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Monthly Archives: April 2013

Notice

16 Apr

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Notice: I am giving you fair warning that I am about to temporarily abandon my carefully planned weekly blogging schedule. My mom is coming to England for a two-week visit, and my priority will be spending as much time as possible with her, not locking myself in my office to curse the cursor taunting me from a blank screen. Since I’ve yet to master the art of the quick post (those 33-word Trifextra pieces take me hours), I am scaling back the writing while Mom is here. I will continue to post daily, and am committed to completing the April A to Z Blogging Challenge, but I see the next half-month’s postings being heavier on photographs than words. And since my goal when starting this blog in January was to practice my photography skills as well as my writing skills, I don’t feel like I’m letting myself down too much. Thanks for understanding, and I’ll be back on track the first week of May!

 

 
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Posted by on April 16, 2013 in Challenges, How It Is, On Writing, Photography, True Life

 

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Message?

15 Apr

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The 22° halo is not a rare phenomenon. It is simply an atmospheric optic caused by the sun’s rays glinting through the millions of ice crystals in wispy cirrostratus clouds three to five miles above the earth. These rainbow-colored halos can be seen circling the sun any time of the year in any region of the world. Or so the internet tells me.

I saw my first one seven years ago, the day after my dad died without warning at age 58.

Above all else, my dad wanted me to be happy. If he ever saw that I was down or troubled or upset, he’d tell me–beg me, really–to smile. I, in turn, never wanted my dad to be upset or disappointed or unhappy with me, so I always tried to put on a cheerful face when he asked. At the worst of times–when he held me as I cried over my grandmother’s death, in a comforting email he sent me during the horrific days after 9/11–Dad would tell me to smile and somehow I would find the strength to rein in my emotions and do as he asked. His request could not take away the pain from tragic events, but it did help to balance the overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger, and confusion by giving me a different focus. For above all else, I wanted my dad to be happy.

On April 16, 2006, driving back to my parents’ Maryland home after a quick trip to Virginia to pack some clothes, numb and nauseous as I tried once more to absorb the reality of the previous day’s news that my dad was gone, GONE, I saw a 22° halo as I neared the Potomac River. I had to pull the car over while I gave in to deep, keening, hiccup-inducing sobs, because I just knew that halo was my dad’s way of telling me that he was okay, that I would be okay–and that he was asking me once more to smile for him. I’ve never had to work harder to regain control or put on a brave face, but as the halo slowly faded, some of the knife-sharp despair started to drain away too. Dad’s final message was the only thing that helped me get through those first terrible days after his death, as well as the series of further trials and tragedies that seemed destined to bury me in the subsequent months.

The second time I saw a 22° halo, about six months ago while sitting in a friend’s back yard, I immediately sensed it was my dad just checking in. I watched the colors brighten as the sun sank behind a neighboring roof, and I realized what a comfort the echo of his ritual request has been in the years of his absence, even though his deep voice and warm hug no longer accompany it.

“I got your message, Dad,” I whispered. And I smiled.

 
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Posted by on April 15, 2013 in How It Is, How It Was, Memoirs, Monday Mix, True Life

 

Chit-Chat

14 Apr

101_3474Nearly halfway through the April A to Z Blogging Challenge, and since I’ve posted every day, I get Sunday off (with no assigned letter) for good behavior. Earlier this week, I came across a feature, called Sunday Night Chit-Chat, while surfing through some of the other April A to Z Challenge blog postings, and bookmarked it to use today. I found it on Allison’s site, Duct Tape Holds My World Together and Coffee Fuels My Soul…, and she links back to the original creator at My 1/2 Dozen Daily. Here’s the premise:

  1. Copy & paste the questions at the end of this post into a blog post or comment.
  2. Start your post with a photo, joke, quote, something from the past week.
  3. Come back and leave me a comment with a link to your post so I can see how your week compares to mine! 🙂

Seems like a simple, stress-free way to end a hectic week, so here goes…

What are you…

…reading?  Beach Music by Pat Conroy

…watching?  With the hubby, the newest seasons of Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol, and The Voice. When he’s at work, as incentive to do the ironing, I’m watching recorded episodes of my favorite British comedy/drama, Stella.

…listening to?  A bunch of old music…it’s time to update the iPod!

…cooking/baking?  Nothing fancy this week…just tried to use up leftovers before our long weekend getaway.

…happy you accomplished this week?  Got four blog postings drafted so they could be automatically published while I was away.

…looking forward to next week?  My mom is coming to England to visit on Thursday!

…thankful for today?  A Dutch stamp in my passport, thanks to a long weekend in Holland with my husband, my favorite traveling buddy.

Now it’s your turn!  What are you…

  • Reading?
  • Watching?
  • Listening to?
  • Cooking/baking?
  • Happy you accomplished this week?
  • Looking forward to next week?
  • Thankful for today?
 
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Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Sunday Best

 

Liebster 2.0

13 Apr

liebster-award1I’d like to thank the academy…

Look at that, I have just been nominated for my second Liebster Blog Award in as many weeks, this time by Becs at Tales from Tedium, who is new to blogging and has really jumped into the April A to Z Challenge with both feet (please, go check out her gratitude-themed posts–great food for thought). I’m honored to get another opportunity to share more about myself and to bring to light some other blogs you might have missed (but really, really need to see).

To my Liebster Nominees, you are under no obligation to accept this award.  However, it is an awesome opportunity for me to get to know you and you me, and to increase your own readership while pointing your readers to other blogs worth visiting.  If you decide to accept the award in its current format, Blogging from A to Z Challenge, here’s what you need do:

  • Post the award on your blog
  • Thank the blogger who gave you the award and link back to his/her site
  • Post 11 random facts about yourself
  • Answer the 11 questions that the presenter of the award has asked
  • Nominate 11 new bloggers with fewer than 200 followers
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions

Eleven Random Facts About Me

  • I’d like to have a donkey, a duck, and a Herdwick sheep in my backyard.
  • I’ve been a veterinary assistant, a picture framer, and a teacher.
  • I am the spider-killer in my family.
  • My houseplants are as dear to me as my pets.
  • I have a recurring dream of witnessing a plane crash.
  • I make a mean crockpot BBQ.
  • In the past five years, I’ve travelled to 14 countries.
  • Don’t tell my mom, but I once knocked her iron off the ironing board onto my brother’s head.
  • I want to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
  • I can crochet, but I can’t knit.
  • I’m still not sure what I want to be when I grow up.

My Answers to Becs’ Eleven Questions
~If you had to pick your final meal what would you choose?
Filet mignon smothered in a wine and mushroom reduction, a baked potato with butter and sour cream, a tossed salad with fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes, steamed broccoli, and yeast rolls with tons of butter. For dessert, a big bowl of chocolate ice cream and hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies.

~If you  could only have one book of fiction to read forever, which would it be?
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks. And a box of tissues, please.

~Where do you most want to visit and why?
Australia, because the scenery seems breathtaking, the people friendly, and the atmosphere relaxed. 

~What is the best thing about blogging?
It’s enabled me to find my voice again, and is challenging me to venture beyond just journaling and into dipping my toes back into fiction.

~Why did you choose to take part in the A to Z challenge?
Well, I love a challenge, and this was structured enough to allow for some pre-planning/writing, but also open for each blogger to interpret in his/her own style.

~Have you preplanned any posts, Q or X or Z perhaps?
I’ve thought about those “tough” ones, but haven’t gotten as far as scratching out any thoughts yet.

~When did you last enjoy live music, who played?
I went to a small (I guess “intimate” is more flattering) concert by up-and-coming country artist Ali Dee. She was touring American military bases in Europe during February as part of the Armed Forces Entertainment program.

~Who influences you?
Oh, lots of people. I’m influenced to be my best by all those I love and respect, and influenced to strive harder by strangers who’ve screwed up as well as those who’ve set an example to be proud of.

~Which three words best describe you?
Quiet, resourceful, loving

~What makes you happy?
Sunny days, warm hugs, funny jokes, animals, my family, good books, blogging, long walks, the beach…the list is endless.

