View from the Front Porch - Page 94 of 161 - Award-winning Author Judythe Morgan

13 09, 2017

Change and Toads and Caterpillars

By judythemorgan|2017-09-08T16:19:35-05:00September 13th, 2017|Wednesday Words of Wisdom|0 Comments

I ran across this quote from James A. Pike doing research for my current WIP (that’s work in progress for non-writer types). Naturally, I did a little rabbit chasing because I was unfamiliar with his name.

Turns out James Albert Pike (1913 – 1969) was an American Episcopal bishop, who died while exploring the Wilderness of the Temptation.

His outspoken, and sometimes, heretical views on theological and social issues made him one of the most controversial public figures of his time. Heresy procedures were started several times, but in the end, the Church decided it was not in the denomination’s best interest to pursue an actual heresy trial.

I don’t like to be controversial so I won’t go into Pike’s views. You can do your own research. All I will say is, he was a fascinating man with some very questionable theological views.

But, I think the advice in this meme is good. He aimed to ease anxiety. I think we’d all agree reducing anxiety is a very good thing.

Slow change can be less jarring. Unfortunately, enacting change like a caterpillar moves – slowly, methodically – is not always possible. Events like Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, earthquakes, and/or wildfires thrust change upon us very fast. We must move and move quickly. The opportunity to be like the caterpillar isn’t there. We have to move like a toad.

The way I see it – take Pike’s advice when you can otherwise hop like a toad to get out of harm’s way.

11 09, 2017

What We Did Before the Internet

By judythemorgan|2021-09-01T14:06:56-05:00September 11th, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

I received the loveliest letter from a friend I hadn’t seen in years the other day.

Yes, you read that correctly, a LETTER.

She’s didn’t FB. She didn’t message or text or email. She did what we did before the internet. She took out stationery and wrote me a letter.

We’d met on a tour of Ireland four years ago. She’d come from Texas, and I’d come from Colorado. We laughed a lot, enjoyed great food, and saw wonderful sites. When the tour ended we promised to keep in touch, which we did for the first year.

Then, as so often happens, lives got busy, and we lost touch.

She called our old phone number first, but got a recorded voice saying, “The number you dialed is no longer in service.”

Determined to find me, she decided to take a chance and write a letter. She addressed the envelope to my old address, and the Post Office forwarded her note to our new address. It was such a lovely surprise to hear from her and catch up with what’s happening in her world. I answered her letter immediately. Now I’m watching the mail for her reply.

It was such a lovely surprise to hear from her and catch up with what’s happening in her world. I answered her letter immediately. Now I’m watching the mail for her reply.

That’s what we did before the internet. We wrote letters.

You’ll probably think I’m crazy, but the whole episode has made me realize how much I miss good old-fashion letter writing.

9 09, 2017

Odd Couple

By judythemorgan|2017-08-31T15:56:17-05:00September 9th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Our neighbors have chickens. This is ironic because when the house was for sale, the realtor told the previous owners they would have to install a privacy fence because no one would buy a house next to chickens.

Little did that realtor know how tight knit the chicken community is. Anyway, their chickens come to visit sometimes. We toss them back over the fence and all is well.

Except the one hen who kept returning. We named her Mrs. Howell and she became part of our flock.

Recently she and Kaboodle, our Polish crested rooster, have become buddies. They roost together on the top bar in the coop. They are the last to come out every morning. I think of them as the king and queen of the chicken yard. They do make an interesting couple.

7 09, 2017

11 Surprising Ways to Boost Creativity

By judythemorgan|2017-06-04T15:40:52-05:00September 7th, 2017|Guest blogger, writer, writing|1 Comment

Welcome returning guest blogger Jack Milgram. Jack blogs at Top-notch study tips for A+ students. Today he shares some ideas with us about how to boost your creativity. You can read his July blog for View from the Front Porch here.

11 Surprising Ways to Boost Creativity

For those who are engaged in creative professions, there’s no time to wait for inspiration. You should be able to turn your creative thinking on every time you start working.

To attract great ideas when they’re needed most, it’s essential to know some quick tips on how to boost creativity any time.

Solve puzzles.

Imagination always relates to your brain’s productivity, and that’s why it’s essential to train it every day. Highly developed problem-solving skills will help you find new ways to approach different situations.

Go for a walk.

We often forget to look around, while there are so many things there to inspire! Have you ever heard of biomimicry? It’s when designers or scientists find ideas in biological processes. Take a breath of fresh air and try to do the same thing.

Read different genres.

What does it mean to be creative? It means being able to produce new ideas and apply them to various tasks. And where can you find more great ideas than in books? Be interested in all genres—fantasy, classics, romance, detectives, horror, and more.

Turn off the lights.

Research shows that dimmed lighting helps people feel more free. In one experiment, this sense of freedom let the participants perform more creatively. The tip is—don’t try to work when the lights are too bright.

If you’re stuck and can’t start thinking outside the box, try some physical activity. A session of yoga or 20 minutes of jogging can enhance your imagination. This is a universal way to get inspired in a short time.

Follow talented people online.

Almost every artist subscribes to blogs and galleries of other talented people. Just scrolling through your newsfeed on Instagram or Pinterest can inspire you to develop something entirely new. Keep up with those who share your hobby.

Play music or doodle.

If you’re a writer, try painting. If you’re a musician, try to write a novel. Creativity is the ability to broaden your horizons, and you can do so by trying new activities.

Try out some writing prompts.

There’s no opportunity to come up with new ideas when you’re stuck in the same old work routine. For example, if you write about motorcycles every day for half of the year, it’s no surprise that you’ve run out of ideas. What can you do? Try some prompts to boost creativity when writing.

