Take time to vent

I could be a professional complainer. When I start to do something, I assume it will be great! At least the best that I can do, even perfect! The reality is, of course, things don’t always go that way, not for me and I assume most people. Time runs out. Materials don’t work out. Tools don’t cooperate. Or imagine, the computer doesn’t cooperate! And that’s when the optimist in the bunch says…”that’s life!” Yeah, I needed that…Not! This is venting: If the expected guest would just show up on time...or at all! The material you bought for a project needs…just another inch, maybe a yard? The stapler is not where you thought you left it or someone else moved it? Oops, that’s the blame game...no time for that. The weather is starting to deteriorate or be better than you have time to take advantage of...today. The laundry isn’t done...washing, drying or is just waiting to be put away. It’s almost dinner time...everything is frozen or there are too many choices, and you have to do the choosing! There is a never ending number of topics, projects, chores, assignments and want-to-do-s. Is that really the cause...too much to do? And we want to do it all! Some people have a way of plodding through life doing what needs to be done, with patience to get it done. Never getting rattled if time, people or life interrupts. Where do you find patience? Sometimes you have to take time, sit back and vent. Rethink it. Start over. That’s why I’m writing today...rethinking, new focus, fresh approach…taking a breath. I can do this AND I can get it done! Today’s project may be sewing, cleaning, laundry or maybe it’s that long delayed project to get organized! One step at a time. One task at a time until they all add up to completion...dare I dream? The focus of my writing is often to tell you...you can do it! You can write, tell Your stories or preserve your lifestory or pictures. And I need to get to it, too! But only if we tackle it with a fresh outlook...why are you doing it? Not to simply get ‘er done! But to have that feeling of accomplishment of completing a “want-to-do”. One day at a time, one task at a time...everything can (and will?) eventually get done. What do you WANT to do today? You have my permission to “just do it!” Everything...cooking, cleaning, laundry or some other dreaded task eventually gets done...in your time! Today the message is be kind to yourself, understand your limitations and set Your realistic goals that allow you to finish what needs to be done...on your time. Good talk! Venting finished!

Weeding and seeding your mind to move forward...it's Spring!

It's spring! at least according to the calendar. The Mounds of snow outside my door says something different. But a few days of sunshine and above freezing temps should take care of that. Everyone is lamenting the latest deluge of snow, but we all know that's just the way the conversation goes, and you go along with it. But really? Complaining yet again about the weather? That just perpetuates a negative mood ...and it's spring and your thoughts and actions should be moving on and not dwelling in the past. Of course, dealing with the past is part of my purpose, but in a moving forward kind of way...is that counter-intuitive? Say what? Yes, dealing with the past can allow you to move forward. Whether it's teaching your grandchildren how you did things in the past or finally preserving memories and traditions so future generations know what once was. There are stories and people in your past that need to be remembered. You know who they are and their stories. So what was spring like for you growing up? What about Easter? or May Day? Here I go again. Riding you to remember what the "good Ole days" were really like. Or were they? Is there a ghost haunting you about past springs or spring holidays? Is there a sweet memory that just came to mind? Do you need to empty a clouded mind or free yourself of negative thoughts? Or simply share a great memory. Writing it down is a release for me...empties my head of cloudy thoughts or melancholy "what ifs". When I grasp an idea about what to do next, I need to start fresh, with a fresh approach to an old habit or chore. Maybe there IS a better way to do something. I think Nike said it a few times...Just Do It! Stop thinking about what you're going to do When you're ready...you'll never be ready if you only think about it! Write it down, record it or Start! Even if it's just spring cleaning...that tends to rejuvenate me to start fresh on old chores or intentions. There are a couple of chores that need doing and I've thought about it too long...Just Do It! What's on Your List? Calling a friend or distant cousin? Writing a letter to ...who? maybe to the future? Maybe the closet needs cleaning or weeding. Maybe you're ready to plant, or prepare to plant...and maybe you remember the way someone from the past used to do it. Memories need to be shared, minds need to be weeded, seeded and shared.

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!