tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46018633152736472272024-02-02T12:00:39.314-05:00Write.Create.Connect.Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-2116636635715970202017-12-04T10:39:00.000-05:002017-12-04T10:39:03.385-05:00Learn How To Trick Your Mind Into Being Creative<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Aadil Vera performed a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xWa3Ok2e94">TED</a>x Talk (TEDx NSU - running time 7:53) entitled Trick Your Mind Into Being Creative.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTChuhWMIT_idjg-CAPhG8W_9r8IV8gsekbY2tfv3KADrO028bcSlP-8yscGaAeQO8r8wM8gxeYvEnUy6PqsDdB5ce_0GI2zPLt8_RD7oCR2h_nGyc0fIX-Guc-XjQdhy16hZmxtnIsWn/s1600/free-open-box-clipart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="777" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTChuhWMIT_idjg-CAPhG8W_9r8IV8gsekbY2tfv3KADrO028bcSlP-8yscGaAeQO8r8wM8gxeYvEnUy6PqsDdB5ce_0GI2zPLt8_RD7oCR2h_nGyc0fIX-Guc-XjQdhy16hZmxtnIsWn/s320/free-open-box-clipart.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thetomatos.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/free-open-box-clipart.png">Source</a></td></tr>
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<br />The biggest takeaway I got from this talk was to work within some kind of limitation. We all know that the white sheet or the blank canvas are equally terrifying to gaze upon, and even more frightening when coupled with the knowledge that you could put anything on there, you must choose from a plethora of options, you have to narrow it down and decide.<br />
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Scary.<br />
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Instead, he suggests, what he calls The Box Strategy: "The entire idea is that you want to think inside the box. You want to think with a limitation because when you think with a limitation, that limitation provides you a guideline to get that creative response."<br />
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He goes on to explain that the blank page gives you "too much freedom to create" and so your mind typically falls to the most familiar or uninspired solution. All creatives must be wary of picking the first idea that pops up, of settling on something expected or boring. Just as last week, Brad Herzog discussed developing your ideas, not latching onto the first thing that pops into your head, Aadil Vera suggests creating limitations to ensure that doesn't happen.<br />
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"A limitation will lead you to something really colourful out of the box."<br />
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So how can we use limitations to help with our creativity? To help with our writing or our art creation? Here are some ideas to get you started:<br />
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<li>Create a painting with only one colour.</li>
<li>Write a short story in 450 words.</li>
<li>Create a character who has nothing in common with yourself.</li>
<li>Set a timer and paint for only 8 minutes.</li>
<li>Look around you and create art using only images that you see.</li>
<li>Make a poem using only the words on a single novel page.</li>
<li>Paint using some material from your kitchen (coffee?).</li>
<li>Choose 3 coloured pencils and use only them for a drawing.</li>
<li>Open a book to the 38th page, 4th line down. Use that sentence to inspire a scene.</li>
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I think you get the idea. Vora finishes his talk saying "Place creative limitations on yourself. Make challenges more challenging." In this way, he suggests that we can all increase the creativity in what we create.<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-7162876713332988222017-11-27T10:30:00.000-05:002017-11-27T10:30:08.216-05:00A Writer's Secrets to Catching Creative Ideas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJyUBCrHidFSrOOwxk5WjEHXkwNZ0aNL5KBo-qrcUE86F71ztFofhN0g60zDwR0TBFaVZYERn5RQb_YyF30QPuCb7D7lRM_4IWhHxbK3qtmQbrOvD6PGfa1GUWhsaAxLS7RggiYbzUvPq/s1600/angling-1296437_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1280" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJyUBCrHidFSrOOwxk5WjEHXkwNZ0aNL5KBo-qrcUE86F71ztFofhN0g60zDwR0TBFaVZYERn5RQb_YyF30QPuCb7D7lRM_4IWhHxbK3qtmQbrOvD6PGfa1GUWhsaAxLS7RggiYbzUvPq/s320/angling-1296437_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brad Herzog did a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln1ggxYoh2g">TED Talk</a> (TEDx Monterey - running time 15:36) about A Writer's Secrets to Catching Creative Ideas. Every time I watch this talk (so far three times, but there will be more), I feel so inspired to write and to work harder on finding awesome ideas. I find him to be a very personable speaker, sprinkling in the perfect amount of humour and making me feel, almost instantly, a strong connection with him.<br />
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"Good writing begins with a great idea; an idea so compelling that an editor or publisher can't pass it up; an idea so compelling that a reader can't pass it by."<br />
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This doesn't just factor in when talking about writing. In fact, "we are often tasked with coming up with a unique way of looking at things." A way of looking at things differently that allows the everyday to become something more.<br />
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"Everything in my mundane daily existence can be fodder for a clever and creative idea. It's just a matter of sort of tilting my head at the world a little bit; questioning everything; and, what I like to call, wondering out loud."<br />
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WONDER OUT LOUD</div>
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- what if?</div>
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- who discovered/created that?</div>
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DROP MY LINE IN SOMEWHERE ELSE</div>
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- veer away from what's trendy right now</div>
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- choose a different style or genre or audience</div>
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COUNTER CONVENTIONAL WISDOM</div>
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- surprise people</div>
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- what if the opposite were true?</div>
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One of the suggestions that Herzog makes that resonates with me is "don't jump the gun on your idea. Let it percolate a bit, think about it for awhile, and essentially find the real story."</div>
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This is an important and often neglected tip. Our fast-paced world is often rushing us to find ideas and get things written. This can result in less than stellar ideas. "Often it takes a little bit of patience; that's part of the creative process. Sometimes that means not only finding the idea but waiting and figuring out how to convey the idea."</div>
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I once read a writing instructor who shared that when brainstorming a fiction novel idea, she would write out an entire workbook of what-if scenarios and see what the best ideas were. She never rushed this stage and reported that she often came up with 20 or 30 mediocre ideas before landing one that she believed to be spectacular. This is something that I have not done well in the past, but you can bet that it's on my radar now.</div>
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Herzog summarizes the idea process as follows:</div>
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conceiving the idea</div>
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developing the idea</div>
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conveying the idea</div>
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"If you can put that all together, sometimes you can catch something really special."</div>
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Listen to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln1ggxYoh2g">TED talk</a> that Herzog has put together. In it, he gives fantastic examples of his personal idea process and he illustrates his tips with his firsthand experience. </div>
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-55805949326474476862017-11-20T10:30:00.000-05:002017-11-20T10:30:10.283-05:00Steal Like An Artist - Austin Kleon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love this book. Truly love this book.<br />
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It is Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. It's an adorable format: 6-inch x 6-inch size with lots of doodles and drawings and tips. There are 10 chapters based on 10 tips to 'unlock your creativity'. My absolute favourite chapter is #4: Use Your Hands.<br />
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Kleon has two desks in his office. One is analog and one is digital. The analog desk is not allowed to have anything electronic on it. Instead, it is filled with markers, paper, newspaper, index cards. The digital desk has his electronics.<br />
