…some of us just a wee bit more, LOL.
And because I love a good throwback pic, here’s one of my and my best buds as we walked in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the rain in March 1982. And yes, those are our nursing student uniforms! Try and find me..
Filed under #mondayMusings
Or just one musing, really. Is that a proper phrase? One musing? Or should it be one thought?
These are the things that drive me insane some days.
Who am I kidding- MOST days! LOL
Anyway. Today’s musing ( singular) is this…I was thinking yesterday while writing that I haven’t done much of anything aside from write for almost three weeks. Granted, I’m on a deadline and have to finish my current WIP in order for it to be out this year, but I’ve been pretty much chained to my desk and my bed ( my favorite place to write) for 21 solid days.
That can’t be healthy, right?
I need an outlet other than writing for my mental health and physical well-being.
Sure, I cook for hubby, do laundry, iron, clean the house, grocery shop, do all my social media marketing daily, but those are more chores than things that give me true pleasure and take my mind away from the business of writing.
I need an outlet. Something I do just for me. Something that will give me a respite from the stress and angst my writing causes me some days.
I need a hobby.
I used to repair and refurbish old steamer trunks and then give them as gifts to people for storage or as faux coffee tables, but I haven’t done one in a few years.
I used to scrapbook. Haven’t touched the one I started for my daughter when she got married – almost 5 years ago.
Back in the day, I was a gym rat. Back when I had good knees and no arthritis, that is.
I studied karate for 10 years. Daily. 7 days a week. Again… back before my body decided it hated me and rebelled.
There was a time I embroidered. I made blankets, wall hangings, lots of things for Christmas presents and baby showers. That was back when I could actually sit down and watch TV or a movie for more than a half hour at a clip. And when my eyesight was oodles better than it is now. And my hands could hold both the needle and the circular frame without screaming in cramping pain.
Same with knitting and crocheting. I loved doing those things back when my hands cooperated, that is.
Le sigh….
I was painting last year. I needed some new swag to give out to readers at book signings, so I spent a few weeks increasing my stock of painted note cards. But my brushes haven’t touched any paints in a while now.
Basically, all I do now is read – books I want to and those that need reviews for Netgalley.
And I write.
Every single day.
8-12 hours a day most days.
You really can’t call what I do a hobby, like my hubby tries to classify it. It’s more like a full-time job.
No. It is a full-time job.
I need a hobby.
Any ideas? They’d be appreciated, for sure.
It can’t be anything physical, though, because…arthritis. Or that requires me to leave the house because…it’s frigging frigid here and I hibernate in the winter. And it can’t be anything that requires close up vision because…double vision and prism glasses rule my life.
And it shouldn’t be anything that needs to be done with a partner or other people because…well, I’m an introvert.
Le sigh…
I guess I’ll just go write some more.
Or maybe read something…
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This is the only American I will be celebrating and thinking about today.
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I’ll be home with hubby and Maple. We won’t make it to midnight, ‘cuz we’re old ( LOL) but we’ll toast before we go to bed.
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Yes! I open a present whenever I get the opportunity, LOL!
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For me, Charlie Brown is first, last, nad always. I have never seen a Hallmark holiday movie.
Don’t hate me for that…lol!
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I aask this question because I am a world class wrapper.
Short story: when we lived in Wisconsin after getting married, Larry and I were members of the local JAYCEEs organization. One of the major fundraisers we did every year was to wrap gifts for people at the local Mall for a small fee based on the size of the gift.
I learned to be a fast wrapper and a really great one.
So…need anything wrapped? LOL
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This past Saturday, I attended the TINY TUMMIES HOLIDAY BIZAAR in my hometown and offered all my Christmas book titles for sale.
I did remarkably well, but that isn’t what this post is about.
With the holiday season approaching ( rapidly!) you are seeing more and more requests for donations to food banks, community kitchens, the Salvation Army, and any number of charity organizations that help feed people with food disparity issues.
FEEDING TINY TUMMIES is such an organization in my town.
“Feeding Tiny Tummies, A 501c3 Non-Profit program to fight against childhood hunger that works with local schools in Cheshire and Sullivan County, NH, to provide meals to children weekly, during school breaks, and summers away from school. We also have open hours to our community 2 days a week for 2 hours each. 3 towns also pick up from us to distribute within the town to those in need. Community Volunteers fill bags that are being delivered to schools in 14 locations and 2 elderly complexes. Each Volunteer donates 2-4 hours on average each week.
We’re feeding their tummies, but the difference between this program and any other program along with food that goes home with children, we always include an academic item, whether it’s activity pages and crayons, a book to read, or a family engagement activity,” Because we feed their tummies and the minds of our next generation!”
We need to remember it’s just not food that families who are struggling with, financially, need. The fact TT gives educational items to families as well as food is just heartwarming to me. Feed their minds and feed their bodies!
I’ve made mention several times on this blog over the years that when I was growing up there were times we had zero money and my mother – who was so proud she wouldn’t take public relief – wondered where our next meal was coming from. It wasn’t only pride on her part, but she always said there were families who needed “it” more than we did, referring to welfare. She didn’t want to deprive someone with three or four kids from having something, never mind that we were hungry, too.
One year, my grandmother took me to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at our church so that I could have a winter coat that fit and actually clasped shut (!) and boots. I have always had a special place in my heart for the society ever since then and donate regularly to my local chapter during their food drives and during the year.
I feel this holiday season is going to be extremely difficult for families who are struggling to pay bills, and put food don’t he table, never mind buy gifts for their kids. So, I want to remind those of you who are a little more fortunate, something my mother said many times during my childhood when we would see someone struggling more than we were: “There, for the Grace of God, go I.”
You never know when adversity will come through your door and you may be the person who needs help. So, if you can, do what you can, where you can. Donate food, decent clothing you no longer need ( especially warm winter clothes and coats), even your time to volunteer at a food bank.
I am honored to help organizations like FEEDING TiNY TUMMIES, and since I can, I do what I can.
Something to think about during this holiday season.
~Peg
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Peggy Jaeger, Author 