Walking on Water

These people are almost walking on the water. Actually they're gliding on large surfboards and propelling themselves with a long paddle.
SUP (Stand Up Paddle) is the latest craze around here. And everywhere. The sport is an ancient form of surfing and has a Hawaiian heritage. Mozart just finished working on a film about the sport written and produced by Mike Waltze. Click on the move title: "That First Glide" and check out the first few seconds of this trailer. It's amazing how surfers can maneuver the board with the long paddle on large waves. Here is the movie's website for additonal info.

What's fun about the sport, is you don't have to be an expert to have fun.
It's just you and the deep blue sea.
And maybe a friend or two.
Back on the beach, things are a little crazy with the usual noise and oddities.

Like this house.


But it makes a fine view.
And here are the skim board boys. The other latest craze. I wish I had captured a picture of these guys skimming into the shorebreak and doing turns on the crest of the curl.

Later, Mozart and I went to a quieter spot. I was looking forward to some tidepool walking, but it was high tide.

It was nice to see Mozart sitting on a rock, rather than in his black swivel chair in front of the mixing console.
We needed a little time together. (Mozart took about 6 pictures of me, but I'll spare you.) I loved this rock, because it reminded me about how God keeps us safe in the "cleft of the rock".


Whether you're in the cleft of the rock, or sitting on a rock...it's a nice place to be.

Writers Critique Group

I was so nervous and excited the first time I attended a Writer's Critique Group. I didn't know anyone. It was pouring rain when I parked my car at the bottom of the hill. I stared at the big iron gates, joggled my umbrella into position and almost dropped my briefcase. Some driveway! It looked more like a road and it wound up through the oak trees, curved to the left and disappeared. As I rounded the last curve, a big white mansion loomed before me. Was this my destiny? The place that would make or break me as a writer?

To make a long story short——I "auditioned" my story and was accepted with open arms. I do think this group would have accepted me with open arms even if they didn't like my story. That's just how they are. I've been in the group for about 10 years now. Writer's have come and gone, but a large core group remains. They have become wonderful friends.

One of our members is singer/songwriter Mary Rice Hopkins, and every so often, when she is not on tour, or on TV or running around in 10 directions, she invites us over. Last Friday was one of those special times. And here are some pictures.









For those of you with young children or grandkids, check out Mary's show every Saturday morning on TBN. It's called "Puppets with a Heart". They've just filmed some brand new episodes.

Saturday Mornings
8:30 a.m. PST
9:30 a.m. MT
10:30 a.m. CT
11:30 a.m. EST

Kids learn invaluable life-lessons, and I'll tell you--it's helpful for adults too! Mary has covered a lot of sensitive issues that kids deal with.

Back to the Writers Critique Group. After Mary showed us her latest tune, we got down to business and critiqued the conclusion of Joyce's book, which is due at the publisher in 7 days! She has written a book for parents with autistic children, giving them hands-on tools and methods to guide, teach, love, and help their child blossom. We critiqued a story by Susan that she is submitting to Chicken Soup for their new upcoming book "Finding My Faith". And we found ourselves relaxing over Linda's manuscript for her "Tea" book. We learned how to calm our busy minds, and take some time to relax, and to enjoy the presence of our Creator.

I had to leave early, so I don't know what happened after that. I'm still trying to find out!