Wednesday Whimsy - Monkeying Around with Toby

We’re monkeying around at Writing, Whimsy and Devotion this week! Meet Toby, Patty Wysong’s pet monkey! Patty is a writer and blog/web designer extraordinaire and always has something encouraging to share with fellow writers.

Hi, Toby! Thanks for joining me today on Wednesday Whimsy.

Thank you for inviting me! I was so excited when Mom told me! By the way, I love your name. Liiiiiily. Bits.

LilyBits. 

Sounds yummy. But I’ll be good. I promise.

I like my name too! Please tell us a little about yourself.

Me? I’m a white faced Capuchin monkey. I’m the baby of the family and live with my brothers and one of my sisters and Mom and Dad. But I can never get enough attention, not even being the baby. Playing volleyball is fun but my favoritest thing is giving Mom the slip and running down the hall and seeing how long I can stay loose. She always gets me, though, with that ol’ marshmallow trick. No matter how hard I try to resist, those marshmallows get me every time. I love marshmallows. And lollipops. And soda. And… Mom says I’m a junk food junkie. We make a good pair.

How long have you owned your humans?

Hmm. Must be a few years now. I don’t think their lives have been the same since I joined the family.

I hear you’re part of the entertainment industry. What do you do? Do you like to travel?

Oh, I looove traveling. See, that’s me. I get to ride in the front seat with Mom. I nap on her lap until we get to the good parts then I jump up and look out the windows. You should see those drive-through window workers when they see me. By the time we get to the pick-up window it’s full of people and I have so much fun. And I love it when we’re stuck in traffic, even if Dad doesn’t. There’s so many people to wave to, but Mom worries I’ll cause an accident so sometimes she makes me go in my pet carrier. I hate that.

At work I have to wear clothes. It’s not too bad, really.  My favorite outfit was that Santa suit Mom made me. It was nice and warm and I got lots of attention when I wore it.  My favorite part is watching the people. Did you know biker dudes giggle sometimes? They do! I really like them. Mom’s trying to teach me to be a big boy and take quarters and shake people’s hands.

Did you have to take lessons? Or were you a natural?

Well, I’m a natural at sitting for pictures with people, but Mom’s still teaching me to take quarters and shake hands with people. I had it down by Christmas but I tell ya, all those loud people wanting to grab my hand…sometimes it’s scary. But I’ll learn to be as good as Fonzie.

Who’s Fonzie?

Fonzie’s my big brother. He’s a monkey too and an ace at taking quarters and shaking hands withpeople. He’s so cool.

Everybody thinks monkeys like bananas best. What’s your favorite food?

Bananas? I only eat ‘em if I have to. But I love papaya and cantaloupe and sweet potatoes. My favoritest food is Mom’s homemade mac ‘n’cheese. It’s the bestest.

What’s the best way to train your human?

Toby texting.

Well, I know I’m supposed to, but I’m not gonna share my marshmallows, so I use kisses. It gets Mom every time.

What does Patty write?

Sappy romances. It’s so embarrassing.

How do you inspire Patty to write?

Mom tells me what she’s thinking about for a scene and I let her know if it’s any good. When I ignore her she knows her idea stinks. That happens a lot. If I snuggle, I like it, and if I bounce off the walls it’s because I thinks it’s a fantastic idea. But then Mom gets to playing with me and forgets the idea before she gets back to the computer. I try to remind her about it but she’s hopeless sometimes. I tell ya, we’d have a best seller if I could write all the good scenes she’s forgotten.

How can we best help our writing humans?

Learn to spell so they understand the things we text and type on their keyboards.

Do you ever get in trouble for helping “too much”? Or does your human have a sense of humor?

Yeah, Mom doesn’t like it when I poke at her keyboard and she hates it when I walk on the thing. She doesn’t know that I’m trying to write those scenes she’s forgotten. Thankfully I’m so cute that I don’t get in trouble for it and Mom can’t stay mad at me for too long. 

One more question, I’ve heard my human use the term “monkeyshines”. What does this mean? Do monkeys actually shine?

Toby with his mom, Patty.

Monkeyshines? Sounds like a lollipop to me!! And I looooove lollipops.

