“What is that?” They asked.

“What is that?” I was asked that question twice this week in such a way that I actually laughed out loud both times. Needless to say both incidents involved my children…imagine that!

Admittedly I’m not a very good cook, but I do try. Every now and then I can pull off a really great meal; unfortunately that was not the case earlier this week. I thought I would ask my children what they would like and prepare whatever they requested; it seemed like a simple gesture of love. Not so. It was a complete and utter disaster.

The evening started with an offer and ended with an argument. My girls couldn’t decide on a meal that they would both like, and by the time they did it was late and hunger and crankiness had set in. I started to prepare the meal of choice which was a simple request, chicken alfredo. Trying to replace healthier ingredients for the regular ones, may have been my first mistake. Skim milk instead of whole milk, smart choice instead of butter seemed wise, but the sauce did not thicken as it should.

Staring at the so called dish in the pot, even I thought, ew, this is not looking good!  Being semi creative I had the perfect logical plan. Add some color, change the appearance…or so I thought as I threw the broccoli into the pot. I realized as soon as the sauce turned greenish in color I had made a huge mistake.

I decided to make it worse by dicing the cooked chicken and folding it into the pasta. As soon as I did that I could practically hear my dad’s voice. “Amanda, why on earth did you do that?” By the way, he’s a fabulous cook and presentation to him is a crucial element of a great meal. My dad most certainly wouldn’t have diced the chicken or dreamed of using the frozen broccoli!

I served the children and their noses went straight up into the air. Twisted faces replaced the anticipation of their dinner and the question was asked. “What is that?” They didn’t eat it. I couldn’t make them, and I will never prepare that dish like that again!

Three things I learned: 1) Do not use skim milk 2) Use fresh broccoli and cook it first 3) Never dice the chicken and fold it into the pasta unless you’re a professional, it looks bad!….Cook and learn or invest in a new cook book!

The second time I was asked “What is that?” was hilarious if only to me. I love movies and often watch older ones as well as the new. While watching a movie with my girls, a gentleman, a writer in fact, was typing on a type writer. “What is that?” my eight year old little girl asked. I was momentarily stunned.  It never occurred to me my children wouldn’t know what a typewriter was. “Is it some kind of computer?” she asked. “Did you have one of those?” She had never seen a type writer…is that even possible?

My how time has flown! My children had no idea what a type writer was and yet I learned to type on one. I hand wrote my first papers, typing only later. In today’s world where technology surpasses what we could have only once imagined, what a reality check when your children ask you what a typewriter is. At least it was for me!

“What is that?” They asked.

“I wished that was me,” he said!

Sometimes the oddest things happen in the neatest way. I rarely think about the way or how I write, it is just what I do. Lately I have visited some message boards and realized for the first time that the way I feel about writing, is very different than a lot of the writers out there. Not all, there are many like me, but a lot of writers have very different thoughts on the how’s, why’s, approaches of marketing their work and things of that nature. Very intelligent people, but those things rarely cross my mind. I write because I love words.

I had a situation that required my immediate attention at my local bank. It was a matter that had to be attended to in person. I was required to sign in and wait my turn; and as I did so there was one older gentleman waiting ahead of me. We waited in the seating area of the lobby together, rarely glancing at each other.

One thing you do not know about me is the following, my pen ship is and always has been horrendous. My teachers in England, well, to say it drove them crazy was an understatement. The schools I attended, we were taught to write in real ink, via ink jars, loaded fountain ink pens and in italics…my penmanship is awful. I however, have been always able to read my own hand, though others never have.

The lady at the bank read the log; her announcement did not surprise me. “I’m sorry,” she said, “It looks as if someone needs something reset…I can’t read the name.” I knew immediately she was referring to me. The gentleman spoke up first. He was an older man, life worn on his face and clothes; he spoke clearly and directly to the lady. He said, “I wished that was me!”

