Ahhh, I wish I'd lived in the "good old days." Do you? Really?

By Lonnie Cruse

Ever made that statement about wishing you lived in the good old days, like maybe a hundred years ago? Two hundred? Ever heard someone else make it? I know I've said it. Yet how few of us really have the courage or strength to actually do it? And those who do are often looked on as weird or strange for choosing to forgo all modern conveniences and live as our ancestors once did. There is one woman who created a life set in the 1830's for herself in modern day Vermont. Her wonderful paintings as well as her lifestyle have made her a legend.

In June of this year the world lost that lovely legend when artist Tasha Tudor passed away. Tudor illustrated numerous children's books as well as greeting cards, stationary, and other items. But the most interesting thing to me about Tudor was her love of the 1830's to the point that she actually managed to live in that time. Almost. She spent a good many years without running water or electricity. Tudor's son, Seth, hand built her Vermont farm house the old fashioned way, and she lived there many decades, cooking her meals on a wood burning stove and tending her now-famous garden. She often made her own candles, sewed her 1800's style clothing, and for reasons best known to herself, went barefoot most of the time. She wasn't lonely on that farm, populated with Welsh Corgis, goats, birds, and various other animals. Besides, she was too busy enjoying life to be lonely.

I've been a Tasha Tudor fan since childhood when my step-mom presented me with one of Tudor's wonderful children's books. I still have it, and as an adult I've collected many of her other books, including my favorite, THE DOLLS' CHRISTMAS. I also have TASHA TUDOR'S GARDEN, THE PRIVATE WORLD OF TASHA TUDOR, and TASHA TUDOR'S COOKBOOK, written about or for her by others.

I don't want to be guilty of copyright infringement so rather than post pictures here of Tudor or her art or her wonderful farm, I'll simply share a link to her family's site which will lead you to other sites about her as well.

http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/who-is-tasha-tudor.html

If you are a fan of Tasha Tudor, you know what an inspiration her life and work were. If you aren't familiar with her but have ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time and live that life, please check out the above website. Or find some of her wonderful books to read or the books written about her. You won't be disappointed.

I hope one day to visit Vermont where Tasha Tudor's farm is located and take the garden tour. Meanwhile, I'm re-reading her biography and enjoying her wonderful art. I do miss knowing that she was alive and well in Vermont but I'm still enjoying "the good old days" through her books. But do I still want to live in those good old days? Nope.

Reading multiple books . . .

By Lonnie Cruse

I usually have a couple of fiction books going at the same time. I also read non-fiction books on writing or self-help. Then there are the chapters to critique for my critique partners. And since I tend to "get lost" in the books I enjoy, only coming up for air in order to eat or take a potty break, the settings and characters are very real to me. I find myself thinking about the characters and settings and plots as I make the bed or wash dishes. What's happening to so and so right now? (Nothing is really happening because it's fiction, but try to convince me of that.) Where will he or she go next? Will a character I've grown to like be killed off? How soon can I get back into the story and find out? And if it's a chapter from one of my critique partners? Eeeek, that means I have to wait for the next weekly submission. Drives me crazy.

And I can get confused about which character is in which story. Which plot line is in which book. Which ending went where. Let's face it, I'm not as young as I was yesterday. Or the day before.

I soooo appreciate an author who creates characters I love to read about and settings I'd like to visit and re-visit. IF that doesn't happen, the book goes into the "dispose of gently" pile, to be sold at my writer's group auction to raise money for the group OR to a used book store so I can get a book I will enjoy. And yes, I do buy new books at conferences and at book stores. I know how much authors need the royalties. I need them too.

Writing stories for others to read is great fun (unless, of course, I'm stuck). Hearing someone say they loved my story or my characters is pure joy. But I was a reader a long time before I was a writer. I adore getting lost in a book. Either reading it or listening on audio. When I'm at a signing and folks walking by say they don't read, I smile, but I truly feel sorry for them. Sure there are lots of things to do to keep us busy that don't involve reading. I do those things too, (sewing, bike riding, hiking, fishing, etc.) But reading stimulates our brains, our imaginations, teaches us new things (think Tony Hillerman's tribal series) and gives us hours of pleasure. What's not to love?

