Sunday, January 5, 2014

Minnesota Monday: Baby It's Cold Outside!

Today is my first day back on the blog in quite a while! And the occasion is being marked by historically low temperatures across the state of Minnesota. The National Weather Service is predicting the wind chill to reach -60 degrees! The coldest it's been in Minnesota since 1996. It's so cold, Governor Dayton has cancelled all public schools for Monday. He's the second governor of Minnesota to cancel schools across the state. One of our previous governors, Arne Carlson, cancelled school three times during his terms in office (Jan. 18, 1994, Feb. 2, 1996, and Jan. 16, 1997).


As I write this on Sunday night, the temperature has already begun to fall and we have all our heating devises roaring. The furnace has been running almost non-stop, the gas fireplace is blazing next to me, our wood fireplace is burning in the basement, and our electric space heater is blowing in the living room. Thankfully our house holds heat very well--but it's still a bit chilly in here.

Our family won't be leaving the house tomorrow. We've already stocked up on groceries and planned a day of playing games, watching movies, and folding laundry. Our oldest daughter is homeschooled, so a cancelled school day doesn't mean much to her. Although, since we follow the school calendar, and our second daughter will be home from school, we've decided to cancel our schoolwork tomorrow, as well.

In other news, I've started plotting my next story!! This will be my third story and I'm amazed at how different it feels to be plotting this time around. I've learned a great deal about writing over the past two years and I'm starting to feel much more confident as I walk into book three. My characters are taking shape right before my eyes, and my plot elements are falling into place. I know it will change a great deal as I actually start to write, but that's what makes it so much fun.

For me, writing is such an intimate journey. It's just me and God as we tell a story. Someday I hope thousands of others will read it, but for now, it's just the two of us.

As my characters start "talking" to me, I realize there are bits and pieces of me in each one of them. I'm always awed when God prompts me to put a bit of my heart and soul into my hero and heroine. It's a beautiful time of communion and worship with my Lord. God meets me on the page and teaches me more about Him...and myself.

I'll be sharing more about my story on Way Back When-sday's Blog Post! It's set in 1927, an era I'm not as familiar with, but one I'm learning to appreciate for all it's drama and gaiety.

Your Turn: What is the weather like where you live (this is not a question for Lindsay Harrel to answer...)? If you're a writer, where are you at in your WIP? If you're a reader, what book are you enjoying on this cold Winter day?

17 comments:

  1. Only 68 degrees for a high here in Phoenix! So...back to school tomorrow. That's OK. I enjoy my job. I'll miss writing though. Working on book 3 of The Dragon Forest trilogy , just self published my next book and getting ready for its release. Next? Plotting my next book. Can't wait to work on it this summer!

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    1. Ahhhh...68 degrees sounds heavenly! There are many Minnesotans who travel to Arizona for the winter months. I don't blame them! Congrats on the publication of your next book. It sounds like you're keeping busy. :)

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  2. What a lovely post, Gabrielle...and how exciting to be starting a new story. :) The Lord bless you and stay warm!!

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    1. It is exciting, Kiersti, as you know! I'm doing a pretty good job keeping warm, thanks. :)

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  3. This morning it's the coldest it's been in MS. 11 degrees. The fire place is on, but I'm still shivering lol! But not as cold as it is there. Stay warm, friend!

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    1. I know we're not alone in this cold! Although, I think the upper Midwest is definitely getting the brunt of it. Hope you've warmed up!

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  4. Coldest in 24 years! -0 when I woke up, but hubby's car read -11 all the way to work. Wind chills= -30! Today's definitely a day for hot coffee, great writing, and schmoozing with friends! :)

    Wonderful to see you back, Gabe! (Warm hugs, friend!)

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    1. It's good to be back, Cindy! Thanks for stopping by to say hi. It sounds like it's pretty cold where you're at too. Once it's below zero, it doesn't really matter what the temp is. :)

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  5. It's cold here today! -38 with windchill. I had to be outside for about a minute and a half and it was enough to literally steal my breath. Crazy. Cold. :)

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    1. Oh, I know! I had to leave the house at 5:30 this morning to get one of the boys from my mom. (He was having a sleepover and started puking.) To say it was cold is an understatement!!

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  6. It's cold here in Indiana. -36 with windchill. I went outside to shovel the snow off our sidewalk. I actually enjoyed it. I have been praying for this gift from God for a long time. I like it. It was nice meeting you at the ACFW conference in Sept. I sat at the Minnesota table at the Saturday morning regional breakfast with you and a few other fellow Minnesotians. Enjoy the day. I will :). Kelly Bridgewater

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    1. I'm so happy they're are people out there enjoying this weather! I try not to complain, because God has chosen the weather, but I don't know that I'd ask for this extreme cold!! I do enjoy winter and snow, but I'll be glad when we can spend some time outside again! It was nice meeting you too. And thanks for the friend request on Facebook today. Looking forward to connecting with you, Kelly.

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  7. Stay warm, my friend! I won't mention the weather here, since I'm not supposed to (I LOL-ed at that, btw)! :P

    I'm still waiting for revisions from my agent, so am sitting tight until then and then I'll try to get those done as quickly as possible. Can't wait to hear more about your next story!

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    1. Ha! I hoped you'd like that. :) Wish I was there with you in AZ today. This has been a cooooooold month in MN. I can't wait until you have your revisions--but enjoy this little break while it lasts. :)

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  8. Hmm, we are in New Mexico. So I absolutely don't want to know the temp outside. Most of the family are on the ski slopes. Me? I'm sitting in the bed catching up on my fav buddies blogs :0) and editing my wip today. God is so good!

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    1. It's so nice to see you around the Internet today, Alena!! I hope your time is being multiplied and you're getting lots done on your WIP. I can't wait to see it. Have fun in NM!!

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  9. Hi Gabrielle, Happy New Year...

    We're sweltering in the middle of our summer holidays. Thank God for pools and the beach and air-conditioning.

    Our news reports keep reminding us you good people are bunkering under extreme weather conditions. I know it's a pain for most, but for this Aussie girl, who's never seen a snow flake fall... well....I can't hide my snow envy!! :)

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