Tag: Blogging

Simply A Moment | 10.15.24…

Published on 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…

Simply A Moment | 6.15.24 …

Published on by Honoré7 Comments

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 | 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~

all the words …

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James Clear, in his/today’s weekly 3-2-1 Thursday email newsletter, invites readers to :

“Think about something you have been trying to make progress on recently. What is a completely different line of attack for solving it or a wildly different approach you can explore?”

I have a laundry list of “things”. I frequently meet ideas that entice…and I’m “on it!” Sadly, most likely will not come to fruition. Rather, I wind up falling deeper into Pandora’s box/hole. I have been around for a long time and this “condition” is not at all novel. In my work life, the “condition” served me well, as the genesis of an idea that was later translated as a grant proposal for federal and/or state funding awarded the library system, thus enabling services to traditionally un or underserved populations. For example: persons with hearing disabilities or those in the county’s detention center or adults who were “functionally illiterate”.

About two dozen years ago, I started blogging. Over the years, I’ve managed to maintain some semblance of presence in the digital world via my blog. I’m coming to the conclusion that 2024 will be my last year in this arena. My plan is to ‘live”, revisit my One Little Words one day each over a month or several. I’m hoping to answer questions, such as : How did the word show up ? What were the significances? Impacts?

Over the years, a former virtual assistant/friend’s husband made wooden replicas of my words…there are a total of 32 words, tho’ not every letter of the alphabet is represented. Since I have 32 wooden words and there are only 12 months in the year, I’m thinking I’ll visit 2-3 words each month. I won’t be sharing in abc order but rather, as a mood or season prevails.

My word to begin this year of “one little word revisit”, is WRITE. In 1976, when I first started working in the library in Prince George’s County MD, I “found” a key. Neither I nor my Admin Aide knew its origin or purpose. I wrote her a note, attached to the key: “File under “lost keyholes.” She did. Every time I recall this story, I laugh out loud, a huge smile on my face. Years later, my friend gave me a key with the word “WRITE” engraved on it. For the past twenty plus years, I’ve begun my day “writing.” It is indeed a habit that is as much a part of me as are my hands, mind, memories, routines and practices of every single day. I begin each day ‘s journey, pen in hand, prepared to write.

Cheers~

borrowing …

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I first read Gretchen Rubin’s  Happiness Project book, published in 2009.  I’ve read all her Happiness Project books and listen to  her and sister Liz’ weekly podcast  Happier with Gretchen Rubin and now More Happier, which airs twice a month…and I’ve been to see Gretchen and Liz both times when they came to Washington DC.  Am I a fan? Yeah, I think one could safely say so.

Gretchen also has a blog which she religiously keeps up to date.  Today, I’m borrowing her “5 things Making Me Happy” prompt to share here on Morning Glory Studio.blog.

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  1. Spring has arrived! The colors of the flowers are just delightfully uplifting – seeing them – especially the yellow tulips – adds bounce to my step on my nearly (weather permitting)  daily walks …
  2. These days, I have been focusing on my AmaZe project, compiling, writing, editing stories of my life. Over the years, I’ve shared  these stories both current and past on my blog/s.  My aim is to end 2022 with a finished product/project. What that looks like is still a mystery… but I’m enjoying the ride …
  3.  I’m feeling  the urge to pick up needles – for all sorts of stitching projects – again. One of the side effects I experienced during Covid* was a loss of the desire to spend significant time in my sewing studio…slowly, that desire is changing to positive territory. New to my list to try: cross stitch.  I have several patterns/kits and eventually, I’ll get roun’ to it.
  4.  Clearing the garage of stuff that is labeled for the dump or recycling, such as electronics, medications, etc. is another major category on my list:   Just the idea of completing this task makes me happy!
  5. Engaging in more creative art journaling play… watercoloring; acryllic stamping; drawing the sky and clouds.  – Oh the clouds – today they’ve been a study and I’d like to be able to capture them in other ways beyond photgraphy.

What’s making you happier these days?

Cheers~

P. S. One other thing that has made me happy: I got my second Covid booster shot yesterday!

make life simple | 8.4.21 …

Published on by Honoré12 Comments

Sitting on my computer shelf is a quote from Buddha: each morning we are born again; what we do today is what matters most. I’m astonished – too strong a word? – well, maybe amazed – that it is already 4 August. Where does the time go -when you’re having fun … or not? Each day I plan to publish a post and then the next thing I realize, the day is over. So, I tell myself: tomorrow. And here t’is… tomorrow! The question: How did that happen… 24 hours every day, the sun rises/sets … seasons come and go … For sure there is a lovely rhythm to the days of our lives, tho’ sometimes, the days seem to be just one long endless continuum…

Drafting this post has taken me all afternoon – with a few long breaks interspersed: Zoom sessions with storytelling scrapbooking friends and another with a quilting friend – then a walk on a most pleasant afternoon, the last of ? until? The weather forecast for the next nine days and counting: H-O-T! Besides that side activity, I had to connect with Word Press for assistance with the new block editor.  I do not like. Currently I’m reading a few assorted other titles, old and I started Anne Lamott’s newest:  Dusk, Night, Dawn.

So far, I’m enjoying the change of pace. Deep sigh: I’m still aiming to conquer making Confetti Quilt blocks. Daily, I tell myself: “this is the day” and then, “well, there’s tomorrow … fingers crossed, I hope.” Today I found this fabric remnant from a quilt I made for niece Chris when she left for Rutgers in 2010.  I can’t believe it’s been 6 years since she graduated! I think the fabric is a perfect bit of advice for an Unraveled Wednesday. Hope your day’s been less frustrating!

