Holly Ann Fisher

I’m currently watching the Democratic presidential debate taking place right here in Charleston at The Citadel. I probably should have kept a tally as to how many candidates actually answered the questions that were posed. You have to love politician question-dodging. Having personally interviewed quite a few political candidates over the years, some of them are quite skilled in giving flowery answers that say nothing.

I will say Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama do seem to be leading the pack. Haven’t completely made up my mind about Hillary Clinton yet but it is cool to see a woman as a serious candidate for president.

We’ve seen so many debates and news coverage, I feel like the election should be THIS November. Oh, campaign fatigue.

I’m embarrassed I haven’t posted anything in so long. Spring was full of travels and then a myriad other issues that kept me from taking a minute to update my poor, neglected blog.

In May, Clint and I spent a few days in San Diego. He was there on business and had to stay over a weekend. So using some of his frequent flyer miles, I hopped a plane for California. We had a great trip, visiting Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. We even crossed the border into Tijuana, Mexico, where I took part in my favorite vacation activity: bartering in Mexico. I managed to haggle with the shop owner for a great bracelet.

We visited Old Town San Diego, which had some wonderful shops filled with pottery and other Mexican items (it was like heaven with chimineas).

San Diego is beautiful. I just love the West — big skies, little humidity, mountains. It’s just so stunning.

Here’s a photo of us in La Jolla. You know how it is when just the two of you are traveling—you have to ask a stranger to snap your picture.

It’s been some time since I posted a house update. We have wrapped up 75 percent of our interior renovations. We still have to tackle the bonus room over the garage, the kitchen and a half bath downstairs. The house has really come together. Check out our online photo album here.

Back in November I posted some information about friends who have a young child with cancer. Micah is scheduled for a stem cell transplant Monday, April 16. A friend of the Crimmins’ has put together a benefit for Micah and the playroom at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, where Micah is being treated.

Purchase books from Usborne Books for the little ones in your life or purchase books for Micah (his wish list is available on the Web site). Micah’s mom, Jacque, said she would share many of the books with the hospital. The friend organizing the benefit plans to donate her commission from the book sales to the Crimmins family to help with medical expenses. Click here if you want to help.

And do keep praying for Micah and his family. God does work miracles!

I realize the bestseller Marley & Me by John Grogan has been out for quite some time but I finally just got around to reading it. Several people had told me how great it is and it’s been on my “to read” list for months. If you’re not familiar with Marley & Me, it’s the story of life with a crazy yellow Lab named Marley. Marley is goofy, loveable, crazy and fiercely loyal to John Grogan and his family.

Well, over the last few days, I read Marley & Me. It’s a funny, sweet, beautiful and heart-wrenching book. If you have a dog that brings immense joy to your life, you must read this book. Just be sure you have a box of Kleenex handy. And you might want to schedule reading the final chapters when you’re home alone so you can blubber uninhibited.

This evening I closed Marley & Me and laid the book on the end table. I crawled onto the floor and just let my dogs lick my face. I gave them hugs and petted their faces.

Mocha once chewed a hardback book autographed by the author. Belle has destroyed more items than I can count. They both shed–a lot. Sometimes they stink. Often they embarrass us by trying to jump on strangers and sniff friends’ private areas. They dig holes in the yard and wallow in mud puddles.

But I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They bring us such joy. Their loyalty and devotion is almost beyond comprehension.

Thank you, John Grogan, for writing such a beautiful book and for putting into words our love for dogs.

And, check out the book’s Web site.

Last night I want to my fourth George Strait concert and, like the others, this one was terrific. Opening for George were new singer/songwriter Taylor Swift (only 17 years old) and another country music legend Ronnie Milsap. Clint and I had a great time at the show.

“Isn’t it strange what happens with old books? They choose you. They reach out to their buyer–Hello, here I am, take me with you. It’s as if they were alive.”

–The Nautical Chart by Arturo Perez-Reverte (2000, Harcourt Books)

A few days ago, a friend sent me a link to this news story with the subject line “My hero.” I mean, really, don’t we all feel this way somedays? Especially on a Monday.

Clint and I were just discussing how the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet is just as good — if not better — than the actual Super Bowl. In case you’re not familiar with this, Animal Planet puts puppies in an enclosed area and for about seven hours just broadcasts them romping and playing around. It’s beyond cute. Although I’m still saying Go Colts!

Instead of writing this blog posting, I should be working on a writing “assignment.” It’s not really even an assignment but I feel compelled to complete it.

