Voices...

I'm sitting here with my coffee and reflecting on the voices I've been hearing. Yes, they're all in my head! Characters talking, stories begging to be told, imagination running amok! The one thing I didn't spend enough time on over the summer was my writing. Intentions were high, but motivation was at an all time low. I spent a lot of time visiting with my sons, watching Formula One racing on the weekends (a new obsession of mine), sorting through boxes of keepsakes and old photos (I have hundreds), chatting on the phone with friends, sipping coffee, napping, reading... almost anything but writing!

I intended to blog at least once a week. I intended to work on my book. I intended to completely organize and redecorate my home. What is it they say about good intentions? Never mind...

Vintage Sunflower Botanical, compliments of Dawn of The Feathered Nest

Today is a beautiful September day! Time for a fresh start as we head into autumn! Have I told you this is my favorite time of year? Of course I have! It always feels like a time of beginnings to me. Though I'm in, what many might define as, the autumn years of life, it seems appropriate for me to look at this as a time of beginning. I will get serious about my writing. I will read more and take better care of myself. Three things. I can start with three things!

You're wondering why this feels like a time of beginnings to me? I think it has to do with school. New pencils, crayons, paper. New classmates and teachers. Then there were the school clothes and shoes! All new! A clean slate! So we would begin again.

Well, enough for today! The voices are telling me to move on to my other writing. I promise I'll return soon, with more of my ramblings! Joy to each of you!

© 09Sep2016 ajj

The Promise...

Hello 2014!  Not just a New Year, but a year of New Beginnings...

More living...
More writing...
More time with family and friends...
More strength...
More bravery...
More faith...
More love...

I decided not to do a traditional list of resolutions, mainly because I've never been successful with one.  I chose to focus on the things which mean the most to me, and work on each of them a little at a time.  No specific goals, other than to just enjoy the journey.  So I begin...

A cousin shared part of this scripture after hearing so many negative things regarding the weather changes and the fear it has created.

Genesis 8:21-22

New International Version (NIV)

21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night 

will never cease.”

She was choosing not to focus on fearful circumstances, but to rely upon God's promise.

It's not always easy to look beyond the things affecting our day to day lives, and there's a tendency to allow them to define our thinking.  A big part of my journey is to change the way I view things, to focus on the promise, to see the good in life and in our world.  Today, I am thankful for the promise of tomorrow.

Wishing each of you a bright New Year, filled with promise!


© 08Jan2014 ajj

  

Day 31 - Beginnings, The End of It

January seemed to fly by.  I'm surprised I stuck to my commitment to write every day of the month.  Some days it was just a little bit, but at least I got it done.  Going forward, I plan to make daily writing one of my rituals.  The more I write, the more ideas I get for writing projects.  I'm making slow, but steady progress on some book ideas.  The NaBloPoMo prompt, Beginnings, has certainly been a beginning for me.  It's inspired me to keep pushing forward with my writing, and I'm enjoying the journey again!  I've decided to continue with it for another month.  The February prompt is Relative.  There's no requirement to use the prompt.  You just have to commit to writing each day of the month.  I hope you enjoy following along as I continue with my resolution to write every day.

Day 30 - Beginnings, My Lil Sis

All dressed up for church

Today is my little sis's birthday! I remember the day she was born.  We were at church, and someone had to leave to drive my mom to the hospital.  I stayed at church with my grandparents.  After the service was over, we drove to the hospital.  Only adults were allowed to go up to see a new baby, so I waited downstairs with a friend or relative.  That was the beginning of my life with my sis.

I sat here last night, letting my mind drift over the years.  We have lived through so many things together.  I'm not going to list them here, but there have been joys and there have been sorrows.  We have laughed, cried, fought, loved, rejoiced, grieved, survived... we have shared our lives.  I can't imagine what life would have been without her.  I don't even want to!  I do want to wish her a very Happy Birthday!

Day 29 - Beginnings, Sunday Morning

Automaton from the Franklin Institute

Below is my piece for the Sunday Scribblings prompt, action.  One of my favorite weekend programs is Sunday Morning on CBS. Today they did a segment with Martin Scorsese about the movie Hugo, and the inspiration behind it.   They also did a section about the history of automatons.  One was featured in the movie.  

