Welcome to the Mind of a Writer

Sam Tiberius Dachsund, napping on the very ottoman that led to his injury.

MANY’S the time when Derek and I have talked about writing a series of ‘tails’ (intentionally misspelled) about our dog, Sam. Those who’ve met our 8 year old dachshund agree that he’s an extraordinary fellow, who is generally agreeable and always entertaining.

He is not, however, good at being sick. In fact, he’s a bit of a baby, and I’ve got the bags beneath my eyes to prove it.

Last Thursday, as I sat writing in an oversized chair in our front living room, Sam attempted to join me by leaping onto the chair’s matching ottoman. Now, he’d accomplished this maneuver dozens, if not hundreds of times over the 2 years since we adopted him, so I thought nothing of it. I could just make out the end of his muzzle as he bounced into view over the top of the ottoman’s nubby covering. I fully expected to find him nuzzling into position next to me on the chair, but instead his head disappeared, and I heard a distinctively unsettling yelp; Sam had landed badly, twisting his knee into positions not intended by our wonderful Creator.

Assuming that he’d strained a muscle, I applied ice and put Sam into his ‘den’ (a collapsible crate we keep in our family room) to rest. The next day, he appeared much improved, and by Saturday, Sam’s old swagger had returned as he joined Derek for a short walk.  Much to our surprise and utter dismay, Sam’s beleaguered anterior cruciform ligament could not stand further strain (the fibers of the ligament had torn during the ottoman episode), and Sam’s short stroll turned into a decided misadventure. He returned from the walk limping, and by the next Morning, Sam could not bear any weight on the knee.

Ice, baby aspirin and much prayer later, I took Sam to our wonderful, mountain man style vet (he wears a long beard and equally long hair–he’d fit right in with ZZ Top), and Dr. Epler quickly diagnosed the problem as an ACL tear. Crate rest and meds were prescribed, and Sam is not allowed to navigate any stairs (or ottomans!) for at least 4 weeks while his ligament rebuilds itself. If we do not follow the instructions, Sam may require surgery (always a risk in a small dog), so he’s being carried everywhere like a prince. Though he adores being ‘babied’, I know he’d prefer to have his old, reliable knee back.

As with any ‘child’, round the clock attention is required, so uninterrupted sleep soon becomes a thing of the past. Last night, he woke at 2:22 (I looked at the clock at noted the numeric irony), whining and wimpering as his pain meds wore off. I spent an uneasy night on our futon in the family room so not to disturb Derek or my sister Debbie upstairs.

My own body is straining from carrying a 22 pound dog from here to there, dozens of times each day. Can I endure four weeks more of this? Let’s just say that September will be a very long month here in Gilbert House–but Sam’s worth it. And perhaps, if we ever get around to writing those Sam ‘tails’, we’ll include one about his unparalleled bravery in the face of daunting and endless pain. Sam the Brave.

Popularity: 1% [?]

One of my favorite passages in the Bible tells the story of two sisters who each loved Jesus in her own way. Their brother Lazarus is well known as the man who came back to life at Christ’s command, but as a woman I relate best to Mary and Martha.

We read of these courageous women in Luke 10 and John 11. In the former, Martha (head of the household) has invited Jesus for a meal at her home. To make Him welcome, she busies herself with cooking and cleaning. Her younger sister Mary, however, chooses to sit at Christ’s feet and listen to His teaching rather than help Martha in the kitchen. Frustrated, Martha complains to Jesus, but is rebuked.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Now, before you jump to the conclusion that Martha had no faith, consider the fact that Jesus was a ‘wanted man’ in Jerusalem. His miracles, and in particular His resurrection of Mary’s brother Lazarus, had irritated the Sanhedrin and the High Priest to no end! Bethany (their home town) was, essentially, a suburb of Jerusalem, so hosting this renegade could have brought the Roman soldiers storming into Martha’s home. Notice, too, that Jesus very likely arrived with His entourage of seventy followers (the returning apostles whom he’d sent to preach the gospel and cast out demons). Martha then was cooking and serving a BIG crowd!

So, which sister do I want to be? It depends on the moment. I love to cook and clean and make a comfy nest for my family and friends. I enjoy being a servant (take that women’s lib!). However, I also LOVE learning, and I can easily spend days researching on the internet or reading book after book, all the while letting my family fend for themselves while dust bunnies take over the house!

I’m so grateful to the Holy Spirit for inspiring John and Luke to include these dear sisters and the lessons Christ teaches me through their actions. I can be both women…at different times. And both sides of my Mary/Martha personality can serve Him.

Popularity: 1% [?]

May not be writing LOST Rewatch reviews for a few days. I’m in the middle of setting up a new office. And, I will be writing novels again! Yippeee!! Sadly, this may mean a permanent hiatus for the LOST series posts. If you’re interested in writing posts about the shows, let me know. I’ll post your reviews at Watcher Mag!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Charlie and Jack share a 'confessional' moment inside the cave.

“Nice work, Charlie. You make excellent bait.”

By SHARON K. GILBERT

IT’S BEEN EIGHT days since the survivors crashed onto the ‘island’, and Jack has decided to move the main camp to the caves, where fresh water and shelter abound. Not everyone chooses to join Jack. The dissenters include Sawyer and Kate.

As the campers deal with their ‘break-up moment’, Charlie Pace deals with his break-up with heroine. Locke offers his guidance, suggesting that Charlie ‘take a walk’ with him. The walk turns into a ‘boar hunt’ with Charlie as the bait.

Locke is now Charlie’s guide, even his confessor, replacing the church that Charlie had once so loved. Locke tells Charlie that he must choose to overcome his heroine addiction, and that he has ‘three chances’ to ask for the drugs that Locke now controls. It’s like a hidden temptation: Is Locke trying to help or hurt? Is this about control? Read the rest of this entry →

Popularity: 3% [?]