regret it the second it’s finished

Cartwheels are fun
And spontaneous song
And random trips to the mall
Sometimes it’s enough
For no apparent reason
To wrestle a volleyball from my brother
Or carry around
An invisible crown
And toss it from one to another

Nothing makes sense
Perhaps it’s just impulse
But I do know one thing for certain
Without all these quirks
Though they serve no other purpose
I would have to be some other person

And where would be the fun in that?

 

Dia duit,
~Penny



September Blog Challenge -- Day 16

Day 16 -- Something you regret not doing in the last year.

This one is tough to answer. I don't know if I can think of anything that I regret not doing in the last year. I pretty much did everything I wanted to. Maybe I regret not working on my story as much as I may have been able to? That's the only thing I can think of.

You?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 15

Catching up, catching up....

Day 15 -- Something that excites you and fills you with joy.

Generally speaking, I love doing things with my family. Fun conversations and activities with them make me very happy. I also love travelling, seeing new places, visiting old friends, listening to Celtic music...

Recently, hm.... Well, I had a good time up in Watertown, WI, at an Irish concert put on by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team. All save one of the Irish instrumentals they played, I recognized. Which pleased me.

There's magic in Celtic music, I'm telling you...

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 14

Fourteen. My favorite number, actually. I have no idea why. It always has been. Maybe because it's double lucky? 7+7.

Day 14 -- Your relationship with food.

That is a strange and interesting question. My relationship with food has improved some, though we still have our differences. Usually I don't like it. I have and always have had a small appetite, so I don't eat all that much, but when I do get hungry it's like I want to eat everything and everyone in sight.

That's me; always the dramatic.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 13

It seems I am systematically late. Miss one day, catch up the next day, miss one day again....

Story of my life.

Day 13 -- Someone you've always wanted to meet.

Hm.... I've pretty much met all the people I really wanted to meet. Jeff Gerke, Mr. Schwabauer, Jill Williamson.... Maybe Jennifer Nielson? She's a pretty amazing author. Maybe a screenplay writer who works on a television show, just to talk about how that whole writing process goes.

Yeah. That's pretty much it.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Post -- Day 12

Caught up!

Day 12 -- Someone you miss.

Good gracious, just one person? Do I have to do just one?

Well, I'll do something original and say that I miss someone I have never even met in real life. Her name is Katana Kain, she's a writer, and an OYANer. She and I talk off and on using Skype. One of those friends I clicked with immediately and have gotten along with ever since. She's one of what I would classify as my support friends. Someone I can talk to about the deeper things in life; I value her insight highly, and appreciate knowing someone close to my age that can relate to the ups and downs of that period of growing up. I also enjoy our differences, too; exchanging viewpoints that are both similar, and contrary.

We've never met, but we hope to someday, because we both love hugs. And tea. You would be surprised how many people I run into who doesn't like tea.

There are many others that I miss -- my bestie, my cousin, Dana -- but the way I miss Kat is a strange way because we've never met. So I thought I'd write about that.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 11

Falling behind again. Heh.

Day 11 -- Something unusual.

Hm. That's real specific.

Seph suggested that in order to correctly answer this question, I first define what 'usual' is. Then we both looked at each other and shook our heads. "Normal is a setting on your dryer."

Basically nothing about me or my whole life has been what one could describe as normal. Which poses another question. If abnormality is the norm in my life, does that make it normal? So then that would make normal abnormal for me, and abnormal normal. Like a mirror universe.

Hm, I like this.

So let's see what I find unusual. Something that could be considered normal by other people's standards.

Not hugging brothers, or even siblings. This I find to be an extremely strange and unusual concept. I know several people who take this stance on family relationships, and I honestly have no idea how they survive. If I had to stop hugging my siblings I would DIE. Yes, in all caps. DEAD. I love my family so much I hug them all the time. My little siblings, my (dead handsome) little-brothers-who-are-now-both-taller-than-me, and my (gorgeous) little-sisters-who-are-also-taller.