Thank you, Toby, for being on my blog today!

Thanks for having me, Lilybits. It was fun talking with you!

(Was I good? Mom said I could have a lollipop if I was good.)

Yeah, for a monkey you were really good. You didn’t bite or anything! You can come back any time!

Since Patty quit running from God's call on her life and surrendered her pen to Him, she's been happy. Life is never dull as she juggles being a wife, mom to a handful of kids and a couple of Capuchin monkeys, life on the road, and being a writer. As long as she's obeying God's leading, she figures that sanity is a novelty and not a necessity in the zoo she lives in. Patty clings to the promise that God will enable her to do what He asks of her, otherwise she would be living with the scaredy cats at the Funny Farm and not just occasionally visiting. You can find her blogging at www.PattyWysong.com and on Instagram, too, where she daily sneaks in a few sane moments. 

Feel free to take a moment to say "hi" to Toby and Patty

if you like in the comment section below!

Monday Motivation - Three Rs

Three Rs:

Read, Relax & Refuel

Perhaps it was the first picture book your mom read to you, an old leather bound version of The Secret Garden you found at your grandma’s or a copy of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe you borrowed from the library which sparked your desire to write. Every fiction writer has fallen in love with real hard copy books while growing up. From the scent of fresh ink and paper in a brand new book to the softness of well-worn pages and the musty scent of being on a shelf somewhere for a long time, books speak to our longing.

The stories within help us to fall in love with words again, the power they have to create pictures in our imaginations and take us away from the pressures or boredom of daily life. To pick up a good book and read it for an hour can be like a mini-vacation.

There are days when we are discouraged or stuck, when we might even sit and stare at a prewritten outline and find every word we write a chore. While we might able to force ourselves to produce words for a deadline, there are times when we might feel empty and need to put fuel in the tank of imagination and emotion before we can write.

One day a few weeks ago, I was at the local post office, which is around the corner from the public library. So often I’ve looked up books I wanted for research online, only to reserve them and pick them up quickly to be time efficient. That day I decided to give myself the luxury of looking around the library for the fun of it, picking up books to look at . . . just because.

I may have spent only an hour and a half there, but the time relaxing and reading and soaking in the atmosphere of being around books filled me up again with new ideas, more creativity and a renewed desire to handle real books! Yes, I must confess, that I have a Kindle app on my Google pad and it’s wonderful for taking with me and for reading at night, so as not to disturb my light sleeping husband. Stopping to peruse e-book volumes and downloading new books may have the same effect as going to the library. However, that special time at the library helped me remember how I first fell in love with words and stories and books. 

When I still had children at home, taking the time to treat myself to a mocha or a caramel latte at a cafe, while writing in a notebook often gave me the time off I needed. Or I might take a book with me to read. This gave me the chance to refuel as well.  I have often felt that I can’t or shouldn’t take the time to read, relax and refuel.

The reality is that if we don’t take that time, even occasionally, the emotional energy we need to write isn’t there. Taking those needed times out can help you to become a more productive writer when you get back to your laptop.

 

What helps you to relax and refuel for your writing? Please share.

Writing Prompt: He carried the bag of garbage into the alley. Sure he was being followed, he turned and found . . . .

Write a few paragraphs and enjoy the fun of it, incorporating as many senses as you can.

Saturday Spiritual Uplift - Faith, Not Fear

Faith, Not Fear

He renews my strength.
 He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk
through the darkest valley, 
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff
 protect and comfort me.

(NLT Psalm 23:3-4)

Remember when you were a child and you couldn’t sleep, because someone had told you a scary story or you had watched a frightening movie?  Or perhaps you have a little one in your house who wants you to repeatedly check for the monster under the bed or open the closet door to prove no horrible creature lurks there, waiting to jump out and devour them.

When I was a little girl, we had a Saturday afternoon program in the Detroit area, which played mostly old black and white horror movies—mild by today’s standards, but enough to fuel the imagination. I was probably nine or ten when I was allowed to start watching them. Back then vampires were villains that sucked the life out of you, leaving you doomed to the same evil form. 

