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April 01 New BeginningsToday is April 1st, 2008 ... such a significant date for me. It has been exactly one year since I moved into my little apartment with Ben. It has taken pretty much a full year of adjustments to reach this point and it has been very much a learning year in a way. Lots has happened, both good and bad, although not on a tragic scale. But it also has been rewarding in a way. I learned to live alone, yet was never really alone. I needed that time to get to where I am today .... a little bit stronger, content and happy. I am ready now to forge ahead. I look forward to meeting more people I can confidently call friends. I am ready to return to my real writing, whether it be cleaning up that dusty fictional novel I wrote such a long time ago, or my short stories, both children's and fantasy, or poetry. No matter the genre, I am ready to be `Me', to carry on once again with the one thing I do love doing most. So what if I don't ever get published. That would be nice, but it isn't my ultimate goal right now. I feel I can still contribute a great deal to my family and friends in some way, to have something to leave behind some day.
Ok, this is likely beginning to get a bit sappy, so .....
I suppose my first focus will be a special poem of sorts (upon request) for my nephew's new baby, their first, who is due in a couple months ... one to commemorate the coming birth, the first-time granparents on both sides. I recall writing a special little poem for the parents-to-be when they married a couple years ago. They tell me they still have it and will always cherish it too. Once I complete this little "task" I am going to just write. I am learning, or rather refreshing my memory, of all the "how-to's" in writing and rather than remain bogged down with the question, "What will I write about?", I will simply go into "automatic writing" mode. It isn't really so hard as it might sound. There is no real trick to it. You think of something special, that you can relate to. It can be anything ... something or someone that made you laugh, feel/felt happy about, sad about; it can be something about yourself, how you feel personally, how you want things to be, etc.... whatever comes to mind. It is basically writing down your thought(s). Once you start writing, you will keep writing automatically. The words will just come and you will continue to write, grasping each word in a frenzy to capture them all, and before you know it you are filling a page or more. Sometimes it won't come easily. Then you leave it for awhile, then try it again. Practice! Find a peaceful, relaxing place, time and just sit with paper and pen in hand, close your eyes and let it happen. You don't have to be a believer in spirit guides, but I feel they are there helping you, guiding you to write. It is simply a matter of LISTENING to your thoughts.
More than once I have had a small idea for what I wanted to write about. One instance ... in a poem at the time, I started it yet fumbled around trying to find the right words. Before I knew it, the words did come but in a totally different direction ... a whole new concept was born, if you will. It turned into something very meaningful, about life and how we set our values. Certainly not the funny little something I had intended for an insert to my sister's birthday card ... LOL. All the same, I hope I have put my idea across. The key word .. FOCUS, but let it happen. Try to hard and you are going to miss the point, the boat, whatever it is you are trying to catch *smiles*.
Enjoy your writing. Be YOU! March 26 About Romance Writers and Readers of Distinct Fiction Romance Writers and Readers of Distinct Fiction is a wonderful group! It is relatively new but is growing quickly in membership - with both writers and readers. Since joining it recently, I am getting to "know" some of these wonderful people, learning and sharing in their writings, their thoughts and especially in their support for one another. Their inspiration for me is a wonderful blessing as I return to my one love ... writing. I feel more compelled to do what I love to do, yet at this stage I find myself struggling with a "starting point". But as I read some of their own blogs, especially the wonderful lady Chiron who writes with such conviction in the art of writing. Her notes fill me with refreshed understanding of what it is all about and I am a whole lot closer to getting started again.
Another wonderful member, Bobby R. Woodall, has also had a great influence on me. He easily inspires others, caring very much about you as a person and fellow member. He expresses himself with a lot of humour and even more a vivid imagination that can stretch out in all directions sometimes. He is just Bobby, a wonderful fellow who has beaten the odds time and again with a very interesting yet tragic life. Bobby has written two books himself, "Clearwater" and "Mercer's Manor", both westerns. I had ordered them both and just received them. I know they will both be excellent reading for they too have had good reviews.
As I check in daily with WRDF, I continue to grasp new and exciting works among all the members, finding new friends along the way. That I get so much from them, I can only hope I will be able to give back as much in return. For now though, I will strive to just do my best and be me. With their encouragement, I have set my own goals. Short term - daily goal of achieving a certain point, long term - to write an inspirational piece that may help others. In between? or perhaps finding my true direction - to compile an assortment of short stories for both children and young adult reading. I trust in myself and spiritual guidance to get started again .... and of course Writers and Readers for all the quiet encouragement they have instilled in me. My thanks will always go to them first, and to Bobby for guiding me to this blessed site.
