Saturday, Countdown to Mother's Day

Throughout this week before Mother's Day, I have been sharing things which I am extremely thankful to have gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day has included an original quote pertaining to mothers.  If you missed the notes of gratitude from earlier days this week, see my previous posts. Enjoy this one (and the cute pictures) on the day before Mother's Day.

Day 2

I was looking through a book of old photos today, smiling at pictures from my youth, and I realized that a lot of them show moments I don't recall. It seems that yesterday can be as great a mystery as tomorrow. This rings true to me when I examine photos of my childhood and wonder about the stories behind them. I am deeply thankful my mother took the time to record things I did, places I visited, and activities in which I participated. Especially considering that photography took much more effort than it does today. It's been fun to look back and relearn a little about myself. Thank you, Mom. 

"My mother does not own my hands,
though she works hard to train them.
My mother does not own my eyes,
though she frequently directs their focus.
My mother does not own my mind,
though she yields great influence upon it.
My heart, however, she owns completely,
for it was hers the day I was born."
— Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year

 

"Things that remind me of Mother are these:
the truth ‘mid deception, a warm summer breeze,
the calm within chaos, a stitch in a rip,
a comforting blanket, the smile on her lip,
an ocean of love in a heart big as whales,
the morals in everyday stories she tells,
a wink amid laughter, the wisdom in books,
the peace in humility, beauty in looks,
the light and the life in a ray of the sun,
the hard work accomplished disguised as pure fun,
concern in a handclasp, encouragement too,
the hope in a clear morning sky azure blue,
the power in prayers uttered soft and sincere,
the faith in a promise, and joy in a tear.
These things all attest to the wonder and grace
of my precious mother, none else could replace."
— Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year

Friday, Countdown to Mother's Day

Throughout this week before Mother's Day, I have been sharing things that I am extremely thankful to have gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day has included an original quote pertaining to mothers.  If you missed these notes of gratitude from earlier days this week, see my previous posts. Enjoy this one for today.


Day 3

    

One thing I associate with my mother is a great love for art. From my youngest memories, I recall her putting a paintbrush to canvas and—stroke by stroke—creating beautiful images. Painting was her talent and hobby, and she spent much of her free time enjoying the creative process.



My mother used her artistic gift on many occasions to created props and scenery for scouting, school, and church functions. Over the years she created multiple backdrops for different scenes in the Christmas nativity story. It is a tradition that our extended family preforms this play every year using her painted backdrops. Sometimes my mother gave her paintings away as gifts. One of her original oils hangs on the wall in my front room. (See the painting above.) It evokes a calm, inviting effect on those who pause to appreciate the scene.

   My own love for art is a result of my mother's creative example. She gave me the confidence to design the covers for each of my authored books. Perhaps a greater blessing is the influence she has had on her grandchildren, most of whom she taught to paint to some degree. I know that a few of them won ribbons at the local county fair with her help. (The dragon painting was done by my son with his grandmother's guidance.)

I am thankful my talented mom chose to use her talent for the benefit of many, and especially to help her children and grandchildren develop their artistic talents as well.

"Without you there would be no me.

I am everything reflected in your eyes.

I am everything approved by your smile.

I am everything born of your guidance.

I am me only because of you."

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

Thursday, Countdown to Mother's Day

This whole week before Mother's Day I am sharing things which I am extremely thankful to have gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day from now until Mother's Day will include an original quote pertaining to mothers.  If you missed the notes of gratitude from earlier days this week, see my previous posts.


Day 4

 Today I have been thinking about the numerous times my mother put her energy into helping me with my activities. From volunteering in my Girl Scout troop; to driving me around to attend ballet lessons, swimming lessons, piano lessons, etc; to planning birthday parties that, every now and then, included a rowdy slumber party.  My mom was always generous with her time.  She gave me a large percentage of many precious hours—a commodity that most of us would greedily purchase if it were possible.  Can you believe she even took tap dancing lessons with me for a whole year?   

