29 01, 2026

New Year Reset Guide for Tired (But Serious) Writers

By judythemorgan|2026-01-25T08:00:40-06:00January 29th, 2026|Guest blogger, writer, writing, Writing Craft|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Jenna Sherman

Writers stepping into a new year often carry more than fresh goals—they drag along half-finished drafts, old disappointments, and a vague sense that they “should be further along by now.” If that’s you, you’re not broken; you’re just due for a system reset, not another grand resolution. This guide is about rebuilding momentum in small, concrete ways so your creativity feels less like a guilt trip and more like a place you actually want to go.

If You’re Skimming, Start Here

Here’s the short version of how to restart your writing year without blowing it up:

Shrink the canvas. Think in 20–30 minute “writing sprints,” not epic three-hour sessions.
Protect one anchor block. Choose one recurring slot in your week that is non-negotiable writing time.
Track effort, not outcome. Count sessions, minutes, or pages—not likes, subscribers, or rejections.
Tie your writing to a theme. Give the year a working title (“The Year of Finishing Things,” “The Year of Showing Up”) so choices feel coherent, not random.

If you only did these four things consistently, your year would look very different.

Pick-Your-Mood Rituals (Quick Menu for Busy Weeks)

Use this table when you’re short on time or energy but don’t want to lose your streak.

How You Feel Today	10-Minute Move	If You Have 30 Minutes…
Fried from work	Freewrite about your day, no editing	Turn one paragraph into a scene or micro-essay
Restless / distracted	Handwrite questions you’re chewing on	Outline an article answering one of those questions
Quiet and reflective	Journal about what you want from this year of writing	Draft a “letter to future you” about the writer you’re becoming
Low confidence	List past wins (acceptances, kind emails, breakthroughs)	Edit an old piece to remind yourself you can improve your work
Inspired but scattered	Capture 10 ideas in a messy list	Choose one idea and write an ugly first draft

You’re not trying to be heroic every day. You’re trying to keep the conversation with your work alive.

When Formal Study Becomes Part of Your Writing Path

Sometimes “renewed energy and purpose” comes not only from habits, but from structured learning that stretches who you are on and off the page. Earning a degree can act like a long-form revision of your life: you gain new skills, deepen your confidence, and give your days a clearer sense of direction. For writers who are also navigating careers, a business-focused program can be especially useful—helping you understand how organizations work, how money moves, and how communication drives decisions.

A business degree can introduce you to practical skills in areas like accounting, business strategy, communications, or management that make you more effective, whether you’re freelancing, leading a team, or building your own venture. Exploring online business degree programs can also make this path more realistic, because online formats are designed so you can keep working full-time while staying on top of your studies.

The point isn’t that every writer should go back to school—it’s that education can be one more intentional way to align your daily life with the future you’re writing toward.

Small Systems Beat Big Resolutions

Big resolutions sound impressive—“I’ll write 2,000 words every day!”—but systems keep you honest.

Problem: Resolutions rely on motivation, which swings wildly.
Solution: Systems rely on default behaviors and constraints.
Result: You write even on boring, non-heroic days.

A few system-level tweaks that help:

Default place: Decide where “writing happens” (a specific chair, app, café). Same place, less friction.
Default cue: Pair writing with something that already happens (after coffee, after school drop-off, before bed).
Default shutdown: End each session by jotting a one-line note: “Next time, start with…” This cuts down on warm-up dread.

Think of yourself less as “a writer trying to be disciplined” and more as “a person running a tiny, kind writing studio.”

Questions Writers Ask at the Start of a New Year (FAQ)

Q1: Do I really have to write every day?
No. Daily writing can be powerful, but it’s not a moral requirement. What matters most is predictability. Three focused sessions a week, protected like appointments, will beat erratic bursts every time.

Q2: What if I’m starting completely from zero again?
Treat this like rehab, not punishment. Start with 10–15 minutes, three times a week, for a month. Your only goal is to rebuild trust with yourself: “When I say I’ll show up, I do.”

