tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25894725038938198622024-03-05T16:06:15.543-08:00From the Shadows to the PageTo share and connect with those interested in writing from life, recording their personal histories, writing a memoir for publication and/or personal use, and all things related to writing one's story.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-58924469647808180502013-07-03T06:32:00.002-07:002013-07-03T06:39:33.174-07:00Why I'm Keeping this Blog ActiveI've been around Blogger for nearly five years and in that time one sees a lot of blogs come and go. Lately as I scroll down my Reader (yes Google Reader may have disappeared but Blogger has a very effective Reader feature that shows you all the recent posts on blogs you follow), I've noticed weird posts on writer blogs. Articles about the latest diet drug, posts in a foreign language, information about car insurance.<br />
<br />
It appears that abandoned blogs are getting taken over by spammers. I mean why not grab a url on blogspot if you can, with all the attached followers and start posting spam? Maybe someone will read them and buy your diet drug, right? <br />
<br />
So I'm keeping this blog relatively active to avoid potential problems.<br />
<br />
These spam-controlled blogs have removed all former design features, including the follower icon on
the blog. They give you no way to unfollow them except through the
Settings feature on the back end of your own blog. Here's how:<br />
<br />
From your Reading List, go to the tool icon on the far right and click it. Every blog you follow will be listed. You can click the link and check to make sure it's a valid active blog. If so, fine; if not, click the Settings on the right of the blog and it will give you the option to Stop Following this Site. <br />
<br />
I've begun a major clear out this way, unfollowing abandoned blogs before they're taken over. Some are taken down completely with their url offered for use. Some haven't been posted on for several years, and who knows how long Blogger will allow these old sites to stay.<br />
<br />
If the original blog has died, I'd just as soon get my name off as a follower, because I don't want any link to a spammer. Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-14805033661793516452013-03-01T14:05:00.001-08:002013-03-30T09:23:17.770-07:00The Blogs they are a changingWeird things are happening in Blogger land. Like someone who hasn't had her blog very long said Blogger told her she had too many pictures on it. What??? And someone else who just started a new blog can't put up a Follower icon, only gadgets that let followers sign up with RSS feeds, email, or by Google + . I guess the Follower icon is now outdated, old-fashioned, done away with. Who knows how long before an old blog like mine just one day disappears?<br />
<br />
They'll say "She has too many blogs anyway. Be gone!" And that'll be the end of that. When it happens, I hope you will come see me at my lovely website, <a href="http://karenjonesgowen.com/">karenjonesgowen.com</a>. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-11766095064932715922012-11-23T08:25:00.002-08:002012-11-26T04:35:11.238-08:00What Did the Ghost Say to the Wall?"Don't mind me, I'm just passing through."<br />
<br />
Haha, I'm
listening to my grandson tell riddles to his uncle. This one sticks in
my mind. Because aren't we all like ghosts just passing through?<br />
<br />
As
I pass through, I consider life and how it is going so terribly fast.
