Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Putting It Out Into the Universe! Woo Woo!!!!!


Today I took The Big Plunge!
I acknowledged a monumental change in my life
from how I've lived it in recent decades.

I updated my profile on Linkedin
for the first time since I retired
from Cherry Creek School District.

I changed my professional headline
from Elementary Teacher to

~ Putting It Out Into the Universe!  Woo Woo!!!!! ~

Writer.

I've been out on a lot of skinny limbs,
but this one feels about one Planck Unit wide!




Source:  Wikipedia


You have no idea what I went through 
to get that formula 
on this post
in a legible form!

And don't ask me to explain it.
I'm no theoretical physicist.

Just know that it means 
a very, very, very small length;
and thus, 
a very, very, very skinny branch!

(about 10−20 times the diameter of a proton)



Theoretical Physicist Max Planck
Source:  Wikipedia



Just blame my description on
my too many late nights 
spent reading recently ~
I've been pouring over 
Dan Simmons' The Fall of Hyperion
while holding an ice pack 
against my face with my left hand
(stuffed for protection in a big red mitten).

Planck Everything runs through
Volume 2 of The Hyperion Cantos.
(Don't let that scare you away from the book ~
background in theoretical physics not necessary!)
Would that I could write like Simmons! 



Source:  Wikipedia




I've written most of my life
for many purposes and for many audiences.
I've taught writing to hundreds and hundreds of students.

I've studied writing.
I've given workshops on writing at literacy conferences.
I've encouraged so many to write.

I've even helped and cheered on my youngest sister
as she has written and published two excellent books,
and has a third in the works.


       


                                                  Source:  Books by Bert


Bertie and I,
Presenters, Colorado Council International Reading Association, 2009, 2010, 2011



But I wouldn't/couldn't 
claim "Writer" for myself.

I've been wrestling with a memoir,
a painful and difficult slog.
I keep going around and around in circles
trying to find my way.

It would be so easy to give up and walk away.
But I can't.

Images like this haunt me.

 Donald Blair MacBeath
My Father
Most Likely in St. Peters Bay, P.E.I.
Circa 1929


I'll find a way.
After all, I've put it out into the Universe.

Maybe I'll pull an elementary teacher strategy
and make a picture collage for extra help
from this Universe that is so hard to fathom.

Writers illuminate the human heart.
But damn ~ is it hard!


26 comments:

  1. haha got it out there
    Now all know near and far
    Writer at your lair
    Can give a har har

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    Replies
    1. Hey Pat!
      Where you're at.
      Hope the sun is shining,
      and you are rhyming!
      All knowing, near and far ~
      scary proposition for my shooting star!
      But ~ what the hey!
      Gives things a good shakeup at my bay!
      Take care,
      balsam pear!

      (Okay, at least it rhymes!)

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda! I'm buried in old photos which I am trying to identify and place. I had a pile of my mother's family photos and came across this darling photo of a little boy and his tricycle yesterday morning. Then when I played around with the faded image, I realized it was my father. Wow ~ just precious! I wish I could wrap my arms around that little boy and give him a loving hug! I hope that you are having a good day and staying warm in the land of The Great White North!

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  3. You took the plunge! Now you are officially a writer. Believe it. And believe you will be an author just like your sister.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the encouragement, Alex! Yoda said, "Do! Or do not. Don't try." I've got to stop trying and Do! and Believe!

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  4. You can call yourself a writer because you ARE a writer! Go Girl!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Debra ~ This comment from the witty and fun voice of northern Alberta! Have a great day!

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  5. I am so thrilled that you are going to pursue your dreams. I am a huge believer in the Universe and it's ability to manifest our ideas into reality. I am sure that it will happen for you. I will be looking forward to your new book. Dream on.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind encouragement, Peggy! You're so sweet. Peeps are always telling me to put things out into the Universe, so I did! Have a good one!

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  6. Yes, you go, girl! I think it's wonderful that you are pursuing something that you are so passionate about.

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    1. Thanks, Martha! I am going for it, and I feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach ~ but excited too! Have a happy day!

