Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The History of LDStorymakers

I'll be posting highlights of the conference here throughout the week. If you're looking for the articles to supplement my class, just scroll down ... they are here, I promise.

I love the opening ceremonies of the conference. Our MCs always do such a great job putting together something to make us laugh. This year, Rob treated us to the History of the LDStorymakers. He took our pictures and superimposed them over old fashioned shots. Here's mine:



You can see the rest of them here. I'm not sure if you have to be Rob's friend on Facebook to be able to see this ... but send him a friend invite. As long as you're not a scary stalker, I think he'd accept.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

LDStorymakers Really Rock!

Guest Blogger - Spencer McKay

Spencer was unable to attend last weekend's LDStorymakers Writers Conference, but is pleased to hear that his entry in the First Chapters Contest was so well received. Unfortunately, it was disqualified on two counts: being late, and not being the first chapter. Contest chair Jaime Theler says she hopes Spencer will learn his lesson ... er, be a little more punctual next year. Spencer has agreed to guest blog here today.

So, I hear you all had fun at your little conference thingy. I've been trolling the Internet and I've seen some really positive comments all over the place, so I guess I missed out. I'll try to make it next year, but you know how it is ... facials, manicures ... how do you work it all in?

I was glad to hear that Tristi read my chapter at the conference. As far as I know, it's the only chapter that was presented from the stage, so I guess that has to mean something, even if I didn't win, right? And what does a disqualification really matter in the long run. I got some name exposure and it's all good.

Tristi asked if I would post my entry here. Sure, I guess I can do that. Just remember, people, it has a copyright and if you quote me, you have to give me credit. Make sure to capitalize the "K" in my last name. Drives me nuts when people forget.

* * *

“I know what you are,” I said. I looked at Tedward. “Your skin is green. You’re impossibly cheerful. You pay for everything with gold coins.”

“Say it,” he urged.

“You’re … a leprechaun.”

“Yes, Stella,” he said. “I am a leprechaun. How did you figure it out?”

“Hopsy told me.”

Tedward growled. “Hopsy is my mortal enemy. His people and my people have been enemies for years. Finally a truce was made, but it’s an uneasy truce. Leprechauns and Easter Bunnies will never be friends.” He reached out and touched my face. “I’m glad you know the truth about me, Stella. But I’m not just any leprechaun—I’m an evil leprechaun.”

“I’m not scared of you,” I said.

“You should be,” he said. Suddenly he was at my side. Then he was on my left. Then he was on my right. Then he was hanging upside down from a nearby branch. He was making me dizzy—or was it his sparkling white smile that made me weak?

“I could kill you,” he said. “I could rip you in pieces and eat this half with mustard and that half with ketchup.”

“You wouldn’t do that,” I said.

He reached out to touch my face. “But I could.”

“But you wouldn’t,” I said.

He trailed his fingers down my face. “I could strangle you and leave you out here in the woods.”

“Do go on,” I said.

“No, Stella,” he said, touching my face. “I have a rope in my backpack. I could hang you. You shouldn’t trust me.”

“But you won’t hurt me.”

He opened his jacket and I saw a gun in a holster under his arm. “This is a Glock. I could shoot you right now. I have thirty-seven vials of poison in my pocket. Plus, I have a knife in my boot. You shouldn’t trust me, Stella. I’m telling you. I’m dangerous. But, I love you, all these death threats notwithstanding."


I reached out and slapped his arm. “Silly boy! Whatever would you want with me? I’m just a wan, pale, homely little thing.”

“Stella, don’t you know how beautiful you are?”

“No, no, I don’t. I am wan and pale and homely.”

He touched my face. “You are beautiful. And your smell … do you have any idea how good you smell?”

I picked up a piece of my hair and sniffed it. “I’ve been told I smell like freesia …

“Freesia? Who would want to eat freesia? Girl, you smell like a double bacon cheeseburger with a side order of onion rings. And a Diet Coke.”

“A Diet Coke?”

“A Diet Coke. Do you see why you’re in danger?”

“You’d kill me for a Diet Coke? Real Coke, maybe I can see, but Diet Coke?”

“You shouldn’t be with me, Stella. I’m no good for you.”

“But Tedward, I trust you. After you saved me from the collapsing bridge and the falling tower and the crashing bus and the stampeding elephants and the cholera and the tumbling shopping mall, how could I not trust you?”

