Time for a Re-do! It's been six years since I posted this particular blog, but it bears repeating. It's something I'm always harping on, but I need to remind myself to get back to it occasionally...Now is the time! Did you have a good winter? are you planning for spring? or summer? did you lose someone this year? and along with it the stories or memories they could have or should have shared? So what's stopping you? I know, I know, YOU can't write, but you can remember...so write what you know or how you would tell someone what you remember. You can always have someone edit your memories...if they need it! But if you don't start, then when or who will tell the stories? Now what I wrote SIX years ago: So you “forgot” to write it down. Does that mean it’s too late? Well there’s an easy answer to that and I don’t need to tell you what it is. I can repeat myself often, but it doesn’t do any good if no one is listening. Your mother didn’t write her stories. Your grandparents didn’t write their stories. So if you don’t write your stories where does that leave the stories? LOST! That’s my real message. If YOU don’t write your family stories or the stories of your town, your friends or your school…who will? Somebody should! You know that. Always “somebody” should do something and too many people always waiting for somebody else to do what they know should be done. We read all the time about someone one who did something and got something done. Is it time it was you? This message can apply to a lot of things whether it’s changing a law or an ordinance in your town or the rules at your child’s school….somebody should do something! Well my message for you is simpler….write it down! That’s my message to everyone who loves THE family stories. Write them down before they are gone. Write yourself a letter, a memo, a blogpost…whatever it takes to preserve “history”. Your history. I am a broken record. I know. I have a collection of short memories. Stories that I’ve started I haven’t finished. But if I’ve started them, I’m closer than you are to eventually getting them done! I keep reading about writing. Reading about marketing, how to….and always looking to make it better, easier, quicker... That’s part of my procrastination, always thinking there is a better way to get it down and done. There is no easy way. There is no quicker way. It takes a block of time, a commitment to remember and write. So talk to yourself already. Talk to your family. What do they want to know or need help remembering? Who’s gone and what did they do in their lifetime? Do your grandchildren know your grandparents? Do they know where they lived, how they lived, or what they gained, or lost, during their lifetime? That’s part of your history. True that’s only family history, but if your grandparents or great-grandparents were leaders in their community, their church or just their neighborhood aren’t there likely to be more people who want to know about them and their contributions? Yeah, I know practice what you preach….I am! I am writing now! Can you say the same thing?

Trying to get things done?

“I'm in a hurry to get things done Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun All I really gotta do is live and die But I'm in a hurry and don't know why. ” Lyrics that I love, but I hate to live by. Thank you Alabama for setting it to music, but I didn’t need a reminder. Why is it we rush and rush and never seem to accomplish as much as we intend to? I have my “lists”, both mental, written and the unsaid and yes, even the bucket list. I’m never sure which is which. I keep trying to stay on task, but which task? I mean to record everything, to share everything and accomplish everything I’ve committed to, but then…life gets in the way. I make promises to myself to get X done before Y and then Z seems to be there before I’m ready. Let’s see when was the last time I committed to this blog? Not when I expected to. Is that disorganization or procrastination? That is too much to do! I’ve decided the best approach is to review what I’ve accomplished and simply put it in perspective for what I want to accomplish. Less stress there and frustration. I have written books, traveled, taken some Great pictures! Made some Great quilts and tons of crafts, and can pretty much complete whatever I’ve set out to do. So there I have completed a few things. Guess that means I can get the rest of my lists done, too. Good talk!

'tis the season

It’s “election season” and Halloween! What could be spookier? And annoying! I don’t like Halloween. I know lots of people lap it up. Dress up, decorate their houses and get all excited for parties and other Halloween events. I’m Not one of them. I’ve never liked people at my door in masks and costumes…really? Is that surprising? I’ve had friends try to spook me in costume or call to me from the dark street when their children are at my door. But who are they? Show me your face and maybe I’ll know who I’m talking to. I remember roaming the street with friends trying to collect a great cache of candy and yes, it was fun! But I never tried to scare or trick anyone. I certainly didn’t pretend to be someone I wasn’t or remain a mystery after someone answered the door. Yes, I’ve had people come to my door in costume with the “guess who I am” attitude and not reveal themselves. Sorry, I wasn’t amused. It’s no different with politics. The “real” people don’t try to tell stories. They state the facts and they don’t distort them. No politician can do everything they promise! So don’t tell me you will. Don’t point out the “flaws” in your opponent or I may come to question your real goals…more than simply to get elected. I’m more likely to listen to a Joe Friday…”just the facts, ma’am”. Tell me realistically what you “hope” to do or how you’re going to do it. Don’t waste my time telling me what your opponent can’t or won’t do. Yes, I will follow my party in my selections (that’s what I believe in), but don’t waste my time with all the mindless, insulting and yes, masked ads! I hope ALL the politicians pay their bills…they’ve certainly wasted a Lot of money on their publicity!

