6 02, 2023

The Full Moon and Me

By judythemorgan|2023-01-23T07:59:22-06:00February 6th, 2023|Uncategorized|1 Comment

Source: NASA

Moonbeams lit up our little corner of the world Sunday night. The sky was dark, but the light made shadows as Finnegan MacCool and I walked.

I guess that’s why the Native Americans named it The Snow Moon. We had no snow to sparkle here on the Texas Gulf Coast, but I remember how the ground glistened when there was.

Read more about Native American full moon names here. It’s fascinating.

Every time there’s a full moon I think of a rhyme my Irish grandmother taught me as a wee little girl, I See the Moon.

I see the moon, the moon sees me,
God bless the moon and God bless me:
There’s grace in the cottage and grace in the hall;
And the grace of God is over us all.

She also told me the man in the moon would hear me. I remember that too. I wasn’t lonely. Not with my Finn along, but I thought of Carl Sandburg’s words.

The next full moon – called the Worm Moon or Lenten Moon – will be at its peak on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 7:40 a.m. ET.

Don’t miss the opportunity to go out and chat with the man in the moon.

3 02, 2023

Life Goal

By judythemorgan|2023-01-31T20:56:31-06:00February 3rd, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

When I was in middle school, I took piano lessons from Mrs. Black. She was an amazing teacher who had a major impact on my life.

Each week I had a private lesson and a group lesson where I learned theory, ear training, and improvisation. She taught in her home and had two baby ground pianos in her studio. I can still remember her coming down the stairs in her house shoes and playing a second piano part to my Clementi Sonatinas.

I performed in recitals, festivals, and for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. I loved every minute of it and decided at that point I wanted to be just like Mrs. Black when I grew up.

I did indeed pursue a degree in music education where all the group lessons helped tremendously in my freshmen theory classes. I began teaching piano in the home of one of the professors who guided me as I began my teaching career.

Fast forward more than 30 years and I am still teaching private piano as well as classroom music. And I still love doing both. While I do not have a baby grand piano, much less two, in my living room, I try to impart the same love of music that Mrs. Black passed on to me.

I looked down this week and noticed my feet:

I have achieved my life goal of becoming just like Mrs. Black – right down to teaching in my house shoes.

2 02, 2023

Freelancing for College Students – Guest Blogger Jenna Sherman

By judythemorgan|2023-01-30T07:24:09-06:00February 2nd, 2023|Guest blogger|0 Comments

Image via Pexels

How to Achieve Success as a Freelance Writer in College

A Guest Blog by Jenna Sherman

As a college student, you may be considering freelance writing as an income source. While there are many benefits to taking this route, it’s important to understand the potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. With the right research, portfolio development, work ethic, marketing strategies, payment negotiations, and taxes preparation, you can achieve success as a freelancer while still in school — these tips shared by judythewriter.com can help.

Investigating the Freelance Writing Industry

Before you dive into freelance writing while in college, research the different types of jobs and articles that writers are paid for and decide which ones interest you most. You should also read up on various publications’ submission guidelines so that when you come across a job posting or assignment that appeals to you, you will have all the necessary information at your fingertips. It is also beneficial to keep track of current industry trends and market rates for writing services.

Creating a Portfolio

As with any creative career path, having an impressive portfolio can make all the difference in getting hired for gigs. Consider starting a blog or website where you can display your writing samples online. You can also create a PDF version of your portfolio if potential clients prefer hard copies or if they request something specific for their own record-keeping purposes. Keep adding samples of your best work overtime to solidify your skillset and showcase your growth as a writer.

Creating a Solid Work Routine

Having an established work routine is crucial when it comes to meeting deadlines and delivering quality work on time. Before committing to any project, make sure that you understand exactly what is expected of you and set realistic goals for yourself based on that information. It’s better to under promise and overdeliver than vice versa; this way, clients won’t be disappointed when they receive your final product.

Using Business Cards as a Promotion

Promoting your writing services can be easily done by creating a business card. This leaves a lasting impression and is more visible than email, offering potential customers and clients something tangible to remember you by. Designing a personalized business card doesn’t have to be hard — pre-made templates are available that you can customize with images, text, color schemes, and the font of your choice. Check out this example of a great business card design tool that you can use.

Establish Clear Payment Terms

It is important to discuss payment terms before the start of any project to avoid surprises. This includes discussing payment amounts per article or hour and any other negotiations between both parties. It is essential that these discussions address the client’s budget and needs so that both sides remain satisfied throughout the duration of their agreement.

Identifying as an LLC

Forming an LLC for your writing business is a great way to protect yourself from potential liabilities. An LLC offers several benefits, like limited liability, tax advantages, less paperwork, and flexibility. However, it’s important to check the rules in your state surrounding forming an LLC before getting started – and if you don’t want to handle the legwork yourself there are formation services available that can help without costing you hefty lawyer fees.

Keeping Taxes Straight

Freelancers must manage their own income and expenses throughout the year in order to submit proper tax returns. Establishing monthly spreadsheets can help with organization and compliance, but failure to do so can be costly due to penalties or interest. Furthermore, freelancers should check for any local or state taxes that may be applicable.

