Marylou McGinnis Crabtree

Friends are like Flowers

I've met a lot of wonderful friends through online communities over the years -- shoot, everyone has, but every so often, you meet someone you feel like you've known your whole life.  Your personalities and interests just seem to click.

I am proud to introduce a lady like that: Marylou McGinnis Crabtree. She's genuine, funny, caring, and she's real. She is also a witty, talented writer and she's my friend.

After reading yesterday's blog about my writer's block, she sent me the following message and, with her permission, I'm going to share it with you:

Thank you, CJ, 

Thank you for the article you wrote about your Writer's Block. I have had it for years. I really want to write a story about a touching experience I once had. I just cannot put my thoughts together and write it. 

There use to be a time that I could not go to bed without writing. I was driven to put my thoughts down on paper. Now, I can't seem to get my thoughts OUT of my head ... Sheesh! 

I didn't know you were having any writing 'issues' (I love that term). I thought maybe you were just having lunch with The Queen and giving her advice about jazzing up her purse collection. Or maybe you were being a covert government agent and planning your next secret mission. Or maybe you were just kicking back and enjoying this hotter than #&!@ summer ... 

Anyhow, after reading your article, I've decided I'm going to DO something different today -- sit outside in the woods and think. Or, I might go to the lake just to listen to the water lap on the tree roots (that's real noisy and very cool), or I might walk in the water with my Crocs on.

Sweet. I think I hear my blood pressure falling now. Thanks for letting me vent.
Many hugs,
~m~ 

Oops I forgot ...
Come to the fair We will all be there
Wearing our school colors
Don't be square
A huge smile ~m~

(Marylou McGinnis Crabtree)

Many thanks to Marylou for brightening up my day -- I hope I can talk her into writing something even longer for the blog next time ... Hugs, CJ


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

There are NO Calories in Life

As you've probably noticed, I've been beseiged by an attack of writer's block for the past couple of weeks.

 Inertia isn't something anyone welcomes, but when you're a writer who can't write, people do notice, and it's a real pain in the butt ...

Last week, in my frustration, I thought of an article I came across not long ago and saved -- I remembered that it made a real impression on me at the time. So I dug it out, re-read it, and waded out of my pity party long enough to try some of the suggestions.

 Grateful, I want to share the article with you. Take from it what you will.

"Too many people put off something that brings them joy because they didn't think about it, didn't have it on their calendar, didn't know it was coming, or are just too rigid to depart from their normal routine.

The other day, I thought about all those people on the fateful Titanic, some who might have passed on dessert at dinner in an effort to cut back on calories. It was mind-boggling. From that day on, I've tried to be a little more flexible in my own life.

How many women out there will eat at home tonight, because their partner didn't suggest going out to dinner until something had already been thawed out? Does the word refrigeration mean anything to you?

How often have your kids or grandchildren dropped in to visit and then sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I can't count the times I've called my sister and said, "How about going to lunch with me in a half hour?"

She would stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line; my hair is dirty; I wish you had told me yesterday; I had a late breakfast; it looks like rain."

She died a few years ago and we never did have that lunch together.

We Americans cram too much into our lives -- we even tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves and others for when all the conditions are perfect. We'll go and visit grandparents when we get Stevie toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we wake up and all we have to show for our lives is a long list of "I'm going to's", "I plan on's", and "Someday, when things settle down a bit I'll" ...

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry-go-round or listened to rain splatter on the ground? Did you ever follow a butterfly's erratic flight or gaze at the sun as it disappears into the ocean? When you ask, 'How are you?' Do you wait to hear the reply? Or, do you run through each day on the fly, trying to outdo what you got done yesterday? 

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Have you ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow,' and in your haste, miss the sadness in his eyes? Have you ever lost touch with a friend and let a good friendship die? Call -- just say 'Hi'. 

I have a seize-the-moment friend. Whenever anyone calls her, she's ready for an adventure, and she's always available for spur-of-the-moment trips. She keeps an open mind for new ideas and her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You can talk with her for only five minutes, and you're ready to trade in your bad feet for a pair of rollerblades and skip taking the elevator for a dive on a bungee cord. I've decided. I want to be just like her. 

My lips hadn't touched ice cream in ten years -- I love ice cream! It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my butt and thighs with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process altogether. Well, the other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker "Death by Chocolate" ice cream cone! If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would've died a happy woman.