I'm not at all afraid of ghosts. What I fear is lost opportunity. Every
day my prayer is that I will know what's best for me to do each
particular day.<br />
<br />
I haven't always had this prayer in my
heart. But as time slips away, and my children are now the age I was
when I had them, as I hear my grandchildren read from riddle books and
yell, "Why do you always know the answers???" just as my own little boys
used to do, I get a little panicky seeing time pass so quickly right
before my eyes.<br />
<br />
Because there's still so very much to do. I should quit thinking about ghosts and walls and just passing through, and instead live in the moment, like this--<br />
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Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-69348438666096440902012-11-19T10:03:00.001-08:002012-11-19T14:03:58.108-08:00What Caused the Dust BowlMy husband and I watched part of Ken Burns's Dust Bowl documentary on PBS last night. It is well worth the time, although there were some elements of it that we both found strange.<br />
<br />
For instance, although experts agree they have no firm understanding of what caused the cataclysmic event, the consensus as explained in the documentary was that how the farmers planted their crops in the years prior caused the dust storms.<br />
<br />
Now I understand that one doesn't want to blame God for such a horrible event as this, just like we don't like blaming Him for the recent hurricane Sandy. I'm not comfortable saying, "The people were wicked, God sent the storm." I don't like hearing others say it either, about any kind of natural disasters.<br />
<br />
Yet our human nature, in trying to explain these events, can come up with some pretty silly conclusions, even without blaming God. That's what I thought about the Dust Bowl explanations given in the Burns documentary.<br />
<br />
Did the way the farmers plant and plow explain a drought? I don't think so. It was the complete lack of snow and rain that caused the real problem. The planting methods wouldn't have shown themselves without the drought.<br />
<br />
As my mother explained in <i>Farm Girl</i>, "It was a seven year drought, is what it was." She lived through it. She and her family and neighbors counted the days, months and years. <i>Seven years!</i> What a horribly long time for an agricultural region to go without significant moisture.<br />
<br />
My grandmother wrote her impressions of this time:<br />
<br />
"There were so many who cannot even imagine what the dust bowl looked like. It was a place that seemed like God had forsaken it. Some said, 'The people were too wicked. They were paying for their sins.' I was sitting in our church one time during dust storm years and heard those very words.<br />
<br />
"My mind dwelt on first one then another in the community, but they all seemed like respectable people. Why there was hardly a one in this dust bowl neighborhood who smoked or drank whiskey, or even beer. They were hardworking farmers who year after year prepared the soil and planted corn and wheat, with high hopes every year, hoping they had seen the last of it. They were standing the drought, but debt piled up. Some summers there was not even a green straw." (from <i>Farm Girl</i>, WiDo Publishing, 2007)<br />
<br />
And so as we are faced with inexplicable natural disasters, we try to place a cause and a reason on them. <i>The way the farmers plowed in those days. Government policies. Punishing the wicked. Global warming.</i><br />
<br />
Take your pick, or add a new one. Nobody really knows. At least with the Titanic, there was an iceberg to blame.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-25691591980541086862012-11-01T08:21:00.000-07:002012-11-01T08:56:02.600-07:00Re-opening From the Shadows to the PageA year ago I morphed this blog into my website. I miss it. I come
back here often and wish I still blogged here. So why not? It's my blog,
my website, my everything-- the little world we all get to create for
ourselves on the Internet-- we can do whatever we want with it, right?<br />
<br />
And here's a picture of my three youngest boys at Travis's wedding. Forrest was best man and is straightening the groom's tie in a very efficient, best man way. Sean is looking on critically, to make sure he does it right. Aren't they cute and handsome? <br />
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Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-86284779852967191532011-09-27T11:20:00.000-07:002012-05-13T06:51:01.088-07:00TransitionsI am transitioning this blog into my author website. I appreciate everyone who has followed and commented and supported me here, and I do hope you will visit me at the new website, <a href="http://karenjonesgowen.com/">karenjonesgowen.com. </a><br />
<br />
I'll continue blogging at <a href="http://karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/">Coming Down the Mountain </a>about writing, editing and publishing issues, that won't change.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you to everyone who voted on my picture, you'll see the one I chose at my new website!</span> (P.S. To those who said #1 and #4 were the same-- you know who you are-- you were right.)Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-91892889063529744232011-09-08T17:13:00.000-07:002011-09-08T17:13:44.873-07:00The Story of an Average ManMy youngest son is a huge soccer fan. When the Real soccer team here in Salt Lake offered free tickets and all you had to do was write an email he was on it. His email--<br />