Q3: Should I focus on craft, platform, or money this year?
Pick a primary season. You can have mini-goals in each area, but decide what this quarter is mainly about: skill-building, audience, or revenue. That choice will simplify every “Should I do this?” decision.

Q4: How do I handle comparison to other writers?
Shrink the comparison set. Instead of scanning the entire internet, choose two or three writers as “quiet mentors.” Study their work for technique and process—not as proof you’re behind.

Micro-Reset Checklist for Your Next Writing Week

Use this once a week. Don’t overthink—check as you go.

I chose one primary project to be my “north star” for the week.
I scheduled at least three specific writing sessions on my calendar.
I decided in advance what “done” looks like for each session (e.g., “500 messy words,” “revise intro,” “outline three scenes”).
I prepared my tools the night before (charged laptop, notebook, files open to the right doc).
I picked a tiny reward that doesn’t derail me (nice tea, a walk, or an episode of a show after the session).
I set one boundary: something I will not do during writing time (email, social media, chores).
I planned a five-minute Friday review to note what worked and what I’ll tweak next week.

You can screenshot this, stick it somewhere visible, and run it on repeat.

One Online Tool That Makes Daily Pages Easier

If you like the idea of “morning pages” but struggle to stay consistent, you might enjoy 750 Words, a site designed to encourage writing 750 words a day in a private space. The platform gives you a clean, distraction-light screen, automatically tracks your word count, and saves as you go, so you can focus on pouring words out instead of watching the clock. It also uses streaks and simple stats to nudge you into regular practice, turning “I should write” into a small daily challenge you can actually win.

This Year, Make It Smaller and Truer

You don’t need a reinvention montage to restart your writing life. You need a handful of sturdy rituals, a clearer project list, and a kinder story about where you are in the process. Treat your sessions as experiments, not verdicts. Let systems carry what your willpower can’t. And remember: a year is just 52 chances to start again next week—one honest, doable session at a time.

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Jenna Sherman is a mom of three (two girls and a boy). She created Parent-Leaders.com to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. Take a minute to visit Jenna Sherman’s blog for helpful tips.

4 12, 2025

Keeping Kids Active and Engaged While You Work Through the Holidays

By judythemorgan|2025-11-19T14:35:29-06:00December 4th, 2025|Christmas, Guest blogger, Holidays|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Jenna Sherman

The holiday season brings plenty of joy, but for parents who also write for a living, it can create real tension. Kids are home more, energy runs high, and deadlines don’t disappear just because the calendar fills with celebrations.

The challenge isn’t only about getting words on the page; it’s about creating an environment where children feel included and stimulated while you maintain focus. With a little structure, clear planning, and smart activity choices, you can strike a balance that keeps both family and work humming along.

Keep a Steady Framework

Even during festive weeks, kids respond well when the days carry some kind of rhythm. Predictable touchpoints anchor their energy and help you avoid constant questions about what comes next. Something as simple as breakfast at the same time or a consistent mid-morning break helps everyone know where they stand. You don’t need to fill every slot, but if you can layer your days with structure, children will settle faster and you’ll have a clearer mental map for your own work windows.

Think of it as scaffolding: flexible enough to leave space for spontaneity but solid enough to keep the day from unraveling.

Protect Your Writing Hours

Work doesn’t happen in scattered five-minute bursts. It requires windows of attention where your mind can stay tethered to the page. One of the best ways to defend this time is by planning it early and communicating it clearly. Mornings before the day ramps up often work best, but the key is consistency.

If kids know that you’ve reserved deep work windows early, they’re less likely to barge in because they trust that another moment with you is coming. Frame it as an agreement, not a restriction, and you’ll reduce pushback while strengthening boundaries.

Align Plans with Your Kids

Holidays often come with heightened expectations. Kids want presence, parents need progress. Instead of treating these as competing demands, fold them together. Bring children into the planning by talking openly about which hours are work hours and which belong to family. That conversation creates buy-in and models responsibility.

A big part of this is showing them how you build a family-first work plan. It’s not about perfection; it’s about designing a structure that gives writing its place while honoring togetherness. Kids who feel included are more cooperative, and you’ll be less likely to carry guilt as you sit down to draft.

Encourage Independent Engagement

Sometimes the simplest solution is to give kids something they can own without you hovering. Stock a box with puzzles, art supplies, or tactile toys that spark curiosity and don’t need constant oversight. Rotate the items so they don’t lose appeal. The goal is to create short bursts of time where kids are absorbed enough for you to focus.

When you build independent play toolkits, you give children a chance to practice self-direction, and you buy yourself concentrated minutes. Even 20 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be more valuable than an hour chopped into fragments.

Add Creative Seasonal Projects

Winter and holidays are tailor-made for activities that feel special without requiring big budgets. From handmade ornaments to homemade cards to gingerbread houses, projects give kids a sense of accomplishment while filling afternoons with meaningful work. Set them up at the kitchen table with supplies, offer a little guidance, then let them run with their imagination.

The beauty is that while they dive into a mini holiday workshop, you can knock out a block of editing or plotting. Later, everyone gets to admire the results, creating a positive feedback loop that makes them eager to repeat the cycle.

Be Smart About Screens

Technology can either drain focus or give you space to recharge, depending on how it’s used. The key isn’t elimination but calibration. Decide in advance when and how screens will be part of the day, and communicate those limits clearly. A short show while you handle email, or a movie night after dinner, feels different than endless scrolling.

By choosing programs that fit your family’s values, you curate screen time for focus rather than letting devices dictate the schedule. Structure turns screens into a tool, not a crutch.

Get Moving Outdoors

Fresh air shifts moods and burns off excess energy better than any indoor distraction. Even in cooler months, families benefit from time outside. Bundle up, take a short walk, or send kids to the yard for scavenger hunts, leaf collections, or chalk art if the ground is clear. When children get to enjoy seasonal outdoor adventures, they return with calmer bodies and clearer heads.

That transition creates a window where you can lean into your writing with fewer interruptions. The bonus is that outdoor time builds seasonal memories that stick longer than an hour on the couch.

Balancing writing deadlines with holiday parenting isn’t about juggling endlessly; it’s about designing an environment that supports both.

Structure the day so kids know what to expect.
Guard your work windows and invite children into the planning so they feel invested.
Fill their hours with independent projects, creative crafts, and outdoor play. Be deliberate with technology rather than reactive.

When you approach the holidays with strategies like these, you reduce friction, increase focus, and create space for the season’s joy. Writing gets done, kids feel engaged, and the holidays unfold with more connection and less chaos.

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6 Tips for Balancing a New Baby and New Business

Freelancing for College Students

Reignite Your Creativity: How to Fuel Personal and Professional Momentum

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.

13 02, 2020

Tips to Caring for Senior Pets

By judythemorgan|2020-02-10T18:08:02-06:00February 13th, 2020|Guest blogger|1 Comment

A Guest Blog by Nick Burton

The bond between you and your senior pet is priceless. However, caring for senior pets tends to come with more measurable costs. You can keep those expenses low with these tips.

Save on Senior Pet Products by Using Online Coupons

The needs of older pets can be different from younger animals. Your senior pet may need soft organic food, a more comfortable bed or even a stroller. Or modifications to your home to help improve your pet’s quality of life; for example, anti-slip treads on staircases can help prevent slips and tumbles, while a doggy door will allow them to come and go as they please to take care of outdoor business.

Stocking up on these essentials does not mean sacrificing your budget. You can usually find all you need by shopping online or with major retailers, and you can find your pet supplies at the best prices for any budget if you do your homework. Better yet, you can boost savings on pet supplies by visiting online sites, like Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart or Petco and learning more about cash back deals from sites like Rakuten. It’s the smartest way to keep your senior pet healthy and your family budget happy all at once.

Cut Down Your Costs on Those Senior Pet Vet Bills

Vet costs for senior animals tend to be a bit higher than their younger counterparts. This can even deter people from adopting senior pets, but the love of an older companion animal can be truly priceless.

Senior dogs and cats typically require less training, which can help offset those increased care costs, but there are other ways to save on your vet bills as well.

Pet insurance can help with veterinary costs for your pet at any age and can be cost-effective for people with multiple pets. Additionally, most pet insurance policies provide you with rebates for covered pet care costs.

Clean Up After Senior Pets Without Cleaning Out Your Savings

Senior pets tend to have stomach issues and bladder control problems that can spell disaster for your carpets. If your senior pet’s bathroom problems seem to be severe or sudden, you should make an appointment with your vet.

However, you should also stock up on cleaning supplies to address stains and remove odors. You can also make your own pet-safe cleaning supplies. A little vinegar and water are all it takes to eliminate even the smelliest pet messes from your home, and you can score a bottle of vinegar for a couple of dollars.

Pet expenses may increase as animals get older, but your budget doesn’t have to suffer as a result. If you are willing to look for promo codes and research online, you can find ways to save and take care of your senior pets.

You can show your senior pets the love they deserve without sacrificing all your budget needs.

About Nick

Nick Burton is the co-creator of Our Best Doggo. Together with his wife, they are proud parents of three rescue dogs. After the passing of their 15-year-old lab/terrier mix dog, Willie, they decided to create this website to share all types of dog information and help people that are mourning the loss of a dog.

Be sure to check out his website You’ll find lots of dog-loving information.

13 09, 2018

Two Etiquette Tips to Help Your Dog Be A Better Neighbor

By judythemorgan|2018-12-04T11:01:44-06:00September 13th, 2018|Guest blogger|2 Comments

Welcome guest blogger Brandon Butler. He’s is a dog lover and vet tech, who loves helping pet owners. You can find more of his wisdom on Fur and Feathers.

Two Etiquette Tips to Help Your Dog Be A Better Neighbor

According to polls, 74 percent of Americans like dogs a lot, while two percent of respondents professed to hate dogs. Even those who like dogs don’t usually like obnoxious dog behavior.

As a dog owner, you probably love everything about your pet. You accept your dog, muddy paws and all. You accept his faults because he loves you unconditionally. Sometimes, adoration for your dog means that you ignore some of his behavior that may be bothersome to others.

We’re a nation of dog lovers, but… it’s up to owners to teach their pets to be good neighbors. The good news is that you can address most problems yourself.

Correct excessive barking

You may be numb to his barking, but your neighbor probably isn’t. If your dog is an excessive barker who howls at every pedestrian passing your home or just goes off on a yelping rant whenever home alone, there are steps you can take to stop or minimize the yapping.

The first rule is to resist the inclination to yell. Your dog doesn’t know what it means when you raise your voice to him, and if he’s barking, he’s just going to think you are joining in on the noise. Instead, speak to him in a confident, authoritative voice. Here are some tips to curb barking:

Remove the barking stimuli. If your dog barks all day at people walking by the front of the house, make it so he cannot see out that window. Restrict access to rooms that face walkers and other activity.
Desensitize your dog to things that would cause barking. For example, if your dog barks at other dogs, incorporate socialization with other dogs and reward him for not barking around those that he meets.
Train your dog to be quiet when you command. Just like other problem behaviors, your dog is only barking because he hasn’t learned that it’s inappropriate. Again, you accomplish this training goal without yelling, but by rewarding your pup with training treats for stopping barking on command.

Calm your dog through adequate exercise

Problem behaviors often arise in dogs who are bored from inactivity. A dog may jump on a visitor, chew on furniture, and even have accidents in the house because of pent-up energy and nervousness. If you provide frequent interaction and activity your dog will be less likely to engage in a destructive stress-relieving behavior. Try this out: double the frequency and duration of your current walking schedule. In most cases, you’ll be hearing more snoring than barking, and your well-exercised pup will be a lot less likely to engage in other inappropriate behavior.

Dog walking provides benefits for owners in addition to controlling bad canine behavior. The activity gives owners exercise and has been shown to reduce stress. It also is a wonderful way to connect with your dog. If your busy schedule limits your available time for walking, consider hiring a dog-walking/dog sitter service. These services can help make sure your dog gets frequent attention.

Today’s gig economy makes finding dog sitters and walkers easier than ever, but ask some essential questions before hiring a service. For instance, ask how they would handle an emergency situation. Insist that they provide a reference list of current and former clients, and make sure that you give the service clear instructions and have an open line of communication.

Through basic obedience training and frequent exercise, you will find that many of your dog’s problem behaviors disappear. You, your dog, and the entire neighborhood will appreciate it.

13 08, 2015

(Almost) End-of-Summer Safety Tips for Dogs

By judythemorgan|2015-08-02T17:32:11-05:00August 13th, 2015|Guest blogger|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Vee Cecil

SOURCE: Via Flickr – by Luke Ma

If you’re a dog owner, you know that they enjoy the summer almost as much as people do. They get to spend more time outdoors, take advantage of human eats at their owner’s summer parties, and if they’re lucky, take a dip or two, in the pool or lake.

But pet owners should keep in mind that there are a few summer-specific dangers that come with all that fun. Here are a few things to watch out for so that you can ensure you and your dog fully enjoy the rest of the summer.

Do a thorough clean up after summer get-togethers.

Many dogs enjoy being around visitors. So, they find summer, with its outdoor barbecues and parties, especially great. But as the MSPCA explains in its tips for having a pet-friendly summer, these get-togethers are often rife with possible dangers for your dog. For example, if you aren’t careful, your dog might chomp down a barbecue skewer, which could be very dangerous for them. These parties also tend to produce a lot of trash. Make sure you’ve secured it properly so that your dog can’t fish out “dangerous items like corncobs and bones.”

Keep ‘em hydrated.

Just like humans, dogs need to stay hydrated. Whether they’re at the pool, at the park, on a hike, or just going for a walk around the neighborhood, be sure they’re drinking enough water. As these end-of-summer safety tips recommend, it’s best to bring water along with you when you have your dog in tow. That way your dog can have a drink whenever he or she needs one.

Lock up the chemicals.

All you have to do is take one look at this list of common pool chemicals and their uses to know that you don’t want your pet getting anywhere near them. In fact, when not properly handled, these chemicals are toxic for humans and animals. So, if you have a pool, be sure your chemicals stay locked up and out of reach of children and pets. And if you’ll be visiting a friend or neighbor’s pool, ask them where they keep their chemicals so that you can be sure to keep your dog away.

Know the signs of heatstroke.

Yes, pets can suffer heatstroke, too! The Humane Society explains that signs of heatstroke in your dog might include, heavy panting, glazed eyes, lethargy, and more. And it explains that some animals may be at higher risk than others. For example, if your pet is “very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or [has] heart or respiratory disease,” then you should keep a close eye out for signs of the above symptoms and try to keep your dog as cool and comfortable as possible in the summer heat at all times.

There’s no reason your pet can’t enjoy these last weeks of summer just as much as you do. Keep these tips in mind so that you can keep your four-legged friend healthy and happy.

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Vee Cecil has a passion for wellness. She loves studying the topic and sharing her findings on her recently-launched blog. She is also a wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor.

13 07, 2015

A Charmed Life, Are You Sure?

By judythemorgan|2015-07-05T19:52:12-05:00July 13th, 2015|Guest blogger|3 Comments

A Guest Blog by Jody Payne

Do you watch Hollywood stars pose in gorgeous gowns covered in sparkling sequels and believe they live charmed lives?

They just stand there looking beautiful and actually get paid for it. Big bucks. Do you wonder where you went wrong? How can life be so unfair? Would you gladly trade places with them?

Are you sure?

Are you willing to travel to Africa to adopt a child just so you can stay in the headlines? Remember that your fans will lose interest, and you’ll need to go back to get another one or try something else. A child is forever. You can’t use him as a prop and then put him away until the next publicity crisis comes along.

Do you honestly believe a fifty year old model looks as good as a twenty year one? Not without help. A lot of help. A nip here. A tuck there. Pretty soon, you’re in the hospital for a complete overhaul. Are you up for it?

Are you sure?

If you have the cosmetic surgery and a lengthy convalescence, who will cook dinner for your family? Carpool the kids? Even if you can afford to pay someone to do these things, would you really want to forfeit the time with them just so strangers will admire you?

Are you sure?

