You know, one of the things I’ve learned through the 100 Things I Fear challenge is that it’s these little, small, and seemingly insignificant fears that really make a difference in life.  I mean, think about it.  How many times a day are you letting that whisper of fear call the shots? I challenge you to pay attention and the next time you hear it, say no, and choose for yourself who and how you are going to be.

You know, on the outside it’s totally obvious that it’s okay to choose for oneself.  And yet, so often we just do what others (especially parents) expect us to do.  But, it really is okay.

• Not pushing anyone through it
• Focused only on the next step
• Asked for outside help
• Shared my truth with compassion
• Held her to new standards
• Reflected on it afterward

Guess what we’re doing?

Here this might help:

Of course I had to get shots of my babies too:

As you can see the animal babies are much more camera friendly!

I will be sure to post more photos next Sunday & we should be finished in 2 weeks {fingers crossed!}

Be sure to swing on by Sarcastic Mom to check out the other photographers & of course, post your own Weekly Winners!

Alex the novelist

Dear Alex ~

I don’t know exactly why I’m writing this here on my blog.  I just am.  And I wonder if it was inspired by this beautiful tribute post.  You know what? It doesn’t really matter why…

A few years ago you gave me a manuscript to read.  I’ve always thought of it as the Dearest Rook manuscript as those are the first two words of the prologue.  Anyway, I never read it.  I don’t know why {I’m sensing a theme here.}  I just didn’t.  In fact, I’ve moved it around from pile to pile of paper in my office until finally it made its home in an upright paper organizer on my desk just behind my laptop.  Whenever I gaze off into la-la land to give my mind a break I often rest my eyes on “Dearest Rook.”

Well, this afternoon while I was waiting for my computer to reboot I rediscovered your manuscript.  Before thinking about it, I picked it up and read the first paragraph.  And there was simply no way I could put it down after that juicy adventure of an introduction.  I have now spent the last hour reading every single word, sentence, and suggestion {there are notes in the sidebar.}

One of the final notes written about your manuscript was “very good” and I must passionately disagree.

It’s not very good.

Alex, it’s beautiful.

No, that’s not the right description.

It’s amazing.

No, that doesn’t sum it up either.

Alex, it’s literary.

It’s genius.

It’s literary genius!

And I *LOVE* it.

You are a master at crafting words to create a vibrant and very real scene in the reader’s eye complete with physical and emotional sensations.  You are a magical story teller.

I’m so sorry that I didn’t take the time to see this when you initially gave me the manuscript.  I can only trust that right now, today is the absolute perfect time for me to realize that you are a talented writer.  This is print worthy fiction and I am dying to know how the first 3 chapters fit together in the bigger picture of the novel, how the characters meet one another, if Yuri is murdered, how Edwin comes to believe, if Jennifer lives, and so much more.

Alex, it is no coincidence that you now work in a library surrounded by books.  I know that you are meant to write, to be published, and to be a part of a library long after you’ve physically left this world.  You are talented beyond description.  And you don’t have to wait to become a writer.  You already are one.

Please write more.  And if you’ve already written more of the Dearest Rook manuscript please send me a copy.

I love you.

~ Tia