Tag, You're It!

Quote of the Day: 

Say, Say my playmate

Come out and play with me
and bring your dollies 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rain barrel
into my cellar door
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more - more - more !

My boys think this close-up shot of a plant in my yard looks like teeth.  It's summer, and the boys get all day to play.  I find myself doing more laundry.  Maybe we could switch places for a day.  Hey, Lisa, bring your dollies and a couple bottles!

So, there's this game of Tag going on in the blogosphere.  It's cute, and Robyn Campbell at Putting Pen to Paper (love all the P's) tagged me.  I really got to know Robyn during the A-Z blogfest in April, then the next week when she wrote a picture book a day.  Two huge accomplishments. We've been sending each other virtual chocolate ever since.  I'd like to visit her some day and ride her horses.

I'm supposed to answer some funny questions:

Do you think you're hot?
Yes, but only when it's over 90 degrees.  I'm a true Minnesotan. I can't take the heat.  We've had one day over 90, and I spent it inside reading a book.

Upload a picture or wall paper you are using at the moment.
I don't know how to do the wallpaper thing on my computer, but here's another one of my new cat Leo.  (He's all snuggled up to me now, but with his tail tucked under so I can write.)

Do you like his Tony the Tiger bowl?

The Song(s) you listened to recently?

Adelle, just bought two of her CD's, and Bearfoot, a bluegrass band from Alaska.

What were you thinking as you were doing this?

I still have a load of laundry in the dryer that needs folding, but it's more fun sitting here next to Leo and answering weird questions.

Do you have nicknames?

I'll list a few of the names that I've been called:

Mom

Mommy

Mama

Mother

Frau Rude

Someone

MaryMary

Mare

and Marmie (which Nancy calls me when she's feeling nice), from Little Women

Tag eight Blogger friends.

1. Doris

2. Roxy

3. JeMA

4. Karen

5. Jade

6. Keats

7. Kim

8. Roxane

Plus one more, 9. Laura

Then, the rules have us jumping all around and saying something about each nominee, in random order:

Who's listed as number one?

Doris, the social worker. She's an amazing writer and person.

Say something about number 5.

Jade writes poetry and lives in New York.

How did you get to know number 3?

JeMA and I met when we were helping with a drama program for kids.  It all evolved from there, talking about our art, our lives, our fears, our dreams. Now, she's traveling around the country in an RV. I miss her. The coffee doesn't taste as good without her conversation.

How about number 4?

I saw comments by Karen all over the blogosphere, then finally connected with her during the A-Z blogfest. She's great.

Leave a lovey-dovey message for number 2.

I love how in love Roxy is with words and old poets and opera.

Do numbers 7 & 8 have any similarities?

I believe they met in person at the Dakotas Children's Writer's Conference. They're both very spiritual and care about other people.

That's kind of a putzy one, but hey, it's still better than folding underwear. Wait, I don't actually fold the underwear, nor do I match socks.  Laundry Tip from the mother of four boys: Put all the socks into one laundry basket at the top of the stairs. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Use your imagination. What do you see in this picture, besides the obvious?

A-Z Challenge Review

Quote of the Day:  a Poem by Shel Silverstein

Alphabalance

Balancing my ABCs

Takes from noon to half past three.

I don't have time to grab a T

Or even stop to take a P.

That pretty much sums up what it was like to do the A-Z blog challenge this year.  I loved writing a post a day.  As soon as I signed up, I took out my handy-dandy notecards and jotted ideas for each letter. I asked my brother to write a guest post the first day about our family name, Aalgaard.  My sister Nancy challenged me to write about a name for each letter.  I didn't quite make that challenge.  I had planned to use a theatre or writing term for every letter, and I don't think I technically did that, but with the guest posts, I was able to offer up a variety of inspiring voices.

