Thursday, March 14, 2019

Just write

Do you ever struggle with a theme for a post?  Do you even feel the need to have a theme?

My posts typically take the form of a monthly summary, a hike, a family visit, a special event.  The theme is defined, or jumps out to me.

Today's post?  Not so much.  I had some pictures left from last month - they didn't fit the Deep Freeze theme - and I studied them, hoping for inspiration to come like the proverbial bolt of lightning.

A kernel of an idea started to sprout - pride in my accomplishments during the month.  Such as:


I completed a prayer shawl that has been lingering in my project basket.  (And in delivering the shawl to our ministry leader, it was a treat to chatter with her over a cup of coffee.  We had not seen each other since June - a lot to discuss!)








I deployed one of my Christmas presents (the spotting scope attachment) to take pictures of the birds at our feeders.

I practiced my drawing.

I began tidying the utility room.  A box of miscellaneous articles found its way to the charity shop, and two items are at the consignment store.  I tackled our stock of gift bags and tissue paper, which had evolved into a rat's nest.  To the left - a work-in-process picture, and to the right - the finished product.  

The most significant challenge in the utility room, by far, are the photographs.  Boxes of them.  A few friends had recommended Legacybox.com as a potential solution.  I investigated the service, and quickly dismissed it due to cost.  The advertising implies that you can place an unlimited quantity of pictures and videos into a box - whatever you can get to fit - but in reality, the 'packages' specify a quantity, such as 3 tapes or 3 films or 3 sets of 25 pictures for $87.95.  Yikes!  I am still in the infancy stage of this project, but I believe I will use plastic sleeves in binders to preserve those photos we decide to keep.  Stay tuned!
One-third of the way through the first box ...

And we had a little fun along the way, with a Super Bowl party and a breakfast date after Mass.  And of course, snow shoeing in Glacier National Park was the only excuse we needed to stop for huckleberry pie at the Huckleberry Patch!

New table for lower level; gear actually raises/lowers it!
Blondies and ribs for Super Bowl



Writing this post couldn't be that easy, could it? No, of course not.  I am the master of over-complicating a situation.  Somewhere along the line, my brain over-ruled my heart.  My initial draft of this post began "As I look back over the last six weeks, I am very satisfied.  I have made very good progress on my New Year's resolutions and goals with other miscellaneous fun thrown in the mix."  

Then my brain said "Let's structure this post using the February 2 edition about resolutions."  And down that rabbit hole we went.  Before I knew it, I was more than a little bit bummed.  Some of my resolutions, such as drinking 64 ounces of fluid daily, have been a dismal failure.  Is that what I want to write about?  Quicker than you can say "jackrabbit", I went from pride in my achievements to a reluctance to even write this post.
Sun rising through morning mist over the back forty

At times like this, I find it helps to leave the computer and engage in a different activity.  (I sorted more photos ...)

When I came back to the keyboard, I gave myself the advice we always delivered to the kids when sitting down to compose an essay:  just write.  Write whatever comes into your head.  

So I did.


Do you ever struggle with a theme for a post?  Do you even feel the need for a theme?


























Linking to:

All Seasons
Friday Bliss Weekly linkup - welcome ❤︎


Our World Tuesday Graphic





41 comments:

  1. That was sure a lot of fun things, you even made cleaning the utility room sound like fun!

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  2. Hi Angie! I DO struggle with a theme for a post often! Mostly because I don't want to ramble on, plus if my blog is supposed to be about quilting then that s/b the main general theme no?? But so much other things touch our lives beyond a theme, that it is hard to sometimes contain our writing thoughts. So, I say don't! Write whatever you want. I enjoy seeing all of your photos - that new lens seems to be the ticket for great photos. Oh, your prayer shawl is lovely - my church has asked members to make some and I only wish I was able to knit. I found it to be a great comfort when my sister passed. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  3. Hello, I tend to stick to nature, wildlife and images from outings for my themes and post. I am not a writer and have more of a photo blog. I enjoyed seeing your birds. The prayer shawl is lovely. Beautiful scenic views. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

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  4. Sometimes I do a theme....other times, I look at my phone photos and see what I did over the last couple of weeks. You might want to see if you have a FamilySearch center in your area. It is a family history research center that offers help for free or a small fee. They sometimes have a photo scanner machine you can use for free...scan and save your photos.

