tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75578306319794518762024-03-12T21:50:05.599-07:00Chele's TreasuresChele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-57164692485419839482011-01-17T19:27:00.000-08:002011-01-17T19:58:44.774-08:00'Possums in my Breezeway!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TTUJU6I3m-I/AAAAAAAAAnI/Bo0nFhgbHq8/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TTUJU6I3m-I/AAAAAAAAAnI/Bo0nFhgbHq8/s400/IMG_1745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563363169494604770" border="0" /></a>Well, it's been quite a few months now, but there was a discovery of Opposums living in a cubbie hole in our breezeway attached to our house! Needless to say, after all their shenanigans I've been inspired to write a song in their honor. OK, I won't take <span style="font-style: italic;">complete</span> credit, Sir Mix A Lot is responsible for the flow, and just a few of the words.<br /><br />Also, my husband David says, "you haven't blogged about me!" So here it is, to introduce David into my blogging, I have featured him in this song.<br /><br />--And my friend Jill is good at writing songs like this, so was inspired by her as well. :) --<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><br />Me and Dave Sensation love our cabin-like home<br />Although it has no signal for the cellular phone<br />We’re talkin’ ‘bout the “Posse” and where they might be livin’<br />I think they walk across our roof in the nighttime we be trippin'<br />Everybody's laughin’ at my stories all around<br />The fear of the unknown keeps us closer to the ground<br />we want to be sure nothing’s chewing on our wires<br />the Bamboo's draggin’ at a volume that is higher<br />wonder if it’s the wild king-dom or on our roof there is a bum?<br />we're searchin' with fear, thinkin’ does he have a gun?<br />David wonder’s what to do, and does the sucka wanna rally?<br />He’s the man they should hate, the De Lay Hoya of the Valley<br />Picked up the blanket on roof ready for some action<br />turned out no one’s there, but Dave was ready to jack him<br />the yard's kinda crowded, the weeds that need cutting back<br />It’s better watchin’' T.V. cuz the work is kinda whack<br />On Martin Luther King.....the 3 day weekend’s kinda dead<br />writing this Rap to creatively move ahead<br />we all look kinda' SWASS the crew you can't forget<br />the Dave & Roe posse with our three pets<br /><br />A “Posse's” in our Breezeway!<br /><br />UhhhSleeplin' with my posse we’re prayin’ to the Lord<br />there's not another posse to bring us discord<br />we don't walk around like criminals or flex like big gorillas<br />my homeboy Dave Sensation was the teenage cretin killa'<br />Rocket Dog is on the outside barkin' like a freak<br />the scent of other creatures makes his knees get weak<br />Speedy is the white dog people think he's funny<br />a happy little fluff ball who is runnin’ like a bunny<br />We also have a fish, although he’s not gold<br />cruzin' in his bowl ain't got no place to go<br />Japanese fighter he is nuthin' but a thug<br />always dissin’ other fish, wishin’ he could eat some bugs<br />but the fish bowl’s got 'em to get out he must hop<br />does he ever wonder what’s on our roof top?<br />at the back door, Rocket broke left<br />even he was wonderin’ who was our tree theft<br />it sounded like construction, but who woulda guessed<br />it was a freaky opposum causing the distress<br />the closer that we get, the crazier that I feel<br />the Posse's in my Breezeway it's time to get ill<br /><br />A Posse's in our Breezeway!<br /><br />Cruzin' the Breezeway really really slow<br />rollin with my posse is the only way to go<br />the doggies by the door would rather go for a ride<br />we tried to pick them up and put them inside<br />didn’t know is it a skunk?, we don’t think they understood<br />if they were to get sprayed, they wouldn’t feel good<br />the Posse's is much bigger, than we really knew<br />the trees were draggin', to build a nest, I couldn’t argue<br />Now the Posse's gettin' hungry, and David isn’t treatin'<br />this isn’t Taco Bell, not sure what they’ll be eatin'<br />but their exit was closed, and the entrance we would guard<br />they growled and left their tail hanging out to fall it would not be hard<br />deep is the place where the crew hung out<br />the SWASS like to play, and will stock their hideout<br />Possum on the end he stood, so big we had some news<br />we're gettin' dirty looks, from trying to bid him adieu<br />Dave Sensation grabbed his long tail, and didn't even miss it<br />skeeza from anotha' crew, David’s main goal was to dis it<br />the Possum’s illin', he had an ugly face<br />from his actions we could tell he didn’t want to race<br />'Cause I never liked a punk, who hides out like a squirrel<br />if you don't have game, then you better leave my world<br />Should we name him gusssssss or take a censusssss<br />Dave snapped a quick flash picture, and it’s a circussssss<br />boy we gotta def posse, they gotta bunch of dudes<br />they're broke co' cryin' as the Dave-man pursues<br />you beat up on our house, and now they're all upset<br />they’re with the Miller posse, as their Breezeway Pets!