I connected with many new (to me) bloggers, including the great Nate Wilson at Sometimes, the Wheel is on Fire.  He gave tips on S Day, I think, on playing Scrabble.  That's my mom's favorite game.  I did win one game when we visited over Easter.  Since I'm non-competitive, I'd rather challenge myself to come up with the most clever word, so I sometimes miss the bonus squares.  Who cares? It's about spending time together.

During this challenge, I've built followers and friends. I've enjoyed reading a variety blogs.  My goal was to get some diversity, and I did.  My sisters told me they liked reading my blog with their morning coffee.  That's all I need to feel success.

In May, I'll plan to post at least three times a week, maybe more.  I'm also getting back the the Scriptfrenzy challenge that was happening in April.  I wrote five pages the first day, then got caught up with the blogs, Easter, the death of our cat, a big birthday bash for my twins, 15 piano students and our recital, and more.

Life is Good. (Tess Hilmo challenged us to write a Life is Good post.  I think this is a good start.)

Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting a Fun and Games Challenge.  With a blog title like Play off the Page, how can I resist.  That will appear June 6.

I signed up myself and my son Bobby to do the Tour of Lakes bike ride in June.  35-40 miles for me and 65 for him.  We'll probably finish about the same time.

Peace, and happy creating to all of you.  Thanks for reading my blog. I feel honored and encouraged.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Pretend you have a whole week to yourself in a cabin in the woods.  What will you be doing?

I'm Number 814

Quote of the Day:  The following comes from Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog. 

 

What is the A to Z Challenge?

It’s blogging a letter of the alphabet every day the month of April (with Sundays off for good behavior.) It begins April First with the letter A and ends April 30 with the letter Z.

He goes on to write about how his blog followers grew and how the other participants really got to know each other, and how the challenge taught them all some good habits.

I decided to participate, because I'm a joiner like that. I'm up for the challenge. I'm also doing Scriptfrenzy during the month of April. I'll use the alphabet to keep you posted on my script progress and talk about all things related to script-writing. It could be fun...or a flop. Time will tell. In the meantime, join me if you like.  Since I'm number 814, I don't expect to visit all the participants, maybe try for five new ones a day, or something.  I don't know.  That could be overwhelming.  I expect some entries to be quite short, and I probably won't have a photo to go with each one. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you been up for any challenges lately? 

Photo Op - Social Flop

Quote of the Day:  I have two from quotegarden.com:  I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity. ~Hazel Lee

Opportunity is a parade. Even as one chance passes, the next is a fife and drum echoing in the distance. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com


I love the sound of hope in the second one.  Here's a funny story. I went to the skating show with my friend and her daughter, also my piano student.  My friend worked the concession stand, so she told me to sit at her spot where she had a comfy stadium chair and blanket waiting for me.  How sweet.  I said, "Excuse me," to the lovely young woman at the end of the aisle, and scooted in.  Immediately, I noticed her impressive camera equipment.  She took a few practice shots before the event started.  I wanted to lean over and ask about her lens and her settings, but I didn't.  I was shy.  I mean, I've taken one photography class through community ed.  What do I really know about cameras and their settings?  So, I sat quietly, taking in the show with my eyes, and after intermission, sipping on some hot chocolate. 

Turns out the lovely young woman is a local professional photographer and I follow her blog!  I didn't quite recognize her because we've never met in person. I've seen only a headshot of her, and know her best by her work.  When I got home, I saw that she had posted on FB that she was going to the show.  I wrote:  OMG! I was sitting right next to you!

She later admitted that she thought she recognized me, too, because she follows my blog and noticed my "cute coat" (thanks), the one from the Her Voice article.  She'd also been too shy to say anything.

We're both feeling a little socially inept.  We agreed to meet for coffee, soon, and actually talk to each other.  Let me introduce the fabulous Laura Radniecki and her wonderful work.

The adorable Mickey Mouse number I wrote about in Monday's post.

"The Flintstones" number with a neighbor/friend's daughter in the foreground - future piano student!  Her older sister is my student and also a skater.

