50 States of Pray

This is my contribution to The Fifty States of Pray. The Linky List to read other posts participating in this event can be found HERE.  Mark wrote this on the blog post introducing 50 States of Pray:

I’m calling it the 50 States of Pray event and I’d love to find at least one person (but the more the merrier) from each U.S. state to participate.

But wait... as they say on TV... This is absolutely open to anyone, anywhere. Imagine if we got one person from 50 independent states (countries), too. That would be amazing!

All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Then, on Dec. 24, 2013, please share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future.

 

 

This post is coming to you from Florida and this is my prayer:

 God, Thank you for the blessings that you sent my way this year.  Sending me to a new doctor who really made a difference with my migraines has made all of the difference with my LIFE.  Doors that looked forever closed are unlocked, passages that seemed so dark now have light, and a life that felt in permanent pause is now moving forward again.  I ask that you always help me to remember the necessity of forgiveness, an encouraging word impacts far more than one in steeped in criticism, the healing of laughter, the joy in giving, and the need we all have simply to be heard.  As my life changes so that I become my healthiest self, so may it also change that I am my best self.  Your son Jesus arrived to remind us that we are all children of God, Your children, and that we all have the Divine inside us.  May my Divine Light radiate out and touch everyone I meet with love.  Amen.

My friends, I hope that you have a Very Merry Christmas!

BOTB Results, HERE'S TO YOU info, 50 States of Pray, and My 600th Post!

This is going to be a short post.

I just realized that I never delivered the results on the most recent Battle of the Bands.

AND no one has claimed the video on my last HERE'S TO YOU post (one post back).  Just so you understand my process, I read your stuff and if something comes to me, I jump on over to YouTube to see if I can find it.  Well, that happened back in early December (between the 5th and 8th).  Then I went on vacation for a week, didn't post HERE'S TO YOU that week, and when I got back to blogging there this video was in my saved stuff.  And I had NO IDEA who I should have tagged.  Bah.  My mind is going.  So, I put it up and asked someone to claim it if it struck a chord.  No one has... so far.  Is it yours??? Please check back and give it a watch.  There are also two videos for *everyone* on this HERE'S TO YOU (a first) and they are both soul touching.  So, I hope you give them a watch.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and The 50 States of Pray.  So, I will be back for that.  It will also be my last post for the year.  Ironically, that will make my first post of 2014 my 600th post.  Can you believe that?  Me either. I didn't think I had that much to say.

Anyway, let's get down to the BOTB results.  First, I want to thank everyone who has participated in this event.  It has been so much fun for me to choose the music and I hope you have a good time listening and casting your vote.  This time the song was Winter Wonderland with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme facing off against The Andrews Sisters.  I think that this was one of my best pairings since I started this feature.  It was a CLOSE race with many of you feeling indecisive about your vote.  That makes for an excellent battle.  It isn't nearly as much fun when someone just runs away with it.  For quite a while they were neck and neck, and then Steve & Eydie pulled out definitively as the winner. Steve & Eydie got 13 votes from you and The Andrews Sisters got 9.  Not a bad point spread, even when you throw in my vote for Steve & Eydie making it 14 votes to 9.

The next Battle of the Bands will be on the 1st and it will be my 600th post.  Did I mention that already?  I did?  Well, I just wanted to make sure you got the most important information out of this post:)

HERE'S TO YOU THURSDAY

Hello all.  It's Thursday.  That means it is time for a HERE'S TO YOU post:)

Before we jump into the fun and frolic, I want to take a moment to remind you to vote for your favorite in Battle of the Bands.  This is the last Christmas song, so if you like Christmas tunes be sure to vote.  The voting will remain open until Sunday, Dec. 22, when the winner is announced.

I was on vacation last week and didn't post the weekly Thursday post.  However, when I went into my saved footage I had one thing there.  Hunh.  I spent quite a bit of time visiting your old posts in an effort to recall who this footage was meant for... to no avail. I believe the original post was written between Thursday, December 5, and Sunday December 8.  I considered just axing it, but then decided to post it and let YOU step forward if you think it was meant for you.  So, if it resonates with you, post the link to your post in the comments.  Thanks!!!

Another bit of something new on this HERE'S TO YOU is that there will be two videos for Everyone.  They are both Christmas-themed and this is the last chance to get them out before the 25th.

This will be the last HERE'S TO YOU post for this year.  I will be posting BOTB results on Sunday (along with anything else that is on my mind) and participating in 50 States of Pray on December 24. If you haven't signed up for that, but it sounds like your cup of tea, follow the link back to Mark Koopmans' page and join the Linky List.  I think he is still short 9 states.  Maybe yours is one of them!!!

