Pictures from The Hike

I thought today, I'd share pictures of the hike I took a couple of weeks ago. It was a couple of miles long and tomorrow I am planning on accompanying my son and his boy scout troop on a 10 mile hike, which might turn out to be more than I can handle, but I'm going to try anyhow.

However, the hike connected to these pictures that I'm sharing today was short and peaceful. I think there's a perception of writers as people who spend a lot of time alone and that's true to a point. We have to actually sit behind a desk or table, our fingers on the keys of a computer and write the stories in our heads. That requires that we spend time alone thinking, planning, and writing. But outside of the"office" when the computer is shut down, most authors tend to have a full social life. This is true for me too, so when I get the chance to be alone or do something like go on a hike where I can have time to notice the colors of trees, the songs of birds or even the sound of my own breathing, I'm thrilled. Suddenly I remember to call people I've wanted to chat with, or a conversation I had suddenly returns and I realize that though I heard what that person said, it didn't penetrate until that second. Or I might simply realize that I need to spend more time exercising so that I'm not so winded the next time.

At the time I went, there weren't many people out on the trails. It was chilly and I actually thought maybe I was too alone as I read the signs warning that rattle snakes and mountain lions have been seen and can appear suddenly. Being the smart girl scout leader that I am, I promised myself that next time I'd bring someone along with me. Having time to think and enjoy nature is great, but being safe is pretty important too.


The nature trails are part of the Wildlands Conservancy in Oak Glen. They are mostly very easy trails and perfect for families with small children. Great picnic spots are available throughout and wonderful benches like the one pictured on the left can be found with views of lakes.

I'm planning a return trip with my girl scout troop.

Tomorrow with the boy scouts is going to be more challenging. Wish me luck!

Julia

Happy Trails

I've had this urge lately to go on a hike. Nothing crazy, but just to walk out in nature. I think there is something restorive about being outside, breathing fresh air (which isn't an easy thing to do in California), and getting away from the normal rhythm of life that has most of us cooped up inside some sort of building.

So instead of going out and finding a place to hike, I surfed the web instead (okay, I was actually looking for easy trails close to home) and found sites like this one that talks about the benefits of hiking. The list wasn't surprising. It improves cardio vascular performance, muscular strength, bone strength, helps you burn calories, etc. But I sort of believe the benefit goes beyond just the physical. Being outside and listening to bird calls or the sound of your feet crunching on leaves and twigs; watching clouds drift across the sky or the sun rise and set; feeling your own heart beating a little harder than it normally does makes us appreciate the beauty of nature and wonder of our amazing planet.

I found a blog of this guy who decided to hike everyday for a year. Supposedly he did it and still maintained his job and family. For me, I think I'll just resolve to go on a hike this weekend. I'm almost positive I'll return to my writing with renewed energy and desire to sit at my desk again, rather than staring out my window at the mountains and wishing I were out there instead.

Happy weekend!

Julia

Interviewed by The Latino Author

Stop by The Latino Author, a great website for writers. This week, I'm thrilled to be their guest author and an interview has been posted.

Have a fantastic week!

Julia

Time off for a writer

The end of my three weeks off comes to an end. Really, my children were the ones that got three weeks off from school. For me it was going to be a time to read and write mostly, but I had a long list of things I would do with them, things I would for myself, and lastly for my home.




Holiday shopping (check)
Put up Christmas decorations (check)
Take down Christmas decorations (check)
Holiday cooking (check)
Take kids to the movies (check)
Take kids swimming in Palm Springs (check)
Take kids to visit friends (check)
Take my daughter rollerblading (check)
Volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific with my daughter (check)
Go on a bike ride with my son (check)
Take the kids to Castle Park Amusement park (check)
Spend time with friends (check)
Read for fun (check)

Then things beging to fall apart
Clean out the garage (sort of check)
Write everyday (yes, but . . . does a sentence or two count?)
Finish my parital to get it to agent (sort of check)
Clean my office (never happens)
Update my website (...)
Organize my girl scout paperwork (...)


