I think this question came around not too long ago. My answer was Nora Roberts. So why again? Are we doing this loop thing again?
Let’s see. I love Danielle Steele’s writing and my favorite was, Safe Harbour. It is about a painter recovering from a tragic loss and eventually meets a drifter on a quiet beach. A touching romance that will keep your nose in the book!
Why would I want to have dinner with her? I want to pick her brain on how to keep the thread going. I’m working on a novel, a historical romance, which is right down Ms. Steele’s alley. She does a perfect job from start to finish and takes the story to the finish line with no effort it seems. I, on the other hand, stutter, stop, lose the thread, and throw up my hands!
The novel is halfway done but it doesn’t seem to be moving much towards the end. How does Danielle Steele who is a master at weaving emotional family dramas do it?
It would be interesting to sit down to dinner, see the lady face to face and get expert advice on exactly how to do it and to bring a story to closure. I’m good at short stories but a novel, this is something else!
His name was Mike and he walked in ready to do battle for me at a time when I was struggling with my self-esteem and it was also the time when I called myself, “damaged goods.” My wings were clipped and all I saw was despair. I met him by chance at a get-together.
He was tall and good-looking. A redhead with Irish roots. The smile was quirky but those green eyes spoke volumes. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation and neither did I want to be there. Get-togethers are not for people with broken hearts and mine was broken beyond repair. I wanted to leave as soon as I could when he approached me. His stride was sure and there was purpose in his eyes. “You look like you would rather be somewhere else,” he said, the smile lighting up his eyes. I nodded.
“Why?” he asked, the smile still playing on his lips.
“Just because,” I answered. He took a seat beside me and said the words I didn’t want to hear. “You’re pretty.”
“I don’t care,” I said and stood up to get away from this total stranger. I didn’t want him to go where he wanted to go. Besides I told myself, “I don’t need another guy breaking my heart into pieces.”
Did he give up? Nope. He kept following me around and tried making conversation. At one point, I gave up and gave in. We talked for a while and then he asked for my number. I gave it to him with some hesitation and I knew that it wasn’t going anywhere. I was too broken to start another relationship.
This stranger turned out to be my “angel” in disguise. He pulled me out of the rabbit hole I was in and did everything he could to restore my faith in people. He showed me all the things I was, the good parts, and that I was worthy of love. His kind of love and the right kind of love. It was never-ending, faithful, and loyalty was the name of the game with him. He loved me like I was the best thing he had found and nothing else existed. Slowly he worked to piece together all the broken bits and just as I was becoming whole, he left.
His work was done. This stranger who became my best friend and more showed me the path forward. He also showed me there is no such thing as broken, time heals, and with the help of an “angel” I did just that.
He restored my faith in people although I think he was otherworldly because he did it effortlessly where others had failed.
Thank you my angel.
Daily writing prompt
What’s a moment when a stranger completely restored your faith in people?
This is a favorite dish. I absolutely loved it in Singapore and to say it was delicious would be an understatement!
It is simple, cheap, and scrumptious. Just boiled chicken sliced up into pieces, I love the roasted variety, the rice is what makes it delicious. The chicken is boiled in water with salt, pepper, ginger, garlic, and green onions. The broth is then served as a soup with a side of chili sauce. Sliced cucumbers and red onions are served with the dish. Too simple? The taste is anything but! Once you taste it, you’ll keep coming back for more.
There are other local dishes I fell in love with but this one stands out from the rest for its simplicity and out of this world deliciousness!
Daily writing prompt
What’s the best local dish you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
It seems that these days children have very little respect for their elders, their peers, and the public in general. Is “respect” something that can be taught in schools?
I don’t know but it would be nice to have it on the curriculum. Teaching children to behave and in a better way should be on the forefront of any curriculum I think. Asian schools do that a lot. I can’t speak for the other Asian countries but I can speak for Singapore having experienced it firsthand.
One source says that it is done through Character and Citizenship Education (CCE). “It is a dedicated curriculum that anchors respect as a core value alongside responsibility, resilience, and care. Lessons are woven into daily school life, flag-raising ceremonies, social studies, and community projects from primary school through pre-university levels.”
Students are taught moral values, and social norms through real-life scenarios and guided reflections. Children do show a lot of respect back in Singapore. They are also taught filial piety as well. It is also integrated into the curriculum and is taken very seriously. What is filial piety? It means “showing deep respect, obedience, honor, and care toward one’s parents, older family members, and ancestors. It is not only taught in schools but practiced religiously throughout Singapore.
To answer your question, I would say, let’s bring “respect” and “filial piety” into the curriculum and let’s see what changes they bring about in society as a whole. Nothing to lose right? It can only get better.
I asked him but like his mom, he says, “NO PICTURE!” That is absolutely his perogative. I’ll post a lookalike. He is cute, as cute as a button! The little guy has me wrapped around his paws and he knows it.