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He says that "The computer brings out the uptight perfectionist in us -- we start editing ideas before we have them" and suggests that we create first, and then bring our pieces to the computer for editing and finishing.<br />
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This idea really resonates with me. Not to mention that once I get on the computer, I seem to get sucked into facebook and every thought of mine that needs to instantly be researched. Not terribly productive.<br />
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At the end of the book, he has a "What Now?" section where he suggests that you give a copy of his book away. I can't do it. This is the third time I've read it (it's a pretty quick read - 140 half pages, many of which are lists or drawings) and I get something out of it each time.<br />
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I recently listened to his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oww7oB9rjgw">TEDx Talk KC </a>about this topic and gleaned a few more nuggets from that.<br />
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He believes that nothing is original. "Every new idea is just a remix or a mashup of 1 or 2 previous ideas." Takes the pressure off of having to come up with something nobody has done or seen before, doesn't it? He goes on to list some of the sources of ideas: friends, books, music, movies, cities you visit. On and on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbqt2J0zhS3dy-noZv1xWW1u6VgyD55akWIo06IktqqkXOxxWZ_oDD831XjSKx-9_z4inYIsLVeCs5WzU32vumi5xoEHn7XFg3heV9SKy7IfTrAlXRr3KX-i3I7we3BJmZabIra00Ru7F/s1600/8T6LyqB8c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbqt2J0zhS3dy-noZv1xWW1u6VgyD55akWIo06IktqqkXOxxWZ_oDD831XjSKx-9_z4inYIsLVeCs5WzU32vumi5xoEHn7XFg3heV9SKy7IfTrAlXRr3KX-i3I7we3BJmZabIra00Ru7F/s320/8T6LyqB8c.png" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clipart-library.com/clipart/8T6LyqB8c.htm">Source</a></td></tr>
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You cannot, however, rehash previous ideas without first paying attention to them and collecting them. Kleon suggests carrying around a notebook (digital or paper) to record everything that appeals to you: phrases, photos, lyrics, thoughts, conversations, doodles, whatever. Only by compiling a library of potential tidbits, can you bring those thoughts together in new ways and into new art.<br />
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"It comes down to trying to expose yourself to the best things that humans have done and then try to bring those things in to what you're doing." Steve Jobs<br />
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And finally, he suggests when stealing from other artists, "take something from them but bring it back to your desk, take it back to where you do your work, combine it with your own ideas and your thoughts, transfer and form it into something completely new and then put it out into the world, so we can steal from you."<br />
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As Kleon suggests on his webpage, this blurb is copied and pasted from his <a href="https://austinkleon.com/">website</a>:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">Austin Kleon is the </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">New York Times</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> bestselling author of three illustrated books: </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://austinkleon.com/steal/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf4344; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Steal Like An Artist</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">, </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://austinkleon.com/newspaperblackout" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf4344; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Newspaper Blackout</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">, and </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://austinkleon.com/show-your-work" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf4344; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">Show Your Work!</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> His latest release is </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://austinkleon.com/journal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf4344; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">The Steal Like An Artist Journal: A Notebook For Creative Kleptomaniacs</a></em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">. His work has been translated into over twenty languages and featured on NPR’s </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">Morning Edition</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">, PBS </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">Newshour</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">, and in </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">The New York Times</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> and </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">The Wall Street Journal</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">. </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">New York Magazine</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> called his work “brilliant,” </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">The Atlantic</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">The New Yorker</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">said his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.” He speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px;">The Economist</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 18px;">. He grew up in the cornfields of Ohio, but now he lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and sons. Visit him online at </span><a href="http://austinkleon.com/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf4344; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 18px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out;">www.austinkleon.com</a></div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-20231450512094740362017-11-13T11:00:00.000-05:002017-11-13T11:00:08.160-05:00Starting Again - How to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't been writing. At all. I can't even seem to make myself do morning pages. When I looked at my journal this morning, I had written the date and nothing more for the last three entries. And none of those dates were consecutive.<br />
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Nothing in the well.<br />
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I've read about artist's dates and purposely doing outside activities to replenish the source of creativity, but somehow, nothing is working.<br />
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Iv'e noticed something else though, when my writing seriously dried up, I had also stopped painting and playing in my studio. No art journalling, no art classes, nothing. Coincidence? I'm thinking not.<br />
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So, here's the plan. Every day for the next 30 days, I am going to wake up and paint something or draw something, and then I'm going to write. My thought is that by feeding my artist's spirit with the gift of creativity prior to writing, well, the muse will be pleased and she will help the words come forth.<br />
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In addition to this new practice, I plan on sharing some creativity resources with you, once a week, on Mondays. There are so many tips and philosophies on how to be more creative, I think we could all benefit from examining them more closely.<br />
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Are you having difficulties with your creative expression? Does this sound interesting? I would love it if you would join me. Tomorrow morning, I'll post the art on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WriteCreateConnect">Facebook</a> and then follow-up with the writing the following morning. Please feel free to post your art or writing pics on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WriteCreateConnect/">Facebook</a> page as you make it through.<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-41173580238793465832016-07-15T11:40:00.002-04:002016-07-15T11:40:46.407-04:00You're Going To Die<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You're going to die.<br />
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Let that settle for a second. I'll wait.<br />
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You are going to die one day. We all are. Obviously. So why am I sharing that piece of not-so-new news with you? Because I actually heard that (I mean really heard it) a few months ago. I heard it, in a place where it resonated. I am going to die and what will I have done? What will I have to show for it? What will I be proud of having done? What will I regret doing or not doing?<br />
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I am going to die.<br />
