Running:
I had a nice walk on my treadmill this morning--reading the whole time. I'm so thankful I can read and enter a different world than the one directly in front of my eyes (in this case a beige wall with a giant computer monitor not hooked up to anything so it can't provide a picture or sound...).
Writing:
I found myself in a writing class with a woman I'd heard speak. She'd had me laughing and crying! When we were asked to split up and form groups for a major assignment, I bee-lined it over to her. I was all about earning an A, and with her talents, this would be easy. I quickly learned she could speak and entertain, but her writing skills were floating among the debris of an F or D- grade cesspool. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but the truth was, I knew I had to carry a heavy load as I helped her during our project. Soon the other group members wanted to boot her out, but it was too late. We were stuck. So, if you're a writer, or dream of being one, listen up: Writing Tip: if you can tell a story, but can't write one, use one of the tips I tried with her: 1.) record the story verbally and then write it down. 2.) Tell it to someone else and have them write it. 3.) Rely on someone else to drag you through it, all the while throwing micro-tantrums until the end and you earn an A. Okay, spare everyone and don't do #3. Just get down to work and go back to the basics from way back in grade school! 
Secrets at Midnight
Leona Palmer Haag
Chapter 24
Weed-infested roads wound through the mountains, and their
edges disappeared into dense forest. Matt studied directions he'd scribbled on
the back of a tire brochure, then at connecting roads. He angled the brochure,
but the lines still made no sense. Jenn’s stare burned through him, but he
refused to check which emotion on her face was currently winning—fury or worry.
He made a decision without her input and inched the vehicle forward. The new
path angled sharply uphill, circling the hillside before dropping into a
ravine. The Jeep leaned precariously.
“Are you trying to get us killed?” Jenn gasped.
He grunted and fought to keep the Jeep upright. After many
bone-jarring minutes they reached a smooth trail, but too soon they bounced
through deep ruts, scraping shiny paint off on overhanging branches. As evening
approached they broke into a wide meadow. Forest greeted them on the other side
that went on and on without interruption. Finally the pines petered out and
before them in a clearing a rustic cabin stood at the far side.
Stillness engulfed them when Matt shut off the engine near
the porch. He unwrapped his knuckles from the steering wheel and climbed out.
Pine scented the air. For the first time in days, life felt safe. “Coming?” he
asked turning back and stooping over to peer at Jenn huddled in her seat with
both hands clamped on the shoulder strap of her seat belt.
“No,” she muttered.
He swung the back door open. “Hey, Katie bug, it’s up
to you and me to find the key.” He unbuckling Katie and hefted the toddler onto
his shoulders and started off, following his friend’s directions to a rock that
concealed the key. He found it and waved to Jenn. “We’re in.”
She turned her head away and refused to follow exit the Jeep.
With Katie tugging on his ears, Matt entered the cabin. His
eyes adjusted to the dim light and a grin spread across his face. He’d
discovered Jenn’s dream cottage. Returning to the Jeep he said, “It’s perfect.
Come on in.”
Jenn slowly followed and peered over the threshold. “This is
a pig sty!”
“Then you'll have plenty to do tomorrow.”
Words couldn’t have expressed her reply more eloquently than
her quick pirouette and retreating stomps.
With a pint-sized passenger riding on his shoulder, Matt
opened the heavy curtains guarding the front windows. Evening light exposed
grime. The back window curtains showered dust before revealing a sliding glass
door, and beyond the deck, an incredible view into a steep ravine. He softly
whistled. “Gotta love it.”
“Lub it,” Katie mimicked.
Matt explored, poking inside closets until he uncovered a
lantern without fuel. Katie yanked out a jump rope and he set her down to play
with it.
“She’s getting dirty,” Jenn said. He jerked his head up and
bumped it on a sagging shelf. Jenn snatched Katie up and brushed her off. She
stuck her nose in the air and left. The cabin shuddering when the door slammed
behind them.
Matt resumed digging through piles of junk. He found a
flashlight with dying batteries, a rusty generator and a fuel can. After
priming, the generator sputtered to life. He shut it off and silence returned.
He walked to the front porch and leaned against the railing and studied Jenn in
the Jeep—an unhappy sight. He returned to the cabin and beat dust from the sofa
only to watch it settle again. He turned faucets, hearing rust grind in pipes. No
matter what he did, he couldn’t create a situation she’d accept. Returning to
the Jeep he tapped her window.
Jenn jumped. “Thanks for the heart attack,” she called
through the glass.
“Hungry?”
She shook her head and turned her back to him.
“Come see the rest of the palace,” he called. “We’re staying
for several days.”
Jenn followed, but took no more than ten steps inside before
returning to the Jeep hauling a personal funnel cloud behind her. Too hungry to
argue, Matt trailed behind and grabbed the cooler. “Maddy! Maddy!” Katie
begged, holding out dimpled arms and pleading to escape the confines of the
Jeep. He’d gladly take her, but Jenn planted a barrier between them—her frown.
“Supper will be ready in a few minutes,” he said. In the
cabin’s kitchen he fixed sandwiches and waited. No dinner guests arrived. He
ate in silence and waited some more. Finally he carried the unclaimed food out,
finding Jenn in a sweater and extra clothes layered on Katie. “If you come in
I'll light a fire,” he bribed.
“We’re. Fine.”
“You don’t need to be obstinate.”
She mimed: I’ll be anything I want to be!
Deciding there wasn’t any reason they couldn’t spend the
night in the Jeep—except dropping temperatures and bears—he returned to the
cabin and shut the door.
End Chapter 24
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