tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53273037862073800602024-03-12T22:04:06.943-05:00 creating wordlenik ---the home discovery edition Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-21792168760518258782018-02-17T14:42:00.000-06:002018-02-17T14:42:02.986-06:00Trying Again to get it Together The funny thing is my email inbox looks a lot like it did a few years back. How many times do we start these projects and then things like life happens and we get sidetracked?<br />
But I'm going to work on organizing and such again and see how far I get.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others...</i><br />
Austin Kleon (from Show Your Work)Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-32537947464422748662015-10-25T11:49:00.001-05:002015-10-25T11:49:22.766-05:00Email Inbox Organization--Three Steps <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUkfTBZqt7A/Vi0BmXOP6AI/AAAAAAAAA3w/fHwy8henicM/s1600/HowToSimplifyEmailManagement%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dUkfTBZqt7A/Vi0BmXOP6AI/AAAAAAAAA3w/fHwy8henicM/s200/HowToSimplifyEmailManagement%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a follow up to my previous post </span><a href="http://creatingwordlenik.blogspot.com/2015/09/e-hoarding.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e-hoarding</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m nervous today. I cleaned out my email over
the past week. I worry because I might have deleted something I needed. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it had to be done. My inbox looked worse
than my dining room table. </span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I started with:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">1500 unread emails. Almost 5000 kept emails.
22 folders. Chaos. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I Googled </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">organizing
email</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and found I’m not alone in being overwhelmed by digital stuff. I found
over a million sites about this. I picked a few—referenced at the bottom. Most
of mine has come from friends’ ideas. </span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">My
Three Part System </span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Part
One: Clean It Out</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">If you don’t do this first you’ll be trying to
organize things you don’t even need or want. I don’t know how long you should
keep something, but I’m sure it’s not ten years on the internet. Even the IRS
isn’t that strict. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">I’m down to about 150 kept emails. It still
sounds like a lot. There were some emails I’ve reread and referenced so I kept
those. Most are from ongoing projects that will be deleted once the project is
finished. The time frame to allow to do this depends</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"> on how much time you have and how many emails. Like I said, mine took a week. </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Part
Two: Make a System</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">I thought about the subjects of things I do and made folders to correspond. Then the move from inbox to the
folders began. I ended up with 6 folders and one with 4 subfolders—9 folders total.
It works because of the various emails I have to save. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Voila! Empty inbox and emails where I can find
them. </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Part
Three: Maintenance and Modification</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">I hate checking email. I also read that if you
check it too much you get more back. Most sites said twice, maybe three times a
day. So, I’m starting with twice. </span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nWNT1bvIo/Viz_hFMFIXI/AAAAAAAAA3k/QeZPA3x_RUw/s1600/empty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nWNT1bvIo/Viz_hFMFIXI/AAAAAAAAA3k/QeZPA3x_RUw/s1600/empty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7nWNT1bvIo/Viz_hFMFIXI/AAAAAAAAA3k/QeZPA3x_RUw/s200/empty.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course this system may need tweaking, so I’ll
modify as I go.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But now it’s doable. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your system and checking will look different, of course. You may have to check more often due to work. Or less often if you're lucky. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">What
I Have Now</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Empty inbox. About 150 saved mails. 6 folders
and 4 subfolders. Organized Mail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Of course I still have the concern over
deleting things. But I like my organized email, so I’ll just have to get over
the other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">My system is simple, but I don’t do a whole
lot of work with email. It’s more for contact and connection. So, if you’d like
more in-depth and information on all the other things available check out: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/tech-solutions/organize-your-email-inbox/" target="_blank">Organizing Your Email Inbox</a></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/02/21/how-to-clean-your-inbox_n_1285511.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13 Tips to Organizing Your Inbox</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.reviveyourinbox.com/why/revive/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Revive Your Inbox</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> --this one is the most in-depth, and has a program to help you. But, the irony is, they email it to you every day for 21 days.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">You can always Google search it as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about you? Do you get frustrated with too many emails? Any organizing tips or strategies that worked for you? </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-2106574098330345042015-09-20T18:05:00.001-05:002015-09-20T22:01:39.172-05:00e-Hoarding <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cjDfL1SLq0/Vf86rr7yuFI/AAAAAAAAA28/3JBUa3oPZj8/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cjDfL1SLq0/Vf86rr7yuFI/AAAAAAAAA28/3JBUa3oPZj8/s200/IMG_1523.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
apparently after 999 they </div>
<div>
they stop counting</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the middle of all my research I've found a new type of hoarding. <br />
Digital Hoarding, aka e-hoarding. <br />
It's when your inbox, folders, pictures, or whatever digital media you can think of becomes as cluttered as the junk drawer in your kitchen, or worse. <br />
I hate email because you get so much junk mail. Spam filters aren't perfect, no matter how good they are. And, all the social media? Good grief, it's giving me a headache thinking about it. <br />
<br />
So, what's the deal with digital hoarding? Why should people worry about it? <br />
From what I've read: <br />
1. storage costs--personal and private. Someone has to pay for all these Clouds. <br />
2. stress--having to look at and deal with all the stuff. <br />
3. carbon footprint--who knew, right? <br />
<br />
Hoarding is often a sign of other problems: anxiety and OCD especially. <br />
For me it's an out of sight out of mind. My physical surroundings are in my face. I can stress over it. My email, digital files and pictures, they all live on tiny flash drives and clouds. So, I only have to stress for as long as it takes to read and reply to what I need. <br />
<br />
But after reading the carbon footprint thing, I'm going to have to rethink this strategy. It makes sense, though, because technology has to be powered. It takes energy for this. And, storage plans for individuals and companies are not free. It takes effort to keep all this information safe and accessible. <br />
I've gotten the wild idea to clean out inboxes and photos before, but I got frustrated sorting through so much. No sooner had I gotten rid of one email when ten would pop up. <br />
I gave up<br />
And it all built up again. The most I've had is close to 5,000 emails. Sounded like a lot to me until I read of people having numbers like 25,000 in emails, ten of thousands of pictures. Wow! <br />
Right now my big things are texts, pictures, and emails. I'm bad about not deleting any old things. <br />