I remember in junior high biology class writing up lab papers that my teacher insisted be turned in typed or exceptionally well-written.  My mother spent a couple of hours every week typing my biology labs with her portable typewriter so I could turn in high-quality work. (Desktop computers and laptops were unheard of back then.)   

My mother's kind example has been a big influence on my own mothering. I drive my kids to and from numerous activities and sometimes type up hand-written essays (thank goodness for laptops and printers.)  I've planned many birthday parties that included rowdy sleepovers like the ones I once enjoyed.  And believe it or not, I even took two years of karate with my kids to prevent them from losing interest in the martial arts!  It paid off too because we presently have a pair of brown belts and a black belt in the family.  I, myself, actually made it to the level of purple belt!   

I am grateful to my mother for the time she invested in me. I hope she knows I understand the worth of that time.  

MOTHERS

Measuring

Out

Their

Highest

Efforts

Rearing

Souls

— Richelle E. Goodrich

 

FRIDAY, DAY 3

Wednesday, Countdown to Mother's Day

This whole week before Mother's Day I am sharing things which I am extremely thankful to have gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day from now until Mother's Day will include an original quote pertaining to mothers.  If you missed the notes of gratitude for Monday or Tuesday, see my previous posts.


Day 5

 

Hours form days which turn to months that build into years. When looking back, it seems time passes rather swiftly. Living in each moment, it may feel as if very little gets accomplished. Yet evidence of great change and mounting achievements can be seen in journal entries, photographs, and other collected keepsakes. 

My siblings and I were lucky that our mother understood how silly scraps would someday become treasures, and she kept them in order to preserve a portion of our childhood. For tens of years my mother gathered progress reports, scouting achievements, playbills, programs from musical events, ordinance certificates, grade school papers, and other evidence of milestones in the lives of her children.  I now cherish these items for the memories they revive.

Having learned from my mother to appreciate the value of journaling and scrapbooking, I have followed her example by treasuring up sentimental keepsakes for my own children. Someday, they will look through their boxes of silly scraps and smile and be blessed by a flooding of precious (and some harebrained) memories. 

"I stumble and fall.

I weep and struggle to rise.

My mom feels it all."

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

THURSDAY, DAY 4

Tuesday, Countdown to Mother's Day

I decided to use this week before Mother's Day to share things for which I am extremely thankful to have gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day from now until Mother's Day will include an original quote pertaining to mothers.  If you missed Monday's note of gratitude, see my previous post.


Day 6

Today I have been thinking about the many talents my mother possesses, which she used to bless the lives of her children while raising them. She was never one to say "it can't be done" but rather "how can we make it happen?"  She taught me through her own ingenuity to be creative, imaginative, inventive, and resourceful. Many times in my younger years we lacked the money for things I wanted, but that hardly ever stopped my mother from seeking another way to achieve the same goal if not something similar, using the money and materials we had.  I recall one incident in particular...

When I was a young teenager, it was a popular thing to own a jean jacket.  Many of my fellow students wore stylish jean jackets every day.  I was envious and wanting; therefore, I begged my mom to buy one for me. But the item was expensive and unnecessary.  So what did my wonderful mother do?  She took me to a clothing store to look at jean jackets and asked which one in particular I liked. Then she stood there with pencil and paper and made quick sketches of the front and back, the sleeves, pockets, snaps, and collar.  It took a lot of guess work and design editing, but my mother managed to sew from scratch a jacket that looked much like the one sold at the store.  

As a gifted seamstress, she frequently made articles of clothing that I or my siblings desired.  In fact, to spite the cost of prom dresses, she designed and made for me three gowns that I wore to multiple school dances!  That's me in the above picture wearing a dress she made.   

I learned from my mother to think outside the box; I learned there are other ways of reaching my goals when the direct road is blocked.  I learned to imagine and create and design for myself using a multitude of medias.  Any talent I have, is owed in great part to my amazing mother.

