Category: Betty Thomason Owens

Brer Rabbit’s Return

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, humor4 Comments

20150615_072319El Conejo has returned! AKA Brer Rabbit or maybe it’s Sis Rabbit. Whatever, this hare is a grownup. Big and hungry.

I’ve already started the battle in my flowerbed. I’ve sprinkled “stinky stuff” around my lily.

My neighbor has a whole flowerbed filled with lilies and this critter never touches them. I have ONE itty-bitty lily and that rotund Leporidae (scientific name for Bugs Bunny) eats it to the ground! I call that prejudice, my friend.

When it’s not noshing on my flowers, the thing is sunbathing. Preening it’s paws and spindly ears and looking oh-so-cute (according to my wildlife-loving neighbor). With two barking dogs and a chain-link fence, she isn’t concerned about her zinnias and marigolds.

Ever heard a rabbit laugh? I’m certain I have. The thing actually chuckles at my elaborate attempts to deter its overactive appetite. Once again, I’ll be finding plants rabbits don’t like. The good news is, many of the plants I bought last year came back on their own. The dusty miller looks great. The purple stuff is up and spreading. It’s some kind of cane, but I’ve forgotten what it’s called. 🙂

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What I did last year. Rabbit didn’t like these.

I’ve got St. John’s Wort and Coral Bells. Last year, brilliant coleus replaced blooms. I really didn’t miss the zinnias and the marigolds. So look out, Bugs, you’re gonna have to find a new breakfast cafe!

Have you had to deal with pets in your garden? What’s your answer? I’d love to hear from you!

Rabbit-2016 Meme

Springtime and Ordinary Days

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens1 Comment

It’s raining as I write this, washing away the green dust that coats every outdoor surface. I call it “oak dust.” It makes me sneeze. Makes my eyes water.

0417121830I’m happy for the rain. My flower garden was a bit too dry, and I’ve a bumper crop of iris blooms. Gerbera daisies, red geraniums, roses, and sage are open for business. I love this time of year.

This is Derby week where I live. Many of my friends already bought their hats. I don’t go to the Derby–I watch  it on television. I love to see the horses run, and oh, those hats! If you’re anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky on Derby Day, you’re bound to see women decked out in colorful hats, on their way to Churchill Downs.

For my husband, Derby Day means golf. For me it means I can plant annuals without fear of frost killing them. Both of us have our priorities well in place.

TakeoffAs the excitement of spring fades into ordinary days, I turn my attention to summer. Instead of our usual vacation this year, we’ve opted to spend our time serving others on a mission trip. I’m writing this post just a few days after the devastating quake that hit the coastal region of Ecuador. We may see some of the damage as we leave Guayaquil, but our travel plans will send us into the Andes mountains, to Cuenca, Ecuador.

For a writer, every new scene in life is an opportunity to tell a story. I assure you, my eyes will be wide open, and my imagination will be well engaged. I hope the beautiful sights and sounds of Ecuador will inspire a story or two. The long journey may provide plenty of time for contemplation. If I’m awake. In which case, my eyes will not be wide open.

hiking-1220297_1280I have several friends who are full-time in the mission work of Ecuador. Some of them trek into the Amazon region, carrying gifts from the outside world, along with the message of the gospel. Yes, this is the region where several missionaries were killed in the last century.

One thing these men and women share is a call. They’ve turned their backs on the world and its desires to fulfill the call on their heart. A purpose they believe is God-given.

There’s nothing ordinary about that.

Have you ever experienced what you believe is a call from God to leave your home and family and go to another place? If so, did you heed the call?

Whether or not you accepted that call, I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page. If you’d like to help with the mission efforts in the Amazon region, check out the links below.

10425158_10205772526809279_9049688175581175135_nUnsion Foundation, a Christian World-View television network is actively “Engaging the culture with the gospel.”
http://www.lacworldmissions.org/home
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lacworldmissions
Ecuador Hope House
Joil & Leah Marbut, Jungle Missionary

Sobre Cuenca (about Cuenca): http://www.ecuadorexplorer.com/html/cuenca.html

Owens to Ecuador Facebook Page

Healing Laughter

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens4 Comments

Isa laughing“Don’t laugh!”

“Don’t you dare laugh!”

My husband used to say this to our sons when they were pouting or crying over something. It never failed to bring a smile to their faces. Within moments, they were laughing.

