tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post7415581934222499739..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: The Shepherds Returned to Their FlocksLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-61442926863635153882009-12-31T00:51:25.539-05:002009-12-31T00:51:25.539-05:00Hi, Kennan, even with our recent California rain, ...Hi, Kennan, even with our recent California rain, I KNOW you don't miss the Indiana weather. But the routine, ah, that's different, isn't it? <br /><br />Somehow my routine, however boring, grounds me.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-19668968753342385372009-12-31T00:43:12.023-05:002009-12-31T00:43:12.023-05:00ahhhh, the analogy of the flock. good one to thin...ahhhh, the analogy of the flock. good one to think about as i hit the "two week" mark on my visit to California this year. i am missing our routine back home in Indiana; reading to the kids, cooking real food, exercising. my flock is my everyday life in the midwest--boring, routine, but beautiful. i don't miss the stray cats peeing in my garage or the 10 degree weather though. so we'll stay a little longer here!Kennanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14959806807099750348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71570282349844101692009-12-30T23:44:52.477-05:002009-12-30T23:44:52.477-05:00Glad you like the picture, M. Don't piccies o...Glad you like the picture, M. Don't piccies of men with babies just make something quiver inside you? I wonder why that is?jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-31192552584753681322009-12-30T23:43:25.869-05:002009-12-30T23:43:25.869-05:00Awww, beautiful Pat. Like Jeanne, I think I'l...Awww, beautiful Pat. Like Jeanne, I think I'll go check on my "stars" too.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-74997900838098669142009-12-30T23:41:18.529-05:002009-12-30T23:41:18.529-05:00LOL, Louisa, sounds like you've had some first...LOL, Louisa, sounds like you've had some first-hand experience with that pesky bird.<br /><br />I certainly admire all the writers like you who perservere with your writing while hanging on to those dreadful day jobs!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-49167044463005094472009-12-30T23:38:25.289-05:002009-12-30T23:38:25.289-05:00Nancy, it's hard to think of you being anythin...Nancy, it's hard to think of you being anything BUT very organized! But I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40061981871026538692009-12-30T22:23:26.107-05:002009-12-30T22:23:26.107-05:00Love, love, love that pic of baby and dad.Love, love, love that pic of baby and dad.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07498466631016466048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-20137842873477997192009-12-30T22:03:33.511-05:002009-12-30T22:03:33.511-05:00Pat said: I don't have to wait
for the "...Pat said: <i> I don't have to wait<br />for the "stars in my crown," they<br />surround me on a daily basis! </i><br /><br />Aww, man, Pat, that's awesome! What a lovely way to say it. You've inspired me. I'm going to go kiss my two sleeping stars right now.<br /><br />Grins.Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-36831576932730714132009-12-30T22:02:04.425-05:002009-12-30T22:02:04.425-05:00Louisa said The problem lies in keeping that enth...Louisa said <i> The problem lies in keeping that enthusiasm in the presence of an oppressive job and some bosses who make Herod and Tiberius look like amateurs! </i><br /><br />SNORK! Yep, I can see the problem here. <br /><br />You'll do it though, Louisa. You actually DO manage it every day, you historical romance writer you! You are going to make it happen, girlfriend, we have faith in you.<br /><br />*off to let my two four-legged-flockers out* (One of mine actually looks like a stand in for baa-baa-black-sheep right now, his coat's so long!)Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-37560617804704456452009-12-30T21:55:41.705-05:002009-12-30T21:55:41.705-05:00There is no re-dedication in my
future because my ...There is no re-dedication in my<br />future because my dedication to <br />my "flock" has always been there.<br />My parents and sibs, then marriage<br />with husband and children, friends,<br />volunteer work. They have always<br />been my calling, my blessings in<br />this world. I don't have to wait<br />for the "stars in my crown," they<br />surround me on a daily basis!