“But you can’t! Don’t you see? Your fingers look like French fries …”

“I thought you said I smelled like onion rings.”

He groaned. “Don’t remind me. You’re making it worse.”

“I trust you, Tedward. I believe in you.”

He reached out to touch my face.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Hourglass Door - Lisa Mangum

Wow.

Oh, wait - a book review is supposed to be longer than that.

Okay ...

Wooooowwwwwww.


If that's not enough to make you dash out to preorder, I guess I'll have to work a little harder to convince you.

Abby is a seventeen-year-old who believes she has a perfect life. Her boyfriend sees to her every need, she's the assistant director of the school play, she's getting ready to apply for college, and everything seems in balance until the new foreign exchange student comes to school. His name is Dante, he's Italian, and he's gorgeous. Abby finds herself drawn to him, and soon learns his secret ... he was born in the fifteenth century and was sent to this time as part of his punishment for a crime he didn't commit. Now a prisoner of time, he must do everything he can to safeguard the balance of his existence or all will be lost. That's pretty much the story in a nutshell, but I want to move on and talk about the component of the book that really drew me in, and that was the writing.

Lisa Mangum has worked for Deseret Book for years, familiar with the ins and outs of the market, the publishing process, and the editing world. That said, it's entirely possible to be extremely proficient in the industry without necessarily being able to write oneself. And having said that, may I now say, Lisa is an outstanding writer. Her turns of phrase, her plotting pace, her characterization, the playoff between tension and tenderness ... brilliant. There were some sentences that caused me to go back and reread just because I wanted to appreciate the structure again. That doesn't happen to me a whole lot.

Some critics may draw comparisons between this book and Twilight. I'll agree-there are some similarities. Handsome, unusual guy comes into girl's life, knocks her for a loop, and then reveals a deep, dark secret. However, this is a basic storyline that has worked for authors in the past and will continue to work in the future. It's an established plot-a classic, really- not too far different from special child discovers ability to save the world. But Lisa's book is far different from Stephenie's in many other crucial ways, most notably in the writing technique. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed Twilight and I don't mean to knock it - but when you've got a book like The Hourglass Door that does have its similarities, you can't help but compare and this one comes out the winner, in my opinion.

I congratulate Lisa on a job well done and I can't wait for the sequel to be released. Rats - it doesn't come out until summer of 2010. Tapping my fingernails ... it's going to be a long wait.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Gandhi (1982)

In 1869, a man named Mohandas Gandhi was born in India. He was a mild man, small in stature, not particularly handsome, and yet he changed the world. How did he do it? Not by starting an army or by showing violence. Instead, he cultivated the seeds of his personal integrity and then lived according to his beliefs. Quietly, yet with determination, he stood for what he believed in, and others followed him. They gave him the title “Mohammed,” which means “father,” a high term of respect and endearment. This man, by choosing not to bow to an overbearing government, influenced the world for tremendous good. He put an end to the caste system in India. He fought for independence in South Africa, and it is because of him that the nation of Pakistan was formed to further the cause of religious freedom.

The 1982 movie “Gandhi,” starring Ben Kingsley, is perhaps one of the most remarkable films I’ve ever seen. It was not only acted masterfully, but the direction, the cinematography—every aspect was incredible. It doesn’t surprise me to learn this film won eight Oscars. But the most remarkable thing about this film, to me, is the way I can’t stop thinking about it, and the way it has impacted my life.

We begin the film seeing Gandhi as a young idealistic lawyer, traveling in South Africa. Because of the darker hue of his skin, he is thrown off the train, even though he has a ticket in his hand. When he finally reaches his destination, he expresses his outrage to his friends, only to be told that things will never change in South Africa. He doesn’t accept this answer, and stages a protest against carrying papers everywhere he goes, as all persons of color must do at that time.

As we move forward and see the events of his life unfold, some that are more familiar to us historically than others, we are touched by his tender relationship with his wife and his deep desire to do the right thing, even when he doesn’t always know what that might be. As we come to the conclusion, Gandi’s assassination, we feel as though we’ve been on a remarkable journey through one man’s heart and soul, and joined with thousands of others whose souls resonated with his.

