Stop Random Acts of Kindness

Goodwill to others should not be bottled into a consumer friendly season. It is almost always free, Takes very little work, and a heart. So if you have no money, a few spare minutes from your most recent selfie collecting, and a heart, Do something nice for someone for no reason. It isn't a random act of kindness when you do it often enough, it is called being a good person.

Why I Write Strong Female Lead Characters

I was not a product of the 1950's and so I was not raised in a house where there was such thing as the woman taking the back seat. My daughter is a powerful girl soon to be woman in her own right. I hope that these characters and stories reflect the inner fire I see in her everyday fighting a still male dominated world. She impresses me everyday with her ability to jump into male dominated subjects and clubs and take them on full steam ahead. I am proud of her work in the Robotics club, and even more for starting an Anime club when she didn't find one. Both areas are very controlled by the belief they are male subjects. She is out to prove the world wrong and I can't wait to be on the sidelines cheering as she proves they are a human subjects anyone can be good at and love. — feelingproud. 

Charles Colp Kyleigh Colp and Logan Colp Muppet fountain

Last full day of school for the kids

Today is the last full day of school for the kids. No summer vacations planned this year and no fireworks tent either. I think I just made this into the longest summer vacation they have ever had. Guess we will see what we can get into, The eldest is writing a book, The youngest is being a ham, and the girl has more plans than days to do them in. The oldest is even going to start up running again. When did I stop having kids and start having awesome almost adults here.

Something touched my soul

Something touched my soul today, I am proud to say that it is something I wrote. My character "Sprite" found herself where I would put myself if I had the opportunity. Home. I have lived all over the world and all over the United States. I have tried to make a home of so many places. Even after I had a family of my own to care for, I still dream of the one place I felt at peace. the one place that could fill me emotionally with a sound, a smell, a sight. When I have taken care of anything that being a good parent requires, I have resolved to take my beautiful wife and move back home. I know that I should do it sooner, it would probably fill my children with the same love I have for the place. Unfortunately not all decisions are mine to make right now. When they are once again I will be doing whatever it is I have to do to get my family to my home. I will be doing them a great service, seeing their father happy and content is just as important for them as it is for me. My wife is completely behind this plan. Yet another thing that makes her so wonderful. If I gave her a date she would mark it on a calendar and put an app on her phone to count down the days. In the end, you have to stay true to yourself. If you have to try making yourself happy in a place. you don't belong there. I can't wait to step on the beach again, to put on a hoodie because the breeze from the ocean is cool on an August morning. I also can't wait to inhale the tranquility, view the spectacle, and hear natures song. Hopefully soon...

Monterey Waves

Mothers Day or Humanity Day

Memories

It is so easy to celebrate for most Americans, We have all had a mother. It is easy to remember the good  and forget the bad, remember the lessons. In all the revelry, the joyful stories, the special dinners, The world collectively forgets to have a true heart.

I wish I could say how many of my friends have suffered the loss of a child. It doesn't matter on a day like this, if the child was lost in utero, by an accident, by the insanity that is life, or by the choice they made at the time. This can also be a truly horrible constant and pervasive reminder. I have many friends, through no deeds of their own discovered they would never be able to have what they had dreamed of since they learned how kids were made.

So as we all celebrate our own mothers, the mothers of our children, the new mothers we know. Don't forget tact, heart, compassion. There are many mothers who through whatever mechanism can't help but see today as a horrible reminder. Some may wrongly blame themselves, some may blame God, and some may blame other people. in the end it doesn't matter who wins the blame game. what matters is a human being with feelings, gifts, thoughts, and a heart can't help but morn such a day. To the countless among you that I know now or may know in the future, may I wish you a happy humanity day. Know that you are loved for all of your gifts, and know that you are not forgotten today. The waves will crash on your shores as gently as they will all others and you are still important to all who care for you.

What is your goal today?

