Category: AMAZe

Simply A Moment | 11.15.24 …

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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 | 3.15.24

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My Christmas Cactus has a third bloom; it delights me so – and is a welcome symbol of a spectacular time of year.

Note to Self:

“I am writing this post in the DayONE journal app. Perhaps I can make this DayONE journal entry also the focus of my blog post – it’s the 15th of the month and on this date, each month I try to post to my blog*, this space that you are now reading. Also, every morning, 8 -9 AM, Mon-Fri, for the past two years and 15 or so days, I’ve been writing during Writers’ Hour, with people from all over the world, joined by Zoom and heralded by hosts and hostesses of the fantastic . Covering all the time zones in the world and offered M-F, four times daily, WH provides encouragement, companionship, camaraderie, celebration. The latter, for many people proudly share the advent of publication of their book or play… their writing!

How do I deal with uncertainty?

My aim is not to publish a book, persé; the closest format might be called a photobook tho’ my emphasis is on the words, not the photos.

Today’s DayONE prompt asks and my answer: …with uncertainty – pun intended. Life gets in the way of one’s plans. In my last entry, I shared that I was going to relocate this blog. I am still on that path though a wee bit behind. Determined it will happen; stay tuned!

Whatever. However. I have enough fodder that could/would constitute a goodly sized “book.” My aim is to create a new “publication date” so to speak. My assignment (to self): Get busy proofing the past two years accumulation of words and photos… To Get It Done! To take this habit and platform of focusing on writing nearly every morning that yields the results of my intentions and efforts.

I can do it!

WH is winding down; the music calling us back. I updated my journal entry. A word count is apparently a measure, barometer of progress and persistence. Today, I tallied 274 words. I think that’s a good start for my blog post for today and resumption of my aim to reestablish my goal to “make every day count.” I also added the hashtag #write24in24.

I love this quote’s photo background : sun rising over the mountains as a man climbs upwards on one. The word: CONFIDENCE in capital letters.

I think, wonder, if/that sometimes, perhaps many times, we are thwarted by our own lack of confidence in our abilities to create. I’m sure that relates to me and has all my life of 81 years and counting (hopefully).

To be continued. Stay tuned … and thank you for visiting and your support. Always welcomed and appreciated!

Cheers~

May

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I have had on my daily agenda for days running: publish blog post. That directive presupposes that one has, first of all, written a draft —- or at least made a list of topics I want to share… where are my notes? Can’t say I know! Probably because I’ve not written any…

Last week, in one of my daily de-stashing purges, I ran across the image of the little girl and her shadow in a Charles Schwab advertisement. She’s wearing yellow – my fave color; I was immediately, smitten. I found the background paper among my scrapbooking supplies and added the sticker words. I cut the butterfly from a table paper napkin; I attached it to the paper using a pop dot. And it sits on top my printer, in my direct view as I sit at my computer. And that just makes me happy!

Over the past week and days plus, I’ve spent hours going through my quilting stash and supplies – years accumulation of “someday maybe” projects that are never going to see the “finish line.” Sadly. Best laid plans…

But all is not lost. As I’ve reviewed and touched fabrics and leafed through books and patterns, I feel the stirrings of the desire to spend more time in my quilting space, with my quilting resources: fabrics; books; patterns; my imagination and creativity. And that, well that makes me just plain happier.

What’s making you happier these Spring days?

Cheers~

zibaldone | 10.26.22 …

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  1. Ten. 10. X : Over the past month or so – and occasionally throughout the past several years – I’ve attempted to document the day by creating/documenting ten things that have inspired (or sometimes annoyed or encouraged ) me throughout the day. My aim is to create this list as my nearly “last action” of the day. I don’t always succeed – but that’s OK. I enjoy the process and am finding it is a good way to capture and review the day.
  2. I first ran across the inspiration for the list from Alisha Sommer’s blog, finding it both fascinating and intriguing. She created the blog inspired by an interview she heard Krista Tippet conduct with author, Marie Howe. This overview from Good Reads is a great intro, if Maria is new to you as she was to me.
  3. Lately, since my July trip to Sisters OR, I’ve been enamored by and re-engaging with slow stitching – stitching by hand. I find it relaxing, inspiring and rejuvenating. The seasonal switch to autumn: changes in temperature and colors and slower pace invite this type of activity.
  4. To that tune, I saw a class, offered by the Sisters OR Stitchin’ Post featuring Rosalie Dace, a quilt instructor, from South Africa. Autumn, 2017, I attended a week long class in Sisters with her. This current class is also being offered via Zoom this weekend. I wish I’d known this sooner and was free for I’d have seriously contemplated signing up for a Zoom seat…
  5. I’ve made considerable progress with my AmaZe writing project; to date, I’ve digitized nearly 230 vignettes- I’m not a typist. My plan is to make a photo storybook.
  6. The other day I had a grand surprise: I discovered 62 stories that I wrote in 2012 that I also need/want to include. More typing practice for my M- F…
  7. The London Writers’ Hour, offered 4 times a day. I join the M-F, 8 AM EST Zoom session; it has played a big role in helping me focus on the AmaZe project.
  8. I am a big fan of Gretchen Rubin and her weekly Wed podcast, Happier, with her sister Liz, is my fave morning walking companion. Their October 19 episode was the 400th. I suspect that since winter’s soon to arrive, I’ll be switching to PM walks…
  9. I received a mug I’d forgotten I’d ordered and it makes me “happier, ” indeed. I’ve yet to indoctrinate it for my MSQT (morning solitude and quiet time) and Writers’ Hour sessions. I’ll start in November.
  10. A thought: perhaps I’ll choose Happier for my 2023 word; hmmm…

