WALLS - they ARE meant to be BUILT

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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Then (mid 2014)

Now, like right now!

Tomorrow the wood gets removed.

Then, the cedar fence goes up.

And finally… the yard will be put back together!

Kind of like Humpty Dumpty… only better!

Source

Isn't it always?

Okay, let’s make it about YOU…

What do you do when you’re all broke up?

Cheers, Jenny

A little of THIS and THAT - and a WOOKIE too!

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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First, let me give a shout out to a dear blogging friend of mine

BARB - over at This & That (As I Bounce Through Life)

for leaving her encouraging comments over at Write Brain Challenge.

They inspire me to keep on going…THANKS BARB! 

Of course, it’s only been a week since 2015 got off the ground. 

But… a week is still seven days closer toward fulfilling my 2015 goal of setting TIME aside to do my 15 minute free write posts.

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Funny thing is… I’m doing more than writing for 15 minutes.

I’m here - writing… I’m commenting, that’s writing too.

And… drum roll please… 

I’m working on a project from long ago. 

AND THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!

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I want to take a moment to talk about my free writing exercises, because the last two post are so NOT my typical genre.

I find myself rubbing my head after the timer goes off.

I wonder where the heck some of this stuff is coming from - obviously it’s in my head but it does baffle me a bit.

Though, the more I think about it I realize I’m a huge fan of the Star Wars franchise and maybe I’ve got a wookie or two wanting to come out and play.

Source

Anyway… I’m finding it quite refreshing to write from flow - I truly am not thinking about what’s coming forth - the fingers are responding to some deep, inner storyteller.

TOO COOL!

Are you hearing, and listening, to your inner storyteller?

Cheers, Jenny

LOCKED OUT - flat tire - SIMPLER TIMES

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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Yesterday…

I LOCKED MYSELF OUT OF MY STUDIO. Yup, I did.

Googled "Locked Out"
Look - it's me!

Today…

I GOT A FLAT TIRE Yup, I did.

Googled "Flat Tire"
No real incentive to get out and change that tire, eh!

And right now…

I FINISHED MY DAILY FREE WRITE. Yup, I did.

The Simpler Times

Ah… the SIMPLER TIMES.

Remember them… 

REMIND ME, WHAT WERE THEY AGAIN?

Cheers, Jenny

The END of my WIT is rather FRAYED

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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I’m not a fan of having my page views counted as part of my page views. 

(Just wondering, do you think page views should be one word or two - I'm a fan of it being two.)

After many attempts of filing previous complaints, via the complaint button at the bottom right hand corner of the stats page, about this annoyance...

I wrote yet another complaint to Blogger Jan 3, 2015

Here, this is it:

Okay… drum roll… New Year - Old Problem.

Maybe, just maybe, in 2015, at some point, you'll address the issue of the DON'T TRACK YOUR PAGEVIEWS not working. 

When I open this up, in my STATS area it asks if I want to track, or not track my pageviews. 

IT DOES NOT WORK - does it help if I use CAPs - seems previous complaints of mine have been in lower case - maybe that's all wrong.

Anyway - PLEASE - PLEASE (to the tenth power) fix this problem.

It's messing with my headspace - and that's not a good thing even on my good days!  

Righty-o! Good Luck - maybe that's what I should grant you as a wish - LUCK IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM.

Well… let see if that works!

Okay - I’m thinking I said PLEASE, twice - and I sound really sincere and even a little, hmm…. I don’t know, at my wit's end, yay, that’s what I sound like… at my wit’s end.

Okay, just so we're on the same page
my teeth are a little straighter; my eyes are blue.
Must be the lighting! I'm sure with a good night's sleep I'll be me again.

Are there things about Blogger that fray your wits?  

Just curious…

Cheers, Jenny

I'll ADMIT - a BEE is in my BONNET

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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Here's my new coffee mug… I know you've been wondering if I bought another one back in December at the Vancouver Christmas Market.

Hand painted - from Poland (okay, at least it's from Europe)

Little extra detailing on the inside - sweet!

On the right, last year's mug. I alternate between the two.

Now, I know it says Vancouver Christmas Market - but, reading their site you'd have thought it was based on the amazing Christmas Markets of German. (Rather than link this to one, might I suggest a google search of “german christmas markets”, then hit Images - you’ll be amazed)

I was gravely disappointed this year. 

Yes, gravely. 

Anyway, my disappointment stems from the fact I am Austrian. I hold fast to many of my ancestors traditions. (yodelling being key)

And this is especially for Al - I know how much he'll appreciate a traditional version!

Since I don't have the opportunity (with any ease) to jump a plane and enjoy REAL German style Christmas Markets I though, hey, this is cool. 

I have attend all five years of its existence. This was by far the worst. 

Yes, there were vendors from Germany and Austria, but something was sorely missing. It was more the atmosphere than the shops that let me down with its piped in music that wasn't even remotely in tune with the season - let alone having any Germanic undertone.

Not a hint of Oom Pah Pah anywhere. (Go ahead, google Oom Pah Pah - click Images - I’ll wait)

You really, I mean really, need to visit this site.
Click on the audio link.You'll know why I was soooooooo disappointed.
Yea, I own an accordion. (Stop laughing Al!)

Oh sure, there was a smattering of sauerkraut and bratwurst - but god forbid you buy anything there - huge prices.

And - here's a little bee in my bonnet I'd like to share. 

What's with charging admission to these things?