March 20 Hurry Up Spring '08!Yes ... like everyone else I know, and even a lot of folks I don't know, are really, really tired of winter. Well, I'm sure most of them are. Today is the first day of Spring. There is still snow around and they say it may be at least another month before any real changes begin. Okay, maybe I ... we? ... are trying to rush it just a tiny bit. After all, just one year ago the snow was pretty much all gone and even though we has rainy days, it at least was "acting" like Spring come early. Oh well, what is the point of worrying, wishing and basically wondering if it will ever get here. We know it will eventually, then we can enjoy the weather for a while before we ultimately begin to complain that it is too Hot and Humid, and wouldn't it be nice to have snow for Christmas? HA! Roll on world!
There, that feels better. I guess I'll go do something creative, like get this pillow case made I have been promising myself to do for last couple weeks (lol). Watch soon for another entry - re: Writing. I am going to add more into this subject as I go. This is my favorite thing to do, so now I am focusing on it more. Who knows where it might lead, eh?
Later people. Have a good day wherever you are ...    July 23 Well, how long has it been this time?.......... since my last entry? Hmm, really should go back and check first, huh? lol.
Anyway, lots has been happening this year (so far). I moved from a nice little (rented) house to a very small apartment in town, making it much easier to get out and about on my own without having to depend on others all the time. Mind you, I still call these "others" occasionally just to let them know I'm still around (smile). The apartment though is big enough for me & Ben, and we both have adjusted very well. It is amazing all the "stuff" I had to get rid of ... simply not enough room!! But I decided as long as I have my computer in one corner, my sewing machine in another, and the good ol' TV in the middle, I am happy. Have been doing a fair amount of sewing projects, and still (as always) have lots more "to-do" when I get to them. Right now though, being the middle of summer, I have decided to put my sewing on the back burner for awhile. I really need to get back to my writing "want-to-do" projects, an always ongoing promise to "just do it!" I love journaling as well as putting together family genealogy. There is always something to write about and, sadly, I have been neglecting a lot of it, for sure!
Anyone been thinking about Christmas yet? That is always in the back of my mind, since I usually try to make many of my own gifts for the families. I'm stuck on the little ones (again!) though ... not sure yet what I am going to do for them. It may be small, but certainly meant with good intention. Each and every one of those youngsters are beautiful in his/her own right .. such wonderful little personalities .. all that say, "Hey, I am me!!" So again have lots to think about and do over the next 5 months.
Well, better get back to the ol' drawing board and figure what I need to get started on next, asap. So will once again close off and hopefully will pop back to fill you (whoever you are
 ) in on what's happening. Ta for now!!  May the sun shine in your world always.April 25 Just Me .. againWell, here I am again after a long MIA. Just finished moving to my little apartment and am finally settling in well with my Ben. Big adjustment for both of us. for sure. It is reasonably quiet here although I haven't met too many of my neighbors yet. But that will eventually come together I expect.
I have been and plan to be quite busy with more sewing/quilting projects among with other things. Love to get on computer too, chatting with special friends. This all means a lot to me. Good to keep busy, but lots better to share time with those you care about too.
I'm going to try expanding on this "blog" a bit, so please bear with me
 . So IF anyone is interested, check this site out once in awhile for future changes. I'd really like to get in here on a reasonably regular schedule. Please feel free to offer any comments you like, but PLEASE be kind (smile).Thanks for visiting,
Joanne January 06 Getting it together ...OK ~ I think I'm getting the hang of finding the best way to keep this Blog going in a more organized manner ... I think
 I will work on it more and try to add accordingly to my own interests. I have read a few different Blogs by others and find them much more interesting to read. So with a bit of "trial & error" and certainly some patience, hopefully I can get this back on track the way I want it to be. Sine I have yet to receive any comments on my Blogging .. and I don't really expect any ... I guess it alone tells me I need to do some refreshing.
Some changes will be directed to my family genealogy, trying to put in as much data as I can for anyone's personal interestas far a searching for any information to their own line. This will definitely take some time doing, I know. My family lines are:
Cole, Dufton, Martin, Fordham, Gilbert and eventually some on the Moyer side as well.
If anyone has questions regarding any of these Surnames, please get in touch and I will see what I can do to help, if possible. Of course there will be additional info/thought on some of my other interests as well ... ie sewing/quilting, other crafts, etc. (with help from Big Ben, my lovable feline). Thanks to anyone who has an interest in reading this.
