Do You Have A Dream?

     Have you ever been so wrapped up in a dream that you could think of almost nuthin' else?  Has hope and anticipation ever eaten at you in such a way as to become a complete distraction in all other areas of your life?  Well, I have and to tell you the truth, its not that much fun.

     Since I was very small, I have wanted to live in the country and experience those things that most people pro'lly don't even think about.  Or maybe they do and I'm just so wrapped up in my own dream that I don't notice how intently others are wishing for the same thing.  I recall once when I was about five years old, I was crying over some deep desire to live in the country.  My dad laughed at me 'cause I wanted the log cabin, the horses, cows, chickens and a garden.  In short, I wanted it all.

     Curiously, up until that time in my life, I had only lived in the country for about one year and that was when I was only three.  Naturally, that particular taste of country livin' had absolutely none of the qualities that I have come to recognize as true country livin'.  In the first place, we were living in Pensacola, Florida and although I am sure there are farmers and ranchers in every state, somehow my vision of farm living has never centered itself anywhere in Florida.  I've lived in that state several times, actually, but country living is certainly not the first, second or even, third image that comes to mind when I think of Florida.

     In the second place, in my mind anyway, sand, sand and more sand do not a farm make.  Thus, the Stuck-Out-In-The-Middle-Of-Nowhere place called country where we lived could hardly be called country livin'.  So, where did I acquire this deep desire to live on a farm and taste country livin'?  I'm not sure.  P'rhaps its some deep-seeded carry-over from before I was born; I dunno.  At any rate, even though I have on two different occasions experienced the joy of true country livin', it is not out of my system.  I still want it.

     Do you have a dream you've been harboring for many years; one that just won't let you go?  I sincerely hope you are blessed with the fulfillment of your dream.  It seems that dreams are the basis for extreme joy or endless heartache; sometimes, both at the same time.  But don't give up on your dream.  I certainly haven't given up on mine.  Someday, maybe we'll meet and we can share how happy we were when we woke up and discovered our dreams were fulfilled.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

One L-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g Day

     I've decided that Heavenly Father really knew what He was doing when he made a day as a thousand years.  Not that my opinion means anything, in this case, but that is one decision that I wholeheartedly embrace.

     Don't you kinda' wish our days were a thousand years?  Just think how much more we could get done!  I often wonder if, in the hereafter, we will need to eat and sleep.  Do you ever think about that?  My hope is that we will be able to eat, if we want to, but that it won't be the time-waster that it is, now.  And sleeping?  Oh!  Let me tell you how I do hate sleeping.

     Maybe its just because I have so much trouble, sleeping, but I truly hope that this is one activity that will be unnecessary.  Still, I like to have my cake and eat it, too.  So, of course, I really hope we'll be able to sleep, if we choose to.

     Do you have Hereafter dreams like these?  Or am I a Lone soul with this particular quirk?  I'd really enjoy hearing how you feel on this subject.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.

Yaya

Louisa would have loved our toys

     So many of you have been so kind in your words and suggestions for how to get rid of aches and pains and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help.  Today was another sleeping day.  Maybe I should be thankful for these pain-filled times because it seems to be almost the only time that I dream.  Sometimes my dreams find their way into my writing.  'Course, I have been very fortunate in being able to write almost anytime I want to, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if all the pain left and I never dreamed again.  I'm sure I would find a way to adjust.

     Still, I'm not one to look a gift-horse in the mouth.  I used to dream quite a lot.  As a result, I have a good many stories and several books that are in various stages of completion.  I work steadily on each of them, switching from one to another as my creativity wanes with any given project.  I don't know how other writers work, but I seem to need that kind of variety in my life.  It keeps me out of trouble.  Rather, it keeps me from thinking up any NEW kind of trouble.

     Do you aspire to be a published writer?  Is this a method you use?  I often think of some of the writers who paved the way for people like me.  Can't you just imagine how thrilled someone like Louisa May Alcott would have been with the toys we have today?

     In some of the High Schools I attended, one of the required subjects was Typing.  Picture, if you can, the frustration of a 90-something pound student, sitting on the floor, her legs wrapped loosely around the typewriter and her tongue held just exactly SO!  In those days, there was no room for error.  When a mistake was made, I ripped the paper from my machine and started over, again.  Never mind that I typed perfectly until the last word.  Riiiiiip!  Tears flowed freely in those days.

     For those of you who have never had to use a typewriter, be thankful.  It is an experience that I am very grateful to have replaced with my wonderful computer.  I can make all the mistakes I want to, without having to rip any pages out.  In fact, I sometimes make mistakes and correct them just to prove to my computer that I can.  We live in a good time. 

     Still, I worry a little about what I will say to those writers who did so well before computers if I don't, in fact, succeed in getting published.  Oh, well.  I'll think about that when I meet them, I guess.  Have a wonderful New Year and until I see you next year, keep a hug on.

Yaya