The Shining

Luster: A rich, shiny, semi-transparent effect. Very high gloss. A reference to the brightness of an object that shines with reflected light rather than producing its own. A quality that outshines the usual.


Some things in life have luster and never seem to lose it. Things like new pennies, glazed pottery and diamonds.






Good friends, favorite places, a classic book or movie -- these never seem to lose their luster either. And how about a dozen roses? They're always welcome at my house.






On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are plenty of things in life that lost it long ago. Things like laundry, dusting and mopping. Grocery shopping, scrubbing the toilet, trimming your toenails. Pulling weeds, cleaning the grout in your ceramic tile, emptying the cat's litter box. On the other hand, now that I think about it, they never had much luster to begin with.



Of course there are a few folks like "Mopping Woman" here who obviously took a bad knock to the head, which warped her thinking. She most likely slipped on her perfectly shined floor while wearing those high heels and banged her head against the gleaming, dust-free coffee table all while keeping her pearls neatly around her neck and her skirt at knee length with nary a run in her nylon stockings. :-/



One last thing that never loses its luster is praise for and appreciation of one's work. That too comes in many forms -- a simple thank you, monetary payment or an "atta girl." Here on the Playground, we also respond with a loud "SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!"

I sold my 15th short story Monday and I have to say that finding that plain white envelope from the publisher in my mailbox, with my name showing through the cellophane envelope, has not lost one bit of its luster. I squealed as loudly Monday as I did last year when I received the first contract. Maybe one day I'll get a "Call" about a book like Instigator did, or get requests like the other Playfriends have and then I'll probably set dogs barking two counties away.

What (or who) has lost its luster for you? And what still shines brightly in your eyes?




P.S. All systems are go, the flight director has given the thumbs-up sign and there's a new blog a-launching. Playground friends Rhonda Nelson, Jennifer LaBrecque and Vicki Lewis Thompson will kick off Soap Box Queens today. Be sure to bop on over and check it out.

P.P.S. Congratulations to NatureNut. You're PC's winner from yesterday. Please contact her with your name and snail mail addy.

P.P.S. OLC (One Lucky Commenter) today will win a shiny new autographed copy of THE CEO'S SCANDALOUS AFFAIR by Rita award winning author Roxanne St. Claire.