Pacific Coast Rest-Stop

[deejay]

I like watching thunderstorms, but safety first is my motto. I'm a Weather Channel geek. If there's a program on Weather Channel or PBS about lightning, tornadoes, etc., I'm there. According to both my MBTI and other career tests I've taken, meteorologist would be a fit for me. But I'm too old now, and still have student loans from Bible college.

Lightning bugs/ fireflies are cool. I've seen them when I was younger on our summer trips across the country, and when mom and I were in Pennsylvania. Too bad they don't exist here in California, and they don't survive when they're brought to areas they are not native to.

[Rebecky]

I don't belong anywhere anymore. Not even here.

[lauralnm]

Strange that you should say that, Becky. I've been feeling the same way as of late.

[Shann]

First before I forget, I feel really bad when I was leaving links to interesting stories, I hadn't perused level 2 yet. So here is another good story that I think you all should read and comment on.

http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=43238



And Becky I say this with all of the love I have for you Peanut Butter~!

Now to go on just a bit about that to show I do pay attention sometimes. I believe part of the reason you may feel out of sorts is because of the date. I know this is a hard time for you and my heart aches but you have lots of people to love you through it. 'Nuff said but I'm here if you need me, txt any time. HUGS


Laura, I'm sorry you are having a hard time too. I think lots of us go through those spells when we wonder if the stork dropped us on the wrong planet. I know I often look at the stars and wonder just how far a stork can fly off course. I'm sorry if my being a tad silly seems like I'm not taking your pain seriously, because I do truly know what a horrible feeling that is and I often wonder why I'm here at all. Lately I've been doing okay but I can find myself in a very dark place with just a snap of the fingers and sometimes being goofy helps me stay where God wants and needs me. HUGS


Pup, you're right I really didn't have much of a point but was just confirming it in general. Though last night was freaky and pretty too and at the same time. I was sitting in the bathroom (I won't say where in the bathroom but it was good I was in the bathroom) and watching the storm outside. It was about the normal time I take my in the middle of the night walk with the dogs cuz it's nice and cool and I can walk in my nightgown at 2 am and not offend anyone but because of the storm I was bummed when all of a sudden there was a flash of lightening and it broke off into all these little balls of fire. It kind of looked like fireworks but the sparks were too big. It looked like they were headed right towards me and I screamed. I was hoping maybe Chris had seen it too because I've never seen anything like that before but he was on the other side of the house. He did some reasearch and asked me if it was something called airglow. It was hard to tell from the pictures on the web but I guess people have been seeing them the past few days thinking they might be the Northern Lights but are instead some long spacey-science thing.

[lauralnm]

Shann - I'm usually a very upbeat person and when I saw Becky's comment I jumped on the band wagon. I'm dealing with some health issues right now and I think that is the cause for my being just a tad down. But I got the go-ahead from my doctor today for me to travel so once I get to my destination and feel those grandchildren's arms around me, I'll be happy as a clam. Actually, I appreciate your humor and appreciate that you took the time to cheer me. God bless you!

Becky - I'm sorry you're feeling the way you are. I don't know of what Shann speaks, but I will pray for you that you are able to get over your feelings of despair soon. God bless you!

Pup - don't know much about you other than your crazy little puppy runny along every time I see your name.

Take care all of you. I'll be back soon after I settle in at my first stop - my son's home with two of the most beautiful grandchildren ever!

Love to all of you. You're a great bunch!

[Shann]

Okay not only did I manage to leave a post to Tiara's story who didn't want a link to it, then I discovered I forgot Barb's then while double-checking on Leah's I realized I put the link to mine twice Duh So here is another story for ya all to check out

http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=43270


Becky, I hope things are going better for you darlin' I love ya.

Laura have a wonderful and safe time. Like I used to tell my kids when they went out. Be careful. Behave yourself and Have fun but if you can't manage all three then at least do the first two.

Now as I look at my to do list. I see it's time to nag everyone about entering the Potluck challenge but since I don't even have the whisper of an idea I won't nag too bad.

[lauralnm]

Shann - the deadline is tomorrow so if you're going to enter, you better be doing it NOW! Actually got mine in a couple of days ago. Yes, I've been up since 4:15 doing last-minute packing and it won't be long before I'm on the road. I'm feeling some better so I praise God for that! I'll be on board even though gone as often I don't sleep.

Got the cutest text from my 11 year-old granddaughter last night. She said she was so excited that I was going to get to come see them today that after her mom told her she had a smile on her face for "five" minutes. I thought that was priceless! A smile for a whole "five" minutes. I love her so! blessings to you all... laura

[JesusPuppy]

I don't belong anywhere anymore. Not even here.

WHAT?

Look here Kiddo, you belong among friends who care. Are you saying we don't care? Well, I don't care, so there. You belong here just like me. We are all misfits in a world not our own, waiting to go Home, and here in our little island of misfit toys is just as good a place to wait as any.

Besides, who else is going to pick on me when I make fun of everyone.

Praying for you as I rest, Kiddo.

Pup - don't know much about you other than your crazy little puppy runny along every time I see your name.

I would never say I am normal (mainly because I wont insult myself THAT much), lets just say I am just your average dog that thinks he is a person that pretends to write but isn't any good at it.

The past makes us what we are, and mine has been rather troubled, and now I am retired from that and existing moment to moment in a cozy little world of my own. It's a nice place, though it doesn't have much of a view out the window, the padding on the wall really does help. And no matter what they tell you, tinfoil is VERY useful.

So is duck tape.

Shann It could be a form of Ball Lightning as well. Sometimes the air itself flashes along the electrical current in lighting, causing it to curl in on itself, then ignite again, but in a spinning ball instead of the line or current we normally see in lightning. It is an oddity but it does happen a lot.