<br />
<div class="ii gt" id=":3u" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div id=":3t"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><div>This is my story. </div><div> </div><div>I am just a man, my arms and legs are nothing special, I cannot run quickly or jump very high. I have an average job, with average pay, that gives me less than average satisfaction in life. I live in an average house, with average people. I have never lived in a castle, fought a dragon, or saved a princess.</div><div> </div><div>Although...</div><div> </div><div>I am going on a date with a very cute girl, who is like a princess. We are going to the game in the fortress, which is like a castle, playing the Philidelphia Union who is like a dragon.</div><div> </div><div> For an average person, this is my dream, to get the field level tickets to the game on Saturday.</div><div> </div><div>Sincerely, Forrest the average man</div></span> </div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: inherit;">And guess what? He won!! Front row seats, right on the field, and a catered meal before the game-- he was in heaven. And I'm sure his date was very impressed too!</span> Nothing average about this kid of mine LOL.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-31770800237805351422011-08-31T09:31:00.000-07:002011-08-31T09:31:55.730-07:00Family Lovin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFAAM9-zZDBlHCF846wjU9Qby9b4fVT1rs6M53U8jNcPylEKj4ZYKq_tyTBsQcgh_H0teAoXlk0zWEm4cCa9ESyDQLGzjqklhdwouKNGFsl5WJplGwebHakSW7r1nRovewismeFAYOkOo/s320/IMG00162-20110828-1217.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFAAM9-zZDBlHCF846wjU9Qby9b4fVT1rs6M53U8jNcPylEKj4ZYKq_tyTBsQcgh_H0teAoXlk0zWEm4cCa9ESyDQLGzjqklhdwouKNGFsl5WJplGwebHakSW7r1nRovewismeFAYOkOo/s1600/IMG00162-20110828-1217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>It's not a family photo but it's a family. At least a few of them *smile* and it illustrates why I generally try not to take the family pictures.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-35146136156161749982011-08-20T18:52:00.000-07:002011-08-20T18:55:46.734-07:00August ShenanigansAs August comes round the bend to its close, I am feeling very reflective about this summer. The month of August itself was monumental, with our second to youngest marrying the girl of his dreams. And what was really fun about the wedding/weekend was that all ten of our children were here, along with (not all) but many of their spouses and/or children.<br />
<br />
It was just a delightful time. One of our daughters-in-law had a new camera that she was eager to use, so we got the added benefit of a lot of amazing photos, both informal and formal, of the events. I learned an important fact a decade ago when our oldest was married: Parents and siblings of the bride and groom must not be assigned as photographers because it just won't happen! There is so much else to concern them that pictures end up being the last thing on their minds. I've been fortunate to have daughters-in-law who take excellent pictures, or sisters who are right there to get the best shots, or in one case, a son-in-law who took nonstop video that is priceless. <br />
<br />
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary (August 13) two days after the wedding. It was such a nice day to just get away, the two of us, and do whatever we felt like. We took a drive in the mountains, we took pictures of each other, we went out to eat, we went to a movie: all the activities we enjoy, nothing really special or fantastic, just having fun together.<br />
<br />
Now our youngest is preparing to leave on a two-year mission for our church to-- ta-da!-- Oregon. He is pretty excited. "I've always wanted to live in Oregon," he says. He leaves on September 28.<br />
<br />
Another son and his wife are expecting a baby next spring. Life goes on, and it is wonderful. I enjoyed being a mom when my kids were all at home (despite what my journals say, yes I really did enjoy it), and I enjoy this phase as well. I only had two girls, but as my boys marry, I get wonderful daughters-in-law who are like daughters to me. <br />
<br />
Besides these big events, this year saw us move from our home of 13 years, and there was my mom's passing on New Year's Day. I should have known when that happened, that 2011 would be a momentous year.<br />
<br />
Now I feel like things are winding down, just like the summer is, and that perhaps there will be a few restful weeks ahead before the holiday activities begin.<br />
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Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-13870356033077975632011-08-06T20:40:00.000-07:002011-08-06T20:40:25.049-07:00Impressed by DogsThe other day a little girl at our house made a cute noise while jumping down the front stairs. A kind of wo-wo-wo- sound. From far away, across the park, came a returning sound, echoing this-- a dog barking in almost exact replica wo-wo-wo.<br />
