Friday, May 31, 2013

Friday fun

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. ☺

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Thursday, May 30, 2013

It's the little things...

Image courtesy of drow, rgbstock.com
Happy Thursday, friends!

Yesterday was one of those days. You know the kind I'm talking about: nothing seems to go as you'd planned, and everything about the day feels frenzied and chaotic. Thinking back, though, I can pick out several good things that happened, proving, I suppose, that every cloud does have a silver lining and it's the little things that count:

☺ I wrote a scene for my novel while sitting with my daughter at storytime.

☺ I had a nice conversation with a friend.
☺ I allowed myself to take a nap.
☺ I had an idea for a poem while I was walking into the grocery store with my three-year-old.
☺ It rained, and I always seem to be more creative when the skies are stormy and gray.
☺ There was a bottle of wine in the refrigerator to share with my husband once the kids were in bed.
☺ Supper wasn't too much work, and neither was the cleanup.
☺ In spite of all the craziness of the day, I was happy. I am happy.

What's good in your world today?

Wishing you all a Thursday filled with many blessings. ☺

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

This really takes me back...

Happy Tuesday!

Recently, I heard Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," and I was immediately transported back to 1984. I was twelve and starting the seventh grade, nervous, I'm sure, about all the changes life would bring now that I was attending classes in the high school. (Our high school and junior high students shared the same building.) It was a year of many firsts: first school dance, first "boyfriend," first kiss, first taste of independence... I don't think I'd ever want to go back to those years, but I'm happy to say I lived through them. ☺

What song takes you back every time you hear it?



Wishing you all a Tuesday filled with wonderful memories. ☺

Monday, May 27, 2013

Giving thanks

Image courtesy of Robert Linder,
rgbstock.com
Happy Memorial Day, friends!

I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all who serve or have served in our military. I am grateful for the sacrifice you and your families make to keep us safe and free.







Wishing my friends here in the United States and those around the world a wonderful Monday. ☺

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sunday inspiration

Happy Sunday, friends!

Today's inspiration comes from an artist known as Lord Colin O'Neal. I learned of his work quite recently, and I immediately fell in love with his style. You can find his Web site here (although it doesn't seem to be live at this time) and his deviantART page here.

The first video is a short time-lapse of O'Neal and his work on a water and ink painting of artist Frida Kahlo. The second video is a bit longer, but if you enjoy the music of Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and/or Jimi Hendrix, you will probably enjoy seeing O'Neal's tribute to them. I know I did.






Wishing you all a creative and inspirational Sunday. ☺

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Six-word Saturday


Remembering those who keep us free.
 


Wishing everyone in the United States a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Happy Saturday!☺
 
 

Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday fun

Happy Friday!

I hope you enjoy this week's dose of fun. Have a wonderful weekend. ☺

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

A nuisance and a laugh

Happy Thursday, friends!

So it seems there's trouble brewing in Comment Land, at least here at The Daily Dose. For some reason, even though I can comment on my other posts, Blogger isn't allowing me to respond to all of the comments I received during Monday's Blitz, and I can't seem to find a solution. (I'd appreciate any ideas.) I want you all to know that, in spite of my commenting issue, I'm still working on visiting all of your blogs. It might take me through the upcoming long weekend, but I'll get there! Thanks again. ☺

In other news, this video has been cracking me up for years, and I think it's a pretty appropriate one for today: Bear with me on those comments, hey? ;-)



Wishing you all a fantastic Thursday. ☺

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Big thanks—and Our World Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, friends.

First, I want to thank all of you who blitzed my blog yesterday. It was a wonderful surprise to wake up to—especially on a Monday!—and I'm so grateful for your kind comments. You all made my day! I'm still working on responding to your comments and visiting your blogs. It might take me a few days, but I'll get there. ☺ Again, many thanks to you all!
 
Today is Tuesday, so that means it's time once again for Our World Tuesday, a weekly meme that encourages bloggers to share images of their world. It's a great way to get a glimpse of life through the eyes of others! You can find out more about it here. Even if you don't participate, I encourage you to take a look at the intriguing photos that bloggers from around the world share each week.

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This week I thought I'd share two photos from around my yard:
 
I'm not sure what kind of tree this is, but the flowers are absolutely gorgeous!
 
 
This second photo is of something my children find gorgeous, and they bring me bouquets of them nearly every day.
 
 
Even though my husband, who does the yard work, would disagree, I have to admit that dandelions are kind of pretty—especially against the green grass.
 
 Wishing you all a beautiful Tuesday. ☺
 
 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Bringing words to life

Happy Monday, friends. ☺

On Friday I mentioned that I thought my weekend would be busy, and I was definitely right! I missed my Saturday and Sunday posts because of it, and I'm glad to be back today. I hope you all had a great weekend.

Today I'd like to highlight one of my favorite poets, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins. Like my all-time favorite poet Ted Kooser, Collins writes about everyday life in a very conversational and accessible way. Bruce Weber of The New York Times once called him "the most popular poet in America."

I began reading Collins' poetry a couple of years ago, and during my research, I learned that several artists have worked to create animated videos of some of his poems, bringing them to life even more vividly than the poet's words alone. I'd like to share one of those short videos with you today. I hope you enjoy it.


(Animated by Julian Grey of Head Gear Animation. You can find the poem here.)

Wishing you all a fantastic Monday. ☺

Note: For some reason, Blogger is not allowing me to respond to all of the comments on this post. I appreciate them very much and will be visiting each of your blogs during the next few days. Thanks again.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday fun

Happy Friday!