 

"MOM—Mistress Of Miracles"

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year

WEDNESDAY, DAY 5

Monday, Countdown to Mother's Day

Often around Thanksgiving time, people spend a few moments in the preceding days writing about things for which they are thankful. The effort tends to promote a positive attitude as well as remind us that life is filled with much good.  In this same spirit, I have decided to use this week before Mother's Day to share things for which I am extremely thankful I gained from my mother. And because I love quotes and poetry, each day from now until Mother's Day will include an original quote pertaining to mothers.


Day 7

Today I have thought a lot about important things my mother taught me, and there is one truth above all else I am thankful she took the time to instill in my developing sense of identity: that is the knowledge that I am a child of God.  She taught me to believe in God, to pray and speak to Him daily, and to understand that He is my Heavenly Father.  This not only boosts my confidence but encourages me to strive to reach my greater potential and to live as a daughter in whom He would be well-pleased.  I am thankful my mother took the time to teach me of spiritual things.  I am a better person because of it.

"I am, for the most part, who I am

because my good mother was who she was."

— Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year

TUESDAY, DAY 6

When is Book IV Coming Out?!

Parker,

Rest assured, the fourth book is coming out very soon; it is scheduled for release this summer. The fifth book will follow closely after, most likely to be released sometime during the upcoming winter season.

I, like you, have been frustrated by the length of time it is taking to get all six books in the Harrowbethian Saga published and available for readers to enjoy. Switching from one publisher to an entirely self-pub platform forced me to start over with editing, formatting, and finally releasing book one in the Eena series. And then there were my other books that also required time and attention. I now have eight total books out for readers to enjoy (three Eena books.) That is a big accomplishment considering the small amount of free time I have to devote to this process.

The fact is, most indie writers, like myself, hold a day job in order to pay the bills. This chews up a great amount of our waking hours--hours I would most certainly prefer to spend writing. After work, there is family to care for, meals to prepare, and house chores requiring at least a minimal amount of attention. That leaves maybe an hour or two in the evening to devote to my books.

I appreciate your anxious wait, and I will try to work faster to get the remainder of the Harrowbethian Saga edited, formatted, and published ASAP! For you, Parker, I have posted the first chapters of this book on my author blog--something to help with your wait. Just visit the webpage below. Thank you for your eager question, for your interest in my books, and for your incredible patience. Now, I better get back to editing Eena book four!

http://eenabookfour.blogspot.com/

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 7

Today is the last day of "Slaying Dragons Week." I have been celebrating the release of my book, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year by sharing a daily quote from the book as well as a bit of trivia regarding the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

"I once dreamt that the man in the moon took an interest in me and reflected the sun’s light directly in my path, lighting the way for my footsteps to sink themselves into the ground. It was wonderful to have my course illuminated by one with a grander perspective than my own. But when I awoke, realizing I could not call on the moon for guidance, my spirit sank until it occurred to me I could talk to the one who had created the moon. And He has lit my path ever since.”

Did you know that you have a chance to win a signed copy of Slaying Dragons? Well, you do if you enter to win at Goodreads.com. Starting May 5th, 2017, you can enter to win a paperback copy signed by the author! (That would be me.) I hope you take the time to enter, and if you missed any portion of "Slaying Dragons Week," just scroll through previous posts to read quotes from the book and learn a few fun trivia facts about the book. Don't forget to leave ratings and reviews anytime you finish reading a good book. It helps an author tremendously!

Goodreads: Slaying Dragons Giveaway!

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 6

We are nearing the end of "Slaying Dragons Week" in which I am celebrating the release of my book, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year. Every day this past week I have shared a quote from the book as well as a bit of trivia regarding the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

"Love by the sweat of thy brow.
Not through whispered words of hollow sound or lofty dreams ne’er substance bound that more than oft do run aground. Nay, love with mighty, blistered hands that turn the soil and carve the land. A bearer of toil and golden band.
Be strong! A founder of the feast!
Protective knight who slays the beast!
For promises and vows aloud are naught but wispy veneer shroud like cobwebs, frail, the airy words and wooing fail. So work, my darling. Toil as proof. Thy loyal heart be drained of youth and yet beat on, incessant sound. Both feet take root within the ground, and service be thy kingly crown.
Love by the sweat of thy brow.”


