It's the end of February and you know what that means? That I should have been planning my garden weeks ago. But I got a bit busy and distracted with other things... But now I am ready to give it a go!
I live in a duplex and I don't really have a yard. I take that back, we have a yard, but it's not for gardening. It's manicured grass and I'm not exactly sure what we are supposed to do with it. It's great to have the green there, but it's annoying that I can't dig it up for a garden. On a good note, however, there is cement 'patio' space to the side of each building that currently gets used for grills and parking (because my neighbor hasn't figured out that the pole means stop). I don't think anyone will have a problem with me taking over some of that cement for a garden.
How am I going to garden on cement? In pots of course. I just bought a bunch of buckets from a local restaurant, now I just have to get them ready to hold my garden and figure out what to plant and I'll be golden.
Last year I borrowed some garden space from a friend who lived down the street from my old apartment. Then, halfway through the year, I moved before I pulled more than some radishes from it. I really miss the mint I planted. It was growing so fantastically. I should have taken a cutting from it but I didn't even think about it. Why can't I ask for a cutting from my friend? Because she has separated from her husband and no longer lives there now.
I didn't have time to go to the greenhouse this weekend, but you better believe it's on my list for next week!
Are you gardening this year? If you don't have a yard, how do you grow green things? Any suggestions and tips?
Showing posts with label muse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label muse. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Inspire: Sandman Slim
It's been some time since I posted about something that inspired me rather than events and calendars. But this one should make up for it. :)
I used to roleplay and read from the cyberpunk genre. We're talking William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Blade Runner, and Shadowrun. I like the gritty anti-heroes who would rather watch you die than save you without cash up front. I like the characters who have deep flaws but save the world anyway.
Unfortunately, it's been quite awhile since I read anything in that genre. Then I found this book with a quote from William Gibson on the cover: "An addictively satisfying, deeply amusing, dirty-ass masterpiece....Sweet." Of course I had to pick it up.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey isn't quite cyberpunk, but it's a fantastic book. The book starts off with the main character returning from Hell (the place where Lucifer lives) after eleven years and mugging some rich guy in a cemetery. And it only gets better. The guy, Stark, as he likes being called, finds a punk-tiki bar called Bamboo House of Dolls. Then he chops the head off an old friend who is one of the group who sent him to hell. But don't worry, the guy is still alive, just isn't attached to his body. Yeah, Stark is a magician. At one point, he attacks another magician with a toilet plunger.
Stark was betrayed by his magical buddies and sent to Hell alive. He found a way out and now is back for revenge.
It's a great book and one I'm very glad I got to read.
I used to roleplay and read from the cyberpunk genre. We're talking William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Blade Runner, and Shadowrun. I like the gritty anti-heroes who would rather watch you die than save you without cash up front. I like the characters who have deep flaws but save the world anyway.
Unfortunately, it's been quite awhile since I read anything in that genre. Then I found this book with a quote from William Gibson on the cover: "An addictively satisfying, deeply amusing, dirty-ass masterpiece....Sweet." Of course I had to pick it up.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey isn't quite cyberpunk, but it's a fantastic book. The book starts off with the main character returning from Hell (the place where Lucifer lives) after eleven years and mugging some rich guy in a cemetery. And it only gets better. The guy, Stark, as he likes being called, finds a punk-tiki bar called Bamboo House of Dolls. Then he chops the head off an old friend who is one of the group who sent him to hell. But don't worry, the guy is still alive, just isn't attached to his body. Yeah, Stark is a magician. At one point, he attacks another magician with a toilet plunger.
Stark was betrayed by his magical buddies and sent to Hell alive. He found a way out and now is back for revenge.
It's a great book and one I'm very glad I got to read.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Muse: Sweet Valentine
A week from today is Valentine's Day. Today is also my kiddo's birthday. Happy birthday!
Valentine's Day kind of sucks when you are single and everyone else is making googly eyes at their beloveds. But oh well, I get the kiddo some sort of goodies and call it a good time. It helps that I'm against most of what V-day has become. While I do appreciate a dozen roses, I would rather my significant other gets me a single rose or a potted plant. I see no need to pay a huge amount of markup just because of the day. And to me, it shows no originality. Not saying it's not nice to receive it, I would just rather receive something that I knew thought went in to.
Spring is coming and with spring comes rituals like this, ways of saying you love someone and getting excited for the fertile new year.
