December 25, 2023
From my family to yours, the wish for joy, happiness, peace, and hope in all the season’s celebrations.
December 18, 2023
This time next week Christmas morning will be over. The early waking, opening stockings, big breakfast or waiting for the afternoon big meal, it will be over and done. It’s a time, those who celebrate, wait all year for, and yes, get into debt over and stress about the perfect everything. I’m still working on enjoying the lead-up and not stressing that perceived perfection. Maybe it’s just the grey-day outside that’s got me in a funk. Maybe I need some holiday cartoons…Grinch here I come.
December 11, 2023
Do you know the writers of your fave TV shows? Without writers the actors wouldn’t have anything to work with. Without actors…you get the picture, but which time did your imagination do it better?
December 4, 2023
Happy December! Happy Holidays, all of them, may your celebration(s) be everything important to you!
Creativity-wise…does not enjoying holiday stories make me a grinch? I do love – How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
November 27, 2023
Covid tiredness is real. I know they call it covid-fatigue, but I dislike that word, this bout for me is more extra tired not fatigue. And that’s something to remember when writing…word usage to express clearly what you mean.
November 20, 2023
Still positive, but the brain is starting to work and now I’m catching up.
November 13, 2023
Covid has finally hit this household. Glad for shots cause this sucks.
November 6, 2023
You have to be willing to take the risk and fail.
October 30, 2023
Time. Patience. Silence. These are gifts I need to give to myself more often. You?
October 23, 2023
Never thought I would get tired of (some) horror movies. I can’t even sit through my favourite Freddy movie. At least I can escape the real world.
October 16, 2023
Do we watch, make, horror movies in order to escape from life’s true horrors?
October 9, 2023
We need Peace not prayers.
October 2, 2023
Happy Halloween Season! I know it’s our, Canada’s, Thanksgiving, but it’s Spooky Season. Time for the scary movies…Michael, Jason, Freddy, Chucky needs to go sit on a shelf. I know some are a bit overdone, too campy, but they’re my type of movies, one of the types. Maybe this is why I’ve been thinking gothic haunted houses with the urge to write their tales?
September 25, 2023
Is it true…chaos in the mind; chaos in the writing? Or do we write to get the chaos under control, released?
September 18, 2023
Burnout also happens when you move to fast from one must-do to another and gain momentum to get even more done. Yes, that’s what is going on today. The positive is that many mini things are getting done but the larger more effective items are left waiting.
September 11, 2023
“Jump the shark” is when a TV series has gone beyond, in a bad way, it’s believable reality. It’s hit the too way out there, too boring overdone. The universal “hollywood” has jumped their own shark with remakes and reboots of the same past ideas and shows. Find the new. Take a chance on the unknown voices. Is it any wonder the ancient three networks are dulling each year?
September 4, 2023
First Monday of September, my anxiety day from school days. Ended up taking, unintentionally, August off. Fell into a summer slump of weariness. The weather was cooler than expected, so perhaps that added to my downward feeling. I don’t like the end of anything…except maybe winter.
July 31, 2023
The end of summer starts tomorrow. I loved and hated August growing up, it meant school was starting in a few short weeks. I allowed my school anxiety to live with me and that drove me to read and lose myself in fictional worlds. That’s what reading is and was to me…escape. That’s what my imagination is to me still…some place to run to where I’m the only control.
July 24, 2023
I’ve been keeping this blog prompt to write in my notes, but today it’s prompting something new: can foes be the hero. There’s more to write about this, but I’ve been sucked into Love Island and reality shows can be a wealth of prompts for our writing. They sent person A home in order to keep person 6’s potential love interest only to find out that the now kept person friend-zoned person 6 while making person A appear the villain…at least that’s my take. There, that’s the storyline to keep notes on.
July 17, 2023
We may have noise around us, but we can be quiet inside. Dream a little today as tomorrow you can bring the dream to reality…even if just fictional.
July 10, 2023
Can inspiration fade? Even die away? Yes, there are times I wonder this, but then I recognize that all I’ve missed is quiet in order to hear myself think. I remember how I used to play and develop these stories around anything at hand, these were my first attempts at writing even though I never used paper and pen. Play in silence. Daydream alone. Watch around you. Open yourself up to that which has always inspired you.
July 3, 2023
Long holiday weekend for Canada and USA, but that doesn’t mean a holiday from writing. Write everywhere and anytime, always.
June 26, 2023
I used to be able to write in bowling alleys. The crashing, thuds, loud voices, mass visual movements were never a deteriorate. I could read there as well. I was in my zone and anyone who wanted my attention needed to work to get it. Now? Without silence, or simple classic-like music in the background, I’ve reached the point I can’t hear myself think let alone hear my fictional worlds. Going to sit still today and wait as the silence settles so I can hear again.
