Updates on Puppies and Poetry

Puppy!
So, I haven't been blogging too much lately because it's been really crazy around here. Our new puppy, Rory, is adorable...

but he sure gets into a lot of trouble and keeps us on our toes.  The kids each have their own day to take care of him and for the most part they are doing a great job.

He's actually been a very good puppy so far and is learning the household rules quickly. :) (Wouldn't you just do anything for that face?)


Back in School!
I guess I didn't think a new puppy would be enough, so I decided to enroll in some classes from Coursera.org.  I'm taking Modern and Contemporary Poetry; Exploring Beethoven's Piano Sonatas; Plagues, Witches and Wars: The Worlds of Historical Fiction; and Design: Creation of Artifacts in Society.

The poetry class has been tons of fun so far, partly because my husband and I are taking it together and it's opening my brain up to a whole new way of thinking.  It has even inspired me to write some poetry again, which I hadn't done for years.  I might even decide to share a few.  The historical fiction class just started on Wednesday and I'm super excited to learn more about that genre.

They are all a lot of work, but I'm really excited about what I'm learning and I love the platform. Coursera.org is a free educational website that offers actual courses from top universities around the world. As a student, you watch the lectures, do the homework and interact with other students online, and you even get a certificate of completion for each course!  I've done some other open course sites before but this is so much more interactive!  

And I'm still working on revising my Fantasy novel which I think is now going to be called, The Night Years.

I'm crazy busy, but it is all good stuff and I'm having a great time, I'm just exhausted!!  I need about four more hours of the day just for sleep. :)

So, I really am still here just not as often.  I keep saying I'm going to post more, but realistically if I get one in a week I'll be happy for now.  I'm going to try to make the rounds around the blogosphere, but it will be slowly.

Thank you so much to everyone who wrote wonderfully supportive comments on my IWSG post! :)

Hope everyone is having a great October so far!

Kathy :)

IWSG

Well today is the first Wednesday of October already!  I can't believe it.  That means it is time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.

I don't want to be a big downer, but I have felt quite insecure these past few weeks...months.  I don't even really know why, other than it seems like my life just keeps getting crazier and crazier and I hardly have time to sleep let alone sit down to write something decent.

But sometimes I wonder what I bring.  Do I have anything unique to say that hasn't already been said by a million other writers?  I'm not sure. I'd like to use my love of writing for something good, to inspire or help others.  But how?  I feel like I don't know enough.

Yesterday, I was reading a book by Karen Armstrong about Buddha.  It said that every day on his search for enlightenment, he would sit and direct the feeling of love to every corner of the Earth, sowing the seeds of friendship to every single living thing, even his enemies.

I thought that was wonderful.  Maybe sending love and support is enough.  Maybe one comment I make can help someone's day be a little brighter.  And the IWSG is such a great way for all of us to send even just a little love and support all around the globe.  Thanks Alex for creating a platform for us to help each other!

So here is my little bit of love that I'm sending to all of you! (I'm closing my eyes and concentrating so I can get it to each and every one of you!)  I hope your week is full of good thoughts.

Have a great day!!!

Kathy :)