Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Friday, November 2, 2018

Accepting the NaNoWriMo Challenge!


I’m biting the bullet and committing to NaNoWriMo this year! It's a challenge to write 50,000 during the month of November. Why? Because I’ve been finding other things to do and neglecting my writing. That’s kind of like a bow hunter neglecting target practice, or a pianist who never plays. Also because my better half encouraged me to do it. I’m already behind because it took me all day on November 1 to decide to commit. Now I have to come up with a topic, title, genre, a project of some sort. I’ve already begun outlining a cookbook, but recipes do not lend themselves very well to busting out a lot of words in one day. They are going to be mundane, technical, and take a lot of proofreading, so the cookbook is probably not going to be on this list. This blog might benefit from NaNoWriMo, but I get stumped on topics there as well. What to do? What to do?

Perhaps I could be like those song lyrics I detest, you know the ones that use nonsense to fill in measures instead of filling them in with something of value.

Lalalalalala….

Ohooo, oho, ohhhhh …

Hey, hey. he-e-ey …..

You get the drift. I feel that is just like adding blank or lined “journal pages,” or decreasing the page dimensions or increasing margin size in the hopes of gaining a greater page count. It’s all junk. As one friend once reported, “Garbage, no matter how it’s presented, is still garbage.” I think he used stronger wording than that, but it means the same thing.

So here I sit, baffled by the commitment I have just made. How do I begin? The cookbook is out for this month’s project. However, I will still be open to collecting and researching recipes. After all, cooking is my “what to do when I don’t know what else to do” tactic. It’s an escape that gets credit for being productive, because others benefit from it. They get to eat the fruits of my procrastination.

Fiction? I’m still sitting on my novel – afraid to publish it. I know I can write short stories, but I would have to write several to fill the word count. Do I have another novel idea? Perhaps.

Non-fiction? It’s what I know best. I’ve still got projects that need completion. And I have yet to write “Soup is not a Meal.” It’s about misconceptions and unrealistic expectations between men and women as they pertain to or are experienced in marriage. I’ve had my share of research on this topic over the years.

However, “Soup is Not a Meal,” may also lend itself well to fiction. I’m pondering on that one. Humorous? Clean. Does it lift and inspire others? Lifting and inspiring is one of the reasons I write. If it isn’t worth reading, then it probably isn’t worth writing and it definitely isn’t worth sharing with the world. That’s my opinion, anyhow, and it has evolved over the years.

So, … I want to write something worthwhile to lift, edify, inspire or motivate others. I’m going to sleep on it and hopefully, by morning I will have a plan. At least a starting point. That’s what I’m doing right now, is it not? Starting?

No more looking at a blank screen or baking before writing. I’ve got some work to do and mornings shall be my time to do it – after breakfast and scripture study, but before exercise. Perhaps the scripture study prior to writing will help me stay on track with my purpose – to uplift, inspire, and motivate.

I've just shared my first 600 words with you. And away we go!
If you would like to join me in this NaNoWriMo quest, it's not too late. Here is the link to sign up. https://nanowrimo.org/
I'll try to keep you posted on my progress throughout the month, but I may be too busy writing, or baking!
Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!
Happy Running!
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Firsts of 2016


Perplexus Rookie
It’s time once again to review my year and see what things I have experienced for the first time during the last twelve months. I’m a believer in lifelong learning. A look back helps me evaluate how I am doing in this lifelong quest. Here are a few of the things I experienced for the first time in 2016.

  • Brooks Ghost
    I owned my first pair of Brooks running shoes. I think I’m hooked!
  • First visit to Detroit, Michigan. With that came my first road trip through the Midwest, first ice cream cone at Great America, and my first Michigan Left. (The latter was a hair-raising experience!)
  •  I went on my first run Down Upper Targhee during Grand Teton Relay 2016 and sustained only one black toenail!
  • I had my first paid cross country coaching gig. I’ve been volunteering for years. The pay was a nice perk!
  • Part of my team!
    Ran into a stranger while he was reading one of my books in the Costco food court!
  • First Christmas Day without my youngest child. He was caught in a snowstorm and couldn’t make it home. We missed him!
  • I also published with Power Point for the first time (sometimes I’m a slow learner), mowed a lawn with my grandson for the first time (he’s two), and solved a Perplexus puzzle for the first time!

I can’t wait to see what’s new in 2017!

Tell me about your year. What did you do or learn how to do for the first time?

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
- Carol aka Running Granny Green
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

When the Pipes Rise up to Meet You – Just Run!


Hurdles? Anyone?

