Neglect Not the Gift...

Here's something that really tickled me when I was visiting the grandkids and their illustrious parents back in So Cal last weekend. Take a look at this close-up shot of the lovely (though crooked by virtue of photographer incapacity) plaque that hangs on the wall above my granddaughter's bed.

My daughter-in-law, Heather, created this cute wall hanging from a poem I wrote for one of my books (©2004 Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children, Vantage Point Press). I love knowing that she wanted these words of mine in plain sight for Carli to view and perhaps draw inspiration from through the years, as she goes from crafty young girl to artsy teenager. What a neat compliment! Maybe, one day, Carli will even want to read the entire book!! (She's already putting a pretty good dent in the Magic Tree House series...)

The idea of creation is especially meaningful for me. When President Uchtdorf gave an inspired talk to the women of the LDS Church on the topic, I was several degrees beyond thrilled. Years ago, I had taught a Relief Society lesson about every woman's amazing power and gift to make something from nothing...or (at least) relatively little. The notes from that presentation later became a chapter called "Respecting and Directing Your Personal Power" in my book, "Awaken Your Spiritual Power: The Fairy Godmother Isn't Coming" (©1999 Susan Noyes Anderson).

Anyway, the backbone of this lesson was an acronym I created for the occasion. (There's that amazing verb again!) Here's how it goes...

Catch the vision

Request the Spirit

Experiment with ideas (prepare)

Accept inspiration

Take courage (trust your gift)

Express your divinity

© All Rights Reserved

Of course, there was a poem to go along...

Neglect Not the Gift That Is in Thee... (1 Timothy 4:14)

©1999 Susan Noyes Anderson

The gift is given. Will we make a space

within the cluttered circles of our lives?

As mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and wives,

will we lay hold or run an endless race?

Will we lay hold, or run an endless race...

and, running, lose our vision of the prize?

"Be still," God said. The cup goes to the wise,

for every gift must have its time and place.

For every gift must have its time and place

or be forgotten...and the Giver, too.

Come, let us dedicate ourselves anew.

Receive and magnify each gift with grace.

Receive and magnify each gift with grace.

Create a fertile ground; make room for growing.

We have the seeds, and they are ripe for sowing.

The gift is given. Will we make a space?

One of the things I love so much about blogging is that the gift of creativity is constantly being expressed in language and photos that mirror the use of that gift in each blogger's life. An empty "New Post" page is simply another space where beauty can find a home.

...Which is a perfect segue to this reminder that the giveaway for my 500th post anniversary doesn't end until Saturday night, and you still have time to comment here and win one (or several) chances to take home a few examples of beauty in the form of three special editions of Jane Austen's work or a lovely tote by Ronna. What better way to embrace and celebrate the creativity of others than to accept these tangible manifestations of their considerable gifts?

CREATE. Yep, I love that word.

;)

PS. Don't you ♥ the way Joni Mitchell uses notes and silence to create the haunting rhythm of this song? Perfect.

A New Gig on "Mormon Women"

Relief Society General Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(not affiliated with the Mormon Women site)

I don't know how many of you are aware of a site called Mormon Women: Who We Are. The purpose of this blog, as I understand it, is to provide a real voice and give real faces to LDS women across the internet...to debunk myths and break down stereotypes of who we are, replacing these with facts and information straight from the horse's mouth (or mouths, as it were). Not that I'm calling us a bunch of nags (old, gray, or otherwise), of course.

The thing is, I've agreed to join their creative team and become a regular contributor, and today I have posted an introduction of myself that you might want to check out. For longtime readers of Sue's News, Views 'n Muse, I think you may actually learn a couple of things about me that you didn't know before. Yes folks, after 500 posts, I still have secrets to reveal. LOTS of 'em. (There now. Doesn't that give me an air of mystery?) All undeserved, I fear. But, no matter...

Anyway, in March of last year, the talented woman behind this endeavor wrote me an e-mail asking whether I would be interested in participating occasionally on the website by writing an essay or submitting poetry. We continued discussing the idea and agreed, rather casually, that they would be free to publish some poems and that I would, perhaps, write some personal essays in the future. More recently, due to a hiatus or two behind the scenes, Michelle decided a new team member was needed and asked me if I could fill that bill. Knowing that what I really need in my life is more time on the internet (?!), I agreed.

So there it is. The continuing tale of my over-involvement in computer-related activity and writing in general. What can I say? Mea culpa. And...

How sweet it is!

;)

PS. Okay, now. If you haven't yet put yourself in the running to win the Austen special editions or Ronna's tote, you need to click on my 500th Giveaway Post right now, and get it done. Don't be shy! You are my readers; I value each one of you, and I want to give you something back! So work with me here. ;)

Sue's 500th Post, Penguin Classics Giveaway!

HURRAY for (short-but-not-so) little old me!

Only FIVE more posts to go until I reach the 500 mark!! (Well, four actually, now that I've written this one.)

z o u n d s

THIS IS B-I-G.

Yep, on the day this contest ends (Saturday at 11:59 pm), 500 bloggy offerings will have been provided here for your reading pleasure (or not) over the past one and a half years, and I am ready to party down with the coolest giveaway ever. What say you? Would you like to be the one to win the grand prize, a three-volume set of special editions from Penguin Classics, with lovely fabric covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith? There's even a ribbon book marker in a coordinating color. What more could a Jane Austen-loving blogger want? Or give, for that matter?!

Yessiree, you could be the very one who receives these copies of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma for your own personal library. You certainly could!

And aren't they cool?

(Including the close-up?)

