I’ve spent the greater majority of the last two years sequestered in my home office.
While I will gladly tell Marie that yes, most of the things surrounding me do indeed spark joy, they don’t always spark story ideas.
One of my favorite writers is Sean Dietrich. I’ve mentioned him before. And I’ve mentioned that I’m the Santa Mike of which he writes in The Absolute Worst Christmas of All Time.
To be clear, he does not blame me.
Sean has a gift of writing. Oh, he’ll tell you that he struggles and maybe he does. He’ll tell you that he dropped
Mugshots
out of school and took a long time getting a degree, and that’s true.
He’ll also tell you that he’s always been a writer or a reader.
I’ve mentioned before that I was in my fifties before I went from saying “I want to be a writer” to “I am a writer.”
It’s made a huge difference. Even if I’ve not hit the New York Times Bestseller List…yet.
But let’s be clear. Writing is hard work. Sometimes I agonize for hours over a simple blog post.
One of the things I like about Sean is that he’s just so darned good at writing about his observations of daily life. The simplest encounter can turn into something profound.
So, I’m realizing that I need to get out more.
Oh, we’ve not lived in seclusion for the last 47 years of our house arrest. But we’ve not been out as much as we would have liked either.
What I need to work on is paying attention when I do get out.
Steven King and Ray Bradbury, and I think even William Faulkner, encourage writers to read all that they can.
It’s also important to observe. To watch people. To experience life.
There are those in my day job who don’t want to return to the office downtown. I have days like that. But when I get there and remember my view, well…
I need to get out there.
I mean I’m a writer. I need to do research. I can’t get all of my inspiration by searching Google.
Speaking of which, if my ticket is punched prematurely, please come and clear my cache.
On this day in 1931, The United States adopts The Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem.
THINGS YOU SHOULD READ
The New Poll on Glenn Youngkin Released That’s Shocking Pollsters Townhall
New polling from Roanoke College shows that a majority of Virginians approve of the job Youngkin is doing after two months of delivering on his campaign promises. What’s more, Youngkin’s approval among Virginians is nine points higher than President Biden, signaling more trouble for Virginia Democrats running in the approaching November midterms. Read More.
‘This President Needs To Get His Act Together’: Rep. Spartz Slams Biden Over ‘Genocide’ In Ukraine Daily Caller
“This is not a war, this is a genocide of the Ukrainian people by a crazy man who cannot get over that Ukrainian people do not want socialism, Soviet Union, communism. They want to be with the United States of America, they want to be free people.” Read More.
White House pushes back on Biden’s ‘Iranian’ flub by insisting he made a different gaffe The Washington Times
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, wasn’t buying it. “The president only mentioned Iran one time, and it was literally by accident,” Mr. McConnell said Wednesday of the speech. Read More.
Death and Life
Walter Fenton at Global Methodist Church
On Ash Wednesday, we remember who we are and who it is that gathers our stories of death and life into his great story of our redemption through his cross and Resurrection. Read More.
“You’ve got to live somewhere you aren’t afraid to die.” Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry From Kharkiv Literary Hub
“How did we build our houses?
When you’re standing under winter skies,
and the heavens turn and sail away,
you know you’ve got to live somewhere you aren’t afraid to die.” Read More.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1911 – Jean Harlow, American actress (d. 1937)
1920 – James Doohan, Canadian-American actor and soldier (d. 2005)
1921 – Diana Barrymore, American actress (d. 1960)
1962 – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, American heptathlete and long jumper
1962 – Herschel Walker, American football player and mixed martial artist
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
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I need to go somewhere to people watch.
Oh, we’ve not lived in seclusion for the last 47 years of our house arrest. But we’ve not been out as much as we would have liked either.