It was fascinating to see what these mechanical "people" could do.  My favorite was one that could write a poem in English and in French.  It is part of an exhibit at the Philadelphia Franklin Institute.  See the Sunday Morning Segment HERE.  I really enjoyed learning about these machines.  I hope you enjoy it too.  Here's a little poem about automatons. 

Pen moves on paper
An action making words
Lifeless hand creates

 © 29JAN12 ajj

Day 28 - Beginnings, Sidelined

It's early evening, and my well-laid plans for the day got sidelined.  Not by any person or event.  I just misplaced my initiative.  Do you ever start a project and find you get bogged down before you've barely begun?  That's what happened today.  I've been treading water all day long.  Boxes half-filled.  Dishwasher not loaded.  Baking and laundry not done.  Don't ask me what I did get done.  I couldn't tell you for sure.

Well ok, to be honest, I did spend some time chatting and laughing with my boys.  And I watched a movie, read the paper, worked on the crossword, got caught up on FB posts, peeked at Pinterest...
Is it any wonder I didn't make it through my to-do list?
Sigh... oh well, tomorrow is another day...

Day 27 - Beginnings, The Help

I just spent the past two and a half hours watching The Help.  It's been a long while since a movie touched me in quite that way.  Movies have often dealt with the race issues in our history, but only a few stood out to me.  The 1974 film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was one of those.  Cicely Tyson was magnificent.  It was both heartbreaking and inspiring.  In 1985, The Color Purple broke my heart again.  The Help is another one of those.  It was a joy to see Cicely Tyson again, as Constantine, and Viola Davis was amazing as Aibileen.  It was a different kind of story.  One where you saw good and bad on both sides, but it felt like goodness won.  No, it didn't tie it up in a pretty package as if everything ended ok, but it left you with a feeling of hope.

My early childhood years were during the turbulent 1960's.  Racism was covered on the evening news.  It shocked me to see the overt hostility on peoples faces.  Brutality of any kind had always frightened me, and I couldn't understand how people could resort to cruelty and violence.

I used to hear people say things like, "I just don't see color."  I do see color.  I want to see it.  I want to see all our differences and glory in them.  I want to be seen for who I am.  When we look at the world around us, much of the greatest beauty is in the differences of texture and color.  Craggy mountains, deep valleys, smooth blue waters, sky, clouds, sun, and rain.  It's the kaleidoscope of differences that shock and thrill us with their wonder.  Seeing people is like that too.  Some are comforting, some bring smiles, some try our patience and stretch our boundaries, others leave us breathless with their beauty.  Our common bond is the most important thing.  We are human, we have heart and soul and spirit.  I wish it was enough to stop the hatred and injustice which still exists in our world.  It isn't yet, but I still have hope.

© 27JAN12 ajj

28JAN12 - NEW NOTE...  From a thread on FB, I discovered a lot of people who felt the movie minimized the race issue.  Some were even highly offended by it and felt it continued to perpetuate racism.  I didn't get that from it.  I thought it was a blend of drama and humor, that tried to look at both sides.  My hope is always that our world continues to grow toward more understanding and peace.  Please leave comments, negative or positive.  I always have room to learn from others.  Wishing you peace!

Day 26 - Beginnings... Just missed my deadline

Well, it's actually Day 27.  I've missed my first deadline since starting this challenge.  So I'll talk about what caused this... procrastination.  It's a bad habit that I'm constantly fighting to overcome.  Even though I know it's extremely inconsiderate, even rude, to be late, I find I am often arriving well past the expected hour.  It's not intentional.  Sometimes it speaks of my reluctance to leave my home.  I'm uncomfortable in many social situations, so I delay getting ready to go.  I also can't decide if I'd just be happier canceling.  Usually when I do arrive, I have a wonderful time.  It's just a matter of getting past the anxiety.

I procrastinate on my own projects too.  It used to be, the excitement of a looming deadline would be enough to carry me through.  I'd get finished, just in the nick of time.  I know I don't have the same energy levels these days.  I still feel the adrenaline rush, but rarely make the deadlines.  There is only one solution.  That is to change my ways, forget about the fun of racing to the finish, and just enjoy a slower pace.  I'm now 13 minutes past my deadline.  I'll do better tomorrow!  I promise!

Day 25 - Beginnings, My Love of Vinyl Records

You already know I'm one of those people that likes to keep everything.  That includes vinyl records!  A few years ago, I made myself sell a bunch of my old favorites at a yard sale.  Mistake!  I miss those albums, and they didn't take up much space.  Some have never been released on CD, so that music is just gone.

