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My Blogging Hiatus Experience

In an opening scene of the 2013 TV series, Revenge, “Emily Thorne says:

“They say the best-laid plans often go awry. Because no matter how detailed the preparation, a plan will always have a WEAK SPOT…..”

Blogging Hiatus Plan

In anticipation of our two granddaughters visiting over spring break and Hubby and I celebrated our 55th Wedding Anniversary, I went on a 3+ week blogging hiatus. I devoted the first week to scheduling and organizing:

exciting activities for the granddaughters during their seven-day visit; and
interesting places for Hubby and I to visit over our four-day mini vacation.

“Weak Spot”

Days before the grands arrived, Hubby’s trigeminal nerve pain flared-up. He has lived with this condition for more than five years and the pain usually resolves on its own. But, in the last six months he has undergone several outpatient surgical procedures with only temporary relief.

Hubby’s severe pain flare-up was the “weak spot” in my family planned activities during this “blogging hiatus”.

Self-Trust

Rather than push the panic button when my “hiatus plans” hit a “weak spot”, I went to a space of stillness, quiet, and mindful breathing. In silence, Self-Trust emerged and I was able to re-direct and focus on creating a new plan, which gave me the Self-Confidence to:

Stretch – I went outside of my comfort-zone to overcome a long-time fear of driving on two-lane highways, tollways and interstate highways. When faced with the choice whether to disappoint our granddaughters or overcome my fears, it was a no-brainer. The granddaughters left eleven days ago and since that time I drive, solo, all over the City of Orlando and its suburbs. Getting to places where I like to go, without bugging Hubby, and enjoying every moment of this newfound freedom.
Let Go of the planned mini-vacation until Hubby’s pain condition is under control. Instead, I spent time reading, exploring, learning and relaxing.

Blogging Hiatus Experience

Through this “blogging hiatus experience”, Self-Trust emerged and strengthened my:

Self-Esteem to step outside of my comfort zone;
Inner Strength to move beyond the “weak spots” that cross my path; and
Self-Confidence to rely on my “inner voice.”

Why I Blog

In my last post, “Blog, Why” I shared with you:

a few negative comments from non-bloggers who expressed their beliefs about why people blog;
my inability to respond openly and honestly when asked by friends and family, “Why Do You Blog.” and
why I was taking time off from blogging to go within and explore “Why I Blog”.

When I stepped away from blogging and travelled inward to find words that authentically expressed “Why I Blog,” I came up with a number of reasons and these are just a few:

I blog for Self-Expression – I silenced my voice many, many years ago and readily accepted the role of “listener”. But in this last season of life, I wanted to share my experiences, opinions, and rants. I needed a platform to “speak up,” “speak clear, and “speak out. ” And, I found it . My voice gets stronger every day on Blogosphere as well as when I communicate with people face-to-face.
I blog for Self-Care – Ten years ago, it dawned on me that I have a paternal family Alzheimer’s and Dementia history. Of my three paternal aunts, two lived into their seventies, both were diagnosed with the conditions and, the third died in her forties. My only two paternal female cousins who both lived past the age of sixty were diagnosed as well. Blogging is one of the things that I do to exercise my brain. And, staying mentally alert is especially important given my age, seventy-two, and family history.
I blog for Self-Education – I communicate with Bloggers around the world. Through these Blogs, my life opens up to new things, places, cultures and lifestyles. Whenever, I go to my Reader and/or visit a Blog, I can expect to learn something new.
I blog for Self-Awareness – “Living in the Present Moment,” Stillness, and “Quiet” did not play a role in my life until I entered Blogosphere a little over two years ago. This is when yoga, meditation and mindfulness entered my space. Though, still a work-in-progress, through these practices, I now do a better job of understanding who I am and how I relate to what happens in my life both the positive and the negative.
I blog for Self-Love” – Blogging for me is very nurturing; and, I am worthy of doing what I enjoy and all that brings tranquility and happiness into my space.

This is my last blog post until Monday, April 27, I am taking a break to spend seven fun-filled days with my two beautiful granddaughters who will be visiting us during their spring break.

Chelsea, 23-Years-Old — Chelsea Yvonne, 23-Years-Old

After the granddaughters leave, Hubby and I are taking several mini vacations to celebrate our 55th Wedding Anniversary.

