Alittle This, Alittle That

  Is Now This
<It was the second time I was honored an Award for this essay contest>

Yes, I'm excited!
Thank You Virginia! Animal Spirits
Thank you Judi! Judith HeartSong

         A wonderful person emailed me about my essay/poem <hey look Paul, I actually used that word> with a congrats, a question, and revealed they were a longtime reader, and never a commenter. First, the question was asking  what was my inspiration, or how did I come up with that prose from the photograph.

         It came to me in one wash of a thought. The instant I saw it, I thought of a tiny me, stepping across the squares, almost like a hopscotch game of life. I think the game part of it is how those words, one step, two step, three step four came to mind. Once I wrote that first line, the rest just flowed from mind to computer screen. The whole time imagining myself assigning defining moments in my life to single squares. Climbing around the squares from time to time, reflecting on where I have been, beginning to create new squares with new choices in life. Simple right?

         So after being revealed another person who frequents my journal, yet has never made a comment, that curious cat in me wonders just how many people come by on a regular basis and reads without comment?? I know in the language of Journal Land, thats been labeled a lurker. I don't love that label. I will call them silent thoughts. So if there are any silent thoughts out there, how about alittle wave today?  A wave is pretty noncommittal, a simple gesture without expectation.........Here, I'll go first

         I was observing how my journal has come along in it's evolution. I've come to believe it's really become a two part endeavor. First, my thoughts or the lead in, which is like the first half of a book, and then second, the comments i.e. the finale, the ending of the book. The comments I get in this here journal, are just amazing. I'm often blown away by the caliber, the thought, the insight, of all the comments my entries receive. The comments are the compliment, the final twist to what has become these pages.

         I've always agreed with the notion that "written words are the choicest of all relics." As these pages become my relic, so does your comments. After about 2 or 3 weeks of public offering, I print out each entry, with comments, 3 hole punch them and into a notebook they go. I started with a 1 1/2 ring binder. I've printed all entries since Nov. and about a month ago I had to upgrade to a 3 inch binder. I think thats a beautiful thing. How does it feel to know someday my notebooks will be handed down with my memories and your comments, to be again relived, rethought, and appreciated???

         Some of my interviews are in! I gave the same 2 questions, 1 and 5 for everyone, and tailored the middle per person. If you get a chance go visit these Great Journals.

Chris over at   Inane thoughts and insane ramblings    withstood the pressure of my intent Barbara Walters stare. His answers were genuine and insightful.

Marti over at   Midlife Musings    answered one of my questions so well, I read it 3 times to make sure it all sunk in.....regarding the advice to give us Mom's of up and coming teenagers.

Carrie over at    The Way I Came to Be Me  posted a picture that is sure to bring a smile and a joyish tear to anyone who looks. She gave us a beautiful peek inside her world.

Paul over at   Aurora Walking Vacation  is dragging his typing fingers, I'm still waiting for him to finish his honey-do's and post his interview. Would Barbara Walters be this patient?