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I'm not sure why now, but this was a bit of a kick in the pants for me. I have been about to become a writer, about to become an artist, about to get in shape, about to commit to my ethics, about to spend more time with my family and friends,...about to do a lot of things, for some time now. But I haven't actually done those things.<br />
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Until now.<br />
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Until I accepted into my heart and my soul and my mind, that I am going to die. And it scared me.<br />
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So where do you think I started? If you look at that list of things that I have been about to do at any moment, where do you think I started?<br />
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BOXING!<br />
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Ha ha. That surprised you, didn't it? It surprised me a bit too, but I was looking for something exciting, interesting, something to make me feel more alive because man oh man, I was feeling bogged down with adulty life things. I really needed to let loose a bit and try something new, something that scared me. And it was boxing.<br />
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And I'm so glad that I did. I love, love, love it.<br />
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The first three weeks, I was unable to lift my arms over my head which made life much more difficult. But slowly (excruciatingly slowly) with massage, chiropractor, and physiotherapy appointments (I am so not kidding), I was able to work through the debilitating pain and get stronger. Stronger. Yay.<br />
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I am still the weakest person in the class to be sure, but at 48 years old, I'm okay with that. I won't be competing or fighting or becoming involved in a bar brawl, but I have done this uncomfortable thing. This thing where I am the oldest person in the room, the most out of shape person in the room, the most uncoordinated (I could go on),...I did a really hard thing and I'm so proud of myself.<br />
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And I feel like this is the start of a bunch of hard, uncomfortable things that I am set to do now. So maybe, just maybe, when I do come to the end, I will be proud and satisfied, content with the choices I made, the accomplishments I garnered. Sigh. Just maybe.<br />
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What about you? Is this something that is a struggle for you also?<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-31783190852251414222015-03-28T11:10:00.001-04:002015-03-28T11:10:37.578-04:00Nora Ephron<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyOHHWMlFA9NszHhNlRWBtKq6E4Ut7cJiNPFE2UBybFFDpJSgGzsughF0BXshZpt4ogwrHBsJ0fq0MApX9Zpp7YJhvRgFME1v0VCHID609EQ4c20e9TkIItkAKGWABwU0QIc0L9zLyfgO/s1600/Nora-Ephron-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyOHHWMlFA9NszHhNlRWBtKq6E4Ut7cJiNPFE2UBybFFDpJSgGzsughF0BXshZpt4ogwrHBsJ0fq0MApX9Zpp7YJhvRgFME1v0VCHID609EQ4c20e9TkIItkAKGWABwU0QIc0L9zLyfgO/s1600/Nora-Ephron-008.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jun/27/nora-ephron-dies">The Guardian</a></td></tr>
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I’m pretty sure that I’ve been living under a rock, because I’ve only recently discovered Nora Ephron. Gasp. I know. Well, to be fair, I have been a fan of her work for some years, but had no idea who she was or what work she created.<br />
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For those of you who have also been out of the loop, here are just a few of the things that Nora Ephron has done:<br />
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<b>Screenplays</b>:<br />
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<li>You’ve Got Mail (I know!)</li>
<li>Sleepless in Seattle</li>
<li>When Harry Met Sally (again,…I know!)</li>
<li>Silkwood</li>
<li>Julie and Julia</li>
</ul>
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<b>Theatre</b>:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Imaginary Friends</li>
</ul>
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<b>Bestsellers</b>:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Heartburn</li>
<li>Crazy Salad</li>
<li>I Feel Bad About My Neck</li>
</ul>
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Seriously, this list strikes me as just showing off (smile).<br />
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I recently read <i>I Feel Bad About My Neck, and other thoughts on being a woman</i>, a book of essays. She wrote the type of essay where you nod your head through the entire piece. Yes, you can relate to that, and to that, and of course to that. As a writer, reading her work mades me think that I could do that. I mean, all she was doing was recording everyday occurrences; easy as pie. Well, have you tried to make pie? Yeah, it isn’t easy (at all!) and neither is writing with such familiarity, such a connection.<br />
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What have I learned?<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>She died when she was 71 of pneumonia caused by myelodysplastic syndrome (a pre-leukemia condition) that she kept secret from all but her closest family and friends. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Ephron"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wikipedia</span></a></li>
<li>She was funny. Her stories made me want to sit down and have dinner with her, listening to all of the fascinating tales and lessons she had stored away.</li>
<li>She was a doer. She was an essayist, novelist, screenplay writer, blogger, playwright, director, and producer. Plus a wife, mother, friend, sibling, daughter. Holy crap, eh.</li>
<li>She was married three times. Yikes.</li>
</ul>
She has a fabulous collection of quotes attributed to her. Here are some of my favourites:<br />
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“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” </div>
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“The desire to get married is a basic and primal instinct in women. It's followed by another basic and primal instinct: the desire to be single again.” </div>
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“When your children are teenagers, it's important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.” </div>
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“I don't think any day is worth living without thinking about what you're going to eat next at all times.” </div>
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And of course, the famous -- “I'll have what she's having.”</div>
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Were you already familiar with Nora Ephron? Or did this list of her accomplishments surprise you as well?</div>
</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-33915795849071017592015-03-04T18:00:00.000-05:002015-03-04T18:00:04.809-05:00Wine Route Gallery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I doubt it will shock any of you to know that the town where I live is filled with and surrounded by vineyards and wineries. There are many tours, guided and self-guided, that bop you from one winery to the next along the 'wine route'. <div>
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There are also great restaurants, fruit stands (in season of course), heritage buildings, and art galleries. In Vineland (just up the street in country terms), there is a new gallery called <a href="http://www.wineroutegallery.com/">Wine Route Gallery</a>.</div>
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I stopped in there today to check it out. Unfortunately, I dropped my phone earlier this week, effectively killing it, so I didn't have a camera. I did bring home some goodies though, so I can share those.</div>
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These are all 5x7 cards.</div>
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Leaf Life</div>
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Maxine McLean</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnqj8s3Hr7ocLE6GF3skyjf7I_ARerOkHu1_eW6ElpDG2jfkjNDt2tG1YmUphnNMvGlZs57ZFhKzZnGgdQWtiMnkrOrMaXtBEOk6eoOoR0w3V5k7NpAqmaMP8NGPirhSoy4P7a-EZjb5m/s1600/FullSizeRender+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnqj8s3Hr7ocLE6GF3skyjf7I_ARerOkHu1_eW6ElpDG2jfkjNDt2tG1YmUphnNMvGlZs57ZFhKzZnGgdQWtiMnkrOrMaXtBEOk6eoOoR0w3V5k7NpAqmaMP8NGPirhSoy4P7a-EZjb5m/s1600/FullSizeRender+(4).jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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Medicine Wise Wings</div>
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Hugh McKenzie</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9Xj3XwLAeNVPvLRV21iK6b_fzdfBH5u_bOH0_AyJrW8Y4maaGretHr5ePitEhqi8KrWESkY1-AqWTtocSF_I8RH2UMpICC33evvlnkoDyFWFu4D0GQu2OXP98hzjKpCiHZar7t7T3KAE/s1600/FullSizeRender+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9Xj3XwLAeNVPvLRV21iK6b_fzdfBH5u_bOH0_AyJrW8Y4maaGretHr5ePitEhqi8KrWESkY1-AqWTtocSF_I8RH2UMpICC33evvlnkoDyFWFu4D0GQu2OXP98hzjKpCiHZar7t7T3KAE/s1600/FullSizeRender+(5).jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spirits of the Wolf</div>