<br /><br />Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71173402952922114812009-12-30T21:41:58.835-05:002009-12-30T21:41:58.835-05:00Congrats on catching the bird, Virginia! You might...Congrats on catching the bird, Virginia! You might want to lock up the silver, and the car keys, and the booze, and the food and, you get the picture. <br /><br />Great post, Jo-Mama! What a truly insightful idea. I think returning to our flocks is what we do after RWA Conference. It is always such a great event and then we have to go home and think of all the wonders and truths we learned. The problem is carrying that enthusiasm all year long. A problem those early shepherds understood all too well. It was all very well to witness this miraculous birth, but I would imagine it was hard to see the glory of it all when you are freezing your butt off in a field in Judea scratching out a living and trying to avoid giving the Romans a reason to do you harm. <br /><br />As a writer who still works full-time at a day job I hate, I get that. RWA Conference always pumps me up and makes me more determined than ever to become a working published writer. The problem lies in keeping that enthusiasm in the presence of an oppressive job and some bosses who make Herod and Tiberius look like amateurs! <br /><br />My goal this year is to live as who I actually am - a historical romance writer, rather than as what they would like me to be - a drone in the Wal-Mart empire. My soul is that of a writer even when my body is that of cheap labor! <br /><br />I have to remind myself repeatedly in the words of my ancestors: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."<br /><br />'Scuse me now. One of my flock is doing the "I have to pee" dance at the door.Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75820964647076583852009-12-30T21:09:56.856-05:002009-12-30T21:09:56.856-05:00Virginia, congrats on taking home the rooster!
Jo...Virginia, congrats on taking home the rooster!<br /><br />Jo, what the flock I need to return to is the world in general. I get so absorbed in the humdrum and the routine that I don't end up noticing what's around me. I don't focus.<br /><br />So I need to focus, which probably means actually becoming organized instead of just thinking about doing it.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705259501965011703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-20643306442484264572009-12-30T19:35:32.256-05:002009-12-30T19:35:32.256-05:00Thanks for the generous comment, Pops. If we acce...Thanks for the generous comment, Pops. If we accept an all inclusive God, then we surely have to accept that we're all truly equal.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-50530004180024951392009-12-30T19:34:30.019-05:002009-12-30T19:34:30.019-05:00Hi, Lance! Thanks for commenting. Don't they...Hi, Lance! Thanks for commenting. Don't they say the only sure things are death and taxes?jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-7819604565364100812009-12-30T18:38:22.096-05:002009-12-30T18:38:22.096-05:00What an insightful way to present a new applicatio...What an insightful way to present a new application of an old story! Makes you also wonder how <br />many new ways some of you very talented and creative writers can put other interesting applications?<br />I can also see that this story could also show that God sees the importance of those in society that might be considered the least significant by some. Perhaps the message is that those who best experience both the sacred and the profane are mutually acceptable and God is best served by those who go about there daily work.Popshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00882096887038531972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-12446183371882392022009-12-30T18:13:08.264-05:002009-12-30T18:13:08.264-05:00Lance said: I always complain about high taxes bu...Lance said: <i> I always complain about high taxes but I forgot, the Nativity story includes the fact that folks had to travel miles, try to find a place to stay, just so they could be taxed. Now that sucks!</i><br /><br />You've got a point, Lance! At least we get to mail ours in, all protesting, and we have some wiggle room on what we pay. :>Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-54115552092008269152009-12-30T18:06:40.277-05:002009-12-30T18:06:40.277-05:00I suppose my flock is back to basics of what I'...I suppose my flock is back to basics of what I've always tried to do best: making money. Haven't done too well in that arena for a few years.<br /><br />I always complain about high taxes but I forgot, the Nativity story includes the fact that folks had to travel miles, try to find a place to stay, just so they could be taxed. Now that sucks!Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07820834098953774841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-4528661361780097712009-12-30T16:51:51.936-05:002009-12-30T16:51:51.936-05:00Susan, what a lovely commitment. What is that abo...Susan, what a lovely commitment. What is that about when we fail to follow that first, natural impulse? I once put off doing something like that and the person passed away. It was such heartbreaking regret that I never wanted to do that again. Of course, I didn't have the Banditas to keep me on track, so I've faltered, but I try.