Wednesday, October 31, 2018

CLOSE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Well, this is the last writing prompt of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes challenge.

Whew!  It was CLOSE, but I made it!

I'm afraid I wasn't very good at writing daily, so my posts came in bursts instead of a nice even flow.  Oh well.  I did the best I could with what I had.  Some of the writing prompts kind of flummoxed me to begin with, but I was able to do something with most of them - not all, though!

So here I am at the end of the challenge.  I suppose you believe you'll be getting a break now, right?  Well, maybe.

Tomorrow starts NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), so I'll be writing like a fiend, trying to get my 50,000 words written before December 1.  Because I won't be working on a novel (I'm a Rebel - that's the official NaNoWriMo label for someone who's not writing a novel), I'm sure a lot of what spews from my fevered brain will end up here.

You lucky people.

So I'll CLOSE for now!

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This post is part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "CLOSE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

VOICE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

A friend of mine commented on one of my early posts and said the writing sounded like me - she could hear me talking.  I have a VOICE!

I'm in the middle of reading The Art of X-Ray Reading by Roy Peter Clark.  The subtitle is How the Secrets of 25 Great Works of Literature Will Improve Your Writing.

Wow!  I feel like I've never really READ a book, and I read a LOT.  Since January 1 of this year, I've already finished ninety-four.  Not all (well, hardly any) qualify as Great Works of Literature, but of course not all books aspire to be.

Anyway, in one section of the book, Clark talks about an author's "diction," which, as he used the term, he obviously meant "voice" - the words and phraseology an author uses in writing, which are influenced by geography, economic condition, education, occupation, religion, age, and time in history.  Compare two authors' work side by side, and you can tell who is who because each has his own distinct voice.

I've just finished a section heavy with Shakespeare, and Clark points out where the important words fall in a couple of sonnets.  Fascinating.  Lots to ponder.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "VOICE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

TOGETHER (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Yet another song!

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we'll be!
For your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we'll be!

How did you find the friends you have?

Some are from work, some are from school, some are from church, but I know a lot of mine came from other friends, including That Man.  My first friend in Indiana (we go all the back to fourth grade!) introduced us.

How do you keep your friends?  The best way to stay connected is to get together, of course, just like in the song.  The friends I feel closest to are the ones I make the effort to talk to on a regular basis.  We have lunch or dinner, see a movie, go shopping or sightseeing.  It doesn't matter what we do, as long as we're together, together, together!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "TOGETHER."  For more information on the challenge click here.

SONG (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

You've probably noticed how often these writing prompts remind me of songs.

Music and singing have been one of the constants in my life.  There are the hymns in church.  My family always sang in the church choir, and I still do.  Dad also sang in men's groups, including the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Chorus, and sang solos.  All three of us sisters had piano lessons.  Two of us took violin lessons.  At home, Mom played the radio all day.  I play handbells in church.  My grandfather used to sing Gay Nineties songs to us that his father sang to him.  I sing oldies in the car (at top volume!).

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
(Psalm 104:33 NIV)

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "SONG."  For more information on the challenge click here.

WHOLE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Wow.  Whole.  

The first thing I think of is whole wheat!  That may be because I'm kind of into bread right now.  I've been playing with bread recipes and making sourdough starter.

But what else does "whole" mean?  I found some synonyms:  intact, unbroken, undamaged, unmarked, perfect, flawless. 

As for God, his way is perfect:  The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
          (Psalm 18:30)

My all-time favorite hymn:  Ein Feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress)

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
The body they may kill:  God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
          - Martin Luther (ca. 1529)

The hymn was inspired by Psalm 46:

1  God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea
          (Psalm 46, NIV)

Kind of a stream of consciousness, isn't it?  But that's what the word "whole" brought to mind!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "WHOLE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Monday, October 29, 2018

MOMENT (A Five-Minute Friday Post)

Before I get started on today's word, please, please, PLEASE forgive me for changing the comments settings so they now require a word recognition box before a comment can be submitted.  I've been getting a LOT of robot and spam messages as comments, so I felt I had to take that step, and I hate it.  I know it can be kind of off-putting to type in those silly words, but it is what it is - UGH.  I apologize.

