Family Day on Campus

I haven’t written here in a while, because life has been filled with changes and surprises. For instance, my son is now a sophomore in college and my brother passed away recently. Through the joy and the pain I’ve grown wiser and sometimes quite weary. Nevertheless, I never truly stopped writing. I’ve completed my sequel to my romance novel, I’ve written quite often in my prayer notebook, and I’ve scripted a few podcasts in my down time. And life as you know goes on. So I’ll focus on the positive here.

I’ve since moved my son back to the college campus twice and experienced family day twice on campus. This year was extra special because we brought my eighty plus years young mom with us on move-in day and on Family Day. She was amazed to see the vast campus, the dorm suite and room my son would be living in on campus. She helped put the pillow cases on the pillows and sat and supervised my son and I as we finished setting up and decorating the room. On Family Day, we dined at the on campus dining hall and heard the President of the college speak as we ate our delicious breakfast. Later, we attended a talk held by the Associate Dean of the department my son is getting his degree in. Still later we had lunch under the big tent on the Great Lawn where we ate sliders and roasted corn on the cob as the DJ played music in the background. Afterwards, mom and I sat and decorated our little pumpkins together as my son roamed the quad playing games and winning small prizes. All of these activities were free. I even played two games and won a little white teddy bear at a ball tossing game.

There were also loads of freebies being given out at this event. I scored a mug, a pumpkin, pens, a Teeshirt, and a Nike toboggan hat. My mom and my son scored their own pirates booty worth, too. The drinks were free as well. We took and were given free photos at the outdoor photo studio they had setup. And I finally had a chance to take pictures with the college mascot. I just love my son’s college! And I love my family!

The only events we missed were the play at the campus theater and the charity basketball game at the on campus arena. Last year my son and I attended the charity basketball game with my sister and my nephew in attendance. That game was amazing! However, this year we had to make sure not to overexert my mother. So, we left a little earlier this year. But a great time was had by all. I can’t wait for next year’s Family Day. Do you attend family day at your child’s college? Share your experience in the comments.

So You Want to Self-Publish a Book!

My first book was self-published on Createspace years ago. As of 2019, Createspace has merged with Kindle Direct Publishing. So I’ll revisit my first manuscript today and make a decision about whether or not I want to pay for editing, formatting, and a new privately owned ISBN number. I want to take my book to the next level this time. So it’s time to take the book out of the attic so to speak, dust it off, and make it ready for resale.

For those of you out there who are considering following suit, that is you are trying to publish a book through a free source you can watch the video below for a few tips.

Here’s to happy writing! I’ll be back with updates on how far I’ve gone in the process soon. Until then keep writing!

After the Adjustment Period

Photo by Terricks Noah on Pexels.com

About three months into my first year of retirement I noticed I was a little too relaxed and discovered I now had time to do some really creative things in my free time. I’d always been a creative spirit: the type of person who thinks outside the box. In fact, I’d always tried to integrate all of my talents into doing my job as a teacher. I used my artistic ability to do bulletin boards, brochures for programs, and art projects with my students. I’d use my flair at sewing to make clothing for my students when it was our turn to do assembly programs. I’d use my singing ability to teach students songs to sing for assembly programs, my knack at dancing to choreograph dance steps for students, and I’d use my writing skills to write scripts for our stage presentations as well.

In addition, I’d previously used my talents to assist various family members with events. Many years ago I made my sister’s maternity clothes when she was pregnant with her first child. I even created the invitations for my sister’s wedding anniversary years later. I made photograph montage videos for my nephew’s birthday celebrations, numerous family celebration videos, a wedding photograph video as a present for my nephew and his new wife, and I’d also cut, braid, and crochet hair for family members. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I also crocheted baby blankets on two occasions.

So as you can see, I just love to create and produce things. This innate desire to use my talents even more so since I’ve retired lead me to organize the event that I am most proud of to date. Can you guess what it was?

  1. Janice Reid's avatar
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  4. Unknown's avatar

    Yes indeed! We have to successfully navigate those “Bumps In The Road.” They are merely distractions to keep us from…

  5. skygirl65's avatar

    I absolutely love birds! This experience you squared made me feel as if I was there! I can see that…