Ah, a break from the rain showers today as we were driving home from church. The sun was shining so I ventured out into our backyard. I found joy in the splendor of spring before me, as the flowers glistened in the bright sunlight. Wet from a recent shower, the raindrops looked like crystal shining in the sun. Here are a few images I took with my camera:

Well, I actually had some time to sit down and write today. It took me awhile to actually start but I did. I wrote several pages of notes for my book topic.

I really didn't know where to start. How does someone start writing a book? I think the beginning is the hardest. There are a lot of options I have and decisions to make about writing style, chapter titles, sub-titles, and on and on. I tried to pencil out an outline of the book today. It was hard for me to do it on paper because I am so used to using a computer to write! But I just wanted to write with pen and paper. So it's a messy outline but at least it's a start.

I'm sure I will be editing and revising sections of the book on an ongoing basic. I'm sure I will have others help me with it too. But I got some thoughts down today and it's becoming real.

I hope I can find some more time soon to keep it going. I don't want this project to be put aside like most of them before. But I guess that's why I have this website, to help my readers help me. Keep me on track! Send me messages and comments on my book progress, so I will be urged to keep going!

I did it! I wrote my 100th article at Suite101.com today. I was also able to tie my article into being my #100. I searched for 100th anniversaries and celebration and events happening this year, because I thought it would be fun to tie the two together. I wasn't having much luck. I did see that it's Ford's 100th anniversary of producing the model-T but I knew that someone had already written about that at Suite101.

Then I found out that the Tunguska Event happened in 1908. The more I researched it, the more I thought it fit my Meteorology & Climatology topic. I learned some very interesting things.
Make sure to take a look at my article: Siberia's Tunguska Event of 1908

Today I published my 99th article for Suite101.com. I'm looking to write my 100th today or this weekend. I'm so excited to finally reach 100. When writers at S101 hit 100, we get a bonus! This is pretty much my last bonus at Suite101, so I hope it make it extra special. I received a 10% bonus for reaching 50 articles, and a 20% bonus for becoming a Feature Writer. I get the 30% when I reach 100!

Next month is my anniversary at Suite101. I've been plotting my monthly revenue, because I'm a nerd sometimes. It's continually gone up, which is very positive. It's not like I make enough to quit my day job, but it's enough to almost fill up the car with gas! I've heard from other more veteran writers that revenues continue to increase with time, and continued dedication to writing.

So, I will keep at it. I hope to make my 100th article something special. I will post an entry when it's complete.

I've received several special weather reports from the National Weather Service today predicting snow for most of Western Oregon. Wow, I thought Spring just began! Well, March sure is a month for crazy weather, as it is a month of transition. The air is unstable, causing freak snowstorms and other spring extreme weather events.

Well, I'll be watching for snow tonight but I have my doubts it will appear. It has been cold but snow is not normal for the Willamette Valley, especially this time of year.

I do remember having snow one Spring Break as a kid, but we lived in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains then. I remember that we got a pile of snow that Spring Break, high enough to step right onto from our back stairs. We made snowmen and had snowball fights, and tried to stay warm all bundled up. I remember then thinking it was very strange to have snow that late.

I'm trying to finish an article on late season snow but am having trouble finding the right climate data on snow in March. I will continue searching, and hope to have my article posted before the snow begins to fall!

Stay warm and enjoy the last snow (maybe) of the season!
Read my article on extreme spring weather: Extreme Spring Weather article

I couldn't fall asleep tonight so I decided to write. I've always been a night owl, preferring to stay up late than to get up early. Believe me, most people I know, know that I am a zombie in the mornings. But, as I sit here writing tonight, or rather early morning, I am wide awake, thinking clearly.

I think that's my problem - I have so many thoughts at night that I can't sleep unless I mull them over in my mind thoroughly enough or over and over until I fall asleep. Yet, it didn't work tonight.

I do my best work at night. Some of my best essays in college were written at about this time. Some of my best ideas came right before I fell asleep. I can remember countless times, I've actually taken the time to turn on a light, find a pen and write out my thoughts. It feels so good to capture these thoughts on paper. These are the good ones.

I guess it makes sense that my thought process from the day should be complete before I try to fall asleep. Sometimes I think it would be a lot easier to just be able to fall right asleep like everyone else. I also wish I could wake up easier in the mornings too.

I guess I like the serene quiet of late night. It's almost like I can hear my thoughts out loud when I stay up late. The world is quiet. I like being the only one awake. Yet, I regret all the beautiful sunrises I have missed. Sometimes I think it would be nice to wake up with the birds, having a clear mind. But no such luck for me.