zibaldone| may 2022 …

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The news this week, in addition to the Russian-Ukraine war; the continued Covid- 19 variants; and now Monkey Pod – has been overlaid with yet again a tragedy: the mass shooting of 19 elementary school aged children and two teachers in Texas!  Totally innocent people going about their lives; for sure this event was not on their agenda. And of course, the law makers and so called law keepers are appropriately remorseful and angered … Sadly,  in a few days, “normal” life will resume until the next time… rest assured there will be a “next time.” We must also be cognizant of the atrocities that take place daily in life…  In the meantime, the Republican Senatorial response, according to the Washington Post: “our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

I sit here, at the table the spot where one can find me most mornings, looking out at the vista:

  • the sky’s overcast, grey;
  • birds and squirrels forage;
  • a slight breeze, barely perceptible via the slow movement of leaves on the trees;
  • grass needs cutting…badly;
  • my tea needs replenishing.  I can’t cut the grass but the tea, I can replenish.

Writers’ Hour.  I’m currently engaged in Writers’ Hour, 50 focused minutes of writing, a free Zoom event, offered four times a day – in the world’s different time zones. We set and share our intentions and write together,  in our “little Zoom boxes” on/off the screen.  I joined the 8AM EST Writers’ Hour on March 9 of this year and for the past two months since, have written in DayONE,  65 consecutive days daily – a streak – and counting…Go ME! 

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Cybrary … a what?  Recently, while driving through the University of Maryland’s campus, I saw  a building with this sign… naturally, being a retired librarian – public- my curiosity was piqued.  And so what does one do but a ‘google’ search…Go here: https://www.cybrary.it/about/     for the answer to my and your question.

And that’s a snippet or two of my May… Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Peace.

 

April One Little Word – Zibaldone

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Z- 26th Letter of Alphabet /Zibaldone

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Also known as a commonplace book,  Zibaldone, the word/concept seem to be gaining in popularity and mention in the digital/print world, most commonly known as the Internet news, information sites.

Over the years, I’ve kept my own and several versions of a commonplace book, or a Zibaldone: “ a strange melange of diary, ledger, doodle pad, and scrapbook …” three volumes along with similar “hodgepodge’s” and “commonplace books” – served as a pattern for interior life from the 14th C onward, bringing comfort and inspiration to everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Carroll.”

In this, the 21st Century, we have the contemporary version, the Internet and “Zs” – in the form of blogs, tweets, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, bullet journals – both paper and digital, etc.  All are curiosities. Medium Daily Digest,  a website that is a forum for new, upcoming writers to share their takes on the various and numerous apps, along with tips for maximizing one’s productivity (there are as many as ten such links on any given day) usually has several articles a week about Zibaldone and/or commonplace books.

Over the past waning winter months and these, promising spring, I’ve created any number of Z-style records and/or journal entries, ranging from mind maps to photos to quotes: “this is it” to “no it ain’t” to, to, to ???  These exclamations and questions leave my brain and travel down my arms to write words, draw doodles on a piece of paper or  occasionally type on my iPad:  

  •  I rarely documented a quote or idea that hadn’t sparked another idea …
  •  Life presents too many invitations and opportunities – promising nirvana for the taker and all designed to earn some ducats for the offerer…
  •  I (may) have too much idle time on my hands, increased for sure by months of Covid…
  • FOMO?