He was a gift from the friend who passed away. Walking in one day with this little bundle of joy in his arms saw the friend being relegated to second place! He didn’t mind. I think Chachi was about 3 months old when he walked into my life. He immediately took to me for whatever the reason and we’ve been inseparable ever since! I’m not complaining, I love the little bundle of fur to pieces.
What one thing makes him unique? He thinks he is human! The way he acts, the way he moves, the way he runs to me, and the way he “talks” to me. Yes, we understand each other perfectly. Our days are filled with love, sharing experiences, and keeping close. One more thing, the little guy thinks he has lived a hundred lives! He knows a lot and sometimes I am shocked by all that he knows. Unbelievable? Absolutely. We connect on a whole different level and that is what makes him unique.
I LOVE YOU MY LOVELY!
Daily writing prompt
Share a photo of your pet and tell us one thing that makes them uniquely them.
I’ve had so many pieces of advice from people who cared and some I’ve taken to heart and others were well-meant but didn’t do a thing for me!
Not too long ago, someone said to me, “Just keep going!” It stuck and landed where it should. I got a bit of bad news and was ready to throw up my hands and say, “I can’t do this. This is just too much!” A friend walked in, took one look and said, “Just Keep Going!” It didn’t mean much at the time but through the weeks the enormity of those words set in. It has always been about moving forward. No matter what the problems, the pain, the anger, life’s idiosyncrasies, and much much more, it has always been about moving forward.
Those words sank in and I’ve taken them as my daily mantra. “Just Keep Going!” I don’t know what the future holds, what the outcome will be, if it will work out, and if life will be kind, but I’m just going to keep going and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you friend for that beautiful piece of advice.
Daily writing prompt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Life has a certain way of bringing things to the fore and it often does it without giving notice first! One day everything is going fine and the next you wonder what happened and why you’re at where you’re at.
I used to worry about what “life” had up its sleeve and how it was going to affect me. This worrywart syndrome that I have didn’t help much either. Something is going good and I would say to myself, “Wait for it! It’s coming, it’s on the way!” I’m talking about the bad stuff and it never fails because it shows up wearing bells and more!
Perhaps we bring on more of the same when negativity follows us around. These days, I take it as it comes and I offer the other cheek as well! I don’t look for the “bad stuff” to happen. If it does, I decide how I will handle it. Life has a tendency to throw things your way, perhaps it was a boring day up there or wherever they or it is and it’s time to shake things up and sometimes it is party time!
Worrying about things is not going to help matters much. Deciding that whatever comes your way, you are going to handle it and handle it with grace is the way to go. Is “life” giving me a break with that attitude. Nope! It says, “You’ve got lessons to learn and I want to see what you’re made of.”
Bring it on! First things first. I don’t worry as much as I used to. I still do because that goes with the territory, the one of being a worrywart. However, I try not to let it turn my world upside down and inside out. Those days are done it. I am calmer, bolder, braver, and ready to do battle!
Daily writing prompt
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore?
The following quote by Maya Angelou describes my outlook on life perfectly.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Beautifully said and that is exactly what I strive for. Living “life” is not just about existing, it means so much more and there are many moving parts needed to make it happen. The quote above encapsulates how life should be lived if you want to live it to the fullest. Ms. Angelou is famous for her powerful autobiographies, her thought-provoking poetry, and civil rights activism. However, she is best known for her 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” It tells the story of her difficult childhood up to age 17. One of her most famous quotes is this one.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
However, I love her outlook on life and it means don’t just survive but thrive, care deeply about what you do, show kindness and compassion to others, and laugh a lot AND if you can do all of that with some style, so much the better!
Daily writing prompt
What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?
Not one, not two, but ten! That’s a lot of destinations if I may say so myself. I’ve put a stop to traveling simply because I did too much of it in my previous life! Well, I traveled a lot when I was married and during my work life I did more of the same. These days, I’m footloose and fancy-free!
I do what I want and when I want it. It’s a nice place to be in especially in a dream location like mine. I mean the village where nothing ever happens and each day begins and ends the same, with lots of quiet and peace!
Okay, let’s see. I can give you two of my top travel destinations if I choose to do so that is. The first one, Sri Lanka. The Emerald Isle is a dream destination and I’ve never been there but maybe one day. The food is delicious, the coastal areas gorgeous, and lots of nice, friendly people. The greenery is mesmerizing and there is plenty to do there including lots of spa areas where you can totally relax, get massages, do yoga, and just let your soul go to another place and time!
The other one would be Vietnam. Food there is cheap and delicious. The people are very friendly and the country is still in a developmental phase so it would be a great time to go there. The resorts are cheap and top-notch compared to other places where you would have to pay an arm and a leg for the same accommodation. It is not as crowded and you can kick back and do your own thing which appeals to me.
Those are my two favorite places right now, it may change in the future but as I said, I’m not looking to travel any time soon. I’m happy where I’m at and that is saying a lot!