I don’t know about you, but I’m no Angelina. My life isn’t glamourous. I don’t dine on champagne and caviar. I don’t even own a spandex dress trimmed in sequins. All that glitter would scare the horses. It doesn’t take a lot of shiny stuff to set a show horse off, and me stuffed into spandex is something you probably don’t want to think about.

There is this: We actually know nothing about the lives of these famous women. They may have been sitting up all night with a feverish child. They may be trying to balance a checkbook that refuses to cooperate.

For all their great looks and glamour, their relationships don’t seem to last very long. Maybe they dream about forgoing the rigorous life of strenuous exercise and makeup before peeking out their front doors costumed in the latest fashions from Paris.

When I walk about on my ranch in my old jeans and t-shirt to watch the sunrise, I’m not greeted with flashbulbs. Instead, the cattle saunter up to the fence and look for handouts of range cubes.

My bull, Billy Clinton, probably outweighs my John Deere. He’s that big. To a city person, he looks downright scary, but he’s pretty predictable, even if a little fickle. (Hence, the name.)

This time of year, the cows bring me their calves for inspection, and my heart is filled with the love of the animals, the land, and the God who gives me these blessings.

To me, this is the good life. However, I will admit this, I wouldn’t refuse a small tin of that caviar, but I wouldn’t trade places with any movie star in the world.

What about you? Would you trade? I mean, you know, other than the caviar.

Jody Payne is a writer (fiction and non-fiction), a horse woman (dressage, no less),an animal lover (just ask Katrina rescue dog Jane Austin or my two four-legged boys, Toby and Buster),and most of all she’s southern through and through.

You can find her on FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodypaynesays or her website: www.jodypayne.net

26 06, 2014

Mother by Mother. Battle by Battle.

By judythemorgan|2014-06-26T06:00:31-05:00June 26th, 2014|Guest blogger|3 Comments

A Guest Blog by Jody Payne

June. Time to shop for a swimsuit. Sob! But that’s another blog for another day. Don’t ask. I can’t discuss it. Not until I lose about a thousand pounds.

Anyway, a friend and I decided to face the inevitable and support each other through this tragedy of middle-aged shopping. We were determined to find swimsuits that showed off our awesomeness while hiding the bulges that go with it. There must be one out there.

By the way, don’t put this off until school is out like we did. It’s intimidating shopping next to a hundred pound eighteen year old. We found ourselves at the swimsuit rack standing next to a mother shopping with her teenage daughter.

The daughter had a lot to learn about respect, but frankly, so did the mother. It was pitiful and the argument escalated until it ended with the mother saying between clenched teeth, “Just who do you think you are?”

I understood the woman’s frustration. Her daughter was determined to buy a bikini that would have made the average Brazilian blush while doing the samba on a nude beach.

My friend and I glanced at each other with a mutual cringe. I happen to know that my friend has heard this demeaning phrase more than once from her own mother.

My first response was to get out of there. Quick. I glanced around the room looking for the nearest exit.

However, my friend put her hand on the teenager’s arm and said, “I’ll tell you who you are. You are a beautiful young woman with a beautiful body. You have every right to be proud of it. Just remember this, it’s yours, and yours alone. It doesn’t belong to anyone else. Because you do have a beautiful body, other people are going to want to possess it. Control it. Don’t let them. Don’t give it away. Don’t let them use you. What is yours is yours and yours alone. Their greediness is their problem, not yours. Take a tip from Gypsy Rose Lee who said, ‘Always leave them wanting to see more.’ That woman was a famous burlesque queen who left the stage modestly clothed amid standing ovations from hungry eyed men.”

The girl was stunned into silence. So my friend used the reprieve to pull several more suitable suits (pun intended) from the rack and hand them to the girl. “Try these on. They’ll look great on you.”

I think the girl was too shocked to argue with these clueless adults so she took the suits and stomped into the dressing room. Probably just to escape us.

After a few minutes, she pulled back the curtain from the dressing room and she peeked out timidly. I realized I was holding my breath. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one because when she emerged there was an audible exhalation of relief from all three of us.

