Monday's Mug 013

Welcome to another Monday’s Mug. There were a lot of things in my life happening this last week. I will be settling in with a nice hot cup of tea because I’m minimizing my coffee intake. Can I get something for you? The weather has been fickle around here with its up and down temperatures. It is raining in the morning and snowing at night. I felt I was a lot like the weather this last week in my productivity.

I few new things for 2020 I am doing are night pages every evening before bed on the 4thewords.com. If you don’t know about this website, it is for writers, and you can try it free for 30 days to see if you do like it.  I get in some writing for the day, and some days I do prompts instead. I call mine night pages, and I know I am not going by the rules of Morning pages in The Artist Way, but writing my pages at night on a computer at this point is what works for me.  I love the idea of doing a written journal, but I have yet to keep up with journals. 4thewords gives me incentives because I get to fight monsters and go on quests. It is not all about the game, though, and is more focused on writing than I expected. The way you defeat monsters is by writing I find this very fitting. Writing is the way I beat some of life’s monsters as well. 

I had a terrible Monday my dog of 17 years died. She had been going downhill for a while, but she finally gave up Monday. She had been such a huge part of my life through some very dark times. She was my friend and sometimes the only “person” I talked to for long stretches of my life. This might seem strange to you, but I have to say that is one thing that living in the country has always provided for me is a vivid imagination. I have talked to animals my whole life because there were no neighbor kids to hang out with. We grew up on a dairy farm, and it takes a lot of work. There were no times when we were able to leave and take vacations. The cows needed us every day twice a day. It was fun, but I have to say that my imagination and stories were being created long before I ever knew how to write any of them down.

Would you like some more to drink? 

Last week was also the first contest I have ever entered for writing. I was scared, no doubt, but after being with the Story A Day SuperStars for a couple years now, some of the fears I never thought I even had I’m realizing are fading away. I had submitted some of my work in the past, but nothing ever came of it. I was concerned at times with never being good enough. I was taking my world of writing way too seriously. 

In this last year, especially when I have felt like I have been treading water. I have been moving forward with my ability to deal with criticism. The rejection was something that terrified me, but now I am looking forward to being rejected because at least I know I am no longer in my own way, and I doing it. I am fulfilling my dream of being a published writer. I know I will be accepted one day. I have been working on my craft and I am devoting time daily to my art. 

I will talk a little more about the contest later this week, but in the middle of the contest, my family got sick. I had to be miss work a couple of days. I was trying to care for others while I was ill myself, and it was not good at all. It was a tough few days. So during that time, I wasn’t really focused on the short story contest at hand, and it was tough to get back into that frame of mind. I was happy my Story A Day group was there to support me, and one of them was doing the contest as well. We both really want to propel ourselves out into the writing world again. 

I have to go for now but remember to just write. 

Monday's Mug 012

Last week went by in a flash and before I knew it. I am sitting down to take a few moments to think about everything that happened last week. I have my cup of tea tonight. What can I get for you?

Last week was full of more goal planning for the month. I have been putting off reading a little bit lately, and I find myself longing for more community these last few days. It has been a long time since I have had some one on one time with any friends. I need to interact on Slack more as well with the Superstars. I need to stay on top of my reading goals for the year. I keep pushing off finishing some books, which is not like me because I usually want to do more in that department.

I will take a minute here and talk about the entertainment side of my life since last week; my reading has been minimal. I binge-watched Messiah on Netflix. I thought the show and acting were great. The writing was excellent. I didn't know what was going to happen next every time, which was nice because I usually can figure it out quickly. I will not give away anything here other than saying it was well written.

Are you watching anything? What is your favorite show? 

I have started Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as well, but I am taking this one a little bit at a time. This show is funny, and the writing is a dream come true. You might think I say this about all of the shows I watch, but it is not the case. I have enjoyed finding a couple of new things to watch for pushing me into a unique atmosphere when it comes to the point of view, comedy, and plot twists.