The manager looked at him and asked, “do you need your pin reset?” And he said, “No. I just wished that was me. Everyone knows if you have really bad hand writing you are either famous or rich or both. I just wished that was me, with that writing you can’t read!”

He looked at me and said, “Well that must be you.” I smiled and nodded. Assuring him horrible hand writing, regardless of the required thousands of lines I had to write over and over the years, followed me to this day. I also told him, I though, could read it just fine. He said, “It’s proven you know, people with bad hand writing are famous or rich or even both!” I looked at that man who had said that so seriously. He even repeated it again. “I always wanted to be that person,” he said. “The one with the hand writing that was so bad no one could read it.” I realized the gentleman really believed it and wanted to be the man with the horrendous penmanship too.

As I stood up to leave with the lady he asked me, “May I ask you a question?” I nodded my head. “Of course you may and I will try to answer you if I can,” I replied. “Are you famous or rich?” he asked. I smiled at the lovely gentleman and said, “I am neither but I am working on both… It’s in my  big picture personal plan but not for the reasons you think.” He smiled at me and said, “What do you do, do you mind telling me?” And I said what I believe with all of my heart and soul. “I am a writer by heart first, an author second to that.”

The gentleman smiled, looked me straight in the eye and said, “See I knew it…you’re going to be famous and I hope for you, one day rich too. I told you I wished that was me, with the writing she couldn’t read!” And I said, “Well I don’t know about that, but what I do know more than anything else in this world… is that I just love words!”

By Amanda M. Thrasher

When Does School Start?

I can’t speak on behalf of any other mom’s, but it’s safe to safe to say that I’m ready for school to start. I love my children dearly and I know they love me, but it is definitely time for everyone to get back into their regular routines. They are running out of things to do and I am running out of ways to entertain them. They can play well together for a while, but before long, world war three has erupted right there in the our living room.

Don’t even get me started on my writing time, which is my work. It has definitely been interrupted. Ultimately this means that my head is spinning, filled with pieces of works and details I must write down. Specific details that belong on the pages of works in progress, they are important, if only to me.

Naughtiness has taken the place of being cute. Being bored has contributed to acting out and since it’s so hot in Texas, outside activities are limited and indoor ones are becoming routine. Fortunately my children are excited about going back to school!  Like most kids, they miss their friends and teachers, not to mention the actual excitement of their pending first day back!  We shall see how long this lasts, though I’m not complaining!

Overall we’ve had a fabulous summer. Time spent with our family and friends. Soccer was huge as usual, even in the heat. A lovely family vacation at the beach took place and went well, no drama, wonderful! The usual weekend barbeques in the backyard were lovely, and we even managed to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming release of a Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch. I would say all in all summer went well!

That said…When Does School Start?

Time Well Spent!

Having spent a lovely week with my family, I feel rested and ready to get back to work! The week went incredibly well and even though at times the weather was over-cast, being in Texas that simply meant cooler temperatures, and we could hardly complain about that!

My entire family here in the States went with us. We’re a small family; it included my family, my husband, my two girls, who are ten and eight, my son who is twenty one, his son and his wife, my dad and my sister.

This particular vacation we take each year and have for years, my mother started it. The family vacation; a time for her to have all of her children under one roof, with their children at the same time every year, no matter what. My mom made us promise, my dad and I, to continue this tradition once she was gone…and we have.

There was a moment on the beach, when I finally understood why she felt so strongly about this trip. Not that I hadn’t appreciated all of the trips and fun we’d had together over the years, but I finally saw what I believe she saw. Right there in front of me, though I am certain I must be seeing it simply through different eyes.

To say I miss my son in my home, is an understatement, though I know the natural course has taken place. He’s married, has a child, lives on his own, and most importantly he’s happy. Yet he is still so young to me. But there was a brief moment, when that boy of mine, was on the beach with his sisters baiting their fishing poles, setting them up in their chairs, making sure they had what they needed, before getting ready to fish himself. I swear, to me, he looked ten years old again!

