Marking 80th Birthday With 5K Walk

Rainy Start

Grandma & Grandpa Edwards

Why Aren't  Quotes Considered Social Media?

Recently I read a blog discussing why quotes should not share space in social media. This startled me a little bit. How many times have I seen quotes on social media?
Since I entered the Twitter and Facebook world  I have seen many quotes daily within the 140 character framework. There are the quotes of inspiration, of motivation and the cute ones that make you smile. Why do some consider them annoying and a waste of time? Perhaps, it takes time away from doing their own branding. But what about connecting and engaging with others?
What puzzles me is the fact that the big companies use logos to promote their brand. For, example; "Rethink Possible"-AT&T. How many logos can you identify with a company name? Social Media has brought advertising into Social Media calling it "branding".
Many top Social Media Influencers use many quotes in their blogs to motivate the reader and elevate their thoughts to a higher level. These social media coaches, consultants or strategists author many motivational books full of quotes. Quotes are powerful, motivational tools.
Then Twitter or Facebook pages are used for quotes to attract readers to their blogs or websites. It is at this point of contention that brings the value of quotes to light. To be successful in social media you must engage in communications, promote others, and gain trust for yourself.
Personally, I have found my niche. I like to share and care with my followers
and the ones I follow with " old grandma sayings" that I have collected over the years.(enough to fill four composition books). Those old sayings are short, sweet and full of wisdom. My tweets are a mixture are a mixture of quotes, conversations, retweets, mentions and just plain old being nice and cordial.
Maybe once a day I might shamefully plug my own little art business. By the way, I promote my business by using quotes like: "Let me share my joy of painting" or "Flowers are God's work of art". The title of my business might be considered as a quote: "From My Brush".
If my quotes are not politically correct for social media so be it-it is my personal branding. It is what I do. Social media is a great diverse network of people. Everyone can exercise their methods of communications by using and sharing their own unique methods. You can quote "GrandMaOnDeck"!

Should We Continue To Write Thank You Notes ?

Should We Continue To Write Thank You Notes?

Should we teach our children and grandchildren to write social thank you notes?
This past week I read two articles about etiquette on Social Media. Technology has changed the way we communicate in many ways, but politeness is politeness. Acknowledging appreciation for those special gifts should always be a part of our society.In our fast paced world the email or phone call is considered acceptable but it is that handwritten personal note that makes the message special.

The subject interested me for two reasons. First my mother taught her eight children to sit down and write a thank you note for any thoughtful gift or gesture we received. It was the proper thing to do. Secondly, take my paintings and make note cards and I use them.

Recently I invited my daughter and her co-workers to come and share a home cooked Sunday dinner with me. The girls are all away from their hometowns and parents. This gave them a chance to gather around my table
and create a local family. I received a thank you note from each one of the girls including my daughter. Reading each card made me feel special. It also made me feel proud of their parents  teaching them to say "thank you". These notes were so special I placed them on a sofa table to look at and remind me  how  special these little notes are.

Thank you notes should always be at hand. They don't have to be expensive or even purchased. Hand draw them or make them on your computer. Maybe a large post it note pad will do. Personal handwritten are the best.
Keep your notes simple by opening with a greeting. Then write the reason you are grateful, followed why it was special, repeat your thanks and sign it. Be Creative.

Growing Old And Growing Up
Growing old doesn't mean I have to grow up. I love softball and sporting events.Love reality shows and the latest movies, ice cream and chocolate.
Yesterday I went to an exercise class that made the machine workout a bore.It was an exercise with Latin Music-Rumba Chair. The music was great. The exercise provided a cardio-body workout and burned calories. Twenty vintage women and two old men danced with a vibrant young instructor. We made some really wild and funky moves all seated in our chairs.
It was a commitment I made to myself to do something for my self and for someone else. I invited a neighbor who can't do much walking or do those exercise machines.She was able to adjust to the music, adjust the movements to what she could do. She didn't miss a beat-only if it was just tapping her feet. We truly got down and funky.
Last night I help a neighbor host a block party for those who don't get out of the house much.It was the start of Bunco night with snacks and conversation.
Again it is something for me and sharing with others.It is a known fact, if you give yourself some relaxing times each week you feel much better. There are so many ways to relax, have fun, and help someone else at the same time. Tonight it is time to eat out with the "Dining Divas" There are 28 in the group. We take turns picking up others who can't drive. It is a matter of being creative. You can't stop growing old but you can continue on with growing up.