To make matters worse, my upstairs bedroom had the door leading to the dust porch. What a convenient place for a ghoul to sneak in, despite Mom locking both the sturdy storm and inside doors. I was convinced that something would vaporize through the cracks around the frame! And I was sure, werewolves, or whatever else might lurk in the dark were athletic enough to climb up onto the porch and break the door down. I hid under the covers, so I couldn’t see shadows in the darkened room around me or anything that might think moved. I clung to my cross necklace or a rosary to protect myself, yet those were just symbols I held onto. 

How much greater is the real power of the One who overcame the cross and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ is here with us through each of life’s difficulties. As the shepherd would use the rod to protect the sheep from their predators or the staff’s crooked end to pull a sheep out of harm’s way, He is with His sheep today. One word from Him can fell our enemies. We can’t see what happens in the spiritual realm, but He is there.

We meet “darkest valleys” throughout our lives. Times when illness plagues us or returns when least expected, husbands or wives fall short of their wedding vows, friends hurt us deeply, someone we love is injured or dies. The car accident, house fire, job loss, deep disappointment and stress . . . on and on, life seems at times filled with these dark valley moments.

Jesus is always there with us, even when we can’t feel His presence. We need to turn our eyes toward Him and follow Him through the valley until we emerge out of it, whether here on earth or in His heavenly presence. These are times we can look back and often better see how the Lord worked in our lives.

While I can look back and smile at the thought of myself cowering under the blankets, because of imaginary monsters, I can have joy in the amazing things He has done in the past and will surely continue to do in the future. We can move forward with great confidence, knowing that the Good Shepherd watches over and protects us through whatever dark valley we face.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember you are with us always and to have the faith to continually trust in You. Amen.

Wednesday Whimsy - Can You Believe This?

Lilybits, not large, but back in charge.

Can You Believe This?
Mom has lots of silly nicknames for me. Sweetie Pea (blech!), Peanut butter Cup (really?), Lil-a (closer to my name, okay), Baby Girl (don't mind too much) and Munchkin (because of my little stature). Did you know there really is a Munchkin cat breed, though? And I am not one of them! They have stubby legs. My legs are long and graceful, well, sort of.

Here’s a video about Munchkin cats. It’s a wonder they can get in and out of a litter box.

On a totally different subject, I’m sure the maker of “Simon’s Cat” saw me try to wake up my adopted mom and dad one morning. Hee hee. This cat has his priorities straight. Wake up and feed the cat first . . . and nobody gets hurt.

Posts to look forward to coming up on Wednesday Whimsy (not necessarily in this order):

The Kitten Chronicles – More news from my Siberian cousin on kitten life in Minnesota.

An interview with Toby, Patty Wysong’s monkey!

Book review for Rachel, by Jill Eileen Smith.

What silly nicknames do you have for your pets? And what do they think of them?

Please share!

Monday Motivation - Becoming a More Productive Writer

"Secrets" to Becoming a More Productive Writer

What is the secret to becoming a more productive writer? (Tweet this.) 

1) Make it a priority to make time for writing.

2) Write.

Let me restate that: Find what works best for you and show up for your writing appointment. Write.

Not much of a secret, you say? No, but it’s what you have to experience on your own.

As I’ve taken time, especially this year, to find out what is keeping me from becoming more productive, I’ve learned some things about myself. In all my years of family life, caring for my husband, children and parents, I set writing time on a pedestal as some unattainable, ethereal reward from another realm. It became something I didn’t deserve to do, because I had to get everything else. Done. First. I felt somehow if I didn’t I was being selfish.

Yet every time I heard a sermon on the Parable of the Talents, where the frightened servant buries the money given to him, I would wonder if that’s what I was doing with my writing. God gave me a desire, a love for stories and words, which I put on hold, and sometimes rightly so, but sometimes out of fear. I feared not writing something perfect, not being good enough. I feared what others thought.

There are times and seasons, but there are also moments we can seize—times when husbands can watch children for a couple of hours on a weekend, when we could leave early for work and write for a half hour at a coffee shop on the way to work. If you’re a homeschooling mom, as I was, what about taking a half hour at lunchtime while the kids read on their own or watch an educational video to do some writing or just some brainstorming on your own? If this is what God has given you to do, it’s all right to give yourself permission to take the time and enjoy it.

