I Am NOT Part of the Problem

Today’s post goes into territory I don’t normal venture into, but I feel it must be said. And it felt good to write it. Sort of purged it from my system. I am merely relating an event that happened and my reaction to it. I am not looking for a fight or to change anyone’s opinion. This was my experience. My feelings. So, that being said, here’s what happened:

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Ridiculous Reviews

As an author, I am anxiously awaiting the day I receive my first book review. I know this may not be a pleasant experience, but I’m anticipating it none-the-less. Book reviews are two-edged swords. Most authors want reviews, especially if they’re good. But, you must take the good with the bad and I know there will undoubtedly be a bad review or two.

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Can We All Just Sit Down A Minute?

 

Do you ever have one of those days – maybe every day – where it seems like you go and go and go and finally at 8 or 9 or 10 o’clock at night you realize that you haven’t sat down, except maybe to go to the bathroom or in the car for a few minutes to run a quick errand? It seems to me like I’ve been having a lot of those days lately.  (Yes, I did just get back from vacation and yes, I was on my feet all day – going, doing, seeing. It was exhausting.)

I don’t know where the time goes every day, but it seems like every time I look at the clock an hour or six have gone by and I’m still on my feet doing this or that. Now I didn’t think running an inn was going to be a walk in the park, but neither did I expect that there’d be more days than not that I rarely have a chance to actually sit down. I even have help now and it still seems like I’m on my feet all day long. Always something to do.

I have an awesome front porch complete with swing, a cozy back porch with comfy furniture, a front balcony with a gorgeous view of the sunset and a back veranda that’s peaceful and private, yet I rarely sit in any of those places. It’s a tragedy really with cooler weather creeping in, too. Those spaces are wasted on me.

Well, not any more. We all need a little more front porch sitting if you ask me. And I for one intend to utilize those places more in the future.

I’ve decided that from now until the end of the year, I’m going to try to take a few minutes every single day to simply sit. Sitting has great benefits (in my opinion). A forced slowing of movement accompanied by some deep breaths to purge the hurry out of my system. I may even close my eyes and just listen to, feel, smell my surroundings. A new perspective for a few minutes.

Some of my cyber (and real) friends, blog about great places they go and visit, hikes they take, sunsets at the lake, wildflowers in bloom, which I always enjoy reading about. I’m always envious that they have found the time to go out and do what they love. I’ve decided to be more like them and I’m starting by simply slowing down. By slowing down I’ll be able to focus on peace and beautiful places and enriching my life more with the free gift called nature. Perhaps I don’t need to rush about all the time. Hmmmm.

So, who’s with me? Who’s going to carve out a few minutes every day to slow down and just enjoy being alive? Let’s all try to remind ourselves to sit (or get up and move around if you sit all day), relax, take a few quiet moments to reflect on your day or simply enjoy being alive okay? Come on gang! We can do this.

Word of the day: Felucca

Fun fact about me: My feet hurt all the time. A result of being on my feet all the time no doubt.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, September 2017. Photos courtesy of Google Images.

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Front Porch Sitting – It’s All It’s Cracked Up To Be

There’s something special about a front porch. Front porches come in all shapes and sizes; there’s one for every taste. I’ve always loved porches, front or back. I’m blessed here at the Baer House to have a front porch, 2 back porches (first and second level) and a balcony on the second floor in the front of the house. 

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And Then . . . There Were None.

We’ve all heard the expression silence is golden and I happen to believe that is a true statement. I love quiet. I look forward to that special time of the day, right after breakfast, when all of my guests have either checked out for other exciting places, or gone out exploring for the day, and my husband leaves for work. I feel like I have space to move and I can breathe.

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Low Tech Toys – A Walk Down Memory Lane

Kids these days play video games practically everywhere. They have their own little noise-making devices that they carry around and annoy the heck out of people in restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, everywhere. Oh, I get that as a parent, these types of “toys” provide the perfect distraction and keep those little minds busy and perhaps their mouths quiet. Quiet is a precious commodity when you have little ones after all. 

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