This movie depicts many disturbing historical events, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and I don’t recommend it for young children. However, I highly recommend it for your older children and your teenagers, especially as a supplement to their studies of this era of history in school. I learned so much from this film and know I will think back on it often. If one man can change the world by standing for his beliefs and refusing to crumple in the face of opposition, what could the rest of us do if we were that brave?

This film is rated PG.

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And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The Family is the Core

When I was asked to cover Home and Family for YourLDSNeighborhood, I was a little intimidated – Muriel, the previous blogger, had done such an outstanding job I knew I couldn’t fill her shoes. At the same time, I was honored, as I realized what a blessing it would be to focus my thoughts on my home and my family for several quality moments each week and to think about what they really mean to me.

As I push my dirty dishes to the back of my mind and concentrate on the essential, eternal parts of having a home and a family, I’m reminded of the theme we’ve seen presented in our visiting teaching messages for the last several months. These messages have taken us right back to the basics of the gospel, to where it all began and what comprises the root and core of our Heavenly Father’s plan for us and the reasons why we’re here. That core is the family.

Our Heavenly Father is truly that—our Father. This is not just a term of endearment or respect; it is a literal, absolute fact. He is the Father of our spirits. He watches over us just as our own earthly parents watch over us, and He is always concerned about our welfare and our progression. We are like children who have gone off to college. We can’t see our parents any longer, but they are always there for us and they are just a phone call, or prayer, away.

As we marry and form families of our own, we are participating in our Heavenly Father’s plan. We are bringing down more spirits who will also learn to listen for their Father’s voice throughout their lives, and we are learning what it means to be one. A family is successful as each member puts their wants to the side and focuses on the overall best good for the family, and these are principles we must learn in order to form a Zion society. As parents walk the floors with sick children, as Johnny breaks the last cookie in half to share with Jane, and as Billy lets Steve play with his truck, they learn one step at a time what it means to be one.

If you picture an apple, the core runs right down the center. The fruit extends out from the core and the skin covers and protects it all. Our families are the core of everything we do. We go to work to support our families. We cook and clean to provide a healthy environment for our families. Everything we do ties back in to our families, and this is how our Heavenly Father intended it. The pattern of the family is eternal. There is no eternal progression, no heaven, no exaltation, without family.

I’ve set a goal to keep my family more central in my thoughts and more cherished as I move from day to day, to focus less on the housework and more on the things I can teach them and the love we can share. A family is more than just soccer games, muddy shoes, sticky fingers, and spilled Kool-Aid. A family is forever.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Whassup with That?

You know those folks who have jobs holding signs outside of businesses, and they look all happy and attention-getting in hopes of ... well, getting attention?

Here's my deep question for the day.

Why do they never hold the signs still so you can read what they say? How do I know if I want to stop if I can't read the sign? I'm certainly not going to pull over just so I can see what the sign says. Give me an incentive to pull over, people. Give me some information instead of giving me a headache trying to read the dancing words.

Friday, April 10, 2009

We’re So Glad When Daddy Comes Home …

Families today are going a million different directions. Kids head out to school, dads and sometimes moms head off to work, and then of course there are piano lessons, soccer games, doctor appointments, church callings, Scouts, Young Women, Young Men … the list is endless. Everyone needs to be somewhere at a different time, and it seems as though the time we have to spend together is growing shorter every year as children get older.

How can we make the time we do have together even more meaningful?

1. Don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself to make it special. Most often, quality family time happens without advance planning. Those teaching moments that change the course of a teen’s journey occur when we least expect them. Instead of putting yourself through stress to plan the perfect evening with your family, stay relaxed and make yourself emotionally available. That will create an atmosphere which will encourage your children to open up to you more than any planning on your part could possibly accomplish.

2. Choose activities you enjoy as a family. We all have different hobbies, but as families, we also have common bonds that bring us closer together. Memories are created as we beat each other at Scrabble or put together jigsaw puzzles—whatever your family enjoys doing as a group.

3. Use this time to just enjoy each other. Now isn’t the time for lectures or discussions about how the teens need to get home on time or how Johnny needs to get his grades up. If you have some family time on your schedule, and it’s the only time you’ll all be together for that week, put the lectures to the side and concentrate on having fun. You’ll be able to talk to Johnny later, in private—you don’t need the whole family around for that.

4. Encourage the participation of all members of the family. If Susan would rather talk on the phone than spend time with the family, find an activity you know she enjoys and make that the chosen activity for the evening. (And then unplug the phone.) If Dad’s tired when he walks through the door, let him take a twenty-minute nap, and then encourage him to join in. There are ways to reach out and include even the most reluctant family member.

