Good Morning! I have to go places this morning, so things are going to get a little crazy in an hour. But, again, balancing life means priorities. I think groceries are above my writing -- at least when the frige is empty.

Yesterday's thoughts did give me an answer. Maybe not the right answer, but a direction anyway.

I did, however, give my daughter the text I have from my WIP. She might read it. She's got a busy life, with her little one and a half year old, a boyfriend, and all her own priorities. I am proud of her, though. She's managed to find herself through everything she's going through. I think she's making a difference in the world. Not as if she was on the fast track to making a lot of money, but by being the best mom she can be in spite of some truly difficult things that are happening to her.

While shopping today, I'm going to be looking at people. This is what I mean by balance, as well. If you never see people out in the real world, how can you hope to write about a real type character. Yes, I do take a small notebook with me. I jot down things so I remember them. (I have a swiss cheese mind -- holes in it.)

Things to look at while shopping -- people and how they react to things. Feelings of my own. Watching the people I'm with and noting reactions or gestures. And then there are the new people, interesting people. Sometimes I see them and a story to go with them pops up in my head. Like the guy who sits on the corner of the street with the sign -- WILL WORK FOR FOOD. There's a huge story in that, and I have some of it already.

I did it yesterday, though. I moved a fountain top on my waterfall, after restructuring the fall. My back went, I got stuck, and had to call my son to help. There are times I feel so helpless. I'm all right now, but the rest of yesterday was shot. But even that, you see, is fodder for a character. The kind of pain, the feeling of helplessness, and the fear that I might not be able to ever get up. Above it all -- anger that this happens when I'm just trying to take care of things.

Also, although it doesn't really have much to do with writing, the things that happen tend to help me understand other people, thus making relationships easier. It's always been easy to put myself into other people's shoes, and I think this exploration of how I would feel if I was them helps me all the way around -- writing and living.

Well, on with the morning. I'm sure I'll find something to inspire me out in the world.

Just keep writing.