Blogging

I read an article in ByLine magazine titled "To Blog or Not to Blog" by Jodi Forschmiedt that caused a light to go off in my brain. She stated that blogging helped her find her voice. She says that after blogging for several months, she discovered that she has a pattern to her writing and her style is evolving. So, I thought that perhaps I will find my writing voice while I blog.

People who do not write or enjoy talking--like my husband--may wonder what Jodi and I mean when we say that we need to find our voice. Afterall, my voice is just fine. My husband hears me when I call him to dinner, or yell at the kids, or repeat something over and over again until he responds one way or another. As a matter of fact, he'd probably be happy if I had lost my voice. But that's not what I mean.

As a novice writer, I've wondered how to find my unique writer's voice. I want to write articles and stories that my reader will understand, enjoy, and recognize as my signature or voice. So, my new goal for this blog is to write about something at least twice a week in such a way that, upon rereading after several months, I will find a pattern that will become my voice.

Contest

I am in charge of the South Florida Writer's Contest. Although I have done everything I can think of to get it publicized, it just hasn't produced many results yet. I'm glad it's not my money I have to give as prizes. Our treasurer told me that we have enough money in the kitty to pay for this year, but we really should have received more entries and fees. Actually, very few of the members of our writing group submitted this year. I think that people are just lazy. I really think everyone in our group should have submitted something.

I do know that the Herald has not placed our ad in the paper. They did last year and I received many calls from that ad. I sent the calendar ad several times over the past three months and have not received even a hint that it was received or why it was not put in the paper. We've received entries from Montana, Washington, Pennsylvania, and other states. I have not seen the ad we placed in the Writer. I have seen the one in ByLine. I've put notices on the web at different writing sites.

I'm disappointed, but I am not taking it as my fault. I've decided that the contest and actually the group is not something I need to fret about. It isn't important enough to me to get upset over. When this contest thing is over, I will not volunteer any more. Someone else can take over.

Besides, I want to write my own stories and try for publication. I don't have time when I have so many other volunteer activities. I'm the only member who cannot submit to the contest because if I should win the contest will look crooked. It is not. We are very legitimate.

My projects

• complete writing for children class*14#15
• complete journaling class*15#16
• complete travel writing class*16#17
• work on thirty years of pictures to place in scrapbooks*3#18
• reread and write my journals in creative nonfiction*17#19
• play with my grandchildren*19#14
• knit*18#20
• finish my latch hook rugs*13#21
• finish putting my family videos into DVD format*5#22
• read books*2#23
• teach Sunday School*20#24
• work on the writers contest*12#3
• work on the membership for our writers group*11#4
• continually call Mother and Daddy and help them *22#2
• exercise*10#8
• Lose weight--about 60 pounds*9#7
• cook, clean, wash, drive, shop,*8 #10
• be sure my health is good--doctors visits etc.*7#9
• make time for friends like Charlene, Emily, Louise. *6#13
• make time for Joel and children and their families *1 #1
• travel with Joel*4#12

Of these things what do I enjoy the most? Put a *.

Of these things in what order must they be done? #.

Apparently I want to make more time for Joel and the children and their families. My numbers are all mixed up.

Dishwashes

My dishwasher died. Brands Mart has a kitcheaid dishwasher for $718.00. I doubt that Joel will want to pay that much for a dishwasher. I like it though. It has stainless steel inside that causes it to be nearly noiseless. The bottom rack can be arranged differently. It's the top of any line. It's probably more that we need, but I think I want it. I went to Sears to compare. There is a machine there that is comparable but costs more. Actually, I'll show these to Joel but as always I'll defer to him for the lesser expensive. I'd also like a new disposal. Ours is making lots of "I'm ready to conk out noise". There is one at Brands Mart that seems good, but again Joel will opt for the cheaper. It's fine. Whatever he wants is fine. I need to call the Sears place. Our heating element on the dryer is not working well. I want it replace, but I don't want a new dryer. Ours is fine. The washer and dryer are fine. Heck, once Joel sees the price of the dishwashers we'll probably just get the one we have fixed. It's bound to be cheaper than buying the one I want!