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-50638008502082398542009-12-30T16:14:22.656-05:002009-12-30T16:14:22.656-05:00Susan said: This year, I'm going to make every...Susan said: <i>This year, I'm going to make every effort to honor my first impulse toward kindness.</i> <br /><br />That's a lovely resolution, Susan. I think I'm going to add that to my list. I do exactly the same thing, get all worried that it's too pushy or I'm butting in. I think I'll just call-write-email and let the chips fall.<br /><br />Grins.<br /><br />See? You're a good influence already! Let's keep each other honest on that one...Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-1915303843357989412009-12-30T16:12:41.612-05:002009-12-30T16:12:41.612-05:00Deb said: a snork a day benefits us all
HA! So ...Deb said: <i> a snork a day benefits us all</i><br /><br />HA! So true, Deb.<br /><br />SNORK!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-80666309948129976702009-12-30T15:16:57.692-05:002009-12-30T15:16:57.692-05:00Oh, Jo, such a wonderful & thought-provoking p...Oh, Jo, such a wonderful & thought-provoking post! I love this time of year--it's like the first day of school all over again. All those sharp, new pencils. All those blank, lovely notebooks. All that opportunity not to screw things up. :-)<br /><br />I make new years resolutions, of course. Usually the same ones every year as I never quite manage to meet my goals. This year, though, I'm going with a new one. (I figure I'm never going to learn how to talk less. It's self-hating to keep making a goal I simply can't achieve.)<br /><br />This year, I'm going to make every effort to honor my first impulse toward kindness. So often I think, "Oh, I should call so & so," or "I should send so & so a card/gift/letter/cake/whatever". And then I think, "Oh, but we're not very close. That might be awkward. Embarassing. Weird." <br /><br />And before you know it, I'm down to just thinking nice thoughts about that person instead of reaching out & connecting. This year, I want to reach out. Connect. Honor that first impulse to be kind without overthinking things. <br /><br />You guys will remind me, won't you? Keep me honest? Good. Thanks. :-)Susan Seyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18033511012283092945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-7044742845493982782009-12-30T15:15:33.199-05:002009-12-30T15:15:33.199-05:00Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...
Hey Shannon, it...Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said... <br />Hey Shannon, it's your 40th? Go you! Woot! Happy Birthday!!!<br /><br />I just took Shannon's BD gift to her (the day was Dec 27th). Doesn't it just majorly suck to have a December birthday? AC's is in December too!<br /><br />Anyway, Shannon's father and I were trying to outdo each other on the gifts. I think he won! Darn.<br /><br />I gave her a pair of pearls which I'd gotten in Hawaii some years ago and a thimble that belonged to my mother. Dr. Big, however, gave her his pocket journal from the year he turned 40. Isn't that way cool?? <br /><br />We were pouring over the notes he'd made. Shannon was about 10, I think, and he noted that "she was becoming a pretty good singer."<br /><br />BTW, she sings like a coloratura angel, so the understatement was funny!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-47015554408554444762009-12-30T15:11:13.401-05:002009-12-30T15:11:13.401-05:00Deb said...
Jeanne, I love your snorks! A snork a...Deb said... <br />Jeanne, I love your snorks! A snork a day benefits us all. :)<br /><br />Well said, Deb! And keeps Sven and the gladiators around!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-14914815888268808712009-12-30T15:09:17.671-05:002009-12-30T15:09:17.671-05:00Definitely, Jeanne. You're the uproarously hi...Definitely, Jeanne. You're the uproarously hilarious one in the Lair!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-54690446625400517922009-12-30T15:06:10.945-05:002009-12-30T15:06:10.945-05:00Beautifully written, Cassondra. I'm so happy ...Beautifully written, Cassondra. I'm so happy for your "return" to us from a discouraging situation.<br /><br />Your hubby sounds like mine, independent, capable, does pretty much everything. Sometimes I feel like a wifey-slug!<br /><br />I love priming the pump, whether it's a conference, a getaway, or a gab fest with friends. These connections always energize me and give me new strength to push toward my goals.jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.com