Sunday Salon: September 22, 2013

From the Sunday Salon's original website:  Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book.  

Doesn't that sound heavenly --- that in our hectic lives we carve out a period of time to devote to reading and all things literary?  While I like to focus these weekly posts on reading, I think I am going to try the format that several other bloggers have adopted and also use this entry as a way to summarize the past seven days and preview the upcoming week.

Today's Weather:  Perfect for the first day of fall:  sunny sky, cool morning (about 53 degrees) and a warm afternoon (high near 80).  And apparently we are to expect a repeat performance over the next three days.  I am ready to transition into the cooler temperatures, although I suppose now I no longer have the excuse not to complete my daily walk....

What's on the menu:  Currently enjoying a cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee in celebration of fall's arrival.    The kids are coming over this afternoon for an impromptu dinner gathering, and we will probably order the old standby:  pizza and wings.

Highlights of the week: Mumford and Sons concert --- of course.

Teaching Overview:  In Brit Lit we have finally finished the basic overview of literary analysis and will begin reading and discussing Beowulf.

In English Comp we met off-site at a local coffee shop to workshop 5 paragraph essays.  The class is small (only six) and the students are so focused, that I am sure we will make this a regular outing.

Currently Reading:  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.  I had hoped to finish the book in a week's time, but I focused more on writing than reading this week.  I am about half-way through however, and really enjoy JK Rowling's writing style.  I have already fallen in love with Harry, and truly admire the entire Weasley family.  I will finish the book this week, and hopefully find the time to watch the movie as well.

Writing Progress:  I am still excited about the ebook idea, Finding Joy in the Present:  Spiritual Lessons through Photography, so I consider that a good sign.  I have outlined about fifteen chapters and written the rough draft for the introduction as well as the first three chapters.  I have decided to add photos to the project, and that has necessitated a review of my uploaded pictures in Lightrooom - which led to the task of (finally) adding key words to these images.

I refuse to let this become a diversion from my writing, however, so I only work on this portion of the project while watching mindless television in the evening.

Artist's Date:  (based on Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way...)   I did not actually take myself on a two hour date but... I did take a mental break several times this week to play the Photo Favorites Game, as I have come to call it.  I learned to play while taking Susannah Conway's online class:  Photo Meditations.

In essence, I log onto my Flickr (or 500px) account and randomly select one of my contacts.  I then go to their favorites page (that is, photos that they have selected as favorites from other photographers) and find one that speaks to me (either because I like the composition, the emotion it stirs within me, the subject matter, the technical expertise.... there is no set criteria) and I then add it to my collection of favorites.  Next, I visit the photostream of that particular photographer, go to his or her favorites, find another photo that speaks to me, add it to my list, and continue.

I typically only spend about 10-20 minutes playing the game, but it is relaxing, inspiring, and in the end, I have added several photographs that I can review and analyze at any time.

Craftiness:  I fell short in this area.  While I continue to add greeting card ideas to my Pinterest board, and I imagine myself creating them, I have yet to follow through.  I hope by reporting this inactivity week after week on the blog it will motivate me to do something.

Photography:  I did not actually take any new photos this week (except for the few iPhone pics at the concert), but I did begin the key word project and took time to review Flickr and 500px for inspiration, so hopefully that, combined with the "picture perfect" weather predicted for this week will translate into a photo adventure in the near future.

What's on the Horizon:  It should be a fairly typical week, which I enjoy.  It is easy for me to say yes to events and before I know it, I am over-committed.  I am trying to cultivate the habit of saying "maybe"

I do plan to continue writing, with the goal of drafting three more chapters.  And the highlight of the week will be celebrating my youngest's 20th birthday!  I will try not to focus on how old this makes me ... I cannot believe there is no longer a teenager in the family!

I wish you all a peaceful week, filled with cooler fall temperatures where you can snuggle with a good book, perhaps a cup of tea or glass of wine, and simply read for the joy for it.