J is for Junk

This post is part of the annual A to Z Blogging Challenge. For more information on the challenge and its creator, please visit http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com

Before and during our renovation, we had to pack up everything ... and I do mean EVERYTHING! We always knew we had a lot of junk but this confirmed it. Hubby and I are both packrats--or maybe I should say, sentimental rats. I have dishes from my mom's house, depression glass I collected over the years, a collection of bookmarks and post cards, pictures, paperbacks, posters--you name it and we've got it! DVDs, videos, cassette tapes--Oh my! We still have much of our daughter's treasures too. I'm not a fan of the old adage if we haven't used it in a year, get rid of it.  I've tried that, and if I get rid of something I usually need it the following week.

The bad thing
about our renovation is that we lost a lot of our storage space. The wet bar was a great hiding place. It had shelves for the fancy glassware my aunt gave me, and drawers on both sides. In the kitchen, I lost shelving and drawers too. And since the contractor lost our cabinet doors in the laundry room, we can't 'hide' anything there.

I'm always threatening to give up writing and create jewelry.
Can I really get rid of my jewelry making supplies, even though I've never made anything except this necklace. I want to make jewelry--but it's hard.

And what can I do with John Wayne?

During renovation, we gave a lot of our furniture, pots and pans to a young woman whose house burned down. She brought her ten year old son with her to help her load up; as he was looking around our garage, I told him, "We have too much junk, don't we?" And he answered, "Yeah, but it's good junk."

Awwww, my little soul mate. I agree! I like my junk, but I guess the time has come to get serious. We need to determine what's important to us and what can go to Good Will.

My heart is sad as I start this process.

Inheriting John Wayne

It's a kid's world. At least from my perspective these days. I can remember how fun it was to run through my grandmother's pasture chasing butterflies, digging for earthworms or trying to catch crawdads in the creek. By the time I became a teen, time stood still. I couldn't grow up fast enough.

Now, looking back, I'm wondering why such a hurry?

My mother can no longer live in her home. I've been going through her things--trying to decide what gets dumped into a trash bag, what goes to Goodwill and what I should keep (and what my brother keeps). I think brother and I are falling all over ourselves trying NOT to step on each other's toes. We've both inherited the pack rat gene since both parents had it, so I think he feels like I do--no matter who gets what, we always have access to it.

The house above was my grandparents house. My brother bought it years ago and renovated/updated it. Before the renovation, he moved it to the woods. No cable tv--no Internet. Just the sound of coyotes at night, wind whipping through the tall pines ... and bugs. Lots of bugs.

See John Wayne? I bought him for my dad back in the 70s when we both enjoyed a drink or two. John was filled with something ... I can't remember what. He's perched on the empty shelf... waiting to see who will get him. I'm tempted, but I know deep down in my gut, someone else wants him. I'll wait ... wait... wait ... The empty shelves are depressing.

So... now you know why I'm not posting regularly. My head/heart isn't in it, but I'm thinking about you.
And for those of you who truly believe it's a kid's world, and you write for kids, check out these two markets: 

Speeding Star is a new trade imprint from Enslow Publishers, a company known for its educational titles. Speeding Star will focus on stories geared to boys, and the editors are actively seeking submissions. Unagented writers are welcome. Fiction manuscripts should be between 5,000 and 12,000 words, written at a fourth-grade reading level. The editors are especially interested in adventure stories, mysteries, sports stories and fantasy fiction with boy protagonists. Submit the manuscript through their online submission form, found here.

Amazon.com is adding two new imprints for children’s books to its growing list of publishing endeavors. Two Lions will be devoted to children’s picture books through middle grade books, while Skyscape will focus on YA and New Adult titles. Margerey Cuyler heads up Two Lions and Tim Ditlow will oversee Skyscape. Together, the two imprints make up Amazon Children’s Publishing. Query to acp-submit@amazon.com. Attach the complete manuscript for a picture book and the first three chapters for all other works.