Joplin Journal Volume 12-3, Issue 2

From the Editor's Desk:

Good morning! It's a cloudy morning here. I've been busy with Writing Camp, and more writing camp. And this, that, and the other. I was going to write last Saturday, but forgot Sarah and I had childcare duties at church that morning for a ladies fellowship. We only ended up with one little guy who is 16 months old. He had a blast running the hall and exploring empty class rooms while playing with balls. So that's why I didn't write.

Weather Report:

The wind shifted the other day from the south to the north and it got colder. We've had beautiful spring weather here! A bit windy many days but still nice. Tulips are blooming or have bloomed, some irises in the neighbor's yard are blooming, trees are turning green. Our maple tree is rather funny this year. The lower half has many large clusters of maple seeds, but the top half has only a few seeds on a few small branches. The squirrels are having a wonderful time eating the seeds. I watched one squirrel the other day completely clear out a large cluster of seeds. He ate them all.

"Genius Burns":

I have been writing! Last week I wrote just over 11k words. The week before that I wrote 17k words and wrote an entire novella (15k) for a collection. I didn't even have any ideas for it but all my other stories were on strike at the moment, so I asked some of the girls at camp for random names, ages, setting, and themes. Then I started writing. And low and behold it fit the theme for the collection and now I have that story written. This week I've written just over 10k so far. I'm hoping for at least another 1k today. Yesterday I did 3k. (It was my second 3k of the month along with two days of 4k.) I'm at 41k for the month but would like to reach 50k if possible. I've worked on so many different stories this month!

Project Prognosis:

How am I doing?

• Work on Blog Posts for 2024 – March posts are done. Have one drafted for April. But nothing else.
• Update Website – Updated for now!
• Tidy – I have things that should be put away. I might get to some of them today.

Hoops:

And the promised awards ceremony pictures!

Drew's team: Red Pandas (Drew 3rd from right) were 1st in their division. No losses.

Joel's team: Timber-wolves (Joel far left) won 2nd in their division. (They were missing several players in this picture.)

James's team: Lions (James 3rd from right) won 1st place with no losses. (A couple players were missing from the picture.)

Lucas (4th from right) was chosen for the All Conference award for his division.

Joel (4th from left) was chosen for the All Conference award from his division.

And Joel (2nd from right) also got the Most Valuable Player award for his division. (Side note, all three of the boys that were awarded this were from our group.)

Lucas's team: Cardinals (Lucas far left) won the highest award in their division. The Christian Spirit Award. This team (missing a few players) never won a game, but they never gave up, never quit, never had a bad attitude about it, and always played hard. Yes, Jimmy was their coach.

Babysitting:

All the kids except James and Krista, got to spend almost half the day here on the 9th. James and Krista were helping at the Lincoln Days Dinner (political event) and Jimmy & Megan were attending it. There was a lot of lego building. Again. We also went walking with some of the kids. We had dinner together and Sarah even made a dessert. Kins called it a cake and said she wanted it for her birthday.

Out of the Mouth:

Kins is so excited for her birthday! She can't wait for it! She has informed me that we need to make her cake fast because it's almost her birthday! And she said, "BehBeh, we're going to have my party at your house. And I know what I'm getting in one of my presents!" I asked her what, and she whispered with a happy little giggle, "A puppy!" (She got a small stuffed one last year.) She's turning 4 on Wednesday!

This girl also made herself a "volleyball award" at Cubbies and wore it the whole night. :D And yes, the above picture is Kinsley to a T!

Spring 100:

This year I once again joined the Spring 100 and am working on walking 100 miles this spring! So far I've walked 5.25 miles. Sarah didn't officially join, but she's going to see how many miles she does walk. There is still time to join the challenge if you want to. It averages out to about 1.1 mile a day. People from all around the world are walking this. And this year it's even more fun! Now they have a Friend section and you can share your link with your friends and if they click on it, they can see your progress and you can see theirs. It's rather motivating. And all ages join! From great grandmas to 4-y-o kiddos. You can even sign your whole family up. A great way to get outside and spend time as a family. Or go walk with friends. If you sign up, let me know, and we can be Friends! So what are you waiting for? Sign up NOW.

The Music Stand:

Orchestra and Ladies Ensemble are both playing or singing on Easter Sunday.

KDWC:

We've had 148 campers and 11 aunties at camp this time. This is smaller camp (by 6) than in November, but it's been good. We had two girls write 20k words each on the very first day! And then later another girl wrote 30k words in a day! Yeah, some people are a bit crazy. :) But we've collectively written almost one and a half million words so far.

Sewing Room:

Sarah is still sewing. She's making some really cute dresses for a little girl, and has more patchwork skirts cut out to make for the shop in Japan. She's also altering and shortening a prom dress for some friends of ours.

Read Another Page:

Nothing to report here.

Book Nook:

I'm doing more writing than reading these days, though I'm still making sure I take time to read. I can't expect to write a lot if I don't read. So my bookshelf is a bit smaller this time. A Very Bookish Celebration (enjoyed it), Workers Together: An Endless Chain (loved rereading this), Misty Of Chincoteague (been a long time since I read this, love it), Valley of Treasure (fun), Ocean of No Escape (exciting). The last two books don't come out until April 16th, but I got to read early copies. Knowing the author comes in handy. ;)

Farewell:

And that's it. I think I've told you all I was going to tell you. I have things to put away, words to write, and a violin to practice. Sarah is probably sewing. Don't know what Mom and Dad are doing. I'm guessing Sarah and I will go walking later today even if it is cloudy and dreary and rather chilly. Did you sign up for the Spring 100? I don't know if I'll write next Saturday or not. If not, Happy Easter!