At one point, the three of them were lined up in chairs at the water’s edge, holding their poles and waiting for the fish to bite. They stair stepped down, my son, my oldest daughter, and then the youngest. I was so taken aback, but in the greatest way.

During the time when my son has become a man, with his own beautiful wife and son, he still had time to be that boy, that boy of mine. I had to smile and so did my dad!

We went for walks that week, went crabbing with the kids, ate fabulous meals, enjoyed each other’s company, nothing extravagant at all, but it was awesome! I even managed to get some work done, impossible not to write as the ocean rolls in.

TIME WELL SPENT…now that’s an understatement!

Vacation, Relax…Right!

Like most people, we’re trying to get ready for the family vacation. It’s supposed to be a relaxing time of the year, but it’s not, at least for me. I can imagine that just about every mom right now is nodding their head (if they’re reading this, that is).

Between organizing for the trip its self, paying bills in advance, grocery shopping for the trip, laundry for the trip, actually packing, arranging animal care, calming down the overly excited children, who have been packed for weeks, pre-vacation is very, very stressful. My husband tries to help, “relax,” he says, and he means it. “It will be fine,” and it always is. But I’m not good at relaxing, ever, and that can’t be good.

It’s safe to say my husband is usually right, everything works out. We arrive at our destination, happy and glad to be on vacation. If we forget an item, which we’ve done often, it’s typically easily replaced. It never fails, before the car stops, the kids are jumping out. We watch the children race to the water before everything is unloaded, laughing and giggling, a beautiful sight. But the pre-vacation stuff, “ahhhhhhhhh!” is just about all I have to say on that!

I do look forward to spending time with my family though, and can’t wait to see the little ones on the beach. We are definitely beach people; we love it, all of it. Walking, boogie boarding, collecting shells, fort making, no sand castles for us…I learned that from my mom. Crab hunting in the dark, via flash lights. So funny watching the kids go crazy as they track, chase and capture those scurrying crabs. The kids are hilarious to watch during crap hunting. They want to catch the crabs so badly; to place them in their buckets, but they’re actually scared to death of them, screaming every time the crabs come close to their toes, but trying with all of their might to scoop them up with their nets without getting nipped. (For the record, we always let the crabs go, once they are counted of course).

Sitting on the deck watching the sun go down, coffee on the deck watching the sun come up, not to mention the early morning runs I take at the water’s edge. Walks with the children before breakfast, fishing, soccer and the ultimate flag football games on the beach, yep, the vacation pre-stress it really is worth it, isn’t it!

I guess sometimes, we just need to put things into perspective don’t we, and then everything becomes clear. Really, who could possibly complain about such… ridiculous! That said I shall focus on being grateful that I have a vacation at all, and I will relax or do my very best!

It Takes a Village…

It Takes a Village… I have heard this saying many times, as I am certain you have too. The completed saying is, to raise a child. This is so true, at least in the Thrasher house hold, but I can only imagine that it must apply to most people in some shape or form.

Looking back, my mom was the one that filled the gap. The helping hand we all took for granted at times, though un-intentionally of course. Dropping by for no reason to help, picking up the kids when I was sleep deprived, making sure the family, extended family, stayed together etc. She did it, till she was gone, and then the oddest thing happened, my dad stepped into her role.

I am regimented about certain things; this is true, especially mid projects, fiercely focused. I’m not sure if this is a good thing, but I’m not sure it’s not, it just is, for me! Preparing for the release of A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch, well there’s much going on, and due to the summer, my writing schedule has been modified according to the children’s schedule as well as mine.

Being mid way through writing projects, at least a couple of days a week are scheduled just for work and for me that’s writing. I cannot speak for other writers, but I cannot write if my children are home. I get distracted, fixing snacks, picking up, playing, etc. So my dad, their Granddad, has taken over an unlikely role, my mother’s role. He has filled a gap in our daily lives in the most unbelievable way.