The guest skater, professional and Olympic hopeful, Kate Charbonneau, from Canada.  Not only is she a fabulous skater (truly, I felt like I was at the Olympics), she was a gracious guest and loving inspiration to the younger girls.  Someone to truly look up to.

See more photos of the skating show and to learn more about this wonderful photographer at her blog.  She describes her art as: Authentic. Timeless. Whimsical.  I think she is especially skilled at capturing the personality of children - tongues hanging out, winks, playing with a favorite toy, or coming alive in nature.

Thanks, Laura, for sharing your photos on my blog.  Thanks for scooting your legs over so I could sit by you.  Sorry I didn't say, "Hi." And, I look forward to our coffee date.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever let an opportunity slip by because of fear, shyness, or daring to make the first move?  Write about it, learn from it, and seize the next opportunity like the beat of a new song!

Blogaversary

Quote of Day: A blog is a writer's playland. I'll tribute that quote to my best writer-mama-pal, Roxane.  She's the first one to say it to me and the one who got me connected with all you readers and bloggers out there. Thank you!  This is my Blogaversary.  One year ago this Thanksgiving weekend, I launched by blog.

Writer-mama-pals Mary & Roxane at Highlights workshop in PA

You can read my first post here.  Once I released my blog to the universe, I was amazed at how quickly I made connections and felt part of something bigger than my own little world, here in central Minnesota, USA.  I'll list the best of Play off the Page, year one.

My favorite using photos and writing about the Creative Spirit.
The title that attracted the most male readers, I Left my Bra in Omaha, and on the healing power of friendship and self-care.
When I wrote about the book, The Curse of the Good Girl, and teaching girls to live authentic lives, I got a response from the author of that book.  She passed my blog post on to her readers.  It was a shining moment in my blog connection experience.
Likewise, when I wrote about the Hot Shops in Omaha, the artist whose glass piano I featured found me through a series of connections.  Click here for the follow-up post.

As you can see, I really get around.  I added the flag counter this summer and get excited whenever a new flag appears.  Thanks for visiting from your dot on the globe!  Thanks for connecting with me.  And, to continue the connections, I'll list below two humorous blog posts I've read in the past week.

Tara at The Feel of Something New for her tribute to her twins' birthday and a funny video on crazy conversations about multiples.
The Kill Zone for a post on "Tipos."

Another photo from PA.  It made me chuckle.

The journey continues.  The path beckons.  Stories are everywhere.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where is the path taking you this year? 

Global Artist Colony

Quote of the Day:  Through a strange chain of events, I received a link to your blog telling about your visit to the Hot Shops Art Center in Omaha. Friends, who had friends in about 4 different states, kept forwarding an email that was eventually received by another artist in the Hot Shops, and she forwarded to me. Must have something to do with the 6 degrees of separation! I am the one who made the glass for the piano and Mike Godek made the stainless steel baby grand piano. I thought you might like to see the finished product!
 

Thanks for mentioning us and the Hot Shops in your blog.


Gerry Klein

Here is the gorgeous finished project!  That message made me feel connected to the artist world, both at the Hot Shops, and around this globe of amazing artists.  I AM connected.  Here I sit in my office in my tiny little dot of a place in central Minnesota, yet my words have floated all around the globe (maybe?), clearly through several of these United States of America.

Thank you, JeMA, for bringing me to Omaha and introducing me to the Hot Shops.

Thank you, Gerry Klein for finding me through the six (or more) degrees of separation (better said: connections).

Thank you, Mike Godek, for pausing in your work that day to show us around, introduce us to your artist world, and bring us into the creative community.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a time when a friend connected a friend, or a moment that led you into a great relationship or creative inspiration.

I am Loved, and so are YOU!

Quote of the Day: (from a song I learned very young) I am loved.  You are loved.  I can risk loving you.  For the One who knows me best, loves me most.

