Honoré

Simply a Moment 12.15.24…

Published on December 15, 2024December 15, 2024 by Honoré8 Comments

~Simply A Moment ~ 15 December 2024~

“Onward!” Is how Gretchen Rubin encourages listeners to her podcast to embrace the current day’s and week’s journey! Today, I’ve been busy in my “Craft Studio” organizing and decluttering so I can spend the next 20+ days – til 5 January – wrapping up 2024 and settling into 2025. The bottom line is I just have too much stuff – for exercising my creative urges! And quiet as it’s kept, try as I may, I don’t seem to be making much headway towards getting rid of all this stuff nor am I being creative! Grrr!

Today, I did disconnect the printer I bought several years ago (during Covid). It – the printer – “eats” the paper and I’ve been advised by several different Staples staffers that it’s probably not worth the dollars to try to fix the problem and frankly, I just don’t have the energy to schlepp it into a store and, and, and… Since I also have an Epson PM-400 that prints both 4×6 and 5×7 photos plus mini collages, I think I can fulfill most printing needs.

Helen Colebrook, a British journal artist, creates and shares a monthly list of journal prompts – #journalwithpurposepatreonchallenge – I just looked at today’s : Finding Calm. Just what I need and I’m delighted to report that I do feel much calmer, now that I have begun to restore some order to my “stuff” and can see a few clear surfaces. Next up on the list is my sewing studio …I am in the midst of making a few holiday ornaments…and that basically requires that I sit my butt in seat at my sewing machine – which , quiet as it’s kept, is a “novel idea” for me. Covid and the loss of dear loved ones definitely took the wind out of my sails but I’m slowly reconnecting … with stitching . I guess I could say I’m “getting my mojo back.” Yep ! I think so and time will tell.

“Onward!”

December Memory

Published on December 6, 2024 by Honoré4 Comments

What’s a favorite memory from past holiday celebrations?

For me, it’s always been from my childhood – when my sister and I were young and living in Muskegon, Michigan, back in the 1950s … In those days, most Christmas celebrations were on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We got our tree and went shopping for presents on Christmas Eve – tho’ unbeknownst to us, our parents had been secretly shopping (for weeks?)… And on Christmas Eve, we’d decorate the tree.

I remember one year, perhaps I was 7-8 years old, I got a baby doll – her name was L’il Darlin’ and she was an adorable brown baby with a bottle that, when tipped into her mouth, the “milk inside” disappeared, just a tho ’ she was drinking it. That was pretty clever. (I did a google search and “she” – the doll I remember- didn’t come up!)

Before Christmas, my mother was busy making clothes for this doll-baby and when I asked: “Why? For who?” she answered “for some little girl whose parents didn’t have much money to spare.” I remember thinking, “ Oh, not me?” and I’d make a sad face…

My parents were very clever and smart when it came to opening Christmas presents: On Christmas Eve, we – my sister (four years my junior) and I willingly, without a whimper, nary any resistance, went to bed – for the sooner we did and fell asleep , Santa would arrive. Our parents spent those hour/s waiting for Santa, listening to my mom’s fave music -opera- and having great conversation. I knew this, because, being too excited to really “go to sleep,” I’d get up and sneak into the hallway outside the living room where the tree was, ostensibly checking to see if Santa had arrived. Nope! I’d go back to bed… Eventually I’d fall asleep and magically, Midnight came and so did Santa. My parents would awaken us with the good news! We could go see what Santa had left!

This time of year I fondly recall those childhood days, especially Christmas Eve. I think I must get busy and compare then with now. Much has changed …MUCH! (I smile as I write this for it makes me tenderly happy to recall that time in my childhood ). But in the meantime, I’d best attend to the items on my TDL – to do list. As my mother was fond of saying, with a swipe of her hands, “time to get busy!” Ah, Yes!

Cheers~

Simply A Moment | 11.15.24 …

Published on November 15, 2024November 15, 2024 by Honoré8 Comments

On this date, 82 years ago, I made my entrance into the world at 7:46 PM, EST. Today is my birthday – technically my 83rd trip around the sun has come to a conclusion. And I’m off on the next round. I’ve lived a good life, for the most part. Not perfect – whatever that is – just “good enough” and what isn’t/wasn’t is mostly due to my own doings .

