The pictures in this blog are of my past trips to the area. I need to remember what it once was to give me hope that it can be again. Of course it will take years, and it will be different. It was such a special place. I’ve already made a donation, but I feel helpless here in Ohio. There’s so much work to be done. My heart breaks.
Happy Thanksgiving
2020 has certainly been a challenging year. Although I don’t normally want to rush time, I think most of us would agree we are ready to leave 2020 behind. Before that happens though, we are given a chance to celebrate two holidays – two chances to reflect on the positive, to be thankful for blessings, to share time with friends and family (even if it is through Zoom), and later, a chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I plan on living in the moment and truly finding joy in both of these holidays this year.
I wanted to take a quick minute to wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope you take time to be thankful for the good things in your life in the midst of a pandemic. Sometimes it takes something like this to help us truly appreciate what we have and dream of how good the future can be.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Robin
Once in a blue moon
I didn’t take any photos of the full moon last night. I’ve learned it’s a difficult thing to shoot without a professional camera! The full moon last night seemed fitting for Halloween night. It helped illuminate the way for trick-or-treaters and certainly added mood to the evening. No matter what time of the year, a full moon on a clear night can be a gorgeous sight to behold. Last night was no exception. Along with the full moon, two planets were clearly visible as well as a sprinkling of stars. Awesome (a word often overused and misunderstood) is truly a good word to use for God’s creation.
Did you know last night’s full moon was a blue moon? I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “once in a blue moon.” In the Cleveland area we often apply it to our sports teams. When I was young, I thought a blue moon meant the moon took on a blue cast. After all, I’ve seen moons that are yellow or almost golden in color. I’ve even see a blood red moon. So why not blue?
Well . . . just in case you didn’t know, it doesn’t look blue at all. It’s a term used for the second full moon within the same month. It doesn’t happen often, so that’s why we say rare events occur “once in a blue moon.” According to NASA a full moon on Halloween only happens approximately every 19 years. And yes, the last one was in 2001 (but only visible in Central and Pacific time zones.) The 2020 Halloween blue moon was the first one visible in all time zones since 1944, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Apparently any full moon that falls on Halloween is a blue moon due to the month having 31 days. The moon cycle takes 29.5 days. Therefore, if we have a full moon on the 31st, we must have had a full moon earlier in the month as well.
Many terms describing the moon are even odder than a blue moon. In January 2019 a super blood wolf moon occurred and a super blue blood moon Continue reading “Once in a blue moon”
When Lines in a Book Speak to You
When you’re reading, I hope you experience that moment when you dwell on a certain line or passage that just speaks to you. Perhaps it’s beautifully written, maybe it makes you think, maybe you can clearly picture it in your mind, or maybe it speaks to exactly who you are. When I read the passage below, it made me think of how important it is to see, really see, the beauty God has placed right in front of us. Beauty is around us even when we are surrounded by joy-suckers like the coronavirus, political debates and unrest/injustice, to name a few. Certainly these topics are important, but I don’t want them to consume my thoughts and time.
I’m not much of a sunrise person (too early for me), but I love the sunsets over Lake Erie. Here’s a shot I took a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoy it!
The Joys of Fall
What’s your favorite season? Mine is summer. Absolutely summer. You thought I was going to say fall, didn’t you? Fall and spring are close contenders. Just not winter. Not in Ohio.
I spent decades of my life living in the snow belt of NE Ohio. There were times the plows piled the snow higher than our mailbox. There was no where else to put it! We’d have to dig a hole in the snow mountain to get our mail. We live an hour away from there now, just out of the worst of the snow belt, but I still don’t like the cold, the snow, and the endless gray skies. The months of January – April, months of boredom and the blues, drag on too long. But maybe, just maybe, it’s important to go through that to truly appreciate the other seasons.
I’m planning on enjoying the fall! Funny how in the fall it’s colder inside my house than outside in the sun. I won’t let the indoor chill fool me. It’s a great time to take a hike in a park and appreciate the seasonal changes. I love walking our dog in the neighborhood or walking along the shores of Lake Erie enjoying our last searches for the year for beach glass and driftwood to supply our winter crafting.
It’s fall – time for visiting apple orchards and area farms, looking for the best pumpkin displays, picking apples, and tasting apple cider to find the best in the area. It’s time for apple and pumpkin everything and anything.
It’s time for the glorious color change in the natural world around us. Time to crunch through the leaves on a walk or jump into a pile of red, yellow and orange leaves, with or without children. Time to take a drive just to enjoy the fall color of the trees.
