Morning Glory Studio

ode to seth & nablopomo...

 

 

    Seth Godin, prolific author - 18 titles -  and blogger advises and encourages people to do two things daily:

1. read more blogs and
2. blog everyday

In his own words:

    "Other than writing a daily blog (a practice that's free, and priceless), reading more blogs is one of the best ways to become smarter, more effective and more engaged in what's going on. The last great online bargain."

Seth has been blogging since January 2002! All things considered, as of January 1, 2017, that will be  (hopefully my math is correct) fourteen years! 5,113 days of blogging!

So, not to be eclipsed, I decided to tally my NaBloPoMo (National Blogging Posting Month) track record: I blogged daily for a total of ...

1. 9,113 words...
2. my longest post - 693 words, November 6...
3. the shortest - November 19, 74 words, bringing my daily average to...
4. 303 words.

I have learned a lot from this experience, not only from my own writing but moreso from friends and blog readers who have commented on a particular post or all and to my friends who too have  participated in NaBloPoMo.  Though not my first foray into daily blogging, I can honestly say this year's experience has been the best, made by you, the reader. 

I sincerely hope that these posts have contributed to making:

• a) Your day a better one (and  to quote Seth)
• b) "You:  smarter, more effective and more engaged."

I know that your participation on this blog has certainly widened my horizons and experiences. So thank you very much for being here... yesterday, today and tomorrow. Yes, I plan to continue blogging daily!  See you in December! Hey - that's tomorrow!

Cheers~

 

breakfast @ IKEA...

 

 

A page from my journal:

Tuesday 29 November                 57 degrees F         il pleut       

10:54 am: 

QUIET in IKEA today; perhaps it's the rain. I had a 9 AM doctor's appointment and thought I'd treat myself to breakfast at IKEA, afterwards...having their Swedish breakfast: scrambled egg; Swedish pancake with lingonberry sauce; cubed potato hash browns and two small sausage links. Pretty good for $2.23, coffee included.

Everywhere I look, people are connected: smartphones; laptops; iPads. Others are knitting or beading - I can't quite tell which; a couple people are reading; an IKEA employee is giving the table and chairs a very thorough cleaning. The couple behind me is making dinner reservations at some restaurant for December 22, party of 8 ~ they seem to be running into a problem...We range in age from 6 months to 70s+, I'm guessing...

Rain drops fall, softly; overhead, birds fly above us, pausing to stop and rest in the rafters; occasionally one lands on the floor, looking for a crumb... or two or three. I'm seated by a window and note that the parking lot is filling up ...and I see my car: Row E. T'is a good thing 'cause I didn't pay attention to where I parked...Christmas music playing in the background; still a little color in the trees...

11: 15 am

So much I need to do - guess I'll get a move on...

 

Cheers~

 

PS. On my way home, I stopped at the shop that intrigued me...only open Wed - Sat; another day!

six minute diary | 28 nov 2016

 

 

       DID:                                       

1. Attended weekly quilting association meeting...
2. Nearly finished stitching the last bird on the Flower Garden border...
3. Purchased an interesting birthday gift for a friend...
4. Stopped at Starbucks twice for my fave. drink: tea with 1 1/2 pumps of pumpkin spice syrup...
5. Lunched with several quilters at La Madeleine Restaurant...
6. Shopped at my LYS for a lovely skein of yarn for the Peace Project...
7. Stopped at grocery store for bananas; got gas.

 

   SAW:

1. Sunrise...
2. Beautiful baskets made by some of the quilters...
3. A new antiques store (NTS: stop by tomorrow after my doctor's appointment)...
4. Lovely cut flowers in an array of colors at the grocery store...
5. A knitter wearing cool stars and stripes tennis shoes and carrying a matching bag...
6. Lovely skeins of yarn...
7. Sun setting.

   

HEARD:

        "I even went online and read all the advice I could find about how to handle conversations about the election at Thanksgiving  gatherings..." (This statement was made by a woman at the table next to ours at lunchtime.)

 

DRAW: 

        This s a quick - maybe 3 min- rendition of a new mantle decoration I bought today at my quilt group's annual craft show; several members also sell their wares at area craft shows...trust me, the real article looks a 1000 times better!

 

My 11/25 post introduced Lynda Barry's "6 Minutes Diary." Her book Syllabus is an actual reproduction of the notes, drawings, and syllabi she kept during her first three years of teaching in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Art Department. Pages 60-65 provide  more in-depth information and examples of this process. The book is fascinating and not a "quick read," by any stretch of the imagination. I thought it might be fun to try the exercise...I think it would be far more interesting had I actually written the diary page longhand, rather than type. Anyway, I'm going to plan to do this at least once a week for a while...It is fun.

