“Writing, when properly managed (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation.” Anglo-Irish novelist Laurence Sterne 1713-68; from Tristram Shandy (1759-67)
I agree! I write more lucidly than I talk and I believe the real me comes out in the writings. It gives me time to think without the pressure of having a quick comeback or thoughtful verbal contribution. Also probably why I prefer texting over talking on the phone most of the time. I once spent an entire school Sadie Hawkins dance without saying more than two words to the guy I asked to come with me. He didn’t say anything either, which was no help. Talk about awkward! It has haunted me my while life! Things haven’t improved much with age either. It helps if I am around people who like to talk and initiate the conversation as it is then easier for me to join in the conversation. Thankfully, Husband is a good talker.
I started writing long before I started publishing on Substack in February of 2023. It just felt good to get thoughts out of my head. My first “published” article was actually about our move to Stehekin and was published in the local newspaper at that time, the Stehekin Choice. That was in 1993. I published a second one with a recipe for cinnamon rolls which was rather presumptuous of me since the Stehekin Pastry Company is famous for their cinnamon rolls. But in my new to the valley ignorance, I did it anyway. I was hardly serious competition! Unfortunately, the newspaper is no longer around and the articles are not digital so I cannot share them here. Later, (2006?) I wrote an article for a Norwegian Fjord Horse publication about what it is like to go to a horse show from Stehekin. And later still, 2010, I started a blog about my training and adventures with my Fjord mare, Kjarda. I imported some of those blog articles to Substack just to keep things all together.
Writing runs in the family. My mother, at the age of 92, is writing a history of her family. She has also written several lesson books for playing the piano, which include many new compositions, and learning to sing. My brother writes apps for keeping score at rowing regattas, my two oldest grandsons compose music, and my son writes devotionals. My daughter should write. She has a lot to say and when she puts it in writing it is beautiful.
Some writers choose to write about world events and problems. I could do that. I read the news and have an opinion about all of it! I may allude to those things, but I would rather write about things that bring us closer to God. At least I pray it does.
So, my current era of writing is mostly about faith. I started this page based on a Bible verse: ”Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV.
This world is temporary and has always been temporary. What is eternal, life never-ending, is our future in heaven with our Creator God. That is what I love writing about . . . The virtuous and praiseworthy things . . . And eternal life. Many people may find it boring, redundant, fantasy. That is between them and God. I can do nothing about what others think. I just know that I have to write about it now as we approach the end times as prophesied in the bible, because our spirits are eternal and when Jesus returns for His church, or the shell that is our physical body has worn out and stopped existing, our spirit will continue on. Where? Either in eternity with God or without Him. It is a choice all of us make and I really want to see my family and friends in heaven. The alternative for them is too sad to bear. So I pray and write about hope in eternity.
So, this is just a new year refresher for myself, as well as my readers, as to why I started this! I would love it if more people shared it, read it, clicked the like button, subscribed. But if the folks who read now are everyone who will ever read, then God has a reason for that. And I am thankful for every one of you.
A belated Happy New Year to all, as we come to the last day of the longest month of the year. Hooray for February!
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