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And then tonight there was another interesting experience involving dogs. My husband and I watched the movie "Babe" about the pig who thinks it's a sheep dog. The movie has Australian sheep dogs herding sheep, barking, and sounds of the sheep baa-ing. We finish the movie, and he opens the front door to look at the sprinklers going off in our yard. Guess what is standing right there on our front sidewalk, staring at our front door?<br />
<br />
It is an Australian sheep dog, waiting expectantly. Presumably for sheep to herd? My husband is petting the dog when the owner comes by, looking for him. Someone had opened the door at their house, and the dog just ran out for no apparent reason.<br />
<br />
From two blocks away, inside his house, this Australian sheep dog heard fellow sheep dogs barking and the sheep baaing on our TV, and as soon as he got a chance he escaped to come join the fun.<br />
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Now that's impressive.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-29418645545463375502011-07-28T10:03:00.000-07:002011-07-28T10:03:58.720-07:00It's Either Time or MoneyYesterday I had a conversation with a son who needed to get something and I was telling him a less-expensive place to purchase it. He said, "It's not the money, it's just finding the time to go make the purchase."<br />
<br />
This got me to thinking about the excuses we all make. With some people, it's time, others it is money.<br />
<br />
Larry H. Miller was one of the wealthiest businessmen in Salt Lake, owner of the Utah Jazz and numerous car dealerships. Yet a few years ago he died in his fifties of complications of diabetes. People who knew him said, "He never took the time to take care of himself." He had plenty of money for medical care, but neglected getting it due to being too busy. Diabetes is one of those illnesses where you MUST take proper care of yourself, with diet, exercise and regular medical care or it will kill you.<br />
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Think of all the joys in life we neglect because of "no time" or "no money." I have learned that those are nothing more than convenient excuses. There are ways and means to accomplish goals without an abundance of either. Sometimes it takes creative thinking, sometimes asking for help from others, sometimes just focus and determination. <br />
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Your comments on my last post about <a href="http://writingyourhistory.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-pleasures.html">Simple Pleasures</a> shared many ways to be happy, and most of them did not require much time or money. Anyone who thinks they don't have enough time or money for whatever should go back and read those comments.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-8768607585494360642011-07-21T13:47:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:47:04.971-07:00Simple PleasuresToday I am thinking about simple pleasures, those activities that aren't necessary to keep life functioning, but that are essential for daily happiness. When we moved from California to Utah 21 years ago, I missed the simple pleasures of taking my kids to the parks and to the beaches. People said, "Oh, the mountains are awesome." But it just didn't feel the same.<br />
<br />
Now we have moved again (still in Utah but down the road a ways) and I am missing the simple pleasures of my life in our old neighborhood. Good friends, our backyard garden oasis, fruit trees, the sound of birds waking us up and putting us to sleep at night. On top of that, my mom died this year and I miss the simple pleasure of our weekly phone calls. My husband and I are on a strict diet essential for our health and I miss the joy of drinking massive quantities of diet Coke while I write. Silly, isn't it? I have everything I need, but I am looking for some new simple pleasures to replace the ones that I've lost.<br />
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Got any ideas for me? What simple pleasures do you most enjoy?Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-89883283938387221882011-07-09T06:47:00.000-07:002011-07-09T06:47:00.731-07:00Use it up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do WithoutIn my novel <b>Uncut Diamonds</b>, the main characters, Marcie and Shawn McGill, experience some rough times. It is the seventies, when the U.S. had one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression. Marcie has to get resourceful to make ends meet, and she gets ideas and motivation from the writings of her grandmother, who was a farm wife in Nebraska during the Great Depression.<br />
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Many people talk about the poor economy right now, but believe me, it isn't anything like what we experienced in the seventies. <span style="font-size: x-small;">*I sound so old when I say that* </span>Still, along with many currently trying to spend less is the recycle, reuse, going green-type mentality that brings back some of the frugal practices of days past.<br />
<br />