I have been working on my writing more and have been staying consistent with a little over 400 words a day since Jan 1. I am proud of myself because I haven't taken a break so far and don't plan on it.  I think I a lot of it has to do with using the 4thwords.com site to get myself a little more motivated on the not so motivated days. It has been hard for me in the past to stay consistent, but I noticed that when I did my language or another app that tracks every day you log in, I don't want to start back at day one again. It has been helping me get back into the flow of writing and to make progress on stories I have wanted to write.

I have joined the SWAP52 Club prompt /week challenge with Stop Writing Alone. This has been a great experience because I am getting to know more writers as well as new avenues for prompts. I have been consistent with writing a story each week, even though I am not sharing them right now. 

I hope you all have had a great week and we will talk next Monday again. Until then, just write.

Monday's Mug 011

Welcome back to my Monday Mug. There are so many things to catch up on, but I will hit the highlights of the last month.

 Did you bring your favorite mug tonight? I have one I found again from unpacking. I love picking up mugs at craft fairs. This mug has a butt. It is one of my favorites because it is funny looking and makes me smile. 

December was a crazy month for me. I am not sure about you. Aside from the business of the holidays, my car broke down, and my toilet stopped working. I have learned to appreciate indoor plumbing and the magnitude of how it can affect your day to day. I don’t want to go back to the alternatives for bathroom spots. My holidays were great I got a dancing llama toy from my mother because well I like llamas and she thought it would be hilarious. It is funny and who doesn’t need more laughter in life anyway. 

It has been warm here this year. It is odd to have a Christmas season in shorts in Missouri, but this year it happened. I think with more temperate weather, it was nice to get out in nature more and go on walks with my family of dogs. Everyone around here was really enjoying the warm weather, but it made Christmas seem like just one more day on the calendar. 

I have continued writing in December, but it has primarily been journaling and things of a personal nature. I totally bombed NaNoWriMo this last year, which was new for me because I had been improving over the previous few years. I think it came down to my planning. I really wanted to start a historical fiction book. Still, I was not prepared for the magnitude of writing in that genre when I haven’t previously. I am usually a dystopia or sci-fi girl.

I am going to get more tea, would you like some? 

Things have been strange this year. I have dealt with panic attacks this year and various other conditions I have never had to deal with before. However, I am finally feeling like I am getting back to a better place. It might just be because the toilet is fixed or maybe just the spark of the new decade, but I feel like I can breathe again. 

Within these just a few passing days of the New Year, I am excited to start new habits again. My German review is still going strong. I am happy now to take on just a little more of the things I really want to do this year. 

I am overflowing with goals and ideas for the year to come, but it is getting late. I promised myself to go to bed at a decent hour because I wake up early, even though it isn’t fun for me yet. 

So give me some advice about what is something I could do to make my mornings more fun?

Monday's Mug 010

Welcome back to the Monday Mug. I am enjoying this lovely weather we are having outside. I am having a little herbal tea tonight. I have no idea what kind because I didn’t look at it before I brewed it. The tea is excellent, though, with a little honey, it is better.

Would you like something as well? How about a brew you a cup?

This week has gone by in a blink, and it feels like I was just here talking to you. My process with submissions were I making a list of and looking for places to submit stories. I am focused on stories I want to submit. I have a few I need to edit and a couple of others I would like to complete. It seems like a slow process, and perhaps I am too hard on myself about the process. 

I read through a short story with a couple of writer friends, and it was fun to pull apart the story and see what was happening. When I was in school, it was part of our assignments, but I have to say it has been helpful to be able to pick some of the stories too. I need to start the Bradbury challenge to push myself further, but I am going to wait until December. It will be reading a short story, essay, and poem every day. 

Would you like some more tea night?

