Tag Archives: Challenges

Can You Relate?

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The words below jumped off the page as I read them.

Do you get social media fatigue at the end of the year?

I wanted to scream YES. It’s the Holiday season and the thought of Christmas conjures up cheerful and pleasant feelings which radiate throughout my being. Most are personal. Those feelings don’t translate well to social media.

Are you laughing, or agreeing?

There’s this tug, which pulls me in conflicting directions.

  • I want to be creative
  • Many tasks are tied to traditions I continue to maintain
  • There is always something to be done
  • Thoughts of snuggling on the couch to enjoy the moment are tantalizing

I released a book in late October. I should market said book. There is another I should format for publication.

Somehow, all these aspects of life swirl together, creating my here and now.

The Christmas season of 2022.

To you, those who follow my blog—may you find moments to enjoy whatever makes this season special to you.

Habit or not…

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Away from home…

Habits creep in
Like stalkers at night
We awake and find them amongst us

So goes the way of the news

Read for interest to be informed
Look for more complete details
Shock value captivates attention
Research
Then repeat

And repeat
Peace disrupted
Habit revealed

I long to return to consuming news 
On a “need to know” basis

Question
How to be informed yet not addicted?

(I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this topic)

Certain Uncertainties…

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The ground is shifting beneath my feet

My calendar marks the passing of time

Changes in weather confirm this passage

Details require my attention

My mind wanders

Change is happening

One foot planted here and the other not yet settled in an unknown location

In this straddled state, I feel unbalanced and perceive time stopped

Not possible! Not true!

I saw you today

You became family

Geography will physically separate us

My heart was saddened

Public message to say good bye

Share how God calls and why we respond

Can I look in your eyes and keep the tears from my own

While living here, I’ve changed

No mistake that I was here

I will follow the voice that calls

For me to do anything less is unworthy of His calling

The faith we share has bound are hearts together

Location and time cannot undo this bond

We are part of one another’s journey

When we meet again

We’ll share the stories of life

Live well, my friends

To this you’ve been called

The Colors of the Sky

Inspiration…

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Why, as the sky turns dark, and I lay my head into my pillow, do all these great thoughts and ideas come to mind? I want to sleep but instead I ponder story starts, and various scenes to add to pieces I’m writing. My body is weary, too weary to get up and write. The thoughts are so vivid I’m sure I’ll remember them the next time I sit down to write, or for sure, in the morning.

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Night Sky

Slumber finally comes. Then when the pink glow of morning lights up the sky and the sun peaks above the horizon, my eyes slowly awaken. Gratitude for the new day and all it offers, fills my heart. But alas! Some thief snuck into my room in the night while the stars twinkled and shone. I’m certain I was considering something wonderful last night, but all those thoughts vanished. Not a remnant remains, nor is there any evidence of who took the fruit of my inspiration.

Do you have this same thief at your house?

Do you have a way to overcome this challenge?

 

 

 

Home and Writing Routines…

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I’ve been back in Colorado about a month now. After a few days, I adjusted to the time differences, the altitude, the night stars and different lifestyles. Remaining were the routine things around the house that needed attention, civic responsibilities and reconnecting with friends on this side of the Atlantic. It looks like it might take us the rest of the year to connect with family and friends we haven’t seen in a while.

While in Ireland, I established a “more” regular writing routine than I had previously practiced. For me, that meant at least three or four dedicated times of writing, or writing related activities per week. It seems like I fell out of step with those practices quickly after landing back in the states. My first goal is to return my Irish writing routine.

Writing Location

I’m okay with you checking in to see my progress. That’s accountability.

 

Fight Back

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When it comes to negative thoughts and self-talk, we have to fight back against those things.

Steven Furdick’s book, Crash the Chatterbox may be a good resource if you struggle with this type of negativity.

Furdick wrote the book to help people understand how they can battle the negative thoughts and lies filling their heads and hearts and instead turn to God promises and truth.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others if they will work through the questions in the back.

There are a several statements that stood out to me:

…it’s not just what this chatter says that makes it dangerous. It’s what it keeps us from hearing.

…mistakes are inevitable but disrespect is inexcusable. And ingratitude is more than a misdemeanor.

…gratitude allows us to disconnect discouragement at the power source by choosing to call God good in spite of our situation.