Cheers~

tgif | 5.7.21 …

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  • at sunrise this morning: 6:05 am EST
  • knit the sky yarns – Done Roving Yarns
  • Hazel & Chris out for a walk

Currently, I am participating in the annual May rendition of LOAD – Layout A Day. Our theme this month is The Golden Girls and thus far it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve watched Golden Girls since it first aired in 1985; I suspect I’ve seen all 185 episodes at least ten times but each one is almost always fresh, new and funny! I normally catch a few episodes, aired on the Hallmark Channel, on weekends.

In my last post, I shared a bit about a PiP (project in progress…or not ): knitting the sky. No, I’ve not yet started the project tho’ Thursday morning , I did begin reading the book Knit the Sky on my Kindle. I rarely read ebooks so I’m relearning the platform – which has been updated considerably since the last time I read a Kindle book. Above are the yarns I’ll be using for the project…now, to get started!

And, also in my last post, I shared a picture of Hazel – niece Chris’ labradoodle. Hazel has a new look and I thought she’d be OK with my sharing another photo. She’s such a cutie!

My daily schedule has been drastically changed over the past six months and I’ve too often found myself trying to fit things in the old time frame, only to run out of time and steam! As I was drafting this post, keenly aware that too many days have elapsed since I last posted, I had a bright idea: Usually , M- F, I’m on line during the noon hour, creating daily pages in small 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 journals. I had the bright idea: I’ll use the following 12:45 – 2 PM time slot, give or take 10-15 minutes, to draft, edit, schedule or publish posts as well as attend to other blogging activity: reading and responding to comments, visiting others’ blogs, etc. As I shared earlier, I think this plan is a prime candidate for time blocking… time will tell… and as friend of mine oft said: nothing beats a failure but a try… I’m not quite sure how this will all turn out but I plan to give it a good try. Now if I could only figure out how to use Word Press’ new editor program. I do not at all like it!

Wishing all a great weekend! My niece Kayla – age 20 – got her first Covid-19 vaccination today! Maybe by Memorial Day we’ll be able to have a family gathering…

Cheers~

it’s thursday !| 3.4.21 …

Published on by Honoré8 Comments

…and as I begin to pen this post, also 4:45 pm, EST. I have had great intentions to post every day this first week of March – as they say: “life gets in the way of one’s plans…” Seems that my plans and better intentions are waylaid by unplanned events, e.g., today: I wound up making a grocery store run; fortunately, it took me about 75 minutes, portal to portal. And then, the next thing I know the day’s over and I’ve not written a word let alone a post. Oh well, I tell myself: “there’s always tomorrow.” Oh really?

Fortunately I’ve managed to carve out a 45-60 minutes block at noon, most days of the week to make a Daily Page, to play with cardstock, rubber stamps, washi tape, watercolors, etc on a 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 canvas along with people from all over the globe – also under COVID-19 restrictions. Thus far this week, I’ve also walked outside at least 20 minutes a day!!! I owe Mother Nature a huge thanks – she’s certainly brought us the weather that encourages such activity. The forecast for Sunday is very promising, too – maybe a walk to Franciscan Monastery? Weather permitting.

I am about to begin The Confetti Quilt Stitch Along. I alluded to it in my post last Thurs. Currently, I am waiting for my background fabric, on order from a shop in Texas – I think they’re back in business after all the turmoil with water and electrical grid … I am especially excited because I’ve not done any quilting since the beginning of COVID-19 …

On the reading front: I commented on Mary’s blog post for today: “Fun post AND I think “I’ll borrow a page from your book” -pun intended (I.am.so. clever – hah!): since I have yet to connect to my/a year-long read, I’ll read fiction in the morning, also! Duh! What took me so long to figure that out?!
Thanks friend for waking up a few sleepy brain cells…
Cheers~

The neat thing about this bright idea is I have lots of fiction titles awaiting my read – I don’t read much fiction and have been aiming to change that but have not had much success I think this will definitely work! Stay tuned.

Finally, I am pleased to report that soon both Norman and I will be among the 100 million who will have received their Covid-19 vaccination during POTUS 46’s First 100 Days!

Have a good weekend!

Cheers~

a habit update:blogging …

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…and the days dwindle down, to a precious few…september, november …

I know that I’ve been AOL in this space since September 29th… In my last post, I said I was going to begin habit stacking and every day I awoke with the best intentions to establish the new habit as well as “Blog!” – a standing 5 star item on my daily agenda – at least 3 times a week. Tho’ my best laid schemes gang aft agley are conspicuously absent in this space, they are never in my mind!

Over the past ten+ days I’ve starred, underlined, bolded, highlighted, started, and abandoned posting… mainly because I’ve run out of time and energy. Life in these parts have taken a dramatic turn: Norman’s health has taken front and center, totally throwing previous schedules and plans out the door. These days: glucose readings and blood pressure monitoring coupled with many health consultations by phone are primary. He is doing well but we’re still working on the daily schedule revision. I think we’re finding our stride and settling into the new new normal.

Old habits are h-a-r-d to break; New habits harder to make.

To this end, I’ve decided that my blogging focus time – e.g., drafting, reading/responding to comments and blog visits – will be 1 -2 PM, give or take a minute or so! I plan to post M, W, F plus any special times of the month, e.g., one little word monthly linkup the last Tues of the month: 27 Oct, 30 Nov, and 29 Dec. Last month I designated the 1 PM hour for daily art journaling; I’m thinking perhaps Tu, Th and Sat/Sun for that activity. Time will tell…

To be continued…

Cheers~