I feel alive, like an engine roaring and ready to go.
What’s your mood today?
Melinda
Category: Fun
#Weekend Music Share-Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting (Official Music Video)
Right here waiting for you, a song that pulls on my heartstrings every time. What a voice Richard has.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Wordless Wednesday-Fall Decorations
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
From Family Cookbook-Pecan Pie
The Family Cookbook contains recipes my Grandparents used and the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like dumplings and pecan pie.
What You Need
1/4 ts. vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 tbs. flour
1/2 stick butter or margarine
3/4 cup white Karo
1 cup pecan’s chopped
How To Make
Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust
Add filling
Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour
In a bowl add together all of the ingredients except for chopped pecans. Let the butter/margarine get soft before adding.
Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust
Add filling
Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour
Since these are family recipes the complete cooking instructions are missing because they knew from memory. My Gramps was the master of Pecan Pies in our family.
I’ve made this Pecan Pie so many times, it’s easy and delicious.
This is a great pie year-round but at holidays, it was always on the table.
Melinda
It’s Alive!
I wrote You Know It’s Crazy When about discovering a plant I had nursed for a couple of years was actually an artificial plant. Well, it’s alive! I stopped watering for a couple of weeks, and the leaves started turning yellow and falling off. I’m completely stumped at this point. I started watering again and decided to replant; surely, it was root-bound. Not so fast, when I removed the plant it had a small root ball and two dead pieces of roots below.
I have no idea why it was not growing. From live plant to artificial plant and back to live plant, it can’t make up its mind.
Melinda
Steps To Creating A Self-Care Routine
Self-care is a reliable path to ensure a clean bill of health. Unfortunately, few people make time to commit to self-care routines. It may not entirely be their fault, especially as people juggle several responsibilities simultaneously. However, those who commit to the routine spend an average of forty-two minutes weekly to attend to themselves. It may not sound good enough, but it’s better than nothing. Fortunately, if you find yourself looking for ways to establish a self-care routine, here are things to consider.
Determine what makes you feel centered
People attend to their self-care routines in different ways. For this reason, what may suit one person may not be a perfect fit for others. Usually, the tricky part is starting with the routine and following through with it. However, things can move along smoothly when you get the hang of it. This is why it is important to first identify what makes you feel centered. In all instances, it would be helpful if the things which make you feel centered are positive reinforcements.
On the other hand, if you have trouble with these habits, it can be beneficial to visit https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/texas/del-rio, which specializes in helping individuals deal with behavioral issues. Once you determine these things, you can establish a routine you can stick to without bailing out. Remember that your efforts in creating a self-care routine should feel comfortable for you. That way, you always look forward to it instead of attempting to find excuses for why you don’t want to.
Make time for the routine
One significant reason people fail to maintain their self-care routines is the inability to set specific times for it. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that scheduling plays a significant role in the success of a self-care routine. Setting a time for it also indicates your discipline to the task at hand. Once you understand this fundamental, it becomes easier to run with it.
Set goals
What is the purpose of a long-term activity without a goal? It is the prize you set your eyes on as you work tirelessly towards it. It is the same when creating a self-care routine. In this instance, your goal is to have your physical, mental, and emotional well-being working in harmony. These three elements form the foundation for a perfect balance in your body. Therefore, your goal can be to live a life devoid of avoidable ill health, and that is possible, all things being equal.
Remain positive-minded
Staying positive-minded relies heavily on being mentally and emotionally optimistic. In other words, even though you acknowledge the presence of negatives, you deliberately choose to focus only on the positive things in life. Indeed, there is truth in the saying that your thoughts can define your well-being. It would help to keep in mind that your level of positive-mindedness can directly influence the outcome of your self-care routines.
To conclude, there are many benefits to establishing a self-care routine. Apart from the obvious positive impact on your health, it can boost your confidence and self-worth.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-The Rusty Ruin Journal
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog The Rusty Ruin Journal. Steve’s blog is addictive if you’re into photography and learning about the cameras he uses. His posts are informative and I appreciate him for often taking several photos of the same item in another view. Steve’s use of color grabs you and pulls you right in.
