It’s not you, it’s me …
02 May 2013 2 Comments
in Daily Prompt, My Thoughts Tags: be real, blogging, Facebook, family, learning, life, plans, time, writing
To what extent is your blog a place for your own self-expression and creativity vs. a site designed to attract readers? How do you balance that? If sticking to certain topics and types of posts meant your readership would triple, would you do it?
Well, to be honest … which is a good approach under most circumstances … my blog is for me. Whatever load of creativity the DNA genie bestowed on me goes into my blog, my Facebook page, my house, and my erratically churning thought processes.
I love it when people come to my blog and comment on what they see there. It’s lovely, it’s gratifying, it gives me warm gooshy feelings all over. I even get off on seeing how many people have been here, whether they say anything or not.
But would I write for a select audience in opposition to, or to the exclusion of, what I really believe and feel? I’d like to think I wouldn’t. Attention is a jealous mistress who gets her hooks into us when we see ourselves as immune … but I’d hate to think I’d throw away the hodge-podge of experience I’ve accumulated and become a sell-out.
Or maybe that isn’t what it’s about at all. Maybe it’s about finding and connecting with varied personality types and saying things they enjoy hearing.
If my readership tripled, I’m sure I’d be looking at what made that happen. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to keep all the plates spinning … wife, mom, Facebook maven, blogger. I swear to myself every week (don’t listen, please) to be better about keeping up with the other bloggers I follow, get right in there and rub elbows, talk about what is and what isn’t, leave thoughtful comments on their posts, build community …
But look at me. I’m over a day late with this “daily” prompt. I started it yesterday morning right after getting the message … and then the blog posts stacked up and the emails poured in and my Facebook peeps were having fun without me and my husband needed to talk, and an industry blog wanted a commitment, and the coffee was running out and I was running behind anditallgotkindacrazy and …
No, clearly my blog is for me. I need it. My immediate world needs it. There couldn’t be any cheaper therapy. I’ll stick with what I love, and people are welcome – invited – to stop by and love it or leave it.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/daily-prompt-personal-space/
An Anthem to Old Affinities
05 Apr 2013 12 Comments
in My Thoughts, Poetry Tags: be real, brave, DPchallenge, friendship, learning, life, poetry, relationships, writing
I was never what you wanted me to be ...
your requirements were too cramped, my heart too wide,
and my eyes would not un-see
what you didn't know you'd showed me,
so I sweetly held my tongue and played the game.
I could now explain and justify ... but why?
Degradation is an IOU due no one, self-abasement ...
a crushing mortal sin.
The choices have been made
and life moves on.
There's surely nothing helpful left to say.
I never hated you for what you didn't want to know,
just wished your certainty extended outward.
And yet ... what does it matter in the end ...
for you are only you and I am I,
as regrets and might-have-beens all fade to black.
Judy L. Smith
Copyright April 2013
Ahem …
11 Mar 2013 Leave a comment
I seem to be suffering from a near-total lack of concentration.
Spring Fever??
Best Moment Award
09 Mar 2013 4 Comments
in Awards Tags: About Me, Awards, blogging, brave, happy stuff, humor, inspiration, life, living, love, memories, story, writing
Awarding the people who live in the moment,
The noble who write and capture the best in life,
The bold who reminded us what really mattered –
Savoring the experience of quality time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this! Wow. I don’t even have a speech prepared, I just came to the banquet with a friend!
Well … gosh … think! Um … well, first of all, thank you to the Academy, the Board, all my fellow bloggers, and especially to “Moment Matters!” It means everything to me to receive this prestigious award — I didn’t even know I’d been nominated!
I also, of course, must thank my wonderful son, and my husband, the love of my life, for encouraging me to start blogging. I have a lifetime of experiences, memories, losses, victories, pain, joy, the entire life spectrum, from which to draw. Many people who mattered to me are gone … many who make life beautiful are still with me and bring me deep happiness every day.
Special recognition like a “Best Moment Award” would seem to imply some sort of niceness in a person, which comes as a surprise to me until I remember that people can’t see the thought bubbles that appear above my head as I blow through life. Hahaha!
Oh dear, the music’s playing, I have to get off the stage, but thank you all SO MUCH! I will never forget this …
Out of the loop …
05 Mar 2013 7 Comments
I’m baaaaa-ack — didja’ miss me? Just one of those times when life piles on and full attention is required elsewhere. Changes get made, exhaustion takes its toll, adjustments are required, and life moves on. Had a wonderful two days away with my sweetie-pie, and a few other perfectly fine distractions were enjoyed, and now you get my smiling face once again. Hope all’s well in your world!
What I really want …
24 Feb 2013 14 Comments
… is to write funny. Funny ha-ha, not hieroglyphics. Ever since I was a precocious child entertaining my aunts and uncles with my fancy vocabulary (and how many jaded adults did I completely annoy the bejeebers out of?), I’ve thrived on making people laugh. I apparently told someone that my name was Agnes Opal from Constantinople (never underestimate the power of a mom who reads to you), and it stuck. To at least one uncle I’ll always be Agnes Opal.
That episode is vaguely embarrassing to me now, but the joy of spitting out genuinely funny stuff embedded itself in my psyche early on. I sit here every day and read the giggle and belly-laugh producing stuff my blogger friends post, and wish I’d thought of it. That’s me being honest, folks.