I called myself OWAY before I learned to correctly pronounce my name: Honoré. It is French and means honorable and is very common in France. Has been a dream of mine to visit Paris, especially to walk the Rue du Saint Honoré. Or to sit at an outside café with a latté. Earlier today, I thought I might go to Starbucks and get a latté – I need a few items from Whole Foods and there’s a SBUX next door… Then, I recalled my neighborhood coffee shop – Zeke’s – is only about 6-8 blocks North. I could use the walk and exercise and fresh air. Ah yes, I have options …and isn’t that what life is all about? Except, not all of us on this planet earth, do (have options). I am definitely still trying to sort that out. And as I sort, to make decisions and take steps that I pray and trust don’t deprive others of their options. To practice the Golden Rule: “Do onto others what you would have then do unto you.” C’ept we don’t practice such…

At this juncture in my writing and thinking, I have circa 277 words and probably more to come in the next 10 minutes left of Writers’ Hour, the 8 AM Mon-Fri Journaling session I join on Zoom. Outside, I hear the sounds of equipment on the street – for the past month, 5 days a week, my street has been torn up in the morning and resurfaced in the evening. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. They didn’t show up yesterday; I wondered why.

Somewhere among my “files”, I have a list I made of 70+ things when I turned 70…wonder if I still have it? It’s a possibility and perhaps the list fairy will do me a favor and unearth it, if I do.

To Be Continued – hopefully!

376 words

Cheers~

PS. I didn’t make it to the grocery store or a coffee shop. Perhaps tomorrow.

Simply A Moment | 10.15.24…

Published on October 15, 2024 by Honoré7 Comments

OH! To be rested, caught up, focused on the best direction …to be relaxed, relieved, revitalized, on spot…Today ‘s Simply*A*Moment and time to write the blog post. Technically, and it’s simply a convention I created to help me remember and focus on “the moment”, I stop and pause on the moment that equals the time of the day that equates to the month and date, e.g., This is October, the tenth month and the fifteenth day – so at 10:15 AM, technically I’m to stop whatever and focus on that specific, precise, moment . As I type this, I have absolutely no idea of what I’ll be doing at 10:15 AM today, 15th of October! Time will tell* <couldn’t resist!>

Currently, at 8:15 AM, I am sitting at my computer desk, in my little zoom box, “alone yet together” with folk from around the world. Today, 199 of us, in our little Zoom boxes, ostensibly writing. Some of us, as moi, are looking at others who are writing, maybe eating ,thinking, listening, engaging in conversation with some one in the room, scrolling Zoom to see who is there and how they show up: live or just a photo. One participant appears to be having quite an animated conversation ` perhaps with someone else or her character; several are “cat ladies” and/or dog or both? And some are clouds, lakes, sunsets, sunrise … Whatever and Whoever we are, we all showed up to focus on our craft, task for the 8 AM ESDST London Wrters’ Salon session. I also have the opportunity to join the Pacific 8 AM – technically 11 AM for me – session…and I may – should I need to -put the finishing touches on this blog post …

Periodically, I stop to check my stats: I’ve been writing for approximately 16 minutes and have 309 words, thus far. The goal is 1000 words per any writing session. I don’t know that I’ve ever hit that number tho’ I also don’t know that anytime I sit to write – be it via pen or keyboard and occasionally, a verbal note – I care to do so. I did wonder where the metric originated and thanks, to the “web”, learned it was from Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks. A book I’ve read and have not one, but two print copies and I daresay, a digital version, too. T’wouldn’t at all surprise me if t’were the case.

412 words— WH is ending and I’ll move on. A busy Zoom & Writing 1000 Words today.

*Circa 10:15 AM – Actually, it’s now 10:43 AM -I’m currently ensconced – a fancy way of saying settled in/at the dining table. Just finished breakfast: Scrambled egg with shredded cheese and green grapes – just five. Not sure why I settled on that number. Currently, it’s sunny and cool – 55 degrees AND the expected high? Just 58 degrees. Seriously? Seriously!

This morning, as has been the agenda, the street’s being torn up. The gas company is installing lines to meters in most houses on this block. Not my house ‘cause my meter’s already in place. Every day, the leaves on the trees are turning color and/or gently falling to the ground. Leaf collection’s scheduled to begin the end of the month.

512 words at 10:58 am. Not bad . Won’t make the 1000K mark this session but that’s OK with me. Besides, I have two more journaling sessions scheduled for later this afternoon. The last one is at 7PM, ESDST; last week, I completely forgot about it. I know NOT WHY! Not this week, tho’!

608 words …

TBC…

welcome October | 10.1.2024…

Published on October 1, 2024 by Honoré4 Comments

I begin most days, M-F, writing /journaling during London Writers’ Salon 8AM Writer’s Hour, a platform that attracts people from all around the globe who have one common goal: writing – perhaps a book, short story, play, blog post, Julia Cameron’s morning pages, etc.

I use the platform, DayONE and each day, we’re offered a prompt – just in case we might be stuck or without a topic, a starting point. Today’s prompt: What is one thing I’m looking forward to this October? My response: Finally getting my “life on paper” under control!

I have a “few” – and I say this facetiously – projects always swarming around in my head: Write/publish blog post – happens to be Numero UNO for today. And: Get a handle on October -December writing and holiday season goals…this of course doesn’t include the plethora of writing and journaling/memory keeping projects and daily paperwork , e.g., bills, emails and texts; “bright ideas,” to-do”and “someday-maybe” lists, and the occasional blog post.