Like this awesome dress my friend made out of two T-shirts:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdqGT7ABIyDTbkoZVxTlhTnROlNla2uoxjoazmwkoL1PorXUqy4v3t_oO6SLPtcruMAhwyyYy05sNvea3zFvqrbG4T5IWIYLSuqeeSql1M4934Ta9b-X2BBQ0I2_oPB5Gt-fKhXhR6Joi/s1600/IMG00061-20110704-1752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdqGT7ABIyDTbkoZVxTlhTnROlNla2uoxjoazmwkoL1PorXUqy4v3t_oO6SLPtcruMAhwyyYy05sNvea3zFvqrbG4T5IWIYLSuqeeSql1M4934Ta9b-X2BBQ0I2_oPB5Gt-fKhXhR6Joi/s320/IMG00061-20110704-1752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
She took a red and a blue T-shirt, cut and sewed and came up with a cute jersey dress to wear to our Fourth of July BBQ.<br />
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The T-shirts were given to her, she gets a lot of them from her job and so snip/snip voila!<br />
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Cute dress: Cost $00.00Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-33486376964567294232011-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:002011-07-02T08:30:01.270-07:00Enjoying SummerSummer is finally here in the Rocky Mountain West. We are settled into our new home, which I love because there are pathways, parks and even a lake, making it very inviting for a reluctant walker such as myself.<br />
<br />
My husband and I are following the HCG diet plan, that's our huge project for the summer-- to get ourselves back in shape. So far he has lost 15 lbs, and I've lost 8, after the first three weeks on the plan. Today I even got him to walk a little ways with me. We stalled this week because it turns out that some things we thought were okay actually had sugar in them. <br />
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I'm also writing a lot as well as editing. My blogging activities are really taking a hit. But I think that's happening with a lot of people. Summer is time for being outdoors, holding barbecues, traveling someplace new, planting flowers, and just chillin' by the open window feeling the cool morning breeze. I love summer.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-36777433834442227022011-06-19T07:31:00.000-07:002011-06-19T07:52:37.437-07:00Fathers and MothersI come from a family of women. One mother, one father, three sisters, eleven cousins (all girls). One grandfather died before I knew him, the other was so scary I didn't want to know him, so two grandmothers. As a result, I grew up with completely erroneous ideas about boys. When I was in grade school, I defined them as either ugly or cute (most of them very cute imho). I learned at a very young age <span style="font-size: x-small;">like first grade maybe?</span> that they would be smitten if I looked at them with my big eyes and then straightened something on their shirts. <br />
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Fortunately I made it through my high school and college years without attracting the wrong sort. Oh wait, there were a couple of the wrong sort in college, but I escaped before anything bad happened. Then I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (became a Mormon, upon which my parents breathed a huge sigh of relief even though they were Methodists), and after a few false starts, I was blessed beyond measure to meet and marry a young man who turned out to be a gem, an uncut diamond, <span style="font-size: x-small;">oh look at that, wouldn't <i>that</i> make a good title of a book about our early life together</span>, and we proceeded to build our house of diamonds <span style="font-size: x-small;">what do you know, there's another one.</span><br />
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We had eight boys and two girls. I had a LOT to learn about the nature of the male psyche, the differences between boys and girls, men and women, mothers and fathers. One thing I learned is that a father is not meant to be the male version of a mother. And it's a good thing, too, because then kids can benefit from both sides.<br />
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Just to illustrate in this excerpt from <i>Uncut Diamonds</i>--<br />
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"He picked up Jeff, Elizabeth, Alex and Eric one by one, until he had four laughing, twisting children hanging from his six foot frame in a wriggling, breathing, noisy sculpture of family life."<br />
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Now how many moms can do<i> that? </i><br />
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Happy Father's Day to all of you dads out there. I hope your family pampers you a little today, because you deserve it!Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-30952648687418279812011-06-11T06:01:00.000-07:002011-06-11T17:10:38.549-07:00The Park Across the StreetNow that warm weather is here, I keep the window open in our bedroom, the window that looks out on the park across the street.<br />
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In the morning, as the sun rises and wakes me up, I see elderly people walking their excited little dogs along the pathways. I see middle-aged couples power-walking to burn off the fat.<br />
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Mid-day, it is moms, and sometimes dads, who inhabit the park with their small children.<br />
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In the afternoon, school kids of all ages walk past on their way home.<br />
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It is in the evening, when I am winding down for the day that the park is the noisiest, occupied by giggly, squealing teenage girls and overly-attentive teen boys.<br />