I LOVE THESE BOOKS

they are simply beautiful

So much do I value these lovely volumes, in fact, that I have already purchased a set for myself. After all, the crazed writer who has subjected you to 500 posts since September of 2008 deserves a little prize too, right? (You don't have to answer that...especially if you find your thoughts moving more in the direction of "straightjacket" than book jacket.)

cough

There will be a second prize given, too––for whichever reader successfully invites the most people to click on over here and leave a comment below. One caveat: your newcomers must mention you as their "referrer" by name in order for their comments to be counted in your favor. (Of course, any and all newcomers are free to participate as contestants in the giveaway, too.) The delightful prize for the mightiest referrer of like-minded people will be this really fun tote bag from Rockin Ronna Accessories. I think you need it!

Okay, back to the matter at hand. Here's how to enter. (By the way, each "entry" equals one slip of paper with your name on it, carefully placed in the large red bowl from which I will draw the winners' name):

1a. Leave a comment (1 entry) or for an extra entry, you can

1b. Leave a comment with constructive feedback for improving this blog (2 entries).

2a. Link to this giveaway (3 entries) or for an extra entry, you can

2b. Blog about and link to this giveaway (4 entries).

3a. Become a follower (5 entries) or you can

3b. Become a follower and remain one (still 5 entries, but lots of blog love, too!)

In other words, if you play your cards right, you can end up with your name in my infamous red drawing bowl as many as 11 times or as few as 1 time. And it's all up to you!

Again, the contest closes on Saturday (the momentous occasion upon which I will offer up my 500th blogalicious post) at 11:59 PM. You may think that "blogalicious" is too strong a word. You're right. But this is my day, so I will use hyperbole.

What's more, I will announce the winners right here on Sunday morning.

Thanks for playing...

And GOOD LUCK out there!

=)

PS. I always like to take the opportunity when these anniversaries roll around to thank those of you who visit my blog regularly and make my blogging experience so much richer. I look forward to your posts and comments when I sign on every morning and enjoy the very real friendships that I've found here. Who knew?!

Back from Grandma Heaven/Blogger Hiatus

Our trip up to Southern California took place in the dark.

Hope you like this shot.

(it was a tough one to get)

We rolled into town about 2:30 AM...

(bet you're wondering how I captured THIS) trade secret

Only to have another one of our famous flat tires.

Fortunately, we were three blocks from Matt and Heather's.

(our haven)

Unfortunately, Ryan had to walk them...or drive on the rim.

He was all for driving on the rim.

I was for walking.

(he walked)

He picked up Matt's car so Karin and I could move luggage

(and ourselves) to the house in order to hit the hay before dawn.

Then he stayed at my car and waited for AAA.

What a good guy.

He caught up with us at 4:00 AM.

(at least, that's what my clock said)

Fortunately, I woke up in beautiful surroundings

(thanks for the room, Carli)

The sun was shining a little more brightly than I was,

but it didn't take me long to perk up.

In fact, I had so much fun I never took one picture till Sunday.

(not a one)

Then I recovered...just in time for the grand entrance.

Hmmm. Who do you think is the biggest ham in the fam?

Well, actually, that might not be as easy an answer

as you think...

These two make a pretty cute pair...

and they do like their share of attention!

While this dude is growing up so fast it kills me...

But he still checks out the pantry with his sibs

for the Sunday sacrament meeting snack hunt.

And his dad still checks out the TV to DVR the big games.

Finally, the whole family is ready to go!

(except Heather, who isn't feeling well...)

Into the car they go...

Um...that's...INTO the car, Carli...

(okay, I did do the braids, but the orange bow was her call)

Good job, Bryce!

Meanwhile, Ryan finishes up our last-minute packing...

Before we hit the road.

He likes to look at the scenery.

Hope you do, too...

Cuz it ain't bad...

Not bad at all...

Pretty dang good, in fact...

And well worth looking at...

Even in the rain.

Home again.

Home again!

(or very nearly, anyway...)

=)

PS. The blog break was great...but I have to admit that I'm delighted to be online again. And I can't wait to check out all your blogs!

PPS. We did lose Karin halfway through the trip. She had to fly home for reasons I'd better not mention here...(respecting privacy is probably a good policy with adult children, right?) But it was all good! ;) Even better were oh-so-kind Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) who drove a fair way to see us and then went out of their way, in heavy traffic, to take Karin to the airport. Thanks, guys!

Some Decompression from My Grand Obsession

I and my compelling need to be heard will be taking a break from blogging for a few days while I drive south to spend some time with my grandkids. Part of me needs the rest and part of me wants to prove to myself that what I am currently considering a hobby is just that...a hobby. (As opposed to a compulsive behavior, that is.)

In fact, I'll be leaving my laptop behind entirely, which means I won't have to drag any extra paraphernalia with me. Unfortunately, it also means I won't be visiting my favorite blogs or commenting, but never fear. I shall return to enjoy them (and all of you) on Monday. Hey, I am even going to shun Facebook and e-mail as I use this opportunity to assess whether too much of my time and attention is caught up in computer-related activity. Honestly, it will be interesting to see whether I go through withdrawals!

I'll be journaling this experience, as well as the fun and frenzy (I'm sure there'll be plenty of both) with my grandchildren. Of course, I'll post a few excerpts upon my return. The thing is, I've been active online since early 1990, so I am genuinely interested in exploring how it feels to deprive myself of that particular pleasure (and it is indeed one of my greatest pleasures) for a few days.

In the meantime, take care and have a good one! I know I will. Hey, look at the people I get to see!!

the mini-gang

the full gang

And I get to spend some time with these two, as well...

(Not Dave and me...the other guys...the good-lookin' ones!)

=)