Did you know that I included more short stories in Slaying Dragons than in its predecessor, Making Wishes? Both books have something to read and ponder for every day of the year, mostly original quotes and poetry; however, I thought it a fun idea to also include the occasional short story. For your reading pleasure today, visit the following link and read one short story from Slaying Dragons. You will find it under March 5th. Go on now and enjoy Raccoon's Story!

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 5

It is "Slaying Dragons Week" in which I am celebrating my newly-released book, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year. Day five already, and I am continuing to share a daily quote from the book, as well as a bit of trivia regarding the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

"When it comes to fighting for your dreams, be a dragon. Breathe fire.” 

Did you know that the dragon on the cover of Slaying Dragons has the same red gems in his eyes as the dragon on the back cover of my first ever book, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue? Take a good look in the dragons' eyes and you will find the shape of ruby gems. Why is this? It is a fact discovered by Queen Eena that every dragon mirrors in his eyes the same color of gemstones that line the egg from which he was hatched. The red-eyed dragon I call Ascultone. He was never a pleasant beast.

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 4

Welcome to day four of "Slaying Dragons Week" in which I am celebrating my newly-released book, Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year. I am sharing daily quotes from the book this week, as well as a bit of trivia regarding the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

“Everything in the world that happens to you may be someone else's doing; I'll grant you that. But what you do with it, how you react to it, what you make of yourself in the midst of it all—that's totally you.” 

Did you know that this book is the third I have written of its kind? Two collections of my original quotes and poetry precede it. The first is Smile Anyway, dedicated to my sister. The second is Making Wishes, dedicated to my eldest son. In total, all three amount to over 1,000 daily inspirations! A fairly decent accomplishment, if I do say so myself!

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 3

Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year

This is day three of "Slaying Dragons Week" in which I am celebrating a big accomplishment―my new book. It is a wonderful collection of original quotes, poetry, and short stories for every day of the year. In honor of “Slaying Dragons Week,” I am sharing a daily quote from the book, as well as a bit of trivia relating to the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

“There are tomorrows on their way worth the struggles of today. Never give up.”

Did you know that I wrote this book almost entirely on sticky notes? Yes, it is true! Authors are constantly writing in their heads, and I am no exception. While at my day job, I frequently reach for sticky notes to jot down poetic lines and insightful human truths as well as story ideas that form in my mind, often at inopportune times. But to fail to record a "muse moment" often results in losing it forever! Not worth the risk!

Now that the book is done and published, I have a substantial collection of quotes and poetry scribbled on sticky notes that altogether form the raw, unedited makings of Slaying Dragons. I think I will keep the collection and maybe hand it down to my children someday.

Slaying Dragons Week―Day 2

Slaying Dragons: Quotes, Poetry, & a few Short Stories for Every Day of the Year

I am celebrating this week in honor of my newly-released collection of original quotes, poetry, and short stories. Part of "Slaying Dragons Week" includes sharing a daily quote from the book as well as a bit of trivia relating to the making of it. Here is the quote for today:

"My soul, I’ve found, has puppet strings
to make me droop or give me wings.
And music is the puppeteer
that turns my ear to hear." 

Did you know that every quote, poem, and story in this book was based on events and experiences in my own life? I suppose you could call it a journal of sorts, filled with personal insights as well as lessons learned. Most of the motivational quotes were written for me as encouragement to keep climbing towards my goals. Every entry has a personal story that inspired it.

For example, the poem above was written after I had gone for weeks without listening to music. Having a lot on my mind, I made my drives in silence and carried out my chores without what I felt was "noise distraction". Then one day in the car, I turned on my music. I experienced such an intense emotional reaction to the music, that it entirely lightened my mood. I felt less burdened with cares. I felt happier than I had for weeks. I understood right then the power music has to sway our moods, even affect our physical being. I began again to listen to the kind of music that put a smile on my face and a hop in my step. From this experience, the above poem developed.

So remember, when you read Slaying Dragons there is more behind the words than you know.