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In the course of one day, the circle of life is captured in the park across the street.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-40988970553810529832011-06-07T14:17:00.000-07:002011-06-07T14:18:40.251-07:00Seeking the Perfect PurseI see it in the store. It looks AT LAST as though I have FOUND the perfect purse. Not too big, not too small, pleasing shape and design, trendy color, pockets and zippers enough to hold all my pursely possessions. I must have it!!<br />
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But I don't need another purse, do I? I already have so many good ones. Ah, but they are not <i>perfect.</i> There is indeed something wrong with each and every one of them. <span style="font-size: x-small;">See above list.</span> This new one will most certainly be perfect. It looks, smells, feels so wonderful. A brand, new wonderful purse! I must have it! However, being the disciplined, frugal person I am, I don't buy it. I leave the store and go home, resisting temptation. What do I need a new purse for? Pshaw! Silly me!<br />
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Although I do keep thinking about it....and thinking....and thinking. In fact, I cannot forget about it. How could I have left behind the perfect purse? What a fool I am!<br />
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I look at my other bags which all pale in comparison and look like garbage. The only thing to do is go back and buy the perfect one before someone else gets to it first. That's it. I must go back to the store, and I must hurry before my prized possession gets away. Because after all, since it is perfect I will never again need to buy another one. So really it's a huge savings to spend the money right now, that way I won't have to spend it later. This is the only sensible course of action.<br />
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I rush back to the store and there it is! Yes, it is perfect! I was not mistaken, I shall buy it. So I do. And I get it home, with my things tucked inside, everything at home inside the fresh, new promising environment. Now at last I will be organized. I and all my outfits will look amazing and fashionable with this marvelous accessory. Aha, the perfect purse!<br />
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Except. . . the next time I am in the store, I see tables full of quite lovely purses, each one better than the one I just recently bought. But I look away. I am committed now. This one will have to do. At least until my birthday comes around again. Or Christmas. Or there is a once-in-a-lifetime clearance sale. Or I run across the most perfect purse <i>ever</i>.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-76993802422244023612011-06-02T06:38:00.000-07:002011-06-02T06:38:46.777-07:00Goal-setting and Goal-keepingNearing the half-way point of the year, how many of you like to review where you are on goals? Like the ones set on New Year's Day? I'm an obsessive goal-setter. It's like if I write it down, I'm half-way there.<br />
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Today I looked at my New Year's Resolutions and decided to chuck the whole lot. Because they just make me feel bad about myself. I did read the 50 books. I read them all in about three months time. The writing and the walking resolutions? Don't even ask! <br />
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But, in my defense, Universe, in case you are listening and keeping score: my mom died, my husband and I had a major move from our home of 13 years, uh...uh...uh....excuses?....excuses?.....Okay, those are the only two big events, but they work, I think, as pretty good <strike>excuses</strike> reasons to get stalled.<br />
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Okay, now it's time to move on and set some new goals, because today is the first day of the rest of my life!Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-90716663490465961052011-05-24T18:50:00.000-07:002011-05-24T18:50:32.817-07:00Writing the Memoir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-S92Y6UFxY2gFcvPmmz69BSBzi8aHDx6Ys7UUhg5ZFg0ezx31_OIV962B8KXP65yD9L09iYSx-Uq1TPO07zh766NTArfF_CV4HIWNLV0fv6CfZLMFY2rLmJsmtQY466gn8-CODpXOT35/s1600/ITM+cover-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-S92Y6UFxY2gFcvPmmz69BSBzi8aHDx6Ys7UUhg5ZFg0ezx31_OIV962B8KXP65yD9L09iYSx-Uq1TPO07zh766NTArfF_CV4HIWNLV0fv6CfZLMFY2rLmJsmtQY466gn8-CODpXOT35/s1600/ITM+cover-front.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-S92Y6UFxY2gFcvPmmz69BSBzi8aHDx6Ys7UUhg5ZFg0ezx31_OIV962B8KXP65yD9L09iYSx-Uq1TPO07zh766NTArfF_CV4HIWNLV0fv6CfZLMFY2rLmJsmtQY466gn8-CODpXOT35/s320/ITM+cover-front.jpg" width="199" /></a>I recently read Ann Best's memoir <i>In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets</i>. I just added it to my Shelfari shelf of memoir-type books I have read.<br />
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What makes a good memoir? First, the cover. This is a wonderful cover because you can stare at it at length wondering about the people before you even crack open the book. Then while you're reading, you can flip back to it and recall how Ann and Larry looked on their wedding day. And you can ponder this photo with their children and think about how things are not always as happy as it seems when a family gathers for a smiling group shot.<br />