I’m just undisciplined — or perhaps, creatively curious?  I rather like creativelycurious. I see something, I like and think: “hmmm, let me try this.” In many ways I do and I may even go so far as to purchase the ingredients for a bigger project … tho’ sadly, move onto the next bright shiny object before I even give the current one a whirl. I’m thinking that perhaps I’ll break that habit if I play/experiment … If I do, great or if I don’t, perhaps even better. Whichever, I can include the outcome in my Zibaldone and these two quotes are going in:

“But the practice of commonplacing has something to offer that current practices of creating a Pinterest board or blog post do not: it allows us not only to find and arrange information, but also encourages us to remember what has inspired us. I think this has to do with the tangible nature of assembling a commonplace book.” Source: https://verilymag.com/2021/02/keeping-a-commonplace-how-to-bullet-journal-hobby

“Unlike a journal, which is chronological and usually contains personal reflections, a commonplace book is a compilation of external information that speaks to us, written down as we come across it. And unlike a notebook that you keep for a class or for a job, it usually covers multiple subjects, bound together by the thread of our personal interests.” Source: https://www.thepapermouse.com/blogs/whats-new-at-the-paper-mouse/keeping-a-commonplace-book

This I know to be true: I know myself well enough that I don’t always say NO to a bright shiny object. Better that I flirt a bit, in my Zibaldone/Commonplace book and see just how enamored I am. If I am, then I continue and if not, I don’t. Everyday, life is an experiment. Some days are good, others not so. The sun shines and then it rains…the rain stops, clouds move on, flowers bloom.

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I’m currently in the “let’s see if the flowers indeed do bloom.” Ideas, Inspiration and “YES! This is It!”

2.22.22 or 22.2.22|…

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…whichever, the world has had more fun with today’s date and Wordle – the latter I’ve not played but nearly everyone I know has…including my niece Christian Marie who has a 27 day streak…

…my thought was to make note of 22 positive things that I encountered throughout my day – unfortunately, I forgot to make note of all; c’est la vie … this I do know, I had a full and positive day, a good mix of connecting with friends and family, doing life’s chores exercising both my physical and creative muscles, journaling, reading, and just enjoying it all.  It’s 7:54 pm and my watch just informed me that I’ve closed all three of my activity rings. Go Me! Now, it’s time to rest…

… I hope your ultimate twos – 2.22.22 / 22.2.22  – day was one you too will always remember with fondness…

Cheers~

my one word| january 2022

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Earlier this month, I shared my word Zibaldone, 14th Century Italian for “commonplace book,” a journal or diary, etc, about “a heap of things.” This definition brings to mind today’s tools and resources : diaries, journals, sketch books, random note catchers -think sticky notes or any available piece of paper < my bad habit – waiting to be scribbled on or quick digital notes made on one’s smart phone via both text and voice. If you’re like me, you have a bright idea or vague memory of something seen, heard – bits and pieces of your daily life that have made their way into your brain, that vast storage tool – and if you’re also like me, you also can’t remember where you placed your pen that you just had in your hand a minute ago or your keys (hopefully not in the refrigerator <remember that commercial of the lady who absent-mindedly did so?). In many ways, the Internet, is a humongus Zibaldone. On a more conservative level, think diary; your planner; doodle pad; drawings; scrapbook; photos on your smart phone tagged place/time/date and subject; sketches …

My goal/plan this year, 2022, using the tools mentioned in the preceding paragraph, is to document and create my own Zibaldone: an artistic record of each 24 hours, each week, month, quarter, season. Some may call the resource I create a scrapbook; planner; diary; journal; word, photo collage, and they are all correct descriptors.

In my 2022 Zibaldone, I will combine: words, pictures, art explorations; connections with friends and family; desires; wishes, grace notes, thoughts, inspirations, experiences, learnings, “22 in 22 lists,” books read, to be read or not; STORY- about me, family, friends, things, places, pictures, artistic and creative expressions, feelings, practices, wins, etc…and tools I use at the beginning, during and end of my days; memory keeping; collage and my own art play expressions.

I don’t have a vision of a final product other than it will be a Zibaldone of 2022 as lived, learned, experienced. Stay tuned. To be continued…

sometimes mondays|1.10.22 …

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Progress is slow these days with my stitching projects… The operative word is progress and I am happy to share the needlepoint I’m currently (liberal use of that word) stitching. Yesterday was Friendstitchin’ Sunday and I made considerable progress on the piece. What I discovered when I prepared to pen this post is I did NOT take any photos of the projects my friends were stitching! I don’t even have an idea why.

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As you can see, I’ve a long way to go… my plan is to stitch 22 minutes a day until I’m done, maybe by Spring.

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I took this photo yesterday morning – it definitely reminds me of the needlepoint canvas. The black bar is the window frame – snow still on the deck and it’s just too durn cold to be out these winter mornings, especially with temperatures in the low 30s…

It’s later in this day and I’ve not stitched, yet… I guess I’d better get a moveon if I’m going to stitch or I’ll end up with a one day streak. Hah!

Cheers~