This weekend is going to be a busy one for my family. It'll be one of those "rushing around to this and that" kinds of Saturdays, which I have to admit I'm not too fond of, and Sunday is looking to be busy as well. How about you? Are you gearing up for relaxation or adventure? Whatever your plans, I hope you have a fantastic weekend.☺

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Don't you hate it when...

you dream about something important and then forget all the details when you wake up?

That happened to me the other night. All day long, I had been thinking about an idea I have for a middle grade novel, but I just couldn't iron out the details, especially the critical one that gives me the reason my main character will be able to do what I need him to do. I was still thinking about my story as I fell asleep that night, and sure enough, I dreamed about it. In my dream, the answer was simple, but when I woke up, poof, it was gone. (Strangely enough, the only word I can remember is magic. It's a good clue, but I wish it helped me more.)

Gah! Back to the drawing board...

Has this ever happened to you? It's frustrating, isn't it?

On a lighter note, this cute dog seems to be having a good dream:



Wishing you all a frustration-free Wednesday. ☺

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Exciting news!

Happy Tuesday, friends. It's another chilly day in my part of the world. How are things looking where you are?

I have some news I can't wait to share! Today I'm honored to help with fellow blogger Tara Tyler's cover reveal. Tara was among my first blogging friends and is one of the most positive, upbeat people I know. I'm so excited about her first book!

Without further ado, here's Tara's amazing cover:

POP TRAVEL by Tara Tyler
Release date: July 7, 2013
Publisher: Curiosity Quills

Blurb:

Private Investigator J. L. Cooper always knew pop travel laser teleportation was too good to be true. Finding video proof of a disintegrating traveler is the stomach turning “I told you so.”
 
Not bothering to upload the video to the nosy, government monitored Qnet, Cooper digs around, bringing the death of his client and threats to his political little brother, who is in jeopardy of turning to dust anyway for disregarding Cooper’s warnings not to pop. Cooper has to do everything himself.
 
If he survives his first pop, Cooper won’t let anything distract him from getting the job done. Not the android security guards, the constant surveillance, or even Southern Comfort in a purple dress, Geri Harper. Nothing Coop can’t handle.


Author Bio:

Math teacher by day, sports mom by night,
When does she have time to write?

Good question, but the Lazy Housewife makes time! Tara Tyler writes sci fi, thriller, and fantasy, with dabs of romance and humor and tips for efficient living. Something for everyone.
 

Many thanks to Tara for allowing me to be a part of the excitement. ☺

Wishing you all a happy Tuesday.

Monday, May 13, 2013

We all contribute a verse

Happy Monday!

I've mentioned before that one of my all-time favorite movies is Dead Poets Society. I've always thought that the scene in which Mr. Keating (quoting poet Walt Whitman) explains the importance of poetry is one of the best in the film. He says we read and write poetry because we are members of the human race; because life exists; because life's powerful play goes on, and we all contribute a verse. Keating's question at the end of the scene is a good one for all of us: What will your verse be?



Wishing you all a beautiful Monday. ☺

Sunday, May 12, 2013

For all the moms

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a song that I think says a lot about what it means to be a mom. Enjoy—and have a wonderful day!


(Lyrics here.)

Friday, May 10, 2013

Friday fun

Happy Friday, friends!

I hope today's funnies help get your weekend off to a good start. Enjoy!


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Whatever your plans, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

 
"Now that lilacs are in bloom
She has a bowl of lilacs in her room..."
 
Wishing you all a beautiful Wednesday. ☺
 
 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Our World Tuesday

It's time once again for Our World Tuesday, a weekly meme that encourages bloggers to share images of their world. It's a great way to get a glimpse of life through the eyes of others! You can find out more about it here. Even if you don't participate, I encourage you to take a look at the intriguing photos that bloggers from around the world share each week.
* * * * * * * * * *
I took these photos in my front yard yesterday afternoon. I love the vibrancy of spring! It's a time of hope and new beginnings, and it has always been one of my favorite seasons.
 
"Spring is when life's alive in everything."
 
Wishing you all a beautiful Tuesday. ☺
 
 

Monday, May 6, 2013

Subtlety

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share another video from poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis. In this spoken word performance, Davis tells why she feels we should never repress our true selves. "Subtlety," she says, "is just never gonna be my specialty"—and perhaps it shouldn't be ours, either. Tanya's words not only inspire me but put me in the mood to create. I hope you find some inspiration in this video as well.



Wishing you all a beautiful and creative Monday. ☺

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday inspiration

Happy Sunday, friends!

Today's inspiration comes from spray paint artist Brandon McConnell. He creates his paintings in one minute or less—something you need to see to believe. For more information on McConnell and to check out more of his art, visit his Web site, found here.



Wishing you all an inspiring Sunday. ☺

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Six-word Saturday


Looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

In April, I participated in two writing challenges—the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and the Pulitzer Remix. For the A to Z Challenge, I had to write twenty-six alphabet-themed blog posts, and for the Pulitzer Remix, I was required to write one found poem per day from John Updike's Rabbit is Rich
 
Although I'm now exhausted, I had a wonderful time with both challenges! This was my second year participating in the A to Z, which is a great way to meet and interact with other bloggers. The Pulitzer Remix was a new project and a lot of fun, and I feel honored to be among the eighty-five poets asked to participate.
 
This weekend, though, I think I need a little rest. I pulled more than a few all-nighters last month, so I'm looking forward to relaxing and enjoying this gorgeous sunny weekend with my family.
 
How about you? What are your plans for the weekend?
 
 
Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday. ☺
 
 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, friends!
 
Look what I found in my front yard yesterday afternoon. Spring is really here!


Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday. ☺