Daybook for Aug. 3

Yep, I’m out of ideas again.

For today…

Outside my window… the faint smell of smoke drifting in from the fires in Creek County and Oklahoma County.
I am thinking… about the people in Luther who lost their homes to a mindless act of cruelty.
I am thankful for… my former students, who still find ways to make me smile.
From the kitchen… frozen bananas pureed with chocolate sauce.
I am wearing… jeans from Drysdales and a T-shirt from Makanda, Ill., that says, “Take a Trip on the Boardwalk.”
I am reading… nothing at the moment, but I just finished Sweet Judy Blue Eyes.
I am hoping… we will see some rain soon.
I am creating… a fictional town full of (hopefully) interesting characters.
I am praying… to express more patience and love as an antidote to the hatred I see around me.
Around the house… three very excited animals. Ron is handing out dog biscuits. Both dogs and the cat are eagerly awaiting their evening cookies.
One of my favorite things… Coldwater, N.M., home of the historic Tumbleweed Motel. Coldwater isn’t a real town, but I’m having a lot of fun imagining it onto the page and populating it with people who don’t technically exist.
A few plans for the rest of the week… help Susie set up for a wedding reception; have Audra, my awesome stylist, henna my hair; work on stories for the Southwest Tulsa Bell; start weaving new material into novel.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

Jamie drew a picture of Batman on my car while I was in Herrin a couple of weeks ago.

My sweet nephews decorated the Dreamcar for me.

I remain forever grateful to the students who suggested I let them write on my car, thus inspiring the hatchback chalkboard that has brought so much joy into my life.

Emily