22. December 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

I hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday Season wherever you live and however you celebrate. I’m pleased to live in America where I’m free to observe the holidays as I choose. Thank goodness, governments or other ruling bodies cannot control what we feel in our heart; although with all our mind-blowing innovative technology, that, too, may someday happen. But today we will fill our minds and hearts with happy thoughts, love for our fellow man, and generosity for those who are needy in body or spirit.

A New Year is fast approaching and making resolutions appears to be a universal activity we indulge in as we lift our glasses to one another. Some might say I march to a different drummer, because I don’t make resolutions - at least I don’t write them down - perhaps because I usually fail to follow through. I’m human, after all, and life seems to dictate what I do, don’t, or can’t accomplish. I’m flexible that way.  I just daily do my best. Why did it take me so long to arrive at this point? Life got in my way (if you don’t believe it, read my memoir, “Life Interrupted”.

Perhaps it would be more productive to look back at what we’ve accomplished during the previous year? At least the past was real. The future is only a myth. If you’ve moved your family to a safer neighborhood, gotten that college degree, found that substitute job in this unsettled economy, or succeeded in growing a bumper crop of green beans or Brussel sprouts, you can feel good about yourself. So make that list of past accomplishments.

Personally, I’m glad to have survived another year. I’ve cultivated new friends and been able to keep the tried and true ones. The most meaningful gift we can give others is our friendship - and a helping hand.

I hope the New Year will be kind, but if it has other plans for me, I’ll work my way through those plans the best I can. Optimism is the key word - but optimism must be accompanied by action. Idle hands are definitely the Devil’s workshop. Let’s click the “off” button of negativity, open our minds and hearts to those sometimes hidden gems of possibility. Let’s humble ourselves and be open and ready to accept what the universe offers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you, my faithful followers, and thank you for giving me the gift of your time by reading my books. I hope it was time well spent. The worst thing a writer can do is waste a reader’s time. I RESOLVE to do my utmost never to do that.    Marie

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5. December 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Thank you for visiting me at this busy time. Hopefully you are reading my blogs and availing yourselves of my books - for yourself as well as giftgiving. My earlier novels (see website) as well as my memoir are now available as e-books and at a very reasonable price. All are free of explicit sex or unsavory language and thereby suitable for anyone on you list who like to read. LOL.

HOW WILL YOU HANDLE THE HOLIDAY STRESS? In a relaxed and happy manner, or will you run up tremendous debt to disturb your sleep all next year? Will doing so make you feel more acceptable and loving to family and friends? I would suggest you pause a moment and access your present situation. If money is no object then you are one of the lucky ones (perhaps more hard work than luck). Regardless, giving of your time is the best gift, and more meaningful than another gadget, another sweater, or even a precious gem (unless it is an engagement ring). They may not remember the perfectly wrapped box or even its contents but they will remember HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

This year, in particular, give your full attention to those about you. They may need a willing ear to hear and share in their concerns. Put aside the ego and help others cope with the Season with an extra tight hug, a friendly smile, and an “I love you” or “I understand”. That cranky old uncle you’ve been avoiding may have more to offer than you think. Throw him off guard by getting to know him better. Show him you care even if he is an old “poop”. You may turn his frown into a smile and, although he may never admit it, he’ll not forget how you made him feel.

I know you want the best for friends and family; just you and your presence IS the BEST. You’re irreplaceable even if you aren’t beautifully wrapped or wear a tropical shirt with pink flowers instead of a tuxedo. Real happiness comes from focusing on others and how you make them feel. Try it; your smiles may last all year through.

BEST OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON - AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL.

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21. November 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Have you ever tried to create a story out of a specific list of words? We call this “fun” writing. Try these: tablecloth, pumpkin, pilgrims, Mayflower, turkey, cranberries, and succotash. Thanksgiving is nearly here and I thought you might get a chuckle out of my attempt at “fictional” humor. Just don’t think of my musings while eating your Thanksgiving dinner.

“The large trestle table was draped in Grandma’s heirloom lace tablecloth. The centerpiece held a grotesque, midlife crisis-shaped pumpkin flanked by two cheap porcelain pilgrims looking as if they had just straggled from the Mayflower and crawled to the rock of Plymouth. When the feast was laid out before my greedy family this Thanksgiving, lack of patiences would not be a problem for me. You see, I knew the biography of that big turkey.

Mom wasn’t aware that I was playing in the garage when she came out and opened the door of the old extra refrigerator. She reached in and maneuvered that turkey into both arms, turned and kicked the door shut with her foot. I barely stifled an audible gasp when suddenly that big bird slipped right out of her hands and landed breast down in that stinking kitty litter box. She looked around and, not seeing me behind Dad’s workbench, quickly picked up Old Tom and headed for the kitchen.