Here we go!

Can we all just take a moment?

Relax?

Wind down?

Loosen up?

Calm down?

Unbend?

Simmer down?

Collect ourselves?

It only takes a moment to stop and take a short break.  Sometimes that's all that's required.  Just a little time away.  Get up, get out, and take a walk.  

Or lie down and take a nap.  When was the last time you took a nap?  

I took a solo vacation to Cocoa Beach (one of my favorite places).  I had been at the beach all morning, had a great lunch, and now it was mid-afternoon, and I was TIRED.  I sighed and thought, "Oh, I wish I could take a nap!"

Suddenly, a light switched on in my brain.  DUH!  Why NOT?  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  Nobody was going to stop me.  I wasn't at work - I was ON VACATION.  I could DO WHAT I WANTED.  I COULD take a nap!

So I did.

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This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "MOMENT."  For more information on Five-Minute Friday, click here.

CAPTURE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Oh boy.  How do you capture ideas for writing?

Sometimes it's like herding cats, especially when a whole bunch of ideas stampedes through my brain!  I write them down as fast as I can, but they slip through my fingers like sand.  UGH.  At least I'm usually able to keep hold of a few.

Sometimes, I can't find them at all.  That's when I set the timer and just start writing about anything, or nothing, or how I can't conjure up anything to write.

The 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes has been helpful.  Just grab a word and see what pops into your brain.  After October ends, I think I'll come up with my own list of words, and then write down ideas as fast as I can!

Maybe I'll be able to capture a few.

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This post is part of the 31-Days of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "CAPTURE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

BRIEF (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Today's word is BRIEF.

I was talking to one of my writing friends about today's word, and I told her that when I hear the word "brief," a dumb saying always pops into my head:

          "Old lawyers never die, they just lose their briefs!"

Yeah, I know.  Pretty bad.

But it's good to KISS - Keep It Short and Sweet.

Great advice, especially for a blog.  Nobody wants to spend a long time reading a blog post.  The five-minute free writing challenge is great for keeping things a manageable length.  I have to admit that five minutes goes awfully fast, but it forces me to stay on task, focus, think, and make quick decisions.  No dilly-dallying!

And now my time is up.  This was definitely brief!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "BRIEF."  For more information on the challenge click here.

COMMON (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Common sense isn't all that common.

I'm sure you've heard that one before! 

The same applies to common courtesy.

Look around you.  People act like they have no common sense or common courtesy.  They run red lights then get mad if you honk your horn.  You pull out of a side street with plenty of time and space, and the car coming way down the street speeds way up, gets on your bumper, and the driver lays on the horn.  Some nut in a car zooms around you on the interstate, then cuts in front of you and then crosses two lanes of traffic to get to the exit.  A car zooms around you on the street, races up to the next intersection and has to stop at a red light, while you come to a calm halt right behind him.  What is all that about?

Hmmmmm...  All those examples have to do with cars.  What is it about getting into a car that turns normally smart, polite people into crazies?  Do they think nobody can see them?  Do they lose their identities and become one with the machine?

It's a common problem.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "COMMON."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

HELP (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Help!  I need somebody,
Help!  Not just anybody,
Help!  You know I need someone.

Help!

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

And now my life has changed in oh, so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure, 

I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

     --The Beatles (Lennon-McCartney)


Today's word is HELP, and it's kind of a continuation of the earlier posts for ASK and START.  I wrote how some commenters have asked me how to start blogging.

To get help, you have to ask.  And it's hard.  As in The Beatles song above, when you're young, you often feel like you don't need anyone, and your independence is the most important thing there is.  That's just part of separating from your parents, and it's a normal part of becoming an adult - sort of.

A REAL adult realizes that it's okay to be independent, but there are times when you're going to need help.  There are people in your life who will be happy to help if you just express that need.  