And when the sun goes down too quickly now, it’s time for smores by the firepit. Time to show off the perfect toasted marshmallow by knowing that spot by the embers.
And it’s time to bring out the apple cinnamon candles for those evenings curled up in front of the fireplace – with a good book, of course. It’s fall and it will be gone in the blink of an eye. So take time to enjoy. Experience joy in this season.
What’s your favorite season? What’s your favorite part of fall? Leave a comment to share.
Hoping you enjoy every nice fall day. Keep healthy and find your happiness!!
Robin
Strange Dreams
As I was watching the news, an interesting side story was brought up. Yes, it still related to COVID-19. What doesn’t these days? But it wasn’t one of the typical branches from this topic. The topic was dreams. Apparently people are reporting remembering more strange dreams. It makes sense with all the stress and uncertainty about the future. And we all know how our subconscious can turn a thought or feeling into something wild in a dream.
Ever have an experience of waking up and remembering a dream that could never possibly happen and yet it seemed perfectly normal in the dream? Funny how we don’t question it when we’re dreaming.
So I was wondering, what strange dreams have you been having since the virus started, since you’ve had additional concern about your health and the health of loved ones, since so many have lost jobs, since we’ve been social distancing and isolating ourselves in our houses? Anyone willing to share?
Wishing you sweet dreams and good health!
Oh the changes a week can bring!
As we continue to stay at home during the pandemic, do you ever find yourself wondering if this will ever end? One day blends into the next. One week into the next. And then we are told the peak in Ohio is going to be farther out than was first guessed. Our anxiety grows as businesses struggle to survive, the numbers of infected people rise, the numbers of hospital beds and ventilators decrease, and we still can’t find disinfectant spray, wipes or hand sanitizer in any store, even on-line.
It’s scary. However, my fears are calmed when I remember that God is still in control of all.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Does that mean bad things won’t happen. No. Of course they can and will. But so will good. God takes these situations and turns them to glorify Him and to bring his people to Him. Situations that come out of this pandemic will also allow the best in people to shine. Neighbor helping neighbor. New technologies and medicines developing to meet the needs. People returning to God in prayer.
Today is Palm Sunday. As we enter this week approaching Easter, remember that a week can bring huge changes. Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday being celebrated with cheers and palm branches waving. A few days later he was arrested which led to his crucifixion on the cross which we memorialize on Good Friday. I’d say things had certainly taken a major turn for the worse. Or at least that’s how it looked. At first glance, even the term Good Friday seems counter to the event. But what we have to remember is that His death on the cross had to happen before we could have Easter. He had to die before He could rise again. We deserve the punishment, but He took it for us if we choose to accept Him as our savior over sin. Easter Sunday we celebrate a rebirth, a resurrection from the dead, our King once again taking up his heavenly crown after He sacrificed himself. All that happened in just one week.
God can step in and stop this virus. He certainly can. But perhaps there is more to His plan. Maybe there is more we need to learn first. Whatever amount of time it takes, I remind myself that God is in control and His plan is perfect for what He wants to accomplish.
I am grateful for all the doctors and nurses on the front lines. I am grateful for the lab technicians and research facilities that are working so hard to help out. I am grateful for the farmers, truck drivers, stockers and cashiers that enable us to have food available. I am thankful for all the workers at essential businesses. I am thankful for the average person who is taking this seriously with limiting their exposure to others. I am praying for them all.
I am praying for the sick. I am praying for those who have lost a loved one to this virus. I am praying for our leaders as they make tough decisions. I am praying for the small business owners and their families. I am praying for the parents that they can be godly parents to their children while they are all home together. I am praying for all the teachers who are trying to keep some sense of normalcy in a new normal for education. I am praying for soon-to-be parents who have anxiety over giving birth in a hospital at this time. I am praying for all those couples who have had to postpone their weddings. The list goes on and on. Prayer can give you peace. Let go of anxiety over things you can’t control and just let God be God. Remember a lot can happen in a week. Reflect on Jesus throughout this passion week and find your own unique way to celebrate come Easter Sunday. Don’t let this virus steal your joy during this Easter season.
Clear Vision for a New Year
Can you believe it’s the middle of January already? Can you believe it’s 2020? Where does the time go?