My children look forward to visiting their Granddad, and I can’t help but smile as my youngest packs her bag to go over there to visit. I swear she looks as if she’s leaving for a week! They go for long walks; they go to the doughnut shop, which is hilarious to me, because my dad doesn’t eat doughnuts. Bike rides, a given. They feed the ducks and put up tents in his yard, just so the kids can play and pretend they are camping.

He is an excellent cook, better than me, it’s sad but true! Both of my girls will say, “Granddad, will you COOK us dinner, it’s better than my mom’s,” and it is! Everything stops at 3pm, for tea, my kids love his tea. Piping hot, served in my mom’s brown Betty, complete with tea biscuits or cucumber sandwiches, and for some reason mine never taste the same as his. We even use the same tea, but it’s not the same, I have no idea why!

My dad has a dog, his name is Max. My children love this dog. Though they each have a dog of their own, Max is their favorite. A beautiful yellow lab, who tolerates just about everything, I take that back, I think he does put up with every single thing and has for years. My little one, ties him to her jeep and drives him around my dad’s yard. He trots along beside her, never complains. She keeps a stash of dog biscuits in the passenger seat, if Max looks board, she throws him one.

I love to watch the children play over there, at my dad’s house. Technically it’s still my home, in the sense I lived there for years and he always has a room ready for me and my sister, should we stay too late. It is surrounded by my mother’s things, and though I am certain my children will forget her, they will never forget my dad, how incredible is that!

It Takes a Village…

Book Signings & Fairies… You Just Can’t Beat That!

Like most parents summer is here and I have lost track of time! My schedule is gone, and being a diehard regimented person by nature, this has not been easy for me. I admit it, I have a schedule and I stick to it daily or at least I try. Especially regarding my work, and my work outs, although I must admit with the house hold chores I have one rule, “we get it done and then we can play,” unless it’s minor stuff. If my children say mommy lets swim and I’m vacuuming….well swimming it is! If they say let’s picnic at the lake and I’m doing the laundry, the laundry will have to wait…I can’t help it, I am not that focused regarding that!

Writing on the other hand, put me in front of my laptop midway a project and I can write nonstop for hours and with purpose. It is good that I am able to do this; I know this now, though for years I did not. I thought I was obsessive about it, but now I know it’s because my writing time is limited, daily, but limited; I have much to do and not much time to do it in. So focus regarding this in my life is mandatory, it is personal and important to me.

I am regimented about my workouts too but for different reasons, I enjoy them.  I often think and map out scenes, chapters, plots etc. So needless to say with the children home, I have been at a loss the past few weeks. Writing when I can, working out at 5a.m while my family is sound asleep, spending time with the children so they’re not bored, rescheduling appointments, signings and such, not to mention  multiple soccer camps, one in particular for my oldest daughter, an all day, week long soccer camp. Soccer camp was complete with drama, which soccer shirt to wear … “really, because it’s soccer!” I didn’t realize shirts would be an issue since there’s a ton of shirts in the closet, however all of a sudden they didn’t fit right. (Of course last week they fit fine!). The next issue, bathing suits, for the swim break, “Oh My!” and last but not least her little sister, experiencing the tough lesson of the consequence of a decision made that she now regretted, (rough lesson to learn, but an important one none the less). Deciding not to attend a particular camp, only to change her mind once it was too late, she was ticked off.  Entertaining her had begun, thank goodness for Granddad; he was a life saver, bike rides, dog walks, tent in the yard…nice!  In addition to all of this, we have a vacation coming up and yet I haven’t given it a second thought, I know it’s there, I know we will have fun, I know there’s much to do and I know eventually I will get to it.

Needless to say a lovely book signing was just what the Dr. ordered. I love my signings, they’re so much fun. Being a children’s author I am surrounded by little ones, promoting Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, I am also surrounded by Fairies…how wonderful is that!

