Ch-ch-ch-choices

I have always loved both art and writing, and my friends always knew that about me. When I was choosing two elective classes for seventh grade, which was the first opportunity we had that option, all my classmates said various versions of, “Of course, you are going to choose art as one of your options.” That had been an option I was considering, but when everyone told me they already knew I would choose art, I didn’t do it. No one else was necessary for this self-sabotage; I shattered my own heart.

I was motivated by not wanting to be predictable. Isn’t that ridiculous? I purposely didn’t do what I really wanted to do. Yogi Berra is quoted as having once said, “When you come to a fork in a road, take it.” My decision to not choose art was just as ridiculous.

Eventually, I did take art in high school. I loved every minute of it. That’s why I was thrilled recently to have this article published about me:

https://shoutoutdfw.com/meet-lisbeth-mccarty-attorney-writer-and-artist/?fbclid=IwAR39TZDaEtdwUu941IPRbtWQJbyWu21vghBAomZYB4MYSNRbLAAIdHHBXkw

Sometimes, I wonder what my life would be like had I chosen art as a career to study in college. I am not, however, unhappy with the route my life has taken. I enjoy writing, which I have been fortunate to do all my life, with both success and rejection. Sometimes, I even get recognized for being a writer. I was honored to be included in a feature in Oklahoma Caregiver magazine.

I was thrilled to get to speak to OKC Writers in March. The presentation was interactive. I gave them some prompts for writing poetry, then allotted each of the writers five minutes to create a poem. After the time was up, some people were willing to read their five-minute poetry aloud. Wow! I was incredibly impressed by what these amazing authors were able to do in that amount of time. One author presented a profound poem about love and acceptance of others. Every poem I heard that day was fantastic.

I also had the privilege of being featured on a blog about true crime: https://www.damyantiwrites.com/true-crime/?fbclid=IwAR1Bs6kJY8XzwOR3v0l56Pfo3xh2JYhU3De6XZJo_jYHmTCDS4V-P0sF5TE

I am a member of various writing groups, but I am currently the president of the writing group Tornado Alley, a regional chapter of Sisters in Crime. The presidency came about because my Zoom temporarily went out while a group of us were forming the chapter. Fortunately, I get to work with the best board in the world!

On March 21, 2023, Tornado Alley, SinC, hosted our first-ever conference. Attendance for “Murder in Tornado Alley” filled the room, plus several people attended on Zoom. I used my love of art to create all the banners to advertise the conference on social media prior to the event. I, however, did not create the actual logo (the tornado in the circle). That was created by another member of Tornado Alley. Also, I used both my own photos and some from Pixabay.com.

I’m not telling you all of this because of some boastful pride of life. I am mentioning these things to remind you that you, too, might be celebrated for doing the things you love. For me, that just happens to be writing and art. There’s not even any requirement that you be good at what your interests are, and you may not even want to be celebrated. Do it anyway. You have nothing to lose. Life is far too short.

I love a beautiful garden, but creating one is not in my wheelhouse. I still plant flowers. I love fine dining, but my cooking doesn’t afford this opportunity at home. I once burned water. I still cook. I love a really clean house, but I hate housekeeping.

If my house would ever be the scene of a crime, the police report would say, “The house was ransacked.” Well, that would have nothing to do with a crime.

Please tell me in the comments about the things you like to do. I always love hearing from you about whatever is on your mind.

Also, have a Happy Easter! John 11:25-26: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Luke 24:6-7: "He is not here; he has risen!"