I took time off from blogging around the holidays, but now it’s time to get back to routines. Looking back at my first blog from last year, I talked about New Year’s resolutions. I tried a new system using a vision and a mission with very specific goals. The vision is the big picture of what I want to accomplish. The mission is how the vision will happen. The mission includes specific small steps to track progress and taking time to reevaluate/reenergize along the way. I don’t know what you want to accomplish this year, but maybe give this technique a try. My system didn’t work perfectly, but it was actually better than I expected. I’m happy with what I accomplished last year. By the second half of the year I noticed my efforts were generating more responses from agents, including requests to see the full manuscript. That was definite progress.
Here’s my example: My vision is to get my book published through the traditional publishing route. (Nothing wrong with self-publishing, but my dream has always been to get in print through a publishing house that will get my book into bookstores, libraries, various stores like Costco and Walmart, as well as doing online sales.) So, how do I get my book published? I have to get a literary agent. Therefore, my mission is to get a literary agent. (To get published traditionally, the normal route is to get an agent first – a tough thing to do. They are very selective. An agent will only take on your book if they LOVE it and believe in its ability to sell. That’s because they work for free to find the publisher, only getting paid IF they sell it. Publishers know that if an agent has taken on a book, they’ve already screened it. The book has already jumped the first hurdle successfully. Agents also already know what publishers would be interested in my book. So, first I must find the right agent.) Now for the specific steps. What must I do to get an agent? I’ve already done many steps toward that, but here are my specific steps for this year. Step 1: Continue sending query letters to agents, a minimum of 10 per month. Step 2: Every other week review what queries and manuscripts are out (and follow up). Notice how specific these are.
If I find an agent, I know they will want another book on the way. Therefore, I also have a second mission: to work on book number two. I started it last year but only just started it. The steps? Take time to to daydream about the characters and story. And write! I’m setting a goal of at least 40 pages by the end of February. Hopefully I can do more, but at the early stages it sometimes goes slow as I work out the details and plot.
This technique can work on most goals – losing weight, getting healthier, getting organized, learning a new skill. Maybe you want to travel more, save more, read more. Making a plan to get to your end goal will help you be more successful than just wishing it would happen. Want to join in? Think about your vision for 2020. (Ah! I didn’t even plan that pun on 20/20 eyesight and vision! But now that I did, my husband was kind enough to make me the 2020 graphic above.) It’s a great year to see your goals clearly! Figure out your mission(s). And lastly, write down the specific steps to completing your mission. In a few months, let’s review how we’re doing together. I believe just having the goals set and reevaluating them helped me accomplish more last year than I would have otherwise. Drop me a note here if you’re going to try it. I hope you find success in all you do this year!
Robin
Unexpected Little Blessings
It’s so wonderful to get a surprise blessing. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes when you least expect it, a little something special comes your way.
On Tuesday I got an email from the radio station 95.5 The Fish that I won tickets to a screening of Frozen II. We got to go that night before it opened to the public.
You may wonder why I entered a contest to win tickets to Frozen at my age. The answer is simple. Grandkids! I have two granddaughters, ages 2 and 4. They are both as obsessed with the first Frozen movie as any other little girls. They would certainly love to see the sequel.
My husband and I got to treat my daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters to the movie and they treated us to movie snacks. It was perfect! We all got to watch the girls as they experienced their first movie at a theater. It was adorable watching the oldest sit on the edge of her seat most of the movie, totally glued to the screen. It kept the attention of the youngest one too! I feel blessed to have won these tickets, but even more blessed to be there to watch their reactions.
Do you remember – what was your first movie at a theater?
Caterpillars, deer and cardinals, oh my!
About a month ago my family went to a local festival in Vermilion, Ohio, called The Woollybear Festival. If you don’t know what a woollybear is, it’s a fuzzy caterpillar. It has black bands on either end with a coppery stripe in the middle. So why would something as simple as a caterpillar be important enough for its own festival? It’s how we determine the severity of the upcoming winter here in northeast Ohio. Some say these little critters show how severe the winter will be based on the length of the stripes. You might say a woollybear is the counterpart to Puxatawny Phil, the groundhog.
The festival has become so popular that it drew approximately 100,000 people this year, and that was on a rainy day! The festival includes races for kids, a crowning of a queen, a parade including kids and pets dressing up like woollybears, craft and food vendors, and live entertainment with local bands and local TV personalities. And yes, everyone wants to see the woollybear race. The caterpillars are placed at the top of a board and the board is tipped at a slight angle. The first woollybear to crawl to the finish line wins!