Over the past week, I have been gifted with more blog-friend awards, and several new followers.  I do feel loved.  Even as my confidence was slipping, I could feel that lifting up.  I clicked over to YouTube to have a listen to Josh Groban singing, You Raise Me Up.  That did raise up my spirits.  The video is beautiful.  YouTube popped up more by J. Groban.  This one is called You are Loved (Don't Give Up).  It's also great.  So, have a listen.  Read about my supportive bloggies below, and follow your passions today with reckless abandon!  Thanks for reading my words.

This one is from Sarahjayne Smith whose blog, Writing in the Wilderness is full of good news and sunshine.  We are fairly new bloggies and enjoy each other's posts.  Thanks, Sarahjayne!

I'll pass the Sunshine award on to Kristin Torres-Toro at Write in the Way.  Her blog is full of beautiful pictures from her travels, and words of honest wisdom on her writing and life journey.

This award comes with a request for a list of what you, Like, Hate, and Love. I'm just going with one of each.

I like coffee with friends.

I hate being alone so much.

I love my boys.

That pretty much sums it up!

This one come from Charmaine Clancy whose blog Wagging Tales is much fun.  She's writing from Down Under.  I think it is so cool to connect with someone on the other end of the globe.  It makes the world seem smaller and filled with many people all over who could be my friend.  She's writing YA mysteries and offers great writing advice and resources.  She also has a contest going right now.

I'll pass this award along to Kim at Kim's Ponderings Beyond Breast Cancer.  Do you know anyone who could use encouragement?  Kim is a strong survivor who wants to help.

Jen Daiker at Unedited gave me this one.  She has a great spirit.  I sense her enthusiasm for writing and connecting wherever I see her name.  She comments at many of the blog homes that I also visit. 

Laurel Garver at Laurel's Leaves also gave me this award.  She is busy editing and connecting.  She offers so much to us writer.  When she writes about characters, I feel myself thinking about real life characters, too, and the connections we make along the journey.  So happy to connect with you, Laurel!

And, Prolific bloggers?  Wow.  Most of you who read this blog are prolific.  Go ahead and take this award and feel blessed.  I'll post our connection.  And, to get the blog rolling, I'll mention Elana Johnson (huge blog, just take a peak), Journaling Woman who has two blogs (the other one is Ruralhood), and my best writer-mama-pal Roxane.  I feel like I should share the love a little more, but this post has already taken too long.  Love you all!

Journaling Prompt: What do you do when you need a lift?  What music boosts your mood?  Who do you call?  What do you read?

Affirmations Abound, Plus a Recipe

Dear Bloggies, and Bloggie Readers,
Just when I was pulling back to retreat, you called me back to the front line.  No time to rest in camp, Mary, we want you to come Play (off the Page) with us.  More awards and affirmations keep coming in.  Well, thank you.  I'm feeling unworthy, but happy.

Quillfeathers Rooster, from Roxy at A Woman's Write, fun blog name! She has a great sense of humor.  We've recently found each other, and I think she's a "keeper."

I think this is the one where you tell the world how you like your eggs. Need to mention again that I'm a farm girl, and the rooster doesn't lay the eggs, he's the guy who wakes you up in the morning (sort of like your unruly children or noisy pets or the phone).  What I really like is when my eggs are in an egg bake, prepared the night before, so that all I have to do is stumble down to the kitchen in my jammies and put it in the oven, start my coffee, grab a book and go back to bed.

Here's my favorite egg bake recipe.  I got it from my sister.

Ham & Egg Bake
Cover bottom of (cake) pan with onion and garlic croutons
Cube ham and layer it on top of the croutons
Sprinkle with about 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
(Add a layer of onions and green peppers if you like them.)

In a small bowl mix 4 eggs, 2 cups milk, 3/4 tsp. dry mustard, pour this over the layered ingredients, cover and set in fridge overnight.