Scientist believe that it occurs when the air becomes superheated by the lightning and then constricts the electrical flow, bending it back against itself instead of splitting or "forking" as normal. (This all in a fraction of a second it takes to form the lightning.) It then continues the curve until a ball forms (size varying from a pea to a basket ball) and splits off from the lightning to flow freely, if erratically, through the air until it explode. Though lightning itself only last a few seconds, ball lightning has been seen to last several minutes and break apart in a very colorful, and dangerous display.

Some, myself included, feel it is a totally separate phenomenon, as ball lightning has formed below the cloud cover. AND it can draw more electricity from the air itself without the presence of larger water molecules needed to form normal lightning within the storm cell. More akin to the hot air flashes that happen when no clouds are present.

Anyway, I have seen the same thing before and yes, they can be scary.. and way cool to watch.

[Allison]

Hey all. I'd love prayers for the children's musical at my church this weekend. I posted about it in the prayer request forum. See my second post in that thread.

[Sparrow]

Amy, got your book and it's pretty good!

Thanks! I had someone suggest that I try to market it to school districts to use as curriculum. That would be pretty cool and maybe I could even make back what I earned plus some! I have no idea how to go about doing that, though. I'll have to do some research once things quiet down a little.

I've been crazy busy with the editing and formatting job. Formatting with photos is a challenge with justified font because you have to tweak and re-size and move things around until everything looks just right without the words spread too far apart or anything funky. And then as soon as I get it all set, the author decides she wants me to add in another picture or I realize I forgot one. We're rushing to get it done in time for an August 1st deadline.

As for storms, I'm with DeeJay in that I love to watch them, but not at the expense of my safety. Sounds like Shann has seen some awesome sky shows lately. I'm jealous. Seeing the Northern Lights is definitely on my bucket list. I've seen them in dreams a lot of times, but that doesn't quite count.

Allison, hope the musical goes well!

[violin4jesus]

I feel like I've been AWOL for over a week....

I really enjoyed my trip to Seattle. Here's pics of Kylie and me (love the frowny face in the one pic - that's my aunt Jess who's holding her):




Also I got a great shot of the mountain on the plane trip back:


As soon as I got back I worked three solid nights. Two great deliveries, one overly dramatic patient, and last night I had two easy early labor patients which was a nice break from the intensity of the previous two nights. I'm picking up an extra shift on Saturday. We could use the money, and Ryan's working anyways. I'm glad I have three nights off to recuperate, though. I am still tired even after sleeping all day!

Speaking of tired, I can't even think to share any more. Thanks for posting the linky to my story, Shann. I didn't even throw a brick. I'm not sure I'll get one in for this week. I know I have four hours left but my brain is so tired and my eyes are a bit affected from the computer screens at work; it's been hard enough catching up on Facebook and the boards here. May have to switch to just reading a book for now.

Nighty night! Hope everyone is doing well.

[JesusPuppy]

I am doing great... at least for the next 48 hours. Morning fog seems a bit tooooo thick this morning, even looks like it might rain. Not a good thing for days off, but oh well.

I love that last baby pic, Leah, too good.

[Shann]

CONGRATULATIONS LEAH ON YOUR DELIGHTFUL STORY! Second place for EC! So close, but still a great job! Happy Dance!

[Shann]

I'm glad you had a nice visit Leah. I wasn't sure how long you'd be gone. While the baby pics are adorable, that mountain one is a jaw-dropper. Though you all may be used to scenes like that out in the NW but for me it gives me goosebumps. Also thanks for commenting on my story. I knew it wouldn't do well because this quarter they are looking for more sunshine and roses types of stories. Usually I try to throw away the first few ideas that pop in my head because I figure they won't be super original but this time when I saw the topic In the Kitchen, the first thing I thought of was that male chauvinistic pig saying that all women should be kept barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. I tried to think of other ideas but each time God clearly said No this is the story I need you to write. It's hard for me sometimes to follow God's leading when I know the story won't do well in the winner's ring. I guess I still need to work on reining in my pride and being humble in allowing God the glory to do what needs to be done.

Amy, my local community college has creative writing classes, I wonder if you went to the colleges you work at and speak to the English chair, you might be able to get her to use it for some of the basic creative writing class. I'd call and make an appointment then take in a copy of the book and present the idea to her.

Allison I'm praying for the show and hope you and the kids have a fabulous time and that the Holy Spirit will be at work in the hearts of the audience as well as the performers.

Pup thanks for all of that information. I was torn between screaming (well not really cuz I did scream) and hiding under my bed and wanting to stand in the window mesmerized by the beauty of it. I won't bother to tell you that you are a super special person and that each one of us here as a respect for you which is greater than you can even imagine cuz I know you'll just stick your fingers in your ears and hum the theme song from Green Acres (I wasn't sure if Dr Who had a theme song so I went to the next thing that popped in my head.)

So this week's topic is Savory to taste. Maybe it's just me and it's partly because I try to read every single story each week but these topics are all too similar and I feel like pulling my hair out and yelling not another sweet but sappy story about how food is romantic or Martha and Mary or reminiscing about what a great cook Mom/Grandma/Uncle Tilly is a wonderful cook who puts a heaping helping of love into every dish. Don't get me wrong. There have been some FANTASTIC stories and lots of wonderful messages but I feel a bit like I did with the computer topics--they are all too closely related. I think that may be the reason why there were so few entries this week. It gets hard to think of the same type of stories week after week.

[Rebecky]

that topic doesn't necessarily have to be for food. "Savory to taste" could be a term for something else. Kind of like how we use the terms "bitter sweet".