What is the thing you want more than anything today? If it is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, that is something I can't help with right now. If you do find one though be sure to send me a google map. My goals for today were simple, 5 loads of laundry, 1 load of dishes, 6 blog posts, part 3 of my new Sprite series, and to make my overworked wife comfortable and wanting for nothing. I am still waiting for her to get home, but when she does, I will have her rice bags heated, her glass of tea ready, and her favorite shows ready to watch. I try to never make selfish goals, I also don't always succeed in that either. Having a clearly defined goal helps me make better decisions and makes life easier for everyone around me. Try it for a day, make all of your goals for one day about someone else. You will probably end up smiling like I do, when you realize how much you have done that day to improve your own world.

It all connects

Something that I struggle with, and so do many others from meeting many writers, is diet and exercise. I never know what to eat and when I do it is usually bad for me. Like frozen burrito in the microwave bad. I am also blessed to have some pretty diverse and amazing friends that I have made over the years. One of whom is a competitive swimmer. She really knows what she is talking about and has the knowledge and experience to share with us contributors to the national waistline. Follow her new blog on food and deciphering the tons of half true information out there.

Being in better shape, means less carpal tunnel, less back pain, more comfort while writing, better sleeping habits. I am sure at least one of those applies to my writing friends.

Deciphering the mountain of misinformation in food and diet

Memories

Don’t take yourself so seriously, try to remember it is the funny things we remember when we are older, make more of those memories. If your kid wants to stay up way past bedtime to do something fun with you. Know they are building good memories when you say yes.

Found my past

I found my past today, actually my wife found it for me. I once wrote poems to cope with things that I otherwise didn't have the ability or knowledge to deal with on a daily basis. These are 2 of my poems I like (i.e. don't want to throw into a fire to erase the emotions and the memories of)

Lone Wolf

I hear him howling in the night

and I see with my second sight

the images and the pain

never to feel his life again

He once was a pup so full of joy

and any old stick could be his toy

then one day his father left

he couldn't understand this thing called death

That night his mother she came

and she taught him the truth of his name

this was a talk between father and son

she had to tell him for father he had none

He wandered alone for days

as his mind was swimming in a haze

still confused he laid down to rest

with his heart still deep in his breast

Late that night he heard a sound

of his mother crying and evil abound

was it his mind that caused the fear

or was it really his mothers tear

He ran as fast as any wind

for his mothers life he had to defend

when he reached his home he knew

there was nothing left for him to do

That night he made a solemn vow

and it didn't matter when or how

one day he would catch that evil thing

and show him why the wolf is king

He tracked and tried for years alone

but to him the beast was never shown

then one day a family was his

so he quit and settled with the Ms.

Time passed quickly on by

till one night he heard his mates cry

he ran as fast as he possibly could

jumping and leaping over the rotting wood

He ran so fast with his body so lean

until he reached that horrible scene

with his heart pounding he saw a sight

three of his pups were dead this night

The with a growl he turned his head

but all he could see were his pups so dead

then the beast turned to kill again

but this time he would have to defend

he heard a shot, like thunder it hit

then he knocked the beast down to sit

he attacked the head and then the throat

until it's blood covered his coat

He checked his mate and remaining pup

and with a howl rears his head up

he guides his mate back to their home

then alone he goes to roam

As the blood of his kill mingles with his own

he remembers the deeds he has sown

and as he lays down to die

He fills the air with his mournful cry

written 08/15/1992

A Good Friend

With love in my eye's

I give you a vow

though I don't know

quite when or how

That if you ever need

to feel secure

no matter what pains

I must endure

If ever you feel

that your will is not there

I'll give you my strength

and show that I care

If you ever want

to feel my heart beat

just to prove

that we are concrete

If you ever wish

just for a friend

that is how we started

and for forever to end

If you ever look

for somewhere to cry

put your head to my chest

until your tears are dry

And if you desire

someone to love

that is the day

I'll thank heaven above.

written 11/19/1994

Ok I think that is enough putting myself out there now. I have never shared these except with close friends or family. So anyway there they are. Hope you like them, if not that is ok too.

I want to thank @churchpunkmom and @tastelikecrazy on twitter for inspiring me to publish these for the world by sharing their amazing writings with all of us.