That day I got to hold a caterpillar. It’s been a long time since I held one. I highly recommend it. I had forgotten the amazing tickling sensation as its little legs grasped onto my hand as it moved. And I find something intriguing about the face of a caterpillar with those big black eyes.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get bogged down in just doing what needs to be done. I have the normal routine things, and then life throws extra stuff (sometimes good, sometimes bad) on top of it. I get so involved in living everyday life that I start to miss the little details that can bless me and my day. Something as simple as holding a caterpillar and being amazed at this little life was such a special moment. And what joy it was to watch my 2 and 4-year-old granddaughters learning to gently touch this fuzzy creature.
About a week ago my husband and I were taking the dog for a walk in the neighborhood. We have a lot of deer in the area so it isn’t unusual to see them, but this day stood out. We were walking down the sidewalk and glanced to the left. There, in a neighbor’s side yard, was a young buck standing perfectly still. He was maybe 30 feet away from us. His pose made him look so majestic. We really had to look twice because he looked too perfect. He looked like a yard decoration. When it dawned on us that he was real, we also realized we were probably too close, especially with a dog by our side. If we spooked him, he would probably run away from us, but we didn’t want to take the chance he would come toward us instead. Those antlers could really do some damage! I was bummed that I didn’t bring my phone with me so I missed getting a picture, but it was one of the moments that burned into my memory.
A few days later I glanced out the sliding glass door at a bright red cardinal that had landed on top of the patio chair. I didn’t move to get my phone, afraid the movement would scare him off. I just wanted to enjoy the moment. His color alone was beautiful, but there was something about the shape of this particular cardinal. He was definitely well fed. His body was rounder than most cardinals I’ve seen. His shape was somehow humorous. This round, red bird looked, well . . . jolly. It made me smile.
I don’t know why I was suddenly noticing these little blessings in nature, but I’m glad I did. Each experience was a little gift and a nudge to remember to see the beauty surrounding us every day. If you’re feeling bogged down or in a rut, don’t miss the little gift that might be right in front of you. Hoping for little blessings for each of you this week!
Farewell Dear Dottie
My week began with taking a few moments to catch up on Facebook when I noticed a post from one of my favorite authors that I follow. I sat in shock as I realized the post was from her page, but it was written by her family. They were announcing that their dear mother and wife, Dorothea Benton Frank, had passed on Labor Day, September 2, 2019. Dottie, as her family, friends and fans called her, died after a brief battle with MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a type of cancer much like leukemia. She was 67.
I was especially shocked since I had just been at a Meet and Greet event for Dottie in June as she promoted her latest book, “Queen Bee” which reached no. 2 on The New York Times best-seller list. She seemed healthy then. At another author Meet and Greet event this week, many of those in attendance were saying the same thing and wondering if she even knew she was sick. It really reminds me how precious every day is when I see how quickly this illness took her.
Dottie was known for writing about the Lowcountry/Charleston area. Her writing would be categorized as women’s fiction and even “beach reads,” but the labels may not clearly identify the depth of her writing skill and style. Her first book, “Sullivan’s Island,” was semi-autobiographical. It debuted at no. 9 on The New York Times best-seller list. She was known to add another title approximately one per year having completed 20 books total. Some of the titles include: “Isle of Palms,” “Pawleys Island,” “Folly Beach,” “The Last Original Wife,” “By Invitation Only” and “Same Beach, Next Year.”
I love the story about Dottie’s childhood home on Sullivan’s Island. When her mother passed, the siblings wanted to sell the house. Dottie did not; however, she didn’t have the money to buy them out. At the time Dottie was a fashion buyer turned executive for a sportswear line. She announced, “I’m going to write a book and I’m going to sell a million copies and I’m going to buy Momma’s house back.” Her first book ,”Sullivan’s Island: A Lowcountry Tale,” was published in 1999 and sold more than one million copies. Although she could now afford to buy her mother’s house, it had already been sold. She and her husband bought another house on the island instead.
I’m grateful I got the chance to hear her speak. Authors truly pour their souls into their writing, but I get a whole new appreciation of the master storyteller when I meet one in person. I got a sense of her personality, a warmth and sweetness mixed with a bit of humorous Southern sass.
Although Dottie will live on through her beloved stories, I will miss reading new books by her. I think it will be time to go back and re-read the ones in my personal library soon. If you haven’t read Dorothea Benton Frank, I think you should.
Childhood Career Dreams
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Was your dream to be a fire fighter, a doctor, a teacher? Did you want to build things, be your own boss, or save the environment?