I’ve been reading, listening, and striving to improve my blog. While I am seeing an increase in my readership and I like the overall presentation better, sometimes it isn’t joyful. Not that everything in life should be joyful. Without adversity we would lack opportunities for true growth and we would not recognize true joy. Today, however, I am blogging for fun, because it brings me joy!

It’s not unlike running. Running is not always joyful. In fact, running is often painful, exhausting, and even dreaded. Yes, sometimes I dread the run. It’s too hot, cold, early, late, or far. I’m too tired, old, hungry, weak, or uninterested. Something hurts. (Oh that’s right, something always hurts!) I have learned that those obstacles which we conquer can be means by which we discover joy.

I have been preparing for the Grand Teton Relay. Even the name of this event brings me joy as I grew up in the shadows of those majestic peaks. My running buddy, Kelli, who had been missing in action for a while, joined me a few weeks ago. Kelli is faster, stronger, younger (Wait! All my running buddies are younger!) and more determined than I. It has been good for me. I am feeling stronger and I truly enjoy her company. She has brought more joy to the run.

That’s Kelli in the photo at the top of this post. Yesterday we encountered some obstacles on our run. We chose a route that wound through some farm fields. We had not been on the route for some time, but we had a plan. As we rounded the end of a potato field we discovered rows of sprinkler pipes crossing our path. We had to make a quick decision. Should we turn around and adjust our route or move ahead, hopping over the pipes and adjusting our stride along the way? Our quick decision was to move forward. We dodged mud and hopped over pipes for nearly half a mile. We did not anticipate the distance nor did we expect to have a lot of fun – but we did. We became stronger and we found joy as we conquered those unexpected obstacles!

Now that I have had some fun on my blog today, I’m going to get back to studying and striving to improve. Here are a few more joyful posts for you!
Tuesday's Training Tip: Find the Joy
Guest Blogger: Paulee makes decorating easy
Guest Blogger: Jennifer shares some thoughts on happiness

Thanks for stopping by and remember, when the pipes rise up to meet you - just run!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!
Carol - aka Running Granny Green
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

3 Blogs for Runners by Runners



Since I began running in 2007, I have gained an enormous network of friends and supporters. Runners have proven to be my best cheerleaders. I think we (runners) like to encourage one another because we all know how hard it can be to keep moving forward and because we also know how difficult it is to explain our habit to non-runners. I would like to share with you three blogs I enjoy that are written for runners by runners. I asked each of them to tell me their #1 reason to run. Their reasons are not very different than my own!

The Runner Dad, Matt, has some great advice on becoming a Morning Runner, as well as interviews with top athletes you are sure to recognize whether or not you are a runner.

Matt explains, “My #1 reason for running is for my 2 boys. I want to be a shining example to them, showing them how important it is to stay fit and work towards achieving goals and dreams.”

@Marathoner , Mark, began running in 2006. Enjoy his variety of “top 10 posts” as he celebrates ten years of running. Read about his 10 Favorite Running Shoes. His story is inspiring. He made a life change and hasn’t looked back!

Mark said, “I run because I am obsessed with finish lines and each one I cross teaches me how to achieve goals, no matter what obstacles, in all areas of life. I started running to quit smoking in 2006 and I run to stay healthy and live long for my family.”

Coach Debbie Runs offers tips on running and blogging. Her recent post, Running Against Time: 6 Ways to Hold Off the Inevitable, explains why our times slow after a few years and how to slow down the decline.

Debbie’s short answer to why she runs is, “The reason from my head is that it keeps me healthy, lean(ish), and strong. My heart, though, says I just run because it makes me feel good. It makes me happy.” You can find her longer, more detailed explanation in Why I Run.

As for me? My number one reason is also difficult to pin point. I suppose it depends on the day. I run to relieve stress. I run to ward off genetic health risks. I run to ski. Mostly, I run because it is the exercise program I have found that works for me. I have few excuses not to run, and so I run.

Stop by these three blogs written by runners for runners, The Runner Dad, @Marathoner, and Coach Debbie Runs, and give them some love! They are sure to encourage you on your path to better health!

Do you have a favorite running blogger? Please share their blog link in the comments below.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Learning New Technology




 For years I've been counseled to pursue lifelong learning. Technology is making that happen everyday! This blog post was composed on my phone. That might not be a big deal to some, but it's new for this granny. 
Ironically, I'm reminded of the verse in 2 Timothy when Paul describes the apostasy and perils that will occur in the last days - men shal be "ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." 
My conclusion? Learning is good (even technology) so long as the learner is seeking and focused on the truth. 
And there you have it - my first blog post from my iPhone!
Happy Running!