Families are so important. They are central to the Creator’s plan and we must do all we can to let our family members know we love them and to keep our relationships strong. Spending quality time together as a family is just one way to accomplish this, and with the Lord’s help, we can find ways to make it meaningful for everyone.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Snow Buddies (2008)

Apparently one generation of talking dogs isn’t enough. In “Snow Buddies,” we meet Air Bud’s children. Interesting concept, there. I wonder if we’ll eventually meet his grandchildren?

Five puppies have been born to Air Bud and his doggie woman, Molly. One morning while playing hide and go seek, the puppies wander onto an ice cream truck and find themselves transported to Alaska, where they meet Shasta, a Husky pup who belongs to a boy named Adam. Adam’s father was a dog sled racer, and Adam harbors the dream of having a sled team of his own, but his father forbids it. You see, his father was in an accident some time before which killed his two best dogs, Shasta’s parents. Now Adam’s father wants to protect him from facing something like that himself.

Adam is not to be dissuaded, however, and prays for a miracle. Next thing he knows, he’s got five puppies in his shed, and they all want to be sled dogs. (He can tell this because they line up in formation in front of the sled.) Going behind his parents’ back and against his father’s wishes, Adam signs up for the race and trains the dogs.

Air Bud and Molly hunt down their children, Adam’s parents hunt him down, Adam wins the race, and of course, because he won, everything comes out all right in the end.

You know what – I hate movies with this premise. Parents don’t know anything, parents are only out to spoil our fun, and if we don’t go behind their backs, we’ll never achieve our dreams. Only children are smart enough to determine what they should do, and if they have to lie to their parents to get what they want, well, then, lying is fine. What’s up with that? There is so much garbage being circulated to our kids every day to make them think that parents are dumb and shouldn’t be obeyed. For this reason alone, I don’t recommend this film. Sure, the humor is fun, the dogs are cute, but if a movie is going to teach my kids that they have to disobey me in order to get where they want to get in life, that movie doesn’t belong in my house. This is one reason why I appreciate James Dashner’s young adult books so much. The parents of his characters are deeply involved and there’s no subterfuge on the part of the children—they work together as a family to save the world. A little bit of a tangent, I know, but I have to draw the comparison.

This movie is rated G. But that doesn’t really matter, because I’m encouraging you not to watch it. Your choice, of course, but that’s my recommendation.

Now, because that was so depressing, how about some mini-reviews?

Wives and Daughters (1999) Yes, my dear readers, I have watched this and loved it (but thanks for the repeated recommendations in my comment trail. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it.) Molly Gibson is a beautiful, unselfish girl who goes to live at the nearby squire’s house to act as a companion for his wife. She makes good friends with the squire’s son Roger, and also comes to know the other son, Osborne, upon whom all the family hopes reside. As the older brother, he’s supposed to make a brilliant marriage, but Molly becomes his confidante when his secret is revealed, and she learns he can never be what his parents want.

In the meantime, Molly’s father remarries, and this breaks Molly’s heart, as he has chosen a woman who can’t understand how deeply Molly loves her father. Throughout the film, we see Molly as a caring, generous girl who spends her time taking care of others, and then we finally see her receiving happiness in her own life. I really enjoyed this film, although I must say, I was very disappointed that we weren’t treated to a kiss at the end. I mean, come on, folks – make us wait all that time and then we don’t even get a kiss? It was almost as bad as “Pride and Prejudice” that way.

Adam Bede (1991) I came across “Adam Bede” as a result of enjoying “Middlemarch,” as they were written by the same author, George Eliot. “Adam Bede,” however, is a little more of a melodrama than a romance. Adam works in a small village as a carpenter, and it’s his desire in life to marry Hetty, a beautiful young woman who works in her aunt’s dairy. Hetty, on the other hand, has engaged in a torrid affair with the son of the squire who owns the land on which they live, and she’s stringing Adam along the whole time. Hetty’s lover leaves, and she soon learns she’s pregnant. She accepts Adam’s offer of marriage, and then decides she needs to go find the father of her child. She gives birth while away, and allows the child to die of exposure. The next time Adam sees her, she’s on trial for murder.

