Eclecticity

If I can’t find a word that fits in the place where a word should be, I just make it up. Eclectic describes a group composed of different styles or kinds. That pretty much describes the writing styles and the reading and writing preferences of our critique group. So, I’d say we have eclecticity.

A prettier word, though, is potpourrism. Potpourri is dried flower petals mixed with spices to make a room smell nice. Well, yesterday, what with coffee, cookies, and the smiles of an eclectic group of critters, my house spelled pretty good.

We welcomed two wanderers home to the fold. Peg is much better since her surgery and was able to navigate the short distance to my house. She has concentrated on getting well instead of reading but she did manage to squeeze in a few books, among them a book borrowed from Fran about the importance of seeking out the good in people.

And Jane’s itchy traveler’s foot is home to roost for a while. She has been busy writing because the creative bug just gave her a big bite. One of her poems was “The Sitting Dilemma”. A group discussion a few weeks ago inspired this neat verse. Part of it was Sit, set, sat–who knew three little words could confuse us like that? Two other poems were “Reinventing Myself” and “I’m Proud to be a Country Girl.”

Jane kept us spellbound as she read a true story she wrote about an episode in the lives of her family during the Civil War, The Fears of War and the Ruby Ring. This was a wonderful tale of courage and outrage centering around bushwhackers in Oden, Arkansas.

Helen brought four devotionals for us to critique, “Going His Own Way”, “Worry for a Child”, “The Jeans Have Shrunk”, and “Enjoying Life.” Helen’s inspirational stories are based on actual happenings. They are thoughtfully written and never fail to give my spirits a lift.

Nancy filled us in on her publishing journey which included guest blogging, interviews, a launch party and a couple of book signings. Look up The Grace Impact on Amazon. It is a book worth reading!

I finally finished Star Spangled Cat. I read this for critique and also read Buz, the Fox. They were fun reads and now need some beautiful illustrations.

For some reason, we discussed the futility of worry. When my spirits sag, this group of Cozy Critters always props me up. So, they reminded me of a few wise sayings. I don’t know who first said these things, but they are worth remembering. They are a potpourri of good advice.

Worry is a fast get-away on a rocking horse.

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Worry is not trusting God.

Worry is interest paid in advance on a debt you may never owe.

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