The Rusty Ruin Journal
My name is Steve and I and my family live in South Australia. Yes, it’s a long way from many places and there’s so much beautiful scenery to photograph. We like to travel, hike, and see the sights. I have too many cameras to mention, both digital and film; also, too many books on the shelf; and boardgames aplenty that are often played with friends. In between work and family, I try to squeeze in a range of other interests apart from photography, including making music, painting, and writing. Honestly, I never thought I could do any of those things until I decided to stop telling the same self-limiting stories about myself. It was then that I picked up a big camera and taught myself how to use it. I decided that being creative wasn’t about being the best, but about expressing oneself without judgment, ego, or fear. It’s wise to remind myself of that as often as I can.
I asked Steve three questions you will find interesting.
M. How old were you when you took your first photo and what was the photo of?
S. Hmmm, that’s a tough question! I grew up with film but I never had the money for big and expensive cameras. My family were never into photography and our little cheap cameras only came out on special occasions. I’d have made a few casual photos back then, I’m sure, but the first photo I remember making where I was really interested in the framing and composition was of the Pink Sand Dunes in California. I think I was 26 or 27 at the time.
M. Do you display your photos in the house, or elsewhere and what does your family think about your hobby?
S. Actually, most of the things on our walls are my paintings! Of course, we have family photos framed and on display too. I’ve sold a few paintings and photos over the years but I’ve not had any photos framed properly and on display. I should probably fix that, but I never put my ego into my photos so it doesn’t bother me not to see them everywhere. I think my family are likely a bit jaded by all the camera gear I have spilling out from shelves and boxes…haha! There’s a bit of a running joke amongst family and friends that I tend to stop at every patch of rust and get the camera out because I find it interesting, hence the name of the blog. I can’t deny that I like texture, colour, and abstraction!
M. What are your favorite posts and why?
S.
https://rustyruin.blog/2024/08/10/rubble-and-ruin-on-the-side-of-the-road/ – Apart from the fact that I really like ruins, this post also includes one of my favourite ever poems.
https://rustyruin.blog/2024/08/27/ruins-marketing-and-megapixels/ – I think that sometimes people get too obsessed with gear and the latest and greatest and I question that idea in this post. The post also contains photos of lovely rust…haha! 🙂
I enjoyed this recent post called Red paint and contemplation.
For me, photography is about connection with the subject, the environment, and why it caught my eye in the first place. I take plenty of photos of flowers and plants but that is not the type of photography I’m talking about. Like the most recent photos of art from The Mayo Clinic, there was a connection, and they pulled me in. Steve also has connections by being in the moment outside of taking photos. He takes in the environment and appreciates the scenery around him.
Be sure to stop by Steve’s blog, The Rust Ruin Journal, say hello, pull up a chair, and dig into his posts. You will get hooked as I did.
Melinda
From Family Cookbook- Pralenes
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Gramps & Granny used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
What You Need
1/4 cup water
2 cups light brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups pecans
How To Make
Boil water and ingredients and boil for 5 more minutes
Take off stove
Beat for one minute
Drop on wax paper or foil and cool
Remove after it hardens
These are out of this world! We all looked forward to her Pralenes.
Melinda
Repost
Let’s Celebrate The Day of the Dead
I learned what The Day of the Dead meant by spending time in the New Orleans markets admiring the vignettes. It’s a huge celebration with family and friends welcoming back the souls of the dead.
According to History.com
The roots of the Day of the Dead, celebrated in contemporary Mexico and among those of Mexican heritage in the United States and around the world, go back some 3,000 years, to the rituals honoring the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The Aztecs and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico held a cyclical view of the universe, and saw death as an integral, ever-present part of life.
During contemporary Day of the Dead festivities, people commonly wear skull masks and eat sugar candy molded into the shape of skulls. The pan de ánimas of All Souls Day rituals in Spain is reflected in pan de muerto, the traditional sweet baked good of Day of the Dead celebrations today. Other food and drink associated with the holiday, but consumed year-round as well, include spicy dark chocolate and the corn-based drink called atole. You can wish someone a happy Day of the Dead by saying, “Feliz día de los Muertos.”
The Day of the Dead celebration sounds very interesting, having the soul of a loved one appear could be life-changing.
Enjoy the celebration!