In the morning, combine one can cream o' mushroom soup and 1/2 cup milk, pour over egg bake, top with hashed-browns (put the frozen package in the fridge the night before so they're thawed a bit), cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, then uncover it, sprinkle more cheese on top and bake another 1/2 hour, or so.

Humane Award, from Shannon at Book Dreaming, kindest people I know award.  Here's what she wrote about me:  * Mary @ Play Off the Page - Mary has a heart that expands in proportion to the needs of others. I love her.


That is kindness at the top of the ladder.  I'm going to humbly believe that is true because I've felt the stretching pains of trying to make it bigger.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Journaling Prompt:  Write out a favorite recipe, where you got it, who shared it with you, when you served, how it turned out.  Good or bad - comfort or disaster - for better or worse.  Recipes and shared food are the ingredients of great stories!

Blogging - Why do it?

Quote of the Day: We are adventuring in the charterless seas of imagination. - Anne Morow Lindbergh

To me, blogging is being part of a globe of writers and artists and readers.  It is taking me to places I never imagined I could go.
 
 
 
 
(photo from google images)
 
I met with my writer's group on Monday night.  We call ourselves The Motley Crew because we started meeting in the tiny Minnesota town of Motley.  Of the 10 or so members of The Crew, only two of us blog. (The other one is FranticMommy) The question, Why should we blog? came up.  A few of us have been to writer's conferences where the powers that be (editors, agents, etc.) tell us to have a web presence.  I was resistent to the online networking world, too.  However, I launched my blog in November, see intro blog, and have not looked back.  Blogging is good.  It's all about connections, inspiration, and energy.  I get all of that and more when I am in the blogging world.
 
My best writer connection started off-line with my writer-mama-pal, Roxane.  Read about our connection when she interviewed me on her blog at Peace Garden Mama.  She was the main force in sending me off into the wide world of writing.
 
And, it is an amazing world.  I never knew I'd get so many great ideas from reading blogs, and writing them.  Art inspires Art.  Words stimulate more words.  The more I read, the more excited I get about writing.  The more I write, the more I want to write.
 
Before I had a blog, I thought, How can I write a blog and find time to read all those other blogs and comment here and there and everywhere?  I'm not even getting my own fiction written, not to mention cleaning the bathrooms, and hauling the kids around to their stuff.
 
Huh, it's like exercise.  The more you do it, the more energy you have to do all the other things that require your energy.  It's revving you up, like a rechargeable battery.
 
Here are some of the stimulating connections that I've made:
 
Whole Latte Life and Journaling Woman are there with me nearly every morning as I enjoy my morning mug of joe.  Their blogs are short and entertaining and stimulate blog posts and journaling ideas and creative juices.
 
I do daily mediations at Inkwell Inspirations.  I find such comfort there.

Jody Hedlund is a contemporary Christian writer who just signed her first contract with Bethany house. It's so fun to read about her journey.
I'm also linked to an agent, Rachelle Gardner, who lets us see into the world of agents and publishing.

The Character Therapist offers the kind of character advice I should be paying big bucks for.  Pull up your couch and read a while.  She gets you thinking about the deep, inner workings of your characters.
 
Shannon at Book Dreaming keeps the dream alive.
 
Jen at Woolgatherings has such style.  I imagine her quite famous some day soon.
 
My friend, JeMA, who lives very near me has started a blog on her art, with short descriptions of what it means to her, her inspiration, and bits of her life.  It's beautiful.  Gives your mind visual stimulation.
 
All of my followers and the ones that I follow, pretty much the same list, offer something unique.  I can't mention them all here.  It would get too long.  Still, every once in a while, I click on someone new from another blog and find a new friend.  You could too.
 
I follow a few mystery writer blogs because I have a secret longing to write mysteries.  I know this because I can't stay away from them (the mysteries AND the bloggers).
Mystery Writing is Murder has given me great tips on characters, especially the antagonist, and plot, even though I'm writing historical fiction.  She linked me to Confessions of a Mystery Novelist. She was featured on Mystery Writing is Murder to promote her latest release B-Very-Flat which I now need to read!
 