Freelance writing offers college students a great opportunity to gain experience, increase their income, and support themselves during their studies. To be successful requires careful planning ahead and researches into industry standards and rates. It also requires a strong commitment to meeting deadlines and providing quality work every time in order to maintain good relationships with clients.

Following these steps should put students well on the path to achieving success as freelance writers while still attending college.

1 02, 2023

Hats and Politicians – Carl Sandburg

By judythemorgan|2023-01-29T11:51:20-06:00February 1st, 2023|#wordlesswednesday, Wednesday Quote, Weekly Quote|0 Comments

30 01, 2023

National Hat Day

By judythemorgan|2023-01-30T11:55:15-06:00January 30th, 2023|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Multiple sites mark designated days to celebrate that are off-beat holidays in the U.S. and around the world. NationalDayCalendar is one. NationalDay365 is another.

National days are not truly “National” days. There’s no act of Congress declaring it so. Still, they’re fun and I enjoy seeing posts on FB alerting me to them.

This month January 15^th was designated as National Hat Day. To celebrate you are supposed to wear and enjoy a hat of your choice and style. Some hatter wanting to sell his hats probably originated the celebration.

Hats come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and styles. There’s a hat to fit every head size and personality.

Wearing a hat can …

make a statement.
identify your occupation or promote a cause or product.
keep your head warm or the sun from your eyes.

That last reason is why I wear my Irish cap all winter to keep me warm and a sun visor all summer to block the sun.

In the early 19^th century, a woman didn’t go out without her hat. Hats have more or less disappeared from everyday fashion attire in the U.S.

On the other hand, if you’re attending the Kentucky Derby a hat is a requirement. The Derby gives a woman the opportunity to express her inner Southern Belle. I’ve even been known to wear a hat while I watch the broadcast on television.

National Hat Day allows us to try out hats. From the fantastic to the sublime, no rules or no limits. Wearing a hat is much like getting into costume, you might be pleasantly surprised to see what type of character you become.

National Hat Day is a fun way to express yourself. Mark your calendar and next year grab YOUR chance to display your favorite headgear.

Or don’t wait until then. Why not wear different hats any day?

27 01, 2023

Safe chickens

By judythemorgan|2023-01-26T06:11:17-06:00January 27th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

We are down to two dachshunds now. We have Coco, who is a grumpy old lady and Max who is a handsome young man. Max loves to help me check the chickens. He runs at the fence barking fiercely.

However, some of the hens have started venturing over the fence. Max is not quite sure what to do.

His aunt Bella would have caught those chickens in a heartbeat. In fact, we regularly played “catch the dachshund before it catches the chickens.”

While I miss Bella, I do not miss the extra workout I would get. I need all my energy for Grandma duty!

25 01, 2023

Kindness like Snow – Kahlil Gibran

By judythemorgan|2023-01-20T13:20:49-06:00January 25th, 2023|Uncategorized|0 Comments

23 01, 2023

Shivering

By judythemorgan|2023-01-20T13:08:54-06:00January 23rd, 2023|A Writer's Life|1 Comment

Another freeze snap came our way in December. What we call a hard freeze in Texas. Three nights of temperatures below freezing. But no precipitation. That was good.

Nothing like the great Ice Apocalypse of 2021 when we had subzero temps for days and ice came down in sheets. Resulting in no power for days.

This time the power grid paid attention to the weather forecasters. Homeowners made ready covering plants and dripping faucets.

Many still lost electricity as dead tree limbs fell.

Attention, people: You have to keep the limbs away from the electric lines. They break transformers and power lines in any weather or wind if you don’t.

Winter ice storms are uncharacteristic for our area and when they happen the whole place shuts down. Severe cold days for long periods can shut things down too. Ice and snow freeze freeway ramps and turn roadways into ice rinks. Most people stay inside trying to stay warm.

Rain can be as bad as ice. Heavy rainfall leads to flooding. That’s why we have flood stages predictions with rain forecasts here. Water has no place to go. It sits on roads and in fields for days.

Problem is, most local drivers don’t manage either ice, snow, or rain very well. Southerners know how to sweat. Not slip, skate, and slide.

But let me tell you, the Gulf Coast Texas can get COLD. Very cold. We’ve lived in the high mountains of Colorado where temperatures drop below zero but the humidity here makes even thirty degrees feel like -30.

I spend every winter cold snap shivering. But I don’t let shivers stop me. I bundle up, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and let the words blaze.

Don’t let cold weather shivers keep you from what you need to do either, hang on Spring will be here in sixty-four days. Click here to check how many days and hours.

20 01, 2023

Chicken Socks

By judythemorgan|2023-01-20T11:57:01-06:00January 20th, 2023|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

My black socks were dirty when I went to find them last week so I pulled out my chicken socks. They are black – with chicken legs and feet on the front. I was wearing pants so I figured no one would notice.

The problem is my shoes have an opening on the top of the foot just big enough to show the chicken feet.

The younger kids sit on the floor right at my feet so in every class at least one student noticed my socks. In fact, one girl told me her grandmother has the same socks. I am glad I am not the only goofy grandma.