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  7. WOOHOOOOO, you go, Louise! Congrats, girlfriend. That is AWESOME! I think you've just conquered half the battle. Those photos of your father are AMAZING and I know I, for one, would love to read your memoir! Best of luck to my new favorite writer! :-) XOXO

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    Replies
    1. Oh, Audrey! Thank you! Thank you! I do feel like I've conquered something! I know I can do it! I just had to own it! Stay warm! I think things are supposed to improve in the South today!

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  8. Louise you are an amazing writer - and I have been begging you for years to use your talents - you go girl WOOHOOOOO!!!!! I claim the spot as your biggest fan.
    Hugs
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hugs right back to you, Barb! I'll take you as my biggest fan ~ well, maybe tied with Bert! She's been seriously kicking my hind quarters! I'd send a writing dig to you, but I know you are immersed in that time-gobbling milieu of law, geology, and community theatre! Isn't that photo of Dad precious! I didn't even realize it was him because it was in with a pile of Mom's childhood photos! Knock on wood ~ I'm learning Aperture and having a ball! All those things with scanning that had me tearing my hair out in Calgary last March I've learned how to do! I guess I'll have to move up to PP on computers (Partially Proficient). Maybe I'm learning how to trounce LD in computers ~ although my Apple trainer says I tend to get highly excitable around computers! LOL XOX! I'm going to say it anyway ~ You've got to get writing, Girl! luv u

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  9. Louise the writer!
    Sounds perfectly fine to me. You have a lot to write and get out Louise. Maybe short stories would be more manageable at first.....creative non-fiction.....giving you lots of leeway. That 'big story' in your head may have to ease its way out.
    Good to hear that you are feeling better.
    You know best teach! Good luck with this and I know you can do it. Nice to let the 'teaching chapter' in your life go? Now the universe is all yours!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Jim! You are such an affirming friend! (Must be the elementary teacher in you!) Thank you! Letting go of my primary identity as a teacher has been really hard. But yesterday, I finally let go and worked up the courage to type in "Writer." Terry is doing The Happy Dance! ~ with a wary eye on me ~ He knows my tendency to lose contact with reality when I'm immersed in something. Eat? Shower? Sleep? Huh? What time is it? What day is it? Poor E-P! He was a brave man to take me on and accept me for who I am. Have a great day!

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  10. Louise, Planck, Simmons and then you - oh this will be BIG! Congratulations on making the changes and retirement. Reading your blog and getting some sense of your interests over the last year, the well is deep and the water clear for you to draw on for your creative endeavors. The toughest hurdle will be to begin. I am sure you will enjoy every minute. Best wishes - ME

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  11. What a delight to open up Blogger this morning and find your encouraging comments, Mark! Thank you! I am excited! I hope that you have a great weekend! Take care!

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  12. Plank?!
    AHA interesting guy!
    I just read a book saying hazard does not exist!
    The author was mentioning quite a few scientists among which Plank!
    All extremely fascinating!
    Yes Fundy I ma well, just soooooo very busy!
    I hardly have the time to prepare my posts, so blogging is when I can!!
    Many thanks for your fidelity, and friendship,
    I'll really try my best to visit you more often!! ;-)
    Keep well!

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  13. Oooh, I've not heard of that scientist!!! Exciting news though- becoming a,writer! Wow, can't wait to hear more about it- the universe is listening! X

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  14. Congrats! Now that you have it out there.... you will live up to the title!
    I love that your sister is published - the writing gene must run in your family.
    Judging by what I read on your blog, your books will be very entertaining and informative!
    Hey... we have another thing in common (besides Colorado - and only a handful of miles apart, and teaching) I also presented at conferences - but my presentations were math and techie types.
    I trust your face has recovered from the savage dentistry?

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  15. Good luck with your writing. I'm in the midst of two novels, but get distracted easily, and put them down for months at a time!

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  16. i see illumination of goodness ,honesty ,devotion and love within you my friend :)

    you look like a gift for all blogging friends who meet you through blogosphere !

    it was great to be able to peek in your early posts ,you have a writer sister with two published books wow :)

    and you made it we all can see ,you did not give up and here is fruit of your struggle my friend :)
    you have succeeded to become a published writer and not only that but you encouraged and enlightened many other souls who wanted to do so and that is wonderful
    congrats for all that you have achieved until now dear friend and BEST OF LUCK for all ahead !

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  17. loved to reread this precious friend!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.