I still chuckle when I remember my daughter’s preschool graduation. This group of 5 and 6-year-olds were asked what they wanted to do when they grew up. After a lot of fireman, policeman, and doctor responses, my daughter’s quick, unrehearsed response was, “I want to be a paleontologist.” The audience cracked up. When the teacher asked her what that meant, she knew. How does a 6 year old know what a paleontologist is?! Or even know how to pronounce that?! Over time her ambitions changed. In her teens she found her passion for martial arts. By age 21 she opened her own taekwondo school. She now has her fifth degree black belt and a very successful business.
At one point in my childhood I wanted to be an archaeologist. I love history, especially ancient history. The idea of being in an exotic place digging in ruins looking for lost artifacts sounded exciting and fulfilling. I wanted to brush dirt and sand away to uncover pottery or bones that haven’t seen the light of day for centuries. It seemed like an intellectual puzzle. I wanted to do the research to determine where to dig. Then, discovering pieces of the past would be the prize for persistence. These discoveries from an ancient civilization would also bring wonder – of who these people were and how they lived.
In my teens, I thought about the reality of living and working on site as an archaeologist. Ruins in a place like Egypt would mean dusty, hot, sweaty work with no running water but plenty of scorpions. Ruins in the rain forest would be hot, humid, sweaty work with no running water but plenty of snakes. This job would probably include living in a tent for months (or maybe even years). Keep in mind this was all before the Indiana Jones movies romanticized the whole field. Archaeology didn’t seem so wonderful to me anymore. And I realized that I wanted to have a family someday and this career didn’t seem conducive to family life.
I also toyed with the idea of becoming a writer. I could write about exotic places and research any topic I had interest in. I could write about the distant past, the possibilities of the future or anywhere in between. I could teach others about real people and places or help them escape into a world I totally made up. But I feared writing wasn’t a stable enough career to help support my future family. Would I be able to sell books or articles consistently enough to bring in a regular paycheck?
With my love of reading and writing, I decided to become an English teacher. I got paid to study and teach wonderful literature and hone my craft in writing while coaching others to write better. I had the privilege of working with junior high and high school students and watching them mature. I had the joy of seeing those “ah-ha” moments when the light bulb went on for them. And I loved challenging myself, including when I took on rebuilding a video production program at the high school. But the idea of becoming a professional writer was always at the back of my mind. I loved so many aspects of my thirty year teaching career, but retirement meant an opportunity to finally pursue my dream of being a writer.
So what did you want to be when you were a kid? What did you end up doing? Do you have other career dreams and goals you still work on during your free time or hope to get back to some day? Please share!
Summer’s Almost Gone
I can hardly believe it will be August tomorrow. As people always say, where has the summer gone? I’ve had a busy summer so I haven’t blogged recently. If your summer has been as busy, you probably haven’t missed them! I know the reasons for not blogging are really all excuses, but time slips through our fingers.
We bought a house, moved, and sold a house. That says a lot right there! The packing, unpacking, finding the perfect spot for most things, weeding out what needs to go (Does it bring me joy, Marie Kondo?), painting walls, rehanging pictures, filling in all those little things that the new house needs . . . , it all takes time and energy. Then add those things we really want to do like enjoying our grandchildren, attending family events, being available to help loved ones, spending time together as a couple to keep our marriage strong, going to craft/art shows, catching up on the new season of Stranger Things on Netflix, etc. (There are priorities, of course!) Then add all the things you have to do: bill paying, doctor/dentist visits, yard maintenance – you know the list.
We are mostly settled now, but as we approach August we want to soak up as much of summer as we can while it’s still here. I hope for more walks at the beach, swims in the community pool, picnics with friends/family, outdoor fun with the grandkids and games of corn hole in the backyard.
If your summer has flown by, take time to evaluate what you haven’t been doing (or doing enough of) to enjoy the season while it’s here. Then make time to do it! Schedule it! We all know what’s around the corner. Share with me what’s on your list.
Until next time!
Robin
Moving Time!
I can hardly believe it, but it’s true. My husband and I are moving . . . again!
It seems so surreal since we moved to Avon Lake only a year and a half ago. Before that, we raised our kids in a house where we lived for 18 years in the same town where I grew up. Like many parents, once our kids left the nest, moving to Florida was tempting, but we decided to move closer to our daughter and her family. Yes, the grandkids won out.
We found a great house in a great location, half a block from the lake. We spent the next year making it our own. It was my chance to decorate our house with a coastal vibe. We painted every room, replaced windows and a furnace, laid new flooring with a reclaimed look, and tweaked every nook and cranny. It is a cute lake cottage home, if I do say so myself.