Maybe I'll have to consult an e-hoarder specialist. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXvoSfDimv0/Vf86qBtULEI/AAAAAAAAA20/-X_XKD4QHvo/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DXvoSfDimv0/Vf86qBtULEI/AAAAAAAAA20/-X_XKD4QHvo/s200/IMG_1527.JPG" width="200" /></a>So, my plan, should I be able to accomplish this is: <br />
1. Daily look at email. <br />
2. Figure out folders. <br />
3. Delete any pictures I don't need. <br />
4. Spend ten minutes at day doing this. <br />
5. Don't get discouraged. <br />
<br />
As adults, we worry about kids, but we should really take a lesson from the <span id="goog_765737388"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> --adults need limited time as well, for our own health and well-being. We have to get over this idea that we have to be connected 24/7. Some think they're doing okay. Some look okay. <br />
But, try turning off their devices, let the server go down, let rain knock out the DISH. <br />
Then see what happens. <br />
<br />
Are you a digital hoarder? What strategies do you have to organize your email, ebooks, and other digital media? <br />
<br />
For more on e-hoarding: <br />
<a href="http://www.digplanet.com/wiki/Digital_hoarding" target="_blank">Digplanet</a><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_hoarding" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>--also has some good links to other sites. Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-88767601150797013222015-09-13T20:34:00.002-05:002015-09-13T20:34:55.649-05:00Change Lessons from Hoarders <br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2tlGUFfWdI/VfYgb8SDRYI/AAAAAAAAA2E/dRkHJaS_KdY/s1600/stone%2Bwalk%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2tlGUFfWdI/VfYgb8SDRYI/AAAAAAAAA2E/dRkHJaS_KdY/s320/stone%2Bwalk%2B2.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished my stone walkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">In my last
post I mentioned two favorite organizing people. The first is <a href="http://www.unclutter.com/" target="_blank">Donna Smallin Kuper. </a></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Who's the
other person? <a href="http://cluttercleaner.com/" target="_blank">Matt Paxton</a> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tv.com/shows/hoarders/" target="_blank">Hoarders </a>anyone? It was the freakiest, coolest
show. Aired on A&E, it chronicled the attempt to help hoarders when they
were against the wall due to whatever—landlords, city ordinances, health,
whoever. </span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">And the weird
thing is, they weren’t all crazy cat people—though many had a few hundred cats.
</span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">They were just
people. Most were people who had bad stuff happen to trigger the hoarding. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Matt (and
others) cleaned out their houses but the crew also helped sort their lives as
well. They cleaned but the hoarder had to make the decision to let things go.
It was the only way to break the cycle. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> like Matt
because he’s real. He knows what needing help is all about. He’s a good
cleaner, but he's also got his own<a href="http://imperfectwomen.com/matt-paxton-comes-clean-on-life-hoarders-and-lessons-hes-learned/" target="_blank"> interesting story of addiction</a>. As he
alludes to, all he’s done is trade one addiction for another, but at least this one doesn't get his kneecaps broken intentionally. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Another sad
lesson from this is many of the people who hoard have others in their lives—family
and friends who suspected but didn’t jump in. Oh, that’s not an indictment. It’s
just a comment. I always wondered “how did they let it get that far?” </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">So, what’s
this all about? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I find it
ironic that Matt’s who I wanted to post about on Wednesday and now I find myself
on Sunday evening still trying to get this posted. I'm so far behind! </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">t’s about perseverance
and fortitude to make the changes you want. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve
gotten into the rut. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can do it! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Change means sacrifice and letting go. </span>On the show some people just
couldn’t do it. But some were able to change their homes and their lives. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">So, even
though I’m late, I’m still going to hang in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still posting this. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
Lessons from Matt and Hoarders</u></b>: </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">(don’t try to
Google them—I’m making them up)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 1. Don't forget your friends and family--especially those who live alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 2. Be patient with yourself. Nobody's perfect and on time every time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 3. We all need a little help from our friends sometimes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 4. But sometimes we will be alone, no matter who we call. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVGsarg885k/VfYgb4wG4CI/AAAAAAAAA2I/0z2nRrcp53o/s1600/my%2Blittle%2Bpony%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVGsarg885k/VfYgb4wG4CI/AAAAAAAAA2I/0z2nRrcp53o/s200/my%2Blittle%2Bpony%2B2.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cleaned out my truck--<br />
does anybody know this pony? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">5. In the end the decisions are ours alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 6. There are ordinances on the number of cats you can have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> 7. Nobody allows coyotes to be kept. (well, that was my discovery) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Lasting change
takes time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">The two
questions we have to ask ourselves: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">1. Do I want to change? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">2. What am I willing to let go of for it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">p.s.--my house
is not a hoarder house, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.tv.com/shows/clean-sweep/" target="_blank">Clean Sweep</a></i>
would have fun in it. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-35921312952177490442015-09-06T19:55:00.002-05:002015-09-06T19:55:43.013-05:00Action! Listening to the Voice(s) In the first few posts I was thinking about why I want to clean. What's the point of home organization? I'm single. I should be out doing stuff. (I guess if I want friends over....) <br />
I could expound on all the touchy-feely stuff until the cows come home but I still won't be where I want to be and I'll have cows in my yard. Plus, I'm bored with that right now. <br />
Action!<br />
Here's my plan for actually organizing. I don't remember what words I used. <br />
Home discovery. That's right. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQdwOVugxBQ/VezXvTxFw8I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/SqYrw18iEHU/s1600/the%2Bjar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQdwOVugxBQ/VezXvTxFw8I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/SqYrw18iEHU/s320/the%2Bjar.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the jar is in the center </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wow, don't I sound pretentious? <br />
So, anyway--Action, yeah. <br />
<br />
<b>My Home Discovery Plan</b>. <br />
I gave my rooms spiffy names and wrote them on some paper. Then I put them in a jar. <br />
Each day I'll pull a name out and work on that room for one hour. It doesn't have to be a full one hour at a time. It can be broken into intervals, especially since some days I don't have a whole hour time block, but lots of 5 or 10 minutes here and there. <br />
Some people like to go room by room. I thought about that. But, I get bored easily. So I thought this way I can work with my self-proclaimed ADHD and not have to focus for long in one spot. <br />
(I know it's not really ADHD, but it sounds as important as Home Discovery!) <br />
My plan for this mission is to post on Sundays and Wednesdays. I won't give the boring low-down, but just update everyone on my progress.<br />
<br />
If I can, I'll find a link to some other cool cleaning or organizing site or some touchy-feely kind of something. <br />