Source

Rent is being charged to the merchants. The buck should stop there. I need to be able to arrive, enter free of charge (like going to a shopping mall) and then spend my hard earned (undervalued) after tax Canadian dollar as I see fit.

This goes for ALL types of Fairs and Shows - if merchants must pay to exhibit then the patrons should have free entry to see them. 

Someone really needs to open this can of worms.  Hmmm, in between my 15 minute free write and being Molly Domestic with my new Crock-Pot  I think I have time!

Source - Google search for 'can of worms'

What’s your take on paying an entrance fee these kinds of events?

Cheers, Jenny

Tape FIRST - Then SPACKLE - Then WAIT

Some things take TIME.

So, while the mud is curing, of which I did none of the work (yes, I've got people) I was busy using my TIME wisely.

I made this myself - and yes, you can take it.
Be inspired!

I'm enjoying working toward my goal. Mostly because I'm organized. Photos at the ready, writing page prepped. Timer preset. Coffee in the system. 

What more needs doing…

oh… the typing.

But, surprisingly, that's going well. 

I'm letting myself go with the flow. 

Not thinking about what I see, I'm letting my mind create a story. All I'm doing is providing, via my fingers hovering over the keys, an outlet for the multitude of story ideas residing in the dark recess of my mind. 

I've heard it said, do something repetitively for at least 25-30 days and you start forming a habit. Well, though I’m still in the early glow of this New Year goal of mine, I’m thinking so far, so good.

Because of all the prep I am not spending precious TIME on things like searching for a photo, or even something like having a blank page, up on the screen, ready to use helps in saving time for the important stuff. (You know, dishes, laundry, working, cooking, shopping, breathing, you get the idea.)

In 15 minutes I seem to average around 500 words - that falls in the flash fiction category - short enough to read quickly (hint, hint, nudge, nudge). If you find yourself needing a quick read… (cheeky grin) 

Hey, that’s it, head over to Write Brain Challenge.

FUN FACTS:

15 mins X 365 days = 5,475 mins, which translates to 91.25 hours or about 4 days. 

Also, 500 words X 365 days = 182,500 words - well, if that isn’t a novel waiting to be typed.

I found THIS SITE which has the word count for famous novel - go check it out. It’s quite surprising how short, and long, some novels are.

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Today’s 15 minute free write piece seemed to come out of a corner of my brain which has, over the years, been working on a couple of characters that met in Germany, over coffee, at the Porsche Museum. 

I’ve done quite a bit of writing with these characters. When the photo opened it was a no brainer - I found the story begging for an outlet. 

And yes, that photo is of the Porsche Museum - me in the foreground look up in awe.

Here are a few photos I took while visiting the Porsche Museum, back in 2009.

Five levels of cars, cars, and more cars (and men, looking at cars).

Yes, they have a car hanging upside down… leave it to the Germans!

Are you a car person? If so, what’s your preferred ride?

Cheers, Jenny

Better LATE than NEVER…Lucy with FUR drops by...

Visit Write Brain Challenge to check out my latest free write piece, and the photo that inspired it. Thanks, Jenny.

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So….

You all having fun? 

Hey, am I late for the party?

First day is almost done. (Well, here in Western Canada anyway - some of you are already on Day 2… life just isn’t fair, eh?)

Well, as you can see I’m starting out this post with a link to my 2015 Goal site - you remember my goal, come on, say you do…

A recap: My 2015 Goal was to set TIME aside DAILY to free write. Well, so far, so good, it’s already Day One and it looks like I’m on a roll.  (Stop sniggering, you forget I’m a determined old gal when I set my mind to something.)

Here’s the lowdown on how things are going to work with this goal of mine…

Mid December:

I went through all my photos and selected 365 of them to live on my desktop in a folder aptly named ‘365 pics’ - oh clever me!

And now:

Each day - at some point - can’t say exactly when - I will set my iPhone timer to 15 minutes.

I will then open iPages and get a page ready.

I will then open the ‘365 pics’ folder and randomly select a photo. (I have chosen not to see the photos as pictures in the folder thereby creating the element of surprise.)

Once the picture is open I will click the timer and let my fingers go.

Since I am using my own photos this will eliminate TIME doing a daily photo search. (Not that any of you are safe from me pilfering a pic or two, ask Bushman, he knows all about my sticky fingers.)

I think this will work out nicely. (Now, let’s see if I can type with my fingers crossed!)

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Today, I had the pleasure of having tea, and a brisk walk with a dear friend. He brought me over a basket of the most delicious treats.

So as to not make you totally jealous I’ll just show you one of the many…

Delicious Godiva Chocolate - the best for the best!

Now, tell me… aren’t I good stopping at just one?

(Well, one as of typing this - all bets are off after I post this.)

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Here are the things I’m looking forward to this year:

• finishing my renovations
• finishing the Game of Throne books
• learning to use my Crock-Pot (All Points Bulletin - send me recipes - please.)
• getting back into drawing (I really do miss my pencils.)
• take a life drawing class
• a road trip to enjoy the wineries in the Okanagan
• get into gardening (I did grow a tomato plant last year, go me!)
• attend the SIWC with more than good intentions
• participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge (I missed it last year.)

And the number one thing I’m looking forward to doing this year…

is visiting your blogs. 

Okay… your turn, what are you looking forward to this year?

Cheers, Jenny

PS - Yet another wardrobe change, but, can you see who's hiding in the background?

And… a quick shout out to my very first Follower. (A real one, not family and friends).

Bruce - it's so awesome of you to stop by, with tUcKeR too, and leave a little sweetness behind - you rocked my first day of this New Year!