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22 01, 2018

Resolutions ~ Yes or No?

By |2019-01-10T09:59:21-06:00January 22nd, 2018|Make Me Think Monday, Writer's Life|0 Comments

It’s hard to believe this is the last full week of January. Did you take time this month to make resolutions or set goals?

Resolutions don’t work so well for me. I usually fail within days of writing them down. I’m not alone. A whopping 80% of us fail within the first thirty days when we make resolutions.

That’s why I prefer setting S.M.A.R.T. goals for the New Year.  Being a goal setter comes from my years of teaching and having to establish learning objectives for lessons. S.M.A.R.T. goals work well for developing my writing goals.

Not familiar with S.M.A.R.T. goals?

A S.M.A.R.T. goal is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and timely. This PDF from the University of Virginia gives a complete explanation.

My 2018 S.M.A.R.T. goals are set and this year I’m trying a new approach. I’m selecting a guide word for the year.

A guide word is sorta like a resolution except it sets the foundation for your year by guiding all aspects of your life. If you haven’t come up goals or resolutions yet, why not select a guide word for the year?

How do you choose one word?

Start by taking stock of where you were in 2017 and where you want to be at the end of 2018. The word you choose should help bridge the gap. It can underscore a tangible outcome, a character trait you want to develop or a skill you wish to acquire or all of the above.

Here’s a neat PDF worksheet to help zero in on what word might work for you from Love Nerd Maggie. Maybe you’ll find your word there.

My word for 2018 is progress.

I kinda lost focus on in 2017. It was a crazy year with a major move and a monstrous hurricane. I couldn’t find blocks of time to write so I let my writing slide. I’m determined that will not happen this year.

I’ve posted this graphic above my computer to remind me progress does not mean something has to be perfect. It’s from the Elsie Joy Get to Workbook  (I use her workbook to track  my S.M.A.R.T. goals.)

Have you ever used a guide word for your year? How’d that work out for you?

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19 01, 2018

Baby It’s Cold Outside

By |2018-01-18T14:18:04-06:00January 19th, 2018|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Texas has had unusually cold weather during the past week. Those up North may find this hard to believe but 20 degrees is very, very cold to a Texan. I don’t think it got below freezing at all last winter, and we’ve already had too many days in that category this year.

This morning was the coldest it has been in 30 years – 15 degrees. Give us 100+ degrees any day.

Cold temperatures present unique challenges on Miller Farm. For example, the chicken waterers freeze. The first year this happened, I tried kicking the base to dislodge the ice. I only succeeded in cracking the base. I have learned a more effective way to handle the ice is to pour hot water over it.

I’ve had to do that multiple times a day for the past week. It is not fun.

Last night I forgot to take a flashlight when I closed the chickens. Back inside where it was warm I remembered I hadn’t checked eggs since lunch but figured they would be fine under the chickens. That works fine as long as the chicken actually sleeps on the eggs. One of the Welsummer eggs was left out in the cold.

It froze.

It is sunny and a balmy 32 degrees outside right now. I’ve already checked eggs twice.

I’ve eaten eggs poached, scrambled, fried, and boiled but frozen eggs … not interested.

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15 01, 2018

It’s Martin Luther King Day

By |2018-01-14T15:32:54-06:00January 15th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Martin Luther King’s calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.

He inspired so many that, in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.

Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred our conscience. His words continue to be as meaningful today.

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 to establish a yearly federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments. Today has been designated as that day.

As you honor Dr. King today, pause and consider these MLK quotes.

On Leadership

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

On Love

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

On Getting Along

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

On Faith

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

On Service

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Additional legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Why not let this MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive impact?

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12 01, 2018

Custard the Rooster

By |2018-01-11T07:05:07-06:00January 12th, 2018|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Among the specialty breeds that Rachel hatched last spring are some Croad Langshans. The breed originated in China and was brought to Britain in 1874 by Major F.T. Croad. They are a large breed and lay dark brown eggs – at least the hens do.  The roosters just strut around looking handsome.

We have one black rooster who does just that until a hen comes around. Then he runs away.  Rachel decided to name him Custard after the dragon in the Ogden Nash poem.

The poem is one my mother read to us enough times that I still have most of it memorized. It tells the story of a cowardly dragon named Custard who gathers enough courage to gobble a pirate. I found the book at a used book store.