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Paula Abdul – Cold Hearted (Official Music Video)
Paula is so talented, she sings, dances, choreographs, and was even an NFL Cheerleader Coach. She’s her own person and although she may not be very tall, no one is going to walk over her.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Sending A Special Thank You To-Cook Islands, Finland, Faroe Islands, Bangladesh, And Luxembourg
Thank you for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate you stopping by. I hope you found a post or two you could relate to and will return soon. I have not been to your home countries, but they are all on my bucket list.
I’m sending you and your family well wishes for health and happiness.
Take good care. :)
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday-Purple
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Have a great day.
Melinda
Friday Quote
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight (Official Video)
The lead singer has a great voice, love that special twang he does. The video looks like a ton of fun and half orgy. What do you think?
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Wordless Wednesday-The Three Amigos
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
I didn’t collect Beanie Baby’s when they came out but lately, they have provided me with comfort. From left to right, Ombre, Torty, and Chewy.
I’m not sure I’ll buy more but never say never!
Melinda
Good Times On The Highway To Hell Part 6
My Wild Journey
I always wanted everything my Gramps had, so when I was still in the bottle, he put a small amount of coffee in it. I slurped with joy and still do.
In high school, I was not interested in being popular or joining a sorority but somehow, I got talked into rushing for a sorority. During rush week we had to go a week without washing our hair. It nearly killed me, but one night we all spent the night at the so-called leader’s house and it was the last straw for me. They spent the night talking about their boyfriends, drinking, sex, and how they were popular at school. I couldn’t care less and left and turned the page on that experience.
I was naive in high school, thinking the cheerleaders were all goody-two-shoes and virgins. Not so much! One night while hanging out at the library, our hang spot, a cheerleader I only knew from class asked me if I would drive her around to smoke a joint. SURE! I hadn’t smoked a joint in years. We parked not far from the library and stoked away, the whole time she talked about how all her boyfriend wanted was sex. Sex and smoking a joint, wow my eyes were opened.
The high school football quarterback wouldn’t even speak to me, I was friends with almost everyone but not him. He was above mere mortals. At the 20-year high school reunion, I looked very different than in high school and all he wanted to do was dance and get me to leave with him. It was funny. I was there with my future husband. Men tend to think with the wrong head.
I’m keeping this post short since the other topics were too heavy for this one. You can look forward to topics like agoraphobia, dementia, driving my husband’s truck the size of an aircraft carrier, and forgetting how to drive.
Melinda
Good Times On The Highway To Hell Part 5
Blogger Highlight-Essence of Me
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series. I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their blog with you. This week, we highlight the blog Essence of Me. I only started following Jeiyanni in September and we struck up a conversation and I felt a connection to her. I think part of the reason is her personality, she’s positive but realistic, ambitious but knows she’s on the ground floor in her career and has big goals. She accomplished so much for her younger age and that tells me shows going straight up. She is a hard-working woman who graduated from Columbia and as she builds her career she works part-time at TJ Maxx and part-time teaching an after-school program.
Essence of Me
I write because I have an overwhelming desire to immortalize whatever happens, or could possibly happen, onto the page. The act of writing is like a release, a form of physical therapy. I realize that one of the most prominent themes in my work is the idea of complex human emotions, circumstances, words, and actions. With my writing I feel that it is my duty to express all the things that are interesting, confusing, and difficult. I use my point of view to display a unique perspective in my pieces and characters. Overall, I just want to showcase the realities of people and human-to-human connection. I want to focus in on specific point-of-views of different characters- who’s the current main character of the story, and why do we care about their particular situation?
In this blog, you can find any and everything that embodies the essence of who I am. That includes thoughts, beliefs, pictures, pieces of writing, analytical essays, etc. If you’re interested in who I am as a person and a writer, I hope you’ll embark on this wonderful journey with me.
Ta-ta for now!
-Jeiyanni
I asked Jeiyanni a couple of questions:
M. What made you pursue a career in writing and why Columbia?
J. I think I just believed that since writing was my passion, that was what I should be doing with my life. My wish was (and still is) to be an author. So I went to Columbia College Chicago because it was a liberal arts school that was geared towards what I wanted to do in life. Because I don’t want to necessarily just be an author, but I also want to do different types of writing as well.
