Experience & Assumptions

 

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

We are starting a new year. It's a time of goals and resolutions. It's also true that many of us need to remember or follow through. This year instead of the usual, I use the word experience. 

I choose to experience writing about the Civil War veterans and their wives/families, who are buried in the cemeteries here in the Pikes Peak Region. This can be tricky for there are many assumptions about veterans that I will need to be aware of.

Some of those assumptions may deal with which side of the conflict they served on. So many of us make choices we may or may not regret, yet, those choices do not define us unless we let them. There are at least two who not only served with the South, but when they moved out here after the conflict, they left a positive mark on the region. Their wives, who sometimes are forgotten, will be the focus of most of these posts.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

What will be your choice of experiences in 2024? What is something that has been waiting to experience? What is holding you back?

As we head into the coming twelve months let's take joy in being alive, and follow the dreams you thought couldn't happen. They won't unless you grab hold and start in.

Wishing you all the best and enjoy those experiences. 

Amazon

Until Next Time: Stay safe, Stay happy, and Stay healthy. 

Doris

HAPPY NEW YEAR - WHAT'S NEXT?

Post by Doris McCraw aka Angela Raines

Photo property of the Author

Have you ever heard of the AdAMan club? It had its beginnings in 1922 when the "frozen five" decided to climb Pike's Peak and set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. From that first climb, they have added one person every year since. Now if you can imagine climbing from about 7000 feet to over 14,000 feet in the middle of winter carrying gear and fireworks that's what these folks do.

So, you may ask, what has this to do with 'What's Next?' It's the idea of building upon something that you have created. For many of us that is a writing career. So what are we going to be building in 2023?

New Year's is a time of resolutions, which I think are a waste of time, but people still write them down with the intent of making all these changes for the coming year. Maybe, we might want to think about taking what has worked and building upon that, much like the climb to the top of Pike's Peak in 1922.

Taking off in 2023
Photo Property of the Author

Taking a look at 2022, I spent some time with a couple of online conferences. There were online genealogy classes and other learning options. Growing that idea, I've created a 'living' document that I use to add classes, conferences, marketing options, etc. Now that it is started, I can add to it when something comes up. Once a week I look at the document to choose what I may want to add to my calendar.  

I am also all about supporting, sharing, and creating in ways that not only benefit me but also others. As we continue to carve out our careers looking at what we can do and build upon may be the best 'What's Next?'

Lastly, do I want to keep my website or transition to using a blog as a website or maybe even a Linktree option? Looks like more studying.

Of course, research, writing, and other creative endeavors will remain and grow. 

So I wish you all a wonderful 2023 and a glorious'What's Next?' 

For fun, some 'old' music as you plan your year.

Auld Lang Syne - Home Free

Let's Start the New Year Right - Bing Crosby

Happy New Year - The McGuire Sisters

Doris McCraw

Do you have a focus for 2017? by Kaye Spencer

I'm not a resolution-maker, but this year, with a gentle nudge from an author-friend who does this, I am embracing a focus word. This word will be my mantra for the year. It will be right here watching me and reminding me of how I will approach my day-to-day living demands, my publishing/writing/marketing endeavors, my personal well-being, my interactions with people, and so on.

I considered a boatload of words, not the least of which were love, hope, friendship, happiness, positivity, family, thankfulness. None of them quite hit the spot. I was looking for concrete word, a tangible word.

So, I was stewing one morning about the need to get several lingering home projects finished and that I'm sitting on previously published books that need to be republished and that I have new stories chomping at the bit to be written, and...and...and...

That's when my focus word appeared.

COMPLETE

For 2017, my focus is to tidy-up the annoying little incompletes in my life so I can focus on what I really want to complete. Finish what I start. Tie-up loose ends.

Easy peasy...I hope.

Until next time,

Kaye

Writing the West one romance upon a time
www.kayespencer.com

Valentine's Day Anthology

Available on Amazon.com

Purchase or KindleUnlimited

LETTING GO?

Post copyright Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author

What we look like when we don't follow through on resolutions?

For those few people who have read any of my posts, I'm following up on my promise of the April 1 New Year Resolutions. Here in Colorado March came in like a lamb, but went out, not like a lion, but a raging beast. Now the sun is shinning, weather is warming up and it's light much later. I've had time to think about what I want to accomplish over the next twelve months.

I usually start with my word for the year. This year it's 'clearing', letting go of all that no longer serves me. It is healthy, but can also be painful if you've put a lot of time and energy into something, but now it isn't who you need to be. Yes, it is fairly easy to let go of clothing, food, and even books. Can you let go of friends? Sometimes you have to, especially if you are doing all the giving and getting nothing in return. But be honest, do you want people in your life that fail to follow through on promises? Do you want those 'energy vampires' taking away from what brings you joy? For me, I prefer to share with those who actually appreciate who I am, what I have to offer and who enjoy my company, be it in person or online. So having explained my reasoning here are my resolutions for the next twelve months.

1. Re-evaluate how I spend my time online. Do I want to continue writing for blogs that are no longer being read and commented on? Should I continue commenting when I get no return for the time and effort?
2. Weed out the stories I have started, prioritize the ones to finish and place the others in a folder to be worked on later.
3. Continue to research and start writing more on the women doctors in Colorado prior to 1900.I have a paper, currently being written, that I will submit to the Pikes Peak Library Districts History Symposium and will present on the June 11 program, that will be streamed live world wide.
4. Make the commitment to submit at least 3 pieces of fiction for publication this year.
5. I will continue to write my haiku five days a week along with my photography.

So there you have it. My New Years resolutions that I promised on April 1.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at - http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL

http://amzn.to/1P4JVV8

One Christmas Knight

http://amzn.com/B017Z2BLH6

"A COWBOY CELEBRATION"
http://amzn.to/1GzwJhw

HOME FOR HIS HEART
http://amzn.to/1GJhpSu