Joanne June 19 Catch up Time ..a littleIt's been awhile since my last update ... lots of things been happening, like weddings, family get-togethers, etc.
Today is my birthday and am spending it quietly at home with Ben. Actually I celebrated it this past weekend, going out to dinner at a restaurant in town, and getting to cruise around with my sister and b-in-law in his 1957 Meteor covertable ... NICE!! sure brought back memories of that era, for sure!
I'm getting set to start on more sewing projects again ... am already thinking ahead as to what I might make or do for the grandkids for Christmas this year ... a tough decision to make. Not going to make them as time-consuming as last year though. Oh well, will come up with something appropriate.
Spring yard cleaning had been a chore and a challenge for me this year, but I managed to get it pretty much done. Cutting grass is always fun too ...
 . Shamefully, I just haven't got the windows all done yet ... hmmm, is that a sign of something too? like laziness?? All in all, I've decided to just relax and enjoy my own time today. Whatever work that's needed to be done will always still be there tomorrow, right?Hmm (again) ... wonder if or how many people actually read this stuff? I personally find it lots interesting and fun to read as long as it is clean and healthy. I've found some people's blogs/Spaces are really neat to read ... so uplifting for me. If any lucky person out there is reading my meager little blogs, please contact me with your thoughts. Who knows, maybe I'll find a good friend to share ideas with, huh? March 23 You & MeYOU & ME
What is it, Ben?
What do you see?
For there is no one here
But you and me.
But then again, I could be wrong,
Perhaps it is Glenn, or Stephen, or Mom.
For in Spirit they will always be
Close to you; close to me. March 02 GenealogyI've had a natural interest in family genealogy for about as long as I can remember. It has been awhile since I have done any real research in it, but I think it is time to get back to this initial challenge. Should anyone have any possible connection &/or information to any of these following names, contact me with any queries in nature to ... PLEASE, ONLY those with genealogy interests at heart. No personal information will be gathered or used in any way without personal permission first!
Family Names I am researching are:
Barnes
Cole
Dufton
Fordham
Gilbert
Martin
Moyer
.......... all above connections mainly in Canada, U.S., England.
I have a lot of data accumulated on the Barnes, Cole, Dufton, Fordham and Martin branches, but only a little on the Gilbert and Moyer sides. My grateful thanks to all family members who have helped me gather so much interesting, factual and inspiring history of my ancestry.
I am still in the midst of inserting all data accordingly on proper family tree formats ... always an ongoing, never ending chore.
January 14 Sew - Sew on Christmas '05Sewing: One of my great loves and challenges.
This past Christmas I decided to make up "Quik Quilts" for all the grandchildren and Glenn's great-grandkids as well. ... 10 in all. I got started on thes late (actually in late September I think) and considering how quickly Christmas can sneak up, it was a great wonder that I was able to complete them in time ... with about a week to spare; but then I needed to complete them with a little lable each. All in all, they turned out wonderfully and all recipitants simply loved them. I have posted a few pics of them to show off. Hope you can view them ok.
Now I am sorting out ideas and future projects to do throughout this new year, toward next Christmas. I know ... I always manage to give myself a "too big" work load ... "Too many things on my plate" ... oh well .. keeps me out of trouble (I hope)   Will keep you posted on my progress.Catching UpBack again ... Been busy trying to catch up on things and get back to a regular routine once again. Christmas and the New Year is finally done for another year. Am always busy with my sewing, but then I will comment more on that in my Hobbies category. Today I am just taking it easy for a change. The weather for January has been as unpredictable as ever. After a few days of mild temps and some rain (which did melt away most all of the snow) it has turned colder again with a raw cold wind and a chilly promise of some snowflakes in the air. This is supposed to stay around for a few days, then it is forcasted to turn milder again ... go figure, this is not a typical winter. Oh well, hopefully February won't be too bad, but I still think we are going to pay for this unseasonal weather ... we will see.
Thought: Each day is a blessing ... to grasp and hold on to ... to store in our wonderful book of memories ... to one day look back and smile.
December 01 Day 1So here I am .. trying yet another new idea .. Blogging. Should prove interesting, and since I am needing to get back into my creative writings again, guess this is a good start. I will try to update as much as possible, giving an inkling to a few personal thoughts and notions from time to time, so check in occasionally to see what else I may have on my mind. Back soon .. Joanne |
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