For example, in January, I'm having knee replacement surgery, and I'm going to be less mobile for several weeks.  My church's women's organization is having an event in February, and I said I didn't know whether I'd be allowed to drive by then, and so wasn't sure I'd be able to attend.  The ladies in my group all jumped in and said they'd make sure I'd be able to get there.  Someone will drive me if I can't drive myself.  Now, stupid me, I never even thought of that possibility!  DUH!  

Apparently, I'm still learning myself.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "HELP."  For more information on the challenge click here.

START (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

I've recently had a couple of commenters on my blog ask how I got my blog set up and how I started writing.  ME!  People are asking ME for advice! 

I am FAR from an expert, but here's how I got started.

For years (well, decades, actually), I journaled and wrote (and wrote, and wrote, and wrote) in spiral notebooks.  About anything.  About everything.  Whatever I was thinking about at the time.  Sometimes about nothing, really.  But for me, the physical feeling of putting pen to paper is soothing. 

And I read (and read, and read, read).  All kinds of stuff.  Novels, poetry, magazines, newspapers, biographies, memoirs, sci-fi, fantasy, history.  Anything.  Everything (well, almost - I do have limits).

Then I heard about blogs.  What a concept!

So I read about them a little, chose a platform (Blogger, obviously!), and just started with the basics.  I came up with a name, chose a page design from the standard ones provided, and started writing posts about any old thing.  Just like my journals.  When I wanted to do something new, I look under Help or Google it.  I didn't learn how to schedule posts until earlier this year - DUH!

But if you want to get started, just jump in and START!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "START."  For more information on the challenge click here.

WHO (A Five-Minute Friday Post)

Who do you think you are?

I'm a lot of things. Here's a partial list:
  • girl
  • once-divorced
  • woman
  • wife
  • mother
  • daughter
  • sister
  • aunt
  • great-aunt
  • niece
  • great-niece
  • cousin
  • grandmother (ACK!)
  • half-marathoner
  • skier
  • hiker
  • backpacker
  • bicyclist
  • sailor
  • military brat (actually, an Air Force fledgling)
  • Christian
  • Girl Scout leader
  • Boy Scout leader
  • United Methodist Women's Circle member
  • chemist
  • mathematician
  • geology fan
  • knitter
  • crocheter
  • astronomy fan
  • painter
  • chicken caretaker
  • pathological reader
  • baker
  • cook
  • pianist
  • choir member (second alto - a.k.a. lady bass)
  • handbell ringer
  • seamstress
  • writer
  • blogger
  • Distinguished Expert marksman
  • drag racing groupie
  • noob quilter
  • crazy cat lady
  • zombie hunter
  • science geek deluxe
Yeah, I'm quite a mixed bag of roles.

Everyone is a mix of many identities.  What's yours?

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This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "WHO."  For more information on Five-Minute Friday, click here.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

AUDIENCE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

How willing are you go get up in front of an audience? 

Most people rank public speaking right up there along with death as one of their greatest fears.  Me too!  Getting up in front of a group of people and speak petrifies me, although I've done it, and I'm much better than I used to be, thanks to my job.  Not that I did it a lot, but there were times I had to get up in front of a roomful of people and give a talk, answer random questions, teach a concept, or speak extemporaneously.  I was never really comfortable with those scenarios.

However, give me a role in a play...

I was in several productions in high school and a couple in college.  Give me a script and a character, and I'm fine!  After all, it's not ME up there, it's the character.  I don't have to come up with what to say because the words have been provided for me.  I don't have to figure out where to go because all my moves were choreographed during blocking.  Because of the lights, I couldn't see the audience beyond the first row or two of the center section, so I didn't have to look at all those eyes watching me.

Find your audience!  All the world's a stage!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "AUDIENCE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

SEARCH (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Although the word "search" doesn't actually appear in the lyrics, it makes me remember the old John Denver song, Looking for Space:

On the road of experience, I'm trying to find my own way.
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away.
When I think that I'm moving, suddenly things stand still.
I'm afraid cause I think they always will.
And I'm looking for space and to find out who I am, 

And I'm looking to know and understand.
It's a sweet, sweet dream, sometimes I'm almost there.
Sometimes I fly like an eagle and sometimes I'm deep in despair.


