The Mysterious Maneuverings of My Meandering Mind

I like words. They are my stock in trade.  Each morning I get a word and its meaning, derivation, etc., from alphaDictionary.com. This morning’s word is degustation. It means to savor something in small bites, such as trying small portions of everything on the menu. That’s mostly how I savor sales of my books: in small bites. That’s OK but my inquiring mind asks, “why?” Why do they sell in dribbles and bits? Is it because they, like their author, are rather old-fashioned? Could be. Or maybe that’s just an excuse. But, as I said, I like words, so I looked up the term old-fashioned. And here’s what I found out: The definition of old-fashioned is someone or something that is behind the times, not up to date and often no longer considered relevant. (Uh-oh). The dictionary went on to say that an old-fashioned person is one who doesn’t use any technology or cell phones. Hmmm. As you can see, I’ve absolutely mastered the intricacies of the computer. Just ask my son Matt.

“An example of old-fashioned,” the definition proceeded, “is an old rotary phone.” Hey! What’s wrong with a rotary phone? It brings back memories of dialing someone and actually getting a real, live person at the other end of the line, a person who doesn’t ask what language I’m speaking and doesn’t direct me to other tinny voices and pre-recorded messages from who knows where. 

Anyway, getting back to writing and being a bit out of the loop. I’ve noticed that many books, like many television shows and movies, are peppered with words and actions that I don’t feel comfortable with. I ask myself if I would want my mom or my granddaughter to read what I write. If the answer is “no”, I don’t write it. Maybe it goes back to my raising and memories of a mother who had a bar of soap handy for mouths that needed reminders not to utter dirty words. Anyway, to my way of thinking (which, remember, is old-fashioned) there’s far too much obscenity, vulgarity, and rudeness in the real world. Why perpetuate all that in my books? (As an aside: I think that if courtesy, manners, and old-fashioned graciousness were the norm, our world would be a far better place.)

To prove that I’m truly old-fashioned, I have posted a picture taken several years ago in Tahlequah when I dressed up in early 1900s attire to give a speech to a women’s club. Now that, at the heart of the matter, is the real me.

Getting back to that intriguing word of the day: degustation; starting tomorrow, my blog will consist of portions of a story I wrote some time back. It’s another of those that never saw the light of day, publishing-wise. I’ll post it in increments, sort of like a soap opera. The name of the story is Once Upon a Rooftop. It is a light romance, written first person, present tense. Present tense is not my preferred way of writing but anyway, I tried it out once. So, from an old-fashioned writer to my readers, whether they are valuable antiques or absolutely up to snuff, may your day be blessed with many wonderful happenings that come both in small bits and by the bushel.