What Are You Willing To Let Go? 80 years is a long time. Living that long, a person has seen many changes in life and the way things are done. The world around us is moving at a very fast pace. My vintage brain is occupied 24/7 with learning the new technologies of the present time. Even role models have switched. The question is what will my generation do for their spring cleaning. What are they willing to "let go" and what will they bring forward to the present. First, I would bring forward the tradition of the family eating a meal together so they can share their happenings of the day. Bring forward the comfort of a safe haven. Remember: a house is built with wood and beams; a home is built with love and dreams. Bring forward the tradition of visiting Grandma and Grandpa on a Sunday afternoon or other elder family members and friends. Bring forward the "Sunday going to church and picnics on the ground". Bring forward family trips and vacations. Bring forward the importance of each one taking responisibility for their conrtribution to the family home and responsibility for their actions. Bring forward the art of writing thank you notes for gifts received. Be grateful for what one has and make the most of it. Bring forward the respect toward others. Respect their opinions and feelings. Take the time to de-clutter,one day at a time.Let go those old habits . Take time for reflection and self-care. Share time with family and friends. Bring back the old fashion networking. You t know the one where you talk to each other building respect and trust. Bring forward the necessary things to live. Old items that bring back old memories I am willing to let go because memories are locked within my heart where they belong.

The Button Jar

Just a week ago I was in a discussion with friends on social media about de-cluttering and letting go to relieve the stress that clutter can cause. Many were sentimental about some items and said they couldn't part with them. It is the same with the mind.You can clutter it with old beliefs, negative thoughts, and old theories.Letting go one day at a time, one item at the time can eased the situation. I de-cluttered two years ago when I packed up my home of 78 years and moved to Middle Tennessee. Many of the things I packed are in the garage now. After the discussion I went to de-clutter the second time. There it was sitting alone on top of a box, my Mother's button jar!This one gallon jar has held buttons for over sixty years. My first recollection of the button collection was when I was about ten years or twelve years old. The big jar was what she used to stored her buttons to replace missing ones from our clothing.With eight children to dress it was necessary to hand me down clothes from the oldest to the youngest. When the clothes were thread bare she would snip off the buttons and store them in a jar and recycle the clothes a cleaning rags. When my mother and father passed away the jar was sitting in their pantry all alone. No one wanted it so I took it home . I continued the tradition of saving buttons and placing them in the jar. I replaced missing buttons from my families clothes from the button jar.Then as we purchased new clothes, the manufactuers started attaching extra buttons to the clothings items. There were so many buttons I decided to donate some for a project my local Business and Professional Women's Club had begun to raise money for scholarships for student in financial need.Mabel Daughtery, our oldest member came up with the project of button bracelets.To make the bracelets a strip of elastic mesh was cut and seamed to stretch and go on a wrist.Decorative buttons were sewn on to the mesh completely covering the wrist band.Many bracelets were made with beautiful designs.$12,000 was raised for the scholarship fund. After the bracelet project, buttons glued on picture frames became a very popular item. By that time decorative buttons could be purchased in a yard goods store.Party stores began to sell little theme cake decorations which became very popular for theme picture frames. Many years have passed since I used or replaced any buttons for the button jar.It is sitting alone as if stuck in a time warp. Will the jar be an inspiration for another project ? Maybe it will continue to be the great vessel to hold those wonderful antigue buttons.

What Inspires Me To Be An Artist

What inspires me to be an artist? I would have to say everything. I am always amazed at cloud formations. I look up at them all the time.The ones that have silver linings are the most beautiful clouds.The flowers with there delicate petals I think of as God's artwork.The beautiful, the vivid color of birds and butterflies would give anyone a color theory lesson. My slogan is "Let me share my joy of painting with you.

My career began late in life after I retired from my second career. I became a widow one year before retirement. I needed something to do to fill my time and the void I had in my life. I walked bravely into a local Folk Art School and stated to the Instructor; "I want to paint". I became a member of a wonderful paint group.

Each year I worked on a technique in painting. I started painting with oils but I didn't like the smell of turpentine used to clean brushes. Next came decorative painting with acrylics as you can see in the picture. Next I tried pen and ink and watercolor wash. From there it was one stroke with acrylics. Colored pencils fascinated me so I spent almost two years working on this technique. I love the layering of colors Now I am into watercolor which is probably the hardest for me to do.

Watercolor can be so beautiful , so bright as the whole outdoors, and the subjects I want to paint. Landscapes are on my palette now. I love the countryside scenes and rides down the old country roads of middle Tennessee. That is why I paint. My paintings are my way of recording what I have seen.

My art work led me to where I am Now, a shop on Etsy. the largest handmade network on-line. "Let me share my joy of painting with you" is my purpose. Today I share it with you www.glory2727.etsy.com.