All alone in the universe, sometimes that's how it seems.
I get lost in the sadness and the screams.
Then I look in the center, suddenly everything's clear.
I find myself in the sunshine and my dreams
And I'm looking for space and to find out who I am, 
And I'm looking to know and understand.
It's a sweet, sweet dream, sometimes I'm almost there.
Sometimes I fly like an eagle and sometimes I'm deep in despair.


On the road of experience, join in the living day.
If there's an answer it's just that it's just that way,
When you're looking for space and to find out who you are.
When you're looking to try and reach the stars.
It's a sweet, sweet dream, sometimes I'm almost there.
Sometimes I fly like an eagle and sometimes I'm deep in despair.


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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "SEARCH."  For more information on the challenge click here.

PAUSE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Another tough one!  What can I say about "pause?"

It does remind me of the old Coke slogan, "The pause that refreshes!"

A pause from work refreshes you mentally and/or physically.  A pause allows you to gather your thoughts.  You can pause your DVD player to make a snack.

A pause allows you to breathe, to pay attention, to rest, to be aware.

That's it!  I'm hitting PAUSE.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "PAUSE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

PRAY (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

I came across a Christian comedian's routine recently, and at one point, he talked about his wife putting the kids to bed and helping them say their prayers.  His take on it absolutely nailed what I've heard from a LOT of my female church friends when they pray.  (Note:  Not my MALE church friends, however.)

"God, we just want to praise you and just thank you for all our blessings.  We just want to lift up (somebody's name) and just ask for your help with ____..." and on and on and on, until you think you're going to either go insane/crazy/postal or fall asleep listening to these interminable, namby-pamby so-called prayers.

Why do we pray the way we do?  I mean, I do it, too!  Where did it come from?  I understand it's partly from being put on the spot and filling up time while you think of something to say, but what is it with all the "want to's" and "justs" and "lifting ups???"  Where did we learn it?  What happened to "um" and "well," like we got dinged for in speech class?  Sometimes it drives me crazy.

If you want to praise Him, DO IT!  If you want to thank him, DO IT!  If you want to ask for help or guidance, DO IT!

Look in Psalms!  How did David pray?  He said, "I praise, you, O God!"  He said, "They're being mean to me!  Strike down my enemies!"  He didn't mince and tiptoe around; he said what he meant and got it over with. 

If you're going to pray, don't waste God's time - PRAY!  And do it with confidence!  Didn't Jesus say, "When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6:7-8, NIV)

Then Jesus gives us the Lord's Prayer as blueprint for effective prayer.  He starts with praise, says let things go the way You intend, make sure we have what we need to live, forgive our sins, help us forgive others, keep us out of trouble, more praise, then Amen. 

No fillers, no flounces, no unnecessary STUFF.

Just PRAY, for God's sake!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "PRAY."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Saturday, October 20, 2018

WHEN (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Life is full of "when's."

When is my birthday?  How long until Christmas?

When will I grow up?  (Now there's an interesting question!  I'm still wondering...)

When will we get there?  Are we there yet?

When can I date?  When can I drive?

When do I apply for college?  When will I graduate?

When will I get a decent job?  When can I afford to move out on my own?

When should I get married?  When should I have kids?  When can I buy a house?

When will these kids grow up?  When will they learn?  When will they get out of the house?

When should I retire?  When will I be able to retire?

Why are we in such a hurry to get from one stage to another?

When will we learn?

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "WHEN."  For more information on the challenge click here.

ASK (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Do you have trouble asking?  I know I've struggled with this, but I'm better than I was - yay me!

I had trouble asking questions in school.  I hated speaking in class for any reason, and asking questions was embarrassing.  I didn't do well asking for help, either.  The Boy refused to ask for help
from his teachers and professors until it was too late.  Poor guy is like me.  The Girl, however, asked for help as soon as she started to have trouble.  She must have gotten it from That Man. 


