“Red Rum! Red Rum!” I’ve been fighting “writer’s block” all week and could see myself going stark-raving mad, just like Jack Nicholson in Stephen King’s The Shining. I’ve explored a thousand topics to write about, but nothing stuck. For a writer, who has no other passion projects going on, this is the worst thing that could happen! For me, writer’s block is equivalent to a football quarterback not able to get a good grip on the pig skin. And, just like The Shining it is pure horror for me. Then I realized just how fitting it was to be so scared during this spooky season.
I love the spooky season! I love horror movies, haunted houses, corn mazes and ghost stories! My fascination probably has a lot to do with the adrenaline rush I get out of being scared to death, heart racing, pits sweating, head pounding, and then surviving and laughing about it afterwards. I love that feeling! And I love the idea of the unknown. We will never realize all the possibilities of this great world. There will always be a mystery lurking around the corner; and I LOVE IT!
Even if they don’t dive right into the ghosts and goblins of the season, people still get so weird this time of year. I’m a major weirdo, so I welcome you all to the dark side-even if just for a week or two. It’s fun here! There are no judgments. There’s only fun! So, wear that wig and nose and be someone else for a night. I’ve dressed up as Punky Brewster before just to go eat and sing karaoke. Sure, I got some strange looks. But mostly, people were more concerned with my husband. He was dressed as a Care Bear! No, it wasn’t Halloween. No, it wasn’t a costume party. No, no one else in the entire county was dressed up. Yes, we had strange looks and maybe a couple SnapChats. We are weird. But, we have a damn good time.
How fitting that I’ve been living my own version of The Shining this week. Stephen King is a very complicated man. He once said that most people think he would be one to kill spiders for fun; but in reality he is one that would have nightmares about the spider’s family coming back for revenge if he did kill it. He has lots of irrational fears. Those fears have formed his entire life and made him one of the most revered horror fiction writers since Edgar A. Poe. This is not a typical outcome. Usually it’s our fears that hold us back from reaching our destination.
Some of us fear rational danger- such as snakes, heights, and wasps- that can legitimately cause physical harm. I have a deep fear of dolphins. What looks like a sweet, smiling water mammal just wanting to swim with you and be your friend is actually a raging, hormonal water maniac that even sharks fear! But, that’s a story for another time. Just Google if you’re curious.
Others’ fears are deep-rooted emotional handicaps often derived from past traumas. It is these fears that hold us back from who we are supposed to be. You’re a beautiful, dedicated friend with such a fear of people that the social anxiety keeps you hidden from the rest of the world. You’re a naturally God-gifted artist, but your fear of rejection keeps you from ever showing your work. These fears not only rob you of yourself; they rob the rest of the world of your gifts too.
I used to write every day of my life. I wrote for the Delta Democrat Times, and Life In The Delta magazine. When I was a teenager, a poem I had written for my mother won national recognition from the National Poets Society. I had a novella published when my daughter was born. But, over time, my self-esteem was damaged to the point that I was too afraid to write at all. So, for years I didn’t write a single word. I had thoughts and ideas; but was too afraid to put them to paper. Because writing was my passion; I eventually forgot who I was. It took a lot of encouragement from my Slingshot for me to start back.
God separates us from the other animals with passion. It is our passion for each other and our passion for creativity that sets us apart. When we allow those fears creep in and kill our passion, we are also killing a part of ourselves. Sometimes we are able to revive that side of us. Sometimes, we lose it forever and only catch glimpses of who we use to be through fond memories. I was fortunate enough to revive my creativity once; so when I was struck with writer’s block; I was terrified!
Last week, a lady came up behind me at the football game and she said, “Excuse me. I didn’t want to frighten you.” I replied, “Ma’am, I’m raising three teenagers, nothing can scare me now.” Well, that’s not entirely true. After rebuilding my life from scratch at the age of 40 and finding myself again, I have a deep fear of losing her for good. I suppose that fear is greater than my fear of dolphins!
No matter how irrational and crazy your fear is, you must never let your fear decide your fate! If that means you have to step over a couple tree frogs or roaches or whatever else you fear to reach your destination- than just do it! The adrenaline rush that follows after surviving such a fright is indescribable!
In honor of Spooky Season and the great Stephen King, I’ve included a recipe for rum cake from http://www.foodnetwork.com and picture of last year’s Halloween costumes (Bruce Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner). Happy Spooky Season!
Homemade Rum Cake:
Ingredients
Cake:
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces, reserve 1/4 cup
4 whole eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup gold rum, Bacardi
1 (18.25-ounce) box classic yellow cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe)
1 (1-ounce) small box sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix (recommended: Jell-O)
Glaze:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 stick butter
1/2 cup gold rum (recommended: Bacardi)
For the cake: Grease a Bundt pan and spread pecans on the bottom of the pan. Beat eggs, oil, water and rum in mixer just until incorporated. Add pudding mix and cake mix and beat on med, about 3 to 5 minutes just until you get a smooth texture. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes. The cake should have a light golden brown color, but will darken with the glaze.
For the glaze: Melt butter in saucepan and add the sugar and water, bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil, take off the heat and add the rum. Pour into a large measuring cup that will hold that amount or more. Set aside.
Once cake is ready, take out of oven and leave in pan. Gently prick holes into the cake with a skewer. Slowly pour half of the glaze over the cake making sure to fill in all the holes. Once the cake has soaked up the glaze, turn cake over, removing pan, onto the base that the cake will stay on. Gently prick more holes on other side and slowly pour other half of glaze over cake. Fill the center of the cake with reserved pecans. Let cool and enjoy. The cake is best if left at room temperature.
Lessons Learned From The Rainbow 