Sittin’ Around: Sentimental Saturday

I’m not a huge football fan, but I occasionally watch college football. But, when I know that my son and his friends are at his Alma Mater, the one and only University of Notre Dame, then I watch for sure. I know I won’t see him in the crowd of over 80,000 spectators, but I still scan the seats, hoping for glimpse. We spent many a weekend at Notre Dame. The tradition, sense of camaraderie, and religious mystique fill the stadium and spills over into to the entire campus.

Watching these football games is a sentimental journey, often bittersweet. Good times and happy days gone by, never to be recaptured. I guess that what memories, old photos, and waxing nostalgic is all about.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!

Friday Fulminations

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
Audrey Hepburn
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Sorry Ms. Hepburn. It’s Friday night, I’ve had a couple drinks and I ain’t got nothin’ nice to say! Well, except for this. ..Thank goodness I have the greatest friends in the world, the greatest sons, wonderful sisters and the best mother that God has ever created. Bless you all for keeping me sane and getting me through the hurdles. Love ya! To hell with the ones who caused the fulmination!

For those not familiar with FULMINATION…it’s a great word. Throw it in your vocab directory.
ful·mi·na·tion
ˌfo͝olməˈnāSHən,-fəl-/
noun
1.
an expression of vehement protest.
“the fulminations of media moralists”
synonyms: protest, objection, complaint, rant, tirade, diatribe, harangue, invective, railing, obloquy; denunciation, condemnation, criticism, censure, attack, broadside, brickbats; formalexcoriation; literaryphilippic
“the fulminations of media moralists”
a violent explosion or a flash like lightning.
synonyms: protest, objection, complaint, rant, tirade, diatribe, harangue, invective, railing, obloquy; More

Yeah, I don’t have one of those either.

Sorry, Ms. Hepburn!

Theme Song Thursday: Remembering WWII

History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces. Throughout our history, they’ve answered the call in bravery and sacrifice.
Tim Pawlenty
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My father served in the army during World War II. The majority of his time was spent in the Philippines. We heard stories, but we never thought to record or write down any of those memories. Today, while I was going through some of my zillion picture frames, I ran across the flag that my father carried with him during the war and brought home with him. He is no longer with us, but this flag speaks volumes about the men who he served with. They wrote down their names and what towns they came from. They were comrades in arms, but most importantly, they were friends.

This flag probably sat in a drawer for over fifty years. I’m not sure how I ended up with this treasure. I probably asked my mom if I could have it and she agreed. I glanced at the names, but I’ll have to take more time and write down the names of all those army buddies. It’s sad to think that some brave soldiers made it back home to their friends and families, but others didn’t. Here’s to all those who keep us safe.

Wednesday: Words of Wisdom and Sharing

“If you cant find the right words to say, borrow someone else’s.”
Me

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Buddha
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I was looking for something profound or funny to post today, but alas, I couldn’t come up with anything. My dear friend Della forwarded me a very interesting post from QuinnCreative about personal manifestos. Check out her blog for some interesting and creative words.

Write Your Own Manifesto

by QuinnCreative
What’s a personal manifesto? A way for you to get back to what you are meant to do, to find your North Star, to re-align your compass. A personal manifesto is a call to action, a step forward, a no-excuses definition of your clearest, best self. After printing Jenna’s manifesto, I got some requests for instructions.
If you are a word person, a personal manifesto is the writing equivalent of a vision board or a video statement. Use what resonates as true for you.
You can write and then design your own manifesto. The Holstee Manifesto is a very popular one that made the rounds last year. That’s it over on the upper left.
Long before they were popular, Frank Lloyd Wright wrote a manifesto for his apprentices. Mr. Wright (never call him Frank in Scottsdale) had a winter studio and school in Scottsdale, and although he himself had an enormous ego (and many, many mistresses, including the wife of a client), his manifesto was simple and clear. There are a lot of big, muscular ideas in this short list:
1. An honest ego in a healthy body.
2. An eye to see nature
3. A heart to feel nature
4. Courage to follow nature
5. The sense of proportion (humor)
6. Appreciation of work as idea and idea as work
7. Fertility of imagination
8. Capacity for faith and rebellion
9. Disregard for commonplace (inorganic) elegance
10. Instinctive cooperation
How do you write a manifesto? There are as many ways as there are people, but here are some suggestions to get you going:

