Category: Simply A Moment

simply a moment | 7.15.25 …

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The interesting thing about digital blogging, note making/taking, etc : One never knows when opening a program, what one will find. My experience is this: I can count on the fact that a CHANGE has occurred when I open WordPress. Were I using the program on a daily basis, I’d probably be more appreciative BUT, since I don’t, it’s just an irritation.

Anyway, it’s the 15th of the month and time for my Simply A Moment post. It’s hotter than Hades in these parts ~ temp is currently 88 degrees Fahrenheit and presumably that’s today’s high! One must be thankful for Mother Nature’s small favors…

This morning, as I stood at the kitchen sink, waiting for my tea water to boil, I stared out the window and was delighted to see this picture:

The pink flowers of the Crepe Myrtle were perfect against the blue sky and white clouds…especially on another H-O-T July morning. I filled my electric kettle with water and turned it on to boil so that I could make tea and prepare to join the London Writers’ Salon 8 AM Writers’ Hour daily, Mon -Fri, session. Some mornings, I’ve drafted a blog post; this morning I didn’t. I instead wrote a To Do list, portions of which I’ll share:

OH! A rowdy opening to Writers’ Hour on this day! T’was fun! Slept well and am ready for another “fun-filled day of purging” and , and, etc. Hopefully I’ll purge first then settle in to tackle: and in no special order –

Junk Journal : Find Tags …

Daily Pages: More “pointillism” ?…

5 P Zoom …

Butterfly Embroidery – start a new hexagon …

Walk ~ maybe. Check forecast for PM possibility; Too hot! …

Paper Purge – a n’er ending process, ALL of MY OWN MAKING! A SUPER BAD HABIT I NEED TO BREAK! STARTING TODAY! And how many days have I said that?! And the HABIT IS: Writing stuff down on any/all available pieces of paper. Think I’ll see if I can find any tips on line! Yeah! …

BLOG POST ~ TODAY!

Read/Begin Abigail Thomas’ A Three Dog Life

A good start for another very hot summer day! Best spent in A/C. Stay Cool!

Oh,BTW: The birds hatched and moved on and now we can enter/leave the house in peace!

Cheers~

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March is for …

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…Journaling, JOURNALING, using all sorts of media and tools: Pen, pencil, photos, digital text, voice recordings, NTS – notes to self; mind maps; sticky notes; calendar appointments: London Writers’ Salon, 8 AM, M -F, EST Writers’ Hour sessions and possibly 2 PM, and with myself as I watch TV – the news- or not; books I read – some fall in the “or not” category; text messages to family and friends; the occasional 2-3 times a month blog post , etc. If I think “it”, I’m prone to jot “it” down on a piece of paper and while that is perhaps an admirable practice, I find that I am often, most likely left with a very disorderly system of notes, ideas, TDLs – to do lists- and literally, rooms filled with this detritus. It is to laugh …and Yes! I do know that there are myriad ways: software programs and AI and products – notebooks, agendas, journals, sticky notes, on the market . Ask me how I know? I’ve tried all. And the major lesson I’ve learned: I’ve created not only a mess – especially for myself and anyone who comes after me and is assigned the task of sorting through these “vaults” to determine what to keep. A secret – to save time and energy: Don’t bother!

As I contemplate words, I think another candidate could be FOCUS ~ but it just doesn’t have the appeal, the siren’s call that accompanies Journal / Journaling.

Presuming I have the time, my plan that comes under the umbrella of my 2025 One Little Word – JOURNAL – is to get my “ducks (quack, quack) in a row. WH is ending; 247 words, thus far. TBC: MSSy 10 AM session…

I wrote the above two parapgraphs on 3 March, with the full intention, I think?, to publish. Dinna happen and here it is 15 March – 3/15/25 – and time for another monthly “Simply A Moment” post. Technically, I try to have those posts capture exactly what is or what’s close to being exactly the moment. So, today’s post should reflect the surrounding events on this day, at approximately 3:15 PM ~ cause there’s no way I was drafting , “penning” any words at 3:15 AM this morning! No way!