M. You started writing a young age, what was the draw to writing and what did you write about?
J. Initially I was drawn to writing in the second grade when I was talking crap about some classmates I didn’t like in my Winnie the Pooh journal 😆 but Idk, I think I just enjoyed that medium of being able to express myself and thus my passion for writing stories blossomed as well. But when I was younger, I would write stories on whatever topics came to mind from my little elementary school world. For example, some short books I wrote as a young child were “Granny’s Burgers” and “How to Avoid Arguments” lol.
The first post we first connected over
We all feel hopeless at times throughout our lives, it is a natural part of growing but it’s a tad bit better if we have someone who understands and is in our corner. I think you will relate to her feelings on that day. Second-guessing ourselves is also a part of being young with so many directions and goals in front of us.
Be sure to stop by, say hello to Jeiyanni, pull up a chair, and stay awhile. Her personality will pull you in!
Melinda
More Awesome Art From The Mayo
One of the greatest things about The Mayo Clinic’s awesome artwork collection is that it’s all donated by families or artists. Every possible type of art you can imagine is on display, and unfortunately, I could only capture a few. My husband took a few photos and I hope to provide them as well. The architecture in Rochester is very diverse so walking is a great way to capture great photos. There are many skyscrapers in the downtown area so catching a glimpse of them from an adjacent building with windows you can access is the perfect way to get a great shoot.
Even the lighting looks like art.
Melinda
I’ve Tweeked My About Me Page, Please Have a Look And Let Me Know Your Thoughts
I get bored easily so I work hard at keeping my content fresh and up-to-date. Most of the changes are esthetic but I think they add some flair into who the person behind the words are. Please check out the updated page and share the good, bad, and ugly, I can take it.
About Me
I want to take one minute to thank all that have stopped by my blog over the years, left comments, the good conversations we’ve had, what we’ve learned from each other, and most importantly your friendship. The past 24 years of my life has been a learning journey, full of ups and downs but many of you have been there throughout the years and I send a special hug to you.
If you think something is missing in my description of my blog or about myself, please let me know that as well, that’s important information to have.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. What a ride it’s been.
Melinda
Huge Glass Art Installation At The Mayo Clinic
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-R.E.M. – Everybody Hurts (Official HD Music Video)
The lyrics are something everyone can relate to, some more than others but we’ve all been hurt. Great music compilation.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Beautiful Art From The Mayo
Mind-blowing! I can’t even fathom the hours spent making the installation and the hours and people if took to install it. It’s breathtaking.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday-Dragon Flies
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
This is a beautiful piece of handmade leaded glass of Dragon Flies. The first photo is hard to see becaue it mosted coved by a tree outside my office window but as you look to the sides of the galls the colors shine through. Seeing Dragon Flies always make me smile.
Melinda
Good Morning From Rochester, Minnesota
We landed last night with just enough light to find our car and head to Trader Joe’s for some goodies. We grabbed some dinner there so all we had to do was bring half a ton of luggage into the room and eat. My husband was happy because a college football game was on. After watching for a few minutes, I laid down to rest after an exhausting day at airports, walking and pulling luggage.
It’s very chilly here compared to home so I’m glad I brought my extra warm clothes. We’ve slept in this morning and plan to head out to see a few sites. I don’t know everywhere we’re going but I have the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the top of my list. I like to pay my respect when I travel, that’s the very least I can do.
Tomorrow is Columbus Day and a holiday for many, I will write a post about it this afternoon. We have free days until Tuesday and then it’s off to The Mayo for meetings with doctors, getting blood work, testing, and leaving with a diagnosis.
Have a great day.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Robert Plant’s The Honeydrippers ‘Sea of Love’ (Official Music Video)
What a great love song and coming from Robert Plant’s mouth is even better.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Wordless Wednesday-Vibrant Orange
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
I shop at a store on Amazon and sometimes they run off-the-cuff crazy steals, I bought this ceramic vase for $5! The fake flowers cost more. I love the bright and dark orange color combination.