Well, the list goes on and it's too depressing to think about all the things I didn't get done. So, I begin my work week which always begins on a Friday for me feeling like I sort of wasted the last few weeks "off", but looking back I realize that for a work-a-holic like me I only feel like I've wasted time, because I didn't get a lot of chores done. And I'm realizing that I don't understand the concept of taking time off. I actually DID accomplish that goal and I had a great time with my kids and friends. And to be honest, I wouldn't trade any of that time for a clean garage or house.

Now, it's back to work. The best part of getting back into my office is being able to focus on my current novel and move it back up to the top of my priority list. I've got new productivity goals and a bit of catching up for all the things I didn't do, but I'm ready to tackle them all.

Hopefully, for me and you, the new year begins not with a list of resolutions, but a continuation of a plan that brings us closer to becoming the people we enjoy being.

Happy New Year to all,

Julia

Have You Read Say You'll Be Mine?

In the spirit of the holidays and gift giving, I thought for today's post, I would say thank you to those of you who purchased and read Say You'll Be Mine. I hope you have or are enjoying it.

As you might have guessed, it's a book that looks at the difficulties and joys of motherhood. I sometimes think back to the days before I became a mother, and though there were many great times and life experiences I'm grateful I had, motherhood brought out a whole new side of me. I'm constantly thinking about what would make my children happy, successful, fulfilled, and what I can do to improve myself to be a better role model.

Moms are not the only ones who feel this intense love for their kids or who grow as a result of parenthood. Nick, the male lead in Say You'll Be Mine isn't based on any one man I know, but rather all ther great fathers I've been lucky to know. My husband, my brother and brother-in-laws are SUCH shining examples of what fathers should be. My kids and nieces and nephews are so lucky.

So Say You'll Be Mine is a nod to all the moms and dads out there raising great kids in our complex world.

Now, for the gift. Since posting images isn't an option on blogger comments, if you have a copy of Say You'll Be Mine, take a picture of yourself reading it and post it somewhere. Facebook. Twitter. Your own blog. Where ever. Then copy the link in the comments below and I will enter you in a drawing to win a $20 B&N or Amazon gift card.

The winner will be chosen on Christmas Day.

Thank you for your support this year!!

Julia

Are You Following the Holiday Blog Tour?

Today, I'll just encourage you to follow all the great stories and blogs of my fellow writers on the Holiday Tour.

Up today is Maria Ferrer. Her terrific site helps to promote Latina/o authors so if you're not familiar with her blog, you're missing out.

"The Latina Book Club's goal is to promote Latino authors and literacy by reading at least one Latino book a month. Thereby broadening our minds and corazones. It's also an attempt to embrace our Hispanic heritage; make new friends; and have something to read on the subway. Join us! Read Latino!

Enjoy!

Julia

A New Beginning

After brainstorming ideas for a Christmas story that would do justice to the 2011 kick-off blog tour, I’ve decided not to write a “story” at all. Instead, I’d like to share with you a real story of a Christmas I will never forget. This was the year that I learned how much I valued being a mother.
I was teaching elementary school at the time and I was fortunate enough to get two weeks off for Christmas and New Year. I was looking forward to the time off to be home with my husband and son whom I had adopted only six months earlier. I wanted our first Christmas as a family to be special. Let me take you back there.





My son’s birthday is in December and we have a huge party for him. There are so many toys in my living room that I can barely walk. Everyone wants to hold and play with him, which is great even if I barely get a chance to be with him that day as I run around making sure everyone is eating, drinking, and having a good time.
At the end of the day, I’m worn out. So is the baby. He falls asleep early and wakes up later that night crying. I figure he’s just been over stimulated and I calm him down. But by morning I begin to suspect he has a little cold.

For the next couple of days I give him medicine and endure his cranky mood, hoping he’ll feel better soon. He seems to get better, then worse. He coughs and gets frustrated when he can’t breathe due to congestion. Then his fever starts.
I decide to take him to the doctor since the over the counter medication isn’t working. He’s given antibiotics and I’m told not to worry about the fever.
“It means the body is fighting the illness,” I’m told. “Continue to give him Advil.” Then I’m encouraged to give him his one-year-old vaccinations, which to me seems like a crazy time when he’s so miserable already, but I figure the doctor knows all and I know nothing, so I agree.