June 19, 2023
Remember….sit in silence in order to hear your voices
June 12, 2023
Hello, Monday. You’re raining, damp, grey, foggy, and dragging my behind with you. I’m taking you on methodically with simple contemplation…slow and easy. Looking for that sliver lining today.
June 5, 2023
Happy June! Yeah, that’s the pondering…processing current health information…all good, but big changes, for me.
May 29 2023
Off to see family doctor today, following up with all the other medical information
May 22, 2023
Happy Victoria Day. A long weekend holiday celebration that I know the history is in shadows. Will we keep this holiday in the years coming? I don’t know, but today, after last week, I’m celebrating the time with family
May 15, 2023
Writing this just after 11pm…it’s been an allergy day and a slept-in day and generally a dragging myself around day. Went to bed Sunday night thinking I would have an early/on time start and be happily productive…nope. Woke with my alarm and then fell asleep throughout all the follow-up alarms. Finally snailed my way out of bed 10:20am…the entire household had one of those mornings. We’ll all have those days.
May 8, 2023
Back to surrounding myself with plants. Had to transplant/replant a few with fresh dirt…hoping I haven’t destroyed my one shamrock plant, it’s a bit droopy but looks good. The goldfish is starting to bloom. Plus the battery candles are looking good. It’s all about the comfort of my surroundings. What works for you?
May 1, 2023
Happy May! On my way to the 5-year check with my cancer doctor…turns out, all clear….however, on the way all I could think is today everyone at the lab is waiting on some type of news…do they have it; is it diminishing; is it growing; is it gone; is it still gone. Families are being changed. Our medical teams are giving the news they dread giving and news they’re thrilled to give. Everyone’s path is different and similar. Here, today is a good day.
April 24, 2023
The saying is what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger…I vote that I’m strong enough. I’m sure everyone does for themselves as well. I don’t like crying or whining or the poor me, but frankly, I’ve reached a limit and just want some ease. Dad had a saying, one of his many…we can have the 1-2-3 poor me pity party, but we don’t live there…1-2-3-ugggghhhhhh. Okay, let’s get writing and doing.
April 17, 2023
My Pa would have been 109. Mom and I wonder who he would have been at this age and during this time. Probably have his own social media accounts and either having a blast or getting into trouble. Who will I be at 109?
April 10, 2023
Again, I’m late. This was Easter Monday…when did it stop being a holiday? The one memory I have of this day was the mass concert for Freddie Mercury.
April 3, 2023
Why type something in this space when I actually forgot to on the day of? It may not matter, but for this moment it gives me the reminder of time never waits.
March 27, 2023
Make time or Take time? Does length of time matter? Am I talking writing or life? Sometimes, like right now, I’m not sure.
March 20, 2023
The start of spring. More sunshine and warmer temperatures, I can already feel my energy increasing. Is there such a thing as writing seasons? Creative seasons? Can’t really rely on the seasons to create…too much downtime, wasted time. This is where focus and following through is a must…discipline. The difference between an amateur and professional writer, maybe. And that’s an argument for another day.
March 13, 2023
Creativity comes in all forms, some may even say in sports there is creativity, although I can’t find it there, except in the martial arts. Maybe I’m confusing beauty with creativity…and creativity can also be ugly and harsh. Sometimes creativity is our means of escape and sometimes our thoughts on the world around us, better more….our dreams and hopes.
March 6, 2023
We survived another snow storm and this one was a doozy. Doozy. Words can invoke memories of all emotions and reactions. My favourite is – actually – apparently my aunt and I say this a bit more than others. Then there’s the phrase – an old-fashioned baby – my grandmother and her sisters used/use it…no one really understands it. Think of the word that makes you smile.
February 27, 2023
Another snow/ice disruption storm. Another nightfall that looks wonderful from my window, not so much watching people shovelling the mess it really is. Weather, it’s natural, yes. Weather has been identified as having a mind all its own…maybe. If we were no longer here how would the weather change? I watch the Monterey Bay live cam everyday, same with the aquarium in Georgie and wonder how would they all change if we weren’t here. There’s probably a story there, if I was brave enough to walk in it.
February 20, 2023
It’s Family Day in Canada. At first I thought this was a crazy idea, but I’m appreciating it more and more…not for being called Family Day and that stress of “must do family stuff.” I appreciate the time off after the busy holiday season. A day we can all relax and do whatever…together or not. Family doesn’t need a designated day…it shouldn’t…family requires being there, no matter the timing.
