#Write31Days

This year I've decided to do something crazy and participate in #Write31Days. The epitome of my personal commandment Stretch - 31 Days is an online writing challenge started by home blogger Myquillyn Smith (The Nester) and now hosted by Crystal Stine, where bloggers pick one topic and write a post on that topic every day in October. Wish me luck!

Three Gifts Worn

• Colorful sandals. Even in November.


• Comfy purple pajama pants.


• Warm black sweater. Resurrected from 20 years ago.

#20DaysofGratitude #1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)

Three Gifts Eaten

• Raspberries. The food of the gods.


• Pretzel Crisps. My favorite snack.


• Cauliflower cheese soup. Warm and filling.

#20DaysofGratitude #1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)

A Gift in Light, Dark, Shadow

• The sun coming up over the mountains in the morning.


• The full moon in the night sky.


• My shadow as it fell on the sand on a beach in Florida.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)

Three Gifts Baked

• Chocolate chip cookies.


• Wheat bread.


• German chocolate brownies.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)

Three Gifts Musical

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream. (Over the past sixteen or seventeen years, I've seen numerous productions of this musical based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis - and I've loved them all. My favorite song is "Close Every Door.")


• The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof. (I have memories of watching the film versions of both these musicals with my parents when I was a child - and the feelings they invoked have been part of my life ever since. More recently I saw stage productions of these musicals and fell in love with them all over again.)


• The Secret Garden. (The classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett upon which this musical is based was one of my childhood favorites. After I first saw a production of musical, I had to buy the soundtrack - with Mandy Patinkin as Archibald Craven - because I loved the music so very much. I've since seen another production, which I also loved. My favorite song is "Wick." By the way, I've seen Mandy Patinkin in concert since then too - which was awesome!)

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)

Three Gifts Learned

This week I'm attending a seminar for work. Today's gifts are ideas I'm learning at that seminar.

• Success is ultimately about being relevant.


• One component of the implementation of a strategic plan is metrics. The crucial factor is deciding what to measure!


• If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

(Click here for more information.)