But, as we lived in it, we realized it wasn’t quite the right house for us. When family visits, it’s cramped. We are used to more square footage and a more open floor plan. My husband doesn’t have a workshop space here for his crafting business. He creates home decor out of driftwood. He’s so talented and creative! (Search Lakeshore Treasure Decor on Facebook.)
He tries to use space in the laundry room, but that doesn’t work well when the sawdust starts to fly! And my years of standing all day while teaching have taken a toll on my knees, but we bought a house with the laundry room in the basement. Huh. We considered adding on but discovered it made more financial sense to look for a house with more of what we needed. Long story short, after only a year and a half in our cute lake cottage, we are moving to another house in the same town. Here we go packing up again – hopefully for the last time!
Before we move into the new house, we’ve started painting inside it. My husband and I are a great team when it comes to painting rooms. I’m the one who trims the room. I like trimming. I have a steady hand to paint straight lines up at the ceiling. My husband always rolls the walls. After painting, we plan to update the flooring. Although we’re not looking forward to all this work again, we are looking forward to making this new house our home. And we’re hoping to sell our current house soon.
With our hands covered in paint right now, it made me wonder – do you enjoy painting your rooms? What are your color pallets? Are you the roller or the trimmer? Do you have any memorable moments while painting to share? I’d love to hear from you all!
Kindred Spirit Mailbox
Hi shells! My last post was about the Arctic Blast that came through, and since I’m sure many of us are fighting the mid-winter blues, today let’s turn to warmer thoughts.
The shores of North Carolina have a lot to offer. Wonderful beaches, fun water sports, interesting wildlife, dazzling sunsets, warm weather, and an intriguing mailbox. Yes, a mailbox that is intriguing. On Bird Island near Sunset Beach but off the beaten path about a mile and a half walk from anywhere, this lonely mailbox pops out of the dunes. The lettering on the outside of the box simply says Kindred Spirit. As its location and purpose have become more well-known, it has become a destination for visitors of the area.
The peaceful walk along the shore may put you in a contemplative mood, readying you for what the mailbox provides. Open the box and you will find notebooks written in by many visitors. Strangers share private reflections on their lives and their loves, successes and failures, hopes and dreams, and mainly what they are thankful for. Many write in the notebooks left in the mailbox. Others bring their thoughts already written down to leave in the box. Visitors leave cards, photos, and items – from baby toys to old jewelry. Go ahead. Sit on the bench for a spell and read what others have written or contribute your own thoughts, stories, or poems.
Yes, please. I just convinced myself. I want to go. What a wonderful way to slow down in life and reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re going. It’s a place to relax, to think, to pray even. But how did it get there? No one knew until recently. Continue reading “Kindred Spirit Mailbox”
Brrr!
What’s with this weather? I live in northeast Ohio near Lake Erie. Granted, I expect cold winters with snow, but this week we were colder than Alaska! Seriously. We were. Temperatures were below zero and the wind chill was -35 here. I love living in Ohio and being near the lake. I’ve endured living in the snow belt for many, many years, but I didn’t sign up for this kind of cold! Sorry, winter lovers.
While I tried to stay inside wrapped up in blankets as much as possible, I was amused by what others were doing out in this cold. I’m not talking the typical winter activities of building a snowman or going skiing or sledding. I’m talking about truly creative uses of this extreme cold. (By the way, whatever you do in this cold, don’t forget how dangerous it can be! Stay safe.)
So here’s one example: Have you ever tried to make your own snow? People have been throwing near boiling water from a pot into the air outside in these frigid temps. It immediately turns to snow. It’s awesome to watch! Search for it on YouTube. Just make sure it is truly cold enough if you try it. Safety here. It is HOT water.
Another creative example I saw this year is a new fad. Have you heard of the frozen pants challenge? Well, I guess it’s not new new, but it was new to me. People are soaking their pants in water and taking them outside (not while wearing them, duh). As the pants begin to freeze, they sculpt them to make them look like someone is wearing them – posing them in different positions and in interesting locations. Some have taken it to the next level with freezing police uniforms, karate uniforms, and complete tuxedos. I loved the pants family – it included the dad jeans, mom jeans, and two children-sized jeans. I didn’t want to use a photo without permission on my blog, so you’ll just have to check it out yourself. It’ll give you something to do since you’re already on the internet. Gotta love the search bar!
By the way, it’s supposed to be 50 degrees on Monday. I’m sure somebody will have on their shorts and flip flops.
How ya doin’?