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Judi Wild</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyY-VuYQUNxI3Mx2K-sYSY6xT8gAdDHWxSULon-7qKOr17dT36unSW7bs1VwwLYWGkLg2lDeT-k-qWOanAOwin4knuu14SRtERARWbJaw-ACPUzKKEdXkUKg_cvZLIx6XSCflZLeheK4l/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyY-VuYQUNxI3Mx2K-sYSY6xT8gAdDHWxSULon-7qKOr17dT36unSW7bs1VwwLYWGkLg2lDeT-k-qWOanAOwin4knuu14SRtERARWbJaw-ACPUzKKEdXkUKg_cvZLIx6XSCflZLeheK4l/s1600/FullSizeRender+(3).jpg" height="640" width="457" /></a></div>
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Green Heron</div>
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Gloria Kingma</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWs1mm-oPlubTSar88PHJ1hrPlrk18Fd44FsebQFEsHDCLZD__DLkK_db0Eeynd-xBG5MGPMZGuJZM1j7KsGmp1elChyphenhyphenP9PSmpaPpA93xJLF_L1Yxa9sS7unQttt085zMFdALqGrWdHf3/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWs1mm-oPlubTSar88PHJ1hrPlrk18Fd44FsebQFEsHDCLZD__DLkK_db0Eeynd-xBG5MGPMZGuJZM1j7KsGmp1elChyphenhyphenP9PSmpaPpA93xJLF_L1Yxa9sS7unQttt085zMFdALqGrWdHf3/s1600/FullSizeRender+(1).jpg" height="449" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yellow Flower Trio</div>
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Silva Talmassons</div>
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So glad I popped in today. I will definitely be a regular visitor.</div>
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-35097216877538900262015-02-27T19:00:00.000-05:002015-02-27T19:00:00.881-05:00Facebook Challenge - This and That<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you're getting tired of the facebook challenge, you're in luck - this is the final installment. No real theme today, just this and that.<br />
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This is a fun mixed media lady using collage and napkins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCMSwZF5TzimynMWK1FHZsxlTRp79m88rzu4yolGKAcq0h2gCeCIQp2ukeGXIbD2i-JDpe4QBjLNd37O3RFhYJuQTsgKGmTpuF5VpDGFebJLJO_r4Zqmu_vkaE6flncgW_NlIFzWdv7um/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCMSwZF5TzimynMWK1FHZsxlTRp79m88rzu4yolGKAcq0h2gCeCIQp2ukeGXIbD2i-JDpe4QBjLNd37O3RFhYJuQTsgKGmTpuF5VpDGFebJLJO_r4Zqmu_vkaE6flncgW_NlIFzWdv7um/s1600/IMG_4391.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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A dreamcatcher inspired by <a href="http://rachaelrice.com/">Rachael Rice</a> as a <a href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/">Lifebook</a> 2015 lesson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxILUKhtv5mg67KPxKwzyMFUNpyDYefWAkgHeAq6hgitGF1SnmK9pBC0djUqlgcAvu_nI3erMggSCKbTBF80mG6hyOuBpj2AFbvN8GgNBn_kF1d0oD1gLbd4bNDNuk13ul_gNAjKDyuWSp/s1600/IMG_4395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxILUKhtv5mg67KPxKwzyMFUNpyDYefWAkgHeAq6hgitGF1SnmK9pBC0djUqlgcAvu_nI3erMggSCKbTBF80mG6hyOuBpj2AFbvN8GgNBn_kF1d0oD1gLbd4bNDNuk13ul_gNAjKDyuWSp/s1600/IMG_4395.jpg" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
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And finally, a practice piece I did while learning how to draw/paint fabric folds.<br />
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That's the end of my sharing for awhile, though I am still working diligently on the Lifebook 2015 lessons, so I will (hopefully) have other pieces to share. In the meantime, what have you been working on? Please do share in the comments or on the facebook page.<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-31237577242804271962015-02-26T19:00:00.000-05:002015-02-26T19:00:00.736-05:00Facebook Challenge - Horses and a Cat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Facebook Challenge - Day 4<br />
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This first piece is my spirit horse. It was inspired by a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCx34ffYn3A">tutorial</a> created by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HoneyBmama">Cinnamon</a> Cooney.<br />
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This is a colourful piece exploring colours for shading.<br />
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And my cool blues cat.<br />
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What are you creating?<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-78159536551739570682015-02-25T19:00:00.000-05:002015-02-25T19:00:00.208-05:00Facebook Challenge - Abstract Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 3 of the Challenge.<br />
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A fun abstract piece:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgWXvxt993FcAQmyqHyioDQU2SPOtN2iHFJ1A-bWq3sYBrR_LKhrTzQVYlYWvHd-fn4dihyTzSGczxRvAN4DaNd_7enypSLEGwxPZQPxhKBEe61NdnxryRYsielRi9oskaHm8lFWjeTim/s1600/IMG_4385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgWXvxt993FcAQmyqHyioDQU2SPOtN2iHFJ1A-bWq3sYBrR_LKhrTzQVYlYWvHd-fn4dihyTzSGczxRvAN4DaNd_7enypSLEGwxPZQPxhKBEe61NdnxryRYsielRi9oskaHm8lFWjeTim/s1600/IMG_4385.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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I believe the inspiration for this piece was a pinterest pin (sometimes I actually complete the pinterest pins, lol):<br />
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This was a <a href="http://www.willowing.org/">Tamara</a> Laporte exercise.<br />
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What are you working on?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-10497582700387867452015-02-24T19:00:00.000-05:002015-02-24T19:00:00.884-05:00Facebook Challenge - Lovely Ladies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 2 of the facebook challenge:<br />
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These are my Lovely Ladies. Again, all 3 ladies are inspired by <a href="http://www.willowing.org/about/">Tamara</a> Laporte lessons (what would I do without her lessons?):<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-59397708719206106232015-02-23T20:38:00.002-05:002015-02-23T20:38:38.830-05:00Facebook Challenge - Angels We Have Seen on High<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was challenged by my dear friend, Sandy, to post 15 pieces of my art on my own personal facebook page. Of course, I threw up a little in my mouth at the thought. I haven't had the most prolific year and what I have made, has not been compatible with my vision. Disappointing.<br />
<br />
However, I am all about the challenge and being stubborn and all that, so here goes:<br />
<br />
Day 1 - 3 pieces of my art<br />
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Angels We Have Seen on High<br />
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This is my Beacon of Light from a <a href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/">Lifebook</a> 2015 lesson created by <a href="http://www.willowing.org/about/">Tamara</a> Laporte.<br />
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This is another more coppery version of her.<br />
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And my Angel of Grace<br />
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Stay tuned for the next 4 challenge days. :)</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-34273024728545287452015-02-21T14:17:00.000-05:002015-02-21T14:17:23.874-05:00Ira Glass on the Creative Process<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I did not know that everyone went through a process like this. When I first started painting in July 2014, everything I did was ugly. Ugly ugly. I'm not even kidding. It was so frustrating to know what I saw in my head and then not be able to get the stuff on the paper to look anything like the vision.<br />
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Even now, I know that each piece has a fugly stage and I just have to keep on going through to get to the nicer piece. Well most of the time. Sometimes it just stays fugly and that's okay too.<br />
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Brilliant advice here in less than 2 minutes.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbC4gqZGPSY" width="480"></iframe></div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-92056248094840872092015-02-11T18:45:00.001-05:002015-02-11T18:45:49.246-05:00Too Much?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I probably already know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it anyway,...is this too much food for dinner?<br />
<br />
I tried <a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/108001/roasted-sweet-potatoes-and-beets.html">this</a> recipe for sweet potatoes and beets, roasted. I had a huge (seriously, it was freakishly huge) sweet potato and 3 beets that I roasted.<br />
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Then,.....I ate it all. I pretended at first that I wasn't going to eat it all. I started with a normal person's serving, a couple spoonfuls. But then I went back for more. And then one more time, went back for more. And then there was none.<br />
<br />
So, is that a lot for a person for dinner? A huge-ass sweet potato and 3 beets?<br />
