writing

Something’s Up

| Cindy Anderson

IMG_3551_New

As you may have noticed, just like the weather outside, my blog has been experiencing a flurry of activity. I made the decision recently to do a little housekeeping. The process of redesigning my blog is a long and involved project. Some of the changes are already evident. Easiest to see is the new, clean look. Other changes will take place behind the scenes and may never be noticed by you. By the time it’s all complete I hope you will find my blog easier to navigate.

In the mean time for those that follow my blog on Facebook I’m asking for your patience as the volume of posts will continue to be high for the time being. Once I’ve finished populating my content from their current areas to their new homes the quantity of posts will return to normal. Until then you might find the frequent posts enlightening as they may include information that you may never have seen.

Thanks for your patience and understanding!

Cindy Anderson

Daily Prompt: Or

| Cindy Anderson

thinkerI’ve been blogging since 2009. Back then I penned my words under a different identity. I used that opportunity to vent my frustrations and sorrows.

As I slowly recovered I found myself unwittingly engaged in another issue. This one was political in nature. Not wanting to muddy the waters of my first blog I started a second. That blog was short-lived. With that voice silenced my blogging career remained dormant for several years.

In 2012 I pushed myself back into the world of blogging. My purpose was to promote my newly formed long arm quilting business. Simple math will tell you I’ve been maintaining this voice for more than four years; that’s quite a record for me.

Did you notice above that I said pushed? That’s right! I forced myself to try, for the third, and perhaps final time, to immerse myself in maintaining a public outlet for my thoughts. The idea of putting together and nurturing yet another blog absolutely exhausted me.

You see words don’t always come easy to me. Writing at times can be very painful. Being able to pull words from my brain can be as difficult as pulling teeth. I know they are there but they somehow get stuck sideways in my brain. When this happens, no matter how hard I try, they just won’t budge. The more effort I put into extracting them the more frustrated I get. So much so that I find myself feeling lost, unable to proceed.

I often wonder if this difficulty is all part of growing older OR is it something else. Perhaps something physical. Thankfully these brain fades don’t happen on a regular basis. If they did I believe I would panic.

For now I’m chalking them up to busyness. My schedule is typically jam-packed with activities. Finding free time for rest and relaxation can be challenging. I think I need to add a recurring event that earmarks time for drooling. You know what I’m talking about. Those minutes or hours when you allow yourself to simply unwind and do nothing.

i-have-comeWell I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time rambling on about my struggles. I appreciate your willingness to stick with me. Now it’s time to put this topic to rest.

Cindy Anderson

via Daily Prompt: Or

 

A Time to Rest

| Cindy Anderson

blooming_sunshine

It has been a while!

I feel like it’s been years since we last visited. My summer months were filled with an abundance of activity. Activities which filled my heart with joy and absolutely drained every once of energy I could muster.

purple_majestyI’ve been home from my Little Cabin in the Woods for just over two weeks. Two weeks that were a buzz with activity. All of the items that might fall victim to possible four legged vermin were removed from my summer retreat and transported back home for safe keeping. Once home they all needed to find their haven for winter respite. With those all tucked away it was time for a good old fashioned house cleaning both physically and mentally.

sweet_lavenderWhile I find great joy in my travels far from home, it can be exhausting. Recharging my body as well as my mind takes a little more effort each year. Of course that couldn’t have anything to do with my advancing years. Or could it? 🙂

 

Seeds_of_Life.jpgThis year I felt so absolutely drained that the thought of writing couldn’t be farther from my mind, let alone even opening the door to my studio. The lack of enthusiasm left my creative self feeling lost, like a ship floating adrift at sea. The concern that I might not find my sense of direction left me even more overwhelmed.

Orange_Lichen.jpgSo, how did I recover? With my self-imposed chores accomplished I allowed myself to relax and find joy in the simple everyday tasks of living. I slept. I read. I walked.

 

Rings_Of_Life.jpgThese steps toward renewed energy slowly rekindled my love for the world of art. From a little spark came the motivation to re-enter my studio. Opening that door brought back the joy I feel when surrounded by the vibrant colors of my finished pieces as well as the virgin fabrics just waiting for my attention.

Patterns_In_Nature.jpgThis renewed sense of enthusiasm is where I am at today. I’m energized and ready to press on.

Lichen.jpgCindy Anderson

Birch.jpg

P.S. The photos I’m sharing were taken while out on my many walks in northern Wisconsin. I hope you enjoy them.