I think if everyone made it a daily practice to either blow bubbles or crayon color in a coloring book, we would all be less stressed and more happy. What do you think?
To me, bubbles are like brief, ephemeral moments of joy. Blowing bubbles are essentially deep breathing exercises—inhale, exhale. I've spent my summer chasing bubbles.
My oldest daughter graduated from college. We took maybe our last whole family trip together. My daughter got a real job, a great job. Only problem—it meant she had to move an hour away.
So we quickly shopped for an apartment, bought furniture—I adore buying furniture—and offered those last bits of adulting advice. In the months since, there has been a great deal of joy in seeing her spread her wings and fly into her new life.
I spent a week dancing and singing and praising God with the preschool crowd at my church during Vacation Bible School. I spent a week with our partner church in Latin America—leading worship in Spanish and teaching (not in Spanish).
Writing is like chasing bubbles. There is a lot hard work, tears and ephemeral moments of joy. In my latest Love Inspired, Hometown Reunion, early in the book the heroine bonds with the widowed hero and his little son by—you guessed it—blowing and chasing bubbles. A longer romantic suspense novel, A Vast and Gracious Tide, released mid-June. Both of these novels are great summer beach reads, btw.
This summer I also wrote the first book in a new Love Inspired series set in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It is in production now and will release in 2019. I'm in the last stretches of writing another longer romantic suspense novel entitled The Sound of Falling Leaves. I hope you will be on the lookout for them.
Just last week, my husband and I moved our youngest daughter back to college. It was bittersweet. We've had so much fun this summer—laughing, hanging out, watching a lot of American Ninja Warrior—in other words, chasing bubbles.
How have you chased bubbles this summer? What has brought you joy this summer?
A single dad starting over.
Is this his second chance at love?
Widowed former Green Beret Jaxon Pruitt comes home to face his toughest battle: reconnecting with his toddler son. He also makes an unwitting enemy of childhood friend Darcy Parks when he takes over the kayak shop Darcy hoped to buy! For little Brody’s sake, she’ll stay until summer’s end. But could a growing connection turn their temporary truce into an unexpected forever?
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Lisa Carter is the bestselling author of seven romantic suspense novels, four historical novellas and a contemporary Coast Guard series. The Stronghold won the 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award for Romantic Suspense. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4 1/2 star Romantic Times Top Pick. As a Southern romantic suspense writer--Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder--Lisa Carter has definite opinions on serious issues like barbeque, ACC basketball and the whole Pepsi vs. Coke controversy. She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in North Carolina. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales. She also enjoys quilting and researching her next exotic adventure.
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For more information on her other books—http://lisacarterauthor.com/
Posts
I love watching the joy a simple thing like blowing bubbles can give to children. They help us to be kids again. My youngest granddaughter is 5 and she can spend hours playing with a water balloon. Such a joy to be part of her world.
ReplyDeleteNot a grandma yet, but looking forward to those sweet days. Enjoy her.
DeleteI love blowing bubbles, especially the big ones. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Margaret.
DeleteOh, Lisa, now I want to go blow some bubbles.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need some stress release - both of my daughters ended up moving in the same week. One only had to move within her apartment building, but she still needed a lot of help. The other is moving to Maine - 6/7 hours away from me. I'm NOT happy about that. But grown children must spread their wings, as you said.
Looking forward to this book. Sounds lovely.
Thanks so much for joining me today, Cate. Motherhood isn't for the faint of heart. :)
DeleteLisa, you've been working hard with two books out this summer and another in the works. When do you have time to blow bubbles? :)
ReplyDeleteI love being with my adult kids and always, always hate saying goodbye! As an Army brat and Army wife, I've said goodbye too many times. Farewells always tug at my heart and usually bring tears to my eyes. I'm getting sad just thinking about the farewells...
Must find some bubbles and step onto the deck. Either that or grab a coloring book. :)
Hope your empty nest doesn't get too lonely! Hugs!
You're right, I need to blow bubbles and color in a bad way. :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Just moved my youngest to college. The house is WAY too quiet!
ReplyDeleteI used to be a kindergarten teacher, and I always kept bubbles in my desk. They worked best when someone, usually a five year old, needed to smile.
ReplyDeleteI become a kid again whenever there are those poppy bubbles in mailing envelopes (or in packaging). I've had middle school students take the plastic out of my hands because the class was tired of hearing me pop them!
ReplyDelete