Thursday, January 31, 2013
I've Moved!
I'm moving to another blog site. Too many tiny troubles here which caused just enough frustration to make me look for a new place to call "home". So follow me, if you like, over to jennysollberger.wordpress.com.
I'll keep this open for another few weeks, hoping all of you will find me.
See you on the porch!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
My Buttons
When I was a kid I collected buttons. The pin-back buttons, not the sewing buttons. I've forgotten most of them but I think I had one that was New Kids on the Block. I wasn't even a fan, but I had a button. I'm not sure what happened to them. My mom might have them stashed away somewhere. Maybe I should relieve her of that particular collection....
Here are some from my virtual collection.
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| A Tolkien quote from LOTR I happen to agree with. |
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| No one does funny like Lucy. |
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| Some days I just want to slam the book on life's lessons, you know? |
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| Any surprise? |
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| Uh, yup! |
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| True Love |
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A New Hobby
What's the difference between a "craft" and a "hobby?" I guess maybe a hobby is not neccessarily a craft, huh? Like bird watching or coin collecting. A person isn't always crafty in their hobby. But, a craft is always a hobby, don't you think? Something we want to spend time at. Why else do we subject ourselves to unbreakable knots and goopy glue and glittered skin and inked fingers and needle pricks? Anyway...
I've started to teach myself crochet. And I LOVE it! I remember spending time with my grandma, in the summertime probably, sitting beside her and learning the basic crochet stitch(es). I honestly don't remember what I learned specifically. But I do remember, now that I'm at it again, I liked how the yarn felt between my fingers. And I like being able to twist the crochet hook in and out and make it grab the yarn in just the right way. It's soothing. Two of my three boyos, by the way, have asked to learn. So I sat down with Bud and JoJo, on separate occasions, and patiently taught them how to hold the yarn and the hook, and then to make a single crochet stitch. They tried, and tried again - and succeeded and failed - and tried again. And then they said, "OK, I'm done." So much for that! I'm so glad they asked to learn, though. Maybe one of them will pick it up again. Although I'm guessing not.
So here's what I'm working on currently. This is probably my fourth attempt at this particular dishcloth. Just can't quite understand all the lingo in the pattern directions yet...but I'm getting there! I call my friend Amy and whine in frustration. She laughs at me and talks me through it.
And look at this yarn! It's gorgeous, trust me. The richness of the colors does not come through on the photo. But I just love it. I picked it out because it looks so beautiful with my new wool coat. I was successful at making two scarves as Christmas gifts this year, so I decided to make one for myself, too.
I've started to teach myself crochet. And I LOVE it! I remember spending time with my grandma, in the summertime probably, sitting beside her and learning the basic crochet stitch(es). I honestly don't remember what I learned specifically. But I do remember, now that I'm at it again, I liked how the yarn felt between my fingers. And I like being able to twist the crochet hook in and out and make it grab the yarn in just the right way. It's soothing. Two of my three boyos, by the way, have asked to learn. So I sat down with Bud and JoJo, on separate occasions, and patiently taught them how to hold the yarn and the hook, and then to make a single crochet stitch. They tried, and tried again - and succeeded and failed - and tried again. And then they said, "OK, I'm done." So much for that! I'm so glad they asked to learn, though. Maybe one of them will pick it up again. Although I'm guessing not.
So here's what I'm working on currently. This is probably my fourth attempt at this particular dishcloth. Just can't quite understand all the lingo in the pattern directions yet...but I'm getting there! I call my friend Amy and whine in frustration. She laughs at me and talks me through it.
And look at this yarn! It's gorgeous, trust me. The richness of the colors does not come through on the photo. But I just love it. I picked it out because it looks so beautiful with my new wool coat. I was successful at making two scarves as Christmas gifts this year, so I decided to make one for myself, too.
The incredibly simple pattern I'm using makes it knobby and bulky. So warm and cozy, I just love it!
Any new crafts or hobbies you are picking up this year? Or maybe just a promise to yourself to do more of one you already find enjoyment in? Let's encourage one another to continue in our hobbies. They bring us such enjoyment, contentment, peace and a sense of accomplishment. Not to mention the joy and love they can bring to others when we share the finished products.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Meanderings of My Mind
...see if you can keep up.
The new year always gets me thinking about resolutions. Not necessarily because I want to make one, or even twenty, but because they are what everyone else is talking about. New year, new chances, new opportunities, new promises to ourselves and everyone else. I never make resolutions because I never keep them. And who wants the disappointment right? Not me. I have this fear of failure and of making a fool of myself. So, inevitably, I don't try. Then days like today hit and I begin to question my impact on the world around me. What contributions have I made? And I list in my head all the people I know who have bettered themselves, or those around them.