I knew in that moment I would never again feel the same about my mother’s cooking. Even the mincemeat pie on the sideboard had been made fatter by the addition of a box of moldy raisins she found all the way in the back of the cupboard. I know; I saw her rinse off the mold. She also didn’t know I was paying attention when she searched for something red to increase the quantity of the cranberry salad after Aunt Ida called to say she and my uncle were also coming for dinner. My eyes widened in horror when she took that handful of red peppers, chopped them to the correct size, and added them to the cranberries.

When my large family held hands to say the Thanksgiving Blessing, my prayer was that God would remove the memory of that litter box so I could, at least, enjoy the succotash.”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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17. June 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Happy Father’s Day and A Lifetime of Happiness to all Brides and Grooms.

I have just returned from my 1,000 mile solo auto trip to Ohio for a luncheon and book-signing as well as to visit relatives and friends. As an artist, I love to travel by auto to better enjoy the varied landscapes. The North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia mountains did not disappoint. An Andrew Lloyd Weber CD and the magnificent voice of Michael Crawford singing “Love changes Things”, “That’s All I Ask of You”, and “Memories”, combined with the awe-inspiring scenery, tingled my nerve-endings and brought moisture to my eyes. Why do we travel abroad when there is so much beauty in our own country?

Held in a rustic winery, the luncheon was most enjoyable and my talk well received. Books were sold and autographed and some readers brought previously purchased books for signing. Remembered names were matched to time-altered faces, and new friendships were born. After spending precious time with relatives, I returned home with renewed spirit and enthusiasm for what I do. Where would writers be without readers? In order to refill our well, we need reassurance occasionally that our words are bringing pleasure, and hopefully making a difference in the lives of others.

With that being said, I wish to thank all those who attend book-signings to cheer us on our often lonely journey. Book publishing is changing rapidly, and whether we like the feel of a book in our hands, or enjoy the convenience of e-books, we must support writers to keep literature alive and available to everyone. Books have probably brought more pleasure to the masses than any other creative endeavor. We need each other.

I returned home from Savannah on the last leg of the trip to flattened landscapes, tropical flora and welcome ocean breezes, renewed in body and mind, and anxious to begin a new project. But first, I needed to respond to 200-plus e-mails and numerous phone messages, all of which I tackled with good cheer and thankfulness to my fans. 

Again, I thank all of you who have visited my website and for recommending my blog content to others. Write me any time and I will respond as quickly as possible.

Don’t forget to LOVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART. 

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22. March 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

April is fast approaching and, like most busy people, I wonder what happened to March - until I look at my calendar. It has been a busy time, tying up the loose ends to my memoir publication, and fulfilling other obligations. I’m now told it has gone “live”, meaning it is available for purchase by AuthorHouse.com. It will be in the hands of other book sellers and on the internet shortly. As was true of my three novels, I’m feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension about its release. We always think we fall short of our goal, and fret about how it will be received by the public.

This post is supposed to be about LOVE, however. Of course, there are so many different kinds of love - love of others, love of reading, painting, teaching, selling, and a myriad of other activities. Love is a difficult word to pen down the meaning.

I received an e-mail forward today listing some answers by children when asked “What does love mean?” Their answers are so much more to the point than ones we adults come up with - we tend to try too hard for an explanation instead of saying what is in our heart.

One answer I particularly liked was by six year old Tommy: “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” There is something to be said for hanging in there and allowing a love to grow stronger.

Another was by Elaine, age five: “Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” Elaine is going to grow up to be an unselfish woman, and isn’t she lucky to have such parents?

A four year old whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the boy went into the man’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”  Often silence is golden, as in this case. Perhaps we should talk less, listen more, and just be available to help our friends cry. 

And now a description of romantic love by Karen, age seven: “When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” What an image. I wouldn’t be surprised if Karen becomes a writer of romance novels.

I hope you’ve all found a love that puts stars in your eyes and joy in your heart. If you’re still waiting, don’t lose hope; cupid is extremely clever.

Unsure about the definition of true love? Read my novels and let me know if they helped.

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21. February 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Do you take your friendships seriously, cherishing the part they play in your life? Have you thought how you’d feel if some strangers voice answered your eventual call?

I waited, carelessly, and this week, I lost a friend of many years. The news was shocking and I realized I wasn’t ready to let her go. A year or more had gone by since we’d seen each other. She lived a thousand miles away, but was that an excuse for the lack of contact?