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Which brings me to another important element of memoir-- story! There needs to be a beginning, middle and end; conflict; memorable, identifiable characters; resolution of conflict; real life situations that the reader can connect with; and don't forget-- good writing!!<br />
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There's the autobiography someone might write for family and posterity with particulars and photos from one's life. These have a place in personal and family history and kudos to anyone who is able to write one. And then there's the publishable memoir such as Ann wrote-- something that connects with a large demographic of readers who will pay for the privilege of reading her story. <br />
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I like to think the genre is called "memoir" because it's "memorable." Not simply a collection of "memories" but a story that stays in your heart and mind long after. That's the kind of memoir that Ann Best wrote. Not an easy task. I hope on her blog that she will delve into what, why and how she managed to write her book.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-15557570001200825762011-05-22T12:11:00.000-07:002011-05-22T12:11:27.743-07:00What Motivates You?This might seem like an easy question but it's not really. Because I have no idea half the time why I do what I do. Does anyone?<br />
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Like, what motivates me to sulk instead of speak? What on earth does sulking accomplish? Yet there I go, sulking again instead of communicating in a proper way.<br />
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What motivates a woman toward health and fitness? And another towards a lifetime of sedentary behavior while overdosing on candy and potato chips?<br />
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What makes someone a workaholic and someone else a call-in-sick-whenever-possible kind of guy? <br />
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Why do some people like cats and others prefer dogs?<br />
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Why does one man love going to church and another avoid it like the plague? <br />
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My mom used to say that I would stare at people and analyze them endlessly. (Like there's something wrong with that?) What is more fascinating in this whole wide world than<i> people?</i>Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-49109674393963996062011-05-18T08:39:00.000-07:002011-05-18T08:39:00.434-07:00Interview with a Wanna be GenealogistMy husband is really really interested in genealogy and all aspects of family history. As he puts it: "A wanna-be family history pictures and archivist." Here's what he has to say-- (and thank you, darling husband, for the interview and photos and information on scanning)--<br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Technology today makes preserving records easier than ever. And easier to share original documents with anyone at no additional cost. The opportunity to look into the face of an ancestor in a photograph and realize that they are connected to you is remarkable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ4dsDFEhmWstu7WBVxJQIgxNgWRds9e1duKGUzPffAjZeafimjvxridYVDsLFOiGEj9vTvcgfsObm5tmWFBAQTWbAlu11GjUEHCYsubJQcQ7A6ArvWo47kVejas2lmTq22u8FXXns_VH/s1600/Ja+Bingham+family+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ4dsDFEhmWstu7WBVxJQIgxNgWRds9e1duKGUzPffAjZeafimjvxridYVDsLFOiGEj9vTvcgfsObm5tmWFBAQTWbAlu11GjUEHCYsubJQcQ7A6ArvWo47kVejas2lmTq22u8FXXns_VH/s320/Ja+Bingham+family+at+home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With the advent of scanning technology this is made easier and more accessible. I take old photos and scan the entire photo, even if there's damage to it. I can also just scan the faces, which are the most important part of the individuals in our history. I like to see the settings that they're in, I like to think about what they may be doing the day that they posed for this picture.<br />
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I have a treasured photograph of one young couple recently married, right before he went off to fight in the Civil War and never came home. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kms63mQ7UdjYvKLMrqdEQpCGtT6PlpSfDihYt1x5rCqCl0uqGU5haDbhwnDia5TxEhicAf2LsczVrHTW2bnqd2SERqz3xVtOUNOwWK4RR6ZUcfsgIrtB35ujINrH3HeO_QrFn5JSmRAN/s1600/Smith+Banta+and+Mary+Jane+London+1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kms63mQ7UdjYvKLMrqdEQpCGtT6PlpSfDihYt1x5rCqCl0uqGU5haDbhwnDia5TxEhicAf2LsczVrHTW2bnqd2SERqz3xVtOUNOwWK4RR6ZUcfsgIrtB35ujINrH3HeO_QrFn5JSmRAN/s320/Smith+Banta+and+Mary+Jane+London+1859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That is Smith Banta and his wife, Mary Jane London, my great-great grandparents. They had two children. Later, she remarried and had eight more children.<br />
