Category: Happiness

Bringing Dreams to Life

On By Betty OwensIn A Gathering of Eagles, dreams, ebooks, Happiness, Jael, Lady of the Haven, Walt Disney2 Comments


If you can dream it, you can do it. ––Walt Disney

Wikipedia Commons
Artist: John Bauer

I think Walt Disney was probably the best at bringing dreams to life. He was my hero at one point in my childhood. Lying on the floor in front of the TV, chin propped on my palm, I watched Tinkerbell flit across the screen, depositing fairy dust on everything. The fairy dust brought dreams to life. It was magic.

Inspiration took root in my young heart. I was a dreamer. Over the years I spent a lot of time on my own as we moved from one place to the next. I was shy, so it was difficult for me to make friends. On the inside, in my “happy place,” I had lots of friends. My own creations, or characters I’d first met on the black-and-white TV screen. Lively characters who made me laugh and loved me, even though I was a bit odd. They traveled with me, back and forth across the United States.

I grew up, married, and raised three sons, and still the dreams inhabited my down time. In 2005, Jael drifted into my mind. I tell a little of her story here.

In preparation for the re-release of The Lady of the Haven and A Gathering of Eagles, I thought it might be nice to interview her, as many of my author friends have done with their main characters. But Jael is a bit like Tinkerbell. She’s illusive. And she doesn’t like to talk about herself. And she will not discuss her rather unusual gifts. So I decided to interview William instead.

Here’s a short excerpt of that interview:

Me: Welcome to my blog, Your Majesty.

King William of Coldthwaite’s dark hair is pulled back, tied at the nape of his neck. He’s dressed in an indigo tunic cinched at the waist with an intricately carved leather belt. Highly polished black leather boots end just below the knees of his suede leather britches. He wears no crown, but a rather large sapphire glints from its setting in a gold band on his right pinky. He exudes strength, eyes sparkle with life, and the smile … be still my heart …  

King: I am honored to be here, Lady Owens.

Me: You don’t really have to call me … Nevermind. (I kind of like being addressed as “Lady” and wow, he’s so handsome!)

(End of Excerpt) OK. Stop back in next week to see what this king has to say about his lady.

I’ll also be previewing some of the really nice gifts I’m offering at the re-release of the books. Here’s my grand prize: Audible version of The Message Bible. You’ll love this easy-to-understand version, and now you can take it with you everywhere. Listen in your car or on your I-Pod or other devices.

Watch for more information coming in the next few days. “Like” my Facebook page to stay up with all of the latest announcements about these books and other books I’ve written. I do have a book due out later this year from Write Integrity Press: Amelia’s Legacy, Book One in the Legacy Series, a historical novel set in the 1920’s. I’ll tell you more about that one in a few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Top portrait is a Wikipedia photo of an illustration by John Bauer. “At that moment she was changed by magic to a wonderful little elf.”

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers!

On By Betty OwensIn Christmas, gift, Gifts, Happiness, Happy Holidays, Holidays, Merry Christmas, Snow2 Comments
SnowPines-Shutterstock_165919043.jpg

Nothing says Christmas like a snow-covered pine bough. We’ve seen lots of the white stuff so far this year, which is a little unusual for our region. But it does give my Christmas spirit a boost. I hope your holidays are filled with family and fun this year. And remember, the important gifts don’t come in boxes. Time. Touch. Sound.

I know there are times when family can’t be physically together for the holidays. It’s those times that you can still take time to call or skype. Hearing a loved one’s voice from far away can make the holidays so much brighter. God bless you and your family with the most important things in life.

Now, I need to go hang up my stocking and put a pan of cookies in the oven while I watch my favorite Christmas movie. Thanks for stopping by. And don’t forget to buy books!

If the snow has you housebound, here’s a couple of Kindle suggestions for you. Happy reading! Nike Chillemi’s Goodbye, Noel, Write Integrity Press’ A Ruby Christmas (various authors), and The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt (various authors). Those last two are novellas and so much fun! By the way, these are not paid links. I do not receive any payment for these suggestions.

Happy Holidays!

In the Black and White ‘Fifties

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, Bluetick coonhound, Dogs, families, Happiness, hound, humor, momma's cooking, Writing

Living in an imaginary world can be difficult. Especially when it’s a world that existed in the past. I’m listening to ‘fifties music, watching old black and white movies––and noticing their footwear, by the way. I’m pushing my memories back as far as they’ll go, and trying to remember the sights and the sounds of the era.

It was so much easier writing fantasy, because nothing in that world existed until I created it. I experimented and I had fun. I pulled out dreams and wishes and wove them into my stories. The land and the characters are loosely based on reality. 

