Memory

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It is an interesting oddity of life that the smallest object, smell, or even taste can bring back a flood of memories. I was washing my dishes this morning, and I picked up my spoon rest to wash it. I was instantly reminded of where I bought it.

It was a cold windy day about two years ago, my mom and I went to a craft show that was held at the county fairgrounds. We walked up, down and between all the tables. We chatted with people about their crafts and I was sorry to see the attendance low because of the weather. Perhaps, though the cold was a blessing, most of the people where were huddled inside to keep warm. My mother bought a lovely black and white scarf., and I bought a small vibrant blue piece of pottery with swirls. I see it every day as it sits on top of my stove, a reminder to precious time spent with my mom.

The right path

I have spent so many years of my life doing doing for others. While this seems like a great thing there is a point when it becomes detrimental to one’s spirit.  I am about to submit my first article for publication. I am excited and terrified all at the same time. At this point I am more concerned with the experience than the compensation, but as a full time college student I also need to do basic things like eat and pay bills. Even though I have just started walking this road, I truly feel that I have after many years of searching that I have finally found my calling.

 

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.”

Henry David Thoreau-US Transcendentalist author (1817 – 1862)

Coffee and a blog post

In order to find time in my busy schedule, and make it part of my routine, I decided I would write my new posts each Sunday morning. Thank you to all those who make the Fireside Journal a part of your morning routine.

I officially changed my major last week. Any doubts I had about my new direction were laid to rest when I met with the chair of the technical writing department. I was worried that the five English courses I had taken would not count toward my new degree however, those classes now make up my minor. Next fall will be an exciting semester for me,  I will complete my minor, language and lower level math requirements. Including fall semester, I have four more semesters until I graduate with my bachelor’s degree. I am finally starting to see light at the edge of the proverbial tunnel.

I am re-reading Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles. I will post each week to give an over view of the book and how it has helped me make changes to some of my self-defeating behaviors.

Quotes to live by

“Always do what you are afraid to do.”

                                             ~Emerson

“Learn to drink the cup of Life as it comes.”

                                                             ~Agnes Turnbull

50 and counting

This posts marks a milestone it’s my 50th post. In our insta everything life patience in something not everyone has anymore, but I do. This blog is a labor of love. Thank you to all who have taken a moment to stop and read my posts and especially to those who have given comments and likes.

Thank you also to those in my life who have given me verbal feedback. A friend of mine said the posts were “conversational” that was my exact intent without knowing precisely how to go about it even down to the name. Have you ever sat by a roaring fire on a chilly night? I have and whether it was with company or alone it was a relaxing and introspective experience.

Robert Frost

I recently added the collected works of Frost to my Nook and found this poem, Revelation that really spoke to me. Frost is one of my favorite poets and of course my favorite piece of his thus far is The Road Not Taken. This part I’ve included here is not the poem in its entirety, just my favorite part. They are words I try to live by.

Revelation

We make ourselves a place apart
Behind light words that tease and flout,
But oh, the agitated heart
Till someone really finds us out.
‘Tis pity if the case require
(or so we say) that in the end
We speak the literal to inspire
The understanding of a friend.
But so with all, from babes that play
At hide-and- seek God afar
So all who hide too well away
must speak and tell us where they are.

-Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

Took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.- Robert Frost

my book

After shelving one of my writing projects in favor of a new one I came back to it. I couldn’t figure what I was doing wrong until I went back and reread Selgin’s book By Cunning and Craft. I had unknowingly written myself into corner by limiting my point of view. I started working on it again last night; I wrote 4 pages and WOW what a difference. I now have layers of characters. I can show how my human and non-human characters relate to each other and see the world. This has really brought an interesting dimension to my book.

Yes, I am one of those paranoid writers that does not want my book titles or any of my ideas out in the public eye at this point. However, previously I had wanted to start a series of posts to document my progress in order to do that I need to be clear on what my writing project is. The working title of this book is The Healer’s Daughter it would fall into the fantasy genre. My first draft is comprised of 140 pages, I’m doing a line by line rewrite adding deleting and moving paragraphs as I see fit. I have a 1 page preface and 5 pages written on this second draft.

I head back to school on the 15th with that said I want more than ever to have a sort of journal of my writing journey.  I juggle so many things in my life. I want to make certain that I find or schedule the time to write. I also want to keep up with this series of posts. I don’t usually plan what I’m going to write it just happens to be what is on my mind and the time I sit down and grab my laptop. I’m not the most organized person I REALLY have to work at it I thought I would pick a day of the week and put up a post every week. If I write this post every week on the same day it will turn into a habit; I believe that takes about three weeks. That right now is my plan. However, we all know about the best laid plans.

 

Dare to be…

The new year

I’ve done some personal house cleaning leaving behind someone who was taking more than he gave. While I don’t normally make New Year’s resolutions, I did this year. NO MORE JERKS!! And if I have to stand in front of my mirror every moring and repeat that mantra until I can get it through my thick head I will. I’m as stubborn as a mule.

Dare to be..

I dare to be single until I can find some who appreciates me for who I am in the meantime I have a book to write and jewelry to make.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

Point of View

When all else fails change your point of view. I had shelved a book I was writing because I was frustrated with it. The manuscript just didn’t seem to work well. I was re-reading Selgin’s book and realized what my problem was I had limited myself by writing it in first person. This book has several different cultures in it and takes places in some very different settings. So I going to separate my two main character and their settings until I get them together. Once together I’ll follow their story line until I need to add my other characters. I hope this works out better. I printed my manuscript so I can do a line by line rewrite.

I’ve been doing some serious multi-tasking today; I think I need a nap.

Dare to be…