However, SAM is at the top of today’s “list of things to do,” along with Fix/eat breakfast; Write /Proof/Publish blog post; Attend Noon Zoom session and Pay property and income taxes …and whatever else undoubtedly will crop up …Ah YES! continue sorting and organizing my current sewing projects and “studio”.

Last year ~ 2024, I discovered “junk journaling”, a world-wide event that takes place January and July, each year. I decided I’d aim to junk journal every day in 2025. This will work ONLY IF and WHEN I truly focus on the doing part! Ya think?! Yep!

4:45 PM ~ Well, I missed my intent/appointment to resume this post by recounting my activity – i.e., whatever I’m doing at 3:15 PM. I was and still am on a zoom call; ostensibly we each are working on a memory keeping project ~ our free form discussion has covered a variety of subjects and are very lively and fun – so in effect, we are making new memories as we are also documenting previous moments of our lives.

And that’s the way it was today, 15 March 2025! How was your day?!

PS. I tried to get a picture of the Full Moon ~ this was the best I could do with my iPhone. Guess I need to reSEARCH how to take moon photos.

March Full Moon

Simply a Moment 12.15.24…

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~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!”

Simply A Moment | 10.15.24…

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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…

Simply A Moment | 7.15.24 …

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Today, I take a moment to enjoy …

… this Day Lily, growing in my backyard… I thought they had died…no blooms for several years. Imagine my delight when I looked out the window and saw a bloom! This is the second one in the past week!

… Solar Power. Since 7:15 AM-ish, workers have been in/out of my house, in the attic and basement…installing solar panels on the roof tops. The sun rises East; shines from the South; and sets in the West. All of this activity involving a crew of 5-6 workers, 4 trucks and 18 solar panels . My salesman brought flowers and Prosecco to celebrate. Totally unexpected and very much appreciated. We are currently under an “excessive heat warning”. The thermostat has been in the high 90s most of the day. As I pen this post, the temperature is 97 degrees. Tomorrow’s forecast: 100 degrees! Geez Louise, that is H-O-T!

… Junk Journal July. I am participating for the first time…in previous years, I flirted with the idea/challenge but that was the sum total of my effort. This year is (to be) different. I made my book – a cascading foldout – tho’ I’m not quite satisfied with it, so that’s probably going to be a re-do. There is a suggested theme for each day but one’s not obligated to stick to it. JJJ is a way to play with fabric and thread. It’s fun and exercises/challenges my creative energy and imagination.

The above photo – I may’ve shared before – of the black bear was taken by someone who lives about 6 -8 blocks from me. And YES! That is a real-life black bear, apparently checking out the June area house tour! The photo also appeared in the Washington Post, taken by the person who saw it leaving her yard!

And that’s the way it is on this very.HOT. Day in July! Stay cool!

Cheers~

Simply A Moment | 6.15.24 …

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It is the 15th of the month and over the years, I’ve generally blogged on the 15th. Today was to be no different. I started blogging in 2009 and have been on several platforms over the past 13 years.

In addition to drafting and publishing the post, also on my “to do list”:

  • Mail 2nd 2024 estimated tax payment -this requires a trip to the Post Office so I can get a stamped receipt documenting that the payment is postmarked accordingly – meeting the District’s requirement.
  • Grocery stores- two- for a few odds and ends: salad greens & dressing; grape tomatoes; salad dressing; pita crackers; etc… and Whole Foods for a pizza slice and a few additional odds/ends.
  • Starbucks for a latte. At SBUX, I decided to try a cold drink: Iced Tea Lemonade made with Peach juice…

Upon return home from PO, I was greeted with lawn care crew: What? Were they scheduled? No! Had sent email saying they were coming…Oh! That meant my grocery store run was delayed a bit. OK. I waited and once that work was completed, I left. Decided after the grocery run – to two stores, one Whole Foods, I’d stop at next-door Starbucks for a caramel brûlée latte. I opted for a cold drink, instead.