I have a craft that the kids love to do when they are with me; an art teacher from my children’s school came up with it. It’s easy, cut, paste, flutter, glitter…fairy dust, of course! I have only come across a couple of children that didn’t want to make magical fairy wings. I love watching their little faces light up when they sprinkle the ‘fairy dust’ on to their craft; it’s a magical sight in and of its self, so spending time with the kids signing books and making  fairy wings is a delightful way to spend an afternoon.

During the summer I have worked closely with a particular Barnes & Noble in regards to their summer vacation children’s events. I had no idea I had developed a lovely little fairy following, but now I do. While helping some of the children with their craft and visiting with their parents regarding Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, I was suddenly approached by the most beautiful, little fairy I have ever met, truly! She had been to one of my previous signings and had come back looking for of all things me…she was gorgeous and I was stunned!

She was dressed in a pink tutu type skirt just like Lilly, and her big blue eyes sparkled as she leapt into my arms. I swear I just couldn’t resist, I simply had to scoop her up. She had made my day! She talked about how she loved Lilly and how she was on chapter eleven! She said she loved the book and couldn’t put it down…my little fairy fan…I was speechless and I am never speechless!

We talked for several minutes, even discussing A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch! She wanted to be sure Lilly would be there, I assured her Lilly, Boris and Jack would be there, along with a few other fairies I had introduced. She was so awesome! We said goodbye and her mother said that she asked her, “If you have any questions or get stuck with any of the words, I will help you,” but she was determined to read it by herself as Lilly would. I was nearly overwhelmed…it was that neat to me, that my work could mean that much to such a beautiful little girl….a little fairy that day!

During the same event a polite young boy approached me, he was in fourth grade. I had visited his academy right before summer break. He was incredibly disappointed as he was not able to listen to my presentation that day, since I had visited with first through third grade but he had attended my Barnes & Noble book signing the evening I had visited his school, and we talked then. He was very interested in writing and he wanted the book but his mother was not with him that night. She was however there Saturday and she told me how he had enjoyed visiting with me, and that he just had to have the book, she bought it for him right then. I was floored but not because we sold books that day, after all  that’s what we do at book signings, but because these children came to see me, I was amazed and am still in awe. It was such a wonderful day, a store filled with beautiful children, little writers, and to top it off an adorable fairy.

A wonderful break during a daily chaotic schedule or lack of one it seems. Though working, it didn’t feel like it at all, because I love it, all of it! Writing, spending time with the children and visiting with their parents, meeting a little fairy, again…wow, truly amazing! What a fabulous weekend book signings and fairies, you just can’t beat that!

The Greatest People you never meet and the Ones you meet and cherish!

It’s amazing the ties that bind people, some they’ve never actually met. Technology has made communication possible on a level I’m certain even the developers of such devices are astounded by. We build relationships with strangers that suddenly become friends and before long they become people we depend on. These people help us with tasks we cannot accomplish by ourselves, sometimes because we are not capable of certain things, especially for me if its computer related or sometimes it’s because we’re not in the position to negotiate certain things within an organization. Our go between people per say, become our life lines and often we’ve never met.

I am surrounded by invaluable people I have never met. They have my best interests in mind, working hand and hand with me toward a common goal. They are helpful and I can say go above and beyond what is expected of them. I feel incredibly lucky that these people are on my side so to speak and was fortunate to meet a couple of them in NY. One lady in particular I work very well with, we’re a good fit in a working relationship and I consider her a valuable part of my personal goal.

I have other amazing people in my life I have never met; one would be a birth mother. I have never met her, but I know she’s there. I can only imagine on some level her heart shattered the day she parted with her child. Though she knew, and she did, she made the most unselfish sacrifice, for the love of a child a parent could possibly make. She crosses my mind often, especially since my mother passed, but I hope if I ever cross hers she knows deep down within that all is well, she too is a great woman.

Other important people in our lives we meet by chance. They become important to us on a level we had no idea was possible, becoming invaluable mentors. My mentor didn’t know me from Adam…but is someone I hold the deepest regard and respect for.  I am a writer/author and for me, my mentor came un-expectantly. She believes in my work on a level I didn’t believe a stranger possibly could, but she does and is no longer a stranger but a friend.  She has taken the time to guide me and freely shares her knowledge, her advice is priceless. I take her words to heart and listen to every one of them…I have never had a mentor before and I feel very fortunate we crossed paths.