 

LIFE — on Pause!

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Friends have asked, “How’s recovery going?”

It’s been a humbling experience.

Think about your daily life. Then consider needing someone to help you do everything!

The question, how’s recovery going, is thought provoking.

Recovery happens one day at a time.

We celebrate small accomplishments and victories. Small events make up life.

How’s one to thank the many friends who stopped by to visit; who gifted me with flowers; who brought or sent food to the house to simplify meal preparation; the people who prayed for me regularly and sent short notes of encouragement?

Early on, I sensed my focus needed to be on getting better. I wasn’t interested in many aspects of my life. Leaving home was exhausting. It took much effort to get ready to go to doc visits or PT, do the program, and return home. After arriving home, I’d collapse in a comfortable location.

For me, time stopped. We returned from vacation, and I had plans to market my book. I’ve put those plans on hold.

This week recovery turned a corner. I want to take part in my regular activities again. I still have to pace myself as I tire after being out. I’m told, rest is crucial to healing, and that’s the top priority. So the focuses of my life are PT, both appointments and exercises at home; a few activities; a few interests; and using wisdom to know I need to stop.

Soon I hope to hit the RESET button.

 

In Only a Moment…

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Flowers

Things can change.

 

I experienced one of those moments on January 18th, when I slipped and fell while shopping and broke, not one arm – but both of my arms. With one elbow broken and the other shoulder fractured life slowed.

I have time to reflect on the blessings surrounding me. Beauty encircles me and resides within each of us. Family, friends and my beloved hubby are needed to help me achieve nearly everything.

God heals in many ways. Healing is a daily transformation that happens one step at a time. I’m confident His healing power is at work in my body.

 

Review & Looking forward to 2017

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I reviewed my 2016 writing goals and set goals for 2017. I enjoyed some victories and accomplishments last year. My first novella – Dream Glasses is available as a Kindle Book. I’m still working on the print version.

I met three other woman dedicated to their writing. Their friendship and support as we met together has blessed me. It is my hope we will continue to meet together.

This last year’s writing experiences taught me some things.

I recognize I had too many divergent goals, which caused me to loose focus and sometimes I did nothing. This translated to tasks not accomplished.

2017 goals are not so broad and open-ended. I have specific goals related to specific writing projects.

I found my ‘writing location’ within the house where I can sit and write. Later in the year, I wrote more regularly.

I analyzed what worked with writing Dream Glasses and what things slowed me down. I’ve learned much about formatting, styles, sections and images.

I transitioned my writing to Scrivener to allow me to keep all related writing, research, and character lists related to a piece in one place, while fully expecting the final work may still take place in MS WORD.

I’m excited about what 2017 brings.

I expect the print version of Dream Glasses to be available soon. (For those of you following this blog site, last year I thought the name of my book would be The Madeleine. That changed to Dream Glasses.)

I’ve started working on the sequel. No name yet.

I’ve got more research ahead of me to make the story locations as real as Paris has been to my readers.

I’m working on a collection of short stories and still working on a children’s book.

Have you set your writing goals for the new year? …and are you willing to share them?

 

FOUND…

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I’ve been on a quest.

After moving to Colorado, Tom purchased the book, “They Came From Missouri “ for me. The book is about the people who settled the area where we live.

I never got very far in the book because the second family listed was Edward Stauffacher, whose parents were from Canton Glarus, Switzerland; originally settling in Green County, Wisconsin. Edward was born outside Monroe, married and moved west. He set up an early cheese factory and a post office here called Catherine Store. There’s a road called Catherine Store Road. They lived here for a number of years and moved to California to escape winter.

My mother was a Stauffacher and there seemed to be too many similarities.

  • From the same area of Switzerland.
  • Settling in the same area in the U.S.
  • …and now me, living in the same area here.
  • Could this have been a distant relative?

I found it interesting to think a distant relative of mine also found this area so captivating they wanted to make it home.

I’ve mused the thoughts many times.

I’ve gathered information.

This week I was able to put all the pieces together.

My grandfather was removed by six generations from the link – but it was there.

Dietrich Stauffacher
Born: 10-21-1677   Died: 3-7-1760

So if you’re thinking about visiting me, and are related through my mother’s side of the family be warned. The Swiss blood may be stronger than you think. And who knows what the effect of that is?