February 13, 2023
We’ll have to call today a goof-day. Didn’t get much accomplished and I’m okay with that, I adapted my routine to fit in what I could and not be too disappointed. I’m going to blame the extra mild weather we’re having in Ontario for my mood. I’m simply sitting and enjoying the sun and tease of spring. I did go out and buy some yarn to make yarn dolls, probably end up randomly knitting with them instead. We all need goof-days.
February 6, 2023
It’s true, the early bird does get the worm…or at least gets a jump on it. Been awake since 4:15am and managed to finish a movie, play a game, my other morning routine and showing up here. I will nap later only because I need that recharge as much as I need my early start. What’s your best starting time?
January 30, 2023
I was up later than I wanted, but I’m feeling better than I anticipated. My morning routine did what I hoped it would. What morning routine do you follow…do you have one or fly by the moment? I tried flying with the moment, but it was too chaotic and unsettling for me. However, that’s how most of my stories are written…not planned or plotted. Lately, I’ve been asking myself questions for each story and that’s been helping. Not quite a plotter, yet.
January 23, 2023
I’m such a creature of habit that doing my morning hellos and such out of order is a bit off-putting. Wish I was more a creature of habit with my writing. I need to admit, I’m afraid to write. I’m having a struggle with that internal critic who will not let me write a bad sentence. My general mood isn’t helping. I’m allowing myself to be stressed by dust-bunnies, laundry, and…well, everything else. There, I’ve put it out to the universe and I will do better. Catch me next week and see what progress I make.
January 16, 2023
I know the story is in the details and there are no small details, but the small bit and pieces of the day can really bog you down. Today is one of those days. Much being accomplished, but not much of what I really want. Refocus or simple necessity or both.
January 9, 2023
Discouragement. We all face it at some point in our lives. Whether personal or professional; private or public. I’m struggling. I’m trying to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I’m trying to regroup, restart, re…anything. I’m trying and right now there’s no sign of which way I’ll go.
January, 2, 2023
It’s Monday, right? Happy New Year: 2023. I hope we reach all our goals, but not our dreams because dreams are living concepts that change, grow, and should never fade away. Keep dreaming.
December 26, 2022
Last Monday of December and last of 2022. I’m always uncomfortable with the last of any time, but as I’m typing this something caught my eye out of the bedroom window…a flock of birds flying in formation off into the grey skies to the point I can’t see them anymore…gone within a blink. I know they have a day-to-day survival, but there’s a freedom of all confinement when I see them. Time doesn’t end. Enjoy when this moment brings you.
December 19, 2022
Last Monday before Christmas and very little writing is getting done as I rush around trying to get ready for what is supposed to be a family celebration time…why do we do this craziness to ourselves? Instead of resting and enjoying we stress for perfection and creating time that races by. Finding my corner and remembering simpler ways to be.
December 12, 2022
Being sick during stress days is not helpful…we all know this, but I needed to rant a little
December 5, 2022
Start of the last month of the year. Have you reached your goals?
November 28, 2022
Distractions. Don’t let them get their grip on you. I knew I had a couple of bills to pay today, so I logged on and took care of that business, but now I’m tempted to get something else done that I need which then reminded me of something else all before I do my normal morning journal routine that is vital to me. It’s too easy to get distracted and ride that train (or bumpy bus) to the point you forget all the bits and pieces that you know are important and keep you on track. Detours and side tracks can offer wonderful discoveries; however, they can also derail us from our goals.
November 21, 2022
Believe. Self-belief. Today I will believe that I will continue to bend and not break. I do not need proof, but my writing will show this self-truth.
November 14, 2022
Change. It happens. Our choices in reading and viewing genres. Our choices in politics. Our taste in foods. And even in our fashion. I’m showing my mom it’s okay to choose colours and patterns she normally stayed away from because her mom thought them too bold…then again, I also showed my grandmother different colours and patterns she was too nervous to try. Politics? I changed my dad’s mind on one candidate one year. Change…it’s not that scary or even wrong. It’s about growing and that’s always a good thing.
November 7, 2022
Another weekend gone and still I have caught up in backlog of writing I wanted to get finished. Nano’s started and I finally decided to not participate this year. I was stressing on November 2nd because I hadn’t started and now was behind. I pressure myself enough with my lack of accomplishment that this was one stressor I could remove without even starting. No matter what we call work or work at it shouldn’t add to life’s stresses.