She looked gorgeous. The one-piece suit covered her very few flaws and made the most of her admirable assets. When she saw our reaction, she lost her hunched over posture. Her head came up and her shoulders back. A wide confident smile replaced her surly frown. Princess Di would have been envious.

The mother burst into tears. She turned to my friend and said, “You nailed it. Why couldn’t I have said that?”

My friend shrugged, “Because you’re a mother. Your job is impossible. Mine is a whole lot easier. I’m a stranger.”

The mother whispered, “How can I ever thank you?”

My friend grinned. “Just pass it on to the next stranger who needs help. We can win this war. Battle by battle. Stranger by stranger. Mother by mother.”

As we exited, I looked back to a beautiful young lady hugging her mother. Tears streamed down their faces. I hope to see either those two or someone like them when my own daughter tries on her first adult bathing suit.

And so, pass it on, okay? Battle by battle. Stranger by stranger. We can win this one. Mother by mother.

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Jody Payne is

a writer (fiction and non-fiction),

a horse woman (dressage, no less),

an animal lover (just ask her two rescue dogs),

and most of all she’s southern through and through.

You can find her on FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodypaynesays

Her website: www.jodypayne.net

13 03, 2014

Olympians desire to change the world?

By judythemorgan|2014-03-13T06:00:12-05:00March 13th, 2014|Company's Coming|2 Comments

A guest blog by Jody Payne

Tonight I crept out of my writer’s cave to hear an interview with an obvious non-athlete at the Olympian Games. He talked of the athlete’s desire to change the world.

Excuse me? Are you kidding?

I have worked with some extraordinary athletes in the horse ring. Don’t get me wrong. I am nowhere near their quality. I just happen to know them.

To my knowledge, the ones I know are not out to change the world.

These dedicated human beings don’t waste a lot of time thinking about the State of the Union, what the Dow is doing, or which way to the nearest photographer.

Do you honestly believe when a skier is standing at the top of an obscenely high mountain looking down and waiting for the signal to descend she is thinking about changing the world?

Get real. She is visualizing the perfect run. They know there has to be luck on any particular day, but they also know they are so incredibly good that today this run can prove they are the absolute best in the world.

That’s a horrible, exacting standard to live with. However, somehow, these particular athletes get up every morning and face it.

Let’s don’t strap them with changing the world too.

Here’s the takeaway for this particular tirade: If each of us put the effort into being the best we could possibly be, if every morning we rolled out of bed and did the absolute best we could at what we do, we might just change our own personal world.

Of course, that doesn’t always happen. Rolling out of bed is the most some of us can handle some days. Just showing up is a major victory.

Been there. Done that.

Tomorrow is another day. Do better.

It’s tough, this reaching for perfection. And now we expect our athletes to change the world?

No wonder ballplayers take drugs.

Before you start with the hate mail, I’m not condoning drugs. Far from it. Let’s just make a deal with them.

You do your best, without drugs, and we won’t expect you to change the world.

Does this sound like a fair deal to you?

I’m just saying…

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Jody Payne is

a writer (fiction and non-fiction),

a horse woman (dressage, no less),

an animal lover (just ask her two rescue dogs Annie and Janie or my two four-legged boys, Toby and Buster),

and most of all she’s southern through and through.

You can connect with her on FB: https://www.facebook.com/jodypaynesays

Her website: www.jodypayne.net

11 10, 2013

Chicken Coop or Aviary? – Miller Farm Friday

By judythemorgan|2013-10-11T06:06:01-05:00October 11th, 2013|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A guest blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

It rained off and on all Saturday night. I had to be at church early Sunday morning so I went to let the chickens out before the sun came up.

This is what I found:

A small bird had shared the coop with the chickens during the rain. The chickens didn’t seem to mind.

It reminded me of a song – of course.

This song has no words. It is an orchestral piece entitled “Aviary” from Camille Saint Saens: Carnival of Animals.

Here’s Aviary for those who have never heard it.

I use the piece in my elementary music classes when I talk about music being high or low. And, every time I have to explain “aviary” is another name for a large birdhouse.

I didn’t realize it could also be a chicken coop.