Bleachers

Bleachers, a fast-paced book by John Grisham, shows how reminiscing and listening to the play-by-play of past games can make grown men ignore their hurt knees and wish for one more chance at the gridiron. This is particularly true for Neely Crenshaw, possibly the best quarterback to play for the Messina Spartans. Its been fifteen years since those glory days, and Neely has returned to bury couch Eddie Rake. Memories flood back to Neely as he drives through the small town where every store displays the game schedule and no other activity occurs on Friday nights. Every Spartan, spanning from as far back as forty years when it all began, waits for the dimming of the lights on Rake Field. Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers reliving past glories trying to decide whether they love or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw, a man who must forgive both his couch and himself, the stakes are especially high. Bleachers is a love story between a game and man with twists and turns that appeal to both female and male readers. John Grisham has done it again.

Bleachers. John Grisham. Random House Inc. October 2003

Today's News

While eating my chalk flavored carb smart Dannon yogurt, I perused this morning's Miami Herald. First I found the Tropical Life section and read chapter 3 of the "Read2Me" section.

When I first noticed this new (well, I'm told it's actually a new again section) I was pleased that the Herald had at least one page I'd let my children or elementary aged students read. Now I'm hooked. This time the exertps are from a juvenile book titled SCREAMING MUMMIES OF THE PHAROAH'S TOMB II by James Howe.

Next I searched through the Metro & State section just in case there was something of interest. I looked at the pictures, read the headlines and then action line. It's nice to know there are swmming lessons for toddlers this summer.

Last I scanned the Miami Herald main section where Michael Jackson't picture held center stage. Sad to say, I read that article. This freak/man needs help! I don't know if he molested the boy, or any other for that matter. All I know is what I see which is run by the media.

When I was a girl, I enjoyed watching and listening to the Jackson Five. I liked hearing them sing and thought that little Michael Jackson was cute and talented. Then I grew up. I'm not into judging people for their taste in music or dance. I don't listen to or watch his style of entertainment. I do have concern for the three children he claims to have fathered--you know the little white boys (the ones he drags around under paper sacks and holds over railings).

Seeing nothing else that I wanted to spend my time reading, I put the sports, business, and advertisement sections on the chair where we collect papers for recycling. Tomorrow morning I'll do the same while eating breakfast. I only have about 15 minutes for this activity, so I'm glad when there's not a whole lot I want to read.

MS fatigue

Of all the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, fatigue is, for me, the most debilitating and the most misunderstood. At times, after a good night's sleep, I can barely pull myself out of bed. There are days when I drag around with no energy available for any activity. If I were in a wheelchair, I would accept this better, but my legs still work--just not quickly and not all the time. Fatigue is my silent and invisible nemesis. An article in the Multiple Sclerosis quarterly report (Volume 24, Number 2, Summer 2005) written by Sandra Schmidt Leach, BSM, MA, and Denise Campognota, MD, MS, explains today's understanding of this familiar culprit, and outlines various strategies we can use in dealing with it.

I am one of the 75-90 % of MS sufferers who continues to experience the debilitating effects of fatigue. Fatigue, more than being tired, is defined as a state with reduced capacity for work following a period of mental or physical activity. It quickly upgrades to exhaustion. Fatigue in MS is easily confused with other symptoms of MS, like weakness, spasticity, cognitive impairment, and depression. In my experience MS fatigue causes these other symptoms. Since it is difficult for people who do not suffer with MS to understand this very different type of fatigue, there are specific distinguishing characteristics. MS fatigue worsens in heat. It prevents sustained physical functioning. It comes on easily and without warning. Fatigue interferes with responsibilities, and causes frequent other problems such as cognitive impairment. For me, fatigue caused by MS is like moving through a strong ocean current. An effort is made with every step. Often I simply stop, hold my arms out perpendicular to the ground regaining my balance, and then mentally will each foot into movement.

