"We become what we think about." ~ Earl Nightingale

Welcome to Sacred Ruminations

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,


Sunday, February 7, 2010

Of Blogging Transitions and Blessings


Scroll down for Mosaic Monday,
Mellow Yellow, Blue Monday and Blessings


While checking comments this morning and responding in email to Sheila of the Quinessential Magpie, it occurred to me that it might be time to share my current thinking about blogging in general ... so that's what I've set out to do this morning since a number of my readers have inquired about my intentions recently.

1. If I wasn't such a private person, I'd just use my real name like most bloggers do ... but being 'A Nonny Mouse' (with apologies to Jack Prelutsky) provides me the 'comfort' to blog at all. As my early readers know, I've been a 'closet writer' all my life. Newer readers might enjoy 'Why I Blog' and/or 101 Things About Me to fill in the blanks when time permits ... or not.

2. Sharing what I write with others has long been challenging (if not impossible) for me, but it's through the 'process of writing' that I discover what I think and/or know for sure and blogging has helped me get over myself gradually. Even so, until it's on the page, much of what's in my mind is a total mystery to me ... probably because I was told by my mother throughout my childhood (whenever I shared my thinking) that I was being 'silly' and I didn't REALLY think the thoughts I shared. I know it sounds crazy ... I suspect it was and perhaps I'll share more about that one day, but not today.

3. Attending the Taos Writer's Retreat in the summer of 2007 and connecting with women who write is what got me started blogging in the first place. They encouraged me through emails and phone calls after the fact ... suspecting that once they got the proverbial ball rolling I wouldn't be able to stop. Methinks they were right. I've learned a great deal about myself, writing, and the more 'technical' aspects of blogging in the past two and a half years. I'm grateful to those who helped me along the way and more than happy to pass along what I've learned ... so if you have questions, feel free to ask in email and I'll share what I know on just about any topic.

4. My friends and family know I'm 'out here' in the Blogosphere, but don't read or visit ... so my blogs are 'extensions' of (not replacements for) my private journals. The 'real writing' I do remains 'hidden' for the most part ... revealed most often here at Sacred Ruminations, but gets 'lost' easily amidst the more 'trivial or mundane' writings here unless one really searches my archives and/or pays close attention. It's my own little 'pretense' to keep me moving forward.

5. I suspect I'll continue to devote essentially equal time to each of my blogs, but instead of having TWO 'personas' in this virtual world ... I'll have just one (as a Happily Retired Gal) ... at least until I actually begin to spend enough time with words to tell stories again. Methinks that switching from the 'granny avatar' I've used as 'storyteller' to the 'real shadow image of me with my camera' as Happily Retired Gal is a step in the right direction ... (thank you Karen for your comment about 'revealing myself' a bit more when I shared that Shadow Shot last week) ... though it may not matter to anyone other than myself (and my 'writer friends' from Taos who keep encouraging me to step into the light for real). Note to self: remember to create a new 'Morning Musings' logo with my HRG 'shadow shot' of myself and 'dump' the storyteller logo above.

6. I've considered 'sorting things out a bit' with my blogging for a while now ... using the HRG WordPress site mainly for sharing photos ... the Small Reflections blog for my 'musings' or 'personal reflections' (perhaps telling stories) ... and Sacred Ruminations for 'gratitude' and more mindful topics (as was my original intention). Doing so might make it simpler for 'readers' to find what they're looking for ... something I've tried to do by adding 'links' at the top of (and in my sidebars) to serve as 'pointers' ... but I don't know how useful they are to anyone other than myself.

7. So ... that about sums up where I am at the moment in regards to publishing. In terms of following others, that's in transition as well. One of the unexpected consequences of setting up a new Blogger account is that my Google Reader (for storyteller) won't let Happily Retired Gal visit ... so I'm creating a new 'reader' account as I make this transition, but it's slow work because I can't have both readers open simultaneously. Hmmm ... note to self: Perhaps if I use both computers I could log in as storyteller on one and HRG on the other? It's certainly worth checking out!

8. The 'challenge' for ME (in keeping up with others in this 'virtual' world) is that I have so MANY blogs in my reader that getting around to everyone in a timely manner (especially when my sister is around) is next to impossible ... yet 'culling the list' to a more reasonable size is hard to do because I enjoy visiting a wide variety of blogs when time permits ... and don't want to lose track of anyone. If I wasn't 'happily retired' with lots of 'discretionary time' I doubt I'd be able to manage at all.

On to other matters ...
"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb
Although I continue to keep a Daily Gratitude List in my sidebar at Small Reflections, I do like to Blog my Blessings on Sundays here, so here goes: I'm grateful ...


1. the weather permitted me to spend Thursday with my sister out in the world. We went to Kabuki in Bella Terra where we enjoyed a delicious lunch of Edamami, Miso Soup, California Roll, Spicy Albacore Roll, and our favorite sashimi ... Unagi.