Melinda
Just Because It’s Tuesday! Keb Mo.-Put A Woman In Charge
This request came from my husband, I was quite shocked considering he’s never sent a request. I can’t wait to see the video. Thanks, Honey.
This is a great song, and Keb Mo has a beautiful voice.
Keb Mo. Homer, NY. 7/29/24. Put A Woman In Charge
Keb’s personality shines through, and my husband says all of his music is like that. I’ll be checking out more of his music.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom
Pardon the mess WordPress made out of the alignment. It looks fine in Editor but when reviewed it’s a complete mess. No surprise. Let’s put the frustration aside and enjoy reading about Ilze’s blog.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom. Ilze and I haven’t followed each other long but you would never know it. We became fast friends and now we talk almost every day. She is inspirational, logical with a touch of whimsy, and I can’t forget to say what a great photographer she is.
A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom
by Ilze
Hello! I’m Ilze, a mom of three wonderful kids who arrived in quick succession. This beautiful chaos led me to step away from my IT career to embrace motherhood fully.
Before becoming a mom, I built a career in IT, earning degrees in Programming and Computer Science. Almost two years ago, I accepted a position at a dream company after months of consideration, and I haven’t looked back since!
My blogging journey began with greeting card making, which eventually led to opening a photo studio to spend more time with my family. However, I soon realized I needed a change and discovered my love for making beeswax candles, experimenting with sweet aromas like green tea and lemon.
A couple of recent posts I particularly enjoyed:
Sunday: Finding the Light in One of Many Tunnels
One thing I admire about Ilze is she can multitask until bone tired and still find humor in the day. What a blessing. The greatest lesson I took away from the posts is there is Physics to everything and life is how we look at it. This is a photo of her husband on a Zoom call with colleagues in Canada while he’s holding the water over the outdoor shower so Ilze can take her shower. Life can’t get much funnier!
Ilze is a devoted cook and has an archive full of delicious recipes to try your hand at. I saw this post and had to stop, drool, and think of how good it tasted. As my backing skills improve I will definitely try this cake. She has the ingredients and instructions laid out nicely so it is easy to follow.
I asked Ilze two questions:
What type of music she likes, why, and how has it changed her life? Her reply.
A song that’s close to me is “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. There’s something so powerful and soulful about the way she sings it. The song reminds me of the importance of authenticity and emotional connection, both in my personal life and in my work. It’s uplifting and grounding at the same time, and it always inspires me to embrace who I am and what I do. What a great song of liberty!
Aretha Franklin – (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
The second question:
Tell me about your favorite job and what she learned from it, here’s her reply.
My favorite job is the one I’m currently in, which I started almost two years ago in client support. I enjoy it because it challenges me to think creatively and come up with solutions that aren’t always straightforward. I work with managers and stakeholders, helping them use the report-managing app eazyBI, which is a rewarding experience. What I’ve learned most from this job is how to assist with different management questions and how to build reports that are valuable for decision-making. Even when the work becomes overwhelming, I’m fortunate to have a great mentor and a supportive team, which has taught me the importance of collaboration and asking for guidance when needed.
Ilze is a multitasker to the nth degree, and she does it effortlessly, always with a good sense of humor, grounded in nature, and good manners, and being kind to all is not act! In her career, she’s been a professional photographer, had her own studio, and loves working in IT.
You are short-changing yourself if you don’t stop by and say hello, you’ll make a fast friend and her archives are a walk through nature, life, cooking, foraging, and remodeling an 1880 derelict house by hand.
Melinda
Sending A Special Thank You To Fiji, Latvia, Samoa, Peru, China and Ukraine
Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me into your life, your time here makes me smile. I set a goal to travel the world when I was a child and get the chance through your visit. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to read a post or two and hope you’ve found something that resonates with you. I have not had a chance to visit your home country yet but it’s on my bucket list.
I’ve recently struck up a friendship with a woman in Latvia, and she has shared incredible photos of the countryside which gives me a taste of where she lives. You can find Ilze at A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom. Yesterday I wrote a special post of support for Ukraine, you can find it here.
I look forward to seeing you again soon and please take good care of yourself in the meantime.
Melinda
#Weekend Music Share-Bad English – When I See You Smile
When I see you smile, I can do anything!
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
lookingforthelight.blog 