Laughter heals. It’s a proven fact. When’s the last time you really laughed? Laughed till you cried? It feels really, really good. And a night out with friends who can bring on that kind of laughter is strengthening. A vital element in the healing process.

What if you don’t have friends like those?

  • Watch a funny movie or television show.
  • Find a comedian you enjoy. (There are videos on YouTube featuring your favorite comedian/comedienne.)
  • Spend time with a favorite pet.
  • Hang out with kids.
  • Visit a library’s (or bookstore’s) humor section.
  • Go bowling with friends (Miniature golf, swimming, etc.)

I don’t have pets, but I love to watch those funny videos on Facebook. Facebook provides lots of opportunities for laughter as well.

Laughter is infectious. Laughter triggers positive health changes in your body, like strengthening your immunity, releasing stress, boosting energy. Who doesn’t want that? Remember endorphins? Naturally produced chemicals that make you feel great–yes, I could use a healthy dose of those.

dog-1033155_1280Learn to laugh at yourself. Lighten up! Let go and enjoy yourself. You can totally turn a situation around if you’re willing to laugh when you do something dumb. So you made a mistake. Is it worth getting upset over? Losing your cool, stressing out? I’ve chuckled over my stupidity many times.

I had a favorite aunt who had that down to a science. She was one of the happiest women I’ve known, though she’d seen plenty of trouble in her life. I think of her when things happen. How would Aunt Jen handle this? She’d laugh and make up some funny saying about it. She’d tell the story of what she’d done and make others laugh. One thing she never had a shortage of–friends.

kitten-1040950_1280

Sometimes you have to purposefully inject humor into your life. Set aside time to watch a funny video or movie. Call a friend who always makes you laugh. If it’s difficult for you, start small. Install a humorous screensaver on your computer and/or phone.

Remember to smile, because smiling is also contagious. Yes, others may wonder if you’re nuts, but they’ll probably still smile back.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 NIV

 

Pray for Ecuador

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens

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  • This morning the news is filled with pictures of people coming together to help their fellow man and rise from the ashes of this disaster together. Please keep Ecuador in your prayers. Relief efforts are just beginning. #prayersforecuador #godisbigger

 

–From the Instagram post of one of my friends in Ecuador. The news is devastating, as the death count rises, videos reveal the massive damage to the beautiful coastal villages of Ecuador.

Please pray for the people of Ecuador.

Ecuador Isaiah 49

AmWriting AmReading

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, Writing4 Comments

pc-1207686_1280When I’m not writing, I’m reading about writing, or doing research for writing. One thing I’ve learned so far, writers never stop learning. If you stop studying and researching, your writing can become stale and boring. Like old crackers.

Part of the growth process for a writer is reading fresh, new fiction. I’ve done a little of that in the past couple of months by helping to judge writers’ contests. I’ve read some absolutely wonderful chapters by talented writers that make me downright jealous. But that’s not a good reaction unless it spurs me to push forward to write crisper, more entertaining fiction.

IMG_9611One thing writers don’t really want to mess with is their unique voice. But you can write different types of stories in new genres, and explore different angles of the art. I’m anxious to do that, to learn how to craft a better story. Because stale crackers are only good for meatloaf or feeding to the squirrels.

Writers–When you started your first novel, how did you go about it? Did you just sit down and write, or did you outline it or plot it first? I’d love to hear your stories! First novels are a little like first babies or first jobs or even first love. We have sweet memories we like to share.

My first novel — I sat down and wrote, and wrote, and wrote. I wish I could do that now! Oh the freedom of fingers flying over keys, not worrying about content, just slugging it out there.

So that first novel–have you published it? Or is it squirreled away like a couple of mine?

books-927394_1280How do you learn more about writing?

  • Take a course
  • Attend a conference
  • Read/study a writing book or course (on your own)
  • All of the above

If you could attend a course taught by the best of the best in writing–who would that be?

I’m asking these questions because I’m curious, but also–I’m writing a post and could use the input. So, if you have a moment, please leave me a comment below. Thanks so much!

Right now, I’m sitting in my favorite writing spot, hammering out this post–it’s late again! I’m at my dining room table, occasionally looking out the window at pouring rain and beautiful buttercups in bloom. So, my final question is: Where do you write? Do you have an office, or do you–like me–move around with a laptop?

window-1287611_1280Wherever you write, however you write, I hope your writing is successful. But most of all, I hope your writing fulfills you, because doing what you love is the greatest kind of blessing.