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Guest Blogger: Kimbre writes about house keeping


Meet Kimbre, she is 27 years old. She has 3 boys and is expecting her 4th in May 2016. Kimbre and her husband spend a lot of time not only raising their children in Christ, but helping to raise other children to know Him through their church’s AWANA Club. Kimbre is starting a new chapter of her life as a “stay at home” mom. She is eager to share what she has been learning in this new part of her life.


“Oh for Clean Sake”

Never have I claimed to be a great house keeper or even a good house keeper, for that matter, but always thought that I was at least decent. When I was still working it was easy to shrug off a messy house as my husband and I both worked 40 plus hours a week. Well, now that I stay at home there is no excuse for my lack of effort.

My husband was out of town this week for work and I thought, wouldn’t it be so awesome for him to come home to a spotless house. Ha! What did I do all week? Work on client websites and binge watch How I Met Your Mother, oops. So here it is Friday and the house is a disaster. I put on my best cleaning lady sweats and rubber gloves and get down to it.

Remember how I said I wasn’t even a good house keeper, well I decided today that I wasn’t even decent at it as I started in on my kitchen. My husband has this horrible need to always keep oil in his deep fryer even though it doesn’t have a lid. Because he wasn’t home I decided I was going to empty it. I pull the basket out and put it in hot soapy water, then I go to pour out the oil into a container to throw away when I discover… a dead mouse floating in the oil! Blah. After disposing of the nasty creature and start the fryer to soak I pulled out the microwave to find a field of mouse droppings. We live in the country so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, but I guess that’s what I get for not cleaning that part of my kitchen more often.

After this horrifying cleaning experience, I have decided to spend an hour a day cleaning a specific room. This is on top of the daily dishes and laundry that have to be done, of course.

Monday: Bathroom – shower, counter, sinks, toilet, floors

Tuesday: Living room – vacuum, dust

Wednesday: Office – file, organize, dust

Thursday: Kitchen – floors, counters, sinks, table, cleaning out the fridge

Friday: Light tidying before the weekend

Hopefully you all don’t struggle with keeping a clean house as much as I do, but if you do, I hope my blunders and new cleaning schedule can help you like I hope it will help me.

Catch up with Kimbre on Facebook and visit her blog Life of a "Stay at Home" Mom

Visit my Guest Blogger page to get to know all my blogging friends.

Happy Running!
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Guest Blogger Thursday: Call for bloggers

 
Guest Blogger Thursday has been a fun addition to this blog. I will soon be inviting many of my first time guests back for a repeat performance.  They have added value to this site and I thank them for contributing their experience and words of encouragement to my readers. Their posts have been some of the most popular.

In the meantime ... I am looking for more Guest Bloggers! Do you think you have something to contribute to this site?  Read the information below. If you feel you can fit this criteria, message me at cmgwrites@msn.com with "Guest Blogger Thursday" in the subject line, or comment below.  We will see what we can work out.


Guest Blogger Thursday
Info Sheet

 I am looking forward to featuring you on my blog, Running Granny Green. These instructions should help us both make the most of this opportunity. I have chosen you because you are an encourager!  The purpose of this blog is to motivate the reader to try a little harder, work a little smarter, be a little kinder, and live a little better. I think you can help do that. 

What I need from you …

1 – A photo and short biography to introduce you to my readers.

2 – Up to three links to your blog, website, Etsy shop, etc. You may include other links in the body of the post as well.

3 – Your feel good post (300 – 600 +/- words) about a subject of your choice that fits the feel of the blog – exercise, nutrition, positive attitude, overcoming obstacles, prayer, comfort food, friendship, etc. I will proof read, but I do not intend to do a lot of editing. I have confidence in you or I would not have invited you!

4 – Email copy and photos to cmgwrites@msn.com. You may include additional photos with your post.

5 – Deadline – Wednesday AM prior to your scheduled Thursday.  That gives me ample time to get it up and running.

6 – Re-post and share the links to help spread the good news!

What you get from me …

1 – I will publish your article on Thursday at 10:00 AM and I will send you a link to the published post.

2 – I will encourage my readers to visit your sites and I will share the post on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

3 – The post will be added to my Guest Bloggers page so readers will have an opportunity to find you again and again.

4 – You may be invited back from time to time!

I hope that this project is beneficial for both of us.  I see it adding value and depth to my blog and hopefully driving reader traffic to your sites as well as mine.

Have fun with it!

I look forward to hearing from you! Remember to comment below or email me at cmgwrites@msn.com with "Guest Blogger Thursday" in the subject line.

Happy Running!