One day my mentor said something so simple and yet so profound to me. It changed the way I wrote, one sentence and it clicked! That’s a powerful mentor. Her expertise I do not take for granted, so when she says something I truly listen. Her words were simply these. “The readers switch is different than the writers, once your write, switch your switch.”  That one sentence was like a light bulb for me and I hold on to it. I am sure that for those that have mentors, they too have had such a moment. We do not take those moments lightly and nor should we, we treasure them as we should.

The greatest people we’ve never met and the ones you meet and cherish….we need and appreciate them all!

By Amanda M. Thrasher

Beautiful Scenery, Bike Rides & Tears….Seriously!

Funny thing about being a parent, sometimes your kids are impossible to please! It’s not often in Texas, in June, the temperatures are cool enough to enjoy outdoor activities unless it’s by the water, and for us that’s a delightful 80 degree range, give a take a few degrees. Now throw in cloud cover, with a slight breeze and that’s one magnificent summer day!

Such was a rare day last Thursday. I decided to call my dad to see if he would like to go on a bike ride with my girls and me, down on the Trinity River Trails. He did and off we went, picnic included, sounds perfect does it not?

Well not so much, because depending on which of my daughters you were talking too at the time, neither of them were happy! It started off well; everyone was excited to be out in the fresh air. The scenery was lovely, taking a route we had not taken before. My youngest daughter has an imagination I am truly proud of. When she gets tired, we make up a game and she all ways manages to forge ahead. She loves horses, so I have introduced her to one of my favorite child hood games, her bike becomes her steed. She loves this game, naming her bike Lightning and mine respectively Silver! (She loves it and can bike for hours!).

My oldest daughter started off enjoying the bike ride. Horses not her thing so she just peddled her bike, although she knows not to make fun of her sister,  because using your imagination is fabulous no matter what the game. Trust me, since I have no idea how long this stage will last and I’m holding on to it for dear life!

After about an hour the complaints via my ten year old started. She was hot, she was tired, and she was bored…WHAT…SERIOUSLY…look around you, how is that possible! Could we go? Naturally we told her not quite yet. Those cool days few and far between in June, and we were going to take advantage and enjoy the weather a little longer. We took many breaks for her; however she was still not happy.

Before long the tears flowed, the mad ones! “I’m ready to go home, I hate this and I’m bored,” and then finally the insults. “That’s a dumb game, it’s a bike.” Well of course it’s a bike, but that’s not the point is it. She was striking out because she was mad and that’s unacceptable, she had to hand over her phone….and of course then she was really mad!

Needless to say eventually we turned around and she was very happy. So happy in fact she quit crying, apologized and asked for her phone back. (Which she did not get), but now my youngest daughter was not happy! She was not ready to go, enjoying the fresh air, scenery and her steed! And then her tears came…the SAD ones!

SERIOUSLY one had just stopped crying! One cried almost all the way there and now one is crying ALL the way back! “I can’t win for losing today,” I said in disbelief. My dad simply shook his head, not knowing what to say.

It is often in our house that my girls refer to Lilly from Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, and this pleases me. “Was that very Lilly like,” they will ask. “I think Lilly would do that, like that,” they say. They do this because I use her as an example, purposely writing her character to be a well mannered, polite little, child-like fairy. It goes with what I believe in, bringing back sweet characters.

My youngest through her tears, it was so sad, sobbed, “You are not like Lilly,” to her sister, “she would like this ride and not complain!” This is true; she would have, because surly I would have written the chapter or scene that way.

Wouldn’t it be great if I could script such a scene every now and then…just every now and then for my beautiful girls? I’m sure every parent at some point has felt this way, Beautiful Scenery, Bike Rides and Tears, Come on SERIOSLY!