I often think : Paper! The bane of my existence! But OH! What a wonderful invention, especially when coupled with pen/pencil; paint; stamps and acrylic inks; crayons, etc. As evidenced, people have been making “marks” on surfaces for “time in memorial”. Clearly doing so is a ‘natural’ inclination. I know t’is so with me. Always, I have a pen/cil and paper, at hand…consequently, a lot of flotsam and jetsam on both paper and in my mind … occasionally a digital version.

Tho’ I don’t have samples, I’ve always written – well, ‘er scribbled – since I was able to hold a pen or a crayon , approximatley at age 2-3 years. In the early ‘90s, I began, in earnest, the practice of morning journaling, encouraged by overwhelming feelings of spinning at work. I took to paper and pen and poured my heart and soul out, ostensibly, trying to come to terms with my current status and a path forward, but more importantly, needing to acknowledge and deal with a path for “freeing up my future.” And I did…but in the interim, I took to writing, journaling in the mornings, often times, even weekends. Always with paper and pen. Mornings, especially for the words I wrote gave me strength and the courage to not only “face the day” but/and also, the future and to do/give my very best to staff, the publics the library served and most importantly , myself.

In a way, I served two or more roles – one to my place of employment,and the other, to myself – finding me. The latter, accomplished with daily AM journaling and eventually, any/all times of the day as I engaged not only with work but also, more importantly, LIFE!

At the time I began daily journaling, , I’d no idea that the journey would last this long with no signs of being over. WH is about to wind down! On this first day of October and the tenth month of 2024 – just three months, 92 days left in 2024.

493 words. To be continued…

simply a moment | 9.15.24

Published on September 15, 2024 by Honoré7 Comments

On my walk, Sunday, September 15, 2:42 PM:

Leaves on the sidewalk crunch under my feet. I hadn’t realized how impactful the few days of cool weather has been on the trees just two days ago. Hardly any leaves had turned – yet today, not only have many leaves on many different kinds of trees turned, they are also falling, falling, falling. A dog being walked by its owner is just panting. Kind of snuck up on me – thankfully it’s on a leash! He looks like he’s a bulldog mix. It might be a she for all I know.

I stopped to take some pictures of leaves on trees and the ground and see that two other dogs are at a standoff . The owners apparently know one another. And the dogs? One decided s/he wasn’t going to be friendly. The other responded in kind; they may know each other and they may just do that every time they meet.

As I arrive home, my first thought: Where is my car? … and then I remember: my sister has it. A reminder: I need to have the garage auto door looked at – does the remote opener actually function. I just need to make sure the opener works or will it need to be replaced? And if I need to upgrade, how much will it cost? I make a mental note to talk to my neighbors and see what they suggest.

The azalea bush has bloomed again. This is probably not its last time this year…

I check my watch for my walk stats: 43:14 min; 1.10 mi; 2:12 -2:55 pm; 80 degrees; 47% humidity . Exercise goal achieved! Go Me!

Welcome September …

Published on September 2, 2024 by Honoré9 Comments

LSNED – Learn Something New Everyday/September 2024

Sept 1 -Yesterday was not at all as I’d intended. Went To B&N to pick up a couple books – by same author. A quick once over, looks like each will be a “ good read”. Tho’ I say to myself: time will tell. Other errands included Giant & Shopper grocery store runs. Considered “TarJay” (Target) and Office Depot stops – they are next door to each other but decided: “ Nah!” Once home, decided to take a walk – weather t’was nearly perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll through the neighborhood . Trees, Flowers and Sky perfectly “autumnish”. I was intrigued and enchanted by all the “Kamala for President “ signs in folks’ yards, on cars, etc. This is Washington DC, the Nation’s capital …

Sept 2 /Labor Day

My goal this month is to “learn something new everyday and to document that learning.” Not so sure I did that on Day 1. To review today :

A – During Covid -days & months of shutdown, METRO buses ran true to their schedule. I saw them traveling South/North on Rhode Island Avenue – US Route 1! Rain. Shine. Snow. Sun. Holiday. Workday. M-Sun. COVID. Seven days a week. 52 weeks a year. Today is a holiday; the buses are still at it!

B – Watched Missouri Star Quilter – Misty’s – four-star quilted Christmas Stockings Tutorial … thinking I may make. Also reminds me of the Christmas I painted plywood ornaments for my nephew Miekel and niece, Cissy*… 55 years ago!!! Is my Quilting/Stitching MOJO returning??? *My namesake tho’ we call her Cissy…

C – Enjoyed a long Zoom chat with my friend Pat. We’ve known one another for 34 years and still counting. She and I made our first trip to Sisters in 2009 to see the Gees Bend Alabama Quilters. Today, a friend, Donna, says all lodging in Sisters, OR in July 2025 is booked! EEEK! Why one wonders? Answer: 50th Quilt Show! An interesting development for which I think there’s a solution…fingers crossed…

Here’s to September!

