Doing Good Where You Are
3
08, 2016
1
08, 2016
Offering An Open Hand
Love these words from Biddy Mason, once a Black slave woman who walked from Mississippi to California working along the way as a cattle herder and nurse/midwife.
Quite a woman she was.
In 1856 she petitioned the California courts and won her freedom. She reached out with her open hand to immigrants and prisoners. Sixteen years later in 1872, she and her son founded the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in her Los Angeles home. That little group grew to nearly 3,000 members.
How’s that for offering an open hand?
29
07, 2016
Free Range Chickens
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Olivia’s chicks have grown up quite nicely. I went to close them up one night and Olivia was not with them. She had gone back to the big coop. I guess in the chicken world, it is the mom who flies the coop.
Anyway, they are spending more time out with the big chickens. That is when they are not next door. They are still small enough to fit through the fence and are often tempted by the grass in the neighbor’s yard. I see them all wandering around next door.
It reminds me of a commercial:
So far the chicks return to their home coop each night. I suppose they will eventually get too big to fit through the gate.
I just hope they are on our side when that happens. Our neighbors love watching the chickens, but I’m not sure they want to have any of their own.
27
07, 2016
Dirt and Growth
Today I spotted the leaves of a sunflower popping up through the dirt. Where did the summer go that fall sunflowers are coming up?
I have no answer for that, but seeing the green sprouts, I was reminded of Holly Gerth‘s quote. It’s the pushing through dirt that produces the beautiful fall sunflowers that I enjoy.
Gives me a whole new perspective on dirt. How about you?
25
07, 2016
Are Naps a Waste of Time?
Nappers are often labeled as lazy. But are nappers the smart ones?
As youngsters, we fought naps until we collapsed in total exhaustion. These days social media can produce FOMO and like our younger selves we push on.
Unfamiliar with FOMO? That’s anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.
We tend to power through our day, tired or not, because we feel compelled to get everything done that we think we need to do.
Interestingly, recent studies indicate the tendency to avoid naps or take breaks to relax during the day can actually reduce productivity and/or produce results that are less than our best.
Check out The New York Magazine video below. You may change your mind about napping. I did and now I’m off for a nap.
22
07, 2016
There’s a Chicken in my Bathroom
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
While checking the chickens this week, I noticed one silkie hen squished between the coop and the fence. I gently unsquished her and set her down.
She was very unsteady on her feet and it looked like a wing was broken. I consulted chicken doctor Rachel who put her in a laundry basket in the bathroom while she did some research.
When my piano student arrived the next day and needed to use the restroom, I found myself saying “There is a chicken in my bathroom,” which reminded me of a song (which is a pretty standard occurrence around here).
The song is entitled “There’s a Hole in the Bucket.” I have a couple of different books illustrating this song which is basically a conversation between Henry and Liza revolving about how to fix the hole in the bucket.
As I went about my day, I thought of many verses to “There’s a chicken in my bathroom.” I would write it all out but I’m quite sure no one would understand.
It turns out that this particular breed of chicken has a soft spot in its skull much like a newborn baby. This soft spot does not close so if the hen gets pecked on the head, it can cause minor damage – like a concussion. This would cause her to be unsteady and want to hide from the others.
Our injured hen seems to be doing better now that she is separated from the danger of pecking hens. She is eating and drinking and can move around more securely. She even talks to us when we are in the room. We’ll try to incorporate her back into the flock later this week.
The bathroom will be lonely.
20
07, 2016
To be a Word Artist you have to…
The last two Wednesday we’ve talked about writers as artist. We can’t paint words if we don’t just WRITE as this quote from Sandra Jensen via WritersWrite points out.
18
07, 2016
Five Ways to Attract Blog Readers
Today’s blog world is highly competitive. A quick check at Blogging Statistics – Worldometers shows over 2 million posts (and counting) for July 14, 2016.
With numbers like that, our blogs can get lost sea of options.
So what can we do as bloggers do to attract readers?
I suggest these five things.
An Irresistible Title
Something catchy that piques interest. Try one of these ideas:
- Ask an open-ended question
- Include who, what, when where, or how to
- Make ’em curious– tease, contradict, challenge a belief
- Offer a solution or benefit in the content
Plenty of White Space
Keep paragraphs short – no more than four lines is the guideline. Many readers use their phones and tablets. Lines and lines of text are boring and hard to read.
Captivating Graphics
What’s the quote: “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Include visuals that pull the reader into the blog.
But, always be sure to use legal-to-copy images. Last thing, any blogger needs is a copyright troll targeting your image.
Keep Your Posts Short
People are busy. Even 500 words can push a reader’s attention. I suggest my guest bloggers keep their posts under 500.
If your topic requires more than a 1,000 words to communicate the idea, maybe cut it into two posts by ending on a hook that will make the reader return.
Write Succinct Posts
Write posts specific to your target audience. Miller Farm Friday is a great example. Chicken Wrangler Sara’s posts are all about life on their urban farm. And, they are short!
Will these suggestions guarantee of success? Unfortunately, no. There are too many variables for guarantees, but I do believe these five things are extremely important to gain a reader’s attention.
If you want more ideas just Google “How to build blog readership.” I did and in .80 seconds, 341,000 results appeared! Lots of ideas on things to try to find readers.
Do you have ideas of your own? If so, please share in the comments.
15
07, 2016
Meanwhile Back on the Farm
A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
Beekeeper Brian and Chicken Wrangler Sara have been on their annual vacation in Colorado leaving Rachel in charge of Miller Farm which is no easy task.
In an effort to entertain the puppies, Rachel purchased new dog toys. Much to Max’s dismay, Tucker thought they were all for him.
In the poultry department, Rachel has had to separate some of the roosters sending one to a new home. Apparently Kaboodle is at the bottom of the pecking order and an intervention was required. For the moment all is calm in the chicken yard.
In the house, however, the eggs in the incubator are starting to hatch causing all kinds of excitement. So far there are nine. She is sending pictures – like having newborn babies.
Here are two of my favorites.
As much as I enjoy being in Colorado, I kind of miss the excitement of Miller Farm.
If only we could carry the cool air with us to Texas.
13
07, 2016
Writers As Artist
Another poignant quote from Edie Melson to remind writers that we are indeed artists with our words. Thanks, Edie.