I was tempted to share another very long sentence with you because this month has continued to be a bit of a beast.
It’s been full of doctor visits for issues that are now considered “urgent” (not life threatening) because I couldn’t get anyone to look at them during the height of the pandemic (which isn’t over). I’ve had a total of five different medical appointments with three different doctors during a three-week time span. A new doctor is being adding in next month and hopefully a (minor) surgery date will be confirmed soon. I’m fine so there’s no need to send any concern.
Instead, I want to share some of the goodness that I’ve stumbled upon this month that has helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other while I try to keep my distance from the people who think I need to see their unmasked smiles while we’re grocery shopping (I don’t).
Enjoy…
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Read the illustrated story I Do Not Want to Write Today by Shing Yin Khor if you haven’t already (or again if you already have). It recently won an award which helped bring it to my attention.
The time and effort required in finding the right spaces that don’t deplete my energy and enthusiasm for writing, can be discouraging. Seeing thoughts and feelings that I can relate to, presented so beautifully in this story, helped me feel less alone in my frustrations. Some of the sections that resonated the most are in and around the following passages:
“I want to write indulgently…”
“I want to write mean replies…”
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I credit Sage Tyrtle with reigniting my interest in writing last year, especially flash fiction and flash creative nonfiction. She facilitated a workshop that catapulted me out of a creative slump I was struggling to get out of.
Through the Crow Collective, Sage offers several low-cost on-line writing workshops, and free writing groups, that work for a heap of time zones.
I recommend the upcoming workshops Wild Your Writing: CNF that Sings by El Rhodes and Short Shorts Anatomy: Understanding Flash Structure with Finnian Burnett because they’re both amazing facilitators I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with more than once.
Sage’s writing groups are always encouraging, and it’s been lovely to connect and write with people from around the world.
And this month, Sage launched a daily podcast called Flesh Cricket, where she’ll talk you through my favourite writing game. Seriously, I audibly cheer whenever it comes up as a prompt in a writing group! It makes me write wild little stories I wouldn’t have been able to create on my own. Listen to Flesh Cricket to find out what I mean. Have fun with it.
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The day after I told you my almost-winning story was published in a book, it arrived in my mailbox. And while I promised you curated pictures of my name in print for the very first time, I’m incapable of taking a proper selfie with me AND the full title. The following pictures are the best you’re going to get. FYI, I love seeing my name in print.
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Speaking of seeing my name in print…
Eileen Laird has written a new book called Healing Mindset: A Guide to the Mind-Body Connection for People with Autoimmune Disease and I’m grateful to be mentioned in it!
Click here so Eileen can tell you about the goodness you’ll find in Healing Mindset.
I discovered Eileen’s website shortly after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis almost four years ago. The wisdom she shared helped me make decisions that continue to improve my quality of life and I’ll be forever grateful. I am also honoured to have been a guest on the Phoenix Helix podcast where Eileen and I discuss the healing power of journaling.
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Check out some lovely new feedback from participants (thank you!) in my course, Exploring Creative Connection Through Visual Journaling:
“I loved Olwen’s calm presence and how she encouraged us all the be gentle with ourselves as we explore. I only attended one live session but that has stayed with me, and I bring it into my creative journaling time now.” D. C.
“I'm spending more time making fun messes and relaxing about it instead of feeling like I'm wasting time. For me that's huge. Thank you! I am exploring working with paint for the first time and am just dabbling for the sake of dabbling. I guess part of it is that I'm not taking myself so seriously anymore.” – N. J.
Click here if you’d like to join us. You’ll get immediate access to course and students are welcome to attend all the live visual journaling sessions I host each year. The next one is happening in June.
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The husband (aka the one who can’t be tagged) and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary this month by…
Shit, I can’t remember how we celebrated it...
Not making a big deal out of our wedding anniversary!
He knows he’s done a fine job of making me laugh so hard I can’t breathe and making me want to scratch his eyes out when our communication is out of sync. And that I love everything that falls between those two extremes, eventually.
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I made a little something to satisfy my tree obsession whenever I need. It’s best viewed with sound.
And now I want to remind you that you’ve got an open invitation to walk with me virtually.
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What about you?
What goodness have you experienced this month?
I’d love to know.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
PS. Severance (Apple TV) grew on me slowly at first and then quickly became my obsession. I can’t wait for season two! Also, I could watch Milchick dance through an entire episode.
I recently discovered that The Great Pottery Throw Down (Channel 4/HBO Max) didn’t end after the first two seasons like I originally thought. There are three more seasons!!! My family and I flew through season 3 and 4 and are trying to pace ourselves on season 5 so we can prolong our connection to this series. We love it so much. More than any Great Bake Off.