Our last meeting was in my home town. I had moved away and she had stayed. We met for lunch and immediately the years disappeared as we quickly picked up where we had left off. The wonderful feeling of connectedness sprang up from the basement where it had been placed for safe keeping. We talked, laughed, reminded each other of the many moments of craziness in our past, talked of our spouses and how lucky we were to have found them, and how neither of us felt whole after having lost them. My friend and I lost track of time and only after many cups of coffee, and the waiters preparing for the early bird diners did we reluctantly look at our watches. The years had fallen away and we had once again been young adults dealing with infatuations, jobs, bosses, and the peculiarities of those with whom we had daily contact. It was good to look back and laugh at life’s absurdities, so important at the time, but now seeming so trivial. Our adult lives had taken different paths but memories of those years had traveled the same highway, hand in hand.

During our luncheon, my friend informed me that when she died she wanted a New Orleans Jazz funeral with a band playing the song, When the Saints Go Marching In. Her daughter informed me by phone that her wishes would be carried out on Tuesday. I won’t be there when she is laid to rest, but I will think of her and perhaps play an Al Hirt or Pete Fountain CD in her honor.  I will also have a box of tissues handy.

Friends, new and old, are crucial to a life of happiness and fulfillment. Our friends are not always perfect, but neither are we, but we love and support each other anyway. One has to reach out the hand of friendship in order to establish close and lasting relationships. Others may be too shy or intimidated by the persona we put forth to make the first move. We must take the high road and offer that first smile, or lend an ear to their concerns. It could be the beginning of a lifelong association, if we’re lucky, that will bring smiles when the wiles of youth become a thing of our past.

Contact your friends often; they may be your most valuable asset and your best recipe for happiness. Don’t put it off, like I did; there may not be another chance to hear that voice or share another precious moment as you travel down memory lane. Nurture the friendships you now have and invite new ones into your fold. They need you as much as you need them.

Until next time, here’s to friendships without regrets.

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1. February 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Ah! February, a time when our fancies turn to thoughts of Love. Let’s make a promise to each other, wherever we are in cyberspace, to allow ourselves to love each other this February. Surely we can do this for one month. We may find it brings such happiness, we’ll continue throughout the year.

 Kahlil Gibran said LOVE “is to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s estasy; to return home at eventide with gratitude; and then sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.” Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it?

 There are too many interpretations of the word to list here; it’s quicker to list what love isn’t: hate, disgust, comtempt, repulsion, loathe, detest. At the highest level, love is a synonym of God. If we can erase these negative words from our vocabulary, as well as our psyche, then we are capable of great love. Whether romantic love, familial love, love of nature, love of friends, etc., we are blessed to be able to have these feelings. Not only will we live longer (hate is much more draining than love) but our lives will be filled with joy regardless of our situations. Love may not move mountains but it can help us climb the highest peaks and return safely to a valley of contentment.

Plan ahead for this Valentine’s Day instead of rushing by a flower stand at the last moment, or picking up a box of chocolates from the drug store on your way home.  Those of you fortunate enough to have a significant other, think of what attracted you in the first place. Put aside the petty grievances and think of him/her with tenderness and respect - even if they are less than perfect. An unexpected kiss on the cheek or a simple “I understand” can sometimes level that mountain of hurt or disillusionment. If something happens to either of you, it will be the small, kind and loving things you will remember most.

I think you will all agree that most of the turmoil, unrest, fighting and destruction in the world is due to hate and dislike for others who have different passions than our own. This is often also true in disfunctional families; a lack of consideration for the feelings of others, a lack of respect for our differences and opinions, a disrespect for authority, or a need to feel superior and always right. 

“I love you” are powerful words - to give or receive. However, they are just words unless they are backed up by action. Allow yourself to show those around you that you love them, do it with kindness and sincerity, and it will be returned beyond your wildest dream.

 If you haven’t already done so, read my books; they’re all about LOVE.

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3. January 2011 by Marie Pinschmidt.

I’m starting this new year with a promise to all you faithful readers, and particularly those of you have expressed your appreciation for my input, to post more frequently and attempt to offer information or comments that you will find useful. (If you have questions or comments, please believe they are appreciated and needed to keep this site ongoing.)

 My desire for the new year is to strive to put all negative thinking of 2010 where it belongs - in the past. Our endeavors are not always successful and when they fail to meet our expectations we must either work harder or put them aside for a time and persue other activities. Often when a project or a personal dilemma is stalled, putting it aside for another time, often brings about a better result. Like a casserole, when the ingredients are allowed time to blend with each other, the flavors are more delicious than when tossed together in a mish-mash manner.  