Chalk on a blackboard

Yup, it is like chalk on a blackboard to me. My apologies, I confess. I am a grammar nut. Years of working with words, trying to get it right has taken its toll. I had a Great foundation in English. The names of Elaine Daily and Peg Witham come to mind whenever I make that claim. That was followed by years of “feedback” with Ky Ayoob, a veteran Bangor Daily News editor-writer and coach, and a lot more assignment editors. And we were fortunate to be offered many workshops and classes as part of our training….and you thought we just winged it…right? While I was taking all those lessons, and writing Every day, I also found myself reading some great writers, great freelancers sharing their experience and great reporters offering advice. The Poynter Institute out of Florida was a great resource for working reporters not only with the proper grammar of writing, but “rules of the road” in conveying the news in an unbiased, but engaging way. There IS a difference in reporting the news and making the news. Making the news is choosing your words and subjects. Reporting is telling the story as it happens. Question that the next time a Big story breaks. With all that “training” and exposure to writing and writing advice, I’ve become sensitive to “correct” English…at least my way. I am constantly amazed at the people who can’t string a single sentence together or perhaps even complete one. Yes, you’re forgiven if writing isn’t your chosen profession. I understand. But more distressing is the way the digital world and social media have undermined our language skills, and perhaps sabotaged our youth. I’ve offered reminders to people who can’t tell, or remember, the difference between your and you’re or their, there or they’re. But perhaps that just makes me more of a nut. I know some people don’t know where to put commas and apostrophes or omit them…heck, I don’t always get it right. And, now, I’m sounding off on my frustration…just trying to explain why it’s like chalk on a blackboard to me when someone doesn’t see the obvious errors in writings, spelling, verbs or adjectives. And occasionally some of those choices are actually fun! Maybe I’m not talking to you, but maybe you know someone who doesn’t proof read what they write or heaven forbid even realize they need to proof it! Must be nice to have that much comfort in your own abilities. This is just, I hope, a gentle reminder there is a “right way” to put words together if you want to make a point or have someone hear your words and not question what you’re trying to say. Every time I offer some advice to proof what you write or choose your words or punctuation wisely someone takes it personally. I’m NOT targeting anyone. I’m just trying to explain where I’m coming from and why it might be important to get your words right. That’s why we have dictionaries and today we can check our choices online. …and I do. Someone once said to me “I’ll bet you proof read your emails!” Yup, guilty as charged. I’m a writer and I need to know I’m doing it right...if you’ve asked for my advice (as people do) , just know I try. Just my explanation while I’m getting that chalk off my mind.

Joining the "cloud"

We’ve all heard about the “cloud”, an elusive storage service somewhere in cyberspace, and some of us use it regularly. But for the average person, who thinks about saving or sharing everything with the “cloud?” I was just introduced to a new concept…new to me and likely you, too. Share family photos with the cloud. Yes, we all share via Facebook , Instagram and countless other sites and programs. But keeping and sharing at the same time with family across the nation, around the world and…across time? That’s a new one to me. I’ve shared old family photos through Facebook and through family sites, but a whole program just for sharing new…and old photos. Well, there’s a project for the New Year. Everyone has countless albums and shoeboxes of old photos. The really industrious and crafty among us have dozens of scrapbooks, but what about putting those ALL on the computer? And in the cloud? Wow, suddenly all the old photos tucked away with the intention of sharing them with the rest of family suddenly got “do-able.” I really have lectured myself about getting organized, copying all the old photos and films to disc to share with distant family members. Or paying a service to do it for me. That way you’ve preserved the old photos, gotten them out of the attic or the deepest closet, and maybe simply taken them off the shelves where few people ever take the time to pick them up. Now there’s a better way? It was bound to happen. You, and likely your relatives, are on the computer, a tablet or phone every day. You can step back in time to see your grandparents, great grandparents or maybe just your younger self or grandchildren while you’re waiting for the repairman or the overbooked doctor or dentist. You know your children and grandchildren will sign on without hesitation just to kill some time or to take a break from the latest online game. Now all it takes is some time, and self-discipline, to share the best of those old pix. Truthfully, I’m just beginning to explore the possibilities. I’ve scanned some photos and they’re backed- up through Carbonite. But that only means I’ve saved them and we won’t lose them, but shared? That’s another program. Apparently we can share through Dropbox, Google Drive and some other programs like CrashPlan for Business, SOS Online Backup and SugarSync, all in the top five in sharing cloud websites. (https://www.cloudwards.net/best-cloud-storage-for-families/ ) And maybe there are more. Those are the ones recently rated and promoted…the key is the sharing element. Some are free, some have free trials, and yes, others have a monthly fee…but maybe you can share that, depending on how you hatch your cloud sharing plan. But moving forward, I think a lot of my photos, old and new, will be shared…somewhere in the cloud…not just on Facebook or on my phone…and may be you’re way ahead of me….do you already store photos in the cloud? On a shared site? It’s new to me….so sorry I didn’t think of it earlier!