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It is isn't it?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-14476418078557152282015-02-01T21:48:00.001-05:002015-02-01T21:48:52.087-05:00Little Miss Libby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm sure that most of you are familiar with my Little Miss Libby. My sweet girlie who has filled my days with fun and adventure since we brought her home in December 2012. She could fit in your hand.<br />
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Libby loved to hike:<br />
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nap:</div>
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sunbathe:<br />
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wear her Bruins colours:<br />
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and celebrate Christmas:<br />
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<br />
In what was a big surprise to us and completely heartbreaking, Little Miss Libby passed away on Saturday, January 31st. She suffered from complications after her second knee surgery, and she just wasn't able to overcome them.<br />
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She was a solid friend and a wonderful gal, sassy and spirited and beautiful, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to spend these two years with her. She has taught me so much. Rest in peace my sweet girl. Momma loves you so much.</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-88509783190090133922015-01-23T19:46:00.005-05:002015-01-23T19:46:55.451-05:00Let Me Help<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Earlier this week our Little Miss Libby had her second knee-repair surgery. She came home doing so well that we were calling her a little miracle. Then the next day she vomited up everything we gave her to eat, barely drank anything all day, and capped it off by having three seizures. She hadn't had a seizure for 235 days (but who was counting), and didn't respond to the valium we gave her so we had to book it to the emergency vet clinic.<br />
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She did not have any further seizures, they gave her IV fluids, antibiotics and an anti-nauseant, and we picked her up this morning. The staff was amazing, Libby was a trooper, and we seem to be on the other side of the whole situation.<br />
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But that's not my story.<br />
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My story is more of a puzzle. Maybe you can help me solve it,...<br />
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While waiting to pick up Libby, I got talking to a lady who was there with her 9-year-old mastiff, Georgia. I didn't catch the lady's name, but we chatted for a bit and shared our concerns over our fur-babies. Then Libby came out, I wished her well with her pup, and said goodbye.<br />
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Lib was in a bit of a state, not herself, pacing in a circle. I tried to stuff the medications and paperwork into my pockets while also holding onto Libby's harness to keep her supported. It was a little crazy.<br />
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Georgia's mom came over and offered to help me bring Libby to the car. I smiled, thanked her, and said I appreciate it, but I've got this. And Libby continued to circle. She asked again, "Are you sure?" Again, I smiled and thanked her heartily, but refused.<br />
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I then struggled to get Libby moving, going round in circles, weaving and bobbing, until we got to the car. Then I lifted all of her 80 pounds, grunting and groaning (me not her) into the back seat.<br />
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It struck me as I plopped into the driver's seat, panting: why in the world did I not accept that woman's offer of help? I certainly could have used it, and I'm sure my back would have been happier if I had. Never mind how it would have made her feel good to be able to help. I know how fabulous I feel when someone else allows me to help them out.<br />
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I stewed and struggled with it all the way home (and beyond as this little note shows). Why didn't I accept her help? The best reason I came up with was that it was my habit not to ask for help and not to accept help. That, without thinking, I refuse an offer and choose to fend for myself.<br />
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It has made my heart hurt the entire evening. What a powerful, wonderful connection I probably missed. I had visions later on, playing out how it might have happened. I would accept gratefully. She would smile widely. I would hand her my keys and the medications. She would hold open the door while I had both hands to guide Libby in a straight line to the car. I'd make a crack about my car being the dirtiest one in the parking lot, she would admit that hers was awful too. We would laugh and then wish each other well. I would feel good from being showered with compassion and consideration; she would feel good at being permitted to help us out. Win-win.<br />
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What short-coming of mine prevented that exchange? A lack of mindfulness? Succumbing to a habit? Thankfully, mindfulness and habits are something that I can work on. I can put some effort into taking a pause, and then accepting help when it's offered.<br />
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Do you accept help easily? Or is it a struggle for you also?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-82424941704368286582015-01-16T17:00:00.000-05:002015-01-16T17:00:02.743-05:00What I Love This Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So many fabulous things happening this week. I have been buried with snail mail, yay. A stack of books from amazon, earrings, more earrings, and an apron. How lucky do I feel? Oh yeah. :)<br />
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So, here's what I love this week:<br />
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The sweetest puppy dog nose.<br />
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<br />
Just found this site with a super quick 5-Minute Guided <a href="http://www.the-guided-meditation-site.com/5-minute-morning-meditation.html">Meditation</a> at The Guided Meditation Site. This will help me to fulfill my resolution and her accent is adoooooorable.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KmV1D6WjZz8" width="560"></iframe>
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<br />
<br />
I have wanted everyday-type earrings for-ever. Finally I found a couple of cute ones on etsy. One gold pair, one silver pair. Now I am all set.<br />
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Gold hoop earrings from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/255674414">Elamese</a> (who also included a gift of a super lovely, dainty bracelet).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiOe-mtCgxot7Lq9PCwrX1InQyINQdtVvDfann-avi12iXTrQly6RFjPnpl_0MT87RNgmltAc9qXtkFU1ZCpj3eMMYiCx9lLVqsd6K9alVWW9H45JPozyPPjNE1xTQRBtmSWnweKyA23Q/s1600/gold+earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiOe-mtCgxot7Lq9PCwrX1InQyINQdtVvDfann-avi12iXTrQly6RFjPnpl_0MT87RNgmltAc9qXtkFU1ZCpj3eMMYiCx9lLVqsd6K9alVWW9H45JPozyPPjNE1xTQRBtmSWnweKyA23Q/s1600/gold+earrings.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
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and,....<br />
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Silver hoop earrings from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/256656473">Moodichic</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJu2QUsUDSdrl-vSJfRx2fVT35He7eX-2q4kNHsmaMpAlvcghRAJaJsdLlm0O3pE9T__bdvpjDR-5TKtLCPXxPVzqAUwhWoswTXfogqxTCDJNE9erDO69u0hIXzR9Uf38MZ0vD4nkwjRc/s1600/silver+earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJu2QUsUDSdrl-vSJfRx2fVT35He7eX-2q4kNHsmaMpAlvcghRAJaJsdLlm0O3pE9T__bdvpjDR-5TKtLCPXxPVzqAUwhWoswTXfogqxTCDJNE9erDO69u0hIXzR9Uf38MZ0vD4nkwjRc/s1600/silver+earrings.jpg" height="323" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also love a creatinine level of 127 (down from 131 and getting closer to the normal range of 124) that Little Miss Libby brought home. Woop woop. (no pics of the blood, thought that might be a little too gross).<br />
<br />
What are you loving this week?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-45386879620279867252015-01-14T18:18:00.000-05:002015-01-14T18:18:26.650-05:00Books in the Mail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Don't you love getting books in the mail? Well, anything in the mail really. I just received an order from Amazon today so I'm feeling all new-book giddy. Here are the most recent goodies:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQODQnXltAIm6TKZNxk2OtkUomx3AxzxDS0POhe62Ej120YT7uEhwwQNVcz8wdqZ_ETAeHpnX_9JJKwrtzeau8KZESKSa01PTME5OuwxB4aM-su5SVhHIR9CxH0p2GGNa0aBxl0euHuWS/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQODQnXltAIm6TKZNxk2OtkUomx3AxzxDS0POhe62Ej120YT7uEhwwQNVcz8wdqZ_ETAeHpnX_9JJKwrtzeau8KZESKSa01PTME5OuwxB4aM-su5SVhHIR9CxH0p2GGNa0aBxl0euHuWS/s1600/1.jpg" height="151" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://show%20your%20work/">Show Your Work</a>: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered<br />
