Bloganuary 1/12/22

What emoji(s) do you like to use?

I have mixed feelings about the use of emojis. As a wannabe writer, I feel the use of emoji’s are a crutch or lazy way of expressing oneself. Instead of using one’s writing skills and vocabulary to set the scene or express feelings, it’s too easy to insert an emoji. The addition of graphics or a photo also does the same thing. Yet, I use them. I don’t always trust my writing to convey my thoughts and feelings.

The online environment values brevity much more than other writing environments. but, in so doing, if one is not a skilled writer, one’s tone can feel abrupt and mean-spirited. Emojis can prevent hurt feelings if one’s writing doesn’t convey the correct tone.

For example, certain kinds of humor could be interpreted by the reader as unkindness. The insertion of an emoji often solves that.

I also think that emoji’s are part of the online and text culture. They would not be acceptable in formal writing, but are just fine here.

Other than the simple “smilie” emoji, here are a few of my other favorite emojis: 😜 😲 🙃 😱 🐈 😬 😎 Sometimes it’s fun to use the poop one: 💩 I also use the heart and the birthday cake. ❤️ 🎂

Bloganuary 1/11/22

What does it mean to live boldly?

There are many meanings and interpretations of that word, “boldly,” and you can define a “bold life” in a variety of ways.

People who wear bright and eye-catching colors, or who decorate with them might be defined as living boldly. Rather than be safe with neutral colors, they splash themselves and their surroundings with bright colors, trendy color combinations, and bold prints. You always see them first in a crowd, and when you see their house it’s memorable.

I tend to be attracted to bold colors, although nothing is garish. I also don’t want to be the butt of the joke. However, I love bright reds and turquoise and bright print tunics. In my wardrobe, I often combine this with jet black. No beiges or tan colors for me. In my house, my accessories are often bright and bold.

However, I believe I do this to compensate for my lack of bold living. I don’t take the necessary risks in my life, so I live more “blandly” So, I settle for a bold appearance.

Those who live boldly have lofty goals and have a plan to get there. They have confidence, and aren’t afraid to take risks. When fear hits, they know how to push through it (Feel the fear and do it anyway) to find the courage to complete their mission. They refuse to call their mistakes “failures” and don’t remain discouraged for too long. Instead it’s chalked up as a learning experience, then they move forward in hopefully a more accurate way.

I also think that those who live boldly can overdo it. There’s a balance between bold living and dangerous pursuits, and where that balance lies is different for each person. There are those who are addicted to dangerous living, and, in my opinion, that isn’t bold – it’s just stupid! For me, sky diving, bungee jumping, climbing Mt. Everest, scuba diving with the sharks are examples of bold living which have gone too far. For others – it’s bold living.

Bloganuary 1/10/22

What are 5 things you’re grateful for today?

1. I’m 72, and still am in relatively good health. Besides other illnesses and injuries that I could have, but don’t, I haven’t caught Covid. I’m grateful for the vaccine and all vaccines! As one ages, I know that health becomes increasingly fragile. Each day that I wake up healthy is another day to be grateful.

2. My husband is loving and we are happy together. We’ve had nearly 51 years together. Though we’ve had our ups and a few serious “downs,” I’ve been lucky in love!

3. My son, daughter-in-law, and sweet granddaughter. I’m blessed.

4. My husband and I have adequate means to have the material things we both need and want.

5. I’m grateful that I have free time to pursue my interests: photography, choir, flute, writing.

As I’ve been writing these, I realize how easy it is to take these good things for granted. I find it sometimes difficult to remember these often mundane, yet wonderful things (and persons) I am blessed to have in my life. The negative in life seems to scream the loudest, forcing our attention there. Then, later we can see that we are also grateful for what the negative has taught us. It’s even more imperative name those gratitudes no matter how all-consuming the negative is. Dismissing good things is like neglecting the glue that holds us together in times of difficulty. One day I may not have my health – or my husband. Maybe some day I won’t be able to pursue a certain interest, so I’m grateful I have it now. I need to keep these and lots of other good things in my conscious mind to help lift me up when the going gets tough.

Bloganuary 1/9/22

What do people incorrectly assume about you?

This one’s got me stumped. I have no idea!