<br /><br />A Posse's in our Breezeway!<br /><br />*Original song: Posse's on Broadway, by Sir Mix A Lot*Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-72035931741530458632010-10-16T17:59:00.000-07:002010-10-16T18:35:54.476-07:00Some dirt on CheleMade you click!<br /><br /><br />The latest dirt on Chele has come from a new garden!! My <a href="http://www.fizzythoughts.com/">good friend Jill </a>and I are growing a garden together to see how green our thumbs are.<br /><br /><br />We <em>did</em> start with plants that were a few weeks old....but hey, we're new at this! Cut us some slack!!<br /><br /><br />We picked the plants at a local nursery. We figured if they were growing at the nursery, we'd be good. Living in a foggy area can make gardening fruits and veggies a little diffcult. But so far, so good!<br /><br /><br />I think we planted around Sept 26th our little baby plants<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TLpQiMjZvAI/AAAAAAAAAgA/j11CQE-1SlY/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528820040966192130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TLpQiMjZvAI/AAAAAAAAAgA/j11CQE-1SlY/s400/IMG_1785.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And today (10/16/10) ......<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TLpQivB1RLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/hnBdn9FnCW0/s1600/IMG_1808.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528820050220631218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/TLpQivB1RLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/hnBdn9FnCW0/s400/IMG_1808.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>It's MASSIVE!!!!</p><br /><p>I'm proud to say that I harvested a nice spring mix salad this evening and it was awesome!! I'm so glad we started the garden...maybe soon we'll try growing seeds!! Wish us luck. :) </p><br /><p>~Chele</p>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-72626996883602727502010-06-26T20:58:00.001-07:002010-06-26T21:04:44.535-07:00My first “fan mail” to a great author<p><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mendedhearts127.org/heartbeingmended_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mendedhearts127.org/&usg=__ghxsjOBpLIix_nNe2JATQw3E1ak=&h=300&w=400&sz=17&hl=en&start=92&sig2=5Sulqh5-nf_F6iezjc8OdQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=vpW-E1pUi7rQaM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmended%2Bhearts%26start%3D80%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4GZHY_enUS242US243%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=qcsmTOuuLJ2KnAeh2429Bg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:vpW-E1pUi7rQaM:http://www.mendedhearts127.org/heartbeingmended_01.jpg" width="124" height="93" /></a></p><p>I have some special people in my life that say, “Hey Rochelle! Haven’t seen a new blog post in a while…” Well, I come up with <em>many</em> excuses, one being I only have one internet connection at home, and one husband ADDICTED to Mafia Wars on Facebook. I am a Mafia Wars widow. :) But anyhow! I digress….</p><p>I was reading some posts from blogs I follow, and <a href="http://www.weeklygeeks.com/2010/06/weekly-geeks-2010-23-i-read-your-work.html">Weekly Geeks</a> has challenged that we post a blog to an author vs. sending fan mail, but I already fan mailed last week!</p><p>I was moved by how this author’s work changed my life. Not just when I <em>first</em> read her book, about 16 years ago, but I have picked up the book again, and it is still amazing and life changing.</p><p>My e-mail to her was very personal, so I won’t share that part, but I am inclined to start working through some challenges, so that is going to affect my writing and blogging. I won’t get too emotional here in this blog, but it is on my heart to honor the author Jan Morrison, the author of “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Place-Beyond-Sexual-Abuse/dp/0877887470">A Safe Place: Beyond Sexual Abuse</a>”.