I just wanted to address the Radiant Times subscribers and readers: I will be posting future issues of the newsletter on this website, and an archive of previous issues. It is in the works but not sure when it will be completed. For now, please feel free to read my posts and contact me if you have any news, or written contributions. Thank you for your support.

My family blog is still up and running, even though I would prefer to use this website blog solely. The family blog site link is included at the bottom of this post.

This time of year, we're reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. I guess its impact didn't hit me until I was in church last Sunday. I knew that the Easter season was here but I wasn't ready for its effect on me.

There I was, sleepily attending our church, thinking about how tired I was, and about all the things bothering me in life. I was wrapped up in myself, and how I felt. I didn't want to associate with other churchgoers or greet anyone. I just wanted to sit through the sermon, hoping to receive a message of hope.

I was aware of my actions, aware that my bad attitude reflected on my husband and the others around me. As I chose not to greet those around me, because I didn't want to spread my bad mood, I saw that it did indeed pass on. I sat with my arms crossed, hoping no one noticed me. In actuality, I probably wanted everyone to notice, and feel compassion, wondering what was wrong. I knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway.

So, as the worship music started, I stood quiet. I didn't want to sing when I wasn't happy. Yet, I knew the music would get to me, welling up inside of me, ready to change my attitude. I feel God through music. I can usually feel Him in the music at church. His presence was very clear on Sunday, taking only moments to break down my walls.

As I closed my eyes, listening to each voice singing, the words touched my heart. I could feel the love for God rise up through my chest. Slowly tears formed, as I knew I was wrong, and unworthy. The sacrifice of Jesus at Easter came to mind, and urged the tears to spill down my cheeks. How could I think of myself at this time of year?

I realized I had been thinking only of myself. Yet, I knew that my personal relationship with God had been suffering lately, not a priority on my list. I knew I had to fix this part of me, before I could worship in church with others.

So, I mended my relationship with God, asking for forgiveness for my selfish ways. I filled my God-shaped hole, as Audio Adrenaline calls it, with God's love. He knows I have the best intentions in mind, to love others like Jesus did, without judgment. I guess He also knows that I'm not perfect.

I hope that my selfishness did not affect others in adverse ways, yet, I'm glad I realized my wrongdoing in time to genuinely experience Easter this year.

As you may know, I am the Feature Writer for Meteorology & Climatology at Suite101.com. I am in charge of this section, monitoring contributing articles and discussions. However, my discussion topics have little to no activity. I would really like to see my section become more interactive. I want to write articles that interest my readers.

So, if you have a question or interest in any particular weather or climate topic, please feel free to ask it at my Suite101.com Weather Page or contact me here.

Otherwise I will continue to write about what interest me, which I don't mind doing. However, it would be nice to have some interaction with my readers.

I think it's ironic how sometimes I sit down to write and the words just flow out of me, as rapidly as a river after a spring rain. But then other times, I sit, starring at the blank page, waiting for a single sentence to form. I'll even close my eyes, trying to concentrate and make the thoughts form, like the character Hiro from "Heroes". I know the thoughts are in my mind but why can't they form when I have the chance to actually spend time writing?

It seems like my most creative thoughts flow freely when I'm busy doing something else, at work or just before I fall asleep. The last time I had a whirlwind of creative thoughts was just after my visit to Eugene for the Willamette Writers presentation . The speaker, Melinda Dille, had inspired me with her personal journey in publishing her book. I was intrigued at her persistent and confidence in her idea. So, as I drove home that night, my mind was going about as fast as I was traveling, and I wasn't even speeding! I wished at that moment that I could pull over and just write down all my thoughts. But it was dark and I wanted to get home. I told my husband when I got home that I wished I could download my brain, without losing a single thought! I had so many good ideas, all flowing at once. I did manage to get some of the best ideas into written form, and I still remember the majority of content from my 65 mph brainstorm!

The experts say to begin brainstorming by writing down whatever comes to mind. Well, sometimes that works for me. But other times, I go off on strange tangents, never to return to my primary objective for sitting down to write at all. But it can be fun.

I guess my problem is that I want to start writing my book content so badly, or a genuinely good article that sometimes I put too much pressure and stress on myself to be productive at writing. I need to remember that I do have a full-time job, a new marriage and a yard full of weeds, grass, and a jungle of beautiful plants. I just wish my creative thoughts would suit my available time for writing. I think I just need to work on those writing habits again!