I even had trouble asking for things I wanted when I was younger.  I remember my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday my freshman year in college.  I know what I wanted was a stereo system for my dorm room.  I don't remember what I said I wanted, but Mom asked, "Don't you want a stereo?"  (Pay attention, kids - see how smart parents really are?)  I said yeah, but I didn't think they'd buy me one. 

Well, the old folks came through and got me the stereo (with a turntable, AM/FM receiver, an 8-track tape player, and big ol' Koss headphones - so groovy, ha ha!).

Ask, and ye shall receive.  Have a look at Matthew 7:7-11.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "ASK."  For more information on the challenge click here.

TALK (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Do you wonder how much of our talk is worthwhile?  I do.  I sometimes listen to the things that come out of my mouth and just cringe.  Did I really just say something so pedestrian?

So many of our interactions are done by rote.  I say, "How are you?"  and you say, "Fine," even if you're not.  Of course, we don't REALLY want to know most of the time, right?  It's just part of greeting someone you know. 

But as human beings, we need deeper connections.  Wouldn't it be horrible if all our conversations were as inane as "How are you?" and "Fine?" 

It seems it's getting more and more that way.  So many people are offended by so many things, and they get so angry too, it's uncomfortable to talk about anything meaningful. We need to be able to talk about things that really matter to us, and we all need to be open to listening, even if we don't like what we hear.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "TALK."  For more information on the challenge click here.

PRAISE (A Five-Minute Friday Post)

I'm playing catch-up here.  This is the Five Minute Friday prompt from a week ago.

What do you think of praise?  It's generally a good thing.  Until it's not.

Growing up, I was praised for the things I accomplished - learning to ride a bike, earning good grades, being chosen to act in plays, being accepted into college, making it down the ski slope without killing myself.

Likewise, if I messed up, I heard about it.  A lot.  I got spanked (gasp!).  I got grounded.  Not often, though, because I was a pretty boring kid who behaved most of the time.

My poor kids got raised the same way.  You do something good, you get praised.  You mess up, you get something else!  They grew up understanding that they weren't the best ever at everything, but that they could be excellent at some things.

They grew up in the middle of the artificial self-esteem craziness.  I do believe kids need praise for trying their best because it takes guts to try something even if it goes badly, but so many kids got the message that everything they did was excellent, even when it wasn't, then were upset when they got into the workforce and found out their employers didn't think they were the greatest things to grace the planet.

The result - a lot of confused, unhappy young adults.

Praise is great, when appropriate.  But unearned, it's meaningless.

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This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "PRAISE."  For more information on Five-Minute Friday, click here.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

DOOR (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Another tough one.  UGH.  Well, here goes...

I've been trying to open more friendship doors lately.  I've never been that good at initiating friendships, but I'm working at being more open to the opportunities that present themselves.

I belong to a couple of MeetUp groups - one is a weekly knitting/crocheting get-together, and the other is a dinner group.  I belong to a group that tries to follow FlyLady's system to keep our homes in some semblance of order.  A friend from that group introduced me to a weekly writer's group, and two monthly knitting/crocheting groups.  There's a monthly dinner with people I used to work with and a group of ladies I shoot with twice a month.  I make an effort to have lunch with different people.

I'm making an effort to keep the door open to friendships with people I otherwise may have let go from laziness or fear of seeming pushy.  I mean, who cares if some people think you're pushy?  If they do, then you can let them go without dwelling on it; it wasn't' meant to be.

The important thing is to keep that door open so you don't miss out on deeper relationships.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "DOOR."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Monday, October 15, 2018

HOW (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Here's another tough one!

HOW can I write for five minutes about "HOW?"  Hmmmm...

I don't know.

This reminds me of something I read recently.  The article (don't ask me where I read it or who wrote it - I can't remember!) talked about the difference between being successful and moving forward and failing and being stuck.  Its premise was that people who get stuck when they come up against roadblocks and discouragement say, "I can't ____," while people who are able to move forward under similar circumstances say, "How can I ____?"