I just don't understand. If you don't hug them, what else do you do?

Dia duit,
~Penny

Google+ Comments....

.....Better or worse? Easier or harder? I enabled Google+ commenting on my blog to see what it was. What do y'all think?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 10

Here we are on day 10. Everyone ready?

Day 10 -- The weather.

Well, gee, don't overdo the intrigue of these questions. The weather. Huh. I suppose that could be interesting...

I know, I'll use a picture. That'll liven things up a bit.

 

 

Tuesday 2:00 PM

Clear

9535

°F°F | °C°C

Precipitation: 10%

Humidity: 0%

Wind: 6 mph10 km/h

 

 

There. The weather. Some might call that sweltering heat, but since I actually like heat, it's not all that bad. Sun and breeze, blue skies, and a cold diet coke.

 

Dia duit,

~Penny

For The Greatest Good Update

I don't know how many of you have caught on -- I didn't really mention it -- but Dana has now officially gone off to college.

Adoring Fans: Wait, what? He can't leave like that! The story isn't finished!

(I can dream, can't I?)

Calm down, paparazzi, don't panic. First of all, I still have quite a few segments I need to transcribe, so there won't be a lull in the story for a little while yet. However, since Dana does have an education to pursue for the next four years, there may come a pause at some point. So just be ready.

Secondly, Dana has said that he doesn't plan, or want, college to consume him. We are so close to the final chapter of FtGG that we are going to do our best to get it finished up either this winter, or sometime next Spring, depending on how Dana's schedule works.

I am very motivated to get this story completed because once it's done, I would like to edit, then publish it. It's been a wonderful story to work on and I think it'd look great in paperback and e-book. Besides that, how awesome would an in-costume book signing be, right?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 9

Finally caught up!

Day 9 -- Your favorite thing to do right now

I think without a doubt, my favorite thing to do lately has been to write. After almost three years, I am still madly in love with the story I'm working on right now. That's got to be a sign, right? I simply cannot wait to share Xystia with the world. And hopefully there will be others who will fall as completely in love with that place as I have. I'm not sure if that's possible (with the exception of Dana, perhaps), but I can still hope. It's such an amazing place that I hardly feel like I've created it. More like I discovered it, and am simply the chronicler penning the history of some long forgotten world as I piece together its past from what clues I can gather. I don't think that feeling will ever get old.

Dia duit,
~Penny

Happy Birthday, Dana!

Happy Birthday, Dana MacDonald!

 

So yesterday was Dana's birthday. On such a momentous occasion, the whole family drove up to where he's going to college (about an hour away from us). We descended upon him, gave him cupcakes complete with a candle for him to blow out, sang Happy Birthday, and left with him presents in cardboard boxes. The rest of the afternoon we spent wandering about the town -- including a stop at Culvers for some ice cream -- in search of a certain park with we finally managed to locate. We watched some ducks, despaired over a clown face on the kiddie park, then drove him back to the campus. All in all, a very enjoyable day, and I hope it was for him, too. (I don't know how it couldn't have been, considering we brought him cupcakes.)

 

Dia duit,

~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 8

And now for day 8, since yesterday was Sunday and I don't get online on Sundays.

Day 8 -- 5 things from your bucket list

Well, let's see. I haven't ever actually made a bucket list. Not a real one, anyway. I suppose I don't really know what sorts of things are meant to go on bucket lists, because most of what I would put on there would be obvious things, or else goals I plan to reach fairly soon. But let's see if I can get this right.

1. Go to Scotland for at least two weeks (if not more).
2. Get married.
3. Have kids. Lots of them.
4. Write the Outlander Trilogy and the Ambassador Chronicles.
5. Do a book tour.

I think that is the most I've ever written for a bucket list in my life. Has anyone else written one?

Dia duit,
~Penny

A Bit of Lynnae

You remember Lynnae, don't you? She's Lynn's good friend, and they often work on costumes together when they're near each other. Well, here's something else about Lynnae I may not have mentioned. She's a wonderful aspiring artist.