Which brings up one "problem."  Reading blogs links you to more great blogs by writers who have interesting books, therefore, giving you more things to read.  You decide if that's good or bad.
 
In the end, your time belongs to you.  What you do with it is your choice.  Some days, other things dominate.  I'm home today with a sick kid.  Last week, I was in the ER with another kid who had a sprained ankle.  My brother, who is not even 50 yet, just had major surgery.  Life is full of distractions.  Even our best friends who want us to succeed, need us and pull us out of our writing.  Or, do they?  For me, being with people, caring for them, loving them, feeling their love, hearing/reading their stories stimulates my creativity and I find that I do have the energy required to write AND clean the bathrooms. 
 
Journaling Prompt:  What type of writing and/or art do you find stimulating and irresistible?

Sugar Award

Many thanks to Shannon from Book Dreaming for my Sugar fix today!

Your words are sweeter than candy, smoother than chocolate!

She called me "insightful, encouraging, funny, and unpredictable."

I am all aglow with good feelings. (Quote of the Day)





Now, I have to reveal more secrets about myself.  That's how this award works.  I need to write 10 things that no one knows about me.  I don't think that's possible, so I'm already revising the rules in my mind to 10 things that most people don't know about me, and almost all blogger friends don't know about me.  I mean, really, I have two sisters.  They know everything, even when you're not in the same state anymore.  Plus, I go to the beauty shop and your stylest knows more about you than your ob/gyn.  You know she does!

1.  I am terrified of all amusement park rides.  (My boys will verify.)

2.  I try, but am not at all strict about bedtime. (Again, ask the boys.)

3.  My first kiss was in a sauna by the lake.  I was almost 12.

4.  I like Valentine's Day even though I am now single.  (I have four sweethearts for sons.  Plus, it's my little sister's birthday.)

5.  On good days, I think of myself as a unique flower in the weed patch of life.

6.  On bad days, I am a dormant seed stuck in the mud.

7.  I can come up with a song for nearly every phrase, conversation topic, mood, or event. (Some people have a photographic memory, mine is lyrical.)

8.  I can solve the Rubic's Cube. (My boys know this, too, and mess it up to distract me because they know I HAVE to fix it.)

9.  I am looking forward to the time when my boys start dating.  It will be nice to have a girl to talk to once in a while.  The cat doesn't count.

10.  In a future blog, I will describe how my alter ego is Catwoman.

11.  I thought this would be really hard, but I have a bonus one:  To me, dating after divorce when you're over 40 is like being pushed out of an airplane into a foreign country.  (I haven't really landed yet, still free-falling - Isn't that a song?) I'll blog on that soon, too.

12. (I'm on a roll.  Why would I stop at 10 or 11?)  Every one of those followers to the right are fabulous writers.  Each one is unique and amazing.  Knowing them, reading their words, is the icing on the cake of life.

Alright, fine, I'll pick a few, but don't you feel bad if you're not chosen today.  I love you.  You're the best.  I'm tired, and I can't pick everyone.  I'm going with surprises I found on the blogging circuit so far.

Texas Playwright Chick - How could I resist?  She gives me energy with every word.

JeMA - My artist friend that lives right here in the Brainerd lakes area near me.  I helped name her.

Singer-Scribe - We're mixed from the same ingredients.  Although, she's much more theological than I am, and she teaches music in the schools.

Journaling Woman - She's funny AND she journals, and she's quite crafty.

Whole Latte Life - I knew I'd enjoy this blog with my morning mug of joe.

The Block - You will be amazed at the experiences this woman has lived through and so vividly describes.

The Character Therapist - I could spend days here.

My journaling prompt is to encourage you to make your lists of little known facts about yourself.  It's kind of fun.  I might have even learned more about me today.