Do you remember your first record album?  Mine was one by the Chipmunks.  Later on, I was given a storybook album of "Goldilocks & The Three Bears" and a Perry Como Christmas album.  I still love Perry Como!  My mom gave me a stack of 45's when I was about 8 or 9.  My favorite of those was the Kingston Trio "It Takes A Worried Man".  My sis and I used to play it on all the different speeds, trying to sing it hyper fast and high pitched or very slow with deep bass voices.  Often our cousins were over to join in on the singing.  We knew how to create our own fun!  Pause my playlist (over on the sidebar), and have a listen to this old favorite of mine!

Over the years my collection grew to include Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Barbra Streisand, Emmylou Harris, The Gatlins, The BeeGees, Heart, Nat King Cole, James Taylor... I could go on and on.  I loved music.  I had everything from rock to country to gospel, and it all started with that first Chipmunks album.


© 25JAN12 ajj

Day 24 - Beginnings, Finding Joy

Today has been a beautiful one.  Not the weather, it's been overcast and very cold.  Just something about the day.  Maybe it's because I woke up feeling good.  My head cold is waning, and I slept much better last night. 

My mind has been filled with ideas.  Things I want to do, things I'm looking forward to.  A visit from my sister-in-law in a couple of weeks.  My lil sis and one of my best friends have birthdays coming up.  That means a lunch or dinner out with each of them!  I talked to my husband about some craft projects I want his help with.  That may mean buying myself a couple of tools, but it will be fun!  He thought it sounded like fun too.  I'll keep you posted on this. 

I've also been thinking about my journey with my faith.  I hit a crisis a few months back.  It felt like I might never recover, but I did.  I was reading this post today, Talking To God.  That's how it is for me.  Things hit, and maybe send me reeling, but I always have God to turn to.  It doesn't mean that life is always rosy and wonderful.  It does mean I can find joy, in even the darkest of times.  Hoping you are finding the joy in your life!

Day 23 - Beginnings, One of Those Days

I've started this post three times now.  Maybe this is one of those days where "if you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all" is the rule to go by.  It was a very long Monday, and it was definitely "one of those" kind of days.  The kind of day where roadblocks seem to pop up at every turn. A dreary kind of day that started grey and rainy.

Do you know what you do with that kind of a day?  You either turn it around, or relax and go with it.  Sometimes just starting a new project, or getting out of the house, will get my energy going in a new, positive direction. Other times, it pays to just settle in.  Settling in was my choice for today.  I put on my comfiest clothes, warmed up leftover pizza, fluffed a pile of pillows on the sofa, and watched MI-5 from my Netflix Queue.  There's nothing like a little espionage, with British accents, to make the hours fly by.  I can't say it was a productive day, but it was a nice little escape from reality.  Tomorrow will be soon enough to get back to that big to-do list.

Day 22 NaBloPoMo - Beginnings, Plus Sunday Scribblings - Possible

The possibilities seemed endless when they were young.  Life was just beginning, stretching out before them with dozens of adventures and dreams to choose from.  So how did they get here?  A mortgage more than double what their home was worth, kids long gone from the nest, and still not living the life they once imagined.  Jenny and Doug looked at each other across the kitchen table.

"Where do we go from here?" she asked.

"I wish I knew.  I can't believe everything is gone.  Job, credit, assets.  We can't survive on what you're bringing in." he dropped his head into his hands.  Jenny sat quietly, thoughtfully looking at her husband.  "Well, I've been thinking about something for a while.  You know how we always dreamed of traveling?  Why not just let the bank have this place, sell off everything we own, and just go for it?"  she waited.

Slowly Doug raised his head, they locked eyes, and sat in silence for a couple of minutes.  Then he started to smile and she smiled back.  "I didn't lose all my retirement.  If we're careful, we could stretch it out for quite a while.  The motor home is paid for and it's still in great running condition.  Gas would be expensive, but this might just work." he paused, "The kids will think we've lost our minds."

"Let them.  They're all grown up and have their own lives to worry about.  This is about us.  What's best for you and me!"

Their smiles grew wider, and they began to laugh.  For the first time in years, they had a bit of hope.  An idea for a fresh start.  If they just took the chance, anything was possible.

