MLK

Lots of reflection today.
I was there for some of the civil rights marches. I was in high school during the riots. I remember being too young to ride the protest buses, but I asked my parents if I could go anyway. They said, "No."
I was shown other ways to bring about positive change.
I remember the powerful, inspiring, and honest words of Dr.M.L.King, Jr.
Years later, I remember teaching my students about this significant man and this turbulent, life-changing time.
I'm thankful God sent this man to the world.
Let's keep pressing on.

Peace be,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

 

 

Pots, Pans, and Lids

If you're ever a house guest of mine, you'll never have to worry about me asking you to put away my pots, pans and their lids. That's because I stack them in a particular order each time I return them to their cabinet. It makes plenty of sense to me, but to my housemates, not so much. The large pan with the long handle sits on the floor of the cabinet. The pots in size order nestle into each other and are placed into the large pan with the handle. In the back of the cabinet, the lids have their spot.  I stack them open side down, with the largest one on the bottom, the next largest on top of it, and so on. This works for me. I don't have to bend down, reach into the cabinet and clang pots, pans, and lids around to find a certain one.
The people who live with me can't seem to get this, so I tell them to leave the cleaned pots, pans, and lids out for me to put away later. Wait a minute! Maybe they do get my process and pretend not to. That way, they don't have to be bothered with this chore...
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Cold Couture

It's called a polar vortex, and this weather has much of the country in a deep freeze. Among other things, cars won't start, locks freeze so it's difficult to get into your vehicle, invisible ice threatens to make you or your vehicle slide all over the place. There's ice on the inside of your house windows. The house heater runs continuously. Thankfully, we should be getting into the 2-digit temps soon. Even 35 degrees sounds tropical compared to the temps of the last few days. This aren't complaints,  just observations. Sometimes God gives us reminders that He's in charge, and not us.
To survive this cold, we dress in layers from head to toe. While on my way outside yesterday, I looked at myself in the mirror and had to chuckle. I had on socks inside of boots with a fur trim. My  jeans were tucked into my boots. I had on a thermal undershirt with a fleece hoodie on top. I had on a coat with a hood, even though I also had a cap on my head. My hands were stuffed into knit gloves. The collar of my coat was zipped up to cover my mouth, so when I breathed through my  mouth, (because the cold air made the hair in my nostrils freeze) my breath fogged up my eyeglasses. I had a scarf wrapped around my neck.
I looked a sight! Like a toddler whose mother dresses the child in so many clothes that the child can barely move. While outside, I saw lots of others who were dressed in similar fashion.
The polar vortex  makes for some funny-looking winter couture.
Smiles, and dress warmly,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

The Quiet Car

I boarded a train with my companion a few days ago, heading back  home from DC. After walking through several cars looking for a seat, we finally found a car with open seats. This train car had an unusual calmness: no loud talking, no cell phones ringing, no music blasting. When we sat down together, I looked up and saw a sign: Quiet Car. No loud conversations, no loud noise from devices, please quiet all cell phones. A voice over the sound system announced that there was to be a library-like atmosphere in the Quiet Car. Many people read books, magazines, and used reading/video devices with headphones. What a contrast this was to the train on which I rode to DC. On that trip, a lady across the aisle alternated from turning up the movie volume on her tablet to loudly commiserating with her cell phone friend about not having a date for NYE.
I'd read about a Quiet Car before, and thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but I was wrong. Our ride home was made much more relaxing and pleasant by the very soft sounds of the Quiet Car.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Pattern Interrupted

This is so different for me. I'm actually writing a blog post on a Sunday, and before 12 noon. We have icy weather conditions  this morning, so our ministers wisely canceled morning services and we have a 3 pm service scheduled. Hopefully, the temperature will have risen by then and it will be safer to leave our homes and drive to the church building.
By now, on a regular Sunday routine, I would have:
participated in singing the morning hymn,
made sure Sunday School classes for children under age 12 were staffed and had materials,
distributed Sunday School books to some members of the adult Sunday Bible class,
joined the adult Bible class if no students showed up for Sunday School,
put classroom materials away and prepared for 11 am morning worship service.
So, it feels weird to be at my computer right now.  I look forward to worship service later today. I look forward to my Sunday pattern of worship, service, and fellowship with my church family.
Best wishes, and Happy New Year!
Sylvia

Characters

For the last several days, I've been working with my character and scene charts for my Church Doors novels.
Behind Church Doors was published in 2010. Beyond Church Doors was published in 2013. I hope to have the third Church Doors novel published in 2014.
As I review the characters who traveled from the first novel to the second, I have such a sense of familiarity. I can hear the voice of Foster Pace, the wise older Christian man who encourages NikkiMac to leave her old lifestyle and come to church. I can see Cletus transform from a local drunk hustler to a new life in the Lord, not without struggle, but possible with Christ. I hear the laughter of the children as they run and play outside after church services. I sense the darkness under the facade of Darius Muse.
A few new characters talk to me in the second novel. Anna Maria DelGrosso-a new friend to narrator NikkiMac, Lucy Bergamot- the exotic beauty shop owner, Adam Greene-the new assistant minister. So many voices, so many visions of what each character looks like.
Writers' characters come to life. We develop them so precisely that we know what they would or wouldn't say or do. But sometimes, they surprise even us. Well, gotta go, my many characters are clamoring for more attention.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

The Holding Principle

Recently, an associate came at me in what I consider an aggressive verbal manner. She thought I had done something to insult her, but I had no idea of what she was talking about. My first reaction was to flare up at her in return, but I stopped, kept quiet, and listened to her.  I considered the fact that this type of reaction was unusual for her. I noted that she would not hear my statements or my request for clarity from her. I remembered that she's going through professional and personal stress. I let her finish, and then I replied,"I really don't understand what's going on here between us. I think I'll just walk away and think about how I should respond. I think I'm gonna pray about this before I say anything more." Then, I walked away from her. I held my peace. I prayed.
We saw each other again the next day.  She walked directly up  to me and put her hand on my shoulder. She apologized. I didn't ask for any explanation. Her eyes showed her embarrassment and sincerity. We are fine now. I'm thankful for James 1:19-20 and that I used what one preacher calls The Holding Principle.
Praise Him,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com