<a href="http://austinkleon.com/">Austin Kleon</a><br />
<br />
He has also written "Steal Like An Artist" which apparently gives readers the key to unlock creativity. This second book (I guess I should have gotten the first one,..um first) shows how to get known.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aAftbg1DBYFpq4pqAW0wGDJmmglybo-xr6M_DvBsf4Z01vrFjngFwYWCffd_MPgVnGsfCWbOm9gZo8gW1nDSD4UYF_4TBLQ5CkSmed8lHBzts9da0qvFCTwL5QzaXO5j4hMVYf-DswkP/s1600/Show-Your-Work-3d-cover-245x276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aAftbg1DBYFpq4pqAW0wGDJmmglybo-xr6M_DvBsf4Z01vrFjngFwYWCffd_MPgVnGsfCWbOm9gZo8gW1nDSD4UYF_4TBLQ5CkSmed8lHBzts9da0qvFCTwL5QzaXO5j4hMVYf-DswkP/s1600/Show-Your-Work-3d-cover-245x276.jpg" height="400" width="355" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Van-Gogh-Blues-Creative-Depression-ebook/dp/B0090R9YQK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421268461&sr=1-1&keywords=the+van+gogh+blues">The Van Gogh Blues</a>: The Creative Person's Path through Depression<br />
<a href="http://ericmaisel.com/">Eric Maisel</a><br />
<br />
This is an author that I discovered through the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/tranquility-du-jour/id81301757?mt=2">Tranquility du Jour</a> podcast. He has written a crazy number of books on depression, creativity, finding your life missions. This is my first of his.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Plain-Sight-Lessons-Garden-ebook/dp/B00JWZ1QFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421268324&sr=1-1&keywords=paradise+in+plain+sight">Paradise in Plain Sight</a>: Lessons from a Zen Garden<br />
<a href="http://karenmaezenmiller.com/">Karen Maezen Miller</a><br />
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This is another author that I discovered through an interview on Tranquility du Jour and I really enjoyed listening to her. This book promises to provide "Zen lessons in fearlessness, forgiveness, presence, acceptance, and contentment." I could stand to learn more about all of them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWtxLFWMK7TAIJmkCZX47SZ0bzElRPK0PJ0IU6rcTpCouevIgRlHyAClz-cjXAT44v5KS47bOxncdlaCarfGYqp2NtSrNfkGcl3HQ-sLEApu6qaE-y6xjpYR6WbkmHbIR52f1ahsuZjIS/s1600/paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWtxLFWMK7TAIJmkCZX47SZ0bzElRPK0PJ0IU6rcTpCouevIgRlHyAClz-cjXAT44v5KS47bOxncdlaCarfGYqp2NtSrNfkGcl3HQ-sLEApu6qaE-y6xjpYR6WbkmHbIR52f1ahsuZjIS/s1600/paradise.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1592407331/wwwbrenebrown-20">Daring Greatly</a>: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead<br />
<a href="http://brenebrown.com/">Brene Brown</a><br />
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I am in the middle of another one of her books, The Gifts of Imperfection, and I really like her writing style. She uses a lot of personal examples and is quick to show you her vulnerability which makes her all the more interesting and compelling. I am using my highlighter a lot, lol.<br />
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My theme word for this year is "Happiness" and with these books, I am striving to bring more happiness into my day-to-day life. I will certainly keep you posted on how I feel about them. (hopefully happy, ha ha)<br />
<br />
Have you read any of them? Maybe on your to-read list?<br />
<br /></div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-55573658126725095122015-01-13T16:00:00.000-05:002015-01-13T16:00:00.542-05:00Life Book 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you heard of <a href="http://willowinglove.blogspot.co.uk/p/life-book-2015.html">Life Book</a>? It is a brilliant, year-long art class program put on by the lovely Tamara Laporte of <a href="http://willowinglove.blogspot.co.uk/">Willowing Arts</a>. I signed up this year to give my non-existent art practice a jump start.<br />
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Boy oh boy, has it ever.<br />
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The first main lesson was on creating a Beacon of Light. Here is how my piece turned out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEK89uoREFwhmFCV8E2EXPoztXgRZSvVFrS1zJsHuADvuI3G2Lfr-Ymk8vDJwKQA1PFxaeJEiqDfp6vRiTzPrMflK30AkM6BBGkLqTzq17aYKQsRffFYq0LW-Dg1UF_mP7oq_FahIBkWP/s1600/10407835_10152969658011963_4656159086891524864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEK89uoREFwhmFCV8E2EXPoztXgRZSvVFrS1zJsHuADvuI3G2Lfr-Ymk8vDJwKQA1PFxaeJEiqDfp6vRiTzPrMflK30AkM6BBGkLqTzq17aYKQsRffFYq0LW-Dg1UF_mP7oq_FahIBkWP/s1600/10407835_10152969658011963_4656159086891524864_n.jpg" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
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This coming week we are working on whimsical lettering. Should be interesting. What have you taken on for this new year?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-83603125880812126442015-01-12T13:43:00.000-05:002015-01-12T13:43:52.438-05:00What is that?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Does this ever happen to you?<br />
<br />
I just noticed after a short 5 years (yes, 5 years) that there were two pieces of foam packing tape cushioning the glass shelf above the crispers in our fridge. Five years friends. Just noticed them today.<br />
<br />
So in the process of getting these sticky buggers out, I upended the glass shelf and discovered to my horror: a disgusting moldy vegetable grunge layer between the crispers and the shelf. Holy terror, I nearly vomited.<br />
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Needless to say, that has been all cleaned up and sterilized and sanitized. Phew. I had no idea that there was a layer in between there and wouldn't have cleaned it EVER without accidentally shifting that glass shelf.<br />
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Do you ever find a corner or a layer or a hidden little section (or not so hidden, that also happens to me), where you suddenly realize it is slick with dirt or dust and you have never cleaned it before? Please tell me I'm not alone.</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-66949247653086947062014-11-16T21:14:00.000-05:002014-11-16T21:14:05.555-05:00Who Doesn't Like To Eat? :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been absent here for far too long. Sorry about that. I won't bore you with the details of slipping missions and demotivation. Instead, I will share with you,....food!<br />
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Hubby and I are revisiting our eating habits and so I've made a bit of a menu for the next three weeks. I'll share here in case anyone else is reviewing their eating.<br />
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We are avoiding white foods: sugar, white flour, potatoes and white rice, plus anything processed. Ugh,...I already miss bread. Anywho,...here is what I've got for week one. Wish us luck.<br />
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Week 1<br />
<br />
Monday - lunch: olives, jalapeños, boiled potatoes<br />
dinner: out<br />
tuesday - lunch: soup and salad<br />
dinner: cream carrot soup, sweet potato fries<br />
wednesday - lunch: tuna sandwich, cream carrot soup<br />
dinner: roast chicken, glazed carrots, brussels sprouts<br />
thursday - chicken sandwich and salad<br />
dinner: sautéed veggies and rice<br />
friday - chicken sandwich and salad<br />
dinner: <a href="http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-recipes/lentil-loaf.php">lentil meatloaf </a>with mushroom gravy, broccoli, kale<br />
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saturday - meatloaf sandwich and salad<br />
dinner: fish, <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/05/02/garlic-mushroom-quinoa/">garlic mushroom quinoa</a>, broccoli<br />
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sunday - lunch out<br />
dinner: minestrone soup<br />
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What foods do you try to avoid or eat more of?</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-77195322436929050422014-03-27T20:54:00.003-04:002014-03-27T21:07:54.946-04:00More Books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>1. The Loyal Servant, Eva Hudson</b><br />
<b>Genre: Political Crime Novel</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNeq6NevCdDUtliLEjVRymaHzHCi2RVorrQug0G2S-We9dp8xpcoUUwIAN2OlGaPrSuZh0c1RwCXoRvWiyRZNWatCW6NSiY6k0nccLXTV-43NJpDuRe-gOecUqrREulA8ep5GonoojrSk/s1600/loyalservantbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNeq6NevCdDUtliLEjVRymaHzHCi2RVorrQug0G2S-We9dp8xpcoUUwIAN2OlGaPrSuZh0c1RwCXoRvWiyRZNWatCW6NSiY6k0nccLXTV-43NJpDuRe-gOecUqrREulA8ep5GonoojrSk/s1600/loyalservantbooks.jpg" /></a></div>
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The description from the <a href="http://evahudson.com/books/the-loyal-servant/">author's site</a>: "Winner of the Lucy Cavendish Prize for fiction, The Loyal Servant is a whistleblower thriller that topped the Amazon political fiction chart." and Book 1 of the Angela Tate Mysteries series, The Loyal Servant is a page-turning political thriller with a twist – everything that happens to Caroline Barber could easily happen to any one of us."<br />