October 31, 2022
Happy Halloween
October 24, 2022
Today is Municipal Voting Day, going to go do my duty so that dad doesn’t haunt me…rather he haunt me for something fun 😉
October 17, 2022
Some worry about life imitating fiction. The truth? If writers are thinking and writing it, we’re not the first.
October 10, 2022
What am I thankful, today? Family. Home. All levels of friendships and what I’ve learned from them all. Learning. Creativity. Me. Yeah, me, I’m thankful for all I have accomplished, lived through, and continue into the future. You, for giving me the time to be here.
October 3, 2022
A writer cannot guarantee you or some part of you won’t end up in any of their characters. Can’t even guarantee a situation you think is yours is in their story or not because we honestly don’t always know or remember how something came to us. Writers tend to be sponges absorbing everything around them. You know the writer. You see you and yours in the story. Purely coincidental. Majority of our writing we have no clue what’s being typed/written…if we’re being truthful.
September 26, 2022
How come my fingers can auto-find the keys to type in passwords, but stumble as I’m trying to catch up with the scene in my mind?
September 19, 2022
Problem with taking a week off is getting back on track.
September 12, 2022
Happy Birthday to me, taking the week off
September 5, 2022
Missed last week, let’s blame end of summer holidays dulls. I have always had an issue with the end of any holidays, even weekends, found out it was all social anxiety-driven. Labour Day was the hardest and even though I’m well past that anxiety the memories still creep in.
August 22, 2022
Having one of those days were needing to refresh every internet connection and making breakaway spaces between what I have planned on my list. But, that’s okay, I knew my day was going to be divided into smaller bits and pieces and that prepared me for the internet connections being slow. Gotta go with the flow. Calling this Mysterious Monday 🙂
August 15, 2022
Some Mondays can be great days, today feels like one of those days. Have fun everyone.
August 8, 2022
Muggy Monday and everything feels wet and uncomfortable even the keyboard as I type. Not the weather that induces writing or anything creative. Does the weather impact your creativity?
August 1, 2022
I’m locking the door and writing. Nothing else, well, some play is required. Need something to switch my story mindsets. Derrick might muck about with playdoh, but I can’t see that being a Sherman Dudley thing.
July 25, 2022
Well, instead of narrowing down the stories; instead of getting short stories written; instead….I’ve just added more stories to my need to write pile. And, there’s one I forgot. This is why it’s dangerous for me to go through my notes.
July 18, 2022
Afternoon. How’s your weather? It’s overcast, rainy, and muggy here. The type that makes it unpleasant to do much, but sit and not move. However, I don’t want to spend my time doing that, at least not today. I’m writing…new journals for each story, the kinda I think the character would use. I’m trying to get into their mind inside of mine…yeah, just go with it LOL
July 11, 2022
Monday started with a flying something in my bedroom window. We think it’s trapped in the vacuum, now. It’s unsettling not knowing if you’re allergic considering two in your family are. Interesting start to this day…dare I wonder how the rest will go?
July 4, 2022
Be safe and remember we are all connected…what happens to one of us can happen to us all.
June 27, 2022
Could do with a redo, today, even being a Monday and I woke at 3am trying to figure out what day it was.
June 20, 2022
It’s a day of mixes and matches and plain ole silliness…oh and add a dash of what am I doing? Mondays can and should be fun
June 13, 2022
Feeling silly, so as my dad would say: Have a Fun Day
June 6, 2022
Always feels like I’m restarting, but then again, each day is a new start, so I’m back to where I was 😉
May 30, 2022
It’s been one of those days, so I’ll use an ex-co-worker’s words: Follow up, Follow up, Follow up…or how she wrote it F/U. Yeah, she might have had a double meaning 😉
May 23, 2022
Holiday Monday here in Canada, hope you all your enjoy your day wherever you are. Be safe. Be happy. Be you.
May 16, 2022
There are days the electronic frustrations are too real. Internet too slow or too flippy or too hiccupy. I believe there are gremlins in the machines, not ghosts, gremlins and they’re not drunk. They know exactly what they’re doing.
May 9, 2022
Weak habits are easy and positive habits are challenging…why? Breaking and ignoring the habits are in reverse…weak difficult; positive way too easy
May 2, 2022
Consistency and patience, two aspects I’m always in a battle with…you?
February 9, 2022
I struggle with consistency.
February 2, 2022
Morning. Why are the worthwhile habits so difficult to start and keep going? Small steps, right? Everything starts with that first small step.
January 18, 2022
Happy New Year! I’m a bit late, but life did get complicated again…beyond Covid. However, I’ve re-dedicated myself to, well, simply put, myself and my imagination and creativity.
I hope you have all kept well and are keeping your dreams alive.
Talk soon.
Chris