Lacking the spirit....

For the sake of honesty, I admit that I've never been the kind of person who lives in the moment. I'm a planner and a goal setter. Don't get me wrong! I enjoy the holidays as well as the next gal and love knowing that I've got the perfect gift for someone or that I don't have to stress because I've gotten everything done that I had planned on (and sometimes even a little more).

But this year I'm just not feeling it.

It's not the weather. True, there isn't a lot of snow on the ground—an unusual occurrence for a December in the Black Hills—but that's okay with me. I'm not a big fan of snow anyway. Seriously, I hate snow. The few years I lived in the Virginia Beach area I had no problem with the mild weather.

It's not the baking. I have all the cookies done and boxed up. And a number of them have been eaten. YUM!

It's not the gifts. I'm just about finished with the shopping.

I really don't know what the deal is. The holiday spirit seems to be alluding me this year. I have the same problem with my writing. Getting into the writing groove is difficult as well.

So what should I do? I know January will be here before too long, so I'm not worried about the holidays. I will spend some serious quality time with my family and enjoy their presence (and their presents, truth be told!). But what about the writing? For those who struggle with something similar, how do you pull yourself out of the funk?

Blessings!

Nichole

Holiday hellos

Ya know, it is almost frightening to offer holiday wishes anymore. The more I thought about which ones to offer up, the more I stumbled over my fingers. Should I say "Happy Easter!" "Blessed Ostara!" or, wait ... Passover already passed over, so I sort of missed that one. (Not really, it's seven days long and runs until April 5th, but how many Jewish folks are reading here? Well? How many of you guys are there? Speak up, don't just let the crickets chirp!) If you'd have a look at the collective faith calendar you'd find it a bit intimidating, trying to keep all those days straight. Just think of all those poor greeters at Wal-Mart trying to be PC in big urban areas.

A lot of folks get bent out of shape when cashiers just say a generic "happy holiday" without even considering the feelings of others. It is such a shame they can't stop for a moment and consider for a split-second that just maybe the person in front of them might have been Jewish, another three back might be Shinto and two lanes over Wiccan. Hey, the scowling short chick kicking your ankle for giving the under-paid woman a hard time is affectionately called the Voodoo Jew by friends and family for a very good reason. And please, when you do discover those few others out there who are in the minority in this nation who aren't of your faith, don't take it upon yourself to convert us publicly or privately.

Recently a friend took a large dose of acrimony about the "Scarlet A for Atheism" on her Facebook page. Me being me, I defended her - my dad is an atheist and proud of it. In retaliation, an evangelical fundamentalist thought it would be great fun, as an April Fool's joke, to sign me up for Bible study sessions with an email confirmation sent via a public alert system. It went out countywide; it then took me about two days to end the phone calls and hysterics from both the pagan and Jewish community without touching the outraged Christians at my heinousness stepping foot on their hallowed ground *rolls eyes*

So, whether you eat chocolate or bitter herb - attend temple or church or synagogue or dance under the moonlight following the sound of drum - may this weekend be one of warm days and cool nights shared with friends and family. Blessings be many.

The perfect gift

It's early in the morning. Okay, maybe not that early, but I am in the Mountain Time Zone and it's not yet 9 a.m. here. I've spent the last half-hour or so wondering what I should blog about this morning.

I considered a brief reminder that my first novel, Ghost Mountain, would be available in just over three weeks, but decided that might be a little pushy of me. (Didn't stop me from mentioning it, though, you'll notice!)

I thought I might whine a little about the bitterly cold temperatures in the Black Hills, but that seemed depressing.

That's when I glanced around the living room (on my way to get more coffee!) and noticed the tree. There are quite a few gifts under our Christmas Tree. Some will stay at our home. Some need to be shipped to family out of state. Some will go to my daughter's friends (yes, she wrapped her gifts to them and put them under the tree until ... who knows!)

So I started thinking about gifts.

How do you find the perfect gift? Well, I guess that depends on the perfect person, doesn't it?

For the readers in your life, it would have to be a book. (Might I suggest Ghost Mountain? It was worth a try....) Or at least a gift card to a book store.

For the writers, how about a giant white board to plot stories or some lovely pens and notebooks?

But not all gifts are tangible. During this time of year, take a few minutes to tell the important people in your life how much you care about them. Let them know how special they are to you. And don't forget yourself. Relish the gifts the Universe has bestowed upon you. Your family, your health, your talents. These are the gifts we should all cherish year round.

Blessings to you and yours!

Nichole

'Tis the season

Can you hear it? No, not the sounds of holiday music blaring through the store speakers. Not the sounds of cash registers at those same stores.

I'm talking about the sound of back and neck muscles everywhere working themselves into knots that take an army to relieve.

I know that this is supposed to be the season of peace on Earth and love for all humanity, but it's also the season for over-scheduling and trying to keep up with the Jones's. Don't think so? How many parties are you going to just because you can't say no?

Personally, I'm scheduled for four. And neither my husband nor I work for a company that has parties, so that relieves us of the burden of two more.

As a writer, it's difficult to find the time to get words on paper (or computer screen) this time of year. Between decorating and making fudge and cookies and attending those parties and work and . . . . You get the idea.

But it must be done. The story ideas in my head don't stop just because I'm busy. In fact, I think they multiply when they aren't properly contained. Does that mean I'll actually get any of those words written (or typed)? Probably not. The ideas will fester until January, when they will have to burst forth like a broken dam.

I hope that's not the case. I hope I'm able to carve out time to write daily. Past experience, however, tells me that may not happen.

Either way, my massage appointment will help. Trust me!

Blessings!

Nichole