In order for people to make assumptions about another person, something has to be revealed to them as evidence on which to base their beliefs. What I don’t know is how much I show of myself which would allow friends and acquaintances to make correct assumptions and opinions about me. In some areas of my life, I’m not always completely transparent. I may reveal only part of something about me, but leave out parts I don’t want to discuss — areas where I’m ashamed or embarrassed. Or – I leave out the positive parts of me. You see … I was taught to be humble and never brag.

But – just because I leave information out and hide things about me, do others sense the truth, despite what I leave out? Sometimes one’s body language reveals the truth even when there are no overt actions or words. Maybe they aren’t making incorrect assumptions, but choosing not to confront me with their knowledge.

Knowing all this, it’s logical to conclude that people are probably making some incorrect assumptions about me, but some are not. However, because I rarely discuss this kind of thing, I don’t know what things are being mis-interpreted.

It’s instructive to ask: How often do people discuss the assumptions they are making about a person with that person? How do I know what’s incorrectly assumed?

I suppose this is a cop-out answer, but I’ve been stewing about this question for several hours, and can’t come up with anything.

Bloganuary 1/8/22

What do you like most about your writing?

Sadly, what I like most about my writing is precisely what makes it less appealing to readers.

In many popular blogs, the writing, to me, seems “dumbed down.” The sentences are short, and the paragraphs are made up of as few words as possible – sometimes only a sentence, or even a sentence fragment. What is this about using sentence fragments, anyway? Blogs are being written like the brevity of a Facebook comment rather than a meaty essay. In addition, popular blogs have illustrations or photos to divide the verbiage into manageable bites.

I’ve read up on this, and this style of writing is based on the premise that readers have short attention spans. If sentences and paragraphs are too long, the reader is more likely to skim them, or stop reading altogether. Sadly, I have found myself falling into this trap, so there’s truth to the need to “keep it simple.” I’m sure that people skip over my stuff in deference to ease of reading.

In the end, I stick with what I think is best. I have acquiesced to more simplicity of style, but I also hold the reader in higher esteem, and expect more from him. I hope my sentences and paragraphs, though maybe more complex and detailed, to be of enough interest to keep the reader’s attention. I’m sure I lose some readers, but I hope the added detail I bring to my writing to be an advantage.

I am not a perfect writer and make the same mistakes repeatedly. Thank you, Grammarly, for showing me the errors of my ways. So – I’m a work in progress, too.

Bloganuary 1/7/22

What makes you laugh?

I think these prompts are getting more difficult. I’m doing a lot less laughing in these Pandemic and politically strained times. Everything surrounding me has become frighteningly serious and worrisome: Our country seems hopelessly divided (and I’m not helping that). Democracy is in peril. The Pandemic isn’t ending anytime soon. Putin is menacing. President Biden’s approval ratings are plummeting. Trump’s popularity remains strong

What is worthy of laughter here?

As I type this here, I realize that it’s imperative I find some joy and laughter among the seriousness, if for no other reason to distract and revive me. I need to let some laughter remove some of the constant sting and depression of the truths of our time.

My laughter now has a cynical edge to it. When Stephen Colbert reveals political ironies, I laugh. When any truth is revealed in an ironic or exaggerated way, I laugh.

But, I also distract myself by laughing at silly cat memes. Daily I go to “beautynthebean,” the instagram page of two Canadian Kitties, an orange cat named Bean and a long haired white cat, named Lily. I love each morning’s video reels showing Bean’s plaintiff meows and Lily’s “girl power punches.” The owner dubs human words for each meow, “kitty flop,” iconic cat stares, and power punches, and it makes me smile, and sometimes laugh. This site has a huge following, so I’m not the only one who finds joy and laughter in the simple lives of two sweet kitties.

Bloganuary 1/6/22

Who is someone that inspires you and why?

This is a tough question for me, and I’m clearly avoiding a direct answer. In short – my answer is odd!

I’m easily inspired, but often that inspiration turns sour. It’s not because a person isn’t inspiring. Not at all! It’s precisely the opposite. What happens, though is that my initial inspiration quickly turns to envy. I want what that person has, but usually feel wholly inadequate or incapable of acquiring or being that. Envy is such a toxic response to inspiration.

What causes irrational (or even rational) envy? It’s most often rooted in low confidence and self worth. I want what that inspirational person has but don’t feel qualified or inadequate to do the personal work required to gain that talent or quality.

I am inspired (but also envious) of one of my friends who is very resourceful, independent and can “figure out anything!” In contrast, I’m slow, scared, lack confidence, and “can’t find my way out of a paper bag!”