How is my marriage to writing going? It is a little bit of a bumpy start. There are times I question my choices, but I am a very analytical person, as well. I wonder about everything, but I am sticking to my decisions because, for me, right now, it is about love, and what at my core makes me happy. Writing does this for me still and always. Poetry has been sneaking back into my writing again slowly. I find when I am trying to make sense of the world, and poetry is how that happens often. I enjoy writing about hard problems in life and injustices. I could write volumes about romances that have gone wrong, but perhaps I will save that for later. 

So, this week, overall, has been pleasing. I am making slow and steady progress even though I am not as talkative in my writing community as I usually am. I am not sure why I am so quiet, but I think maybe it is just a time for me to observe and listen. 

I’m keeping it short this week, and off to get more writing done. Until next time… just write. 

Monday Mug 009 - Popping the Question

Hello Everyone, and welcome back to my Monday mug night. It has been a while since I have spoken to you. For me, the year starts new in October. I am not sure why, but it is what I keep experiencing each year. I feel the need to buy a new planner and start over with my goals for the year.  

I haven’t been very active in my usual communities this fall. I am participating in NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month. If you are not familiar with this event, it is a time when writers all around the world come together on a website and write together. They all try to reach a goal of 50,000 words and write together in gatherings nearby or virtually. This year my project is partly a new book I am writing and a rewrite of the one from last year. It is strange because I am usually such a stickler for the rules, but I am allowing myself the grace to break them this year. 

Before November, these last few months have been full of hard reflection. I keep asking myself if I am going to continue writing the way I have been or really go 110% put everything out there. For me, everything means sending my stories out for publishing and really committing to my writing time even more than I have in the past. Most of all, this means being productive with my writing. I love to free write, and it does usual yield a story, but it doesn’t yield any editing. So, I have many stories I need to edit, and some I would like to workshop. 

Needless to say, I feel like I’m either going to marry my writing, or we are going to have to stop dating. You know when you significate other gives you that ultimatum. I have been dating writing off and on for about three years. It is either time to put a ring on it or let the muse move on. 

So what do when writing wants you to put a ring on it? 

1. Can I really live without writing? Is it really something I want to push out of my life instead? Can I live without creating another story, poem, or novel?

2. Give strong consideration to how much I love writing and if I will be willing to fight for writing even when it sucks, and it doesn’t feel like love that day, month, or year.

3. Am I really going to make time to spend with writing? Will I always work more instead or keep cleaning the house instead of spending real time writing? 

4. Do I have the finances to support writing, and will my writing be happy with the choices we make together? 

5. Can writing get along with my family and friends? Is there a balance between writing and others in my life?

6. Does writing bring out the best in me and make me want to be a better person? 

Now some of you scoff at this because why would ever need to look at writing that way. The truth is, for me, it is precisely how I need to look at it. Do I have time for the love of my life and to give it my all?

Writing, will you marry me?

 Yes!

So just write. 

Monday's Mug 008

Welcome back to my Monday’s Mug where you will hang out with me for a little bit, and I will catch you up on what has happened. I am drinking some tea tonight because I just like the warming feelings and it makes me feel like fall is closer than it really is. Would you like some tea as well? Let's go out to the deck and sit for a while there is a gentle breeze tonight. 

I have been doing StoryADay for September you may have heard me talk about them previously. This is an event that happens in May and September, but we keep in touch all year round in the SuperStars group. I have been writing short stories consistently for the month. I will have a lot of stories to go through and revise. It has not always been easy nor have all my stories been the length I am used to writing in college, but it is progress. I think growth is what matters.

I am looking forward to editing a chapter of my book and sending it to a writing friend of mine. It has been a couple months since I have looked at my book and worked on it again. I have the first draft completed, but I am not sure what else should happen in the story. I will be doing a full edit of it December. Though my writer friend does not know yet, she will be getting a chapter, I hope she won't mind. I had promised her a paragraph months ago, and I still haven't gotten one to her. I think maybe I should send a paragraph first to be fair. 