</p><p>It was 18 years ago (this weekend), when my life changed. Years of secrets were unleashed, allowing me to finally be “Safe”, and start on the road to healing and recovery.</p><p>I am sitting here thinking right now how crazy it is that I want to post this to my blog, for all the world to see. I know I have come a long way in the past 18 years, and it’s time for me to open up again, share my story, and help others on their path to recovery.</p><p>If you are reading this post, and you are looking for support for yourself or a loved one, I am here for you!! I don’t have all the answers, but I know that health and healing can be attained. It is a life long journey, and by all means cannot be done alone.</p><p>Thank you again to Jan Morrison, for having the courage to share her story, helping so many people on their path to recovery and finding their “Safe Place”.</p><p>~Rochelle~</p>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-10547274190859568282010-05-09T08:11:00.000-07:002010-05-09T14:05:07.245-07:00I love you, Mom!!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/S-ci9c-kI9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/d3ZRsxof-c8/s1600/Peaceful+Backbay.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469378711610729426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/S-ci9c-kI9I/AAAAAAAAAUs/d3ZRsxof-c8/s400/Peaceful+Backbay.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm not real sure how to begin this post, as so many things are running through my mind. Lately in telephone conversation, my mom has been talking to me about <a href="http://cindygrasso.wordpress.com/">Cindy Grasso's blog</a>, and how great of a writer Cindy is. I agree!! Cindy is one of those kind of people who's writing is a reflection of her heart.<br /></div><br /><div>OK, it's been a long time since I've blogged, and now I'm trying to remember how to do a link. :)<br /></div><br /><div>Anyhow, back to my story. So, my mom said, "you and Cindy are good writers". Me?!? I was so proud to be lumped in with Cindy! Cause that's good writing. Then my mom says, "You need to start blogging". Really, that statement was made with her <em>mom voice</em>. You know what I mean...."you need to .... ". It's that statement that you're thinking "OK. I'll get right on that". But in all reality, when she said this to me, I thought to myself, "She's right! It's time to get moving on this."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So here are my excuses for not writing and/or blogging...</div><br /><div>My life has been crazy. </div><br /><div>My husband is a computer hog. (Well, I have my own computer, but it is very <em>old</em> and does not understand current technology, therefore the act of "blogging" is made very difficult.) :)</div><br /><div>I also figured out, I'm afraid to write. Afraid of what I might find. And the thought of that began to overwhelm me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday morning I came up with the idea, that as a Mother's Day present, I would not just write for my mom, I would post a blog in her honor. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My mom has been an active <em>change maker</em> in my life. It is because of her that I am a follower of God. It is because of her, that despite the negative circumstances of my childhood, I had a good upbringing. It is because of my mom that those negative circumstances have not ruined my life. It is because of my mom (and step-dad... hi Dan!!!) that I live in a cozy house, and am finding myself healing and growing every day. And now, it is because of my mom that I am writing this Post, hoping to continue on a regular basis, and face my thoughts head on!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you, Mom, for being who you are to me. You are a blessing to me!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-52936731805257505442009-11-28T20:17:00.000-08:002009-11-28T20:35:42.527-08:00The Laughing Stranger<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SxH5AKpHuZI/AAAAAAAAATo/Zclvt2SD5Ko/s1600/New+Jersey+Coast.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 107px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409378408700819858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SxH5AKpHuZI/AAAAAAAAATo/Zclvt2SD5Ko/s400/New+Jersey+Coast.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div>The Laughing Stranger
<br />by Vina Delmar
<br />1953
<br />pages: 250 </div>
<br /><div></div>
<br /><div> </div><div>This is a story of a star-crossed family with all of the misfortune in life, and only the fortune of monetary wealth.
