we are suffering ourselves
in new and exciting ways;
we are courting nausea and distrust;
spreading rumors of health while
roaring past midnight –
we are suffering ourselves
and enjoying every pang of it.

How do I stay motivated when learning something new? I had to answer this WordPress prompt because of what I am going through right now, and what I thought about this morning is totally me!

I paint flowers, lots of them. I am currently trying to figure out this whole Etsy keywords SEO thing. I woke up and wanted to meditate and have a gratitude morning. Instead, I opened up my computer and headed over to my shop. AND, I felt hopeless. It has been 6 months, and I have a few sales. I like my work, but I know it’s all in the presentation. Have I created the art that people want to buy? Then there are titles, keywords, and the SEO that frankly, I am sick of.

Then something in me said, ” We have to make this work. There is no if.” This is my dream. I am putting this out there in the world and seeking guidance. I trust and believe the answer will find me! In that moment, I went back to last year’s work and added new pieces to my shop. Then I made a few changes to my keywords and switched out some frames. It was beautiful!

Inside, I felt like a kid in a candy store, or better yet, that kid who is told we are going to paint today, here are the tools, have fun!

How do I stay motivated when I am learning something new? I feel what I feel, give myself a pep talk when I need it, and get back in there and do what I love! Most importantly, I look for a positive lesson that I can learn from and move forward with.

Do I want to share my work with the world? I do! That is the biggest positive reason to move forward. And that made me smile. Here I am. I am going to go for a stroll and splurge on that dessert.

Well, doesn't THIS just sum up certain political cults nicely?

"A madman will always think you're trying to cheat him, but a fanatic doesn't care. He'll give you everything he owns to get to the end of the world because he knows he's not coming back."
- The Last Uncharted Sky, by Curtis Craddock

#bookstodon #reading #vaguepost

Weekly Update #240

Hello Readers.

To start with, I wish to apologize to the knitting community.

A few months ago, I had added the tag “Knitting” to a weekly update because I was working on a knitting project. I removed it after that project was done, but the blog added it back to the announcement about updates. Until someone brought it to my attention, I was totally unaware this was being done.

Now, I have started two knitting projects. The first is a Dr. Who type scarf for my youngest in her school colors. The second, is one of two Christmas stockings for my Brother’s grandchildren. I’ll post some pictures of them in a later update.

For those interested, I’m using the “Old Fashioned Christmas Stocking” pattern from Candide Yarns. It is one I got from my Grandmother and always seems to be a big hit.

I’m still feeling drained from the pollen and only made a little progress in writing or editing.

There is a book fair in Columbus this weekend that Kathy and I will be attending, so watch out for updates from it.

Finally, check out my latest VLOG.

That is it for this week, take care everyone.

Interesting in buying one of my books? You can get more information here.
You can support my writing at Ko-fi.

@bookstodon
I finished S. A. Corey's The Mercy of Gods yesterday (actually a reread) and am about a hundred pages into the sequel The Faith of Beasts.
Fun stuff (but not for the characters, they are generally not having much fun). Feeling a little smug because I guessed something that proved to be true (it was easy to guess, I must admit), though all the details haven't been revealed yet.

#Reading #ScienceFiction

　
This time, I’d like to introduce one of my favorite works by Haruki Murakami.

A story that quietly asks:
Who am I?
What are relationships?
What is life?

It’s a story that lets you retrace that quiet, searching journey of thought.

🖊️ 4 Colorful Friends and My Colorless Self
— A Story to Read When You Feel Empty

Feel free to take a peek!
https://introvert-path.com/en/embracing-e/reading-habit/20260405-1/

#JapaneseLiterature #selfreflection #introspection
#Bookish #Bookworm #Booklovers #Reading

picked up a tiny e-reader last week. installed some custom firmware (crossink), and finished mistborn today. 10/10.

#reading #mistborn #smallTech