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<b>What I Liked:</b><br />
This is a nice, well-rounded crime novel.<br />
Set in Britain, it is sprinkled with British idioms which I loved.<br />
The characters are real without being over the top. I cared about them.<br />
It showed messy lives, nothing perfect here, just real. Compelling that way.<br />
Nice twists - believable but surprising.<br />
<br />
<b>What I Didn't Like:</b><br />
Can't think of anything.<br />
<br />
<b>Liked It?</b> Definitely<br />
<b>Recommend It?</b> Definitely to anyone who likes crime novels.<br />
<b>Where to Find It?</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005ZTMJ2S?tag=smarturl-ca-20">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Price?</b> Free to download.<br />
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<b>2. Don't Look Away, Leslie A. Kelly</b><br />
<b>Genre: Thriller</b><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.leslieasmith.com/">The author's site</a>:<br />
<br />
<b>What I Liked:</b><br />
The female lead was tough enough but not over the top which is sometimes irritating.<br />
The characters were great, well-rounded, likable or not as appropriate.<br />
Fast-paced.<br />
Futuristic but again, not overly so, just enough to be interesting, not so much that it took a lot of effort to understand.<br />
Cool twist on 911 being the first terrorist attack, then years later the country experienced a much worse one. Again, interesting.<br />
<br />
<b>What I Didn't Like:</b><br />
The climax scene is too short. I don't feel like I got to realize that it was over before we jumped into resolution. Should have spent more time there.<br />
A little too rah rah United States in an arrogant way at the beginning. Kind of made the rest of the world sound stupid which I thought was unnecessary.<br />
At the end, we suddenly realize that even though we thought eerything was wrapped up, in fact it's not. Then it just stops. I know that this is a series but I didn't realize that the book was going to hang at the end. Kind of frustrating.<br />
<br />
<b>Liked It? </b>Um,...yeah for the most part.<br />
<b>Recommend It? </b>I don't think so. The ending was really jarring and frustrating though it was well-written otherwise. Maybe.<br />
<b>Where To Find It?</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/DONT-LOOK-AWAY-Thrilling-Suspense-ebook/dp/B00CMFU46G">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Price? </b>Currently $3.33 for download, though I caught it on a free day.<br />
<br />
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<b>3. Writer to Writer Reminders: Tickles, Tips, and Tricks, Jacqueline Girdner and Lynne Murray</b><br />
<b>Genre: Instructional, Writing How-to</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIdGpVal1cZs3eZmiWHkOB8aGv55soIneG0kPlH2aEdp2InEv5OjEcZjQhXp3xdn4mWyHAjKNdebVDVElEZZBHnrcxrDlHDbNdN9m59Ydzrnnmv3BW2Ic7PqdApowFS-bFwd7GC21NPQo/s1600/writer+to+writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIdGpVal1cZs3eZmiWHkOB8aGv55soIneG0kPlH2aEdp2InEv5OjEcZjQhXp3xdn4mWyHAjKNdebVDVElEZZBHnrcxrDlHDbNdN9m59Ydzrnnmv3BW2Ic7PqdApowFS-bFwd7GC21NPQo/s1600/writer+to+writer.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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From <a href="http://www.maadwomen.com/ticklesisters/index.html">Jacqueline Girdner's</a> site: "We're two authors who've had a combined total of 22 books published. Our writing methods are so different that it's a constant reminder of how many ways there are to get words down on paper and tell a story.<br />
<br />
So here are 52 tickles, tips and tricks that we hope will be helpful to you in your writing journey!"<br />
<br />
<b>What I Liked:</b><br />
I really wanted to like something because I really enjoyed Jacqueline Girdner's last book (Meet a Jerk, Get To Work), but I just didn't like this one. :(<br />
<br />
<b>What I Didn't Like:</b><br />
I found the style irritating. The two characters tried too hard to be funny and banter back and forth. I found it distracting.<br />
The tips weren't all that good. Very few that I didn't already know and the new ones were not worthwhile.<br />
<br />
<b>Liked It?</b> No.<br />
<b>Recommend It?</b> No.<br />
<b>Where To Find It?</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writer-Reminders-Tickles-Tricks-Writers-ebook/dp/B00531CRIY">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Price?</b> $0.89 for download<br />
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<b>4. The Front, Patricia Cornwell</b><br />
<b>Genre: Suspense</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1POZKYzfBetmKR5hrqsCBH1dMjR8j4jBmqAuY8bItPWwliI3nW6ie3z6w2D2X-CSMlxEOfWpxb5c4ZTuta88e1VdzDYq2FPFmPu9-kCZTYPUD8wYkSzAhFG9epEMd8c68ZEMd-5kzXwUj/s1600/51dUIWosBwL._SY300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1POZKYzfBetmKR5hrqsCBH1dMjR8j4jBmqAuY8bItPWwliI3nW6ie3z6w2D2X-CSMlxEOfWpxb5c4ZTuta88e1VdzDYq2FPFmPu9-kCZTYPUD8wYkSzAhFG9epEMd8c68ZEMd-5kzXwUj/s1600/51dUIWosBwL._SY300_.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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From the <a href="http://www.patriciacornwell.com/book/the-front-2008/">author's site</a>: "At Risk featured Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano, a shrewd man of mixed-race background and a notinconsiderable chip on his shoulder; District Attorney Monique Lamont, a hard-charging woman with powerful ambitions and a troubling willingness to cut corners; and Garano’s grandmother, who has certain unpredictable talents that you ignore at your peril.<br />
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And in The Front, peril is what comes to them all. D.A. Lamont has a special job for Garano. As part of a new public relations campaign about the dangers of declining neighborhoods, she’s sending him to Watertown to “come up with a drama,” and she thinks she knows just the case that will serve. Garano is very skeptical, because he knows that Watertown is also the home base for a loose association of municipal police departments called the FRONT, set up in order that they don’t have to be so dependent on the state—much to Lamont’s anger. He senses a much deeper agenda here—but he has no idea just how deep it goes. In the days that follow, he’ll find that Lamont’s task, and the places it leads him, will resemble a house of mirrors—everywhere he turns, he’s not quite sure if what he’s seeing is true."<br />
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<b>What I Liked:</b><br />
Oooh, everything.<br />
The characters are fabulous. The best I've ever read. So interesting, unique, with quirks that don't seem artificial.<br />
Smart stuff.<br />
Twists that you don't predict.<br />
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<b>What I Didn't Like:</b><br />
I thought that the explanation was a bit fast. I felt jarred a bit and had to go back to figure it all out. (this could be because I'm a little slow of course, but thought I'd mention it)<br />
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<b>Liked It?</b> Yes.<br />
<b>Recommend It?</b> Absolutely.<br />
<b>Where To Find It?</b> <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/the-front/9780425228289-item.html?ikwid=the+front+patricia+cornwell&ikwsec=Home">Chapters</a><br />
<b>Price?</b> $9.49, but try your library. That's where I found it.<br />
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<b>5. The Truth About Butterflies by Nancy Stephan</b><br />
<b>Genre: Memoir</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorRrGrF2m_9I36KqSnVTaL-7jimp9xv210TpKTtd1RdJHOXDrDhQXfqhHBEXDZrrjiqNHM_IZPxmcSVb-luayJUu30hKq9m7aayoO26d9aSs9jlFrJgM9OOvkogdQFQp1KZKOrbUF5iQk/s1600/butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorRrGrF2m_9I36KqSnVTaL-7jimp9xv210TpKTtd1RdJHOXDrDhQXfqhHBEXDZrrjiqNHM_IZPxmcSVb-luayJUu30hKq9m7aayoO26d9aSs9jlFrJgM9OOvkogdQFQp1KZKOrbUF5iQk/s1600/butterflies.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://nancystephan.blogspot.ca/">Author's site</a><br />
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<b>What I Liked:</b><br />
I found the telling of her childhood to be fascinating. Like nothing I've experienced. New and interesting.<br />
I read the first quarter of the book and didn't know that she was a black woman/girl. I thought that was an interesting twist.<br />
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<b>What I Didn't Like:</b><br />
There was something jerky about her writing.<br />
Occasionally, the metaphors seemed forced.<br />
There didn't seem to be an overall theme. Maybe that's too much to expect, but I missed a thread that tied everything together.<br />
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<b>Liked It?</b> Um,...yes. I didn't love it, but felt compelled at some points to keep reading. I liked it,...but,...I can't pinpoint exactly what was bothersome to me about it, but there was something that I couldn't shake.<br />
<b>Recommend It?</b> Probably not.<br />
<b>Where To Find It? </b><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-Truth-About-Butterflies-Memoir-ebook/dp/B005FIT03A">Amazon</a><br />