Maybe I will herd some friends together and we can go do something nice like a singles night out.
What are you doing for V-Day?
Valentine's Day kind of sucks when you are single and everyone else is making googly eyes at their beloveds. But oh well, I get the kiddo some sort of goodies and call it a good time. It helps that I'm against most of what V-day has become. While I do appreciate a dozen roses, I would rather my significant other gets me a single rose or a potted plant. I see no need to pay a huge amount of markup just because of the day. And to me, it shows no originality. Not saying it's not nice to receive it, I would just rather receive something that I knew thought went in to.
Spring is coming and with spring comes rituals like this, ways of saying you love someone and getting excited for the fertile new year.
Maybe I will herd some friends together and we can go do something nice like a singles night out.
What are you doing for V-Day?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Muse: Imbolc and Groundhogs
February 1st is Imbolc, Candlemas, St. Brigid’s Day, and others. It is a cross-quarter day, not assigned any special astrological event such as the equinoxes and solstices (that I know of). It is one of those holy days that marks the in-between time. Of course, depending on your tradition, this holiday could be anywhere in the time around
February 1st. Maybe you celebrate it on the nearest full moon or when the snow drops first appear. Lupercalia, a Roman festival associated with Imbolc, is somewhere towards the middle of the month. And of course, Anthesteria is around the same time.
February 1st. Maybe you celebrate it on the nearest full moon or when the snow drops first appear. Lupercalia, a Roman festival associated with Imbolc, is somewhere towards the middle of the month. And of course, Anthesteria is around the same time.
And, of course, we here in the US can’t forget that February 2nd is Groundhogs Day. If the groundhog sees his shadow and hides when he comes out, it heralds six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t and just hangs out, then spring will come soon.
Imbolc is a time of getting ready for what is to come. Traditionally it would be the time for farmers to move their cows and ready their fields for the spring thaw. For me, I consider it a time to finally wake up from the winter. The earth has been sleeping, and we have been taking stock of what remains and preparing in darkness, now the candles are lit and the sun is awake longer and longer, we get ready to move and shake about the warming earth.
Imbolc is my new year. I get excited for what is to come when the snow finally disappears. A lot of years, I over estimate what I will be doing, thinking I’ll go camping every weekend or do this or that. This year I will keep in my word of Action and make plans that are feasible and include the things I want to do.
Do you have plans for Imbolc? Do you watch the groundhog peeking out of his home? If neither, what symbols do you associate with this time of year?
Monday, January 17, 2011
Muse: Ah! Get Organized!
If you have read this blog for awhile, you know that keeping things in their place is not a strength of mine. I try and achieve good results, then sink back into the depths that is clutter.
I signed up for FlyLady a while back and it worked pretty well to begin with. I cleaned a couple areas of the home and kept my sink clean. But then I didn't have time to follow the areas and kind of fell out of it again. I mostly kept my sink clean, but this week I haven't. Sigh.
But when it was clean, when I did follow her and take the time to clean up, the house looked great. Was it still cluttered? Yes. But the clutter was contained in it's space.
I think my downfall was not following the baby steps. I am going to change that this week and actually sit down and keep track of what needs to be done. I am out of my "Oh my gosh I have so much to do!" funk and I should be ready to go.
Have you tried to get organized after the New Year? How is your plan going?
I signed up for FlyLady a while back and it worked pretty well to begin with. I cleaned a couple areas of the home and kept my sink clean. But then I didn't have time to follow the areas and kind of fell out of it again. I mostly kept my sink clean, but this week I haven't. Sigh.
But when it was clean, when I did follow her and take the time to clean up, the house looked great. Was it still cluttered? Yes. But the clutter was contained in it's space.
I think my downfall was not following the baby steps. I am going to change that this week and actually sit down and keep track of what needs to be done. I am out of my "Oh my gosh I have so much to do!" funk and I should be ready to go.
Have you tried to get organized after the New Year? How is your plan going?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Muse: I Have a Dream
MLK Jr. Day, coming up on January 17th, isn't something that America typically celebrates. When I was in school, I'm pretty sure we had school that day. It wasn't until I was in high school that I really got into the idea behind the whole thing. I helped put on a presentation one year with skits and essays.
Since my word for this year is Action, I decided that I would follow the prompts and make this year a day on and not a day off. I signed up to help make blankets for Project Linus at the public library in the afternoon. I meant to have my son sign up as well, but the computer didn't like me. When I finally got it figured out that I would have to do it on a different computer, the thing was full. So we will see if he helps me out or not.
