Did you hear? There's been a flood!

Minot, ND.  Flooded.  I live there.  Obviously my writing has been put on hold to move belongings to higher ground and make way for a less than modern way of life.  I washed my hair in a tub (just like you see kitchen busers use at a restaurant) and used the same water to "bathe" myself before driving to work.  It took me 30 minutes to drive .3 miles this morning and a total of an hour to get to work.  A normal trip to work takes roughly 10 minutes; maybe 15 minutes on a bad day.  There is only 1 way for me to get to work and I have to take that same route home ... when everyone else is doing the same thing.  Life will be hectic for a while and honestly, I hate it. 

I would love to work on my ebook right now, but all my material has been shoved in a tote and moved upstairs and I don't know which tote.  Every item that was in our basement is now resting on the main level of our house; the 2 bedrooms are packed from wall to wall as is the dining room and the living room. 

Things could be worse.  Our house could've been flooded.  By the grace of God's dry hand, our house remained safe.  The water rose about half way up our street, but a miracle created an island, maybe more a penisula of our home.  As of today, no water in the basement from moisture in the ground.  I pray it stays that way. 

My 2 cats - my babies - were escorted into Watertown, SD to stay safe and dry.  With the numerous water main breaks (one of the 1st also occurred on our street THURSDAY of last week) there is a boil order in effect and people are being asked not to use water unless in an emergency situation.  Fortunately, a neighbor has given us free access to his outside faucet to fill up a jug so we can - ahem - flush the toilet and attempt to bathe.  With 2 less mouths to water and 8 less feet running around getting on top of EVERTHING there is a slight chance my sanity will return before the water fully recedes.  The total of 14 hours I spent driving actually helped my mental status, too. 

I am back to work and it actually feels magnificent.  I now have something else to occupy my mind and I'll get a paycheck one day. 

Focus

Apparently, I am out of focus.  Maybe better said, I have no POSITIVE thinking left.  Everyone says to focus on "something else" or pour your energy into completing another thing.  I seem to have lost that ability.  So many things of a negative nature have taken place and my head is spinning. 

My main focus continues to be on the negative forces behind "Jezebel" and her lack of consideration for someone else.  My downfall is that I cannot let it go.  I try and try but continue to burn with anger and have no outlet.  Pen and paper, laptop, keyboard... whatever ... are not resulting in positive or creative solutions.  I find myself disappointed in another - younger - person and nothing I can do will solve the issue.  I will cross a line that does not need to be crossed.  My faith is running thin ... my temperature is running high. 

I search for the words.  I search for the answers.  I search for creation of something more positive than my ridiculous rantings.  My lack of control in this particular situation leaves me angry. My focus at work is lacking. 

BLAH!! Just plain BLAH!

Sometimes the best things in life really are free...

Today began a little off tempo as is bound to happen once-in-awhile; however, quickly brought back up to speed with a simple compliment from a co-worker.  It's amazing how much one simple gesture, one simple comment, one simple smile - so many simple things - can raise the curtains on a dreary day. 

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." James M. Barrie 

With that... I am back to work. 

Life Took Over

The past month or so has been so crazy-busy that I have not had time enough - or sanity enough - to sit down and complete my first compilation of poems.  In reality, I have no good excuse but a recent visit from my mother-in-law and saying good-bye to my step-daughter's for the summer.  Among the stress associated with what I consider betrayal (details I will not go into right now) and flood issues in town I simply haven't had the time or motivation. 

I've begun clearing my mind and feel that "soon" I shall have a published e-book for all to enjoy.  At least I hope someone will enjoy. 

To my faithful fans - if there are any out there - I promise the wait will be worth it.