People who have continued their education and earned further degrees.
People who have written articles, even books, that have impacted others.
People who excel in every aspect of their vocations.
People who, when they speak, cause others listen.
I reflect on my life and what I have done. I am not impressed. Maybe I am not alone in saying this. Maybe it is a common malady. I don't say it out of self-pity; not anymore at least. I say it out of reflection and honest opinion. But maybe that is what we are to think of our own lives. If we do impress ourselves with our own works, that could lead us down a road we don't want to travel. So do I remind myself to be content with what I am doing and where I am? Or do I hunt for the courage to step foot on a new path? I guess it depends on where that new path is going. Where do I see this new path leading? Is it for selfish gain and satisfaction, or is it for the joy and betterment of others?
I want to write stories. I want to write stories for children, plus I have a mystery or two in my head. And a book about being a mother and wife. That's the new path I'm hinting at. I've taken a writing course and I have a story ready to submit to a magazine. I've had it ready for months now. It's safe in my laptop's memory, patiently waiting to be printed and mailed away. Such a cooperative little story! But I don't feel that it's anything special. Nothing to write home about, as they say. And I think to myself, why do I want it published? Because I want to "be published?" Because I want recognition as "a writer?" Yep, I do. Selfish of me? Yep, it is. Might kids enjoy the story? Yep, I guess they might. Jo-Jo likes it.
But then I think about the talents and gifts God gives us. He gives them for a reason. If I have stories in my head that I want to write, why not share them with others? Maybe the selfish thing would be to write them and then keep them to myself. Or, worse yet, to never write them. Satan sure does have fun with me. He finds all kinds of new ways to keep me down and cause me to doubt my importance. Will anything come of this? How can I know. I think that is another personal haunt of mine; the need to know I will be safe in putting myself "out there." But I think I have decided that I will take that step this week, of printing and mailing my first story. Maybe, pessimist that I am, I need to set the goal of receiving my very first rejection letter. I'll frame it and hang it proudly in my room. It will signify the courage I found to take the first step. I'll keep you informed.
The new year always gets me thinking about resolutions. Not necessarily because I want to make one, or even twenty, but because they are what everyone else is talking about. New year, new chances, new opportunities, new promises to ourselves and everyone else. I never make resolutions because I never keep them. And who wants the disappointment right? Not me. I have this fear of failure and of making a fool of myself. So, inevitably, I don't try. Then days like today hit and I begin to question my impact on the world around me. What contributions have I made? And I list in my head all the people I know who have bettered themselves, or those around them.
People who have continued their education and earned further degrees.
People who have written articles, even books, that have impacted others.
People who excel in every aspect of their vocations.
People who, when they speak, cause others listen.
I reflect on my life and what I have done. I am not impressed. Maybe I am not alone in saying this. Maybe it is a common malady. I don't say it out of self-pity; not anymore at least. I say it out of reflection and honest opinion. But maybe that is what we are to think of our own lives. If we do impress ourselves with our own works, that could lead us down a road we don't want to travel. So do I remind myself to be content with what I am doing and where I am? Or do I hunt for the courage to step foot on a new path? I guess it depends on where that new path is going. Where do I see this new path leading? Is it for selfish gain and satisfaction, or is it for the joy and betterment of others?
I want to write stories. I want to write stories for children, plus I have a mystery or two in my head. And a book about being a mother and wife. That's the new path I'm hinting at. I've taken a writing course and I have a story ready to submit to a magazine. I've had it ready for months now. It's safe in my laptop's memory, patiently waiting to be printed and mailed away. Such a cooperative little story! But I don't feel that it's anything special. Nothing to write home about, as they say. And I think to myself, why do I want it published? Because I want to "be published?" Because I want recognition as "a writer?" Yep, I do. Selfish of me? Yep, it is. Might kids enjoy the story? Yep, I guess they might. Jo-Jo likes it.
But then I think about the talents and gifts God gives us. He gives them for a reason. If I have stories in my head that I want to write, why not share them with others? Maybe the selfish thing would be to write them and then keep them to myself. Or, worse yet, to never write them. Satan sure does have fun with me. He finds all kinds of new ways to keep me down and cause me to doubt my importance. Will anything come of this? How can I know. I think that is another personal haunt of mine; the need to know I will be safe in putting myself "out there." But I think I have decided that I will take that step this week, of printing and mailing my first story. Maybe, pessimist that I am, I need to set the goal of receiving my very first rejection letter. I'll frame it and hang it proudly in my room. It will signify the courage I found to take the first step. I'll keep you informed.
Well He knows what best to grant me;
All the longing hopes that haunt me,
Joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt His wisdom never;
As God wills, so be it ever;
I commit to Him my way.
LSB 732, vs.5
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