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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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One Thousand Gifts-8

Captain’s Log, Stardate 11.24.2006

I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.


176. That my friends understand that THIS IS NOT IN ANY KIND OF ORDER, YOU DOOFUSES! (ROBIN!)
177. Barb, for the beautiful elements she makes and posts for people to download for free
178. That we can pray to God for things as serious as our health and our jobs, but that we can also come to God for things like our writing, book deals and contracts, and release dates. I recently saw an e-mail about this—God says to come to Him for everything so why not for our books? They’re written for His glory.
179. The kids in my church youth group, whom I don’t want to name by name because of internet security, but who are God’s gift to me in so many unexpected ways
180. The parents of my youth group kids, who totally love the Lord and seek His will for their children
181. The staff workers of my church youth group, whom I also don’t want to name by name because of internet security, but whom I’m very grateful for
182. My youth/associate pastor, who is just incredible in organization, vision, implementation, and teaching
183. My church head pastor, who always makes everyone in the congregation very welcome
184. My cute fat red teapot. It’s cute, fat and red. What’s not to like?
185. The tea cozy I made out of my red tea towels and a rubber band—cheap and useful
186. Adagio teas, especially their Irish Breakfast blend
187. Republic of Tea teas, especially their Peach Ginger tea
188. My Hawaiian hardwood cutting board, perfect for small jobs
189. My bamboo wood cutting board, which is so nice to use, not too heavy
190. Cloth handkerchiefs—so much heartier than tissues (sorry, is that TMI?)
191. My 60 GB iPod, which acts as my harddrive backup
192. My iPod Nano, which is perfect for when I go walking with the dog
193. Joy Williams’ Genesis CD
194. Natalie Grant’s Awaken CD
195. Homemade dark chocolate truffles!!!
196. cordless phones—thank you God for inventing these
197. rechargeable batteries—ditto
198. flash drives—double-ditto
199. long scarves—soft, feminine, warm, or alternately silky, feminine, filmy
200. fireplaces during the wintertime—love the smell and the warmth
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