Did you know the Teddy bear is named after former U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt?
He hated the nickname, but it has endured.
Two rival toymakers originally developed the bears(at the same time but in different parts of the world), but they have since become the staple toys for every toymaker-everywhere!
The manufacturers strived for the bears to imitate real bear cubs closely.
Since then, they’ve become more anthropomorphic (love that word!) and less true-to-life.
Despite their origin, the design of the bears was meant to stand-in for the real thing. These days teddy bears symbolize love, congratulations, or sympathy.
I have several favorite mugs. This one reminds me to be optimistic-such as now when I get daily rejections as I search for an agent.
It’s difficult sometimes.
My other favorite statement mugs remind me about my goals for writing (draw out emotions and help the reader live the plot)–and lists insults penned by Shakepeare (or whoever wrote those plays).
Of course, I much prefer to use my pretty teacups.
(2019)
I have several teacups-all dainty. They help me get into an historical mood. Right now my evil twin is writing books based in the Regency and Medieval eras. These aren’t meant for kids, but for their moms.
What do you use to remind yourself to see the happier side of life?
Let me know. Sonja
P.S. Don’t forget to get your copy of Guinness Become a Therapy Dog at special prices- if you’re in the UK!
Guinness the Therapy Dog is 95 pounds of love. He has a heart as big as outer space and wants to give everyone as much love as possible.
Also, he doesn’t know where his feet land.
Which is why he steps on my feet a lot.
A lot.
Have you ever had 95 pounds land on your toes? It’s not pleasant. But aren’t a dog’s feet soft? Parts of them are. Sure. But those toenails click on the floor for a reason. They’re hard…and pointy.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have rounded feet–great for snow but lousy traction on wood floors. Especially laminate wood floors. This means he needs to find purchase on something when he flies out the door to chase a lizard. That’s usually my foot.
But I love that weirdo.
He gives back so much more that it’s hard to be mad at him. Like now, when he lays quietly on the floor at my feet while I type this. There’s all that love I mentioned before.
Do you have a pet that gives you unconditional love? Sonja
What do you do when you’re facing an obstacle that seems insurmountable?
Overcome!
It may seem impossible, but tenacity is your best friend in these situations.
Tenacity!
When I was trying to break into broadcasting or, more recently, physical therapy, it took a lot of perseverence (another word for it) to do it.
What is tenacity?
Determination
Persistence
Doggedness
Great character traits when you want something – like a job, a contract, a grade. It’s not such a great thing when you want a friend. Some people may find you creepy. So, you need to be aware of your actions and use good judgment.
When writing, sometimes there’s a word you can’t think of, or a word that may not fit in with the time period. Or you think of a word and know you need it’s antonym.
I use several sites to help.
The first is an etymology dictionary. This is the link (a click on the word ‘link’ should get you to the site. I set it to open in a new tab, so you don’t lose your place while reading my riveting prose!
The second site is an online thesaurus. This is the link to that site. Again, I made it so it should open on a new page.
So I don’t lose my plot thread, I put ‘???’ where I want to search for a different word, the word, or the antonym. Then, when my creative well has been wrung dry, I go back and search for the word I want.
I’ve tried stopping and searching for the word when I need it, but I’ve found that I lose my thread, the dialogue, or my intention for the plot. It was frustrating.
I’m a linear thinker, organized, and constantly thinking of characters and plots. It’s sometimes difficult because when I’m out and about (remember that?!) I see others and make up stories about their lives. It’s fun, but I tend to lose myself to my imagination.
My husband and sons are used to it, but others are confused by it. I think it’s difficult for someone who doesn’t have an imagination that constantly makes up stories to be around someone who does. Kind of like being an Oscar when someone else is a Felix (you need to know The Odd Couple to know what I mean).
Just be yourself. That’s all that should be expected. Sonja
Find your peace–your zen–your center. It’s National Relaxation Day.
Calm your mind-and your spirit-, decrease your heart rate, and breathe.
I find my calm in the mountains. Surrounded by trees, I am at my most peaceful. These days, I can’t go into the mountains because of the heat, the recent wildfire, and the crowds (maybe I can go on a weekday!).
Always remember that you are perfect, you are unique, and you are the only you on this earth.
As one of my favorite performers says,
“You are enough. You are so enough.”
This year has been difficult.
Know how ‘enough’ you are for those around you. Sonja
Today is International Lefthanders Day, so all you folks who don’t quite fit into the righthanded world can celebrate your oddity. (I am one of you!)
I was born left-handed and then trained to be right-handed. Subsequently, I am ambidextrous, which is very fun. I do things with my right hand (handwriting) and some things with my left hand (reaching). When I’m playing sports that require handedness, I start with my right and then go left when I get tired.
Are you a leftie or a rightie?
I’m glad I write with my right hand, which made for an easier schoolday experience. (I say easier because school was always a socially difficult place for me-scholastically, I did well.) I remember seeing lefties trying to use those desks with the half-table attached to the chair, and how difficult it was for them. Or they had to go sit at the weird left-handed desk, which marked them as ‘not normal’ (which is worse than being ignored).
Yes, I am glad I was made to write with my right hand.
My dog, Guinness, is a therapy dog. That’s why I write books about him. After he became a certified therapy dog, we became involved in a charity called Gabriel’s Angels.
Gabriel’s Angels strives to use pet therapy to instill compassion, confidence, and best behavior in at-risk children.
We like volunteering with this Arizona-based charity because it is more than ‘pet the dog.’ Gabriel’s Angels includes reading and activities in each visit that help the kids focus on positive traits, such as the three listed above.
Each therapy team must qualify to become a part of Gabriel’s Angels, including age requirements, aptitude tests, and health records.
Guinness the Therapy Dog and I are a therapy team that visits the kids in a group setting. Other teams are a part of reading skills activities.
Guinness and I love visiting!
If you are over the age of 18 and have a dog who would like to be involved in pet therapy, then get training!
I’m sitting here trying to think of a topic for today, completely distracted by the landing of the Dragon spacecraft (I’m writing this on Sunday morning).
Then it hit me: how can I write about anything else?
With the NASA live feed and audio running, I’m following the closing of the nosecone and their landing in the Gulf of Mexico. All I can think of is: Please allow this groundbreaking mission end successfully.
I watched the blastoff in awe. I follow their return to Earth with the same awe.