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<br />Based during the time of the Civil War on the coast of New Jersey, young Elizabeth Carpenter takes you through a year’s period of their life, recounting the full story of their encounters with the laughing stranger. Elizabeth, despite her circumstances, is a well versed, well mannered young lady. I wish more people in the world had a character like hers.
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<br />This book was an accidental read for me. I got it from the bookshelf in my local laundry mat, and kept it around. I was curious a few days ago what the story could be, and was immediately sucked in!
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<br />This book I guess is technically a love story, and I usually don’t read those!! It turns out that the love story has much more to it than just gushy romance, but it involves the character and integrity of people, or lack there of!
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<br />Because of Elizabeth’s circumstances, she has found a way to entertain herself with witty games and dream of the impossible. Until one day her dream is shattered. Sitting with her father, Powell, he says to her “It is the emptiness that troubles you now, Liz. The aching question of what to put in place of a dream. Shall I tell you what to put there, darling? It’s very simple. Just put another dream”. She answers, “there are no other dreams.” “Not for me.” He smiled in a way she had not seen him smile before. “I am an authority on the subject,” he said. “And I assure you there are always other dreams.” She shook her head. “For others perhaps. For me, no.”
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<br />I will share this, it wasn’t the end for young Elizabeth. She thought she’d live on in life with a disappointed heart, but something happened to fill her heart more than she ever could have imagined. This ended up being so encouraging to me on a personal level. Sometimes things don’t work out how we’d like to see them work out, but in the end, sometimes even more magical events can happen in our lives! I was feeling a bit like Elizabeth, wondering if my future would be one of trials and tribulations with my dreams quickly going by the wayside. I’m still kind of feeling like Elizabeth, that there are dreams for others, but none for me.
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<br />Coincidentally, upon completion of The Laughing Stranger, I saw on my bookshelf “Dreams Underfoot” by Charles de Lint. I tried reading this book before, and it just didn’t get moving for me. Probably because some inspiration was needed. :) Thanks to Elizabeth Carpenter of “The Laughing Stranger”, I am now contemplating my thoughts and feelings towards my own dreams. As I read the Introduction to Dreams Underfoot, I found my inspiration! A small portion of the intro reads,
<br /></div>
<br /><blockquote>“<em>’Using archetype and symbolic language’, writes folklore scholar and author Jane Yolen, ‘[fantasy tales] externalize for the listener conflicts and situations that cannot be spoken of or explained or as yet analyzed. They give substance to dreams…[and] lead us to the understanding of the deepest longings and most daring visions of humankind. The images from the ancients speak to us in modern tongue though we may not always grasp the ‘meanings’ consciously. Like dreams, the meanings slip away, leaving us shaken into new awarenesses. We are moved by them, even when –or perhaps because – we do not understand them on a conscious level. They are penumbral, partially lit, and it is the dark side that
<br />has the most power. So when the modern mythmaker, the writer of literary fairy tales, dares to touch the old magic and try to make it work in new ways, it must be done with the surest of touches</em>.’’’