By Sandra Belegi from her website http://theartofgreatness.com/the-artists-manifesto/
1. Write down some statements about life that you know are true from experience. Here’s one of mine: “Half of being smart is knowing what you are dumb at and not doing it. The other half is knowing what you are smart at and doing lots of that. Don’t confuse the two.”
2. Write down a list of things you believe (or know are true). Write down another list of things you don’t believe (or know are not true. At least for you.)
3. What do you want your life/world/work/studio/art to be? That question is hard to answer, so you may have to ask it another way: I want to live in a world where. . . . or By the time I’m [fill in our age 10 or 20 years from now] I want to have [made /read/ created/ achieved / learned. . .
4. Pick a topic for your manifesto. It can be as focused as “how I want to manage my disappointment” to “I want to be an artist.” Distill the items in steps 1 to 3 and make them into simple, powerful statements. Don’t cut them short just to be short, but make them powerful.
5. Use speedy verbs and muscular nouns. No traveling to mamby-pamby land [ya jackwagon]. No “I’ll try” or “I’ll do my best.” Be strong about what you believe about yourself. Step up and step out.
6. Write it down. Use a pen and paper, it makes it stronger and requires more effort. What you write by hand travels there from your heart.
7. Post it where you can see it every day. Read it out loud if you feel scared or drifting.
Reading it isn’t enough. You may have to make a list of what you need to be that person, conquer that fear, take that risk. A list of what you need will give you another action step. Manifestos are not about calling yourself to action.We go where we look. Look at what you want every day and move toward it a little more.
What is one thing you would include in a manifesto?
–Quinn McDonald has written a total of 8,000 words today, for others and for herself. She is not as tired as she thought she might be.
QuinnCreative | August 28, 2013 at 12:01 am | Tags: believe in yourself, getting traction, personal manifesto | Categories: Coaching, In My Life, Inner Critic | URL: http://wp.me/p2H1i-32A
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Tuesday and Time

A couple of years ago, I had made a commitment to write a short poem everyday for a hundred days in a row. I love giving myself a challenge. I thought it would be difficult, but just like daily blogging, I found it exhilarating. The title of each day’s poem was so profound and creative. See for yourself. Here is the first poem…

DAY ONE

When time escapes its awful fate

The sand pours to the ground

Trees will fall as echoes call

But no one hears a sound.

Monday Montage: A week in a Peek

Another week flew by at “warp speed,” for all you sic-fi fans. So here’s a peek at my week. Thanks to all my friends out there, especially the ones I’ve never met in person, but are special friends, none the less.

Some Sunday Sentiments: Friends

Sometimes friends are hard to find, but best friends are always there, you don’t even have to look for them. (My own quote- feel free.)

Saturday: On the Square…Be There or Be Square

I grew up in this town, my poetry was born between the hill and the river, it took its voice from the rain, and like the timber, it steeped itself in the forests.
Pablo Neruda

Now, that is an inspirational quote! Sometimes the town you live in can make you or break you. McKinney, especially the atmosphere and vibe of the Square, with its quaint buildings and charming people, is a place to make you complete.

After a rowdy rollicking Friday night on the Square with the gals, Saturday morning brought me back to our writing group and more downtown McKinney adventures. Here are some highlights of Friday night. (A bunch of gals out on the town is a lot more tame than your imaginations might assume, but feel free to simulate.)

Thanks, Woody, for the tour of the town. A little too fast, but exciting.

The GALS!

Saturday morning brought us back to the Square and our writing group. Cathy and Elizabeth are baking away at SWEET SPOT, and the place is all dolled up with a new look and attitude and awesome tempting treats.They even offered to display some of my artwork. Ran into Tommy, the wandering troubadour and he asked me to sign his new guitar, Mariah. Nice folks.

Then, a walk down the street over to SNUG. The talented 15 year old, Dori Grace was playing her guitar and belting out some tunes.

Always something to do, new people to meet, and old friends to frolic with. Yes, we always frolic.

Friday: “Memories”

Today should be a very happy joyous day, but alas, it is not. Normally, I am very verbose, funny or eloquent, but today, I will let a couple photos and the marvelous Barbara Streisand express my sentiments.

“The way we were”… 38 years ago.

Where we are…now.

Theme Song Thursday

There is nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It is a thing no married man knows anything about.
Oscar Wilde

Again, Mr. Wilde has the most amazing quotes about life. I think he had a little experience in that department. But, the elegant Eleanor Roosevelt was also very clever.

A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Now, the beautiful voice of Ms. Bonnie Raitt. Sing it Miss Bonnie!