Spend time with friends.

Communication, especially with those who share our interests, is what makes us happy. And happiness increases our chances of thinking creatively. So, go to your friend’s place and watch a movie.

List all your ideas.

Why does brainstorming help us with being creative? Because we don’t judge ourselves or set limitations. We just develop as many ideas as possible. The key thing here is to write all these ideas down. Such an approach helps you find the best solution to any problem.

Sometimes thinking too much can lead you to a dead end. Try to relax and demand nothing from yourself—and you’ll see just how many ideas come to mind when you aren’t concentrating on the topic.

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Visit Jack’s blog: custom-writing.org/blog

Connect with Jack:

Twitter: @Jack__Milgram

Facebook: Jack.Milgram

4 09, 2017

Labor Day and Hurricanes

By judythemorgan|2018-09-01T10:15:51-05:00September 4th, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

I’m late posting today. After the last week, I’ve come to realize spending time with loved ones is more important than being late. Yesterday was sibling game night and I simply forgot to post!

You might have noticed the lack of blogs recently. That was partly because I had no power at my house, but mostly because I just couldn’t get it together.

First our move and getting settled took priority then the weather interrupted.By last Wednesday, I was deeply engrossed in preparing for Hurricane Harvey landfall. Chasing around for bottled water, power bars, and batteries. Standing in long lines at stores. Waiting at the gas pump.

Then Friday came and Harvey landed. We sat on the bad side. Rain pounded Houston and us (we live 40 miles NW of the city).

For four very long days, we battled pounding rain and gushing water. Ended up with 31” of rain where we live, thirty-eight hours without power, but no serious water damage.

So many weren’t as fortunate. You’ve seen the newscast pictures. Up close and personal, it is so much worse.

Driving through our old neighborhood, what we saw made us cry. Almost every home had mountains of carpet, hardwood flooring, windows, doors, furniture, clothing, household goods everything piled at the curb. People were everywhere giving hugs, hauling stuff, and helping to gut homes. It warmed our hearts to see everyone pulling together, but the magnitude overwhelmed us.

This rebuild after Harvey is going to take years. Please, if you can, give to the relief effort.

There’ll be no Labor Day holiday for Houston. Their labor has only just begun.

1 09, 2017

Somewhere Under the Rainbow

By judythemorgan|2017-08-31T15:46:17-05:00September 1st, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Until recently, we had to water the chickens regularly. The 100 degree heat was hard on them and they enjoyed playing in the sprinkler. It is all part of Texas in August.

Hurricane Harvey changed that.

We were fortunate to be far enough away to avoid the really bad flooding. In fact our area is the staging area for the FEMA teams going into South Texas. It is the closest place to find enough dry land to set up supply chains. Our little airport is now hopping with planes and helicopters of all kinds as people are flown out and rescuers are flown in.

Before all this I got this picture of a chicken under the sprinkler. Of course at the time it reminded me of a song…Now it reminds me of God’s faithfulness regardless of the situation. He is bigger than Harvey. #prayfortexas.

23 08, 2017

Education Thoughts from Confucius

By judythemorgan|2017-08-20T20:00:01-05:00August 23rd, 2017|Wednesday Words of Wisdom|1 Comment

21 08, 2017

Garage Sailing

By judythemorgan|2017-08-20T19:33:08-05:00August 21st, 2017|A Writer's Life|1 Comment

In case you are unfamiliar with the term garage sailing, it’s my made up word for my habit of perusing garage/estate sales. I can’t resist a sale sign stuck by the side of the road.

Now that we’ve moved back near family, my sister and I have a standing date on Fridays to go garage sailing. She prepares a list and maps the routes. We alternate driving. Sometimes we stop for lunch.

We always have fun.

Do we need anything? Heavens no! We both have houses overflowing, but the thrill of the hunt is too hard to resist.

You just never know what you might discover. And, if the seller is really interested in getting rid of stuff, the prices can be cut-rate.

One week I found a like-new glass eight-cup measuring pitcher. I already have a well-used one that is showing signs of serious wear from my hand mixer. When it finally gives up the ghost, I’ll have a backup since Pyrex doesn’t make this particular style any more.

Another time the garage sale had lots of plants and yard art for sale. The prices were incredible.

I snagged this lovely fern for only two bucks. It makes a lovely addition to our entry. Since it’s outgrowing its pot, I’ll soon be splitting to another pot. I really found a good bargain!

Recently, my sister found wonderful new picture books for her granddaughters and selected several animal puppets from a twenty-five cent basket. I picked up a couple for Chicken Wrangler Sara to use in her music classes.

Another week we found nothing. No treasures or great buys, but we met the most interesting people, who shared fascinating stories. That was still a win for me. I stored away lots ideas for character traits and plot twists.

Sometimes we make wonderful finds when we go garage sailing. Other times zip. You just never know. That’s the lure of garage sailing. The real payoff comes from spending time together.

18 08, 2017

Enough is Enough

By judythemorgan|2017-08-17T11:18:27-05:00August 18th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Rachel’s color project with her bantams has gone pretty well. She has gotten some interesting birds however some of them refuse to stay in their pens. Specifically the silky bantams prefer to be in the pen with Richard, the white frizzle, and the partridge cochins.

Richard, on the other hand, does not like sharing his pen.

We tried for several nights in a row closing the silkies in their coop at night but the next day they fly right back over into Richard’s pen. We finally gave up.

So did Richard – he moved into the silky pen.He seems quite happy all by himself. I can’t say that I blame him. Sometimes solitude is a good thing.