Taking A Break--Check Back Next Week

Grateful Sunday

We've been gone, but so many wonderful things have happened to me lately, that I just didn't want to let them slip away unnoticed, so I am very grateful for:

At Dawn's birthday party, her mother told me how much she adores Jeremy. The best thing a mother can hear.

Best Todd Snider solo show that I have ever seen in Petaluma. He was all big grins, finger-picking, spot-on vocals. Very polished, well as polished as Todd can be, anyway. Oh, and a cameo from Elvis too.

I LOVE Sebastopol. I'd move there if I could figure out how~at The Underwood a curried chicken sandwich for lunch, Empire 1 Nursery for cool plants, koi, or pottery, Andy's Produce for luscious berries, and Screamin' Mimi's for Grand Marnier ice cream.

Condensing our regular week-long trip to Bodega Bay into 3 hrs--breakfast at Howard's Cafe in Occidental, drive over Old Coleman Valley Road to Bodega Bay, walk at Wright's Beach, fresh bread from Wild Flour Bakery in Freestone.

Dinner alfresco, at my mom's house, lovely salads (crab & shrimp for them, ham for me).

The Carson City newspaper, The Nevada Appeal, published an article based on my blog. Six out of the seven photos are mine.

Happy Blogiversary

Well, exactly one year ago today, I woke up, turned on the laptop, and started this blog for absolutely no reason. What did I think that I had to say to the universe? Lots of the things that I thought I wanted to say, I’ve never got around to saying. I often type up whole pages and then they get sidestepped as other things come to the forefront.

“Your world will expand or contract in relation to your courage.” I read this quote and I get chills recognizing the deep truth of it. It took a lot of courage for me to put myself forward through my words and pictures. It gives me a voice without having to face strangers. It gives me a thrill every time someone says, “I read your blog.” Create and send it out into the world, without any attachments to what happens after that. I am offering myself to the unknown and who knows where that will lead. I am willing to see.

I get statistics on how many people view my blog. I am thrilled that I have so many new readers. That means not all of you are personal friends and family. I get hits from all around the world: India, Argentina, Mylasia, Sweden. It’s amazing. I don’t know how or why they come. And I doubt that they stay long, but it’s still cool. Also, I have loyal readers that return over and over: Des Moines IA, Hialeah FL, and Boucherville QC. I also have many in the Sacramento area that I can’t tell apart.

I realize that when I write my Grateful Friday posts, not all of it makes sense. Sometimes they are secret messages to particular people. Sometimes they are secret messages that only I understand. But they are really important to me, so try and figure them out or ignore them. At least it makes it more interesting than just writing the same thing every week.

I have purposely avoided putting my own picture on the blog. There are a few places where you can see my back or other obscured images of me. There is only one full face photo. Can you find it?

I have to say that this blog has added different dimensions, a fresh perspective. It forces me to examine aspects of my life, choose what to share, (and what not to share), and to write and photograph it in ways that make sense. I guess that I will soldier on….I hope that you’ll stick with me on the journey.

Blogosphere

Out there live and breathe incredibly talented writers, photographers, poets, life-artists. Since I've been on this journey for the last two months, I've discovered a world that I didn't know existed. There's a community of women who expose their souls through their words and pictures, pouring their hearts out onto the page, sharing and encouraging others. A trail through the woods, each one leads you to another and another. I am a little intimidated to post their websites; since they are so good, I'm afraid you won't come back to me.

mytopography.com

asweetlife.typepad.com

callalillie.com

kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com

aliedwards.typepad.com

Blog Thoughts

I am going to have to start attending blog-a-holics anonymous meetings. I have had these thoughts going around in my head for years, and now they have a way to get out. The most amazing ideas work their way through my fingers onto the screen. They surprise me. Sometimes I didn’t know that I was thinking them until they arrive on screen. I love it! It’s like being writer, photographer, stylist, and editor of my own magazine of my life. Who wouldn’t love that? But it’s additive and I have to be careful.

Once I bought scrapbooking paper with pine trees all over it, in anticipation of going Christmas tree hunting with my family. I planned on taking all kinds of photos and had the idea for the pages all arranged in my mind. Then it dawned on me that I was becoming one of those people! People who arrange events in their lives solely for the photo op. I had always laughed at the thought. Now I have to guard against the same thing with my blog. I don’t want to portray this fake, pre-conceived life. I want to keep it real.

On the other hand, it keeps me motivated to live my life in creative and exciting ways. What would I have to write about if I just sat around all the time? When I think of something new, I get energized imagining how I will write about it in the blog.

When I’m not writing my blog, I’m reading other people’s blogs. Some of them are truly amazing. (I will share the addresses some other time). I want to be a better photographer and a better writer. I read other blogs and realize how delicious they are. I want to improve. I will strive to make it better.

Blog Comment Instructions

Several people that I know have written e-mails to say that they tried to send comments to the blog, but were having trouble. I so much want to see what you have to say. Please try again. I helped my mother-in-law do it and it is really quite easy. At the bottom of each entry, click on the word "comments." In the box provided write your comments. Under that there are three buttons. Change the button to "other" or even "anonymous." If you leave it on "google/blogger" it asks for a password. You do not need to do that. You can add your name and website if you want, but they are completely optional. Click the "publish" button and you're done. It sends it automatically. Don't worry if it doesn't appear on the blog immediately. It takes awhile to go through the system. It will appear within a few hours.
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Today while I was reading the paper I noticed that some stores are audicious enough to open at midnight on Thanksgiving night! This is crazy and it has to stop. Do not encourage them by participating. Adbusters.com has had a campaign of "Buy Nothing Day" for a couple of years now. The idea is that you take the day for relaxing with your family instead of going on a consumer buying binge. Buy it any day but Friday!