What do Puzzles, Painting and Crocheting have in common?

by Diana McCollum

First off I take a break from technology. Put my phone in my purse or another room, turn off the tv and shut down the computer. 

I do put my phone in my pocket if I'm taking a walk or working in the flower bed. And I do use the computer if I'm doing a YouTube exercise or yoga video.

Sometimes I put on instrumental music. I can listen to it while I crochet, work on a puzzle or paint. Doing things with my hands such as crocheting or painting really relaxes me. 

(current puzzle I'm working on. There must be 100 pieces of just the bear, and it is hard)

I forget about my stress and concentrate on what I'm doing. Those are my three best go to relaxers.

(took some watercolor classes over the holidays)

Now I practice the tecniques at home.

Outside I enjoy going for a walk and getting some fresh air along with exercise that I do 3-4 times a week and I try to be in the moment. Watching as squirrles scurry across the sidewalk and up a tree, listen to the birds singing,  and stopping and sitting on a bench to just listen to the wind in the trees.

I'm a much happier and relaxed person when I include some of these things in my daily routine.

What is your go to relaxer?

The Month of "No."

 

Many years ago, I saw the musical, Camelot on the big screen. One of the big numbers was about "the lusty month iof May." A time whare everyone tosses self-control and does everything and anything with no regrets. It was all invigorating, and quite literally exhausting just to watch.

Every May that kind of spring fever/frenzy hits and my real life can become just as frenzied as life on the screen. 

Now, the Earth has swung half-way around its orbit. It's November 2024, the season of NO.  

No & not right now, words that help keep us from being stretched too thin. They give us time to rejuvenate our healthiest selves. Schedules are nice, but - don’t feel tied down. Learn to extricate yourself from commitments with grace. That includes saying no to good things too - even to things you want to do. Create routines that nurture you. Take any snatch of time for unwinding, rest, and rejuvenation. Renew and relax, even if you only 10-15 minutes at a time. Self care does not require a grand event, like a day at the spa. Embrace the changes that bring you joy, both big and little. Matching towels or new lingerie are small things that can make you happy.

Lean into community, the people who celebrate you. Don’t overbook activities. Don't forget that your family, especially children suffer when the adults around them are unhealthy. You are IRREPLACEABLE in your child's life, so relax and be the best you you can be!

Sometimes you NEED help. For some of us, there is a deeply rooted belief that we should not seek help, either physical or mental. That doing so is a sign of weakness. As if we’re supposed to be superwomen and supermen. learn to seek out and accept help. 

 Overcome the need to please disease.  Give yourself grace and permission to say no with confidence and without regre. Know that not everything will end up picture perfect, and that’s okay.

For now, let's recharge our batteries and respect our limits. And know that the world will keep turning. May will come again.

The best time - EVER

It’s here…it’s finalllllly here. After months of this….

                                      And this….

Summer has finally danced her way into the cold corner of Michigan that I call home. I love summer. While love is a mild adjective I’m not really sure of an appropriate stronger one. I love summer for many different reasons. But one isn’t the lack of a crazy day job. I miss my kiddos – not the adults but the kiddos.

Here are my top five reasons I love summer….

#1 - I get to hang out here ....

#2 I get to play here 

Hubby, Daughter, and grandson waiting to be pulled 

#3 I get to spend hours with him

#4 I get to sit here and read while drinking martinis

And finally, I get to write. While I write during the cold winter months, the words seem to flow easier when I’m not huddled in a blanket using my laptop as a heat source. I have BIG plans for this summer. Since my word of the year is reinvent (a concept I read about in insert book title), these next three months are key to make that happen.  I’ve rough drafted four projects since January. Now the next three months are going to ‘hard’ butt in seat months of edits and getting them ready to submit. I’m hoping to draft another two in the fall but one is more realistic since fall is a super crazy at the crazy day job.

And a bonus reason I love the summer is all the super yummy fruits we grow here at the ends of the earth Michigan. Here is one of favorite… A super easy strawberry salsa perfect for an appetizer, snack, or served as a dessert topping with cake or ice cream.

What you need:

• 1/2 ounce balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 ounce honey
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound strawberries, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
• zest of 1 lemon (about 1 teaspoon)

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, salt and pepper until combined well.
2. Add diced strawberries, chopped basil and lemon zest and stir together until incorporated.
3. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.
4. Serve with pita chips, corn chips, or as a dessert topping. (Cinnamon pita chips are wonderful with this salsa!)

I'd love to hear about your favorite time of year and why

Transitioning Time

     Fall is a time for transition.  With the fall equinox comes shorter days.  I welcome this time of year and I’ll tell you why.

One of the pumpkins we grew this year.

     The garden starts turning brown and the last of the harvest is canned or frozen.  No more watering, weeding or picking.  Yea!  Pumpkins are turning orange and getting ready for their Halloween debut, on one of my very favorite holidays.  Yea!  With hoe and shovel the garden is turned over and left to rest till spring.  No more garden maintenance. Yea!
   
     I see fewer birds in the garden since most are heading south for the winter.  A few stick around because my hubby feeds them.  We do get to enjoy some wild life, and actually we see more varieties in the winter, quail, doves and other birds.  The deer come up to the fence looking to nab some sunflower seeds too.  We often find their tracks in the mud or snow.

     As a writer, I enjoy the fall and winter months. This is my time for getting back to the business of writing.  I can see out my office window and enjoy the change of color in the trees, the rain and eventually the snow.  Cold, short days keep me at the computer and in my chair.  What’s better than a cup of hot tea, a bulky, warm sweater and a juicy work in progress?

I also find I read a lot more in the winter.  When it is cold outside and the rain is pouring, I flip on the gas fireplace; grab an afghan, hot chocolate or tea, and a good book.  And just relax for an afternoon or evening.

Fall and winter are refreshing times for me both as a writer and a reader.  Added bonus, the holidays are right around the corner.  Yea!

    Do you read more in the summer or winter, or does it make a difference?