<br /></blockquote>
<br />W.B. Yeats once wrote “Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams”. I hope Mr. de Lint does tread softly, because I look forward to being moved by his writing, and discovering the dreams that are under my feet. </div>
<br />Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-35391095280690360482009-11-14T11:32:00.000-08:002009-11-14T11:33:32.241-08:00Great advice from my friends!<p>I just wanted to post real quickly that I appreciate all of the feedback regarding my decision to participate in <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano">NaNoWriMo</a> or try to meet my goal of 25 books this year.</p> <p>So, 99% of my feedback was to read and do my writing on the side.  The other 1% was my mom.  She said, “write! write! write!”  She really wants me to be a writer.  :)  </p> <p>Anyhow, thank you everyone for your feedback.  You helped me prioritize and see what is most important for now.  And not just that, but committing to reading will in essence help me with future writing (and will make me a better writer!) I’ve decided that I may not read <em>25</em> books exactly, but I’m going to go back to practicing my piano as well.  I’m guessing I’ll finish about 20 books and try to learn some Christmas songs before the end of the year!!  I figure reading music counts for the 5 books I’ll be missing for the year.  Reading music is hard!! </p> <p>Thanks everyone.  I’m sure I’ll be back for more of your input.  There’s an old quote that says there is wisdom to be found in a multitude of counsel.  So congrats, you’re helping me to be more smart. ;)</p> <p>~Chele</p> Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-91575022917277371932009-10-30T13:52:00.000-07:002009-10-30T15:03:16.310-07:00What should I do? Read or Write??<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SutghvHeCSI/AAAAAAAAATg/K2HCSSWfBws/s1600-h/Entering+book+through+stairs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398514711033415970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 138px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SutghvHeCSI/AAAAAAAAATg/K2HCSSWfBws/s400/Entering+book+through+stairs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I have a goal, well, an informal goal to be honest, to read 25 books this year. So far I have completed 18! I'm pretty darn close to my goal, but something new has come up. </span><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano"><span style="font-family:arial;">NaNoWriMo</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">NaNoWriMo is a challenge to take on for National Writing Month, which just so happens to be starting in about 34 hours from now. (Yikes!) Writers begin writing on November 1st, and have until midnight on November 30th to write a 175 page/50,000 word novel!! The idea is to give the writer a goal, concentrating on quantity and not so much quality. Not that quality isn't important, but sometimes the challege of writing in general is just sitting down and doing it!</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, a big THANK YOU to </span><a href="http://bkclubcare.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/happy-howl-a-ween/#comment-5041"><span style="font-family:arial;">Care</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> for mentioning NaNoWriMo. Whether I participate or not, I was very glad to learn more about the goings-on in the writing community. :)</span><br /><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#330099;">Just a side note, author Sara Gruen, writer of Flying Changes, was birthed from her participation in NaNoWriMo. Wow. Big things are possible with NaNoWriMo!</span></em><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What do you think? Should I try meeting my 25 books-read goal for the year? Or should I jump on this opportunity to see if I got the stuff to be a writer??</span>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-51441137437373716642009-10-03T16:01:00.001-07:002009-10-03T16:04:09.123-07:00Is this life real, or just an Illusion?<p><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780440343196-1">Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah</a> by Richard Bach</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SsfX1cAirVI/AAAAAAAAATI/HP9Zg4Vzpa4/s1600-h/Illusions%20by%20Bach%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Illusions by Bach" style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="202" alt="Illusions by Bach" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SsfX2e-5q-I/AAAAAAAAATM/CdY_QmSmsJ4/Illusions%20by%20Bach_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Where to begin! This read was entirely by accident for me. A friend loaned the book to my husband because it is about pilots flying their biplanes. Turns out, it was full of hidden treasures!