It’s all very tragic, but the worst tragedy of all is the bad hairdo on Adam, and the totally fake scream Hetty lets out when she’s sentenced to death. I would like to see this film remade with better actors (and different people in charge of the hair and makeup). The seduction scene between Hetty and the man who done her wrong is also a little more detailed than I would recommend. However, I did think there were enough positive elements to the story that should it be remade, I would recommend it. Adam is a man of integrity throughout and sets an example of strength and courage, despite everything that goes on around him. And despite his bad hair.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

My Two Shows

I haven't said a whole lot this year about my two shows, "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars." In years past, I've given you my weekly thoughts and have just had so much going on this year, I haven't had the time. However, I'm now breaking my silence.

Holy cow.

This week there were two performances that moved me to tears, I found them so beautiful.

First was the Paso Doble performed by Cheryl Burke and Gilles Marini on "Dancing with the Stars."



That's what it's all about, people.

Then was the performance by Adam Lambert on last night's "American Idol." I did have a YouTube clip on here, but apparently it broke some copyright laws. I'll have to see if I can find a legal one.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Ladies' Night Out

I had such a fun evening at Provident Book last Saturday!

Here I am with the authors in attendance: top row - Michele Ashman Bell, Terri Ferran, Julie Coulter Bellon, and Stacy Gooch Anderson (makes me wish I had three names!) bottom row - Janet Birmingham, Tristi Pinkston, and Kristen Landon.

Nichole came to see me (and no, we didn't color-coordinate on purpose, although I do think it makes us look snazzy)

It was so fun to hang out with these great authors and meet some members of the public. And Provident Book is the coolest store ever. Just so you know.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Why Can’t My Daughter Look Like a Girl?

As we all know, Easter is coming. And that means Easter clothes. I had no trouble at all finding something for my sons—I generally get them matching polo shirts and they just wear their usual church pants. I walked over to the display, decided on red, pulled out a small, a medium and a large, and I was done.

But then it was time to find something for my daughter. She’s turning thirteen this year and has always been a little small for her age, so she’s just now teetering on the brink between girls’ and juniors’. I walked through the girls’ department and saw rack after rack of darling dresses. Lace, taffeta, ribbons … they were all too cute. I crossed over into the juniors’ section, and it was like getting slapped in the face by a blanket of rags.

I wandered around, wondering if I’d stepped into some sort of fashion twilight zone. Shirts that looked like handkerchiefs with neck holes. Dresses that were cut down to the navel and up to the thigh. Worst of all, the chosen fabrics were all so ugly. They looked like a tie-dye job gone bad, and since when has a tie-dye job ever gone right?

I probably spent fifteen minutes trying to figure out what to do. I’ll admit that not every teenage girl wants to wear lace and ribbons, but you know what, some of them do. My daughter is one. She’s a very girly-girl and she would enjoy having a lacy new Easter dress, but I didn’t have that option. Instead, I was faced with a selection of limp, drab dust cloths.

Would it kill the clothing manufacturers to produce just one little rack of pretty dresses, just one? And where are they getting the idea that once a girl hits her teens, she should start dressing like a boy? There’s nothing wrong with being feminine, and feminine doesn’t even necessarily mean lace and ribbons. It can mean a pretty color, as opposed to dishwater brown and khaki olive green. It can mean a flattering cut, as opposed to hanging off the body like a wet leaf. Where are the clothes for girls who take pride in the fact that they are girls?

I’m not saying that every girl should put bows in her hair and ride around on a Hello Kitty tricycle. But I believe there should be clothing options that address different styles and tastes, and those choices should include clothing for girls who happen to like dressing like a girl, instead of trying to put every girl in the nation in the same gender-neutral stuff that doesn’t show just how beautiful they really are.

And if you’re wondering what I ended up doing – I found a tank top that matched a skirt she already has, and then found a sweater to go over that. Took me an additional ten minutes, though.

* * *

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Our favorite zoo animals from New York City have figured out a way to return home. The penguins have managed to fix the airplane that was lying in ruins on the jungle floor, and with King Julian’s blessing (and company … it’s his plane! He has to come along!) it’s New York or bust. Well, it’s bust. The plane falls apart over Africa and the animals make a crash landing.

However, it turns out to be their lucky day. They discover hundreds of other animals just like themselves and realize this is where they belong. And best of all, Alex is reunited with his mother and father, after years of separation. He was taken by hunters as a baby and ended up at the zoo.