How can those of us who experience this symptom better deal with it? The authors share different self care strategies that I use. Even when I feel well, I use my handicapped parking sticker and the electric cart supplied by stores. Often I take my rollader walker from the truck of my car for use whenever I'm at the mall. I sit when dressing and folding laundry. I use the microwave, rather than the oven, and prepare meals as easily and quickly as possible. Sometimes I use paper plates to avoid washing dishes. Pushing the vacuum is difficult, so I have hired a cleaning service, but if that is not possible I rest every few minutes between chores.

I have found that fatigue affects my driving. Therefore, I only drive when I am rested and for short periods of time. The car seat and mirrors need to be in the proper adjustment and the air conditioner on at all times. Setting priorities is most important for anyone who suffers with any illness. Occupational therapists can evaluate and share new methods for each individual case.

Even though, I know that this MS fatigue is not my fault, I sometimes wonder if I'm just lazy, using my condition to avoid work. What is it about Multiple Sclerosis that causes this sever tiredness? No one knows. The best we can do right now is to admit the reality of this symptom, change what we can to make our lives easier, and maintain a positive attitude.

So, is there a magic pill, diet, or exercise plan that can help? Yes and no. Nothing will cure Multiple Sclerosis, but a healthy life style helps. Several years ago, the FDA approved the drug Provigil for use in people who suffer with Narcolepsy, so MS doctors prescribed it for their patients. I find that it does help. I also drink lots of caffeine and eat chocolate, but those are not accepted scientific means of dealing with MS fatigue. I do what I can.

Daughter's Guilt

I read a book recently that explained why some mothers use guilt to control their daughters. My mother is a pro. This morning, a nurse at the hospital where Mother had her operation, called to ask my help deciding which rehab facility my mother would like. I sighed and said that I made no decisions for Mother. She insists on making her own. The nurse thought I lived in the same town, but I'm five hours away. When I called Mother, I gave her ideas on which rehab place she might like, but she turned everything around. By the time she hung up on me (once again) she had instilled a great deal of guilt into my head. I have nothing to be guilty for! I've attempted many times since Dad's illness to help my mother, but each time she refuses what help I can give. So, why is she insisting that I "prove my love" for her because she used to call her mother and clean her mother's house? I need to take a deep breath, do only what I can, and leave the rest up to whatever power is in control of Mother's psyche--I know that she's not! Please, Lord. Remind me that guilt should never be used to control another person. Let me learn from this while dealing with my own daughter.

Colonoscopy

Peggy's Pages
Ellen Dejenerous said several weeks ago that she wants everyone to go through what she did. She had a colonoscopy. The doctor sound polyps in her colon and took them off, saving her life. I'm going to have the same procedure tomorrow. Today I must not eat, so I'm slurping grape jello and water. Around 3 my husband should be home and then I will start slurping a gallon off clear yucky stuff. Tomorrow morning, I go to Dr. Feller's place where he will stick a hose with a camera up my ass. That's a colonoscopy. Hopefully there will be no polyps, but if there are, Dr. Feller said he'll take care of them so no colon cancer for me. That's good to know. Everyone should have one of these.

Knit Wit

Peggy's Pages
When I was a young girl, I heard old people say "Don't be such a knit wit." I didn't want to be a knit wit. I'd be anything other than a knit wit. I'd be a "silly goose" before I'd ever become a "knit wit." It took many years before I actually became one--a "knit wit" that is. Evidently it's not so bad. All I had to do was put a piece of yarn around my fingers, jam a long stick in backwards under the yarn, pull it out and ... Cast on 32 stictches, then knit one row, purl one row, knit again, and purl again, and knit again, and purl again, and.............. So does it ever end? Will I ever not be a knit wit? O.K....Knit two then pull the first stitch through the second and off, keep going until all the stitches are off the stick and now I am no longer a knit wit. You silly goose!