So HOW is a liberating, progressive, forward-thinking word that can help us avoid the "poor me" victim mentality, get up off our behinds, and figure it out!

What a concept!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "HOW."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

INSPIRE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

"Inspire" - wow.  That's a hard one!

Typically, you think of "inspire" as to motivate or influence someone, arouse an emotion, or cause a burst of creativity.  I was inspired to write about the word "inspire" by today's writing prompt.  It wasn't a terribly inspiring prompt to me, so instead, it inspired dread.

"Inspire" also means to breathe.  Which I needed to do to settle down and get started writing about "inspire."   HA!

However, here in Indiana, there's a completely different INSPIRE.  It's a service of the Indiana State Library.  You can find journal articles, news, and educational resources.  You can learn a foreign language by accessing the first level of Rosetta Stone.  You can read Consumer Reports.  You can read current news or view historic Indiana newspapers.  There's genealogy information, job search help, digitized manuscripts, photos, and books.  All for FREE, from the comfort of your own home.

I'm starting to get inspired!  Excited!

I may need to take a minute and breathe.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "INSPIRE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

COMFORT (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

What's more comforting than lying in your warm bed under a bunch of blankets when it's cold outside your cocoon?  I've always loved the feeling of a pile of heavy blankets pinning me down in bed.  One of my parents' friends gave them an entire sheep's fleece as a wedding present.  They had it made into a comforter, which, decades later, I confiscated and used on my bed.  It was HEAVY, but oh, so comforting.  Who in his right mind would want to be able to move?  So soothing, all that weight.  It makes it easy to fall asleep.  I've "known" that for forever, but kind of thought it was just me. 

Turns out I'm not alone.

I've been hearing a lot recently about weighted blankets - mainly about how to make your own - but never understood what they were for. 

So, of course, I googled it!

Weighted blankets are used as occupational therapy for kids and adults with sensory disorders, anxiety, stress, and issues related to autism and ADHD.  One blanket company website lists over thirty disorders or diseases with symptoms that may be helped by deep pressure touch stimulation (the same idea as swaddling!) from PTSD to Alzheimer's to panic attacks to menopause.  Basically, a weighted blanket gives you a whole body hug.

An article in Forbes states weighted blankets may help others sleep more soundly, waking up happier and more focused.  Sounds like something we all could use.

Fascinating! 

And comforting.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "COMFORT."  For more information on the challenge click here.

HOPE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

This is one of my favorite hymns:

 "My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus'  blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name."

Refrain:
"On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand."

"When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil"

Refrain

"His oath, his covenant, his blood
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay."

Refrain

"When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!"

Refrain

That Girl has recently found a new church to attend, and after her first service there, she told me they sang this really great hymn and she couldn't stop thinking about it.  Guess which hymn?

Maybe it's the sailor in me, but I like the concrete images of the rock, the sand, the storm, the flood, and the anchor holding through it all.  It makes me think about the devastation caused by hurricanes Florence and Michael. 

What better metaphor for the storms of life, both spiritual and physical? 

What better illustration of hope?

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "HOPE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

BELONG (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Everyone needs to belong.  That's how civilization began - people banding together to help the group.  If you didn't belong, it was difficult to survive.  Even introverts like me want to belong, but sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get to that point.

When I was in high school, I joined extracurricular clubs.  I  joined, but I didn't necessarily feel like I belonged.  Oh, I belonged in the nerdy ones - like Spanish club, but in the clubs that the "in" crowd belonged to, I felt, well, shoved aside. 

Adulting is a massive improvement!  I belong to several groups - church choir, knitting, dinner out, crocheting, shooting, volunteering.  Belonging - what a concept!  I guess it's just a matter of finding your niche and your peeps.  YAY adulting!!!

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was for Five Minute Friday, "BELONG."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

WHY (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Why?  Why me?  That's the typical reaction many people have when life starts handing them lemons.