If you don't know what this HERE'S TO YOU stuff is about, let me explain.  This is a weekly event landing typically on Thursdays.  The best (or worst) part is that I am not going to explain why I chose "whatever" footage for each of you. If, you watch your footage and are scratching your head at the end, well that means I didn't do a very good job. However, all is not lost. You can email me at rarichards68@gmail.com and ask me what I was thinking when I chose that particular piece of footage off of youtube and connected it to you. And then I will tell you. Then I will start sending up prayers that I haven't offended the crap out of whoever is on the receiving end of that email....lol. Because, honestly, I will tell you right now... I admire all of you enormously so I really hope that doesn't happen.

Also, this is not an exclusive venture by any means. I hope that you will take the time to watch ALL of the footage because I don't pick bad footage:-) I also hope that you might check out the blog of the person I dedicated the footage to because they are pretty darn awesome. If you haven't figured this out yet... I pick the footage based on something that you've written or something that I've gleaned from your personality. Think on that for a while... If you are having trouble watching the entire video (meaning it is being cut off on one side), click on it a couple of times and it will take you straight over to youtube. If you click on the four squares at the bottom corner of the video, it will enlarge it to fill your screen. The escape key will bring it back to normal size. The back arrow will bring you back to my page.

Now, let's get this PARTY STARTED!!!!

This one is for everyone:


This one is ALSO for everyone:


This one might be for YOU (aka this is the one I can't place):


This one is for Susan at I Think; Therefore, I Yam:


This one is for cube at The BLOG and DiscConnected at BACK IN THE USSR:


This one is for Jasmine at A Yellow Rose of Texas:


This one is for Empty Nest Insider:
Click here to watch.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS X

I've been on vacation.  Did you notice I was gone???

No?

Hunh.

Well, I was, but I am back now.  Just got home.  Whew.  (I wrote this bit yesterday and planned to post this morning, but no internet... and here we are!)

Anyway, today is December 15 and that means it is Battle of The Bands.  This is the last installment of Christmas carols for this year.  If all goes according "To Plan" next year BOTB will still be going strong and I can choose another three for your listening pleasure.

Please take a moment after you leave here to visit other sites hosting Battle of  The Bands today.

Faraway Series

FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS

Tossing It Out

DiscConnected 
The Creative Outlet of StratPlayer

What's up for today?

Winter Wonderland.  You wouldn't believe how many fabulous versions there are of this song.  I had a terrible time narrowing the field.  I even enlisted my mother's aid to knock out one of the options.  Yes... I needed HELP.

First up is a version that I grew up on.  My mom had this version on a record, so it has been a favorite for a long time.  Steve and Eydie sing so well together.  I particularly love the way that this one ends.




Versus The Andrews Sisters.  I love the harmony in this version.




Obviously, I really like BOTH versions for different reasons.  I won't say which one I like MOST.  However, I want you to tell me which one you like most and why.  Place your vote in the comments below.  Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Roasting the Bird

On his main blog, “Tossing It Out,” Lee describes himself, in part, “as a writer, speaker, entertainer, music lover, collector, husband, father, grandfather, friend, traveler, seeker of truth and wisdom.” He majored in English while at the University of Tennessee, has blogged since 2008, and currently has six blogs that delve into his diverse mind. Hosted again by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp and The Ninja Captain himself, CheersFest 2.0 will go LIVE! Dec. 9, 2013.

Let the Roasting Begin!
First up, 4 questions about Arlee...

1)  Why did Lee come up with the A-Z Challenge?  The idea came to him while listening to ABC by The Jackson Five on his turntable.

2)  If someone dreams about being a juggler, what does it mean? That person has big fast hands.

3) Is a post by Mr. Bird worth two in the bush? I've not read any posts in his bush. But, Arlee knows how to Toss It Out.

4) Who could play Lee in a documentary? (Living or dead.)  Christian Bale.  See the photos for comparison.

Christian Bale

Arlee Bird

Caption for the photo of Arlee Bird: Don't try this at home, kids. (aka You'll poke your eye out.)

In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts: · Bird · Juggler · Challenge · Brown Jacket · Tossing

5 year old Lee dreamt that a bird landed on his shoulder.

It said, "Join the circus as a juggler. You'll have the grandest adventures."

Lee pondered this strange message many times over the years.

He began to earnestly practice juggling and was shocked by the ease of tossing multiple objects at once.

When he turned 18, he joined the circus.

After five years of donning the brown jacket and bow-tie for his act, he realized that he found more than adventure. He was home.

BOTB Results, More IWSG, And What's Speaking To Me

Did you know that the official day to "roast" Arlee Bird is tomorrow? If you didn't and want to go in on this action, go here and join the Linky List.

Drumroll, please.  The BOTB results are in.  The battle was over the song Do You Hear What I Hear? by Bing Crosby and Celtic Woman. The race was very close. I even had 5 voters claim that it was a close call and/or really tough decision.  In my opinion, that makes for the best battles. In the end, you guys voted Bing Crosby as the winner with 11 votes and Celtic Woman took 7 votes. When you throw my vote in with Celtic Woman it makes 8, but Bing is still the clear winner.

