Category Writing

Dreaming of Paddling — When I am not shoveling snow.

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We had a record 18 inches of snow. After shoveling for 2 hours, all I could think about was being out on the water. Spring is coming, isn’t it? I found these two great magazines.

Paddle World had spectacular photography featuring trips around the world for paddle boarding, kayaking and/or fly fishing in a kayak. Personally, I think fly fishing would be more relaxing standing in the water. However, we’ve got to try new things, right.

Paddling Magazine had interesting articles too. Their focus was more on latest equipment, etc. So, you need both magazines. One for dreaming of that International destination and the other for the basics.

I kept seeing the abbreviation of SUP in different articles. I was annoyed, what did it stand for?

GUESS WHAT – so easy, SUP stands for Stand Up Paddling. I could hear my brother saying, “Use your head, you ding-a-ling.” I laugh when he acts superior, secretly knowing that he probably didn’t know what SUP stood for either. Brothers have to irritate their sisters in some way, so they can laugh when they know it worked.

I haven’t tried SUP yet, but I did canoe on a Dragon Boat Racing team in Seattle. That was fun. About 12 people to a canoe. Great exercise. So, why kayaking and paddle boarding now. I like going out on my own timetable.

In case you were curious, here was an article from the Paddle World magazine. This article talked about paddle boarding in Hamburg. They suggested bringing your own blow up SUP. I looked up the cost. Paddle boards are expensive, prices range from $900 to $2,000, so you need to be serious about this sport.

I still have a lot to learn, but I do have my life vest already. That’s a start! LOL – and it’s not the orange ones we had as a kid, so at least I won’t stick out as a real beginner — there is hope for me!

Spring is almost here. What outdoor fitness challenge are YOU thinking about?

Photography: Snow Sculpture… Exercise…

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When exercise pays off…

Look how beautiful. Now, it looks like this is an elephant sculpture with snow on it. Could it be a man made snow sculpture? How would they get the trunk to stay up?

On to my next adventure. Oh, I did see that someone still had their Christmas decorations up. A 5 foot Nutcraker in their yard. It’s time to put that one in the attic.

The birds have gone back into hibernation. No more chirping.

More snow this weekend.

I’m sharpening my writing pencils. Let the creativity continue!

How do YOU organize your To Do List?

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I saw this picture and I got the biggest chuckle. It’s exactly how my brain works. I like to see everything I need to do at once in bright beautiful colors all over the place. If it is in a notebook, for me, information is lost. Move one Post-It Note and I WILL KNOW – no joke!

Interesting how our individual brains work/process information.

I’ve been reading about Evernote, but there is a monthly charge – don’t want that. Still need Netflix. Hum…

Any other ideas?

Groundhog Day – 6 more weeks of winter — THANKS, PHIL!

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This is the first time I’ve seen Phil in action. Actually, it seems his full name is “Punxsutawney Phil.” I feel bad saying this, but it is a silly ceremony. It was snowing while they put Phil on the podium. Phil sat there, while they all looked at him. One of the guys stared him down, face to face, and before Phil could get antsy — it was determined that Phil had seen his shadow.

6 more weeks of winter…

Keep those shovel handy.

Good news for Phil. He’s got a job for life. I wonder if someone in his family takes over in the future.

WHAT? I’m just wondering. How does that all work?

Oh, when the ceremony was over they played the “Pennsylvania Polka” song. That was nice. Made me think of Oktoberfest in Munich.

I can’t get the song out of my mind, still waltzing around!

Writing… Social Media… Brain on overload!

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So, you want to be a writer, they say.

Well, writing your book is a small piece of being an established author.

Have you started working on your BRAND?

Writer asks… How do I work on my brand when I haven’t published a book yet?

Established author says… Join writer organizations, Twitter, Facebook, Critique groups, etc.

Writer starts… Joining, reading, critiquing, zooming… no time for writing anymore.

Writer’s head… EXPLODES!