A few months ago, a few of us writer types started a writers group called The Deadline Society (sort of like Dead Poets Society, a fabulous movie). We started out meeting at Starbucks (where else would creative types meet but a coffee shop?) and just chatted about writing, work, families or any other topic that popped up. But in January, we decided to take our little group one step further and actually — gasp — write!

One of the members provided us with some writing prompts from a writing book in case we needed inspiration. We would distribute our work one day before our next meeting so everyone could read and critique.

It’s supposed to be fiction because most of us write non-fiction for a living. It’s supposed to stretch us. It’s supposed to be low-pressure and fun.

I’m on my second writing attempt and the meeting is next week. As a journalist, writing about other people’s lives is one thing. I don’t have to make up stories, quotes or drama — I write about what already exists. Now, I’m trying to write about what I see in my head. It’s anything but low-pressure.

I suppose all of us who make our living with words harbor a secret desire to write a book. Who doesn’t want to do a book signing at Barnes & Noble? I’ve come up with the beginnings of a dozen books. They are nicely filed in a part of my brain called “book beginnings” and never actually make it to paper.

Why? Because writing is hard. Good writers make it look easy but all writers know it’s tough to string words together into something interesting. It’s tough to keep people’s attention past the second paragraph. It’s tough to write something and then toss it out there for the world to read (and possibly even hate).

I’m hoping I can at least write 200 words for next week’s meeting of The Deadline Society. I’m also hoping my fellow writers will be kind. For the next week, I’ll keep at it, clicking away on the keyboard and all the while dreaming about how I’ll autograph my books and what sort of questions Oprah will ask when my work is selected for her book club.

Last night I went to bed at 8:30 and finished reading a book (already one book read in 2007!). I honestly had nothing else pressing to do.

Oh sure, I could have tackled some work-related tasks or got started on some SPJ project. But nothing was screaming, “I should have been done yesterday!” Particularly because I’m not teaching this semester at the College of Charleston, my evenings aren’t filled with lesson plans and grading.

A friend called while I was reading and I admitted my guilt over what I classified as “doing nothing.”

“It’s a sickness,” I told her. Truly, I have a tough time relaxing. I feel guilty when I do something that’s just for me. But step one is admitting you have a problem and one of my goals is to get better about this. Last weekend, I watched a movie. On Sunday, I’m participating in a four-part mystery book club.

I’m also checking into a women’s crafting circle, church Bible studies and adult swimming lessons with an equally water-terrified friend (this should generate lots of blog postings).

I’d say my 2007 is off to a pretty good start.

Clint and Holly enjoy Christmas in Ohio.

Wow. I blinked and 2006 blew right by me.

We spent New Year’s Eve with two close friends. I believe this was our fifth New Year’s Eve with them. We enjoy having a good dinner, playing some games and watching the ball drop in Times Square. Each year we talk about how fast the previous year went. But, truly, 2006 really zipped by in a flurry of work, moving, home renovations and even more work.

I am ashamed to say I didn’t ride my bike once in 2006. I camped zero times and I read a very tiny handful of books. While I had some terrific accomplishments, I really want to relax the pace a bit this year.

Goal for 2007: sloooooow dooowwwnn. I want to work hard but I want to play hard too. I want a little more down time, a little more quality time, a little more me time.

Considering I extended my vacation into Jan. 3, rather than going back to work Jan. 2, I would say I’m off to a good start.

We’re off to Ohio tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with my family. Here’s wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas holiday. Truly we have much to celebrate.

Thought you might enjoy Mocha and Belle’s Christmas photo.

It’s hard to believe another holiday is upon us. Once again, I haven’t accomplished my holiday mega list. Each holiday season, I have grand plans for all the things I plan to do, see and experience during this most wonderful time of the year. My plans are usually askew by Dec. 9. But just to give you an idea of those grand plans:

• Bake dozens of cookies in dozens of varieties, including sugar cookies cut into holiday shapes and decorated so beautifully they might be considered artwork.
• Make hand-made gifts for friends and relatives. Really make each gift personal, meaningful and heartfelt.
• Wrap gifts in amazing paper (I might even make it myself like I saw on a crafty TV show once), tying them up with intricate bows.
• Host an amazing Christmas party with wonderful appetizers and festive punch while my guests marvel at how beautifully I’ve decorated my home.
• Attend every Christmas play, concert and festive function available.
• Watch at least a dozen Christmas movies, including “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Elf.”

I think you’re getting the point. I’m really striving for a holiday that probably only exists in my Southern Living Christmas book or a Martha Stewart magazine. But it’s a nice fantasy and each year I’ll keep trying. I mean, at least this year, I watched four Christmas movies, baked one variety of cookie and attended one Christmas performance. You have to start somewhere.