2. After lunch we walked around the Bella Terra center ... stopped at Pinkberry's for a free sample of their new flavor and Peet's for coffee. Next we went to REI where I purchased a 'kewl' pair of Keen boots (we HAVE had LOTS of rain here in So Cal lately & the only footwear I own are sandals). My sister bought a couple of fleece jackets on sale. We visited a number of other places without making any purchases ... then stopped on the way home to pick up a pizza at Munchies to take home to her husband (who was feeling frustrated earlier in the day when we opted to forgo breakfast at the Harbor House for lunch at Kabuki ... he doesn't like sushi but usually joins us when we meet for breakfast).



3. My heart goes out to the continuing plight of the people in Haiti along with all those affected by snowstorms on the east coast and the mudslides here in Southern California ... hard to fathom the challenges of such devastation from 'natural' disaster & weather-related events. The small leak in my living room ceiling (under the front deck off my bedroom) seems minor in the scheme of things, though I will need to have roofers out to fix the problem ... hopefully sooner than later.

4. I had a wonderful 'catch up' phone call with my Taos Retreat writing buddy just now ... so it's considerably later than when I started this post and Molly's impatient for her walk now that the sun is shining. Methinks I'll let '4' be the magic number and close here ... after wishing you ALL a delightful day.

Click images to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Blue Monday
Mosaic Monday
Mellow Yellow Monday

See
my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections
and the lists I've transferred to Happily Retired Gal

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?
For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo

above Really Good Things.
For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:
Blessed Be ... and so it is!
Photobucket

Thought for Today
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?" William A. Ward

16 comments:

Matty said...

We all have our own personalities and style. And they are reflected in our blogs and writing. To each their own, and who is to judge.

Children, grandchildren, family, life. Blessings.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh, my, your continuing blogging problems boggle my mind. I am so sorry for all of your problems. But I see you are enough of an expert to be able to work your way through it all, I would be lost! I like the boots, and love the pictures of the unusual restaraunt doors! I know what you mean about figuring yourself out through blogging! I think so many women can only work through things when we verbalize or write about them. Men don't seem to be wired quite that way. I hope you finally get everything worked out to your satisfaction. I will look forward to your shadow!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I truly enjoy the mix of self-discovery, technical tips, and beautiful photography that you include on your blogs -- I learn something new every time I visit. Thanks for sharing as always!

eileeninmd said...

I have been enjoying your blogs and your photos. I like the pizza better than sushi and I like your cool looking boots too.

deb said...

Nothing is ever eay is it. Wishing you the best figuring all the bloggy stuff out.
Ah Sushi, my daughter and I sneak out to get it when we can. Nice way to connect with each other.
Great boots!
Have a great week!
*hugs*deb

Carol said...

Cool boots! Enjoyed the post! and your mosaics!

Debbie said...

What I love about blogs is to see all the different styles, ideas, pictures - its like getting to know people from around the world. Your blog is very creative and thank you for sharing.

Barb said...

I am also a private person and have a hard time when fellow bloggers want my full name/address to send me something. That said, I'm sometimes shocked by what I choose to write and share! I really like those Keen Boots - looks like they belong in CO!

Jeanne said...

That lunch spot looks so neat. And your food delic. Love those boots. You got great light in both places. Loved reading your musings. I have trouble really expressing myself. I'm working on striking a better balance with words and pictures and not relying on just pictures so much.

Claudia said...

I so enjoy reading your words. You inspire me everytime i read you.

I, like you enjoy so much my sister-- what would we do with out them? I am so blessed and find we have numerous things we agree on.

Lovely post... keep up the good works.

Claudia

Snap said...

I very much enjoy your blogs. Love the mosaics -- especially of your lunch!

SmilingSally said...

I guess most of us are private people. Happy Blue Monday.

Kim, USA said...

I come to think of why I blog ^_^

Chairs&Flowers

Karen said...

You've actually shared quite a lot in this one entry--thank you for letting us peek into your mind. I'm quite struck by what your mother said to you. It's amazing how the people who love us (and whom we love) are often the ones that end up shutting us down in little and big ways. But we can still love them and forgive them and acknowledge to ourselves that they were wrong.

I very much understand your need for privacy. There are actually very few people who know me in real life (definitely less than a dozen) and also know my blog. I feel freer to share my real self to people I'll probably never meet. Odd, but true.

Just do what feels comfortable to you--we love what we get!

Momisodes said...

I actually admire your choice and ability to keep your anonymity online. And that is wonderful you're keeping up with your writing on the side.

And I love those boots!

Quiet Paths said...

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on journals and blogging. What a magnificent sushi lunch you shared with your sister. We have 2 places in Missoula which have a similar menu but yours looked delightful!