I have another story I am editing for some other friends to look over about a talking cat. I usually don't write about animals talking, but it was a fun experiment, and I am out of my comfort zone. I need more opinions about it. It has been a long time since I have been through these types of workshopping groups, and I am a little nervous. However, no one has accomplished anything in their comfort zone, and I am throwing my zone out the window. 

I'm grabbing some more tea would you like some more? I will get a blanket as well it is getting cool tonight. 

I am working out a plan for the last few months of the year. It is a break down of what I need to finish top priority (revisions) and what I really need to get completed in this last quarter (outline and new novel). There is a 30-day plan I will follow for character and plot development for my new book next month, so all my ducks are in a row for NaNoWriMo. Then, in November, when I will be cranking out my novel. In the fall and spring are when I feel like I do my best work, perhaps in the world of transition. I want to send a few things out to publish as well. I have messed up and gotten off my plan for sure this year. However, it isn't the number of times you fall down but that you get back up again.

This has been an exciting time for getting to know people in my writing community even though I am quieter than most I have enjoyed my time this year with the StoryADay community. I would advise you to get involved in NaNoWriMo is you are a writer even if you don't want to write the novel. It is nice to have a community when you do something that usually is a solo adventure. 

Don't forget to just write.

Monday's Mug 007

Hello Everyone! I missed you all in July. I am sitting down to a cup of hot tea tonight and letting the day's worries run off of me. What I can I get for you? I hope you will sit down with me and relax for a few minutes while I catch you up on my last month. 

July was a tough month for me, and I know I am not the only one. It might be because the summer is coming to an end and the school season awaits. There were so many places I wanted to visit and projects I wanted to finish, but I didn't. So I have been spending this month looking at my plans and goals. I was becoming a little more realistic and starting again. 

I did participate in Camp NaNoWriMo this July, and it was a lot of fun. The cabin I was a part of chatted a lot about writing and their projects. I was interested when shared things about their personal life. I changed my project goal to the number of hours I would work on it instead of the number of words I produced. I did win though I switched from words to hours of work on my writing. I worked on a new project that popped up at the end of June and also on short stories for submission. 

Let me fill up your mug.

This month was really about getting my groove back when it comes to writing. I spent a lot of time off of the computer to see if it would help my flame reignite. The lack of a screen did help me get back to the creative space I needed. Sometimes I focus too much on the number of words I am producing rather than what I am writing. A focus on word count was helpful when I'm on a deadline, but too much can take the joy out of writing. 

I did a lot of soul searching last month. I am letting go of the people that are not there for me. I'm throwing out the disappointments of my past and the fears of my future. I am loving myself the best I can each day. I am just going to write. 

Monday's Mug 006

Hello everyone! How was your weekend? Thank you for joining me for my Monday Mug. I am having coffee with my creamer this evening, and I will get you whatever you like as long as it is coffee. I can't believe it is already July. I am just sitting here wondering what happened to the year because I feel like January was yesterday. I have had a busy week, so let's get to it. 

I would bring you into my kitchen table retro 60s with the mustard yellow rolling chairs because the kitchen is where everything gets done. It is night here, and I often start to randomly talk about subjects in the evening because my days are spent listening to others.

So, to start with I had a really rough week last week. I thought things were going good, but for some reason, I had just really been struggling with my writing. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to write about or projects I love, but I just couldn't get myself to walk over and sit in my chair to write. It was mind-boggling to me, and I finally started to reach out to other writers. I had many different opinions to choose from and enjoyed them all. I just wanted a parental butt chewing because I thought that was what I needed. The butt chewing didn't happen, but other advice was given instead. I decided I should stop being so hard on myself for not being at the level I expected of myself. 