~How long did you take to choose your 11 nominations?
Hours….

Eleven New Questions for My Nominees
~Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
~Why did you start blogging?
~What is your most likable quality?
~What is one item you should really throw away, but probably never will?
~If you could be anywhere in the world this New Year’s Eve, where would you choose and why?
~Summarize your outlook on life in six words.
~What event in the next few months are you most looking forward to?
~If you had a $100 gift card to spend in any store, where would you choose to spend it?
~What cheers you up when you are having a bad day?
~What one piece of advice would you give to a new blogger?
~If you could create a memorial to yourself in a city park, what and where would the memorial be?

And my nominees are…
(Note to nominees: If you’ve already been nominated for a Liebster in the past, I won’t be the least bit offended if you accept this nomination as an Honorary Liebster Award, with no strings attached!)

Breaking Cover (challenge theme Leicester–photos and history appreciated)

Ridges and Ripples (probably more than 200 followers, but love the food and book combo)

helenjameson | Scribble Girl (Dead Blogs hit close to home)

Duct Tape Holds My World Together (I know that world)

Nouveau Scarecrow (New to blogging? Really?)

Voices in My Head (You had me with Downton Abbey)

…So Help Me Cats (you GOTTA read the entry for F!)

The Squirrel Nutwork (heehee, a squirrel’s-eye view of the world!)

Underachievers Anonymous (a peek into a real person’s real life)

K’s (great photos)

The Letter Not Sent (letters to everyone, what a cool theme!)

 
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Posted by on April 13, 2013 in Awards, Challenges

 

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Keukenhof

12 Apr

Today I am at Keukenhof Gardens in The Netherlands, expecting to see the crocuses, daffodils, and tulips promised in the online flower status report. As soon as I’m able, I’ll upload a photo and flash fiction story to this post…stay tuned.

 
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Posted by on April 12, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

Jackass

11 Apr

100_8357Question 58*
A good friend pulls off a well-conceived practical joke that plays on one of your foibles and makes you look ridiculous. How would you react?

I like to think that I am able to enjoy a good joke, even one at my expense, so I hope that I would get past my initial embarrassment and be able to laugh it off. I’m assuming the prank would not be caught on video à la Ashton Kutcher’s Punk’d–it would be a bit harder to forgive if my moment of humiliation were replayed at every future gathering. I’m sure it would sting a bit to be the victim of a practical joke at the hands of a trusted friend, but thinking of the friends I’ve got, none of them would stage the joke to be intentionally hurtful or malicious. Their intent might be to get me to take myself or a situation less seriously, but the predominant motivation would be just laughs. Besides, if I’m willing to temporarily look like a buffoon, then I expect to be able to give as good as I get–turn about is fair play, after all!

*From The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, PhD.

 
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Posted by on April 11, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

Incomplete

10 Apr

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Yep, you’ve seen that photo before. Day before yesterday, in fact, as the poster child for “Grime” in my Gallimaufry post. That’s because nothing has changed–the project is incomplete. Yesterday didn’t progress in quite the way I’d envisioned, so all 100+ bottles are still soaking in my husband’s bathtub. Now, because of a full schedule and a tulip-peeping trip, that’s where they’ll sit until Monday. Often, I can hide the fact that my best laid plans got derailed and a project wasn’t completed on schedule. But in this case, the evidence is pretty blatant. On the plus side, my husband never takes a bath (his bathroom has a separate shower stall that he uses instead). A five-day soak is certainly not going to hurt these bottles, and might actually make my impending attack with the scrub brush less arduous. On the down side, I’ve junked up my husband’s bathroom for longer than I intended. Although using the bathtub was his idea, I still feel guilty for invading his space–he’ll return home on Sunday night, tired from travel, and have to start his new week faced by this chaos. I’m sorry, hon, and I promise not to drag home any more scrungy bottles from the antique fair on Monday unless your bathtub has first been restored to its customary vacant condition!

 
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Posted by on April 10, 2013 in Challenges, How It Is, True Life, What's She On About?

 

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