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  5. I tend to write posts based on a theme or topic. Even short posts for me take a long time to write, add photos and edit, not to mention living the experiences. Right now I'm housebound for a period of time so it is particularly hard to come up with new content. - Margy

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  6. Your sun rising shot is stunning.

    I tend to do a fair number of series that'll go on anywhere from a handful of days to the better part of a month.

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  7. Wonderful series of photos for your OWT post ~ love the birds photos!


    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  8. Yes for a theme, and the struggle is real! That pie looks delicious! Love your bird photos and the beautiful snowy landscapes.

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  9. I tell myself that a lot, too: Just write. And, usually, something pops. When it doesn't, I tell myself oh well, next time.
    You knitted a beautiful shawl, Angie. I like those colors. And your illustrations are cool, too. Your art reminds me of illustrations in technical books. You have precise lines. :-)

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  10. Sometimes we place too many expectations on ourselves! Nice shots.

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  11. I kinda do like to tie things together, have a purpose for posting, which is why I haven't blogged since last month, even though I've done much since then. Sometimes I just lack motivation and definitely overthink. When I think of all the photos we've taken over the years. So many we don't really need. Definitely something I need to weed through and then find a way of storing and documenting the rest. I have lots of clearing out to do, but manage to occupy my time in so many other ways. :) Happy Friday!

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  12. Hi Angie, I think you and I have a similar idea for our blogs...to write in a round up kind of way about things in general. I have my needle work that I include but I love to share anything else I find interesting. I think of it as a journal kind of. I just read this post and enjoyed it very much. Your photos are just beautiful and make me want to investigate a new camera that I keep telling myself to do. I see you are drawing...something else I keep meaning to get back to. Sorting and storing is ongoing for me. Of course I love your shawl. I've never had huckleberry pie...is it a combo of berries? Anyway, Happy Friday from me who is just writing all the time.

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  13. ...the theme of my life is mix it up! A beautiful collection, Angie. Thanks!

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  14. very interesting question. I seem to have ongoing themes to fill in each week. Like post, Monday week ahead post, sewing post, writing post. I like slice of life posts... you could try doing one each day for a week, just of what caught your eye that week. Short, maybe only a picture, or one poem you read, a show you liked, a memory of childhood, how you decide what to keep and what to let go of... it's the person behind the blog we like and relate to, right? Make it a small post.
    I will read them all. LeeAnna

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  15. Hey, Mom. This is one of my favorite posts from you. Sometimes there is beauty in lack of structure & it is nice to be reminded of this. Love you lots.

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  16. I often think I put too much in my posts.
    I have random things. Then, I remember that I post, first, for hubby to see my stuff, and then the kids, and then my friends who visit so often. Virtually, I mean.

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  17. Nice post! I usually don't struggle with themes, but my blog is a photoblog rather than having a written word focus. I have such a backlog of photos, hikes, and activities that it's easy to come up with something!

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  18. I never have a theme for my posts. I just sit down at the computer, usually after supper and just write about my day.

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  19. Well, I know it was a long delivery put you put forth a decent post. A meme like Skywatch provides a ready post. Otherwise, I have learned to just write and not worry about how many responses it gets, just write what I want to write about and post whatever photos.
    One thing I learned from the Pioneer Woman that helps is sometimes I want to post photos but I don't know what to say about them. Now I'll post the pics, but the text will be about something totally different. I love the resulting tension.
    Anyway, have a great weekend.

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  20. We have to be proud of ourselves and satisfied what we have accomplished. Sometimes I have a theme, sometimes not. I agree with Tom and the others - just write / mix it up. Happy weekend Angie.

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  21. I never have a theme, I just write from what is happening in my life at the time. I use my blog like a journal, so it is just daily happenings. In regards to pictures. I take a ton of photos mainly with my phone and I decided about 2 years ago to not print photos anymore, I just store them on CD's. When I want a pic for something then I print one out. I found I was spending a lot of money on photos that just sit in albums and they weren't getting looked at. Plus I just didn't have room for so many albums. Don't fret, just keep telling us all about your life in Big Sky Country. :) Kit

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  22. I think Legacy box must have changed things a bit. Seems we did more than 3 VHS tapes to a box. Hmm...they were also running some sort of special though. Beautiful photo of the sunrise!