But that could also be said of my work-in-progress; the historical. The characters are loosely based on people I’ve met. I love their language, because it brings back precious memories of some of my favorite people. The time seems enchanted, because it comes straight off a page in my childhood. A simpler time. Not so evil, and filled with violence as it is now. 

Sometimes, I have to remove my rosy glasses, and gaze past my perceptions into reality. There was violence. There was hate. There was prejudice. There was a strict moral code and an active class system.  Things never discussed in polite company. Lines you did not cross. Ugly signs on doors, limiting who entered. Trouble brewing beneath the surface.

And then there were long, lazy, summer days, homemade lemonade and ice cream. No one asked what was in the hot dogs they served at picnics. I loved my patent leather Mary Janes and my puffy crinoline skirts. I loved tire swings and playing corncob jail and kick the can. 

So I’m weaving all of these things into this story-in-progress. Pulling out all the stops and telling the story as it flows from my heart. At regular intervals, Samson lopes into the scene and provides warmth and maybe a chuckle or two. If you’re wondering who Samson is, read last week’s post. 

I’d love to hear some of your favorite memories, if you’re old enough to remember the ‘fifties. Please drop me a line. 

Thanks for reading,

Focus on the Positive

On By Betty OwensIn apartment, beautiful things, elegance, elements, focus, Happiness, John 3:16, Mexico, positive, potential, quilt

When you’re gazing at your reflection in the mirror, it’s not always easy to focus on the positive, especially if it’s a full-length mirror. Even some of the most beautiful people observe themselves with a critical eye. Instead of the outer beauty we see, they notice the tiny wrinkles and blemishes they possess. Once considered a natural part of life, wrinkles, lumps, and rolls are now devastating. 
Old age is a time of reflection. We look back on our lives and wonder if we’ve achieved our fullest potential. Sometimes, we’re not happy with our own assessment.
The other day, I witnessed someone’s realization that her situation is not as bad as she thought. She’d been focusing on the negative elements of her life and truly, her life is not easy. Elderly and living on a stipend, sometimes she gets discouraged. An opportunity came for her to visit a friend in similar financial circumstances. The friend’s small apartment is tastefully decorated. There are many beautiful trinkets and collections on display. Her walls are decorated with family photos, awards, events, paintings, etc.  
My friend came away with a long face. When I asked why she seemed down, her confession surprised me. Her apartment looked shabby in comparison to her friend’s. After arriving home, she looked around and realized that while her things were not as many or as elegant, they were hers. Most of the things express her personality. Many were gifts from family and friends. Souvenirs from her cross-country trips, along with several jaunts to Mexico, adorn her walls and shelves. 
Most precious to her is the colorful hand-quilted spread on her bed and the last photograph taken of her late husband. A beautiful teapot collection adorns her kitchen and a handmade plaque, a gift from a beloved sister-in-law, depicts John 3:16, For God so loved the world…”
She called me a few days later and told me how she had come to realize her gifts were different from those of her friend. Her apartment is her home. She’s surrounded not by elegance, but by comfort. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror and what she saw surprised her. She caught a glimpse of her twenty-year-old self and she felt happy. “I have much to be thankful for,” she told me. “I have my health, a wonderful family, and faith in God.”
I heard a new confidence in her voice I’d never detected before. I looked in my inner mirror and tried to focus on the positive elements of my life. I was almost immediately flooded with an overall feeling of contentment. I have a long way to go in some areas, but I can see that I’m on the right path.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Happy Spring!


What the Heart Reveals

On By Betty OwensIn Happiness, kindness, scripture, Smile, treasures
When did this happen?

I looked in the mirror the other day and found someone new looking back at me. At least I hoped it was someone new, and not me. That could not be me. But it was. 

Ever had that experience? When you wake up one day and suddenly recognize the fact that years have passed and left an obvious trail across your face. Your hair has faded to gray or white and . . . well, you get my point. And why don’t we enjoy being slim when we are, instead of always thinking we’re fat? 

I was reminded of this passage of scripture:

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3: 2-4

I pulled this segment out because these are the words that apply to my post. You may recognize the passage. It starts out with “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands . . . ” Yes, that one. But that’s a subject for a different day.

I realized on this particular day that it’s not the outward appearance that really matters. We try to look our best and keep ourselves in good physical shape, but if our main emphasis is on the outward, we’ll end up an empty shell. The shell might look good, but in times of trouble (pressure), it crumbles. 

I’m not saying you should ignore what time is busy doing to the skin you’re in, but don’t spend so much time worrying over it. Don’t spend your life’s savings trying hold back the tide. Or your grocery and/or gas money, for that matter.

Do read, study, pray, do good works, show kindness, spread happiness. Smile. In this way, you bury treasures in the hidden places of the heart. There’s no guarantee you’ll overcome all that life throws at you, but your chances are better if you’ve got a stockpile of treasure laid up for eternity.