Wednesday Words – Charles Darwin
18
07, 2018
16
07, 2018
Answering Writerly Questions
Once people know you are a writer, they ask questions. Usually questions you’ve heard a thousand times before, and you’d think writers would have a quick answer ready.
Instead, most of us appear at a loss for words. Not because we don’t want to talk about our work. It’s just writing doesn’t lend itself to easy or simple answers.
Let me explain what I mean with responses to some frequently asked writerly questions.
- “How’s the novel coming?”
There’s really no good answer for this one because writing a novel is a long, tedious process. It’s like asking a pregnant woman if she’s had the baby yet.
Lauren B. Davis calls novels wild, unwieldy beasts that resist being tamed. “You have to keep at it day after day, even when it seems like absolutely nothing good is happening,” she says.
On a good day, the answer to this question would be the novel’s coming along. On a not so good day, you don’t want to ask.
- Are your stories autobiographical?
The short answer is, of course, we writers extract from our lives for the elements of our work. Sometimes we fictionalize and disguise, sometimes we write vivid memoirs and call them fiction.
Fact is everything and anything is inspiration and fodder for a writer’s creative mind, including dinner party conversations and the clothes you’re wearing.
And once that answer soaks in you’ll never look at a writer the same way again.
- “Are you published?”
This is such a double-edged question.
Any published author has an easy answer. You should expect to be handed a business card with all pertinent information.
But be prepared. This question may also raise an infomercial about everything a writer’s written since learning the alphabet.
On the other hand, for writers who are submitting to editors and agents with little or no results, it can be like salt in an open wound. It’s hard not to be sensitive when you’re working so hard to grab the golden ring.
- When’s the next book coming out?
Writers love this question. Well, I do, but it’s a complicated response because you have to understand the process.
First, a writer has to complete a draft (writer speed greatly influences draft completion). After which, revisions and edits begin (and there can be many, many of these). Revisions and edits lead to more rewriting. A cover must be designed, back cover copy and blurbs prepared, and interior formatting done before the book finally goes on sale.The whole process can take years.
The answer depends on where a writer is in this publication process.
I’m not saying you should never ask questions. Quite the contrary, please do. We writers love to discuss our passion. Just understand when our answers aren’t quick and simple.
13
07, 2018
Paper or Digital?
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
One of my goals this summer was to learn to play the organ. My finger injury forced me to put that on hold.
Instead I tackled all the piles of things that appeared during the school year. This included magazines most of which I had saved because they had recipes I wanted to try.
Along with children’s books and chickens I also collect recipes. I tear them out of magazines, cut them out of the paper and print them from Facebook. This has led to piles of papers to go with my piles of magazines and music.
I considered taking pictures of the recipes and storing them digitally on my phone. There are two problems with this plan:
- My phone goes to sleep before I am finished with the recipe. I had this problem with a BBQ ribs recipe I was using on July 4th. Trying to touch the screen often enough to keep it awake while cooking was more than I could handle.
- The phone does not fit on my recipe holder.
So I’ll keep my paper recipes and my transition into the 21st century will have to take a detour.
11
07, 2018
6
07, 2018
Chicken Little
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
My mom recently gave me a copy of the children’s book Chicken Little to add to my collections of chickens and children’s 
books.
In case you are not familiar with the story Chicken Little is out in the farm yard one day when an acorn fell on her head. She is convinced the sky is falling and she runs to tell the king. On her way she meets Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, Ducky Wucky, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey. The whole brood is headed for the castle when they run into Foxy Woxy who convinces them to follow him on a “shortcut.” He leads them into a cave with the most impure of motives. The whole crew causes a ruckus and runs out of the cave and back to the farm yard. The excitement has completely overshadowed the original dilemma and Chicken Little returns to pecking at corn in the farmyard – blissfully unconcerned about the condition of the sky.
I have thought about Chicken Little a great deal recently.
The school where I teach has undergone some financial difficulties in the last few years. I believe most private schools face this problem at some point. The reaction of the staff has been interesting to watch. Some have continued to do their job knowing that the students deserve their best regardless of what the future holds. Others have adopted the Chicken Little philosophy of “the sky is falling.” Their panic spread to some of the students and parents leading to an uncomfortable period of time.
I love my job as music teacher and strive to have fun with all my classes even if it will only be for a short time. I tried to spread this positive outlook to the faculty and staff as best I could and eventually the year came to an end.
I believe there are parallels in the reporting of current events today. I’ve decided to approach media news the way I do my position at school. I will do my best to enjoy life regardless of the circumstances. Perhaps I will follow Chicken Littles example at the end of the story and look for corn in my own farmyard.