Now, go on, treat yourself to a nice day today. Do something you WANT to do -- not something on your 'to do' list. If you found out you were going to die today and you were only allowed one phone call, who would you call? What would you say? And why are you waiting?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it's like having an unopened gift that you've simply tossed away. Life isn't a race. Take it slower. Hear the music, before the song is over. Life might not be the party we had hoped for, but while we're here, we might as well dance." ~Author Unknown

Note: I'm still feeling some of the effects of writer's block, but I'm feeling a whole lot better about everything ... and that ice cream cone? Damn! It was worth EVERY SINGLE CALORIE ... hugs from me, CJ


"A writer Soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

Poem: The Letter

 “People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality -- their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that's bullshit.

 Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they're afraid to feel? 

 Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling.  Your feelings are a part of you, your own reality. 

 If you feel ashamed of feelings, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” ~Jim Morrison

The Letter
by CJ Heck

Wading through
morning's harvest
of the mail
reaped the usual
bills,
flyers
and junk ads.
Then I spotted
the familiar
lazy scrawl
on the table
before me.
After all
these years,
a pearl among
the cow pies.
I marveled
at how the
letter felt,
tucked into
the pocket
of my
blue jeans,
first halved,
then quartered,
where misbehaving
hands and mind
could breach the
ceremonial rules of:
Do Not Touch
and:
Do Not Want
To Open.
I was unable
to ignore it
or throw it away.
I'm not sure
how long
I walked around
with it there
in my pocket.
I do know
it began
to burn
and blister
and it scorched
my self-control.
It wasn't
until I saw
the jeans
in the washer,
letter and all,
twisting and
turning in
the soapy water
that I was
even aware
of what I'd done
to find
some peace
at last.


[From the Book, "Anatomy of a Poet", by C.J. Heck]


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

Writing Communities

Writing Communities
for New or Experienced Writers
by CJ Heck

I've had many beginning writers and poets contact me over the years. Most just want simple reassurances. They want to know if their work is good, if it's good enough to get published, and if it isn't, how they can improve their writing skills -- I can certainly relate to what they're feeling.

There's nothing worse than having a burning desire to write, pouring heart and soul into a poem or story, and then wondering ... is it any good? How can I improve how I write? Am I just spinning my wheels? There's also no better feeling than having someone say they appreciate how you write and what you say -- and, if they see where improvements can be made, offer helpful suggestions. I can only speak from my own experience, but I want to help new writers find their assurances -- and constructive help, too, if they need it.

When I started writing a decade ago, I didn't know anyone who had been published. I had done a lot of writing, but I had no one to ask whether I was looking at a possible writing career, or if I had merely found a new hobby to enjoy ... so I went online and joined several writing communities.

Most of the communities have several categories where you can submit your writing: poetry, fiction, short stories, essays, blogs and articles, to name a few. The poetry in most of them is even further broken down into genre categories: children's, erotica/sensual/adult, religious/spiritual, humorous, rhyming, prose poetry, etc.

The real power behind joining a writing community is just that -- being part of a community where everyone is writing and learning about writing. There is feedback on your work when you post it in the form of comments and critiques, both those you give to others, and those you receive; poetry and writing forums; it's an avenue to showcase your work, and yourself, through personal profiles and biographies -- not to mention, joining them creates name recognition, too, for when you DO get something published. People from all over the world will be familiar with who you are and your work. You'll also make lasting friendships with people who have the same interest that you do -- writing.

If you are already published, whether online or with a book or books, it's a good way to help you promote your published work. Some communities allow you to list the titles of your books and where they are available for sale -- an excellent tool for marketing you, and your books!

Here are a few of the writing communities I would suggest:

Authors Den (My Favorite)
The Arcanum Cafe
Writing.com
PoemHunter
Worthy of Publishing

I hope this helps!
Happy writing and good luck!

Lemonade Stand

It's been such a hot and humid summer. As I was driving home from Walmart's the other day, I saw a small homemade lemonade stand set up on the sidewalk. It was constructed like we used to make bookcases back in the late 60's, early 70's, to hold a stereo system. There were two cinder blocks piled one on top of the other at each end and then a board across the top between them.

A handprinted sign was taped to the board and hanging down over the front. Even the sign was perfect for their stand, printed all in caps with crayon, and the 'N' in the word LEMONADE was printed backwards. Of course I pulled over and bought a glass for fifteen cents (I couldn't help myself. I gave them each a quarter tip, too). This is when I met Jacob, age 8, and his little sister, "Sissy" who was 6.

Jacob and Sissy took their business very seriously. Total teamwork. Sissy held the cup, Jacob poured the lemonade from the pitcher, and I drank ALL of my lemonade, even though there wasn't NEARLY enough sugar in it ...

Anyway, I couldn't stop thinking about them and when I got home, I gave my imagination free reign for writing and even put a special little twist on the end of this poem.

Lemonade Stand
by CJ Heck

Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Hurry, 'fore it's gone.
We made it just this morning.
See the table that it's on?