Today's link will be brought to you by one of my two favorite organizing people: Donna Smallin Kuper at <a href="http://www.unclutter.com/" target="_blank">DeClutter Your Life </a>. Check out her books and her blog. I love this month's unclutter tips, but going through the history is so worth it, too. <br />
<br />
Recently I think Donna has taken up residence in my head. When I want to buy something she says "Do you really need that? Are you really going to use that?" Sometimes I just say What Would Donna Do? <br />
Yesterday apparently she would put back two writing magazines, three books on creativity and --irony--organizing, two Dr. Who comics, and a Sandman Graphic Novel. The last killed me because it was a special edition.<br />
But Voice Donna said "Don't you have that one already? In fact, don't you have them all?" <br />
I left Books-A-Million without so much as a coffee. <br />
You're killing me, Donna! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCtxcX5n2Zs/VezYY9Rr7OI/AAAAAAAAA1k/cXaIuZ70eLQ/s1600/mad%2Bhatter%2Btea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; height: 118px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 200px;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCtxcX5n2Zs/VezYY9Rr7OI/AAAAAAAAA1k/cXaIuZ70eLQ/s200/mad%2Bhatter%2Btea.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAwh5ZxjlCw/VezYGNcYYoI/AAAAAAAAA1c/DRo-ZMUtME8/s1600/wild%2Bthings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAwh5ZxjlCw/VezYGNcYYoI/AAAAAAAAA1c/DRo-ZMUtME8/s200/wild%2Bthings.jpg" width="128" /></a>So, today's room was the Wild and Sunny Room. (Aka--the dining room) I was surprised that I found enough things to do that it took me a whole 57 minutes to finish straightening it. This worries me since that's my smallest space! Had to go through lots of papers on the table, but there's more than one place in my house that's got lots of papers. EEEK! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you're reading this, any thoughts on organizing for those who don't have much time and nobody to delegate to? Any favorite decluttering sites? Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-35324861490164506292015-08-17T14:02:00.000-05:002015-08-17T14:03:05.752-05:00First PodcastScary, but here's the sound of my voice. This is to kick off my posts on what I call my pilgrimage to creativity, starting with my home. <br />
(Now doesn't <i>that</i> sound esoteric?) <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bethies.podbean.com/mf/web/ebh2vf/HomeDiscoveryEpisode1.mp3">Download this episode (right click and save)</a>Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-27804825787256720422015-08-05T22:13:00.000-05:002015-08-05T22:13:42.124-05:00Single Household <span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Oh no! not another organization
site! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Before you panic—it’s not the same.
This is a site for truly single people. No kids, maybe not even a boyfriend/girlfriend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Gadugi;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Organizing tips--think about what you find—or
better yet—search and then come back. What kind of advice do you get? Things
like “enlist your family” “Teaching your kids” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRkd8hoBJOU/VcF7KbK6VBI/AAAAAAAAAx8/uDBaj0TaApY/s1600/fishy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRkd8hoBJOU/VcF7KbK6VBI/AAAAAAAAAx8/uDBaj0TaApY/s400/fishy1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I have a fish. I can’t foresee
enlisting his help. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">As you may have guessed—I’m single,
no kids, only pet is a baby Beta.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">One thing I do have? Stuff. Stuff that breaks, stuff that gets
dirty, needs to be washed, repaired, replaced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Another thing I have? To go to work. I’m a single income
household. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">It’s aggravating because people act like if you live by
yourself you have all this time to get things done. And if you don’t have kids and
a spouse you don’t have a lot of things to clean.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Ha, ha, ha, ha…ok let me stop
laughing before I answer this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">There’s this great scene in Disney’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enchanted</i> movie where Giselle sings and the city creatures come and
help her clean. Now, I understand you really don’t want vermin in your house,
but if the rats are mopping and the roaches are cleaning the toilet….<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihN_oClSR98/VcF-Ajv6tpI/AAAAAAAAAyM/NkJ71xPgwfY/s1600/table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihN_oClSR98/VcF-Ajv6tpI/AAAAAAAAAyM/NkJ71xPgwfY/s400/table1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I’ve been looking for a plan, but
everything involves creating all these family meals, enlisting help from spouse
and kids, doing all these cool check lists. Those are all okay, but my fish
can’t get out of his tank, I’m not too keen on inviting the neighbor’s dog for
help. Who has time for checklists? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">And yes, I could hire someone to do things, but, remember
single income household. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">I’ve been wanting to get things together-home, work,
writing, life in general, but I realize that may be a hopeless task. But, if it
can’t be together it can be at least in the same vicinity of each other. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, that’s what this is going to be
about—me putting things in the same vicinity of each other. I hope through my
journey to:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Gadugi; mso-fareast-font-family: Gadugi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Come up with ideas others
can use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Gadugi; mso-fareast-font-family: Gadugi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Find others who have ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Gadugi; mso-fareast-font-family: Gadugi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Be more accountable because I’m posting
it all on the blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Gadugi; mso-fareast-font-family: Gadugi;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Have a more organized home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">How
will I do this? I said above not a big check list kind of girl, but probably
need some kind of plan…more on that in the next post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">For
now though…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">A site on organizing I keep going back to: <a href="http://www.unclutter.com/" target="_blank">Declutter Your LIfe </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;">Any
thoughts? What is your organizing, cleaning, lack there of routine? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Gadugi",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-13486349155238442132015-07-25T00:19:00.000-05:002015-07-25T00:22:24.502-05:00Coming Back <div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTVo4RRQv0A/VbMWYcLmvpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Yu22fPWMCCQ/s1600/house%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTVo4RRQv0A/VbMWYcLmvpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Yu22fPWMCCQ/s1600/house%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
So I said I wasn't going to blog here any more, but now I'm back, at least for a while. I still have my other site: <a href="http://creatingwordlenik.com/">creatingwordlenik.com</a> over at weebly, though, too. Those who've been here before will notice the new look. Those who haven't, well, welcome! <br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
To start, I'm returning as a part of an online class I'm taking: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ed2go.com/online-courses/web-2-0-blogs-wikis-and-podcasts?tab=detail">Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners </a></span></div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"> Robin Sellers </span><span style="color: black;">is the instructor. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTVo4RRQv0A/VbMWYcLmvpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Yu22fPWMCCQ/s1600/house%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OTVo4RRQv0A/VbMWYcLmvpI/AAAAAAAAAv4/Yu22fPWMCCQ/s320/house%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old houses in Lake Charles--<br />