Weekly Photo Challenge – March 27, 2015

Emphemeral: Lasting for a Very Short Time

Hibiscus Plant

One Full Bloom – One Shrinking Away

Freedom Friday – March 27, 2015

I so appreciate my blogging friend, Imani, for hosting this event, which gives me the opportunity to freely express.

Photo 101: Day Nineteen: Double and Rotation

picmonkey_image — Edited and Rotated – My Vision During a Dizzy Spell

Photo 101: Day Eighteen: Edge and Alignment

I tried PicMonkey one of the editing options recommended for today’s assignment. Whoopee!! It’s always a good day when I explore and learn how to do new things.

Today’s Assignment for the Photography 101 Course was to:

“Show us an edge — a straight line, a narrow ridge, a precipice.”

Photo 101: Day Sixteen – Treasure and Close Up

One of my most cherished material treasures is this Pandora Bracelet, which Hubby, Children and Grands gifted to me several years ago. At the time, there were maybe three charms. Since then, one or more have gifted me with a charm either for my birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas, or Just Because.

The bracelet is full, but my heart opens up to happiness and joy when I look at my left wrist and think of the unconditional love that I continue to receive from the givers.

The three charms in the middle were a gift from Hubby. By adding his nickname, GUY, he said, “Now everyone knows you belong to me” (smile). Fifty-five years married, next month, and I love this GUY more and more every day.

Photo 101: Day Seventeen: Glass Squared

Wordless Wednesday – March 25, 2015

Writer’s Quote Wednesday 2015

During this last week of Women’s History Month, I set as a goal to write about an African-American female author that I had never heard of. And, instead of a few, I found many both past and present.

My lack of knowledge in this area is partially reflective of being miseducated in a public school system where there was little or no opportunity to learn about the history, literature and culture of African-Americans in this country.

Added to the equation, I grew up within a family, church and community that either were unaware or failed to share what they knew about the accomplishments and achievements of African-Americans.

Lastly, before retiring five years ago, I focused on learning and working in order to succeed. In doing so, I failed to venture out of my comfort to seek out those things that could have inspired and uplifted me spiritually and emotionally.

So, here I am at the seasoned age of seventy-two attempting to self-educate in literature, especially the works of African-American authors. This is something I choose to explore with the hope that future generations in my family will have access to that which I did not.

Selected Quote and Author

After Googling and reading a number of biographies, Jessie Redmon Fauset peaked my interest and this is the quote I selected.

Jessie Redmon Fauset was a poet, essayist, novelist and mentee of W.E.B. DuBois. For seven years, she worked by his side as the Literary Editor for The Crisis, a magazine published by the NAACP. While working there, she collaborated and supported famous authors like Countee Cullen, Claude McKay, Jean Toomer and Langston Hughes. College literature and English courses introduced me to the works of these men.

Now, it is time for me to get acquainted with the woman referred to as the Literary Midwife who guided and supported these authors and many others during the Harlem Renaissance period.

Her Writings

A talented wordsmith in her own right, Jesse Redmon Fauset, from 1912 through 1933 produced:

Novels
- There is Confusion
- Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral
- The Chinaberry Tree: A Novel of American Life
- Comedy American Style
Poems
- “Rondeau,” The Crisis
- “La Vie C’est La Vie,” The Crisis
- “‘Courage'” He Said,” The Crisis
Short Stories
- “Emmy,” The Crisis
- “My House and a Glimpse of My Life Therein,” The Crisis
- “Double Trouble,” The Crisis
Essays
- “Impressions of the Second Pan-African Congress,” The Crisis
- “What Europe Thought of the Pan-African Congress,” The Crisis

Where Do I Go From Here?

I view this post as the first encounter with Jessie Redmon Fauset; and, I plan to open my space up to learning more. All of her novels are available through Amazon.com. Today, I purchased, “Plum Bun: A Novel Without a Moral,” and the other three went on my Wish List.

In this season of life, I am grateful for the opportunity to open up my space to exploring the “little known” and “unknown” literary works of authors that peak my interest.

Thank you, Silver Threading, your Writer’s Quote 2015 cracked the door; and, it is exciting to open it and begin this new literary learning experience.