I still didn't write much after that, and I do believe some of it was because I was going to be doing Camp NaNo this year. For those of you unaware NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month that happens in November. They have more flexible camp versions that occur in April and July. I am back with a cabin in July I have been in for a couple years to change up the rest of my year. I felt like I just didn't want to write this last week before camp began because this month at camp, I am pushing myself for 50,000 words. Which is odd because only a few sentences ago I said I should stop being so hard on myself. I think my goals may change just so I can breathe a little more. My idea for the camp had also not solidified yet, so I am totally pansting it this year, which also give me a little anxiety. 

Would you like more coffee? I will refill your mug too. 

It was a busy week at my daytime job, which may account for my lack of wanting to write in the evening when I come home. I am trying to figure out how to give myself enough rest so I can be a morning writer.  I have also tried to write in notebooks, and I don't like it. I have tried every pen and paper type I can find, but I still am having problems with it. I think it just because I trained myself in college to type every story I was working on then. I have also come to a place where I am typing as fast as my internal narrator speaks, and I cannot keep up handwriting. I do still enjoy writing poetry out by hand, but I think it is because I play so much with the position of the words as well. 

I had meetings and classes this week that didn't go as planned, but it turned out that is was okay because I really just needed to give myself a break for a few days and work on my mindset with where my life is headed right now. 

I guess I am going to let you get some rest for now and maybe I should get some too. Until next time. 

Monday's Mug 005

It is time for some late night coffee again. Would you like decaf tonight or maybe a lovely herbal tea? The night is cool tonight let’s grab some blankets and sit on the porch swing. If we were having a mug, I would tell you this last week had a lot more ups than downs. 

I was excited to be on a call for Super Stars group within Story A Day. It was great to hear about how other writers were submitting and how they have dealt with rejection. They were talking about different places to submit as well. I have not submitted to be published in years now; however, the conversion was spurring me on to start submitting again. I keep saying I am not ready, and I just need more time. The truth is I’m making excuses. 

If we were having a mug of joe. I’d tell you I started a new book this week Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. IT IS AMAZING! Yes, I am yelling this at the top of my lungs. I sometimes feel like I have been locked in a cave without a key away from one of the best books about writing I have come across. As I was reading it in so many moments, I was thinking this is me, and that is me. I guess I should just highlight the whole book. I am glad my writing friends turn me toward this book. 

Would you like some more tea or coffee? I’m getting some tea; it always makes me sleepy at night. 

Another great event this week was getting to talk one on one with a writing friend. We were discussing the book and various things in our lives. I appreciated the time we spent getting to know each other better. I love one on one talks more so than groups; it makes me feel more relaxed to speak about my life. 

I am going to try writing in a notebook again and see how it goes. I like to doodle sometimes when I write, and when I write poetry, I want to see the various versions it goes through. My story sparks are overflowing, and I need to devote more time daily to writing. I can’t decide what technique of writing I would like to work on, but I think I am going just to let it flow for a while.  I hope you have a great week and I will see you next Monday. 

Monday's Mug 004

Hello again. Thanks for joining me for another Monday’s Mug. I have one of my favorite mugs I got from a local craft fair full of water. Today has been busy and this week will be as well. I am sitting outside again because I love being out here the summer. 

I would like to tell you about my week last week. I had struggled with a blog for a couple of weeks, and I had it written. I had even edited it already once, but for some reason, I didn’t like it. There are times when I feel like it just isn’t the right time to publish a blog. Like there is something inside of me that says not yet. Then a week or two later I get the post it now buttons pushed inside me. I don’t know where this comes from or why. I wonder if you ever get the same feeling about writing or something in your life?

I will continue with my mug of water tonight and tell you last week had its ups and downs for sure. I have been working on taking my reading up a notch and also my productivity in general. I have become a little planner crazy right now I am working out of two. I have a Happy Planner everything is in, and then I carry a bullet journal that has my daily two do lists. Now that I am managing three sites, it has been more intense. 