I had to learn to give myself permission to enjoy my writing, whether it was good or bad. I am still working and struggling through this, not allowing my perfectionism to slow me down or keep me from sitting down and writing. But one thing I have learned over these last few weeks of purposefully making new goals and attempting to follow through, I am making better progress, because I am planning for it. I’m not waiting for it to happen. Some. Day.

Last week, I decided to take the challenge my friend gave me not to check email

or social media before I reached my word count. I started the week with a 1,000 per day word goal and ended with a 500 a day word goal. I lost my resolve and started checking email when I thought it was important or at least after 500 words. Sigh.

However, I made it to 3500+ words last week. Yay! This week, I will have some research, editing and rewriting to do, but I am hoping to at least reach this word count. I will be happy to reach between 500 and 1000 new words each day, so we’ll see.

My advice to you: Start small with a goal you can attain. (Tweet this.) Can you put aside two hours this week to do research for a story you’re writing? Can you make a goal to write 500 words each day? 250 words? Can you set aside five days to do some writing? Three days? One day? It’s okay, no matter how big or how small, make it a goal you will strive for and achieve. Then show up, write and rejoice in the progress you are making!

What are you working on that you would like to make progress on this week? What are your goals? Please share!

Writing Prompt:  Sunshine on a cold winter’s day makes me feel . . .

Saturday Spiritual Uplift - Be the Sheep

Be the Sheep

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. (Psalm 23:1-2, NLT)

Psalm 23 gives us such a lovely pastoral scene. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who takes care of His children as though they are sheep. The sheep’s instincts are to flock together, especially toward the center of the herd to stay safe. Out alone, by itself, the sheep doesn’t have much defense against preying animals.

I can’t imagine a safer place to be than by the Good Shepherd where He leads. Jesus desires to lead His children into a peaceful place in the meadow. As a sheep, wouldn’t it be great to nibble on the cool green grass and rest there instead of pushing our way to the center of the flock for protection? We can trust Him to watch over us. He desires to have His sheep be refreshed in peaceful waters, not dangerous rapids. How often do I want to run ahead and deal with things on my own, not considering that He has a better way for me?

If I want the Good Shepherd to lead me, I need to follow Him. I must trust and rest in Him. That’s where I can feed on His Word and drink in His living presence. Some days I feel like I’m growing closer than others. I am thankful Jesus will never leave me or forsake me, even when I’m not the smartest sheep in the bunch!

Father, lead me closer to You through your Son. Without You I am nothing. Thank you for your unfailing love and mercies every day. Help me to trust in your presence and guidance one day at a time. 

Tweet this: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for His own.

Wednesday Whimsy - News for Mom's Book!

I’m keeping this post short today, because I am busy napping a lot. I’m not feeling well. Sniff. Cough. I have an upper regulatory inflection—no, that’s not it. I have an under reparatory infection. That’s not it either! Oh bother! I think I’ll just call it a “kitty cold.” And I’m still getting over it. My regular vet was out of town, so I got to go to the Country Cat Hospital. Really, I did! Mom’s been holding out on me. They were so nice to me there and fussed over me . . . the way I should be fussed over. Ahem. Anyway, I do have an announcement to make today for Mom:

Brave New Century is being featured at eReader News Today . . . this week! The four inspirational urban historical romance novellas are bargain priced at  $0.99 for
Kindle!

Read more about the book below:

Brave New Century

Inspirational historical romance from Prism Book Group

Stories of four young women who are braving challenges at the dawn of the 20^th century in the big city. Will they overcome their hardships and find love?

Three Rings for Alice by Lisa Lickel

Love and respect in 1899 Milwaukee is as close as a phone call.

Forgiven by Paula Mowery

When Henry and Jessie meet it seems to be classic love at first sight until a shocking revelation tears them apart.

The Pocket Watch by Kathleen Rouser

Searching for the past an orphan and a young doctor find love for  the future.

                          Flames of Hope by Teena Stewart

Love ignites in the midst of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

Tweet this: BRAVE NEW CENTURY is featured at eReader News Today!

Tweet this: BRAVE NEW CENTURY bargain-priced for $0.99 at Amazon.com!