She has drawn various concept art pictures for characters from my book, The Land Between Time, and here is a pencil drawing she just sent me, and the picture she based it on.

Pretty good, eh? I've never been able to draw like that, and I find it absolutely brilliant.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 7

Well, you can see how long it took for me to fall behind schedule. I don't know if I'm actually physically capable of staying 100% on time for more than three or four days in a row. Hm...

Day 7 -- How many siblings do you have? What number are you?

Goodness gracious, it's an actual question. With question marks. Well!

I have eight younger siblings, and I am the eldest. Pretty easy question to answer. The funny bit is people's reactions to my answer. It's hard not to notice that there seem to be a lot of us because we often go places in droves, as it were. The five bigger kids do most activities outside the house together, and that's pretty obvious when we all troop into a given location. We all look the same and chat with each other. Keeping a low profile is difficult even when we are being purposefully low key. Inevitably, the question of us all being related comes up, and then from that springs the "yes, and there are four more of us at home, too." I love it, personally. Having a large family is the best.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 6

Oh, yay, I like this one!

Day 6 -- 3 countries you've visited.

One thing that I'm always tempted to tell people when they ask me where I'm from is "I'm from Earth, where are you from?" Not only because it's amusingly witty and the reactions would be priceless, but also because it's true! My Dad was in the military years before I was born, and stayed in for his career. Therefore I have never lived in one location for more than two years at a time. On top of that, the job he had in the military was one that required us to be stationed all over the world instead of just hopping around the US as some have. So really, my answer to Day 6's question is, "Only three??"

But for once I shall obey the rules.

1.Germany. I put this first because it is the country I was born in. Thankfully, we got to live there sixteen years later, as well, so I remember just how amazingly beautiful this country is. The postcard perfect countryside, the heavenly bread, and the stalwart, fascinating castles. I would definitely go back again someday.

2. Korea. This one I choose because it was probably the most unique, different place we've ever lived. Though generally part of what people consider Asian Culture, Korea is as different from Japan and China -- the more well known Asian countries -- as could be without being Western. This country, too, I also fell in love with, quite unexpectedly. It's as beautiful as Germany in its own, magical way. The Land of the Morning Calm, home to a one of the most fascinating and kindhearted cultures, a melodious language, wonderful food, and breathtaking views of mountains that touch the sky and cherry blossoms that touch the heart.

3. America. I suppose this doesn't quite count as 'visting', but neither do the other two, since we lived there each for two years. So I guess I'm not obeying the rules afterall (surprise surprise). But to the point: America. I find that no matter where I have lived, no matter what other countries have captured my heart, I can still say I am proud to be an American without any iota of hesitation or reserve. America is my home. It will always be this way. I will roam from one corner of the world to the other, live in foreign countries and fall in love with countries and people whose language I can't even speak, but at the end of the day, my loyalties lie where the sun sets, over my own proud United States of America.

So where have you been?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 5

Hooray, day 5! I don't know why that's exciting, but it is. I like this schedule. I should make one up after this to keep me posting about legends and music again. Hm...

Day 5 -- 3 things you like about your personality.

Three things I like about my personality. Well, let's see...

1. I'm cheerful. I love being cheerful and I like being able to make other people cheerful, too.
2. I'm adventurous. I'm not afraid to try new things, go new places, and meet new people.
3. I believe there is value in everyone. Even people I don't particularly care for, I can recognize talent and worth, and for those I love dearly, I do my best to show them the wonderful gems I see deep down inside them that they don't even know are there.

How about you?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 4

This one is going to be a long one. Let's see what I can manage...

Day 4 -- 25 things to do before your birthday.

This is a little unfair because my birthday is in a couple months. I'm not a huge planner, I tend to work with general goals rather than specific ones, so coming up with 25 things to absolutely do before my birthday in two months is going to be a challenge. Though I suppose that's what this is for, eh? Here goes.