Gift a memory this year

Make a memory! Of course, always. That’s what I’m all about. But I heard that on morning TV in a spot about good gift giving. What a concept! They were talking about personalizing gifts….now we’re going in the right direction. But maybe you’re not a crafter or have lots of extra cash to buy personalized gifts or buy THE one thing you know someone wants or would buy, if they could. There is still room, and time, to make a memory. Maybe it’s as simple as making a special dinner, contributing something memorable to dinner or making dinner memorable. Keep thinking. We all buy special gifts and most of us put a lot of thought or decision into selecting gifts. But make a memory or recall something special for someone. Is there a special picture from some summer fun or special event this year? Maybe it needs to be enlarged, framed or even put onto a canvas. If you watch, often, the Canvas People or maybe something like Shutterfly offer canvas prints free or for the cost of shipping. You can order personalized note cards or stationary with special pictures included or a calendar. Or maybe you just need to write….yes, write in longhand (cursive), a memory from the year or past years that make that person special to you. Maybe it’s sharing a favorite recipe, new or an old family favorite. Of course, you should make it, then attach the recipe. A couple years ago, I discovered “The Family Cookbook Project”, a site for entering Your recipes and They make the cookbook. Even better this particular website allows you to download a PDF copy of your cookbook to print at a local shop. Locally you can print a spiral/comb-bound cookbook for as low as $10 a piece, depending on how many you have printed. Cooking not your “thing”? Is a collection of pictures more in line with your thought process? There are sites that put them together for you. I mentioned Shutterfly and I know there are many more..Snapfish, Blurb, Mixbook , Heritagemakers, Picaboo and more. But really all you need is your computer or maybe just an empty scrapbook or photo album and copies of your favorite pictures….send the pictures to Walmart or some other photo site, they’ll print the copies…for you to pick up! Walmart also makes photobooks! Of course, IF you’re ready a lot of sites will print your entire genealogy. I’ve done it, but I did it myself on my own computer, then had it copied at a local shop…less expensive...because that can add up! So here’s your challenge…don’t give just a gift….give a memorable gift!

Driven to Write?

Some of my friends “have to write”. They are driven to write and be creative. I’ve had those feelings, but I get over them. I think I irritated one friend when I said, “I write because I can.” I’ve been blessed with an ability to put words together. It’s been nurtured over the years by some excellent English teachers, the kind that stressed grammar, structure, tenses, plurals and contractions…the basic foundation. Writing daily for more than 30 years helped and there was a writing coach for a few years…great help! I also read about writing. And I’ve read some excellent writers! But truthfully, I find it easy to set down and write out my thoughts. To be sure, I always edit, rewrite, correct and generally “fix” anything I write until it’s what it should be or at least what I want it to be. I’ve run into countless people over the years who claim they can’t write, they “wouldn’t know where to begin,” and are generally “clueless” about putting words to paper. Mostly it’s fear, but they don’t think it’s that. Afterall putting something, anything, down in print leaves you open to criticism. And few people relish that. But without writers where would we be? Writers are the reason we know how and want to read. We read to learn…about new things, lessons, activities, current events or history. There’s a whole new generation of writers now, writing for the Internet, many publishing their own books, blogs, columns. Every day people writing about every day things! They write to make their opinions known. They write to share what they know or in some cases, think they know. And some people write in response to other writers. Everyone has a reason to write, yes, everyone! There is something in your head you need to write down whether it’s your favorite recipe for family dinners or gatherings or maybe it’s your experience in just living. If you’re fortunate to have a good memory, you may need to pass on some of that memory to someone else...you know, so it’s not forgotten. Did you have a special profession or a great work experience or do you want to warn someone not to follow in your footsteps or make similar mistakes in their lives? Regardless of your reasons you have experiences to share, family and life lessons to pass on whether to the next generation or a far future generation you haven’t met yet. What I wouldn’t give to know why and how my great-grandfather built the house he did, where he did and for who, a first wife, the second? Did he do it himself? Did he hire it done? When was the addition built? How did his profession start? Why was there a first wife and then a second? We all have similar questions we wish we could have asked earlier generations. But no one wrote down the answers leaving us to depend on records to fill in information through birth certificates, marriages, deeds, town records. We can provide those answers about us or perhaps even earlier generations to subsequent generations. We can “write it down.’’ I keep trying to remember what I want future generations to know about me and the ancestors I knew. I write long and short stories and put them in a file on my computer and I print them off for a notebook. You may be one of those people who “don’t know where to begin.” Start anywhere. Did you take a trip this year? Did you remember a trip you took with your parents or grandparents? Did you make a memory with someone special this year, or last? Do you have a special memory of a place or person you don’t want forgotten? We all have memories and experiences someone in the future would like to know. You don’t need to write a formal story to be remembered. Write a letter to yourself, to a family member or an imaginary family member in the future. That’s family history, maybe local history, that’s writing it down, you know… so it’s not forgotten.