Today’s Fall Colors Part 4

Romanian fall colors!

We recently got back from traveling to the northernmost part of Romania. Our second trip to that beautiful country. This trip I found the fall tree colors similar to my home state of North Dakota. I truly understand how my great grandparents found North Dakota so attractive. It felt like home. Just as Romania felt to me when I visited both times. That is thanks to the travel agency Beyond Dracula (https://www.beyonddracula.com) and our tour guide/drivers they chose with us in mind. Thier great care for the details allowed us to enjoy the magnificent views, history, and culture with no worries.

Bed and Breakfast

If you travel, you will someday want to experience a bed-and-breakfast, if you haven’t already. In most cases, a bed-and-breakfast is a wonderful haven worth the money. I have been to several and I can tell you that some don’t supply what they claim.

I recently stayed at one in Ouray, Colorado. It had an inviting exterior. I walked in and it had that old historical look and feel. I walked into our room and it had historical nostalgia. Right down to the two prong outlets (which were few). It was a challenge to accommodate our electrical needs. The bed wobbled both sleepers when one moved, so we didn’t get quality sleep. So, we needed naps in the afternoon. (I didn’t mind taking a nap). The shower had no place to store soap and had little, itsy bitsy, tiny bars of soap provided. Which doesn’t bother us since we usually bring our own. These are things you adjust to. What is hard to accept is the false write-ups and lack of updates on their web pages. We stayed in room #3 which was clearly room #6 on their site. This place claimed a wine garden with wine tasting every evening and a place to get food. And yes, they provide this during certain times of the year. That time frame wasn’t something I noticed looking at their site. The guest kitchen was also the family’s kitchen. Awkward! Especially when you came into the kitchen for your morning coffee and they treat you like an intruding stranger. But, I found the place to be clean and well cared for.

On this same trip, I experienced one of those excellent bed-and-breakfast finds that make you want to stay at a bed-and-breakfast all the time. It had modern plug-ins with USB capability and that old home history charm. The caretakers were pleasant and the rooms tastefully historic and comfortable. The breakfast was something out of a magazine and delicious. They were every bit what they said they were, and more, a wonderful stay.

So, when looking for a bed-and-breakfast, keep in mind that advertisements are just that. Some update their sites and advertise what they provide clearly. Some let you search and find what time of the year they offer things like wine tasting. But always remember when you arrive to enjoy what you can!

The fears of a writer/author

When you write a book, you worry it isn’t a story anyone will want to read. As you progress along, you worry you will never finish or your editing will never end. When you finally publish, you worry no one will read it, give it a review, or recommend. There is, always, another worry just around the bend. Just like in my book, where the characters never know what to expect. But I must face these worries and fears. I must take that next step, and the next, onto the end. Because it will end. Just like the book ends.

Once You Smiled

Every day we go about our lives, really, go about OUR lives. Not aware of how one smile can effect another’s life. These days are harder without smiles. We hide them behind a mask. A physical mask to protect others. Yet, a smile might be the only thing they need that day.

Think on that.

So, while wearing your mask, smile with your whole being. Lift those cheek bones. Lift your brows with excitement to see someone. Use your body language to express what your covered smile wants to show.

A genuine smile that can been seen, despite being covered, taken along as we go about our lives, is just what we all need.

CHARACTERization

I have started my second novel! Yay!

In writing it, though, I have noticed my first book, “Our Essence Survives,” lacks character contridictions. Like in Harry Potter when the most famous and powerful wizard of all wizard world lives under the stairs at his abusive aunt and uncles. And like Simba, the king of the lions who no longer wants to be king and is charged with killing his beloved father. Contridictions bring about great character. It makes characters interesting. It builds a wonderful character arc. It makes a character complex. In my new book, “Christina Feather Dancer,” I hope to convey her struggle with contridictions in much more depth.

Belief/Believe

The world spins and we don’t feel it. Yet, it continues to do so. Every day! We don’t have to feel something to know that it is there or that something is true.

Yet, in a world full of all kinds of resources to verify or disprove what we have been told, we don’t take the time. It is too daunting to read through the available information. Thus, we accept what we are told.

I believe this acceptance without knowledge is a leap of faith and there are plenty of us leapers out there.