Hello to all my shells! That’s you – all of my blog followers. It’s how I refer to all of you. With my last name being Shelley, it just works. When I was teaching video production to high school students, I called my personal production company Shells in the Sand. So now, as my media platform has changed to blogging and writing novels, you have become part of my shell world. I love it because each shell is a unique and beautiful work of art, just like each of you. Thanks for hanging with me, and welcome to my new shells! Nine new shells joined us this week! Thank you to everyone for spreading the word and sharing my blog with your friends and family.
My last post was about new year’s resolutions and how we all struggle to keep them. I shared with you my take on it for this year. I developed my vision for the year and my mission – a plan of attack by taking small steps each month. Now that it’s February 1st, it’s time for me to look back at January and see how I did.
I’m pleased with my progress so far. I admit I didn’t exactly complete the plan for the month, but I took care of some other “to do” items that still lead to the end vision. My goal for January was to create a list of 50 potential agents for my book and to revise my query letter. I do have the agent list ready, but I didn’t get to the query letter. I already have a good one prepared, but it never hurts to make it better. That’s on my “to do” list for next week. Looking at February’s goals, my plan is to start sending query letters to agents (at least 10 per month). I also planned to write/revise a long and short summary of the novel for agents who may request it. Here’s where I’m ahead a bit. In January, I decided to do another revision of the novel. As I went through page by page, I also took notes that will become the summaries. All I have to do is revise them this month. So in January I didn’t get to the query letter, but I did get a lot done on February’s summaries.
That’s what I like about doing my resolution this way. There’s flexibility. It takes the pressure off . It gives me breathing room. It isn’t so black and white – either I succeeded or I failed. Instead, I continue to simply make progress toward the vision.
So how ya doin’ with your goals? Take time to look at how you did in January and what you want to do in February. And if you didn’t develop a vision and a mission, it’s not too late. Check out my blog from January to help get you jump started. Make it a productive 2019! You can do it!
Here’s to Success in 2019!
Did you miss me? I hope all of you experienced love and joy throughout the holiday season. I took off some time to celebrate and to enjoy family, but now the new year is here and it’s time to get back into a routine.
Have you noticed how we get inundated with ads for fitness equipment, gyms and diet plans every January? It’s so predictable. With the start of a new year, many of us think about new starts. We refocus our energies on whatever we want to improve about ourselves that we missed the mark on last year. We might want to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, or we may want to work on our organizational skills, a career goal, or our relationships. According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. That doesn’t give us the motivation to even try!
Perhaps part of the problem is that our resolutions are too vague . Instead of resolving to lose weight, a more successful resolution may be to pick a specific amount of weight so you know exactly what your mark is. Perhaps we fail when we make goals that are too big. Instead of making it a big goal for the year, like losing 50 pounds in 2019, how about making smaller goals? Try setting a goal like this: I will lose 10 pounds in the next three months. Or I will limit my fast food intake to once per month. Or I will get my fancy, high calorie, drive-thru coffee only once per week instead of every day. Perhaps we fail because we make resolutions without a plan to get there. Saying what you want to improve doesn’t mean you’ve thought through the steps necessary to be successful.
Among other things, I want to focus on career goals this year. Instead of making a resolution, I’m going to take a different approach. First, I’ve taken time to develop my vision – I’ve looked at the big picture of what I want to accomplish. It may take more than this year to get there, but I have to start by seeing the long-term vision and then take the first step forward. Break the vision into specific smaller goals that need to happen to get to the finish line.
For example, my vision is to get my book traditionally published. I’ve already done some steps toward getting there, like making sure my book is the best it can be, researching the publishing business, writing a query letter, researching agents, starting this website/blog, and so on. But at this point in my journey, the specific step I need to take is to find an agent that is a good fit for me and this book. So how do I do this? That becomes the mission. I create a specific plan of attack. Looking at each goal in your vision, develop a strategy of what you are going to do to achieve that goal.
I set some goals by month. In January I have a goal to create a list of at least 50 people I think are potential agents for this book. Another goal is to revise my query letter, again. Starting in February, I will send out at least 10 query letters per month. In February I will also write/revise a long and a short summary of the book since some agents will request one or the other. In March l will continue sending query letters and responding to requests to see my manuscript. January through March I will also start processing the next book idea in my head and do some basic outlining. April will be the month that I start to seriously write my first draft of a new book. No, that’s too vague. Let’s set the goal to write at least 25 pages of the new book by the end of April. Also at the end of April, I will evaluate how well I’m reaching these small goals and revise if necessary. If you’ve noticed, the mission gives you boxes to check as you progress. Re-evaluating every four months (in April and again in August) and setting goals for the next four months will make this an achievable process rather than a failed resolution. The point is to keep moving forward. That in itself is success.