5
07, 2018
Adopting an Animal Aids in Addiction Recovery
Welcome Jennifer, our guest blogger, today. She’s from The Village Recovery, a drug rehab center in Florida and a fellow dog lover here to tell us how a pet could help in addiction recovery.
How Adopting an Animal Aids in Addiction Recovery
Treatment for addiction is difficult and a lifelong process, someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) must continue their treatment even after they leave their treatment facility, where maintaining recovery can become harder. In a rehabilitation facility, patients are in a controlled environment with people who understand their addiction and how to treat it, but when someone with an SUD leaves rehab and reenters the “real world,” it can be intimidating.
The individual in recovery has to figure out a new routine, learn how to cope with daily stresses in a healthy way, and rebuild relationships that could have been damaged when the individual was misusing. During this time, it’s critical that people in recovery have a strong support network — and for some people it can be a lonely process if they don’t have friends or family to turn to. However, a strong support system doesn’t have to walk on two legs — many people in recovery find support through a furry friend.
According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) people who owned a pet were found to be able to have more positive social interactions, than people without pets had. Owning a pet can also help you build new relationships with other people, the interactions you have with people while walking or playing with your dog, can easily lead to new friendships for both you and your pet.
A study from Harvard Health Publishing determined that pets can help foster human-to-human friendships and increase social support. Another challenge that people in recovery may face are the daily stresses of life. Compiled stress could result in anxiety and depression, and these feelings can be triggering for someone in recovery. To combat these feelings, having a pet nearby can help.
A study in the U.K. demonstrated that 55 percent of people with pets reported that they felt more relaxed after spending time with their animals.
There are numerous benefits to adopting animal for people in recovery, some examples include:
● Developing a routine
● Creating a sense of purpose
● Keeping active
● Learning to socialize
● Building communication skills
● Receiving emotional support
While the benefits of owning a pet are substantial, a person must be certain that they are ready to adopt an animal, because owning a pet is a commitment. If someone in recovery isn’t sure that they’re ready for the major care giving responsibilities that are associated with being a pet owner, they could try lower maintenance animals like fish or hamsters. Only the person in recovery will know when the proper time for them to adopt an animal. Alternatively they can talk to their sponsor or counselor regarding their opinions on the “right time” for pet ownership.
A pet can provide support. Though pet ownership can be challenging at times, recovery can become a little easier with the help of a furry friend. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, call The Recovery Village today to speak with a representative about starting on the path to recovery. The call is free, confidential and there’s no obligation to enroll.
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Jennifer is a Florida-based writer who strives to raise awareness for mental health and lifelong recovery from substance misuse and addiction. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading a book at the beach or park and playing her with her two Pomeranians.
4
07, 2018
Words of Wisdom for the 4th of July
Happy 4th of July!
2
07, 2018
Ten Fun Facts and Trivia for the 4th of July
The American Revolution began with the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord in 1775. One year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
This week Americans will take time to celebrate the birth of our nation, remember those who fought for our freedom, and honor those who actively guard our freedoms today. Celebrations will vary across the country, but parades, fireworks, and outdoor fun are sure to be found.
Here are some fun facts and trivia to share at your backyard celebration.
- The first White House Fourth of July party was held in 1804.
- Fifty-six people signed the Declaration of Independence although most didn’t formally sign until August 2, 1776.
- John Hancock was the only member of the Continental Congress who formally signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- In 1776, the population of the country was 2.5 million people. Now, 242 years later, our population is 326+ million people.
- Congress didn’t make the Fourth of July and official federal holiday until 1870.
- In 1938 the Fourth became a paid legal holiday for employees of the federal government.
- Three United States presidents have died on the Fourth of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.
- Yankee Doodle, the celebrated patriotic song, was written by British army officers to make fun of backwoods Americans.
- Around 155 million hot dogs are consumed on the Fourth of July. That’s enough hot dogs to make a line from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.
- Americans spent more than $800 million on fireworks in 2016.
On that note, I’d like to remind you that many PTSD veterans and pets will be cringing with every blast of those fireworks set off in your driveway. You might want to save money and watch fireworks display on the television instead.
29
06, 2018
More Sticky Notes Tales
A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara
The great Sticky Note War has died down some but one of my students continues to write notes each time he comes. They are not always directed at the cat lovers, and I am beginning to believe he is using them as a stall tactic.
One of his most recent messages makes me smile every time I see it.
My son gave me a clock one year for Christmas. It is a chicken clock which already makes me smile.
However, my student put a sticky note on it that says “rooster o’clock” and “clockadoodledoo.”
I leave it there even though it makes it hard to tell the time. This student is taking some time off while his family is in a transition. There is a chance they will move which is sad.
I would miss his chicken stories and sense of humor. I’ll be praying for them regularly – that God works things out so they can stay. Us chicken lovers need to stick together.
27
06, 2018