I spent the beginning of the year fighting plantar fasciitis.  I could hardly walk, but I worked it out.  Now I'm dealing with my traitorous knee.  I got a cortisone injection yesterday, so it's feeling a lot better, but I'm facing knee replacement surgery in January.  Oh my.  No more running.  No more downhill skiing.  That's going to take a major mental adjustment, because those things are part of my identity.  I'll have to think about myself differently.  Why me?

But, because of these lemons life handed me this year, I haven't been able to walk naturally or ride my bike comfortably.  I've only gone sailing once this summer because I haven't been able to trust my knee, and hence, my balance.  Those are all part of my identity, too.  Once I get past the surgery and recovery, they'll be mine again!  So YAY me!

So, why me?  Well, why NOT me?  I'm nobody special.  We all have our challenges, and these are mine right now, and I'll get through it.  What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "WHY."  For more information on the challenge click here.

BELIEVE (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

Last week was my birthday.  I turned sixty-two.  SIXTY-TWO!!!  I mean, I find it really really REALLY hard to believe.  What happened?  How did I get here?  I still feel about twenty-six inside, but then I look in the mirror and wonder what crazy old lady broke into the house.

I just can't believe it.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "BELIEVE."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

AFRAID (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

What am I afraid of?  I've been afraid of lots of different things through the years, but right now, I'm afraid of my right knee.

My right knee has decided to rebel.  It doesn't want to do its job - holding me up!  It's been giving me fits off and on for several months, but it always improved quickly.  Not this time.  It had been giving me twinges a few weeks ago, so I was careful about how I stood up from a picnic table.  I had gotten up a couple of times with no problem, but the third time, when I started to put my weight on my right foot, my knee betrayed me.  I could barely stand.

It has gotten a little better since then, but mainly because I've changed how I walk.  Normally when you walk, your knee flexes a little as you lift your foot off the ground, then extends as you step forward and shift your weight to that foot.  I can't do that without pain.  I've discovered that I in order to walk, I now have to pretend I don't even have a knee.  I keep it straight, and swing it forward like a piece of wood.

As long as I don't flex my knee before I step forward, I can walk, but it's slow going, and really awkward.  Since that day at the picnic table, I don't trust my knee, and I'm afraid to do a lot of the things I usually love to do - hiking, running, bicycling, sailing.  I'm afraid to walk on uneven ground.  If it's not paved, I'm not walking on it!  I use a cane ascending and descending stairs.  Suddenly, I'm walking like an OLD person!

Tomorrow I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.  I'm afraid I'm headed for a knee replacement.

So, yeah, I'm afraid.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "AFRAID."  For more information on the challenge click here.

Monday, October 1, 2018

STORY (A 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Post)

I have a vacation story.  I just got back from a vacation with my sister.  We had planned to go to the Outer Banks, but because of hurricane Florence, we headed in the opposite direction and traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks instead!

The lake is a reservoir behind a hydroelectric dam, just like Hoover Dam, but on a smaller scale.  We started reminiscing about a road trip taken with our parents, many, many, MANY years ago.  As we approached Hoover Dam, our mom started making silly remarks - "There's the damn dam!"  "That's a dam sight!"  To make it even funnier to us, poor Dad kept saying, "Mama, don't talk like that!"  I was young enough that I didn't get what was so hilarious, other than she kept saying DAM.

So we started.  "Look!  There's the damn dam!  That's a dam sight!"  We got to giggling, and it just got worse, especially when we started seeing THE SIGNS.

We saw the Dam Sno-Cone stand and the Dam Candy Store.  We visited the Dam Strip, the Dam Museum, and the Dam Overlook.  Every time we saw, or somebody said, the word "dam," we dissolved into uncontrollable giggles.

It's probably not the most uplifting story, but we remembered Mom, and enjoyed sharing that story and our memories of her crazy sense of humor.

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This post is part of the 31-Day of Five Minute Free Writes challenge link-up.  Today's writing prompt was "RAIN."  For more information on the challenge click here.