{"id":11357,"date":"2016-09-30T12:59:31","date_gmt":"2016-09-30T16:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=11357"},"modified":"2022-05-24T17:23:24","modified_gmt":"2022-05-24T21:23:24","slug":"5-friday-faves-writing-bumper-stickers-lawn-signs-old-men-grooving-friends-who-wound-and-a-clean-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=11357","title":{"rendered":"5 Friday Faves – Writing, Bumper Stickers & Lawn Signs, Old Men Grooving, Friends Who Wound, and a Clean House"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday again. Nice. This week has been an easy one – lighter work load, early morning walks with neighbors, visits with old friends, and marveling at sweet grand-babies. Life on the side of simple. There was one significant dip in our week when my dad had a bad night<\/a>, but he has\u00a0improved remarkably\u00a0since then. Each day is different. Rejoicing in the good days.<\/p>\n

Here are my favorite finds from this week. Please share any of yours in Comments below.<\/p>\n

1) Writing<\/strong> – Always an outlet for me. I’ve written journals from childhood (called them\u00a0diaries in those days). \"blog-writing-lithub\"<\/a>Photo Credit: LitHub<\/a><\/p>\n

All my life, people who were privy to some of my writing, have told me, “You should write a book!” I don’t have the discipline, message,…or passion, maybe, to write a book…yet. One day. I started this blog for my children, during a time I was frightened that my memory was fading. So far, it seems to be the forgetfulness of my aging (not diseased) brain. Still, blog writing continues to be a joy…almost a mission. When life keeps me from writing, as in the last couple of weeks, I miss it…and then it’s hard to get back into the habit.\u00a0 Rebecca Solnit<\/a> posted recently suggesting 10 Tips on How to Be a Writer<\/a>. Her article is beautiful writing in itself. Here are two\u00a0of her most encouraging observations:<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not only time that gets the kid onward to more sophistication and skill, it\u2019s effort and practice. Write bad stuff because the road to good writing is made out of words and not all of them are well-arranged words.” – <\/em>Rebecca Solnit<\/p>\n

“It starts with passion even before it starts with words. You want to read people who are wise, deep, wild, kind, committed, insightful, attentive; you want to be those people.” – <\/em>Rebecca Solnit<\/p>\n

2) Bumper Stickers & Lawn Signs – <\/strong>It’s a big year here in the US. In just a few days, we will, together, vote to elect the next Commander and Chief of our country. Usually by this time, lawns and cars are covered with signs and stickers that declare our preferences (or decry the prospect of “the other guy” becoming President). \"blog-lawn-signs-and-bumper-stickers\"<\/a>Photo Credit: YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n

Bumper stickers abound broadcasting our various allegiances, in general. [Dave and I are not a bumper sticker people, but\u00a0various ones\u00a0make for fascinating distractions while stopped at traffic lights. Quite telling of the mixed bag of cultural values we have.]\"blog-bumper-stickers-cafepress\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Cafepress<\/a><\/p>\n

Oddly this year, where we live,\u00a0political loyalties are less obvious. Only occasional bumper stickers. Even fewer lawn signs. Not that they are relevant<\/a> to election outcomes. Still, they were interesting predictors of where neighbors, co-workers, and random strangers stood politically on issues and candidates.<\/p>\n

I wonder why there are so few this year. Are we\u00a0less sure or even despairing at our\u00a0options? Is it fear of displaying our colors? What do you think (without going all political in the comments)?<\/p>\n

A postscript to this is the possibility that\u00a0we\u00a0now live\u00a0in an age where “putting it all out there” on our vehicles, or in our yards, is not wisdom. Again, thoughts?<\/p>\n

\"blog-bumper-stickers-pjmedia\"<\/a>Photo Credit: PJMedia<\/a><\/p>\n

3) Old Men Grooving – <\/strong>On a lighter note, I discovered this British dance group, of 40-60-somethings, who performed on Britain’s Got Talent\u00a0<\/a>. They call themselves Old Men Grooving<\/a>, and you will get a sweet chuckle watching them dance together. Very impressive really. Reminds me of when I took a tap class, for the first time, as an adult. Never too late to dance! Find Old Men Grooving<\/strong> on YouTube.<\/p>\n