© 22JAN12 ajj

Day 21 - Beginnings, Tenacity

Morning began too soon, after a very restless night.  It's a rainy Saturday.  The gorgeous snow we had, got rained away in two days time.  Bogus Basin, our local ski resort, finally got to open though.  They normally open about Thanksgiving time, so people with jobs connected to skiing have had a rough year, as well as those who make their living plowing roads.  In these tough times, hardships seem to keep getting more difficult.  But, the beginning of 2012 gave us some snow in the hills and a bit of hope.

If I were a pessimist... funny, my husband often calls me "Ms. Negativity"... a little name picked up from our years of watching Home Improvement... anyhooo, I can definitely go there.  I blame it on my love of fiction, and my inner "girl scout"!  I like to create horrific scenarios and then figure out how I'd get out of them.  If only I could get paid for that... wait, some people do get paid for that!  They're called writers!  So I need to get myself to stick with a story idea, long enough to evolve it into a book.  There's the trick.  Talent is important, but sometimes I think tenacity outweighs talent.  Not a stretch, considering some of the books I've seen published.  So, while I hope I have a talent for writing, what I really need is some tenacity.  That's my word for the day.  Tenacity!  It has a nice ring to it!

Day 20 - Beginnings, Baby Gabriel

On August 28 of last year, Baby Gabriel arrived.  While still inside his mother, doctors discovered a challenge.  Gabe was diagnosed with HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a severe congenital heart defect.  An additional challenge of Downs Syndrome was verified after his birth.

I don't want to go into all the details of little Gabe's life so far, but I'd love for you to meet his mom, Julia, at her blog.  It's called The Four Of Us.  I'd also love for you to meet his dad, Nick, at Gabriel's Hope.  They are two incredible people.  Gabriel is their second child.  He has a big brother, Judah.  Every day, Nick and Julia pour their love out over their two little guys.  They pray with them and over them.  They continue to have faith and hope as they walk this journey together.  It's a road that might seem impossible to some, but one they welcome, because it is the road they get to travel with their boys. 

If you have means to help financially, there are two donation links on my sidebar.  One is a fundraiser with items for sale.  The other is for direct donation.  Even more important, if you are a praying person, pray for this family.  Pray for God's hand of healing over this little one... little Gabriel. 

Day 19 - Beginnings, Stories via Television

I have always loved stories.  It started with hearing family tales and having books read to me; progressed to doing my own reading and creating my imaginary worlds; then moved into television and movies.  I love all forms of story telling, but today I'm taking a look back at television.

The very earliest programs I remember were Romper Room and Captain Kangaroo.  The Captain was a particular favorite of mine, and of the characters on his program, I remember Mr. Green Jeans and Mr. Moose the best.  It had stories, skits, songs and more, and was fuel for my already active imagination.

Later on, there was I Love Lucy, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, Lassie, Art Linkletter, and more.  There weren't endless hours of TV viewing in my childhood.  Time in front of the set was limited and many programs were watched by the whole family.  My love for comedy, animal stories, mysteries, and action films started back then.  Television expanded my universe, much the same as radio did for the previous generation, and the Internet has for today's youth.  Television sometimes gets a bad rap, but for me it provided a forum for entertainment, learning, and keeping in touch with the big world that existed beyond my little town.

Day 18 - Beginnings, Snow...

Do you remember when snow only meant fun?  When you didn't have to worry about how bad the roads were, or who would have to shovel the drive?  When who had the best snowman, or the fastest innertube, was your biggest concern? 

Today we finally got our first winter snow.  I have to admit that I wasn't all that excited.  I thought about the errands I'd planned to run.  At least I didn't have to worry about shoveling the snow.  My husband was home today, and our neighbor lady couldn't get her snow blower started.  PJ got it going for her, then she offered him the use of it.  He was one happy guy! 

My broken little Maple doesn't look so sad with snow decorating it's branches...

As the snow continued to fall and those flakes got bigger and bigger, I felt that childlike excitement start up again.  It was so beautiful!  I snapped a couple of photos, and I'm glad I didn't wait.  As is normal for Idaho, the snowflakes began to get tinier and before long it had turned to rain. 

Notice the bulbs were confused and had already come up...

Look at how thick the snow lies on the branches...

I love this little tree... and I loved this perfect Snow Day!