But life is life and truth is truth. And what I’m apparently programmed to write about is memories. I have a lot of them, and I now have the dubious distinction of being the eldest in my immediate family. Both sets of grandparents are gone. My parents are gone. All of my in-laws are gone. My brother is gone, and even though he was the youngest, he had the closest ties to the farm and would probably remember things I never knew. My sisters moved away fairly early on, and are both younger than I, so by default I’ve become The Keeper of the Secrets. For the most part, they’re secrets that need to be told for preservation’s sake … and the mission seems to have fallen to me.
The truth to which we’re all called to be faithful is this …
I love Stephen Wright
18 Feb 2013 Leave a comment
“I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.” ~Stephen Wright
Shoulda, woulda, coulda …
13 Feb 2013 7 Comments
in Daily Prompt, My Thoughts Tags: do good, living, music, relationships, writing
WordPress Daily Prompt: Shoulda, woulda, coulda.Tell us about something you know you should do … but don’t.
These are words I try to avoid at all costs — they fall into the category of “useless thoughts and emotions.” My heart and brain, however, recognize that, like other things we skirt around in life, they do have their place, if only as a cautionary tale.
There are things I know I should do every day — things I could do — things I would do — if only. If only I weren’t so busy … so preoccupied … so shockingly lazy.
Every day I should spend at least an hour playing my incredible piano. I should write constructively — or randomly — for yet another hour, minimum. I should make the phone calls and send the emails and hand-written notes that languish in the Vault of Good Intentions. I should keep my house spotless and the laundry forever caught up and all the bills paid immediately upon receipt. I should walk at least two miles every single day.
The list of shoulds is virtually endless. And the incontrovertible truth is that I could do those things. And I would! If only …
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/daily-prompt-shoulda/
Word Press Daily Prompt: All About Me
12 Feb 2013 12 Comments
in Daily Prompt, Graphics that Grab Me, My Original Blog, My Thoughts Tags: About Me, blogging, living, music, piano, relationships, writing
“Explain why you chose your blog’s title and what it means to you.”
When I decided to move my blog to WordPress from another host, I wanted a new name befitting the change. Before I had time to give any thought to the matter, the words “Playing for Time” popped into my mind. I googled “quotes about time,” came up with Dr. Seuss’s words, “How did it get so late so soon?” and knew I had my hook.
I’m well aware that “Playing for Time” was a 1980 television film based on Fania Fenelon’s autobiography, The Musicians of Auschwitz. Although my blog carries no such heavy significance, it does “play” into my interest in music and also the consciousness that time is passing very quickly for me now. It just seemed right, and still feels perfect to me.
Finding myself now at retirement age, I want to fill my time with play, music, and life in general. Having the time to write seems like play to me … and when my mind and heart temporarily run out of words I visit the beautiful little grand piano in my living room and play myself into creativity again.
I have fallen into a happy love affair with my blog — it brings me joy every day, as do the people I meet on WordPress. Playing for time suits me just fine.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/daily-prompt-all-about-me/
The Elusive Flangiprop
08 Feb 2013 2 Comments
So my husband and I are flying down the highway when the WordPress Daily Prompt pops up on my iPad with a curious command — “Invent a definition for the word ‘flangiprop,’ then use the word in a post.” Invent! Invent? Why would anyone have to invent a definition for flangiprops? Even if they aren’t native to your part of the world, surely most people remember them!
Incredibly, just as the imperative hit my inbox, we saw a large herd of partially-domesticated flangiprops in a pasture next to the road. They’re rarely spotted in such numbers anymore, their population having been heavily reduced during the Great Flangiprop Slaughter of 1957. They’ve been struggling valiantly to recover ever since, and they generally stay out on the open prairie where they won’t be seen by their only natural predator — man.
These looked well cared for, however, and didn’t seem to be suffering any ill effects from being held in captivity. We were able to snap a couple of quick photos without spooking them, and I’m thrilled to be able to share those with you here, especially this shot of what appeared to be the alpha flangiprop. Perhaps they’re not bound for extinction after all!
The Gift of a Kind Word
06 Feb 2013 Leave a comment
in Graphics that Grab Me, My Thoughts Tags: About Me, blogging, graphics, inspiration, learning, love, relationships, writing
I love to write. I’ve been scrawling little stories since I learned how to form the letters. However, in no way do I fancy myself a Writer in the mold of … well, anyone whose name you’d associate with published works. I know writers, I rub shoulders with writers every day on Facebook and WordPress, and in the (adapted) words of vice-presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen, “You, madam, are no writer.” But the grim realities do not discourage me from loving the process, and even, sometimes, the result. Thoughts and ideas dance around in my head and there’s no remedy but to sit down and spit it all out.
I write mostly for myself. It’s cathartic. It keeps my brain awake. It’s highly satisfying to see the words flow onto notepad or screen and ultimately make perfect sense, if only to me. But it’s also deeply gratifying when other people want to read what I’ve written, and when the feedback is positive and heartfelt.
The other night, someone I know and like a lot but don’t see often told me she loves reading my blog … and that I’m a “good writer.” And even though I know the truth of my opening sentences above, her words went straight into my heart and stayed there. I can live on that for a while … it’s like manna to the psyche. A gift.
I’ve met incredible, amazing women here on WordPress who are quickly becoming real friends, and whose writing talents blow me away every single day. Reading their blog pieces makes me want to write and write and write until my head figures out how they do that! Too bad that isn’t how it works.
If you look up synonyms for gift, one suggestion is power. They got that right.
I loved words. I love to sing them and speak them and even now, I must admit, I have fallen into the joy of writing them. ~Anne Rice
Playing for Time 
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