oh, the stories they could tell! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
So far it's been fun. I think I'm jumping ahead, though, and posting before I'm supposed to. </div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
Such an over achiever....</div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
If you've never taken an online class, check out <a href="http://www.ed2go.com/online-courses/web-2-0-blogs-wikis-and-podcasts?tab=detail">ed2go</a>--there's a lot of good stuff. </div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
If you've wanted to learn how to set up a hosted blog--and actually have fun doing it, take this class. I thought I knew some stuff, but I really just knew enough to be dangerous. I'm especially excited to learn about podcasting. I've never done that before. </div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="classroom-course-instructor" style="text-align: justify;">
More to come on what I'm posting here.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-46372782772519800972014-09-18T19:27:00.002-05:002015-04-11T23:26:02.298-05:00Moving On Over! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUIrRSh7pqE/VBt4D54By0I/AAAAAAAAAo4/Cjmi7jYgmhE/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUIrRSh7pqE/VBt4D54By0I/AAAAAAAAAo4/Cjmi7jYgmhE/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I love, love, love this site.</span> But, as way leads on to way, I've found a new road to travel. So creating wordlenik (and ReCreation) has found a new home at my website, Writer, NP. New posts will be there instead of here. <br />
Thanks to all who follow--come visit me! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.creatingwordlenik.com/" target="_blank">Creating Wordlenik</a><br />
<br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-73054369278792455002014-06-30T11:24:00.002-05:002014-06-30T11:27:28.931-05:00Stumbling Upon the Healing Power of Music Don't you agree sometimes the best things are those that you just happen upon? <br />
I was researching something about Dr. Who for a friend and came upon Billie Piper's husband, Laurence Fox. <br />
<br />
Dr. who? I'm so easily distracted. <br />
<br />
I do not like Facebook. <br />
I do not like it in a box--<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0AT4N6Cacg/U7GHWE_wZxI/AAAAAAAAAog/1ZQC9ILf68A/s1600/thGBOTFTR7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0AT4N6Cacg/U7GHWE_wZxI/AAAAAAAAAog/1ZQC9ILf68A/s1600/thGBOTFTR7.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.timeout.com/">www.timeout.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But apparently I do like it with a Fox. Because I did like Laurence Fox on Facebook . Then I went to his website and downloaded music. It's a really nice, melodic, soulful sound. It may not be everyone's cup of coffee--or maybe he drinks tea--but I liked it. <br />
<br />
Then I got a migraine and I accidently played his songs instead of my usual. It was amazing to listen to his voice. Up until now it's been drugs and Pink Floyd that can calm down the pain. (Imitrex and Ibuprofen, mind you) <br />
<em>Mostly Water</em> was the last song on my playlist--wow, halfway through I was already starting to come back around--minus the drugs.<br />
That's amazing to me. <br />
<br />
So, is this shameless free publicity for Fox? I don't know. I'll have to research more. Apparently he's in movies and TV shows as well that I need to look at. He won't replace Pink Floyd on the playlist, but he'll be right next to The Wall. <br />
<br />
It is about music, though, and the power it has. It's one of those beautiful mysteries science can't touch. I know, chemicals and all that. But if that's the case, any relaxing music should work for my migraines, right? Why did Laurence Fox work without the drugs when nothing else has? Why his voice in particular? Does it only work for me? <br />
<br />
Honestly, I don't even want science or medicine to explain it. <br />
I just want to enjoy something magical that I stumbled upon. <br />
<br />
I'd be wrong not to link to the man--<a href="http://www.laurencefox.co.uk/" target="_blank">Laurence Fox </a>Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-84860952908872215522014-06-18T07:14:00.001-05:002014-06-18T07:14:27.732-05:00Freedom to say...Part 3 <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://creatingwordlenik.blogspot.com/2014/06/freedom-to-saypart-one.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> <a href="http://creatingwordlenik.blogspot.com/2014/06/freedom-to-saypart-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Eventually everyone makes a decision on what they believe
regarding a divine being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This belief is
a part of who we are and how we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
when people disagree on belief systems, they are disagreeing on something more
than just coffee or movie preference. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We say we believe in religious freedom, but it seems when
someone tries to exercise their right other people become offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then people want to start putting limitations
on the freedom—“you can say that unless I don’t believe it” or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can say it in your church or synagogue
but not in the grocery store or in your kids’ schools” Where is the freedom in
that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does separation of church and
state only apply to church and not the state?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On the surface, The Merry Christmas bill sounds
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Schools have to give every belief
equal representation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree with this.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">What bothers me there’s a law about this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That tells me the state thinks it can dictate
my freedom to express my beliefs. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Give the government an inch…they’ll try to control
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By making a ruling on what
can or can’t be displayed in public spaces, the government has made a comment
on what belief system it thinks is right and has therefore just infringed on
the rights of its citizens, of which I am one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">How do we define public places?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stores are privately owned, yet states make
nondiscrimination rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same thing
for amusement parks or museums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list
goes on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it come to the point
where movie houses can’t show movies that mention religion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Libraries won’t be able to loan books that
discuss Islam or Judaism or other religions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If you really think about it, there can be no true
separation of church and state as long as government at any level thinks it can
pass laws restricting religious expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any time a ruling body chooses to make a law on a belief system—what you
can say, what you can teach, etc…--it makes a comment on which system it thinks
is correct. And, putting it under the heading science instead of religion doesn’t
make it any less a belief that takes faith. Science is not indisputable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So beliefs based on science rather than
religion don’t get a free ride. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As I said in Part 2—making a law against it won’t stop
people from doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what I
believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d go to jail or worse before
I’d refute it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how much faith I have
in it. I agree that there are people with equal faith in their beliefs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m willing to accept that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">These days the buzz word is tolerance. Mere tolerance won’t
cut it. Tolerance doesn’t seek to care or understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tolerance treats others like a little child—“oh,
that’s so cute, but they’ll know better when they grow up.” Eventually we get
tired of putting up with it and so want to confine the expression to places we
can’t hear it. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">True belief in religious freedom says everyone can express
their views everywhere and I can exercise my freedom not to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acceptance is what we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acceptance based on love that sees the individual
for the amazing complicated person they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It all comes down to individual response and individual responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want to have the freedoms we have to
accept that others have freedom as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we keep crying foul every time we disagree, we’re going to find our
own rights have been regulated away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-34648263062633716922014-06-16T11:51:00.000-05:002014-06-16T11:51:57.361-05:00Freedom To Say...Part 2<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nealboortz210988.html" title="view quote"><span class="bqquotelink1"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Free
speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition,
needs no protection.</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nealboortz210988.html" title="view quote"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Neal Boortz</span></a></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;"><a href="http://creatingwordlenik.blogspot.com/2014/06/freedom-to-saypart-one.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";">My first thought when I read about the "Merry Christmas Bill" was who's going to stop me? Even if it's against the law, I can still say Merry Christmas. </span><span style="font-family: Leelawadee;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be consequences for it, but could someone really stop me? Lawyers use that trick all the come when they follow a statement by a hasty "withdrawn." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">My second thought: Censorship and Word Bullies. (ok, those are two thoughts) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee;"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">We don't get to pick and choose when it comes to freedoms, especially of speech. To have freedom risks that we are going to hear things we don't like. We either accept this or it borders on Censorship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">It also means people are going to say hateful, stupid things. That's their right. Let them. It makes them look as stupid as their words. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">The Freedom remains true even if the people act like morons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;"><u>Stand Up to Word Bullies</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">Sticks and Stones--words hurt, but I'm the one who lets them control me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">Most of the time it just makes me sad when people say mean things. I'm know myself and my beliefs so am not threatened by what you say. In fact, other views challenge me to exam my own ideas. This is not a bad thing, but it does take confidence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">The thing is, laws and governments don't make people get along; some laws cause even more divisions. Like Nietzsche said, interpretation is a function of power, not truth. Law can impose consequences. There will be people who believe their right is worth the price--including torture and death. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">Even in America where we're <em>so tolerant and free*</em> there's divisions, anger, and even physical harm because of words. To stand up to these bullies isn't easy, especially when you're going against the majority. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">A part of Freedom of Speech is Freedom to Respond. I can retaliate out of anger and hurt. Or I can respond out of Love and Respect. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">It takes indi</span></span><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">vidual responsibility to break the chain--just one person saying "No, that's not true." or "No, I'm going to choose not to continue this." is what it takes. Sure, you may just be planting a seed, but someone else waters it, etc....</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">Everyday I hear things that are hurtful--things said to me, things said to other people, things I've said. At the end of the day, I'm responsible for me. I'm the one who controls me. When other people or circumstances are in charge it's because I let them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">My response is to not be the victim. I can't make people like me. I can't make people only say nice things. I can't make them accept me. And there may come a day when what I say or do lands me in prison--I hope not but anything's possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">But I retain power over my heart, mind, thoughts. These are places others can't get into unless I let them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee; font-size: large;">TBC Tues/Wed--Part 3 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Leelawadee;"><span style="font-size: large;">*note: yes, I'm being sarcastic if you didn't get it. </span> </span>Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-56596002199217018172014-06-15T22:05:00.001-05:002014-06-15T22:05:09.195-05:00Freedom to Say....Part One <span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/friedrichn109379.html" title="view quote"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "FrankRuehl","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">All
things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a
given time is a function of power and not truth.</span></span></a></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "FrankRuehl","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/f/friedrichn109379.html" title="view quote"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "FrankRuehl","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0000aa; font-size: large;">Friedrich Nietzsche</span></span></b></a><br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #0000aa; font-family: "FrankRuehl","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";">After
a long hiatus from blogging, I have returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";">Why
return now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote out all these cool reasons—having
something to say, having a presence—</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">But the truth is, I have this
guilty conscience regarding my derelict blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m surprised nobody has reported me yet to the blog housing commission
for my grass being tall and the shudders falling down. I haven't been a good blog-owner. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jj4PRyWTQng/U55ZPAIvAoI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/sQvwTTEbZgo/s1600/CIMG7949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jj4PRyWTQng/U55ZPAIvAoI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/sQvwTTEbZgo/s1600/CIMG7949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s
easy to be lazy, making excuses like I was working, writing, living. I've got many things to say, but just haven't taken the time to write them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";">Then I came across this article online:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><o:p><a href="http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/D9/20140523/NEWS01/140523003/Louisiana-passes-bill-allow-Merry-Christmas-nativity-scenes" target="_blank">Merry Christmas Bill</a></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I
had to look around:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chicken snake,
squirrel, American flag—yeah, still in Louisiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">I
realized I better get on exercising my rights while speech is still free here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;">What better way than to start with talking about freedom? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
ruling on the bill went in a direction I agree with, but what if it
hadn’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would we be arresting Kindergarteners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or would their parents be held responsible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">One
group tosses out freedom of speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
group says freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Both sides want to debate the points. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the real question should be this: <em>do we really want the government making laws regarding this?</em> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">To be so offended you have to include authorities is risky to your own rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice when the ruling power likes you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what if they decide they don’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure many religious people see this as a victory, but as for this Christian—It scares me that the legislature felt it could rule on an issue like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--1KgT6l4X3w/U55ZCE1lJ3I/AAAAAAAAAoI/fwFuYR3iOvY/s1600/CIMG7750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--1KgT6l4X3w/U55ZCE1lJ3I/AAAAAAAAAoI/fwFuYR3iOvY/s1600/CIMG7750.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">I can say I truly believe in freedom when I allow that others will disagree with me and still be my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was going to write more, but this seems to have put me in a mind to watch <em>Fahrenheit 451. </em>The cool thing is I'm watching it on VHS. Remember those? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;">TBC in Part 2 Tomorrow...</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Leelawadee","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></span></span> </div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-jj4PRyWTQng%2FU55ZPAIvAoI%2FAAAAAAAAAoQ%2FsQvwTTEbZgo%2Fs1600%2FCIMG7949.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jj4PRyWTQng/U55ZPAIvAoI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/sQvwTTEbZgo/s1600/CIMG7949.JPG" -->Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-77055936911730022952014-01-05T21:12:00.000-06:002014-01-05T21:12:34.999-06:00The Words of the Teacher...A Prompt Post The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: "Meaningless! Meaningless!" He threw the scroll into the fire. "What's the use of anything I do or say? Does any of it matter, really?" His advisor winced. How much wisdom was being lost to the flames? And vellum was not cheap. <br />
"But your majesty, surely being the king..."<br />
"Is meaningless. Tell me, would you be my advisor if it wasn't required of you? Would you care about me if I was a soldier or cook? Be honest." <br />
The advisor didn't respond right away. It was hard when his king was in these moods. His question was personal and asked out of frustration. He got like this when he came back from his harem. The advisor could understand--being around that many women would be enough to send anyone over the edge. Perhaps it should remain unanswered. <br />
"Are you going to answer? Do I have to make it a royal command?" <br />
"Didn't you yourself say there's more hope for a fool than a man who speaks in haste?" Maybe that could buy him some time to think. <br />
The king was silent. The advisor, unsure. Most days the king didn't want a yes man, but honest discussion. Most days, though, he wasn't angry and morose. He would have to trust that God had given him the right response. <br />
Then the king laughed. "This is why I like you." he clasped the advisor's shoulder. "When I ask a stupid question you don't respond with a stupid answer." <br />
The advisor let out an inward sigh of relief. It wasn't exactly how he meant it, but close. <br />
The advisor knew the truth was yes he would care. He'd learned so much from his king, like in this situation, to be able to stop and think before giving an answer. It was his king's character, not his position, that earned him respect and made the advisor bold in in his statement. It was why the advisor didn't want to give him useless platitudes. <br />
The advisor knew he'd be a fool not to follow him. <br />
<br />
**************<br />
<br />
I was visiting other sites and saw many had posted about a new thing from WordPress. It's called 365 Days of Writing Prompts: a prompt to fire your imagination each and every day of the year. <br />
January 5 was "Call me Ishmael: take the first sentence from your favorite book and make it the first sentence of your post." <br />
My favorite book? Ecclesiastes, in the Bible. This is kind of a flash fiction based on it, a sort of day in the life. I love the whole Bible, too. The advisor is using Proverbs 29:20.<br />
My second favorite book first line: <em>A squat grey building of only thirty-four stories.</em> Brave New World. <br />
For 365 Days of Prompts go here: <a href="http://dailypost.wordpress.com/postaday/ebook-365-writing-prompts/" target="_blank">Writing Prompts</a><br />
I don't know if I'll post all the prompts, but maybe some more...Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-55051139607801410082014-01-03T21:34:00.000-06:002014-01-03T21:34:52.710-06:00First Friday of 2014 Celebration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0i5htfGhL0/Usd9Y5Ifo8I/AAAAAAAAAns/mevyDs_M2Ek/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0i5htfGhL0/Usd9Y5Ifo8I/AAAAAAAAAns/mevyDs_M2Ek/s200/IMG_1617.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013's last sunset in SW Louisiana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll be honest and say that I really wasn't in the mood to celebrate today. It's been a weird two days, and not in a good way. This week marks the one year anniversary of one of my patients being accidentally shot by his cousin. His mother came to the clinic with another child yesterday and cried. Yesterday a colleague's sister died while giving birth to her first baby. Flu and RSV are running wild in Southwest Louisiana. One patient lost a father to flu. She's only 2 months old and sick herself. <br />
Not a very bright beginning to 2014. <br />
Tonight I was just going to visit blogs that I follow to see what folks around the globe were up to and well, a funny thing happened: I found things to celebrate. It reminded me of the cool things in life, even if they seem insignificant. Life is tragedy yes, but it's also victories and celebrations. We can choose to wallow in sadness or look for the joy even in pain. <br />
So I have two things I want to celebrate this week: <br />
1. The privilege of being able to share in both the joys and sorrows of so many peoples' lives. <br />
2. Bloggers. It's so amazing how people who don't know each other personally can be such an encouragement. Thanks to all who share! <br />
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-36317223261599119292014-01-01T18:01:00.001-06:002014-01-01T18:08:54.854-06:00Happy New Year--2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sEMOJSdYb4/UsSqmwmDaII/AAAAAAAAAnc/dNwVxSiEeuc/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">I’ve got my
black-eye peas so I’m thinking 2014 is starting off well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sEMOJSdYb4/UsSqmwmDaII/AAAAAAAAAnc/dNwVxSiEeuc/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sEMOJSdYb4/UsSqmwmDaII/AAAAAAAAAnc/dNwVxSiEeuc/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sEMOJSdYb4/UsSqmwmDaII/AAAAAAAAAnc/dNwVxSiEeuc/s200/IMG_1718.JPG" width="161" /></a><span style="color: black;">
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<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Last night I
stayed up until the New Year came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like Halloween crossing to All Saints
Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can imagine something magical
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everything feels new and
fresh, full of promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s psychological but I love to see
one year end and another begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">I was
disappointed at how many of my friends and family went to bed early
this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me realize how
different things are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Used to I might
actually be the first to go to sleep…no, I don’t think I’ve been the first to
crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">I don’t have
any resolutions this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess if I
did it would be to continue to enjoy life and not be the first to crash. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Plans for this
year…at least for now:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Continue with
Celebrate Fridays—it’s good to focus on the little victories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Blog at least
on Fridays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Continue
cleaning out my house—new approach is Live with Less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">Continue
progress on novel—but not stress over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll get written
when it gets finished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: "Kristen ITC"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent5;">(more plans as they come to
mind…) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4bacc6; font-family: Kristen ITC; font-size: large;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Prov. 3:5-6</span></div>
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<br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-10713082897568314232013-12-29T17:57:00.001-06:002013-12-29T17:57:35.635-06:002013 In Review<span style="color: blue;">To Celebrate the Year 2013 I turn to Robert Frost </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Into My Own</span><br />
<dt>One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
<dt>So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
<dt>Were not, as 'twere, the merest mask of gloom,
<dt>But stretched away unto the edge of doom. <br />
<dt><a 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" style="height: 160px; margin-top: 0px; width: 314px;" width="200" /></a>I should not be withheld but that some day
<dt>Into their vastness I should steal away,
<dt>Fearless of ever finding open land,
<dt>Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand. <br />
<dt>I do not see why I should e'er turn back,
<dt>Or those should not set forth upon my track
<dt>To overtake me, who should miss me here
<dt>And long to know if still I held them dear. <br />
<dt>They would not find me changed from him they knew--
<dt>Only more sure of all I thought was true. </dt>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">I'm Celebrating the End of 2013 knowing I am more sure of all I know to be true. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">It was a year of growth both in medicine and writing. Spiritually, my faith was, and still is, being tested, and I'm growing closer to God and knowing the Holy Spirit is with me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"> I feel ready to start 2014 as a continuation of that growth...</span></span><br />
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
</dt>
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-49920741931390352372013-12-24T06:57:00.002-06:002013-12-24T06:59:44.964-06:00Christmas Eve Prayer from Louisiana <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWs-vlTRrAA/UrmDtNRmucI/AAAAAAAAAnM/nMNFQ5H4nnE/s1600/CIMG8155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWs-vlTRrAA/UrmDtNRmucI/AAAAAAAAAnM/nMNFQ5H4nnE/s200/CIMG8155.JPG" width="200" /></a>God, <br />
I wanted to say something profound or share a poignant Christmas memory. But with the growing hate towards each other in America we need more than fancy words in a sappy story.<br />
We need You, God. <br />
You don't just tolerate us. You love us so much you sent your Son to die for us. <br />
You aren't swayed by social pressures. There are no double standards. All humans have sinned and need salvation. <br />
You are The Way, The Truth, and The Life. That doesn't change, no matter what we choose to believe. <br />
You give Peace that goes beyond all understanding and defies world thinking. <br />
Thank You, God. <br />
Tomorrow, remind us to stop counting the number of presents and focus instead on the eternal gift of salvation through Jesus. Until we know You, we won't know true love and compassion for others. <br />
<em>For by grace you are saved through faith..it is a gift of God, not of works....Ephesians 2:8-9</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-90420115760397684742013-12-20T19:35:00.000-06:002013-12-20T19:35:16.931-06:00Celebrating Small Things <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1ab3QAclls/UrTuoNExLsI/AAAAAAAAAm8/K0ZhIXIkMic/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1ab3QAclls/UrTuoNExLsI/AAAAAAAAAm8/K0ZhIXIkMic/s200/IMG_1494.JPG" width="139" /></a>I'm managing to get this posted on Friday--a Celebration in itself!<br />
Thanks to all the wonderful comments and encouragements. <br />
A few small accomplishments:<br />
1. My inbox on my computer is empty--folders created for the emails I need to save. Who knew you could make a "filing cabinet " <br />
2. The guys at the recycle place were impressed to see me twice this week. Old soap buckets make good recycle bins at my back door. <br />
3. Hairapy. I love going to get my hair cut and styled. Lydia is The Best! <br />
4. I made a selfie I kind of like. It must be the hair! (usually mine is curly, though)<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas to all. Next week may we be celebrating time spent with family and friends. <br />
Jesus is the Reason we Celebrate this Season. Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-25034355837286019962013-12-14T21:26:00.000-06:002013-12-14T21:26:43.404-06:00Sensational Saturday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I missed the Celebrate Post on Friday. Not to be deterred, I'm going to post it a day later. <br />
I don't like junk mail, nor do I like spam mail. And yet, it keeps coming and coming. I often ignore it....more often than not I ignore it. <br />
<br />
<u>Which brings me to this Week's Celebration</u>:<br />
<br />
1. I cleaned off the kitchen table. Mainly it was junk mail I shredded and recycled. <br />
<br />
2. I cleaned out my email box--all 789 of them. I read the important things, most of the time. But I'm bad about not deleting the unimportant. <br />
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3. I've committed to daily purging instead of once a quarter or so spending two or three days working on it. We'll see next week how that goes. <br />
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Any suggestions for motivating better organization? <br />
Hope everyone is having a great Christmas Season. <br />
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-38702774430927956972013-12-06T19:40:00.001-06:002013-12-06T19:42:55.703-06:00Celebrating: Small Marshmallows In Louisiana we don't have much snow and sleet. In fact, sometime we've worn shorts and T-shirts to New Year's Parties.<br />
Sometimes, though we actually get real winter weather, and, while I know it's not like our friends up north, let's face it, 43* F is cold no matter what part of the world you live in.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/44/ac/44ac7af628fa90c6810cab7c318aae18.jpg?itok=27jKGc-r" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Almost-instant gift from your kitchen: Hot Chocolate Mix with choices for everyone on your list" border="0" class="zoomable" data-sc="leisure" height="200" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/44/ac/44ac7af628fa90c6810cab7c318aae18.jpg?itok=27jKGc-r" title="Almost-instant gift from your kitchen: Hot Chocolate Mix with choices for everyone on your list" typeof="foaf:Image" width="200" /></a>Tonight I'm celebrating:<br />
1. Getting all my phone calls done at work. <br />
2. A fire in the fire place and a good book. <br />
3. Swiss Miss Cocoa with those tiny little marshmallows. <br />
<br />
Those marshmallows are the coolest things! <br />
<br />Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-69232594773982815012013-11-30T16:24:00.000-06:002013-11-30T16:24:11.701-06:00Encouraging Writing <br />
“You can always edit a bad page.<br />
You can’t edit a blank page.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD8agO-Axpw/UppjckAIoUI/AAAAAAAAAmE/f88MXtJ9H2Y/s1600/CIMG8237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD8agO-Axpw/UppjckAIoUI/AAAAAAAAAmE/f88MXtJ9H2Y/s200/CIMG8237.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Void </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
- Jodi Picoult<br />
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In my post yesterday I wrote about PEZs and that my PEZ came to work with me both to the office and my writing. I have to admit, I was reading blogs in order to not have to write. When I try to avoid writing I end up finding something that encourages me to write...or maybe guilts me into writing?<br />
I like Mellissa Donovan's website <a href="http://www.writingforward.com/" target="_blank">Writing Forward</a> She always has something to inspire. Even the name, Writing Forward, implies moving along, not dragging my feet. <br />
The post on November 28 from guest writer Sylvia Nankivell was what prompted me to post after... how many months? <br />
