A Blessing To My Voice

                              

A Blessing To My Voice - 2023 

Dear Voice of Mine:

May you be silent as the leaves know when to attach, when to fall..

May you be a whisper like the kite pulling on its line.

May you be forthright as pebbles smoothed from the water’s ripples.

May you pause as the poised loon perches on a river’s log.

May you sing alleluia like the wind that comes from somewhere,

disappears everywhere.

May you gently close the door knowing one sleeps within, not knowing when

the spirit of appreciation awakens. 

Lastly,

May you continue to speak as pages turn to better ways, 

as rivers gently continue to flow,

as life becomes you.

Listening,

Joan

So much "I"

This blog has become a process in journaling for me. 

Do you like blogs where the writer just takes you through her activities, her family get-togethers, life's daily routines, the health and sickness aspect, travels and activities when staying home? 

I most like a particular blog I follow where an older woman, Pat Bean, thinks thoughts, contemplates actions, includes her drawings and paintings and commiserates about aging. She writes well, was a former journalist and is currently my favorite. Pat Bean's blog | Just another WordPress.com weblog

I also follow a blog that is written daily, includes photos of decorative items, montages about her apartment, cat antics, etc. Brenda is in the throes of including a book review page in her blog. I have enjoyed following her process in setting that up for her followers. She earns money from her blogging. Home · Cozy Little House

I am just hanging with my blog, but once the book mobile is on the road, I shall always include its whereabouts and the results therein. I hope my blog becomes more about jamajoan's vintage bookmobile and less about me!

I have no social media following. Last evening I zoomed with a published author and several others in a book review group centered on memoir reading and writing. She shared that she had to have 5,000 followers on her Facebook page before a particular publisher would even continue conversing with her. That is not enticing to me at all. If I finish my Peace Corps book, I will be hard pressed to market it. However, I understand that the validity in numbers is part of the process of being a successful author.

Have you noticed that all my paragraphs begin with "I"? How very "into myself" I am writing. Enough said - time to sew the curtains for the bookmobile and think about the children with whom I will be soon interacting.  Yeah!

Soon - Free books for all!

tanka - action - journeying

 

a tanka tribute to non action

1.

from start to (un)completion

the multipotentialite 

undertakes

to initiate

one more project

2.

as choices loom

the years dissolve

a decade remains?

to accomplish

or not

3.

does non action

spring forward?

perhaps backwards?

a sidelong glance

at shelved projects

5.

books are stacked

paint brushes left dry

enthusiasm declines

remnants remain

of possibilities

6

alas, she springs

Into non action

the rv awaits

one more journey

she inaugurates

01/14/2023

 

Springing into Non Action

I enjoy this blogging, even though there are no remarks nor responses from anyone.  How can that be? I continue to write my thoughts, my feelings, my confusions, my frustrations. I guess you could say this blog is definitely therapeautic journaling.  I'm ok with that.

Today I am contemplating "Springing into Action" - the topic that my Story Circle "True Words from Real Women" journal suggested for their March publication. I can submit a poem or piece of prose and if accepted, it appears in their collection of women's writings. I do not recall how many times I have been accepted or rejected. Quite frankly, the act of writing the "assignment" is my favorite part of this process.

Part 1: "Springing into Non Action." 

Is it because I am adding years to my life's journey that I desire to slow down, not chase my tail, pedal slower and more methodical?  Or is it because the signing up for classes, committing to lessons and then attempting to learn a new craft is just becoming too routine? I have been doing just that for years.

So to spring into non action I first must find and contemplate my goals. What could possibly be my first non action goal.

How about the non action of exercise? I have been keeping this behavior up pretty well with no bicycling, no walking, no gym attendance, no yoga. I definitely have kept this goal alive.

How about the non action of church attending? Since Covid I have not attended a church service. This non action is so unlike my previous behaviors where the church became a focal point for me in a new community.

How about the non action of dieting? I have tried periodically to be a Weight Watcher participant, to absolutely no avail. The program requires an app on the phone, consistently checking points, weighing in weekly and all this is possible without going to a meeting. I lead the pack for non acting in this reform.

How about the non action of weaving? The small looms sit on my closet shelf. I read about it and that is the extent of my learning this craft. I just recently subscribed to Little Looms magazine and drool over the beautiful possibilities if only I would commit to learning this craft.

How about the non action of roasting coffee beans, dehydrating meat for jerky and using the blender? These appliances are on the pantry shelf, items I thought I needed, items that would give me options in creating foodstuffs. I haven't used two of them ever, the roasting of coffee beans was easy, but I need to order green beans and haven't for quite some time.

And so the self-talk continues.

Next come my goals of action. There are some. I am continuing this conversation as I have "springing into action" reveals.

"Whatever will be will be...."

Doris Day was my favorite movie start in the 50's. I had her paper dolls and even framed them as an adult. But alas, all that is hanging (I hope) in someone's antique store as I downsized big-time in 2014.

Here she is singing Que Sera Sera: Doris Day - Que Sera Sera - YouTube

Does it get any better than this? As Doris' gorgeous voice entertains in the background I shall tell you that I must develop this "whatever will be will be" attitude.

Yesterday Dave and I signed the papers to buy a home in Kerrville. We offered a few thousand less than the asking price so someone could easily bid over us and this is frequently common in the recent years. 

Do we need this home? Yes and No!! The home we are in is on unstable soil. We are filing a lawsuit. Can it be fixed? Yes, but the past 1 1/2 years has been stressful. I would like to sell this manufactured home on its beautiful piece of property (5 acres) with a dynamic view and move into Kerrville, into a neighbood and into a solid home.

1) What if we get the house? Then we shall sell this current home and move. (The  stability situation will be determined next week as a civil engineer is coming to assess our current property and home's structure.)

2) What 'if we do not get the house? We will continue to explore possibilities and stay here until further prospects emerge.

3) Will we fix this home? That all depends on the lawsuit settlement, the realtor's assessment and the possibility of selling the manufactured home to be moved and the property separately.

I am praying that we acquire this new-to-us home because I really like it. The backyard is exceptionally large and tiered and has incredible possibilities. However, I truly believe that as I place my request before the Lord, He will control the outcome. He will finalize the best option for me. My faith has never been questioned regarding His Delight is providing for me.

Sometimes I question why he would be concerned about such a trite matter in the scheme of life. This is a constant nagging in my thoughts and emotions. I am seeking The Word and reading to give myself comfort in accepting His Love and Concern. I seek to be "the sparrow" in "His Eye Is On the Sparrow."

His Eye Is on the Sparrow [Live] - YouTube

The home for sale is currently in probate. Our realtor says he has seen homes in probate sold within twenty days to one hundred days. This is a plus for us! We are not in a rush and can wait it out. It is also a negative as other offers have time to evolve. 

And so we wait and sing with Doris, "que sera sera." and give thanksgiving for the good fortunes He has given us.