</p><p>The story is about two pilots, Don and Richard, the former being the “Messiah” in the story. During their adventures together, Don is teaching Richard about the power he has within him, and how this power is the reason for <em>everything</em> that happens to him. At first I thought I would be an Objective Reader, as I am a believer in the Messiah aka J. Christ. But I got to thinking, and discussed the title of “Messiah” with my co-worker. And basically, a messiah is a <em>liberator</em>. I can honestly say, the words in this book in no way changed my religious beliefs, but have liberated me in a new way of thinking. The book is very philosophical in nature, as in, if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around, does it make and sound. And furthermore, if no one is around, does the tree even exist? :) So how have I been liberated? I have been reminded that I have the power of choice. Not just, will I have chocolate or vanilla ice cream??? I mean, the power to choose everything about my life. A few years ago, my husband and I moved to the ocean, a few hours from where we were raised. When we told people they said “you can’t do that!” Why not? Turns out I <em>can</em> do that. I rented a U-Haul, turned the key, and started driving. Simple as that. Well, this book has reminded me that I can continue to make choices in that fashion. If I choose to live somewhere and make the most of it, then so be it! If I choose to paint designs on hubcaps and sell them on E-Bay for a living, I can do that too! What my heart desires, with the proper focus, I can accomplish.</p><p>The challenge I’ve been given………</p><p>It’s funny how things work. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and recently was VERY inspired by a book my friend loaned me about writing and what it entails to become a writer. It turns out, in the book Illusions, Richard received similar inspiration from Don. It’s sometimes funny how everything in life can start to connect, and you really can’t put your finger on why. :) I leave you with a quote from the “Messiah’s Handbook”… “Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.” </p><p>So it looks like I have some work to do. The inspiration for writing is all around me, and I think I have the power to make it happen!</p>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-78174714835220941322009-08-31T18:42:00.000-07:002009-08-31T21:46:31.030-07:00Today is the first day of the rest of my "blogging" life<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SpymUFghitI/AAAAAAAAAS8/BD51fKgw4DM/s1600-h/flying+music+notes.+b%26w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376354919179717330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 123px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SpymUFghitI/AAAAAAAAAS8/BD51fKgw4DM/s320/flying+music+notes.+b%26w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been thinking that I need to get with the program and start blogging. I <em>think</em> about blogging and great topics, but I never sit down and do it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So I've decided, my blog will be about books, music, and life. I'll try to keep it more to just books and music. Those are the "feel good" topics of the three I listed. :)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Music has been on my mind. Recently, I read </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bel-Canto-Ann-Patchett/dp/0060934417"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I wanted to read it because you always hear such <em>raving</em> about this book, and I wanted to know what all the hub-bub was about. :) The story was OK for me. I learned two things - not all books will be written and/or end the way I want - and #2, it was the music that kept me enthralled in the story. The basic premise of the story is a group of people are being held hostage, one of them a world famous soprano opera singer. The most amazing part of the story, and the reason why I have a little bit of a fondness for it, is because amidst their captivity, I think they were all held more captive by her voice. There is something about music that acts as a salve during times of crisis or difficulty, allowing you to somehow rise above your circumstances. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Consequently, I've been listening to classical music about 90% of my waking hours, and have begun to practice my piano (keyboard, really, but if I say keyboard, one might think I'm bettering my typing skills). So, I've been practicing my piano, and am finding that I might have a knack for it! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyhow, to sum up, even though life might be a difficult place to be, it looks like books and music are going to be my saving grace. Come to think of it, blogging may be a good thing for me too. :)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em><strong>~Chele</strong></em></div>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-41708274914102182462009-07-25T11:43:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:56:21.405-07:00testing a blog post from my blackberryWell, here goes nothin'!<br />So I want to be better at blogging. No offense Facebookers, but I kinda like the whole blog thing better. Probably because I can read and know what's truely on someone's heart. Facebook doesn't give me that. :( But the good news is you can come comment @ my blog cuz I think my blog posts to my Facebook and I have no clue how this happens. I think I have "connection overstimulation" right now. There are just too many ways to communicate!!<br />Anyhew.