In thinking about writing daily, I've actually been crippling my writing by trying to "carve out a certain time" or "establish a habit." I'm not a make-a-plan kind of girl, no matter how much the writing posts say you have to do this. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration or Distraction? </td></tr>
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I've found three things to be most helpful in trying to write every day:<br />
1. <u>Don't plan on writing every day.</u> <br />
If I say I'm going to write at a certain time something happens and I can't get to it. But, if I don't plan and have pen and paper with me at all times, the opportunity presents itself. <br />
2. <u>Hang out with writers.</u> <br />
It's like church. You want to be encouraged? Hang out with the true believers. I meet at least once a week---church on Tuesdays. <br />
3. <u>Stop worrying about writing well and just write</u>. <br />
I know editing is important, but only if there's something on the paper to edit. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.writingforward.com/news-announcements/guest-posts/practice-writing-every-day-2#more-18561" target="_blank">Practice Writing Every Day </a>didn't tell me anything new and profound, but was a reminder that writing is more than something you play at, not if you're serious. We whine and complain about not having time to write, but it's like anything else. If you want to do it, you'll find the time. <br />
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Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-17951291578687417522013-11-29T22:45:00.001-06:002013-11-29T22:45:55.684-06:00November 29th-Bring on the PEZ! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I look at posts of my family on Facebook doing all these family things on Thanksgiving and, while I love my job, I was wishing I'd picked teaching or some other such job....anything instead of medicine. Anything that would close on the holidays and the day after. I refused to shop on Thanksgiving. I feel the pain of having to work so others can "get a good deal." At least in my line of work it's not the kids' fault they got sick. <br />
It's hard to stay aggravated though, when you not only like what you do and the people you work with, but you also get to bring your PEZ to work! And share the PEZ with others. <br />
This year Bring Your PEZ to Work coincided with Celebrate Friday. What better thing to celebrate but PEZ dispensers and a job to bring them to? <br />
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Not satisfied with going to the office, my PEZ joined me for my writing as well. Next year, though, Captain Jack Sparrow isn't allowed to come. He's quite distracting when you're trying to be creative. Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-43361571072987139262013-09-16T22:41:00.001-05:002013-09-16T22:41:59.861-05:00 That's What You're Reading?My niece showed me the book she’s currently
reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She likes the new Young Adult
novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ready to say “Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s nice” to her, since many of the new
books aren’t what you would call quality literature and I’m not terribly impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that the Percy Jackson series teaches something
of Greek Mythology, but what exactly are we learning from Eduard and
Bella?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hunger Games was at least
tolerable and the Harry Potter series has good characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But stories that make you think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you have to actually concentrate
on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Star Wars novels are
entertaining, and come closer than some to getting out of the shallow end. <o:p></o:p><br />
So I looked at her book and all that came out was
“That’s Orson Scott Card.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said,
“Yeah, Ender’s Game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s this new
series and they’re making a movie out of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hollywood
makes a movie out of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I
could say was “that’s not new.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside
I’m cheering, cartwheels and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p><br />
I’m one of those who never watches the movie
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve usually read the book even
before Hollywood gets a hold of it—except Nicholas Sparks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say I’m a chicklit reader or watcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I don’t even watch the movie
because I know the screenwriters are going to mess it up. Two hours on the
screen just can’t capture the depth of the written narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Game of Thrones doesn’t tell everything
George R.R. Martin is trying to share and HBO has had a few seasons for it. <o:p></o:p><br />
And they aren’t supposed to. You thought this was
to criticize movies, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m watching The Two Towers—again—as I write
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read the Lord of the Rings
trilogy, and the Hobbit, and Simarillion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The movie series did disappoint me until I said “hey, this isn’t the
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay if Legolas is reduced to
a pretty boy with a petty feud with a dwarf. It’s just a movie.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screenplays aren’t novels and novels aren’t
screenplays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
But if a movie directs someone to a novel, how
cool is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit, the
Sharpe Series was like that for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
saw it on PBS back in the day and not only fell in love with swashbuckling
action, but also began a life-long obsession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In retrospect, there isn’t much
depth, just lots of Sean, in the movies but it opened me up to something different
than scifi and fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether in
novels or on the screen, that’s good story telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
I’m going to watch Ender’s Game with my niece in
November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to be disappointed
because that’s just the way it goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, I’m also going to say but they’ve picked a story to peak her
interest. She’ll go back and look for more at the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then she’ll ask the librarian for similar
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’ll read Margaret Weis,
Madeline l’Engle, Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’ll want more from her novels than she’s
been getting and be more discerning in her movie viewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she will still be able to enjoy them all.
<o:p></o:p><br />
You don’t start a baby off on meat and potatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You give them baby food first, let them learn
to digest it, then as they grow their palates become more sophisticated, not
only able to handle better, but actually wanting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the way it is with good story
telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We start them small and then
expand their horizons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
Hopefully there’s not a lot of abuse and neglect
along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327303786207380060.post-50044804967646641422013-09-06T23:11:00.000-05:002013-09-06T23:11:18.879-05:00Celebrate Friday! It's Been A While<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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CELEBRATION FRIDAY!<br />
My celebrate is that I'm back on this site. <br />
I always have big plans, but then life happens....<br />
So, in the interim, I haven't slacked. Wrote some poems, took some pictures, worked on the elusive novel. Went to Nova Scotia to dig up some family roots. Very fun. I want to do some posts about this. <br />
Will try to be more blog productive, but who knows? <br />
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Bethiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08984884363991238225noreply@blogger.com0