On Christmas Eve as we’re preparing to have company, I hear the baby wake up from his nap screaming at the top of his lungs and crying.

I put down the wrapping paper in my hands and hurry up the stairs where I hear a lot of movement coming from his crib. When I turn on the light, my stomach does a flip when I see the baby having convulsions.

I immediately call my husband who comes running into the room, takes one look, and runs back out to call the paramedics. Then the baby stops moving and I pick him up. I don’t even realize I’m crying until my husband runs back in to wipe my eyes and tell me it’s going to be okay.

But I’m not sure. My son is staring straight ahead at the ceiling. I can tell he’s alive but he’s not reacting. Between sobs I talk to him and try to get him to look at me. But there is no response.

I hear sirens and a few minutes later two paramedics are taking the baby out of my arms. They ask questions about him. I answer, but I can’t remember what they asked or what I said. They advise that we take him to the emergency room and we do.
By now, my son is beginning to come out of wherever he is, but he acts like he’s extremely tired. We wait in a hospital room as nurses walk in and out. A woman from a charity group pauses at the door and offers me a gift for the baby. She tells me that they spend every Christmas Eve passing out gifts to sick children. I take what she gives me, but it makes me cry to think that my son is spending his first Christmas in a hospital.

They run many tests on him. He might have meningitis they tell me. I don’t know what this is, but they ask if they can do a spinal tap to check. I don’t know what this is either, but they explain that they extract some spinal fluid to determine why he had a seizure. It could be a tumor, inflammation, an infection – all possible causes.

“The procedure will take five to ten minutes,” the doctor explains.

They make us sign a form with all the risks. I’m scared to death. After the procedure he has to lay flat on his back and not move. I start to feel nauseous. I’m picturing the worst case scenario and just the thought of a needle being inserted into my perfect little baby’s back fills me with a crazy kind of panic.

When they begin the procedure, I’m supposed to be holding the baby on his side.
“What if you do something wrong and he’s paralyzed for life?” I ask.

They reassure me that it can’t happen. My husband and I hold my son and I close my eyes for a second, then focus on his tired face noticing that he seems to have little reaction to a needle being inserted between his vertebrae.

Afterward, he has to lie on his back for thirty minutes. I sit beside him and rub his chest and talk to him. Eventually he falls asleep and the nurse tells my husband and me that they will keep him overnight, but that we’re welcome to go home and come back in the morning.

“I’m not leaving,” I say.

“You’re welcome to stay,” she says and leaves.

My husband tries to convince me to go home.

“You go.” I remember that we were supposed to have company over for Christmas Eve. “You need to call everyone and let them know--.”

“Your mom already did all that.”

I nod. My husband kisses the top of my head and tells me he’s going to go home and pick up the diaper bag, a change of clothes and he’ll be back in a few hours.

I spend the night staring at my baby, watching him sleep. I can’t remember all the thoughts I had that night, but I do remember thinking of Margaret, our social worker and her words to me when I first got a picture of my son. “This is the child God wanted you to have.” At the time, I felt it was over dramatic and I smiled, because she was being kind and I thought it was her job to say things adoptive parents wanted to hear. But I no longer think it was a crazy thing to say. I believe her.

That night, as the two of us spent the night together, he sleeping and me watching him, I knew he was my child and I knew I was meant to be his mother. I’d worked hard to become a teacher, but being a teacher no longer mattered. Being a best-selling author someday was irrelevant. Anything I might have thought was important in the past, paled in comparison to this little baby that needed me and that I loved. He was the only one in the world I wanted to spend Christmas Eve with, and when he opened his eyes on Christmas morning, looking normal and healthy and called me mommy, I knew I’d been given the best gift ever.

Thank you for making the first stop on the tour. Please leave your comments below to be entered into a drawing to win your choice of EVENINGS AT THE ARGENTINE CLUB or SAY YOU'LL BE MINE.

The tour contines on December 3rd at Radames Ortiz

blog

See you there!

Julia