If you agree with me, take time to read to your kids and grandkids. Give books as gifts (making sure you know the reciepient's tastes or giving book store gift certificates.) Share your thoughts about your favorite books with other readers. Share your books, if you can bear to part with them. I bought a hardback copy of my favorite book, WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson to keep and a paperback copy to loan to friends. I love Jackson's writing and want to introduce others to her. Whatever it takes, let's get others into reading.

One more thought. IF you struggle with bookmarks, try to find a book thong at your local book store. It's a strong string with beads or other decorations at each end. The book thong doesn't hold up the pages the way a cardboard bookmark does. It's unobtrusive in the book and easy to move. I love mine. I have a collection of bookmarks that includes a bent copper wire with beads, a cross-stitched bookmark I made, carboard versions with various sayings, and much more. Do you have a favorite bookmark? Feel fee to share.

Have you read a good book today?

Let the shopping begin . . . and other thoughts . . .

Good morning, all. Like Liz, I'm not sure how many people will be checking out blogs on a holiday weekend. Many brave folks got up before the crack of dawn today to stand in line at their local malls, determined to snag all the advertised bargains on Black Friday, (the day after Thanksgiving-when Christmas shopping officially begins, for those of you not here in America.) I'm simply not that brave. It's a jungle out there.

Also, like Liz, I AM thankful for many things. My family and friends first, my writing career, second. Family came early in life, meaning I married young, had kids young, and grandkids followed in a timely manner. Writing a book came late in life. I started my first novel at the age of fifty-five and held the first published book in my hands just one month shy of my sixtieth birthday.

I always admired anyone who could write a book and get it published, but it never occured to me that I could do it, too. I assumed all writers had formal training, and my college time had been limited. Then I read two successive books by best-selling authors that had huge plot errors. I figured I couldn't do any worse, so I started writing my own mystery novel. Ahhh, ignorance is such bliss. Several zillion critiques, a multitude of rejections, and a flood of tears later, the book was accepted by a small publisher. I now have four books published in that series, and the fifth will be out in 2009, if Father Time doesn't get me before then. The first book in my new series, FIFTY-SEVEN HEAVEN comes out from Five Star on December 12th. Yup, lots to be thankful for. So what's my point?

One of my grandsons has already decided what he wants to be when he grows up. An artist. He is rarely without a pencil and paper in hand, even drawing while waiting for our Thanksgiving dinner to be ready (last weekend in conjunction with his birthday and grandpa's.) He's progressed from drawing flat profiles of his favorite subjects to 3-D front views. He still lacks a bit in shading, but he's learning, and he's eager. I'm encouraging him to take lessons, but he's a bit shy of that yet. In time, he'll be eager for them, in order to learn from someone who knows how to teach drawing. I mention this because rare indeed is the person who is born knowing their craft and never takes a single lesson. The world's most famous artists, singers, writers, and other talents generally started out by fumbling around a bit in the dark, teaching themselves, then studying under someone more qualified as they grew. And they got tough critiques, rejections, and shed many tears along the way. It's how we grow.

Right now, we're all surviving the holidays in various ways. Life gets frantic as families spend time enjoying each other's company and scrambling to get it all together for the biggie, Christmas. But hard upon us is the New Year (shriek, can it really be 2008 in just 38 days? What happened to Y2K?) and the time when most of us make the same old resolutions, like lose weight, which finds us again somewhere around mid-June.

Might I suggest, if there's a talent you've always admired, an ability you'd like to foster, that you begin 2008 by learning or honing it? Take painting classes, singing lessons, or join a writer's group? Yes, it's painful if and when you get critiqued or rejected. But you won't reach your goal without it. And who knows what talents you are keeping burried? Grandma Moses was elderly when she became a famous artist. Lots' of authors are AARP members as well.

Take a shot. What have you got to lose? Oh, and happy holidays!