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  23. The sunrise photo is gorgeous! I had some pics digitized, but I don't see any advantage to it unless you put them online. Digital storage will change, or can disappear. A combination of photo albums and putting pictures online has value. By the way, do you print out your blog?

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  24. Hello, I loved your sweet feeder birds. I do enjoy birdwatching. The sunrise is beautiful. I enjoyed this post and photos. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day! Have a great new week ahead! PS, thanks also for the comment and visit to my blog.

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  25. Great advice! We can't feed the bird anymore, the squirrels just destroy our feeders. I really enjoyed your photos! Have a great week!

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  26. this was a fun one...i enjoyed all of the diversity!!

    i do have a theme for my posts, almost always, and i am not sure why. maybe because i post every day, maybe because i take an "event" and compile a post. perhaps more than that, it is because i am organized that way. even in the house, everything has a label on it.

    i like posts like yours today, it is laid out beautifully and gives us a lot to look at and think about. you captured the birds beautifully!!!

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  27. You are getting a lot done, Angie, with our without a theme. A fun post.
    Amalia
    xo

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  28. I struggle like you with themes and titles for my posts. I love that first shot of the Woodpecker.

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  29. Yes, I do struggle with themes at times and sometimes all it takes is a step away from the computer then coming back the next morning. Don't be too hard on yourself. I always enjoy what you write and what you come up with. That prayer shawl is so pretty! That spotting scope is great! Blessings!

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  30. You like to be organized...we have that in common as well as so many other things. I love nature and don't have time to post all the nature pics I take. But I have one ready for tomorrow...of course! See you then! Hugs!

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  31. Thank you for coming by my blog via Friday Bliss. It's the interaction I enjoy when blogging so I'm pleased to have met you because you took the trouble to leave a comment as I hadn't got around to reading the blogs of those who joined in on Friday. I can see that you are creative and sociable and whatever you post will always be very interesting. I have a plan about what I want to share, but it's the preparation of the photos that takes time! I don't have a set day when I post a blog except I try and keep Sundays for church and family. Then by Monday I'm ready to get blogging and meeting blog friends through this great way of communicating with others around the world. Wishing you a blessed week, Linda.

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  32. I particularly like the birds at the feeders...

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  33. When you're having so many projects and it is cold, it is hard to think about drinking water. At least for me. Of your images the run rising above the mist is my favorite:) Haha, you wanted to do a short post - this is what it mostly turns out to be. Happy though you were able to link to All Seasons! Enjoy your work and don't work too hard!

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  34. Life isn't always one theme at a time - it's usually a mish mash of things jumbled together. Lovely post.

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  35. I am sure that we have a different focus when it comes to our blogs.I have no plan at all and blog on the events that happen in my life, which is pretty much entirely devoted to orntihology in one form or another. Today we had a very successful outing and as soon as Miriam downloads and edits her pictures I will do a blog entry. I have no idea what will follow that - but I guarantee you it will be bird-related!

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  36. Haha Angie you and I are birds of a feather when it comes to writing! I do think the 'just do it' motto is a great one to follow! Wanna join me on the A to Z challenge then you would just write daily?! BTW your post came out really well, love your snowy chairs!
    Wren x

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  37. The pie looks yummy and darling that it is in the shape of a heart. The prayer shawl is lovely too.

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  38. Hi Angie...I don't have trouble leaving a comment on this blog but some others. I used to post every single day for 8 years and now I don't anymore, but yes it can be challenging....Michelle

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  39. I like to have themes, too, but sometimes it just won't come so I call it 'random'. That seems to cover it pretty well, as it does your lovely post!

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  40. Looks as though you had a very nice winter.
    Nice to complete projects and attack others.

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  41. I like to have a theme, but does not always happen. I thought your post was perfect, theme - activity! Love the photos you took with the spotting scope. The drawings are amazing. Loved seeing your snow photo.

    Thank you so much for linking up on Wandering Camera.

    -Soma

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