We were traveling together a few years ago and were in heavy traffic in the downtown streets of Philadelphia, trying to find the easiest route to I-95 south. My friend, who was driving, handed me the map and told me to guide her. (No – she didn’t want to use the GPS because, even though it takes you the shortest route, it’s often more complicated.) I am not good at directions and map reading, therefore I always use my GPS – never a paper map!

And — she was depending on me??

Oh! My God! I panicked. I looked at the map and couldn’t even find where we were on it! My voice began to shake, got louder, and more frantic. Finally she stopped the car, grabbed the map from me, and did it herself.

Tears welled up in my eyes because I’d failed the task, but I was determined not to show her. However, I failed at that, too. She sensed my reaction, but getting out of the city was the first order of business, which she seemingly did easily and quickly.

Once we were on I-95, and the driving was easier. She gave me the following advice (paraphrased by me), clearly exasperated by my failure to give her directions: Humans all have unique gifts and talents, and maybe someone else’s abilities aren’t where your strengths lie. You need to find your own self confidence by embracing your own gifts, which are many, instead of coveting mine. You can be inspired by them and work on improving your weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean you will accomplish them in the same way I do.

Though difficult to hear, she spoke truth to me that day. She also inspires me and remains a cherished friend.

Bloganuary 1/5/22

What is something you wish you knew how to do?

Sometimes I wish I lived in a different age than I did. Ever since I discovered computers (back in 1994), then tablets and smartphones, I’ve been enamored. I took to operating electronics like this was meant for me. Everything I know about computer operations, I taught myself. I discovered that if you have the time, inclination, curiosity, and no interruptions, you can teach yourself a lot. However, I also discovered quickly that what I’d taught myself was only the tip of the iceberg. I only know enough to get myself into trouble, and I need to go to school. By the time I realized this, however, I had no desire to dedicate myself to a school curriculum.

So – what I wish I knew how to do is computer coding, creating apps, programs, or websites. I also want to know I can fix my own computer when things go wrong. Right now, there’s a point when I have to trust the professionals when things go awry.

Bloganuary 1/4/22

What was your favorite toy as a child?

I grew up in the 1950s and early 60s, and toys were much different back then than they are now. Kids today have tablets, electronics and toys with batteries. Many of the toys are aligned with TV shows or movies. I don’t remember too many specific toys, but the toys which stand out are my Ginny Doll and marbles.

The Ginny doll was the precursor to Barbie. Ginny was pre-pubescent, maybe about age 10, and of similar age as the children who played with her. I had tons of outfits for her, and a cute wardrobe where I kept them all hung up. My sister also had her own Ginny Doll and wardrobe, and we played with them together. I never had a Barbie, which, I think, came later.

When I played with my marbles, I was in a purely fantasy world. Each marble represented an imaginary person I’d created, and I made up households and stories about all the marbles/people. Each marble was different color and pattern (most were cat’s eye marbles), representing each unique person. These were games I played by myself, although I vaguely remember including my younger sister when I played. I still have all those marbles. They now reside inside a bottle which I made into a lamp, which sits on my side of the bed.

I also had the usual toys like a slinky, and a wooden train and train track set. My parents also had a subscription to a children’s record club for my siblings and me. I still remember a few of the songs from those records, and it’s something my siblings and I share.

There was one other toy I had as a toddler, but don’t have any memory of it. They were simply two plastic “blocks”, which I named “Pinkie and Bluie,” and I’d crawl with one in each hand. As I’d move, the blocks made a neat sound on the floor which my mom said I seemed to like. Sadly, I left them in a restaurant when our family was on a trip, and, despite my parents inquiring about them, they were never recovered. That story was told to me, because I was so distraught that they were missing.

Bloganuary 1/3/22

Write about the last time you left your comfort zone.

That’s a tough question for me. Being a more “fear-based” person, I don’t easily leave my comfort zone. There’s always a risk/reward decision to make, and more often I choose comfort over risk. I can’t think of a recent time, but let me look back on significant memories.

Back in 2001, I drove alone from eastern Long Island to Atlanta, GA to visit a friend. To me it was way out of my comfort zone to take a trip alone. There’s always the concern of breaking down, having an accident or getting lost – all things I wonder how well I’d handle alone. (And, I’m very prone to getting lost! I’m so grateful for my GPS now!) However, I did it, and once I successfully completed the trip, I have taken numerous other trips alone.