<br />To sum up my first test post from my bberry (whose name is Pinky by the way...thank u *Softdrink) :) (just found I can't hyperlink :( oh, summing up, um, ok. I'll just end by saying thanks for reading me & if ur someone who is a regular contributor to the topics I blog on, your friendship is invaluable to me. :). Ok, now back to my housework. Yea me. :). *Chele*Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-80692388413548368212009-07-03T15:54:00.000-07:002009-07-03T16:04:11.798-07:00I'm back!I'm posting this "I'm back!" note to get the ball rolling for myself to get back into posting blogs and being part of the blog community. :)<br /><br />Last night I joined a reading challenge to read a book about <em>Benjamin Franklin</em>. Yikes! Honestly, I'm very interested in this book/project as I feel I need to learn more about American History (in as painless of a way as possible). :)<br /><br />So, stay tuned and I will be trying my best to format a good website and post "treasures" on a regular basis.<br /><br />So off I go to collect my thoughts, put my feet up, and read my book. Currently I'm reading "The Little Friend" by Donna Tartt. It's a hard one to put down!!<br /><br />But a big thank you to <a href="http://www.fizzythoughts.com/2009/07/lets-talk-titles.html">Softdrink</a> for texting me the book challenge! You are a great encouragement and a great supplier for my new addiction....reading.<br /><br /><em>Chele</em>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-14623700266481208712008-11-23T09:02:00.001-08:002008-11-24T11:06:03.699-08:00I've been tagged!<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SSr6OfoSEoI/AAAAAAAAAQY/WNMvIpqfZp0/s1600-h/OSHIMA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272301440706155138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7A6YP79WY_g/SSr6OfoSEoI/AAAAAAAAAQY/WNMvIpqfZp0/s320/OSHIMA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So since it sounds like I need to be initiated, I'll just answer these questions and not tag anyone else for now. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Seven weird/random things about myself...<br /><br /><br />1. About books - I do NOT like to read the end of a book. If a surprise is ruined, it takes all the fun out of reading!! Instead of reading the back of the book to find out if I might like it, I read the first 2 pages. If I'm captured, it will be read.<br /><br /><br /><br />2. I have 2 dogs, Rocket and Speedy. They came from two different places, prenamed. (It was meant to be!)<br /><br /><br /><br />3. I love Spinach.<br /><br /><br /><br />4. I used to only pick Dr. Seuss books because they had cool pictures. Now I think a book is too short if it's under 300 pages.<br /><br /><br /><br />5. I've twirled a Fire Baton.<br /><br /><br /><br />6. The original Little Ricky and his family has stayed at my house (18 years ago?) :)<br /><br /><br /><br />7. The reason I named my fish Oshima....I thought all Betas sold at stores were boys. The store says he's a girl. I have a co-worker that insists she's a boy. (confusing!!)<br /><br />I wanted a Japanese name for my fish (although the fish comes from Thailand I found out) so I picked Oshima from the book "Kafka on the Shore" by Murakami. (My b-day gift from Jill!!) Crazy book. Great story.<br /><br />Well, Oshima is a young man <em>and</em> a young woman it turns out (actually my favorite character I think). So, that's where I found Oshima's name.<br /><br />Now we can just call my fish "Oshima" no <em>he</em> or <em>she</em> needed. : )<br /><br />Kinda silly, but the book was great, and my fish is pretty. That's all that matters.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-90621516739871032782008-11-16T07:52:00.000-08:002008-11-16T08:05:46.403-08:00Trying to be a BookwormI've been tagged by Fizzy Thoughts to participate in the following activity. She didn't tell me to tag anyone else, which is good, because I'm trying to figure out this blogging thing. :) So here it goes!!<br /><br /><u>RULES</u><br />Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.<br /><br /><em>"Jamie and I exchanged a glance. Rooster and Stu had a history of competitive eating that could be funny or irritaing, depending on your mood. According to everyone but Rooster, it had started at Mike's ninth-grade celebration, when they'd matched each other slice for slice through one and a half pizzas each. Rooster claimed it had started years earlier, over corn dogs in their grade school cafeteria."</em><br /><br />Kind of a strange teaser there, but the book really isn't about food. :) This is from the Book "The Dive From Clausen's Pier" by Ann Packer. I'm not good at giving myself permission to set down a book if it isn't grabbing me, but this book is the first one that I <u>did</u> set down. (I didn't get very far past page 56 in fact). But I will come back to it in the future. Probably after I finish others on my list!Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7557830631979451876.post-77004768283647555702008-11-07T12:51:00.000-08:002008-11-07T13:06:41.078-08:00Fishing for a good book?If you're looking for a good book, stop by my bookshelf at Shelfari ! There's a great variety and I always love to discuss a good read. Enjoy!Chele by the Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17576171280817773716noreply@blogger.com7