But there’s a fly in their happiness ointment. Alex’s father is the alpha lion of their pride, and another lion wants to take his place. Alex is put to the test defending his father’s honor, and he fails. It turns out that New York showmanship means nothing on the African savannah.

Meanwhile, Melman’s dreams come true as he is made the witch doctor over the herd of giraffe and can dispense his medical wisdom. But this can’t bring him true happiness—the only thing that will soothe his achy breaky heart is telling Gloria how he feels, how he has always felt, about her.

Marty experiences an identity crisis as he realizes that every zebra in his new herd looks exactly like him, and Gloria wonders whatever happened to love when faced with a truly buff specimen of hippohood who wants her hand in marriage, but only seems to love her for her girth.

Throughout it all, we are treated to the somewhat insane ramblings of King Julian, the machinations of the penguins, and some laugh-your-head-off moments the whole family will enjoy.

There are a few moments you’ll want to take with a grain of salt … including the ninja knockdown between Alex and the ornery little old lady. Personally, I don’t believe in beating up the elderly, but she gave as good as she got, so I guess in Cartoon Land, it all works. And who knew a romance between two hippos could be so spicy!

This film was rated PG.

YourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Please drop by and take a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, our authors, our musicians and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Life is Tough – I Doubt I’ll Make it Out Alive –Stacy Gooch Anderson

Life really is tough, and as Stacy Gooch Anderson attests, the only way to face it is with humor. In her new release “Life is Tough – I Doubt I’ll Make it Out Alive,” Stacy recounts the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the laughs she had as well. Sometimes those laughs came long after the lesson, like the day she found that her son had accidentally hung himself from the blind cord and was turning blue. With the lightning-quick reflexes God grants to mothers in a pickle, she had him free within seconds, but then learned that her husband had been conducting an office pool on just when and how this child would hurt himself next. Don’t we all have one child who pushes every given limit? Stacy is glad to report, this particular son is still alive and doing well. For now.

I met up with Stacy this afternoon at Ottavio’s and we were greeted most enthusiastically by the owner, who showed us to his best table. As we waited for our drinks, I asked Stacy some questions about her writing career and life in general.

Tristi: (folding my long, slim legs under the table) Stacy, thank you for meeting me for lunch today.

Stacy: It was a pleasure, Tristi. I’m so glad you could make it, what with your nail appointment and all.

Tristi: (waving a perfectly manicured hand) It was nothing. After all, I couldn’t pass up lunch with you!

The waiter brings our drinks and takes our orders.

Tristi: Now, I understand you’ve had some success with “The Santa Letters.”

Stacy: (blushing modestly) Yes, I have.

Tristi: In fact, I understand Oprah is giving it to her entire staff for Christmas this year.

Stacy: Oh, that’s just a rumor. A very nice rumor, but definitely not true.

Tristi: And is it true that the mayor gave you the key to the city?

Stacy: Well, that did happen, but it turns out, he just needed the plants watered while he went on vacation. He wanted the key back when he returned.

Tristi: Bummer.

Stacy: No kidding.

Tristi: (taking a sip and then patting her lips delicately with a napkin) About your new book. The one with toast on the cover. What’s up with that, anyway?

Stacy: Well, life is hard, and if you don’t approach it with humor, you’ll be toast.

Tristi: Oh, I get it! Toast! (she laughs a little too loudly and the people at the next table glare at her)

The waiter brings our food.

Waiter: Are you celebrating something today?

Tristi: Yes! We’re celebrating the release of Stacy’s new book.

Waiter: (looking suitably impressed) You’re an author?

Stacy: (looking modest again) Yes, I am. And so’s Tristi. We’re both authors.

Tristi: (looking smug) In fact, we’re two of the best authors on the planet.

Waiter scurries away. It’s unsure whether he’s even more impressed, or if he’s frightened.

Tristi: Now, where were we?

Stacy: My book. The reason we’re here today, having this imaginary conversation.

Tristi: (glancing around) Imaginary? You mean, we’re not really out to lunch?

Stacy: Well, you’re a little out to lunch, yourself.

Tristi: (sighing) I wondered why I couldn’t taste my pasta. Okay, back to business here. Your new book is nonfiction, right?

Stacy: Right. Although, after reading some of the things I’ve been through, you might think it’s fiction.