But my taking action on this day is not based on my belief that all races should be equal. I believe that we can morph MLK Day into something that this country desperately needs - equality for all.
The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of peace and equality and justice for everyone. The same things that our country was built on (mostly, minus non-land-owners, slaves, and women. But we fixed that.). Our legislatures now want the Constitution read before they begin their work. It sounds like a fantastic thing, doesn't it? Maybe they will realize that they work for the country and not for the organizations/companies that fund them.
Here in Iowa, we need people to realize that it doesn't matter what color your skin is, or who you love, everyone deserves the right to be who they want to be. We ousted three Iowa Supreme Court justices over the fact that the court ruled unanimously that homosexual people have the right to marry. Now there are campaigns calling for the resignation of the remaining justices and the threat of impeachment. Several freshman legislatures are drafting articles of impeachment. Impeachment. Because the justices followed the constitution and are therefore acting as activist judges against the will of the people.
So this MLK Day I will remember Dr. King with pride that he could change the nation, and with hope that we can do the same.
Do you have plans for MLK Day? Is it celebrated in your neck of the woods?
Since my word for this year is Action, I decided that I would follow the prompts and make this year a day on and not a day off. I signed up to help make blankets for Project Linus at the public library in the afternoon. I meant to have my son sign up as well, but the computer didn't like me. When I finally got it figured out that I would have to do it on a different computer, the thing was full. So we will see if he helps me out or not.
But my taking action on this day is not based on my belief that all races should be equal. I believe that we can morph MLK Day into something that this country desperately needs - equality for all.
The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of peace and equality and justice for everyone. The same things that our country was built on (mostly, minus non-land-owners, slaves, and women. But we fixed that.). Our legislatures now want the Constitution read before they begin their work. It sounds like a fantastic thing, doesn't it? Maybe they will realize that they work for the country and not for the organizations/companies that fund them.
Here in Iowa, we need people to realize that it doesn't matter what color your skin is, or who you love, everyone deserves the right to be who they want to be. We ousted three Iowa Supreme Court justices over the fact that the court ruled unanimously that homosexual people have the right to marry. Now there are campaigns calling for the resignation of the remaining justices and the threat of impeachment. Several freshman legislatures are drafting articles of impeachment. Impeachment. Because the justices followed the constitution and are therefore acting as activist judges against the will of the people.
So this MLK Day I will remember Dr. King with pride that he could change the nation, and with hope that we can do the same.
Do you have plans for MLK Day? Is it celebrated in your neck of the woods?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Muse: A New Beginning
The first post of a new year! And almost my 200th post as well. I'm excited!
The new year is typically a time for people to make resolutions and 'start over.' I've never been a person to make resolutions, partly because they seem made to be broken. I'm not sure I've ever met someone who has followed their resolution all the way through. It also seems like resolutions are made on the spur of the moment.
But I do believe this can be a time to take stock of where you are and where you want to go.
Now, I'm not saying that resolutions are bad things. In fact, at Imbolc I will be pledging something to myself, my community, and my world as I have the past two years. This year they are going to be a bit more specific than before, but they are things to focus on. This year I also think I am going to be making an oath to the gods at Anthesteria, a Hellenic festival at the end of February.
For all that I'm making plans and pledges and oaths, I want to follow them not just because I said I would, but because I want to. I want my life to go that way. I want to grasp the threads that have been flowing through my head for the past year and actually put them into action.
Someone at the UU recently posted their plan for the new year, and I found a reference to a similar practice on a blog lately, and so I think I will join them. Instead of making resolutions at the new year, they choose a focus word. This word they take with them through the year and refer back to.
My word this year is Action.
And so I will go forward into a new beginning reminding myself to take action for the things that matter to me.
What are your goals, resolutions, or focuses for the new year?
The new year is typically a time for people to make resolutions and 'start over.' I've never been a person to make resolutions, partly because they seem made to be broken. I'm not sure I've ever met someone who has followed their resolution all the way through. It also seems like resolutions are made on the spur of the moment.
But I do believe this can be a time to take stock of where you are and where you want to go.
Now, I'm not saying that resolutions are bad things. In fact, at Imbolc I will be pledging something to myself, my community, and my world as I have the past two years. This year they are going to be a bit more specific than before, but they are things to focus on. This year I also think I am going to be making an oath to the gods at Anthesteria, a Hellenic festival at the end of February.
For all that I'm making plans and pledges and oaths, I want to follow them not just because I said I would, but because I want to. I want my life to go that way. I want to grasp the threads that have been flowing through my head for the past year and actually put them into action.
Someone at the UU recently posted their plan for the new year, and I found a reference to a similar practice on a blog lately, and so I think I will join them. Instead of making resolutions at the new year, they choose a focus word. This word they take with them through the year and refer back to.
My word this year is Action.
And so I will go forward into a new beginning reminding myself to take action for the things that matter to me.
What are your goals, resolutions, or focuses for the new year?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Muse: Take a Break
It's the perfect time to launch into a week about the new year. Perfect timing to give you a list of what to dos or not dos. But you know what? I'm sure you are getting enough of that else where. And I never tend to make resolutions.
That's going to be a bit different this year, but my 'resolutions' take place at the beginning of February with oaths taken for Imbolc.
So today, I'm going to tell you just to take a break. Relax for awhile. The holidays are mostly over and, if you're like me, that means you no longer have to craft your butt off. So just chill out for awhile and not worry about what your next project is.
Even if I hadn't of been planning on telling you that, I would this morning. My soup leaked all over my work bag on my way in. Now my backpack, my 'essentials' bag, two books, and my lunch bag all smell like dumpling soup. Luckily the books are just a bit wet, but the rest are really wet.
So I'm taking this as a sign to remind me to slow down and not get too frustrated with the world.
How did your holidays go?
That's going to be a bit different this year, but my 'resolutions' take place at the beginning of February with oaths taken for Imbolc.
So today, I'm going to tell you just to take a break. Relax for awhile. The holidays are mostly over and, if you're like me, that means you no longer have to craft your butt off. So just chill out for awhile and not worry about what your next project is.
Even if I hadn't of been planning on telling you that, I would this morning. My soup leaked all over my work bag on my way in. Now my backpack, my 'essentials' bag, two books, and my lunch bag all smell like dumpling soup. Luckily the books are just a bit wet, but the rest are really wet.
So I'm taking this as a sign to remind me to slow down and not get too frustrated with the world.
How did your holidays go?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Muse: Why I celebrate Xmas
As a Pagan, Xmas (Christmas) is an iffy time. We have Solstice a few days earlier. But everyone else turns out for Xmas. What is a Pagan to do? Do we pretend like Xmas doesn't exist? Do we go along with the holiday as well as celebrate Solstice? And if you are raising children, do you follow the traditions and give them an Xmas or raise them without it?
I was raised as a Christian, Methodist to be exact. Most of my family is still Christian, Evangelical unfortunately, so we all get together on Xmas eve to exchange gifts, hang out, and some of them go to church afterward. If I were to give up the Xmas traditions, it would be hard because of my family. Granted, I could think of it as a belated Solstice gifting (which I kind of do), but it would be confusing for my young one to say that we don't celebrate Xmas but yet celebrate Xmas.
So we do a little of both. We have a bit of a ritual for Solstice, and I'm going to let him open a present for Solstice. Tonight we may wake up at horrible hours and watch the full moon eclipse! We have a tree with stars and suns and homemade ornaments. We have stockings and snowflakes. We have Santa who comes on Xmas morning.
But we have no Christ in a manger. We have the Sun God returning and bringing the light with him.
Santa is a pretty secular character anymore, and he is welcome in my home.
I feel that in getting excited for Xmas and the presents and the family, I am not just celebrating any one holiday. I am celebrating them all. It is a season for joy, for family, for hope for the coming year. It is a holiday that keeps us from going crazy as the night grows longer and longer. After all, the winter solstice is the reason for the season. ;)
What do you celebrate this time of year? Do you think Pagans should participate in Xmas traditions? Is Santa okay for Pagan families?
Happy Solstice!
I was raised as a Christian, Methodist to be exact. Most of my family is still Christian, Evangelical unfortunately, so we all get together on Xmas eve to exchange gifts, hang out, and some of them go to church afterward. If I were to give up the Xmas traditions, it would be hard because of my family. Granted, I could think of it as a belated Solstice gifting (which I kind of do), but it would be confusing for my young one to say that we don't celebrate Xmas but yet celebrate Xmas.
So we do a little of both. We have a bit of a ritual for Solstice, and I'm going to let him open a present for Solstice. Tonight we may wake up at horrible hours and watch the full moon eclipse! We have a tree with stars and suns and homemade ornaments. We have stockings and snowflakes. We have Santa who comes on Xmas morning.
But we have no Christ in a manger. We have the Sun God returning and bringing the light with him.
Santa is a pretty secular character anymore, and he is welcome in my home.
I feel that in getting excited for Xmas and the presents and the family, I am not just celebrating any one holiday. I am celebrating them all. It is a season for joy, for family, for hope for the coming year. It is a holiday that keeps us from going crazy as the night grows longer and longer. After all, the winter solstice is the reason for the season. ;)
What do you celebrate this time of year? Do you think Pagans should participate in Xmas traditions? Is Santa okay for Pagan families?
Happy Solstice!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Muse: Solstice is coming!
Solstice is coming! Solstice is coming! December 21st heralds the longest night and therefore a return of the sun. It is a winter Pagan holiday that celebrates the return of the light after the darkness of winter.
I have never quite wrapped my head around the fact that it gets colder here after the solstice, but that's me.
My extended family is almost all Christian, and I was raised that way, so Xmas is still the holiday that is for gift giving and gathering together as family. However, Solstice has started to become a time for friends. It is a time to honor the returning light and gather together to celebrate that the light will return.
This year I plan on celebrating the Heliogenna festival for the Solstice. However, since it is on a Tuesday and I work full time during the day, I will have to modify a few things. For instance, I cannot greet the new sun with singing and breakfast because I will be on my rideshare van on my way to work when the sun rises. And I am on my way home when the sun sets.
I feel like a kid on xmas morning anymore about the solstice. Why? I'm not sure. It could be a return of the light. It could be because I love giving gifts the way I used to love getting them as a kid. Maybe it is just the return of the light. We don't loose the light as much as those north of us do, but the sun rises around 8 am and sets around 430 pm here. That means that it is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home. And I don't have any windows in my cube. The closest I get is the door outside next to me but I have to get up and go look out it. So by the time Solstice comes around, I am ready for the joy that means more sunlight.
What are you looking forward to this holiday season?
http://sites.google.com/site/hellenionstemenos/festivals/heliogenna-festival
I have never quite wrapped my head around the fact that it gets colder here after the solstice, but that's me.
My extended family is almost all Christian, and I was raised that way, so Xmas is still the holiday that is for gift giving and gathering together as family. However, Solstice has started to become a time for friends. It is a time to honor the returning light and gather together to celebrate that the light will return.
This year I plan on celebrating the Heliogenna festival for the Solstice. However, since it is on a Tuesday and I work full time during the day, I will have to modify a few things. For instance, I cannot greet the new sun with singing and breakfast because I will be on my rideshare van on my way to work when the sun rises. And I am on my way home when the sun sets.
I feel like a kid on xmas morning anymore about the solstice. Why? I'm not sure. It could be a return of the light. It could be because I love giving gifts the way I used to love getting them as a kid. Maybe it is just the return of the light. We don't loose the light as much as those north of us do, but the sun rises around 8 am and sets around 430 pm here. That means that it is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home. And I don't have any windows in my cube. The closest I get is the door outside next to me but I have to get up and go look out it. So by the time Solstice comes around, I am ready for the joy that means more sunlight.
What are you looking forward to this holiday season?
http://sites.google.com/site/hellenionstemenos/festivals/heliogenna-festival
Monday, December 6, 2010
Muse: What's that white stuff in the air?
There was snow on the ground this week. Last year was a hard one. We had piles and piles of snow and blizzards and ice and horribleness. This year, we didn't see snow until the last day of November. It didn't stick, but it stuck for awhile on Thursday before melting.
Luckily, here in the middle of Iowa, we have been graced with only a dusting of snow so far. It's winter, so give it awhile. But the first soft snowfall is always inspiring. The kiddo is ready to break out the snow boots and my office is decorated with the paper variety. (Shh, don't tell anyone, but we hung up snowflakes the day before it snowed. I think it's our fault.)
It finally feels like the holidays!
Do you have snow in your neck of the woods? What does nature do to signal to you that the holidays are coming?
Luckily, here in the middle of Iowa, we have been graced with only a dusting of snow so far. It's winter, so give it awhile. But the first soft snowfall is always inspiring. The kiddo is ready to break out the snow boots and my office is decorated with the paper variety. (Shh, don't tell anyone, but we hung up snowflakes the day before it snowed. I think it's our fault.)
It finally feels like the holidays!
Do you have snow in your neck of the woods? What does nature do to signal to you that the holidays are coming?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Muse: Mission Accomplished!
This is a week of accomplishments.
For those of you playing along with Nanowrimo, it is the last few days of finishing your novel. Tomorrow is my, hopefully, last day of physical therapy. My art group is taking the last few steps towards our federal non-profit status. November is ending and the holiday season is beginning.
This is a time of finishing and tying up all those loose ends in preparation for winter.
As of this morning, I am within a few hundred words of finishing my novel, both with The End and the 50,000 word mark.
Am I ecstatic about this?
Not really. Instead, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment and empowerment to be able to finish further projects. I am not jumping up and down waving my finished novel; I am sitting back and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment.
What are you accomplishing this week?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Muse: The Holidays are here!
Normally, I have an aversion to all things xmas until after Turkey Day. Xmas music, decorations, Salvation Army canisters, they call come after Turkey Day.
So why am I posting about it here? Because it's better to have it done in advance, that's why! :)
I plan on starting to decorate the day after Turkey Day. I don't go in for the Black Friday sales. It breaks my little anti-consumer heart, and people phobia, to think about it. One of these days I'm betting that I will go to one of those sales, but I doubt it will be this year.
I'm starting to get into the decorating mood and in the Oh Shhh! phase of gift creating along with working to finish my novel. So it will be a busy month.
What are you doing to get ready for the holidays?
So why am I posting about it here? Because it's better to have it done in advance, that's why! :)
I plan on starting to decorate the day after Turkey Day. I don't go in for the Black Friday sales. It breaks my little anti-consumer heart, and people phobia, to think about it. One of these days I'm betting that I will go to one of those sales, but I doubt it will be this year.
I'm starting to get into the decorating mood and in the Oh Shhh! phase of gift creating along with working to finish my novel. So it will be a busy month.
What are you doing to get ready for the holidays?
Monday, November 15, 2010
Muse: A Thankful Thanksgiving
It's a week early, but I have a recipe to share with you on Friday and don't want you to miss it!
Thanksgiving is always one of those stressful times of year around our house. It's that close to the xmas season and there's loads of things to cook. But this year my mom is hosting and is requesting for everyone to bring something. Much better in my mind.
Thanksgiving is a time of the gathering together of family and friends and giving thanks for what you have. A lot of times, we forget that aspect of the holiday. At least, I know I do. But this next week I really want to slow down and take a look at just what I have accomplished instead of looking at what I have left to do. Hopefully, when we gather together on Thanksgiving, it will be with a full heart that I thank the gods in my own way and enjoy time with my extended family.
One of my friends only seems to be excited about the sales the next day, wanting me to go out with her. She hopes she gets to punch someone in order to get an item for cheap. She's never done it, and I don't think she really would anyway, but that's my friend. I have always stayed away from Black Friday. Sure, there may be sales, but do I want to deal with the mass of humanity all focused on getting something cheap before anyone else? Not really.
I don't like people pressing in around me anyway and I really dislike mass commercialism.
But I think that having such a 'me first' attitude the day after we give thanks for being with family and for what we have is wrong. I feel like the feelings from Thanksgiving should last at least most of the holiday season, and they do, except for this black day where all rules seem to go out the window. Ah well. I can see the draw of it. And some days I wish I could go out and get the deals without being squished or frozen. But I'm always broke on Black Friday. Maybe I will go with my friend to the place where they have layaway...
What are you doing for Thanksgiving? If you don't meet up with family, do you go out with friends? Do you only get excited for Black Friday? What are you thankful for?
Thanksgiving is always one of those stressful times of year around our house. It's that close to the xmas season and there's loads of things to cook. But this year my mom is hosting and is requesting for everyone to bring something. Much better in my mind.
Thanksgiving is a time of the gathering together of family and friends and giving thanks for what you have. A lot of times, we forget that aspect of the holiday. At least, I know I do. But this next week I really want to slow down and take a look at just what I have accomplished instead of looking at what I have left to do. Hopefully, when we gather together on Thanksgiving, it will be with a full heart that I thank the gods in my own way and enjoy time with my extended family.
One of my friends only seems to be excited about the sales the next day, wanting me to go out with her. She hopes she gets to punch someone in order to get an item for cheap. She's never done it, and I don't think she really would anyway, but that's my friend. I have always stayed away from Black Friday. Sure, there may be sales, but do I want to deal with the mass of humanity all focused on getting something cheap before anyone else? Not really.