1. Outline a novel for NaNoWriMo (did I mention I was going to try it again this year?).
2. Finish the beginning of LBT.
3. Get a checking account.
4. Sell more copies of Aaron's Quest.
5. Finish For The Greatest Good and start putting it together and editing it.
6. Give my dog a bath. >.>
7. Plan another IG.
8. Play another IG.
9. Get some fluctuating relationships to a more stable point.
10. Think. Think a lot.
11. Maybe a book signing?
12. Write.
13. Write.
14. Write more.
15. And after that have a mug of tea.
16. Take my sisters somewhere fun.
17. Go to the farmer's market in costume.
18. Research business models.
19. Read at least three books.
20. Visit Dana at Maranatha.
21. Visit Dana at Maranatha in costume.
22. Write at the library in costume.
23. Finish watching Star Trek TOS Season 3.
24. Smile bright, laugh hard, sing and dance and shine.
25. Write a letter.

Phew! I made it. ^.^ Now let's see if I can manage to do all these things before my birthday.

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 3

So here we are on day 3! Everyone ready?

Day 3 -- Your day in detail.

Well, by now I've pretty much given up on any of these being actual questions with actual question marks at the end. Still, they're interesting to answer.

So, my day in detail. I can't really remember all the details, but I'll do my best.

This morning I woke up around eight and came downstairs. I debated getting on the computer, but at breakfast and sat outside for a bit first. (wow, this is going to get dull fast.) Then I got dressed, got on the computer, chatted with people, cleaned the fridge, chatted more, wrote from 1pm to 3pm, worked on internet content (pinterest, blog, tumblr, forums...), randomly jotted down notes for a plot bunny...

In the evening I went to Jeet Kune Do class with Seph, Percy, Rosie, and Pippin, and now here I am!

Hm, that wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. So how was your day?

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day 2

Since I missed doing Day 1 on the correct day (yesterday), I must do day 2 today, as well.

Day 2: Something you look forward to in the next 12 months.

Hm, another non-question. Ah well.

I look forward to finishing and publishing my novel, The Land Between Time, and seeing what exciting opportunities arise from that. Actually, there are a lot of things I look forward to in the next twelve months. I'm turning 21, I'm on the brink of my writing career, which is a whole new world to explore with endless possibilities. I've sold a few of my short stories to bookstores, and had someone talk to me about book signings. Lots of fun stuff. This coming year promises to be a milestone in many ways, both in writing and in life in general.

Dia duit,
~Penny

So. Tumblr.

And here is a link to my Tumblr. When I don't have time for a full post here, I will post on the Tumblr. This feels to me a bit like some sort of grave betrayal to my poor blog, and I will still be posting here as often as possible. But I figured I'd give all my loyal readers something to look at when my blog sits forlorn and neglected. It'll also contain random things I like both related and unrelated to my blog. Enjoy!

http://barefootbladeweaver.tumblr.com/

Dia duit,
~Penny

September Blog Challenge -- Day One

Ani and I decided to do a blog challenge this month. 30 questions, 30 days. Now, I know this has nothing to do with legends, fairy tales, LARPs, or FtGG, but it should still prove to be interesting. To make it even more so, I want you all to answer the questions with me. Leave a comment! I love hearing about y'all.

So, here's the first question.

Day One: Basic things about yourself.

Okay, not really a question, but here is my answer.

Basically, I'm 20, I'm a storyteller to the core of my being, I live in Northern IL as the eldest of nine siblings, and I own a border collie/lab mix named Gypsy. As evidenced by this blog, I love fantasy. Legends, fairy tales, imagination games... All that. Get me started talking about world building or characters and I may never shut up. I'm an extrovert, I adore people. And talking. And writing. And dragons. Also, Scotland. Chocolate, fruit smoothies, sunny weather, forests, mountains, and beaches.

So before I start rambling, I'll wrap it up. I'm also a Christian, which I consider the most important of all those traits. I usually don't mention it right at the beginning, not because I'm ashamed, but because I believe my faith ought to be demonstrated before it's labeled.

So. If any of you were curious, now you know.

And that's me!

Dia duit,
~Penny