<b>Price?</b> $2.99 download, though I got it for $0 awhile back.</div>
Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-49079305407386321162014-03-25T21:54:00.002-04:002014-03-25T21:54:15.214-04:00The Art Gym<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I did something new today. I popped into The Art Gym. This is the coolest place. They have a bunch of tables set up and all the art supplies you could want to use: acrylics, oils, watercolours, pastels, charcoals, pencils, markers, instruction books, yadda yadda. They even have a pottery wheel. No kidding.<br />
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Sam showed me around. I should have gotten a picture of Sam,...what was I thinking? Anyway,...<br />
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I thought I would try some soft pastels which turned out to be quite hard (what's up with that?) and found out that they are messy and I suck at them. No, truly suck. I switched to charcoal,...um, same deal - messy and sucked. Switched to a pencil and just plain felt lame.<br />
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Fortunately, the deal I picked up for the month membership also included a free lesson. Phew. Already left a message to set that up. :)<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-39630325395162367532014-03-12T11:50:00.000-04:002014-03-12T11:50:05.112-04:00Dog Vaccination Protocol<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I talk with a lot of dog owners through Facebook groups, at the dog park, the pet store, or just out for our daily walks and it seems that the confusion surrounding vaccination is widespread. Everyone wants to do the best for their dogs, but they complain about being overwhelmed by too much information and contradictory messages.<br />
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Let me tell you about the vaccination program we use for our dog and what led us to this protocol.<br />
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Our puppy is 17 months old. She received her puppy vaccinations at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. These included the core vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus), as well as bordetella, leptospirosis, and rabies. When she was due for her one-year ‘booster’ shot, we did an antibody test instead. She was shown to be immune to distemper and parvovirus, so we did not repeat her core vaccines. She did receive her rabies vaccine at this time as per our local law.<br />
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Going forward, she will continue to receive her rabies vaccination every three years unless there is a change in the legal requirements. She will also have distemper and parvovirus antibody titers done in three years. If she is still immune (and there is no reason to think that she would not be), we will not repeat the titers or the vaccines.<br />
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That is the what, now here is the why:<br />
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Core vaccinations should be given to all puppies to protect against highly contagious, nearly always fatal, and vaccine-preventable diseases. In dogs, these diseases are distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and rabies. In order for the vaccine to work, the puppy must not possess any maternally derived antibodies. This is the protective immunity that is temporarily given to the pup by the mother. It’s difficult to know exactly when the antibodies wear off, so puppy vaccines are given every 3-4 weeks to ensure that at least one of the vaccines produces immunity.<br />
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In regards to follow-up core vaccines, however, there is no scientific evidence that supports ‘booster’ vaccinations. In fact, the name ‘booster’ is itself a misnomer. You can’t boost immunity, you either have it or you don’t. If a dog shows a positive antibody titer, then no further vaccination is necessary. The WSAVA states that “the duration of immunity (DOI) is many years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet.” Schering-Plough’s efficacy studies report that “these data support at least a 4-year duration of immunity for these three ‘core’ fractions in the combination vaccine.” From Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy, “Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal.” International Veterinary Information Service, Dr. Richard Schultz states that “Our research on duration of immunity for the CPV-2 (parvovirus), CDV (distemper) and CAV (adenovirus) vaccines has demonstrated a minimum duration of immunity of 7 years.”<br />
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Dr. Ronald Schultz published a table summarizing his duration of immunity studies based on challenge testing:<br />
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Distemper, Rockbom strain, 7 years<br />
Distemper, Onderstepoort strain, 5 years<br />
Canine Parvovirus, 7 years<br />
Canine Adenovirus, 7 years<br />
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This is a small portion of the literature and studies available that support a longer duration of immunity from effectively vaccinated dogs. For this reason, we will not revaccinate our dog.<br />
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In retrospect, I would not have agreed to the leptospirosis or bordetella vaccines. Both of these are bacterial vaccines which do not prevent infection, but only minimize symptoms. The leptospirosis vaccine will typically provide immunity in a dog against only 4 of the 200+ known strains, and its protection will last only for 6-8 months. “A dog who is vaccinated with this vaccine receives well less than one year of inadequate protection, but is placed at great risk for vaccine-related illness” says Dr. Jodie Gruenstern in a Dogs Naturally Magazine article. It is also reported that the Leptospirosis vaccine has the highest incident of adverse reactions. An interesting evolution is mentioned in a Dog Journal article, “infection rates have severely dropped and those dogs that do become infected are infected by an entirely different strain of Leptospire,” making the current vaccines even less effective.<br />
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In similar fashion, the bordetella vaccine will only provide partial protection against 2 out of the 40+ agents that cause bordetella infection. Dr. Ronald Schultz states, “Kennel cough is not a vaccinatable disease,” in a Dogs Naturally Magazine article. The article also mentions that kennel cough is “a self-limiting disease that amounts to as much danger to your dog as the common cold does to you.”<br />
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Viewing each of the vaccines in the risk versus reward vein, it appears that scientific evidence and professional experience shows that the initial core vaccines for puppies (or previously unvaccinated dogs) provides infection prevention to the most dangerous canine diseases and so is essential for all dogs. The subsequent core ‘boosters’, as well as the bacterial vaccines for leptospirosis and bordetella, are unnecessary at best and potentially detrimental. Though the initial rabies vaccinations are as effective as the distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus, local laws prohibit titering and so vaccines must be redone every three years.<br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4601863315273647227.post-54645430917721006292014-03-12T11:49:00.001-04:002014-03-12T11:50:33.638-04:00Who's Up For A Little Kooky?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I should start off by saying that if you are not a fan of kooky, you should probably just mosey on along. I won't be offended, really. If you're still here, let's hop on over to the land of obsessions and oddities.<br />
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I've been doing a lot of research on diet, toxins, and vaccinations for dogs. Since Libby started having seizures last March, we have been trying to raise her as naturally as possible. That means natural cleaners (mostly vinegar and baking soda), flea and tick treatments that don't involve chemicals, a raw diet with supplements, and a customized vaccination schedule.<br />
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The effects of vaccines on dogs is something that scares me, even if your dog doesn't have epilepsy. So I jotted down a few notes and thought I would share that here. I know this isn't the usual subject matter, but it is writing and something that gets me stirred up.<br />
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If you have a dog, this could be really important information for you. If you do take the time to read it, please let me know if there is anything ambiguous or if you have any remaining questions. Thanks.<br />
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<a href="http://writecreateconnect.blogspot.ca/2014/03/dog-vaccination-protocol.html">Dog Vaccination Protocol</a><br />
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Little City Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17964199667002906506noreply@blogger.com1