I am going to be scarce this week. My brother and sister-in-law are driving down from Ohio, so my computer time will be severely limited while they are here. Gotta enjoy family when you can.

Thank you everyone who offered advice on my IWSG post. I will try to make it back to everyone who offered to email me something that would help and say YES PLEASE. If you read this first, please find my email address in my sidebar and go on and send it.  You guys are the best!

I know that the holidays are a time when people tend to hit a place of Overwhelmed. It happens to me all year long, but it's the end of the year and Christmas and celebrating and just this need to get it all done. I have been listening to my playlist while writing... that was something I learned during IWSG a few months ago.  (As an aside, I really like it when I thought I wouldn't.)  Anyway, this song struck me particularly hard.  Maybe it will speak to you, too...




Are you roasting Arlee Bird tomorrow? What do you think of the results for BOTB? Are you going to have company over the holidays? Are you feeling overwhelmed????

HERE'S TO YOU THURSDAY

Bada Bing!  It's Thursday.  And that means it is time for a little bit of HERE'S TO YOU!

If you don't know what I am blabbering about, it is Thursday.  And that means another post dedicated to all of you and the excellent blogging you have done this week.  So, sit back and enjoy.  It's HERE'S TO YOU DAY!!!

This is a weekly event landing typically on Thursdays.  The best (or worst) part is that I am not going to explain why I chose "whatever" footage for each of you. If, you watch your footage and are scratching your head at the end, well that means I didn't do a very good job. However, all is not lost. You can email me at rarichards68@gmail.com and ask me what I was thinking when I chose that particular piece of footage off of youtube and connected it to you. And then I will tell you. Then I will start sending up prayers that I haven't offended the crap out of whoever is on the receiving end of that email....lol. Because, honestly, I will tell you right now... I admire all of you enormously so I really hope that doesn't happen.

Also, this is not an exclusive venture by any means. I hope that you will take the time to watch ALL of the footage because I don't pick bad footage:-) I also hope that you might check out the blog of the person I dedicated the footage to because they are pretty darn awesome. If you haven't figured this out yet... I pick the footage based on something that you've written or something that I've gleaned from your personality. Think on that for a while... If you are having trouble watching the entire video (meaning it is being cut off on one side), click on it a couple of times and it will take you straight over to youtube. If you click on the four squares at the bottom corner of the video, it will enlarge it to fill your screen. The escape key will bring it back to normal size. The back arrow will bring you back to my page.

Now, let's get this PARTY STARTED!!!!

This one is for everyone:



This one is for Liza at Middle Passages:



This one is for Phoenix at Res ipsa loquitor:



This one is for Al Diaz at Father Dragon Writes:



This one is for Yvonne at Writing My Life Away!:



This one is for Empty Nest Insider:


This one is for Steven Symes, Writer:

You Don't Know Me

It's the first Wednesday of the month and that means it is time for another insecure writer posting.  And, boy, am I insecure right now.  I have insecurity running down the street screaming loud and long.  Whew.  It's a relief to admit that.  Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group, we can all vent once a month. His co-hosts today are Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler, and Elsie is Writing. Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

I confess I have not been writing.

I know.  I know.  I know.

I have a friend reading my WIP and she has actually pointed out some pretty important holes.  It finally became clear that all of these problems go back to my conflicting ideas about the character.  Which begs the question: do I know my character?  If I don't, then how can I write that character???  So, I have been spending time just pondering.

It has occurred to me that I can just keep writing and fix this problem in the edits.  Some authors have revamped entire novels once they got the idea down.

Has this ever happened to you?  Did you think that you KNEW your MC and then realized that maybe you weren't as certain as you thought?  How did you resolve this issue?  Did you write your way through it or spend your time in other constructive ways?  

BATTLE OF THE BANDS IX

I mentioned in my last Battle of the Bands posts that we had a turntable in our living room and it played Christmas carols from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  My mom would put on the LPs and wrap gifts.  The wood stove burned, my mom wrapped, and song filled the room.  It was the best place in the house to be during the Christmas season.

One of my favorite songs was always Do You Hear What I Hear.  Mom owned a record with Johnny Mathis singing carols and this is the one I think of when it comes to this song.  However, doing some research prior to this match-up I discovered that Bing Crosby is probably the person MOST people think of... and for good reason.  I actually preferred it over Johnny Mathis, changing the match-up completely for this battle. 

Here is the iconic Bing Crosby:


versus a two woman group who go by Celtic Woman:


Other blogs featuring Battle of the Bands:

Far Away Series

FERRET-FACED FASCIST FRIENDS

Tossing It Out

DiscConnected

I hope you will take a moment and visit them and VOTE.

Now that you have heard both versions, which one do YOU like better?  Will it be Bing Crosby or Celtic Woman?  Place your vote in the comments and tell me why you preferred one song over the other.