Blogging in the New Year

Today I was thinking about how every year, as of late, I welcome in the New Year by hoping it proves to be better than the year that came before it. No longer am I the joyful soul who, as in years long past, would look back wistfully on the year that was ending...sorry to see it over. Often, I found myself focused not on all the blessings I had received, but rather, the disappointments.
Today, however,  I remembered a story that I had read many years ago and thought perhaps, it might hold the key to future happiness.  It was the story of an old beggar woman who sat at the side of the road, on the outskirts of a little town. Passersby would ask her what type of life might await them if they chose to make this town their home. Before she replied, she would first seek to ascertain what type of life they had enjoyed in the town that they were leaving. To those who grumbled that they were leaving a miserable life, one fraught with pain and hardship, she would say that the new town held the same.   To those, however, who said their lives had been joyful, filled with prosperity and happiness, she assured them that more good fortune awaited them here, as well. It was never the town, of course; it is only ones perspective.  So this year, I welcome this new beginning with a grateful heart...and a hope for continued blessings. I will look back at any challenges that I encountered in my past, with the knowledge that I have become a better person because of them. I will also, strive to remember the joys I have known and anticipate, with great excitement, the many new joys, that are sure to await me.
Happy New Year to all.  May this year be as good as you aspire to make it.

Fireflies and Tuna Cans

If one were to travel north from the Detroit area along M-25, a lovely road that hugs the shoreline of Lake Huron, eventually you would come upon  a small town named, Port Sanilac.  Just about a mile past the town's only traffic light, tucked away on the right-hand side of road, lies an oasis from the desert that is city life. It is a place called, "Holiday Beach Resort".  Resort is really far too pretentious a word to describe what is essentially a very modest, recreational vehicle campground, yet it is a place of respite from the toils and travails that help to define most of our existence.  Its allure rests not upon its man made amenities, for its grounds boast very few of them. It is rather the lack thereof, that makes the place so enchanting. It is where one can still choose how to spend one's own time, because technology doesn't dictate the choices for you. It is a place where a summer day is reminiscent of days long past.  Where meals are eaten, not according to the clock, but according to when the stomach growls, the badminton game has ended, and the last sandcastle has been constructed.  It is a place replete with shooting stars and fireflies, and the sounds of a crackling campfire upon which marshmallows are carefully toasted.  It is the place that my husband and I chose to get to know our children, and maybe each other, as well.  It is the place where we came to realize that in order to have memories to cherish, one must take the time to make them first.

So I Guess You Were Wondering Why My First Post Was Called Blogging for Car Repairs

In that famous bible for bloggers, "Blogging for Dummies," it is stressed that one should share a mission statement, of sorts, with ones readers....an understanding of the purpose for their efforts.  To that end, I will now enlighten you all, with mine.
I want all the vehicles in our driveway to be in working order, at all times.  By that I mean not just driveable; no I want to live large, and have cars with windows in them, as well as doors that do not require anyone to hold them closed, while trying to drive. Some of you may think I jest, but I can assure you that I do not.
Presently, we have one vehicle in our driveway that has been missing the driver's side window for over a year now.  We live in Michigan, so, like most motorists, we are accustomed to having to remove the snow from the exterior of the car before we attempt to drive it.  Unlike other motorists though, in our case we must also remove the snow from the INTERIOR of the car, as well.  Additionally, the pesky sub-zero temps, that we experience in the winter, pose another deterrent to anyone wanting to use this vehicle.  In fact, the only one that uses this car is the neighbor's cat. Apparently, the several feet of snow on the car serves as insulation, not unlike an igloo, so at least the cat is happy and warm.
The other vehicle I would like repaired does have all of its windows, however the driver's side door will not stay closed when you are turning.  It is my husband's work vehicle, but, unfortunately, I have had occasion to drive it lately, much to my dismay.  Despite being forewarned as to the problem with the door I still found myself dumbfounded, when it flew completely open, as I was making a right-hand turn. As soon as my heart resumed its normal rhythm I was able to summon up the strength to shut it again, and then continued on towards my destination repeatedly pulling the door back into the closed position, each time I needed to make a right-hand turn.  The next day, when I was once again compelled to use my husband's car, I noticed that, in addition to the problem with the door, the turn signals no longer worked.  Again, I mentioned my problems to my husband upon my return home, and he informed me that I was mistaken; the turn signal did work... if you manually moved the stick up and down, when turning.  I explained to him, that, if I was already using one hand to hold the door closed while turning and now needed the other hand to manually shift the turn signal up and down, I would be left with no more hands for the actual steering of the vehicle.  He felt I was being too negative.
Unfortunately, I have been forced to drive this vehicle multiple times as of late, and I must confess that I do somehow manage to perform all three functions, while driving.  I do this, because I am afraid that if I do not the driver behind me will be distracted by my door flying open, when I turn unexpectedly due to my broken turn signals, and I will end up getting rear-ended.   So far I have prevailed....but I think you can see why I need to become a world famous blogger, as soon as possible. So this is my mission statement, my purpose; I am blogging for car repairs.

Blogging For Car Repairs

Today, with great enthusiasm, I begin my latest endeavor, which is to become a world famous blogger.  I do so after carefully researching all the information that is needed to ensure a writer's success in this field.  This is done by reading a book entitled, "Blogging for Dummies," which my oldest daughter thoughtfully provided me with for Christmas.  It is filled with all the components one needs to be familiar with before one even begins to blog.  I know this, not because I read the book, but because my daughter told me that when she gave it to me.  I, myself, read 3 or 4 pages, and from that was able to surmise that the rest of the book was really unnecessary in my case, because I didn't know what most of it meant anyway. And so I begin, an almost famous writer striving to entertain the masses with my fascinating insights. I realize that it may take a little while for the masses to find me, but I am a patient woman and am willing to wait the 3 or 4 days necessary for everyone to hear about me.
Everyone.....Welcome to my world!