Those of you who are frustrated with your lack of accomplishment when facing a new year, be kind to yourself and “plant a new crop” for the next season. The most important thing, and a promise you might make for yourself, is to maintain an enthusiastic attitude even when you don’t feel like it. Taking even one small step toward your goal will lift your spirits and give you hope. If you are trying to write a book or paint a picture, or any other endeavor, don’t concentrate entirely on the finished project; it’s too daunting. Instead, break it down into segment and finish that one part before approaching the next one. Before you know it, your project will be finished.  If you have an unfulfilled dream or desire, take one step toward that goal. Nothing in life is accomplished by just thinking about it; action is the key. Most of the truly great things that happen to us are unexpected. Allow yourself to be open to possibilities and also to an occasional failure.  Try it - you might like it!

Some times you have to climb out to the end of the limb to reach the best fruit. I’ve had mixed emotions about whether or not to publish my upcoming memoir, Life Interrupted. Like most other writers, I’ve struggled with self-doubt, fear of how it will be received, etc. However, my desire to help others cope out-maneuvered my negative feelings. It may be a success, or it may be a disappointment, but that’s the chance we all take when we offer up bits and pieces of ourselves to the public at large.

 Let’s all hope that the new year will be more hopeful and rewarding for everyone. We are not helpless to change things in our own small corner of the world. It is possible to reinvent ourselves, if we live up to our capabilities and not allow self-doubt and inertia to dictate our future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, come back to see me often, and leave a comment about yourself.

Marie

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25. November 2010 by Marie Pinschmidt.

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I’ll be having dinner with friends this evening on beautiful Singer Island here in Florida. The sun is shining and the temperature in low 80’s, quite unlike the November weather I experienced growing up in Ohio. Whether we are celebrating in a foot of snow or under a palm tree, we must make certain we understand what the day is all about. Those with abundant food, I hope will share with those less fortunate, those who are thankful for a banana or a peanut butter sandwich. 

I’m thankful for living in America. (I have a friend in Baghdad who is fearful every time her children step into the street to play, or go to school where teachers are sometimes tortured in front of the children to “teach” them a lesson. Of course, our country is far from the ideal but, in comparison with much of the world, we must feel grateful.

I’m thankful I can still put two sentences together and can splash paint on a canvas and see a work of art (good or bad) appear. I’m grateful for every person who makes me smile, and for the little things that make my life easier and less stressful.

But this greeting is not about me, except to express my thankfulness to all of you who have commented on my blogs, read one of my books, or just took the time to explore the site. For that, I thank you.

One last thought: I hope on this Thanksgiving Day, we contemplate not only what we are thankful for, especially the necessities of life, but to whom we are thankful, and not neglect expressing our love and our gratitude.

Until next time, thanks for being you, and know that you are special.

Marie

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7. September 2010 by Marie Pinschmidt.

 Hello everyone. I trust your summer has been pleasant; that you’ve participated in the making of new memories and found new places to explore. On the other hand, if spending a quiet summer at home, tending the garden, neighborhood barbecues, etc. are your cup of tea I hope you are restored physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I’ve spent my summer months (it’s always summer-like in southeastern Florida) catching up on home improvements, enjoying the companionship of good friends, and trying to avoid the temptation to publish a memoir of my life with a very special man. The weather has been cooler here than up north, but I may be seduced to make a road trip to Ohio in October to visit relatives while drinking in the colorful autumn foliage. I only hope a threatening hurricane will not dictate the time of my departure.

I’ve completed a three-quarter oil portrait commission this summer and also written the first chapter of a new novel - a totally different type of story from my other three novels. This one will require considerable research and, frankly, I’m not sure I can muster up the audacity to attempt the project. However, I’ve learned that when the time is right, I’ll sit down and put fingers to the keyboard with serious intent. The publishing industry is not particularly encouraging to writers in spite of astounding new technology for dispersal of the written word. Can you imagine a world with traditional books?

Soon, my snowbird neighbors will be returning to their winter homes. They will arrive one by one or ten by ten, hurricane shutters will open to mild tropical breezes and patio doors will swing wide. Sweaters and long pants will be exchanged for golf and tennis shorts and sun screen will disappear from drug store shelves. Traffic will increase and lines will be longer at restaurants and grocery checkout counters. Unlike many natives, I look forward to their return as some have become close friends. The neighborhood has been a bit too lonely without them.

I pray the world situation will improve, more of our men and women will return from foreign battlefields, and all hearts filled with worry and uncertainty will find an end to their struggles. My wish is that all of you will experience a sense of thanksgiving for every blessings in a world of unrest.

I would love to hear of any special experiences you’ve had this summer.

Until next time, Marie

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