Owner comes over, followed by red-faced waiter.

Owner: What is this? We have two authors in the restaurant?

Stacy: Yes, Tristi and I are both authors.

Owner: (clapping his hands) Guido! Mario! Come, we must sing!

The men gather around our table and burst into an Italian aria. As the last note fades, the ornery people at the next table look on in admiration.

Owner: That is the song we sing whenever distinguished persons such as yourself come to our humble establishment. We are rarely so blessed. I don’t think we’ve sung that song since …

Guido: (whispering) 1997.

Owner: Since 1997! That was the day Gerald Lund, Anita Stansfield, and Tom Clancy came in for dinner.

Stacy: Together?

Owner: That’s right.

Stacy: (shrugging) Okay …

Tristi: Now, back to the topic at hand …

Stacy: Just a minute. You’ve got imaginary spinach in between your teeth.


Thanks for the interview, Stacy, even if it was somewhat interrupted. And thanks for the words with which we parted, words I will never forget. You looked me in the eye and said, “I have a Life Saver for you. Remember. Fat people are harder to kidnap.” Apparently I'll never be abducted. That is a relief.

You can learn more about Stacy’s new book, and her other Lifesavers, by clicking here. You'll also find links to other reviews along this virtual book tour, as well.

Divorce, in Hindsight


When you grow up in an LDS home and your parents were married in the temple, you tend to think nothing could ever happen to break your family apart. When it does, you’re left disillusioned, hurt, and wondering where to turn. Such was the case when my parents divorced in my early teens.

I had an idyllic childhood. We didn’t have much money, but I used my imagination and created endless art projects out of scrap paper and entertained myself by writing stories. I was happy. I was naïve. I was living in a little bubble of my own and when my parents announced they were separating, I couldn’t believe it. My sisters, meanwhile, had seen all the warning signs and weren’t surprised.

As the youngest, I was the only one still at home. My mom and dad agreed that I would live with my mother, but I would have a daddy/daughter date once a week, on Monday nights. I looked forward to Mondays all week long. Sometimes we’d do something exciting, like go to a movie or once, even to the opera. Other times we’d just grab a bag of Cheetos, sit in the car and eat them. It didn’t matter what we did—I just loved spending time with my dad.

I wish I could say the transition was painless. It was excruciating. Even though abuse and adultery hadn’t led to the divorce, it was still messy, with emotions being tossed around like ping-pong balls. My mother started dating again, a disaster from start to finish. I raged. I became bitter. I grew up overnight and became the adult in the home, shouldering responsibilities beyond my ability, and yet I had to meet them. I can’t tell you how many nights I cried myself to sleep, how many times I knew I wouldn’t be able to take it another single minute. I also can’t tell you how many times my Heavenly Father stepped in and wrapped His loving arms around me, sheltering me from the brunt of the pain my parents’ actions were causing me.

It was during that time that I came to know my Heavenly Father, not just to believe in Him, but to know He exists. I poured my heart out to Him night after night, and every single time, I could feel Him listening to me. He knew I was in pain. He knew I was in agony. He sent His comforting Spirit to be with me, to walk next to me as I navigated my days, and soothe me as I cried at night.

We all go into marriage believing we’ll be together forever, and sometimes that just doesn’t work out. Our hearts are broken, we feel betrayed, and we’re sure we’ll never be able to trust again. Our children feel their very foundations begin to crumble, and they aren’t sure where to turn for the support they need. This is made worse when the parents bicker in front of them or use them as tools against each other. All of this happened to me, and even though I was not a young child, I was young enough to feel very vulnerable, and very afraid.

Despite all of that, and despite the fact that I went through a brief period of inactivity in the Church because of my intense desire never to hear the phrase “families can be together forever” again, I have to say I would not trade the experience. I grew closer to Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, through this time than I have at any other. Although for a time I was not physically present at church, I was being taught through the Holy Ghost at home, and that relationship has seen me through other trials that would come my way later. I learned that while my parents had their faults and would not always be perfect, my Father in Heaven was perfect, and I could rely on Him. I learned that while my parents were going through their own pain and could not help me with mine, God was there and would see me through it all, with infinite, eternal love.

I am who I am today because of that experience. I wouldn’t want to relive it, but I definitely wouldn’t trade it. Because of it, I know my Redeemer lives. And that is priceless to me.

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