Day 17 - Beginnings, Too Early

Today began too early, around 4 am.  I tried to force myself back into sweet slumber, but the internal clock kept ticktickticking away.  Persistently, I continued to lie there determined to get my rest.  I was unsuccessful.  The extra lie-in time actually worked against me.  Morning began very efficiently, but that quickly waned.  Now it's late afternoon, and I have that "almost bedtime" feeling.  My brain is foggy.  My body crying out for sleep.  
So, goodnight dear friends.  
I will begin again tomorrow...

Day 16 - Beginnings, Happy Birthday Dr. King

When I think of things that have had an impact on my life, my way of thinking, there are a few that certainly stand out.  Learning to pray, reading, attending school, family... the basics.  Then there are the major news events that changed me; the assassination of John F. Kennedy, of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Vietnam, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Columbine, 9/11...  so many more.

Today I want to honor the memory of Dr. King.  I was 11 years old when his life was taken.  During my childhood there was so much more news coverage available to us, than in previous generations.  I saw some of the violence, the inequality, the injustices played out before me.  But, I also saw the hope and the dreams of great people like Dr. King.  I was privileged to hear some of his words, and those words created in my mind a picture of a world free of hatred.  In my innocence, I thought it was just around the corner.  All these years later, much has changed.  Much has not.  We still have to stand up for what is right.  For peoples freedoms.  We have to work even harder to create that world of peace, equality, harmony and love for one another.  To expand our understanding of all people.  Not just those who resemble us, and believe like us.  We have a responsibility to continue making dreams into reality for the generations that follow us.


© 16JAN12 ajj

Day 15 - Beginnings, Plus Sunday Scribblings Prompt - Tribe

Below is my piece for Sunday Scribblings.  It also falls under my NaBloPoMo prompt.  It's about the beginning of a friendship...

Free Degas Image from Dover

It started after a gathering of church ladies.  They got to chatting and the minutes turned into hours.  There was an instant kinship.  Two very different looking women, but cut from the same cloth, from the same roots.  As if part of a long, forgotten tribe.

They talked, sharing stories and laughter.  This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.  One of sharing their joys, accomplishments, marriages, children, and faith.  No secrets were too dark.  It was an intimate relationship, as if they were sisters from the same clan, separated long ago, but now reunited.  This deep friendship does not disintegrate with age or distance.  The thread that binds them together is woven too deeply in heart and in spirit.  They both feel such gratitude that, in this life, they found each other, and they hold the belief their friendship will continue into the next.

© 15JAN12 ajj

Day 14 - Beginnings, Fashion & Photography

I watched a documentary about the career of Bill Cunningham, a photographer and columnist for the New York Times.  He's been producing a fashion page in the Times for years.  Though I'm not outwardly stylish, I love looking at fashion, imagining what I could get away with wearing.  I also have a love for photography.  Here is his page for today's edition, On The Street and here is the video of Style On The Street.  I'm loving the hats. 

Bill's techniques intrigued me.  As well as covering fashion events, he just wanders the streets of New York City on a bicycle and snaps photos of everyday people.  He's also traveled to other cities around the world, a favorite of his is Paris.  I liked what he had to say about fashion, about his photography.

"When David (Montgomery) came to New York a few months later, he brought a little camera, an Olympus Pen-D half-frame. It cost about $35. He said, ''Here, use it like a notebook.'' And that was the real beginning.  

I HAD just the most marvelous time with that camera. Everybody I saw I was able to record, and that's what it's all about. I realized that you didn't know anything unless you photographed the shows and the street, to see how people interpreted what designers hoped they would buy. I realized that the street was the missing ingredient.... the difference for me is I don't see the people I photograph. All I see are clothes..."  From a New York Times Article, Bill on Bill, found HERE.

I think what intrigued me most about Bill Cunningham, was his disinterest in photographing the "big" name designers and celebrities exclusively.  If he doesn't like a look, his camera stays down.  He photographs what inspires him.  What is beautiful to his eye.  He watches for trends.  He "collects" them in photographs.  He also has a policy of treating his subjects with respect, never ridicule.  When an article of his was changed,  making fun of the people in his photos, he resigned from that job.  Success seemed less important to him than following his heart. 

It makes me wonder how much I could accomplish by doing what has meaning to me.  Not trying to fit a mold, or preconceived idea that someone else has, but simply doing what brings me joy.  Now that is something to consider.

 © 14JAN12 ajj