This month’s theme is
bragging, ah, er, I mean, telling all of you the three things that I think are
my strengths or things I do well.
That’s a hard one.
Because, even though there are certain things I love to do, I never feel as
though I am great at any of them. But I have to admit, maybe I am good at some
of them. And at the same time, always trying to improve.
The obvious is I am
good, getting better, but not a star, at writing. I have practiced a lot since I
was a kid. My freshman year at a new high school, my teacher submitted a story
I had written from a child’s point-of-view, about his little red wagon. It
ended up in the school’s quarterly literary magazine. I wanted to run and hide, because
I thought people would think I had a childish mind. I survived the ordeal—which
wasn’t the ordeal my imagination thought it would be.
 |
| My three grandsons, who are all in high school now! |
My first-year college
English professor “kicked me out” of the required grammar class, because I
already knew “that stuff.” As an aside, for the few weeks I was in his class, he also drilled in the use of the
Oxford comma. When I went back to finish my degree fifteen years later after
marriage and kids, my professors in various disciplines, asked me where I
learned to write. So, I offer many thanks to my high school English classes,
that at the time were pure torture. However, I did learn to write.
Here are two other areas
that I think I am able to achieve in.
First: Cooking—and by
that, I mean, I am able to make anything out of nothing. To me food is not only
nourishment, but inspiration. I love recipes, but I never follow them. Oh, I
try. But then I say to myself…hmmm, I bet if I add this or that, this recipe
will be better. Or I look in the fridge and groan, because I haven’t been to
the grocery store lately, and I make up a recipe out of anything that is still
useable in the fridge. Or I scan the cupboards. I mix and match and add a
tidbit of this and a spoonful of that, and a shake of something else.
I have my maternal grandmother and both my parents to thank for showing me how it's done in the kitchen. Use up leftovers in inventive ways. Never let anything go to waste. And always have enough wine - whoops - channeling my dad. Here's to you, Dad, as I hold up my stemmed glass toward the heavens.
I do the same thing in
the grocery store since my list says bread, meat, fish, veggies, salad stuff,
soup, etc. I have to feel “in the mood.” Today the butternut squash calls to
me. Next time it might be broccoli or turnip or beets or avocado. And then as I
wander the isles, or survey the meat and fish displays, or check out cheeses I
have never tried, I devise my menus for the next few days. Okay, so I may be
one of the few who love to grocery shop, and I especially love to wander the
farmers market, where each week the offerings are different, depending on
harvest times. My brain snaps into creative cooking mode.
 |
| Living in Maine – lobster, a favorite ingredient in a meal |
The second other thing I am
good at is TALKING. I can hear the groan from the peanut gallery of those who
know me well. Yup—she talks ALL THE TIME. I love to talk with friends. But I
also chat up the store clerk or cashier, anyone in line with me, or anyone
searching for the same item in a store. But that love of chat came in handy in
my chosen, and not-so-chosen, careers and jobs in hospitality, retail, event planning,
government, non-profits, etc. In those jobs it’s a requirement to speak to
strangers.
And out of that type of
work, I also became good at being a connector of people.
One example is that
during 9/11, I worked in a school in Washington, D.C. It was also my alma
mater. We had alumni all over the country, as well as living overseas. I
received many calls from people worried about their former classmates in D.C.
and N.Y.C. I also heard from many in those affected areas reporting in. I
became a conduit between friends.
Part of my job was organizing
gatherings for alumni all over the country. That included finding venues and
caterers, plus programming for each event. That might include bringing along a
beloved professor, or finding an alum in the area who had an interesting career
they could speak about, or who had authored a book. I also used to connect
alumni from different generations who had things in common—like similar jobs,
lived in the same area, or had the same interests. Or those alumni who were
looking for jobs and those who might be mentors in that search.
Working in non-profits
and alumni relations, connecting like-minded people to resources, job
opportunities, or other people who like the same things or are in similar
careers, becomes a given. And now, with a network of writers all over the
country, it is fun to connect other writers to resources, or authors who write
in similar genres, or have areas of expertise needed by that author.
And…luckily, they do the same for me. Writing romance is one of my joys in
life. And with that goes staying in touch with my good friends, and connecting
with authors who may have advice to help me on my journey.
It’s all about the networking,
no matter whether it is a job search, connecting with people who have similar
interests, jobs, or hobbies, or a simple helpful gesture guiding a lost shopper
in the direction of the aisle filled with ice cream. So put on that bright
smile and connect. You might be surprised at how much fun it is, even when you
know you may never cross paths with that person again.
What
is something you think you do well?
And why do you believe you do this item well?
Check
out Starlight Grille
Welcome
to Serenity Harbor, Maine, a small coastal town where the Starlight Grille is a
favorite meeting place. This sweet, with a touch of heat, 3-book collection
includes a new bonus short story and a Starlight Grille recipe.
Amazon(also in print)
Booksto Read
~
cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Delsora Lowe writes small town and contemporary
western sweet and spicy romances, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores
of New England.
Author of the Starlight Grille
series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short
romances for Woman’s World magazine
(most recently, an Easter romance in the April 1, 2024 edition.) The Love
Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella with Book 2 on the way.
A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday
Hitchhiker – the youngest brother of the Mineral Spring’s ranching family)
were the most recent releases. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well
as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, coming soon.
Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/
Photo Credits:
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