I did Story A Day again this year. I did write a lot more than I ever thought I would get done because May is a full month for me. It is a month full of social events, deadlines, and most of all, my joy for writing. I allowed myself to miss days this year. I have gotten much better about not beating myself up about not finishing a story every day and just moving forward. It helps to have Julie Duffy’s voice in my head. If you have not checked out her podcasts, they are, and her voice is so soothing to me. She does not know I am talking about her. Julie’s podcasts can be found at Itunes and also directly on the StoryADay website. 

I got to have a meeting with my online writing group tonight. It was great to talk to them, and even though I am quiet, I like listening to what they have to say about what they are reading, writing, and submitting. I have not reached the submission process yet because I am a little afraid, but I also know I need to revise a bunch of stories. Revision is probably my least favorite part of the processes. I am still looking for ways to make it more fun if you have suggestions leave them in the comments. I think it is just like doing laundry though because I enjoy wearing the clothes I just don’t want to have to wash them and put them up.

I have been embracing working on my short story pieces more these days. Short stories were my emphasis in college because it was fun to me. I wish I could find the stories I wrote in college. I am sure that would give me a good laugh and maybe inspire something else. There are times I am hard on myself for taking so many years off from writing, but I am also happy to be where I am now meeting the friends I have through this process. 

I hope you have a good evening and the rest of your week is full of little stories. 

Monday's Mug 003

Hello! Thank you for spending some time with me. It is Monday’s Mug time where we talk about what happened over the past week. So grab your mug and settle in with me for a little talk.

This morning I’m having coffee, and after going two weeks without it, I want it again. Would you like some coffee?  I thought so. I’m sitting outside with you and will grab you a blanket too. It is cold this morning when it becomes Spring I love being outside. It makes it a little harder to get my writing done. This last week I was going to plant but out temperatures dropped so low I decided to wait till next week. 

My writing has been slower this last week. I had a couple of pretty lousy day Tuesday and Wednesday when it came to writing. I ended up getting nothing accomplished. So I was behind on my deadlines for last week. I always think I will have time to make them up over the weekend, but I again wasn’t able to carve out much time. 

My favorite time to write on the weekends has been Saturday mornings. I have also been pulling away from the keyboard as well which is very unlike me. There is nothing wrong with my computer, and it is usually my preferred way to write. For some reason, though I am enjoying not having to look at a screen for a while. It makes me miss the days when I was a kid and technology didn’t exist as it does now. 

I did write a little bit, but I am having to forgive myself for not being as productive as I usually am. I think May is just a hard month for me to write.  I supposed it is because it is that transition month when school is getting out soon, and summer is coming so quickly. 

 I have continued to do Story A Day and enjoyed the encouragement on that site. I have also made some real friends over there, and there is nothing more satisfying as of late than to have people in my life I can talk about writing with. 

Well, it is too cold to stay out here, so I am going to cut this short today. I hope you have a productive week. 

Monday's Mug 002

Hello! Thank you for joining me this Monday Mug. This weekend went by in a flash, and I am a night writer, so here we are. I have some Irish Breakfast tea with honey and sugar in my mug tonight. I still fighting to be able to talk because of allergies. I am not sure why it has been so bad this year. I guess the allergies are trying to take me out. 

Would you like some tea too? I have made fresh pot. Honey? Milk?

So we are outside tonight, but that is because I just cannot resist the Spring weather. You have to bear with me as I sneeze and cough a little today. I am actually much better than last Monday, but I still have a lot to get done tonight. 

I would like to talk about going to a conference this weekend for single moms. It was amazing and so encouraging. It is definitely something I needed. There were two main speakers and three breaks out sessions. While I didn’t really get any ideas about writing while I was there, I did on the ride to and from the conference. 

If you ever end up in a car with me be prepared for the confessions. I tend to talk about everything in the car. I felt terrible for my companion that was driving, but I just could not shut up. We would talk about something, and it would always remind of a story. Then I would tell the story, and we would move on to the next subject. It made me miss the days of actual storytelling instead of stories being written all the time. 