We have many animals on Miller Farm.  We may not have a dragon but we have Custard the Rooster who is just as cowardly and lovable.

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8 01, 2018

Old Man Winter’s Arrived

By |2018-01-07T18:34:06-06:00January 8th, 2018|A Writer's Life, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over for another year. We’re settling into winter.

SOURCE: clipground.com/image-post/76271

Old Man Winter is playing hardball with the poor folks on the east coast. Even here in Texas, we had a full week where temperatures didn’t rise about freezing.

Our little arctic cold snap only lasted a week, but it wiped out many of my flowers even though I had lovingly covered them. Plants and houses and cars in Texas don’t do cold weather very well.

Some folks thrive in the cold weather. For those folks, winter means snow and snow brings skiing and ice skating, snowmobile rides, curling up by a fire with a good book, and the peaceful silence of a walk after a fresh snowfall.

Others dread the winter with its snow and wild weather. All they can think about is shoveling, snow blowing, icy roads, and frigid temperatures.

I like winter with its cooler temperatures. I didn’t even mind the shoveling and snow blowing when we lived where it snowed. I avoid icy roads by huddling inside with a roaring fire and a good book. And, I positively love the aroma of a good soup or stew simmering in the crock pot on a chilly day.

Another thing I like about winter is the slower pace.

Animals are hibernating, trees have shed their leaves, and daylight hours are shorter. Nature beds down for winter, storing energy for spring.

Perhaps we should mimic Mother Nature and use wintertime to renew ourselves. Get more sleep, read more books, and eat good soups. Take a step back from busyness and noisy days to replenish our spirit in the quiet and calm of winter.

I’m thinking if we did, the arrival of spring would likely find us refreshed and energized ready for its promise and possibilities.

What do you think?

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25 12, 2017

The Christmas Scale – Joy to the World

By |2017-12-03T09:58:42-06:00December 25th, 2017|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

This is my all-time, very-favorite Christmas video. Since I post it every year, I guess you figured that out.

If you have a piano around round your house, try playing the C scale. Start on middle C and play up to the next C. Then play back down the scale again. Start on the 8th note and pause on the 1st note, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

Listen as you play. What you’ll hear is the good news for Christmas .

 “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come.”

Chicken Wrangler Sara and I will be back in January. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas week with your family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

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22 12, 2017

Nativity Scenes

By |2017-12-21T09:56:38-06:00December 22nd, 2017|Friday on the Miller Farm, Holidays, Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I began collecting nativity scenes before the birth of our first child, Catherine. Beekeeper Brian was selling pens at craft fair booth and traded a pen for a wooden nativity set.  We thought it would be something our child could safely enjoy.  I also made a cloth set which has since gone to live with Catherine.

Our collection includes a plaster of Paris piece which I painted at a vacation Bible School when I was in elementary school and another clay set Matthew made in junior high.

The one I brought back from our time in Mexico is painted tin and very light weight.  As such, it tends to fall over and last year I didn’t set it out.  This year I hadn’t made a decision about it but the grandmother of a piano student from Mexico saw it and lovingly bent each piece so it would stand upright.And they are still standing.

Each time I walk past the coffee table, I remember her kneeling and arranging each piece of the nativity.  It is amazing to think that the birth of a child so many years ago still has an impact on people today.

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20 12, 2017

Christmas Vocabulary – Deck the halls

By |2022-12-10T16:26:16-06:00December 20th, 2017|Holidays, Wednesday Words|2 Comments

This Christmas phrase is easy to understand. When you say, “It’s time to deck the halls,” you mean putting out holiday decorations.

But did you realize the phrase can be traced back to a 16th-century Welsh drinking melody?

In 1862 Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish musician penned the English-language lyrics from that Welsh tune into the familiar yuletide carol we sing today.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

The first line explains why decking the halls means to decorate or adorn. In the 18th and 19th century homes were literally adorned with holly branches and other greenery like ivy and mistletoe at Christmastime because it was festive and readily available.

Many also believed the boughs of holly brought good luck and, from the time of Celtic Christians, Christmas holly’s prickly leaves were a reminder of the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his Crucifixion. The red berries symbolize His blood giving a religious emphasis to the Christmas decorating.

Today, glass ornaments, lights, blow-up yard art, and other adornments join with fresh greenery when we deck our halls.

But, I’m guessing, at one time of another while we’re decorating we hum, or sing, the words to Deck the Halls.

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