Writer realizes… It’s time to put phone/computers aside.

Go somewhere in the outdoors.

Ah, the beauty of calmness — smell the fresh air — free the brain — tap into creativity again.

BACK TO BASICS!

Sometimes, we just need to shut out the noise, take a moment, and refocus our priorities.

The life of a WRITER!

Mega Millions Lottery tonight — 1 Billion, GOOD LUCK!

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I don’t really gamble, but the Mega Millions Lottery is up to 1 Billion. It just takes one lucky ticket to win! If we don’t try, we don’t have a chance.

If you stop posting, I guess we’ll KNOW you won. You’ll be on an Island somewhere drinking a margarita and enjoying life.

GOOD LUCK everyone!

Fitness Virtual Challenge – IRELAND

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January 2021 – The start of a new year, it’s time for a fitness challenge.

My girlfriend was on Facebook and found this Run West Ireland – Cancer Fundraiser – Virtual Challenge. It was a no brainer to sign up. We love Ireland, happy to donate to cancer and need to exercise. A win/win all around.

Here’s how it works. Race Duration: January 18 – May 31. Miles: 502; however, you can sign up to do less. Doing the math, as I signed up for the 502 miles, it seems I need to walk about 5 miles a day. It’s hard to find 1.5 hours a day to devote to exercise, but that will be the challenge.

They have a Facebook group page, which is nice. So, there is some camaraderie and then other perks along the way. I clocked my 5.6 miles in today. Feeling good.

So the race begins!

Time to laugh a little…

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I needed a laugh today, so sharing this clip of Bill Geist (journalist/retired), trying to do Christmas like Martha Stewart. I know, Christmas isn’t for another 11 months, but this was the first clip I viewed and it made me chuckle. Hope it brightens your day too.

Oh, come on, you are going to LOVE the wreath he makes, tree decorating, cookies — OH MY GOSH!

Have a nice weekend!

New Puzzle -> New Audio Book

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In December, after a snow storm, longing for the beach, I decided it was time for a new puzzle. A purchase that should have taken 15-20 minutes turned into 2 hours of searches. As I wasn’t sure what type of puzzle I wanted, my search took me in all sorts of directions.

Did I want to spend time making a puzzle of Italy, cupcakes, stamps, Ireland, doors, dogs, Spain, so many choices. Nothing seemed appealing, until I came upon this simple beach scene that reminded me of my childhood days on Lake Michigan. BINGO! I smiled and made my purchase.

I enjoy doing puzzles while listening to an audio book. When my puzzle FINALLY arrived, it was not in stock, so a 2 day delivery turned into a 4 week wait, I headed to the online library. I like books by Jeffrey Archer; unfortunately, so do other people, wait times were way too long.

As I searched for alternative books, I came across this book, by Phaedra Patrick, “The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.” I liked the cover and the title made me smile. I decided to give the book a try. So far, so good. It’s an interesting story about a man whose wife died and he finds a charm bracelet she had which he had never seen before. Wthout spoiling the story, I think you can tell where this tale is headed — YES?!

The key to any great audio book is the narrator. A good narrator can give a book a 5 Star rating. This narrator, James Langton, doesn’t disappoint. He uses such funny voices for the different characters, it’s a joy to listen to him.

I just started. On the puzzle, I always start with the border first, then I try to find something easy to make, like the pink surf board, so I feel a sense of accomplishment at the “get go.” Next the umbrella AND then to find out WHERE Arthur goes in discovering the story behind his late wife’s charm bracelet.

Clever story idea. Don’t they say everyone has a secret even long term marriages, 50+ years, where life seemed rather dull and routine, suddenly a secret is revealed. The other amusing part of this book is how children are used to their parents being a certain boring way and when something changes, and they see their parent with energy or enjoying life — they don’t like it! The children suddenly become suspicious of their parent and their new life motives! LOL

Let’s see where this story goes… Personally, I want to see Arthur start enjoying life!