The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Some concerts performances draw a larger audience than others.  Beethovan's Ninth Symphony is one that draws a sell out crowd. What a treat to sit in the audience for a concert. But this wasn't any ordinary concert in any ordinary place.  Last Saturday the Detroit Symphony Orchestra played Beethoven's 9th Symphony in the elegant Orchestra Hall.  Stepping into the ornate room, anyone wearing jeans would automatically feel out of place. Formal apparel is most appropriate to drink in the full experience. Before the concert began, I slipped into a tourist mode and took as many pictures as possible, even though I grew up in Detroit and have been in this hall at least four times. I am standing in the aisle. No, I wouldn't zoom the camera to prove it was me, because I wanted to show you the seating area, including the magnificent balcony. I felt like a child standing in this ornate hall. Not sure what to look at first or second or third.  ...

Alice graduated this last week.  She is 89. Yeah. Pretty special. This lady has my utmost respect. Her twinkle eyes make me feel proud of something I do, yet at times the same eyes spoke to straighten my path when I make a left turn. Her tender voice offers encouragement that can break up any cloudy day. She is a grammarian who doesn't mind correcting any improper word in her firm, loving way, even the Pastor's. No one minds. That's just Alice. Alice loves special music during church services. A teen girl and I played flute duets for ten years or so. I moved away. But before I did, we compiled our songs and made a CD. Copies were handed out to many church members. But for some crazy reason, I forgot to give one to Alice. Bad me. Alice saw me at church the Sunday I left and asked when she'd receive her CD. Immediately after church, I went home, made another copy and ran it over to her house. Ahhh. There the smile came. And the twinkle eyes. Six years later my...

Today, I welcome author Pam Hillman Pam is currently hopping with a busy blog tour. Her latest book has just been released. And while I have not had the honor of the experience I think it would be likened to preparing for moving a household or a wedding. So many details! God has certainly blessed her ministry. I asked Pam to share the journey God has led her on to publication. Here is what she said: God's Blessings Thank you for dropping in. I'm a farmer's wife, mother, author, pre-school Sunday School teacher, purchasing manager, and ACFW Conference Treasurer. That is WAY too many hats fot one woman! I agree, Pam!  You are amazing, and yet you continue to write books! Yes, well, I was born east of the Mississippi and a hundred years too late. I still boast about wrangling calves, milking cows, and putting up hay, first as a child growing up in Mississippi, and later with my own personal hero, Iran, on our own farm. Even as a child I was a voraci...

Michigan, Clear Lake It's bitter cold out. The wind is swirling across the frozen lake and picking up snow.  The fishermen I bumped into last night said the lake has eight inches of ice.  Winter wouldn't be so bad if the sky wasn't stained gray. Thoughts of eighty degrees and a sandy beach are tempting. Walk with me on the warm sands. Take your shoes off and let your toes curl between the grains. Let them tickle your skin. Press forward onto your left foot and leave the indented footprint behind.  A baby's breath sky is dotted with puffs of satin white clouds. Take a breath, a deep cleansing breath. Energizing. Thrilling. Yet, calming.  Savannah, Georgia, Atlantic Ocean And now the quandary. Run along the sands or lie on the warm grains forming to the shape of your legs, back, head, and arms.  Distracted by the white sails of the pleasure ship bopping near the horizon, you choose neither, but stand, anchored to the gro...

I went in search of what to write for this post. I have a great advantage. Since my website focuses on stepping into other people's world, I simply have to look at the world and voila, I have a story. At this minute I am in the pool area of a hotel.  It is Sunday afternoon.  A time when families jump into the water, Grandmas sit on the side to care for little ones in need of a break and giggles echo. To my left, a little toe head girl, about two years old, sits cuddled in pool towels. Her thumb is in her mouth. Grandma sits in the chair next to her with a camera in hand. The flash flickers as she takes pictures of her son, daughter-in-law, and their three sons about twelve, ten and four. Big brother tosses youngest brother like a football to dad. The little girl pulls her thumb out of her mouth and giggles. The little brother is held up high to look out the window at the steam rising on the other side. And the little girl giggles again. She watches for one more m...

Today I welcome an authoress who has become a wonderul friend :  Rhonda Gibson .   Enter to win an autographed copy of Rhonda Gibson's book:  As you can see from the smiles in her pictures Rhonda has come to see God's timing in her life. As I spoke with her about the journey God has led her on, she expressed joy. And so we share with you, her answer to my weekly question: How has God led you on your writing journey: God’s Timing Is Everything I started writing when I was very young. My earliest novel was written when I was 12 years old. I loved reading Hardy Boy novels by Franklin W. Dixon and wanted to write one, too. I hand wrote about 400 pages and gave them to my mother to keep. Hey, I was a kid I had no dreams of publishing the book. I just wanted to write it  Then it was many years later that I decided I wanted to write, again. My sweet husband bought me a typewriter and I st...

Today,  I spill my wish made back at Christmas time. I wished for 75 followers for this website by Valentines Day.  And look what God gave me! He gave me you! More than I could have ever dreamed. Since the start of this website last July, I have met more wonderful people, godly people. I am so blessed. You are all my valentine Thank you. Second,  I want to show my appreciation to my hubby, Hank, who has supported me in my writing career. He encourages me to write, learn, crit, edit, polish. He cheers the accomplishments and hugs when the rejections come. He is my Valentine. Third, I want to show my appreciation for my teen daughter, who has prayed during family devotions every single night for over a year that God would bless my writing ministry. She has faithfully shown an interest. She deserves a big valentine. Fourth, I want to show my appreciation for my fellow Alley cats at The Writers A...

If there is an unexpected sound at night,  I can't go to sleep until it's identified .  It happened last week.... I crawled into bed. All the house lights off. The blankets tucked under my chin. And all was quiet. ...until A humming sound came from outside. It didn't really sound like a machine, more of a choral men's group singing one note, no two. The melody broke into harmony changing pitch. The source of the sound mystified me. It was a blistery cold winter night. The sky gray all day turned charcoal at night.  The snow was wet in some places, crunching beneath out boots that day, and dry in others whisking up in the air with the wind. The tones changed to a ghost like call. The sound the wind can make as he sweeps around the corner of the house.  The humming increased in volume, still pleasing to hear. The constant nature eliminated the wind. It had to be a motor of some kind, but which one? After I show you, you m...

Today I welcome a kind and giving author who is happy to share her experiences to help new writers :  Gayle Roper .   Enter to win an autographed copy of  Gayle Roper's book Summer Shadows see below In 2011 I attended my first big writer's conference. I must admit, I felt pretty nervous. Someone suggested I use my appointment times to speak with a mentor. I did.  I spoke with Gayle Roper. A wise and gracious lady who never bragged about her credits, but used the time to help me take the next step in my writing career. As a matter of fact, I didn't know about all her writing achievements until doing the research for today's post, be sure to check out her bio at the end. Gayle had quite an adventure last year. She tells how God led her on her journey.  200 Days of Wandering . . . Wondering Why God Picked This Journey For Me What do you do when your house sells seven months befor...