Cheers ~

Simply a Moment | 8.15.24

Published on August 15, 2024 by Honoré14 Comments

8:15 AM: Playing “hooky” from Writers’ Hour – well, not exactly, got caught up in a Huff Post article on family sexual abuse…thankful ever so much that such emotional, mental and physical toll n’er existed in my life…tho’ I do recall my mother telling me that her stepfather attempted (succeeded?) in abusing her three younger sisters – his daughters – until she, my mom, threatened to end his life if he ever did such again. Apparently he didn’t but did wind up in a mental facility where he lived out his life…how long that was, I don’t know or if I did, recall. Not the subject I intended to share

Today started with the delivery of a new faucet for the kitchen sink. True to AZ word, the package was delivered before 8 AM today. This will be the third faucet in twenty years – planned obsolescence, any one? And this one is a “back to the future” model, i.e, the first was this style…

161 words so far in approximately 30 minutes, give or take. I actually have no plan about that to write – but that’s OK: It is the “moment” that counts…

8: 44 AM: The clock ticks, steadily. I am preparing to meet quilting/friends this morning for our monthly gathering: good food; good sharing; good fun… several of us are beginning an embroidery project, a skill, shall I say, is “new to me” tho’ I no doubt dabbled as a child. I smile for I recall my mother’s retirement projects: she too dabbled, or probably reconnected with stitch. Eventually, discovering rigid heddle weaving, she played and practiced and played and practiced until she was able to not only produce a placemat, towel, wall hanging, she was able to weave fabrics as tho’ she was using a four harness loom and… she wound up teaching this to others at a weaving shop in the area.

8:55 AM: “OK Writers, our time is up …” And we are now being summoned to wrap up for the closing; sharing – via chat, what we each accomplished. At the end, a couple of us are invited to share our progress, a way to encourage not only others but also , most importantly, ourselves …

9:00 AM: “We did it! It’s the top of the hour !” And thus another day ends…TBC.

8:32 PM: Shortly after I typed the above sentence, I left to join my quilting friends – easily a good hour’s drive, especially during “still AM rush hour”. Complicated because I took a wrong turn and overshot my route; even with that, I managed to be the first to arrive. Go figure. We had good food and a great time – always do- sharing projects and ideas. I shared my June journal pages – not done but getting there…

On the way home I stopped at a Joann’s looking for black rick rack. No such luck. Guess, I’ll see what Prime has to offer…

Onward …

Published on August 1, 2024 by Honoré3 Comments

I like to end/begin the flip of the monthly calendar page with a shout out to the end and a hearty welcome to the beginning… “Onward” is Gretchen Rubin’s call to action and seems to be most appropriate as July eases into August in less than 24 hours as I pen this post*.

A pat on the back, for moi from moi, for accomplishing the daunting task of corralling all the jetsam and flotsam I’ve created on bits’n pieces of paper, here ‘n there. What a mess and a terrible habit! A GREAT ONE TO BREAK! As the saying goes: “A place for everything and everything in its place”. I think for me, there are too many places and in some ways, I’m too easily distracted. I know not why! I should probably write the quote on my right hand – front and back! That way I’d for sure find it. This morning I began my day looking for a missing check. What on earth did I do with it?

My creative attention has been focused on Junk Journal July – over the month, I’ve changed the size and binding of the journal three times , finally deciding on the final size and format: 5 x 7 page, approximately, two or three clasp-ring bound, . Some days feature a double page spread.

8:38 am. I FOUND THE CHECK! I’d placed it inside my morning daily meditation journal, rubber-banded to the book, small journal and pens…and there it was/IS! Sitting at my place at the table where I begin the day, awaiting my attention!

I can only blame this on one thing: HABIT! Several years ago HABIT was my one little word. The thing I’ve learned about “habit” is you create (one or many) without even realizing it. At least I do. The challenge is “OUT with the old” – those habits that are not “good for you” and “IN with the new!” The problem is one doesn’t realize when the ‘old’ has kicked in – at least I don’t. I suspect that the other part of habit is mindfulness~ and therein lies the rub: The word itself presupposes that one has a mind. Aha!

Writers’ Hour has ended. I’ve answered a few text messages and my tea needs replenishing. Now that I’ve located the missing check, I’m ready and able to proceed with the day’s agenda…and the surprises that are, no doubt, in store.

Have a great week! Onward!

Cheers~

Post Script: Today is 1 of August! I realized this morning I’d not hit “publish” yesterday. C’est la vie! Welcome August!