When I arrived home, I discovered that I didn’t have my Whole Foods purchase -especially my pizza slice. What?!

I made two trips to the car to make sure I hadn’t overlooked the bag. Just.Not.There! OK! WHERE?

I called my friend Pat to share my perplexing tale of woe; perhaps she could ask the “right questions” that would help me zero in and discover the answer to this question. We laughed, attributed the puzzle to our “advancing age” and commiserated. I even looked at my receipts from the day’s stops and decided I hadn’t made up the pizza, et al purchase from Whole Foods and Starbucks. And for the latter, I had the plastic cup from my order.

I called SBUX. YES! INDEED I’D LEFT MY WHOLE FOODS bag of purchases at SBUX ! Good News! And even better, they’d put the bag in the back for safekeeping/when the ‘owner realized her folly and called to see if indeed that’s where the bag was.’

Indeed!

Simply a Moment | 4.15.24 …

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Monday! Monday! Mondays! are generally fairly well filled with household chores: laundry; trash out for Tuesday’s collection; planning the week’s agenda…

Today’s list also included going to the post office to mail state income tax return and walking Hazel – or rather I should say, being walked by Hazel – to/thru the park. The weather was delightful: sunshine , warm but not too hot; and the park was filled with children, caregivers – all enjoying this delightful Spring Day – not only a Monday and TAX filing day.

One neighbor delivered a bag of apples and cheeses; another – who likes to bake – a little box filled with very tasty mini-cakes. I made a long overdue list of this week’s “to do”agenda; one item included making an appointment on Friday for a mani/pedi. It’s been way too long for this treat.

We’ve had a delightful Spring day – not too hot and I’m feeling that I “done good.”

Plus, I had 4 Zoom sessions. One’s coming up in a few minutes so I guess I’ll review this post one last time and hit PUBLISH!

Cheers~

simply a moment|1.15.24…

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” The snow is snowing and the wind it is blowing
But I can weather the storm
What do I care how much it may storm
I’ve got my love to keep me warm… “

… So sang Ella Fitzgerald, one of, if not the most revered female jazz songstress of the 40s, 50s, 60s – of all time. Click to listen to her rendition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldshQfzs6Jw

Today, we have had a weather phenomenon: SNOW! I actually don’t recall when we last had any appreciable snowfall …”snowmaggedon” in 2010 ? 2016? I must admit that the 2016 snow event totally left my memory…

My niece shared this photo of her pooch, Hazel, totally enjoying a romp in the snow – at about the time it first started, earlier this day. Hazel had just had a bath and was outside for a few minutes. “Look! Snow! I think I’ll flounder around in it for a few minutes!” And she did! Ah…simply a moment!

SNOW! Wonderful Snow!

Hope you’re enjoying the day – and SNOW too, if it fell your way.

Cheers~

Simply a Moment | 10.15.23…

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10:15 am: The sky is a clear, crystal blue. Trees are slow to change color this season, or so it seems…

A flock of sparrows or starlings or wrens land in the yard and begin their feast and swoosh, just as they appear they leave – a breeze?

Contemplating “when” I will go on my daily walk/jaunt to the park …

Listening to my favorite Sunday Baroque musical program from WSHU in Connecticut. I know it’s been a Sunday morning “fave” for I want to say 20 years and counting…

The hot tea from the the yellow mug feels good in my hands. What shall I will fix for breakfast – oatmeal appeals…yes!

A look ahead at the weather forecast suggests clouds will arrive in the afternoon; I find that hard to believe looking out the window… at the current sky…

Aha! the slightest wisp of clouds begin to appear, just at this moment: 10:15 AM

The clouds arrived at 5:15 PM…

Post Script: 10/16/23 . I managed to forget to hit publish yesterday…