Have you ever listened to a story teller?

There were so many pieces of my past that I do wish I could tell in stories, but I am not ready yet. I need more distance and time from the subject before I will commit it to paper. So many things have happened in my life, I am not sure I will ever really be able to write about. The scars are just too deep, and it still hurts too bad. 

Would you like so more tea? I am getting a second cup. 

I thought I would have so much time to work on writing this weekend, but that isn’t what happened at all, so I was a little upset by that. I am learning to forgive myself though and move on. I still don’t have the habit of writing every day, but yet I do write something every day. So maybe working on things that deal with my writing counts for writing too. 

Tonight I am keeping it short because I have a meeting with the Super Stars writing group and I am excited. I can’t see what writing sparks might come up from things they say.

I love all the little things in life that give us so much to write about. 

Monday's Mug The Beginning

Introductions

I would like to welcome you to my first Monday’s Mug. I call it this because I never know what is going to be in my mug. So, if you were sitting here with me today at the table in my kitchen where I have my conversations, I would ask you what you like. I have tea, coffee, and water. I look out into the fields around my home as I make you a cup of coffee.

As I start this week, I can’t help but think of how wonderful Sunday was for me, and I hope that it is just a small preview to the rest of my week. It was kind of a strange and unplanned day. You know the kind of day when you think nothing is working out, but somehow it turns out to be the most fantastic thing ever.

Would you like creamer? Sugar?

So, I have been sick for a few weeks now dealing with this allergy stuff everyone has got, and my chest was starting feel like someone sat on it. I decided to go to the doctor, but there are no urgent cares where I live, and I had a meeting for with a non-profit today, so I decided I would leave early and go to urgent care in a nearby town. 

The urgent care I wanted to go to wasn’t open, and I was super upset. I decided to go to the next town and see if I could get in there. I did finally find it, and I was a little nervous because I had never been there before. I am sitting there about three people in front of me. This older woman checked in a few minutes after I got there. The only seat left was right next to me, and she sat down. 

At first, I was just staring at everyone in the place a million story ideas were streaming before me I couldn’t catch them all. The lady seemed to be straightening her purse. She gets up throws something away and sits back down. I start to cough again as she sits back down.  

Would you like more coffee? I think I’m going to get more water. Here are some great cookies I didn’t make if you would like one.

Anyway, I am sitting there waiting, and this woman asks me what I was there for. I told her allergies and congestion like everyone else. It started something though I was not expecting. 

This conversation started that lasted for almost two hours. She talked about living up north what it was like there and how many different aspects of wildlife she experienced daily. I was a little jealous because I don’t get to see bears, and eagles all the often. She was talking about how hard it was to live in town, and I could relate. We talked about work, family, and religious beliefs. I had made a new best friend in just a short time never even knowing her name. 

It was so strange because I was so upset that I had to go to a different place and then I met this wonderful woman. It was like my soul was just opening up for those moments. I haven’t opened myself up like that in a while with someone. I wish I would have gotten her name. 

Then, I had just an hour before I had to be at the meeting where I was going to meet someone new. I am an introvert at heart in case you didn’t already know this. So, meeting people for the first time for me usually goes badly and stresses me out because I’m awkward, and they don’t know what to do with my weirdness. I can act “normal,” but the more I write, the harder it has been to work like this. 

I get there a little early, and I didn’t really talk too much at first. The woman was asking me questions, and when you start asking me what I do, I don’t shut up. I tell her about my job with the non-profit and about some of the struggles I am trying to overcome within the situation. Before I know it I am talking about my Religious Studies degree again and bonding with another stranger. The rest of the evening just flowed. Everything fell into place. 

It was just one of those great days where you meet new people, and it gives you more hope that there are good people in the world. I got the warm fuzzies. I wish we could talk all day, but I have to get back to work. 

So, until we talk again next week. Have a great day and watch something fall into place.