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Documents such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, wills, letters and anything that might give information about family members can also be scanned and emailed to those interested. Scanning is a simple and inexpensive process for photos and documents. No more running to the copy store, or even worse--loaning an original valued document and worrying that you might never get it back.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div>Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-52838682137615024972011-05-16T09:05:00.000-07:002011-05-16T09:06:13.759-07:00The Quiet HouseTwo weeks ago we moved and right now, for the first time ever, the house is relatively still. Our two boys left early for a work project, and the phone guy was only here for long enough to fix the bad outlet (maybe 20 minutes). Our regular visitors are the phone and internet repairmen and technicians. I think they have the phone lines all working now. Internet is fine as long as I'm plugged in-- no wireless yet.<br />
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The dishwasher and washing machine are running but that's lovely white noise that means cleaning is happening while I'm busy elsewhere. <br />
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A major move like this is hectic, exhausting, expensive, and loud. Once all the activity dies down I can stop stressing and begin to think and get my groove back. So maybe this is the week. It's starting off well with a nice quiet house. I should be cleaning after the hectic weekend. But first I just want to relish the peaceful feeling of a quiet Monday. Ahhhh!Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-27513065595497122842011-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:002011-05-15T11:13:00.315-07:00Happy Birthday to my Quiet BlogIt was a year ago that I began this blog as an experiment. Well, not exactly a year. My <a href="http://writingyourhistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/writing-your-own-history.html">first post</a> was actually on March 31. I wanted to see what would happen if I posted about subjects that interested me-- memoir, personal and family history, family, nature, and of course<i> myself </i>hehe-- without doing anything else to get followers or views. No tricks or gimmicks-- just plain ol' everyday writing on the blog.<br />
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It's been fun because it's no pressure blogging. I'm not really trying to do anything special or even have a platform--it's simply a forum for random posting. Because I'm a compulsive writer who will write anywhere, anytime on any subject. Ask my kids who have carried dozens of boxes of massive journals from house to house. <br />
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Happy birthday to <a href="http://writingyourhistory.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-quiet-blog.html">my quiet blog.</a> Many thanks to those who follow me here and take the time to read and comment on my posts. I appreciate it so much!Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-14645436847768832122011-05-14T10:53:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:22:01.466-07:00A Walk into HeavenYesterday it was 78 and sunny. I thumbed my nose at broken Blogger and messed up internet at the new house and went for a long walk. There's a lake about 15 min. from my house so I headed there to explore what paths would take me where. I avoided the areas closest to the road and parking areas-- too much noise and activity-- and headed to the other side of the lake, which seemed almost like a wilderness area.<br />
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It was so still and empty of activity. I only passed two other walkers in an hour, but enjoyed the company of a couple of geese far out on the water. They came soaring in with their long necks and wide wing span, and in tandem they slid and skated along the water surface, barely making a ripple. Geese are annoying up close, especially if they've decided they own the area, but from a distance they are enchanting. <br />
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Up ahead, I saw a bench in the shade, just waiting for me. I sat and looked out over the lake and the mountains beyond. It was peaceful, solitary and beautiful. I felt like I was in heaven. Of course I wouldn't always want to be alone, either in this life or the next, but at that moment it was exactly what my heart craved. Solace. Beauty. Solitude.Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589472503893819862.post-10341206163899234342011-05-08T18:10:00.001-07:002011-05-08T18:14:22.154-07:00Being HomeschooledHomeschooling is a great option for educating one's children when the school system isn't doing its job. I have utilized homeschooling myself. Usually only for a short time and then back into the public schools they go. Sometimes people will homeshool for their children for the entire education. I'm not saying it is good or bad, but it's nice to have the option. But then there's that question that comes when people are talking about someone with no social skills-- "Were they homeschooled?"<br />
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(I apologize in advance to anyone who might be offended by this post.)Karen Jones Gowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11378428503220197256noreply@blogger.com6