I’m operating my blog on cruise control right now. My trip to Illinois cut into my writing time, so this is what my readers get today.
I’d love to get your happiest four word stories in my comments box. Mine would be “They danced every day.” What’s yours? 
Peace, people!
A wallet, no matter how stylish, cannot be used as an electronic reader.
I tried in vain last night to turn on my Kindle so I could read a bit before going to sleep. I couldn’t find the “on” switch and finally gave up.
This morning I realized that instead of grabbing my Kindle from my bag as is my habit I’d fetched my large wallet instead.
Did I mention that I was extremely tired when this occurred, and probably suffering from a mild case of heat exhaustion? I’m certain it wasn’t the single glass of wine I enjoyed with dinner.
I’d like to produce evidence that I am not suffering from insanity, if it pleases the court.
Verdict?
Peace, people!
One year ago today on a whim I decided to begin writing a blog. I promised myself I’d post something every day for one month. Really, that was my only goal, just to consistently write. How hard could it be?
That first month was pure agony. I worried about what people would think. I worried about how many people might read my words. I worried about topics. I worried about fonts and styles. I worried about running out of things to worry about. I’m a great worrier.
After 30 days I think I had five followers. Five. But I found I was enjoying the writing. I even enjoyed racking my brain for topics. And five people were reading my blog. Two of them even seemed to like it.
I decided to keep posting daily for three more months. The agony was still there, but I learned to work with it, to make it work for me instead of against me on most days.
In addition, I learned about tagging my posts–finding the little bits and pieces within a piece that might draw people to my writing. Suddenly I had people from all over the world reading what I wrote and following me. In turn, I found bloggers whose work interested me and began following them. (See below)
We began a give and take of information and support. It was amazing to have others read and comment on my writing. That’s become my favorite part of this adventure.
Three months turned into a year, and I’m proud to say that I’ve averaged more than one post per day for the past 365 days. I have a few more than five followers now, but that’s beside the point. I have fun!
I’ve learned something wonderful from these writers/photographers/artists:
Stop worrying! Be yourself! Write!
www.http://sanseilife.wordpress.com
http://inesemjphotography.com/
https://aroilinpain.wordpress.com/
http://shirleysheaven.wordpress.com/
http://frommidnighttodawnlight.com/
https://mikesteeden.wordpress.com/
https://doubleupoet.wordpress.com/
https://reachingmeadowlane.wordpress.com/
https://alotfromlydia.wordpress.com/
https://eurobrat.wordpress.com/
http://movingtowardsthelight.com
https://belindacrane.wordpress.com/
https://mommycookforme.wordpress.com/
http://kittomalley.com/author/kittomalley/
http://themischiefmemoirs.com/
https://epicgran.wordpress.com/
https://redswrap.wordpress.com/
I know I’ve left some important folks out. It wasn’t intentional, I promise!
Peace and thanks, people!
Since I am not sure how to directly contact someone at WordPress (do they hide that information on purpose?) I thought I’d try to post something on the forum, but I’m not even sure if I’m doing that correctly.
First, I want to thank WP for providing me a forum and an outlet. Also, my articles are now sharing correctly on Facebook. For awhile there, every post was being treated as a photo in spite of my settings.
On the other hand, I believe the stats have been incorrect for several weeks. As an example I posted a piece earlier today (5-18-15) and have had at least eight notifications that this post has been “liked” but only two views appear in my stats.
I understand that some folks might just click “like” without having read the post, but several of these people don’t follow me. I’d have to think they’ve actually visited my blog and read the post in order to “like” it.
This phenomenon isn’t limited to today’s post, but it’s the first day I’ve kept track of the number of notifications.
I know my blog is small potatoes, but they’re my potatoes and I’d like them properly counted.
Thanks,
Leslie Noyes
The exceptionally talented, Stuart M. Perkins, who writes one of my favorite blogs, at https://storyshucker.wordpress.com/author/smperkins62/ recently nominated me for “The Very Inspiring Blog” Award. I promised that if I could figure out how to link others’ blogs on my own site that I’d happily accept the award. Yet even as I pasted Stuart’s link into my blog I have grave doubts that I did it correctly.
I’m going to do my best, though, because I’ve passed up these awards before, and I appreciate Stuart thinking I’m worth reading. As he says, that’s all any of us really want.
The rules of accepting the award are as follows:
Seven facts about myself. Hmmmm. I make so much stuff up that facts are scarce.
Okay, now to the tricky part–passing along the Most Inspiring Award to 15 blogs that I follow. I follow some really great bloggers, so I hope I do this correctly. Be sure to check out their sites.
I realize that many of those listed above have been the recipients of many blogger awards, so please do not feel obligated to accept. Just know I enjoy reading your posts!
Peace, People!
My family has a long history of misunderstanding song lyrics. For example:
A line from The Eagles song, “Lying Eyes” as heard, and sung, by Studly Doright: “She is headed for the cheapin’ side of town.” When I asked him to explain the meaning of the lyric, he said, “you know, she went cheapin’!” Alrighty then.
A line from the 1985 hit, “Every Time You Go Away” by Paul Young as sung by our then five-year-old daughter, Ashley, “Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you.” To be honest, I like Ashley’s lyrics better. We never quite convinced her that she was wrong.
Back in the days of my youth, I thought that Judy Collins was singing about clouds instead of clowns in her 1973 hit “Send in the Clowns.” Conversely, I thought that Joni Mitchell’s song, “Both Sides Now” featured the lines, “I’ve looked at clowns from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow. It’s clown illusions I recall, I really don’t know clowns, at all.” I’m sure if I had a therapist she’d draw a few conclusions about my psyche from my misinterpretation of cloud/clown references.
Some misheard lyrics are so universal that the artist incorporates them into his/her act. I saw John Fogerty in concert several years ago and he sang the line, “There’s a bathroom on the right.”
Check out this website dedicated to misheard lyrics:
http://www.kissthisguy.com
Happy listening!
Today’s blog is interactive. No “likes” unless you also leave a comment. Sorry to be such a crotchety old woman, but this is important. I’ll compile your comments into a future post. Anonymity is guaranteed unless I’m given the ok to use your name.
Here are your questions:
1. Did you have a mentor, other than your parents, to guide you during your youth?
2. Who mentored you? (Ex. Teacher, coach, etc. You don’t have to name names.)
3. In what way(s) did he/she/they act as your mentor?
4. Have you ever acted as a mentor to a young person other than your own children?
5. In what country do you live?
6. May I use your name?
I’m looking forward to reading your responses.
Peace, People!
Praying for Eyebrowz 