Do you have a vision for this year? If so, have you made a plan to get there? If not, this is your mission if you choose to accept it. With a plan in place, the success of your mission is possible.
What’s your favorite holiday song?
Hi everyone! I’m back. Sorry I’ve been away so long, but there is so much to do between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m sure you’re right there with me. Balancing life during the holidays so I still have time to write gets tricky. I didn’t forget about you guys!
As busy as it is, Christmas is my favorite time of the year so I thought I’d throw out a fun question. What is your favorite holiday song? I know there’s been a lot of controversy over some holiday songs lately, but I’d rather not dwell on controversy. Just simply – what is your favorite holiday song?
For me, some of my favorite songs must be sung by a certain performer. I love Nat King Cole’s version of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).” “(I’m Dreaming of a) White Christmas” has to be sung by Bing Crosby. Also at the top of my list is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as only Karen Carpenter can sing it. But throughout the season and especially on Christmas Eve, it doesn’t feel like Christmas without the traditional “Oh Holy Night.” Josh Groban does a great version.
Merry Christmas and peace to all of you and your families! I hope you make time in the busyness to really enjoy the season and reflect on the reason for the season.
Don’t forget. While you’re here, please post a comment and let me know what your favorite songs are!
It’s a wish minute!
I don’t consider myself a superstitious person, but some of those childhood games/traditions have stuck with me. Our family still fights over who gets to yank on the wishbone after Thanksgiving each year. If I see a penny on the ground facing up, I will reach down to pick it up. Yes, it must be facing up. I will take a quick minute to see if that four-leaf clover is right at my feet. And yet I don’t count on these things to make or break my day…or month…or year. They’re just superstition.
And then there is the wish minute. When I glance at a digital clock or my phone and the hour and the minutes are all the same number (like 3:33), I immediately think – wish minute! As a child I was told that if I made a wish during that exact minute, it would come true.
Just the other day I noticed the clock at a wish minute, but somewhere along the line I’d changed the rules to my wish minute game. I don’t know when I started doing this, but whenever I see a wish minute, instead of wishing, I send up a prayer for someone. Whoever comes to mind first gets my “wish prayer.” This most recent time my niece was on my mind since she just had a birthday. So Sara, that one was for you!
So why a “wish prayer”? I think I wanted my special wishes to have greater meaning, to be directed to a higher power that can actually act on them, and to be less egocentric. It’s one more way to remind me throughout the day to lift others in prayer.
So what time does your clock say right now? Could it be your wish minute?
Bucket List
Recently my brother and sister-in-law had a stroke of luck at a pro 
soccer game. Picked as the “Fans of the Game,” jetBlue gave them tickets to go anywhere they fly – for free! Congratulations, Bob and Sue!
It got me thinking, if I could go anywhere in the world, where would I pick? My first thought goes to anywhere warm with a beach and turquoise water. The beach is definitely my “go-to” happy place. Thoughts of Aruba, Jamaica, Tahiti, and Fiji flash through my head. (The list reminds me of Kokomo, the Beach Boys’ song!) Let me soak in the sun with a piña colada in my hand or stoop for shells along the beach, and I’d be happy. I’ve done the Florida thing many times (love Sanibel Island!) and I’ve been in the Caribbean a few times. However, beyond the beach, I also enjoy immersing myself in the culture and history of a new place. I’ve had the pleasure of trekking through the Mayan ruins of Tulum and walking the Great Wall of China. I’m always up for trying out somewhere new.
Then I think of my bucket list. My husband and I have always wanted to Continue reading “Bucket List”
Reflections on a Garage Sale
Last weekend I brought a few things to my daughter’s house for our garage sale (or tag sale, depending on where you live). I didn’t have much to add since I purged my house just before our move last December. Still, when you move into a new place, not everything “fits.” Maybe a piece doesn’t fit the new space or it’s out of place with the new décor. After all, moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to change things up a bit. So, into the sale they go!
Looking around the house for garage sale items usually means cleaning out those closets, searching through drawers, and finding boxes stashed away in the basement or garage. It always amazes me how I can find a bunch of things for the sale, and the next day when I walk by the same spot, I find more. It reminds me of editing a novel. No matter how many times I revise, I can always find something else to edit the next time. (Yes, I did just make a correlation between the writing process and garage sales. Impressed?)
Editing is an age-old problem of writers: It isn’t the fun part. It has to be done. But when is it enough? How many times do you need to edit a Continue reading “Reflections on a Garage Sale”