 

Cheers~

 

naptime...

 

(a summer sunset)

 

            Every morning, I read  Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance daily entry. Today, Sarah suggests that what every woman wants is a nap. I'd argue that for me, not so. I. am.just.not. a. nap.taker -rarely will I lie down, let alone get under the covers for an afternoon nap. When and if I have, it's been because I am sick...and that's rare, too.

About 3 PM, especially on good weather days, I much prefer to take a walk to Zeke's for coffee and a sit on the Avenue (aka US Route 1), listen to a podcast or music. If I'm out, a stop at Starbucks for tea  - both my journal and iPad are my constant companions. Some days I will take a longer than usual walk through the neighborhood to and through the park...and soon, I plan to add the library's new rooftop perch to my list of places to go. And if , for any number of reasons, I don't leave the house, I will sit in my chair with either a good book or my stitchin.' 

I know naps are restorative and come highly recommended. Right now I feel I  could take a nap - it's 7:10 pm and I've already been up 12+ hours.  Maybe I'll go downstairs, sit in my chair, watch the football game with Norman...and promptly fall asleep. No doubt he's aready napping...

Cheers~

on a saturday afternoon in november ...

        Early this afternoon, we had a bit of sunshine; I was lucky enough to capture the sun shining on the geranium as well as the reflection in the fireplace's glass door...

        I cooked the turkey! It's going to make a few meals plus a good soup...

     Eight new  books in my reading queue ...

    Norman must be getting into the holiday season; today was the second in a row that he had seasonal music on ...

        Of course, I had to "boogie" a bit to Bruce ...kinda hard to take a photo and wave my arms wildly to the beat!

And that's the way it was around here on a Saturday afternoon in November.

Cheers~

 

currently | another list or more...

 

 

 

    We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends; delicious food and great company. Today's been a very quiet day - neither of us has had much energy. In fact, Norman announced about 1 PM that he was going for a walk and then afterward, go back to bed (note: he didn't get up until about 10:30 am) - which he promptly did! ... 

Today, during MSQT, I continued my list of 100+ focus items - first draft. Next, I plan to review for duplicate thoughts and perhaps re-organize...

Today , of course, the madness of Black Friday sales began...not sure how the malls fared but my email box is filled...

Today, I created a mind-map style list for December activities and events and things to do, think about, etc, perhaps even solving whether or not I'll put up the tree this year. I  seem to be of several minds every year: Yes. No. Maybe... and I may have an idea...Next on the list is to try out my idea...

Today was the last Journal Club session til January 2017; this was a Friday afternoon weekly session I really enjoyed. I'm definitely planning on continuing and expanding the practice of an  hourly session on Friday afternoons, until we meet again...

 Today I tried another list-making method, devised by Lynda Barry. It's called a "6 Minutes Diary." Here's a video that walks one through using it. Try it; kinda fun...and different. I'm still racking my brain for a 7th "saw" item...

Today I made a list of things to do that I did not do...perhaps tomorrow...and so now, to this list I shall add that I too may call it an early evening tonight.

Cheers~

 

think write thursday | for this my heart is grateful ...

 

 

 

 

for this my heart is grateful: Health. 

    Mine, Norman's, my family's and my friends. One may have all the money and power in the world but without good health...as Sarah Ban Breathnach says on the eve of Black Friday and the advent of frenzied buying: "We can purchase the best medical treatment in the world, but good health is not for sale."  Simple Abundance, November 24 ...

for this my heart is grateful: Family and Friends.

    Some far, some near; some old, some new; ...all dear. Honestly, I can't envision life  without...

for this my heart is grateful: Food.

    The refrigerator is full with good, healthy food...including a few items to satisfy Norman's sweet tooth (and I must admit, I occasionally sneak a cookie  or a scoop of ice cream, too)...

for this my heart is grateful: Roof over our head. 

    We are comfortable, secure and the inside temperature is appropriate for the outside thermometer reading...

for this my heart is grateful: Flowers

    Those that grace the table and the hearth bringing colorful joy to even the greyest of days...

for this my heart is grateful: Wealth.

