NATIONAL "GOOF OFF DAY" - March 22nd

Everyone talks about the Ides of March on the 15^th, but did you know that March 22^nd is “National and International Goof Off Day”? Now here’s a celebration we can all get behind and participate in. And to make matters ever better, it’s on Friday of this year! 

What do I plan to do? Glad you asked. I’m goofing off. 

I plan to leave all my writer obligations, ideas, and tasks that are always hammering at me in the back of my brain and find activities that qualify as fun, not difficult, deemed enjoyable—and which are mindless.  So that leaves out the frustrating game of golf. It also leaves out reading since I get carried away to a new world when I read, and often I find myself plowing through the book, reading nonstop, to find out how the story ends. Thus, reading is hardly mindless in my way of thinking.

I could clean the house. That’s as mindless as it gets, but it certainly isn’t enjoyable. Someone suggested sitting quietly in a chair in a Zen-like state and meditating. It would only be a possibility if I could sit still that long. Over an hour of a vacuum-like state, and I’d need anti-anxiety medication to deal with the inactivity and silence. 

Someone suggested relaxing and making a to-do list. Are you kidding me? What a way to go bonkers. What part of that activity is relaxing? I’d sit in nervous anxiety, chewing the eraser off my pencil, as the list grows and the urge to be knocking off some of the tasks on the stupid list grows exponentially. 

I could try driving aimlessly around the town, but every time I do that, I see new things. Then, I have the impulse to want to take careful note of the scene and stuff my mind with details for possible use in my writing.  And, the idea is to leave the writing world behind for a day, shut down the brain, and goof off.

If you have any thoughts and opinions for goofing off on March 22nd, I’m open to suggestions. Leave a comment and I’ll consider them. Oh, wait—if I have to analyze  your comments, that is not goofing off.

COMING SOON IN APRIL - "Willie, My Love," a historical romantic mystery 

about the logging industry in 1856 in Central Pennsylvania. 

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FEBRUARY - National Bird Feeding Month

For me, feeding the birds is a natural stress-free and entertaining activity. There is nothing more exciting then to see a new species of bird appear at your feeder or to see the colorful finches, cardinals, and blue jays mingle with the common song sparrow that sings a cheery tune in the bushes outside the windows. 

Finches and Woodpecker on Tube Feeder

It is estimated that one-third of the U.S. adult population feeds wild birds in their backyards. For many, it’s a fun activity that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike and encourages bird watching as a hobby. It also allows wild birds a supplement to their natural diet of weed seeds and insects while offering entertainment and relaxation for the human population.

In 1994, Congressman John Porter, of  Illinois, introduced a resolution to recognize February as National Bird Feeding Month. This is the time, in cold climates, when many birds need the most help with their food supplies as well as a place to find available water.

Cardinal

For young children, bird feeding and watching, is an excellent educational experience. They can identify the different species of birds, use a field guide, learn the feeding and living habits of birds, do research projects and reports, and most of all—have a pleasant interaction with adults.  With the use of a digital camera, they can chronicle the various types of birds with pictures, learning the skill of photography as well.

Song Sparrow

 

If you’ve not tried bird feeding as a hobby, give it a whirl. It’s like having your own wildlife reality show where the characters change every few minutes and their antics and songs keep you entertained.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Welcome 2018

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." –Mark Twain

As we approach the 2018, many people believe it’s time to look back at the past year, make corrections, and formulate resolutions for the New Year. We humans seem to need a beginning when we want to start something new—be it a skill, task, hobby, or exercise program. Dieting, for instance. How many people have you heard say, “I’m going on a diet next week…or on Monday”? After all, who starts dieting on Saturday night while sitting in a restaurant with a glass of wine and a menu that screams calories for the weak without willpower?

A beginning in our mind is always a mental picture of a first—the first day of the week or of the month, when the kids leave and you have free time, when winter ends and spring begins. The new year provides people with a clean slate and a place to start something new or to try to cast off an old vice. That’s where resolutions come into play.

Are you a resolution maker? I’m not.

I’m thinking the 2018 is a time to set some relaxed, even movable goals and explore some activities I’ve always wanted to do, but have put on the back burner. This year I’m focusing on what Mark Twain so elegantly said. I’m taking 2018 to explore, dream, discover and do new things I’ve sworn I was going to do “someday.” You know which someday I’m talking about, don’t you? The one that is really an enigmatic place in the future, without a day, month, or even year specified.  

 

My someday activities may include writing some short stories, returning to my wood shop, trying my hand at raising some herbs, reading more nonfiction, visiting some new places, watching more sunsets and enjoying nature.

What are your resolutions—or goals and activities—for the coming year? And let me know what “someday” interests you have on the back burner.