We promise that you'll like it
and there's sugar in it, too --
not like it was the other day
when mom and dad said "Ewwwww."

Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Boy, grownups sure are funny --
they smile a lot at little kids
who are trying to make money.

Thank you, ma'am, and thank you, sir,
you've helped us out a bunch.
Sissy, let's go make some more.
It's almost time for lunch.

Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Only fifteen cents a glass!
We've got to make more money
and we've got to make it fast.

Daddy said it wouldn't work,
that people wouldn't stop.
They'd hurry right on past us
and then they'd laugh a lot.

One last glass of lemonade!
This was so much fun!
Let's get this table put away
and then we've got to run.

Sissy look ... it's snowing!
But that will be all right.
Now we have money for presents
'cause Santa Claus comes tonight.


... my cheeks still ache from the lemon-sour pucker

Great-Gramma Mystery

I haven't been getting enough sleep lately so, admittedly, I'm a little punchy as I'm writing the blog this morning. I'm in one of those rare moods where just about everything hits me funny. And this started me thinking about children and the zany things that they find funny.

To me, it seems children have a highly developed sense of humor -- for instance, even whisper the word, 'underpants' they'll dissolve into a heap of laughter on the floor. Mention any number of body parts by the anatomically correct name and you'll have a similar reaction. Probably what brings a laughing jag on the quickest of all, though, are the perfectly normal noises (well most are, anyway) a human body makes ... burps, yawns, hiccups, sneezes, tummy rumbles, knee pops, under the arm burps, and of course, every grownup's favorite (NOT), gas ... especially if a grownup has it.

The Great-Gramma Mystery
by CJ Heck

I was with Great-Gramma,
she doesn't walk that fast at all,
so something scary found us
when we shuffled down the hall.

Every time she took a step,
I heard a funny sound.
We stopped -- I couldn’t hear it.
It was quiet all around.

I peeked over to the left,
then I looked to the right,
but we were all alone,
not a monster was in sight.

Maybe it was gone then.
I thought it was safe to go.
(I wished she would go faster!
Great-Gramma walks SO SLOW!)

I told Great-Gramma we should RUN,
the monster could come back.
Great-Gramma said that she’s too old
and running hurts her back.

So we started walking slow again.
Sure enough, the sounds were back!
With every step Great-Gramma took
I could hear the thing attack!

The monster's getting closer!
I heard it, there, and THERE!
Two? Or ten, or maybe more?
Oh no, they're EVERYwhere!

And then I started giggling.
I knew what was chasing us.
Great-Gramma, don’t walk faster ...
your 'barking spiders' have hiccups!

Have a great weekend!

Kimmy Van Kooten

I would like to share something with you today written by a very good friend of mine. I've known her for several years from a writing community we both belong to, Author's Den, and also Facebook. Please join me in welcoming a very talented published poet, writer, artist, photographer, and a good friend, Kimmy Van Kooten:

Does God Wear Socks?
by Kimmy Van Kooten

Mommy drove her car today (I got to sit up front).
It made me think this of ...
while we drove right past the church
Does God wear socks?

Now you might say, "He must be silly"
But I really want to know
I guess because it bothers me
to think His feet get cold!

Does God wear socks?
Can anybody answer? You?
The reason that I’m asking is ...
I think He has no shoes!

I have a pair of shoes, you see,
they seem to be too small.
Mommy made me wear them
but I think I'm growing tall!

So, I was thinking ...
I could wrap them in a box ...
if God needs these for both feet
Does God wear socks?

Thank you for sharing, Kimmy! Hugs to you, CJ

Children's Poem: "My Teddy Bear"

Little Girl and Teddy Bear

“There’s just something about a teddy bear that’s impossible to explain. When you hold one in your arms, you get a feeling of love, comfort and security. It’s almost supernatural.”- James Ownby

My Teddy Bear

by CJ Heck

My teddy bear was getting old.
I showed him to my dad.
The threads that made his mouth were gone.
My teddy bear looked so sad.

His round dark eyes were crooked.
His button nose hung down.
It made me cry to look at him,
my teddy bear, soft and brown.

A jagged hole showed stuffing
poking through along one side.
I had to hug him gently,
so it wouldn’t grow more wide.

When Dad showed him to Mommy,
she fixed him up like new.
His button nose was tight again.
His mouth was smiling, too.

His eyes were side by side
just like they used to be,
and when I sat and talked to him,
he looked right back at me.

She pushed the stuffing in again,
then sewed the hole with thread,
and when I went to sleep last night,
he was with me on my bed.

You know that someone loves you
by the little things they do.
Sometimes that means much more
than even saying “I love you.”


(from the book, Barking Spiders 2, by CJ Heck)

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"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck