Someone was overjoyed last night to have her mom home again. 🙂
#holding hands #love my cat #home sweet home
❤ ❤ ❤
Tag: appreciation
Blogger Bouquet #35
Pamela Wight is one of the many authors I follow here on WordPress. She writes the blog, Rough Wighting: “Life in a flash – a weekly blog on daily living.”
I enjoy her stories and her engaging writing style.
In Pam’s own words:
“I write because I love the written word…This blog shares that love. Parts of it contain fast flashes of life that I write for the total joy of it.
My last name is Wight, and I teach creative writing for fun – calling it Rough Writing. My students have renamed my class ROUGH WIGHTING, and I think that’s just perfect.”
I chose the following post from her blog because of how it highlights her grandchild’s wisdom and keen observation of people and the world around her. Plus, it’s funny!
Comments are closed here, but you can share a comment on the writer’s page.
Blogger Bouquet #34
Nurse Kelly is a sweetheart of a blogger who is working on her first book.
From her About page:
Nurse Kelly is a registered nurse, health educator, coach, speaker, and writer. She holds a BA in Communications, an AAS in Nursing, and numerous certifications. She resides in northeast Ohio with her husband, daughter, son, and beloved dog, Ruby.
Known for her commitment to functional healthcare, she wished to expand her reach to a larger audience – hence, nursekellyknows.com was born.
In her own words:
This blog is authentically me. I write from my heart in a very personal voice, which I hope you will find engaging, enlightening, and entertaining. I can also cause just enough mischief to keep things interesting… so please be aware, as it is never my intention to offend.”
I have chosen the following post because I love finding a poem that makes me smile the way this one does.
Comments are closed here but you can share a comment on the blogger’s page.
Have an inspiring weekend, everyone ❤
Blogger Bouquet #33
Recently, I discovered and started following Write with Kelly – “writing and publishing advice you can really use.”
Kelly Abell is an author, blogger, and graphic artist whose blog is a wealth of tips for those of us aiming to improve our writing craft. In her own words:
My aim for you is to utilize this blog to help you improve your writing skills, and to educate you on the publishing business. If you need help with writing, want to self-publish a book and need advice, or just want to kick a story idea around to see what works best, that’s what I’m here for. As I gain knowledge from editors and publishers, I will share that knowledge with you.”
Check out this post where Kelly features a fellow author’s knowledgeable views on a genre near and dear to my heart:
Sittin’ On The Porch – Author Fran Orenstein – Tips for Writing Children’s Books
Comments are closed here but you can share a comment on the blogger’s page.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!
A Look Back, A Look Ahead
Happy 2016, everyone!
Okay. Now that we’ve gotten that out of our systems, let’s move on, shall we?
It’s a brand new year and a time when many of us who blog like to reflect on what we’ve achieved over the past twelve months, and where we are now headed.
I won’t bore you with all the statistical details, but I do want to mention the top two posts from Jennifer’s Journal in 2015 just in case you missed them or wish to take another peek. Out of 76 blog entries for the year, these are the posts that received the most comments and visits:
1. Book Deal! (April)
2. Berg Watching (June)
And as I have been each year, I am ever so grateful for my most active 2015 blogger commenters. My sincere appreciation goes out to all who follow my blog.
I noticed a couple of my blogger friends have come up with a special word to inspire and to keep them focused in the year ahead. I think it’s such a fine idea, I am offering a word of my own:
Accomplishment
By the spring of 2016, my first book will be published. The release of Calmer Girls, a Young Adult novel, is an accomplishment I have long dreamed of. I’m hoping my special word will give me the extra little push to finish its sequel well before the end of spring. This way it can be ready for my editor when the first one is released.
In between promoting Calmer Girls and editing the sequel, I hope to find time for photography, poetry, and the gathering of research for a third work. This new novel will be a total departure from the first two with new characters, an entirely new setting, and possibly a different genre. I expect it might be my most challenging writing project yet.
What accomplishments or progress have you made since last January?
What are your creative goals for 2016? Share your thoughts below!
Still need a little more New Year celebrating? Haven’t had your fill of fireworks?
Here you go!
The Best Gifts
Dear Santa:
Just a little message
it’s the same one every year
I do not yearn for presents
as Christmas Day draws near
what I wish for yuletide
is not inside your sack
I have been blessed already
there’s nothing that I lack
because on Christmas morning
 when we gather ’round the tree
to see these little faces
is the only gift I need.
I’m taking a short break from blogging until after the New Year.
Wishing one and all a happy and healthy Holiday season!
Further Reading from Jennifer’s Journal:
Christmas Renewed
Blogger Bouquet #32
Selfies and the people who take a lot of them often get a bad rap. Here is a refreshingly different perspective on the topic from a blog called The Belle Jar :
An Open Letter To All Of My Friends Who Take Selfies
Comments are closed here but you can share a comment on the blogger’s page.
Man of a Thousand Songs
A Newfoundland legend has passed.
Ron Hynes lost his battle with cancer yesterday, but the St. John’s native and the “man of a thousand songs” will be remembered in this province as one of our best and most talented singer-songwriters.
I’ve loved Ron’s music ever since he performed as front man with the Wonderful Grand Band on a local early-80’s TV show. But when I saw him sing and play at the Fat Cat on George Street one night in the early nineties, I knew he would be an enduring musical storyteller and an artistic treasure.
Sonny’s Dream, his most famous song internationally, has been recorded by many artists such as Valdy and Emmy Lou Harris. Have a listen:
As much as I love that song, the following is perhaps my personal favourite. The lyrics alone, in my opinion, elevate its author Ron to the deserving title of our finest wordsmith and poet.
St. John’s Waltz
by Ron Hynes
Oh the harbour lights are gleaming
And the evening’s still and dark
And the seagulls are all dreaming
Seagull dreams on Amherst Rock
And the mist is slowly drifting
As the storefront lights go dim
And the moon is gently lifting
As the last ship’s coming in
All the sailors got a story
Some are true, some are false
But they’re always wrecked
and they’re up on the deck
Dancin’ the St. John’s Waltz
Jennifer’s Journal
Oh we’ve had out share of history
We’ve seen nations come and go
We’ve seen battles rage over land and stage
Four hundred years and more
For glory or for freedom
For country or for king
Or for money or fame but there are no names
On the graves where men lie sleeping
All the nine to fives survive the day
With a sigh and a dose of salts
And they’re parkin’ their cars and packin’ the bars
Dancin’ the St. John’s Waltz
Oh my heart is on the highway
And I’m sold on goin’ to sea
All the planes fill the skyway
The trains run swift and free
So leave the wayward free to wander
Leave the restless free to roam
If it’s rocks in the bay or it’s old cliche
You’ll find your way back home
So don’t question or inquire
What’s been gained, what’s been lost
In a world of romance don’t miss out on the chance
To be Dancin’ the St. John’s Waltz
Rest in peace, Mr. Hynes.
Your music will continue to live on through our playlists and in our hearts.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ron-hynes-death-reaction-1.3327456
A Simple Life
I love this little story because it embodies my outlook on how we need to enjoy life today. Success doesn’t have to be a future, “pie-in-the-sky” notion of something to strive for or wait for, but what we love and cherish about our lives in the present.
A Simple Life
A businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while.
The businessman then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos; I have a full and busy life, señor.”
The businessman scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?” To which the businessman replied, “15-20 years.” “But what then, señor?” The businessman laughed and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.” “Millions, señor? Then what?” The businessman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?”
– Author Unknown
What is your idea of success?
Do you believe you will only find happiness after all your goals are reached?
Or are you happy with what you have right now?
Friday Bouquet #30
Happy Friday, everyone! And Happy Thanksgiving Day weekend to all my fellow Canadians. 🙂
Before I share today’s Bouquet recipient, I wanted to let you know of a small modification to this regular feature from Jennifer’s Journal.
The name of the feature will change from Friday Bouquet to Blogger Bouquet because after today it will not be limited to Fridays. Instead, Bouquet posts will appear on any day of the week and whenever I am moved in some way to highlight a fellow blogger.
Now on to the bouquet toss!
Lois from on pets and prisoners is one of my favourite bloggers. She loves animals and owns three cats, has fun with photography, and for years has done volunteer work with prisoners.
In Lois’s own words:
So what do pets and prisoners have in common? In my life–plenty. Both hold a special place in my heart.
By day, I feed my pets and the strays at work. At night, I feed the souls of the prisoners I sponsor through Gavel Club–a Toastmasters affiliate.
All my animals are special. Those I have, those I had, and those I hope to have.
The prisoners–for me, they are the special ones. They were, at one time, someone’s father, brother, son, uncle–even grandfather. They have heart; they have soul. We have fun.”
~ excerpt from plenty for everyone
The following post has been highlighted because it will give you an idea of what Lois brings to these inmates’ lives.
I have disabled comments here in the hope you will comment on Lois’s blog.
If you do, please tell her Jennifer sent you. 🙂
Jennifer's Journal 