    Not in terms of all dollars and cents - no luxury cars (Norman's Benz is a 1989) and  both run (fingers crossed). We are comfortable. As Lorrie Marero, Clutter Diet owner says : "May you always be grateful for having more than enough."

for this my heart is grateful: Sound minds ... 

    Our brains are still making those connections and we can think, reason, make reasonable decisions on most days. Although I must admit, somedays I stop and ask: What was I thinking? ...

for this my heart is grateful: Memories, remembered and those, yet to be made ...

    I saw a little girl tentatively put money in one of the Salvation Army's red kettles and I was immediately transported back to my childhood and holiday seasons past throughout my life. The red kettle is for me and I'm sure others, synonymous with this season - as is the "turkey photo" that introduced this post. Do you remember making these with your hand in  elementary school? 

for this my heart is grateful: You...

    Thank you for joining me on this blog. Know that you are too a big part of the memories I treasure. May your Thanksgiving be filled with many special memories, too.

Cheers~

PS. Terri of Graphic Ventures is a dear friend and graphic artist. And be sure to visit Carole Knits for others' Thanksgiving gratitudes.

 

watercolor wednesday | this tree in November...

 

  

      Mornings,  I sit at the dining room table, watching this tree change with each passing season. After last weekend's tremendous winds, with gusts as high as 50 mph at times, I am surprised that this tree still has any leaves. I suppose the next cold rain coupled with high winds will finish the job. In the meantime, I shall continue to:

• watch the birds flit from one branch to another and
• the squirrels scamper up and down the limbs and
• see bigger patches of blue sky and
• more windows of the apartment building across the street reflecting the early morning sunrise and
• soon, before I know it, this tree will be barren...  

but only for the briefest moments in time for soon there will be tiny, barely discernible evidence of new buds on this tree.

Do you too have a window with a favorite view?

Cheers~

a list for tuesday...

 

 

This is what I did today, Tuesday 22 November 2016:

1. Started a list of things I want to focus on over this next year; so far I've listed 69 things...
2. Stitched another applique´piece on the Flower Garden border...
3. Registered for a new online class...
4. Made a quick run to the grocery store...
5. Donated money for a grocery sack of food...
6. Bought Norman a treat: two donuts with coconut icing...
7. Watched the President award Presidential Medals of Freedom ...
8. Read, answered emails and deleted a zillion "Black Friday" promos...
9. Took the first action on a new project that I've been gettin' roun tuit for several years; to be continued and revealed at a later date ...
10. Published this blog post! 

It's been a quiet day in these parts, tho' not on Wall Street, I understand: Dow hit 19000+ mark for the first time! Wonder who all got rich...certainly not me ;-)). I think I shall gather my stitching and head downstairs to watch the news and relax...and perhaps, have a glass of wine. Sounds like a plan to me!

How has your day been? 

Cheers~

some thoughts on list-making...

 

 

(starting a list @ Starbucks earlier today) 

        In exactly ten, 10 days, December 1 will be here! Are you ready? Does it matter? Even if you don't celebrate the Christmas holiday it's hard to not get caught up in the frenzy and excitement and planning, doing, creating, shopping, prepping ... already my mail boxes - both analog and digital are packed full daily with all sorts of buying and/or planning opportunities, not only for the holiday season but also 2017. And my calendar is filling up, rapidly. 

For the past nine years I have documented the season, drawing on yesterday's memories while in the process of making today's new ones. I plan to do so again this year.

In preparation for this year's season and the coming of 2017, I have been thinking about list-making. I don't think of myself as a list-maker, a lister -  although I do make lists, you know, the usual: grocery, errand, chores, tasks, tracking expenses and monthly bills, gifts, books to read, monthly goals, birthdays and other special events to remember, etc.  Mostly tho', I carry a lot of stuff around in my head. As David Allen of Getting Things Done says : " A list is equivalent to your external brain...Or, if I do write things down, I neglect to refer to the list nor am I consistent about where and how I keep my lists. Gotta change that...starting now!

On the web there are any number of websites, blogs, videos, etc with ideas, tips, suggestions, for making and using lists...lists are also great tools for celebrating the here-n-now. A site I found that has an extensive library of ideas, information and inspiration is lifehack.org. I found this article to have some useful tips and ideas... Earlier this year I wrote about the Daily Meeze app and I did use it...ran into a few technical problems so I stopped, mainly because I am definitely a paper and pen person. 

As we transition into December, I plan to spend the next few days this week thinking more about lists, listing and how I can most effectively use them. I'd appreciate your sharing your experiences and suggestions, too. 

Cheers~