I don't like people pressing in around me anyway and I really dislike mass commercialism.
But I think that having such a 'me first' attitude the day after we give thanks for being with family and for what we have is wrong. I feel like the feelings from Thanksgiving should last at least most of the holiday season, and they do, except for this black day where all rules seem to go out the window. Ah well. I can see the draw of it. And some days I wish I could go out and get the deals without being squished or frozen. But I'm always broke on Black Friday. Maybe I will go with my friend to the place where they have layaway...
What are you doing for Thanksgiving? If you don't meet up with family, do you go out with friends? Do you only get excited for Black Friday? What are you thankful for?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Muse: Crafting Crafting Crafting
I decided to participate in a craft fair finally. I was trying to help motivate a friend of mine who decided she wanted to start a crafty jewelry business as her part time job. So what better way to get her out there and finding customers? A craft fair!
I had kind of given up on the idea of my own crafty business as too much work. If I have to make the same thing too many times, I'm tired of it and it's not fun anymore. But I decided I could help her out. I'd bring my hemp jewelry and she could bring her beaded jewelry and we could have a good time sitting together.
Except she flaked on me. Granted, I expected it, but still, geez. So luckily I had snagged another friend to sit with me, had a bunch of zines from another friend, and I knew half of the vendors, so it was a pretty good day. Do I think I'll do it again? Maybe, but with different/more items.
I had fun, though, and learned a bit. And I got my son to get me an xmas present I'm really going to enjoy.
So even though it threw off my writing, I'm glad I participated.
What do you want to do but haven't gone for?
I had kind of given up on the idea of my own crafty business as too much work. If I have to make the same thing too many times, I'm tired of it and it's not fun anymore. But I decided I could help her out. I'd bring my hemp jewelry and she could bring her beaded jewelry and we could have a good time sitting together.
Except she flaked on me. Granted, I expected it, but still, geez. So luckily I had snagged another friend to sit with me, had a bunch of zines from another friend, and I knew half of the vendors, so it was a pretty good day. Do I think I'll do it again? Maybe, but with different/more items.
I had fun, though, and learned a bit. And I got my son to get me an xmas present I'm really going to enjoy.
So even though it threw off my writing, I'm glad I participated.
What do you want to do but haven't gone for?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Muse: NaNoWriMo
It's November 1st, and that means that it's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). What is this, you might ask? It is
I've heard about this thing for a couple years but have never done anything about it. This year is different. This year I am participating and hopefully will be able to crank out this idea in my head.
Since I don't have a computer at home, I am writing most of my story long hand. I worked it out to be about six pages a day. I've already written two and a half this morning on my commute, so I feel pretty good about being able to reach my goal. Granted, half of it might have to be scrapped and rewritten in the editing phase, but that's okay because it will have been written. This may start a new habit of writing multiple pages in the morning. Which I think is a good thing.
You may also notice that this mornings post is not entitled 'Inspire.' I've decided that one of my changes to the blog will be the Inspire, Write, and Create headers. They will be changed to Muse, Musing, and Mused. Soon I am hoping to also have pages/links on the side so that you can go directly to all the posts under a certain heading.
Are you going to write this month?
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.This is about quantity, not necessarily quality. It's a way to get people to just sit down and write. Lots of people (myself included) have always wanted to write a novel but have never gotten around to it. There are too many monsters saying no in our heads. NaNoWriMo is a way to get past that. Not only is it a goal, but it is a group of people who want to help you with that goal.
I've heard about this thing for a couple years but have never done anything about it. This year is different. This year I am participating and hopefully will be able to crank out this idea in my head.
Since I don't have a computer at home, I am writing most of my story long hand. I worked it out to be about six pages a day. I've already written two and a half this morning on my commute, so I feel pretty good about being able to reach my goal. Granted, half of it might have to be scrapped and rewritten in the editing phase, but that's okay because it will have been written. This may start a new habit of writing multiple pages in the morning. Which I think is a good thing.
You may also notice that this mornings post is not entitled 'Inspire.' I've decided that one of my changes to the blog will be the Inspire, Write, and Create headers. They will be changed to Muse, Musing, and Mused. Soon I am hoping to also have pages/links on the side so that you can go directly to all the posts under a certain heading.
Are you going to write this month?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)