tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post3078159255998303275..comments2023-12-20T02:16:15.132-08:00Comments on The Fifty Factor: CirclesJoanna Jenkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-46787809649123676092012-03-30T02:30:57.925-07:002012-03-30T02:30:57.925-07:00Oh as I was reading I was thinking there is no way...Oh as I was reading I was thinking there is no way in hell I could have answered that woman either. I am very much the same. I am busy but not necessarily making great strides. Life is peaceful though and I like it. I agree contentment is where it's at. And your quilting is magnificent. Very clever.Lillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14597193176450931002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-35956874404640383652012-03-29T07:52:39.495-07:002012-03-29T07:52:39.495-07:00Well first hon I will say..WOWZA that quilt is stu...Well first hon I will say..WOWZA that quilt is stunning...make more please..and anything else your heart desires..Let Fly girl!!<br /><br />And then I will say...that exact thing happened to me. But the question was.."When was the last time you felt Joy?" Stopped me dead in my tracks and there I sat for a good deal of time..like months. I knew what my passion was...you do too:) But I was avoiding being brave and letting go of things that were keeping me in a rut with my artwork. I felt stale and uninspired! So..I let go of what I was holding on to..and stepped off that cliff. Whoot I am happy to say..it worked. I feel joy and wonder and bliss and well yup..I feel passion again! Let Fly hon..cause what else is there!? Retirement...forgetaboutit!! Just another chance to reinvent yourself hon!! Huge hugs and love, SarahSarah Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03835112406617937224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-79580620853924517992012-03-28T11:23:37.797-07:002012-03-28T11:23:37.797-07:00The quilt is awesome! I'm not sure I could an...The quilt is awesome! I'm not sure I could answer any of those questions myself! Your writing touches a lot of people.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09141341450297204039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-11516747015992838712012-03-28T08:26:31.599-07:002012-03-28T08:26:31.599-07:00I love this post and I love that quilt! You are so...I love this post and I love that quilt! You are so right - we have to figure out what it is we're passionate about and pursue it, whether or not anyone else understands it or not. (And yes, I run in circles half the time myself!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-22821174779960463072012-03-27T14:32:14.030-07:002012-03-27T14:32:14.030-07:00This quilt is so incredibly gorgeous! I LOVE it -...This quilt is so incredibly gorgeous! I LOVE it - especially that first image.Relyn Lawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389583730002062714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-44207748271225587382012-03-27T11:29:28.099-07:002012-03-27T11:29:28.099-07:00Your last paragraph says it correctly. Sometimes, ...Your last paragraph says it correctly. Sometimes, being content is what makes us... well, content! And what we find fun and worthwhile may not seem very exciting to us, but it may actually be just the thing for the other person who is asking you about it. And if it isn't? So what? The person is asking what makes YOU get out of bed, not what you think might get them out of bed. I get excited about fast-pitch softball and playing the bass, among other things. Do those things float YOUR boat? I don't know for sure, but I expect not.<br /><br />I know it's a fairly useless thing to say to a Type A, but relax. Enjoy where you are instead of worrying about where you're going to be. And really, truly, understand that what you see as possibly unexciting and unfulfilling is probably envied by quite a few!Suldoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778845367184916684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-25574773245526672012012-03-27T06:18:51.540-07:002012-03-27T06:18:51.540-07:00I think we all have different concepts of what &qu...I think we all have different concepts of what "grabbing the bull" is all about. I think, from the years I've been reading you, that you have successfully entered into the world of retirement. Possibly you just don't feel as fullfilled as you had hoped you would and I guess to some the other persons' grass always looks greener, but I admire what you do/have done/continue to do...even the sewing! I don't sew, I staple and tape!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-70724927706326532802012-03-26T18:49:00.021-07:002012-03-26T18:49:00.021-07:00oh darlin...we can all identify...i wonder if it&#...oh darlin...we can all identify...i wonder if it'd be a good thing to write down in a diary what you do each day...just jottings...think you'd find that you accomplish much more than you realise...yes you were caught unawares by the question at dinner...but you're obviously doing good things...being there for friends and family...volunteering...but yes creating is exhilariting...you'll know what to say next time! ps my daughter once told me that i had a circus in my head...pleased to say it'd toned down these days...Chrisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01954004833710064612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-18157053016304317122012-03-25T12:47:33.984-07:002012-03-25T12:47:33.984-07:00JJ - I think the hundreds of people who read your ...JJ - I think the hundreds of people who read your wonderful blog have provided you with the answer!Mike Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720759712556479993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-60687954062119872512012-03-24T18:04:11.919-07:002012-03-24T18:04:11.919-07:00I think your efforts are pretty darned rewarding. ...I think your efforts are pretty darned rewarding. Keep going around in those kinds of circles.Claudya Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034216831504207496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-33053110374652830832012-03-24T14:02:16.583-07:002012-03-24T14:02:16.583-07:00Joanna, Of all of the blogs on my "roll"...Joanna, Of all of the blogs on my "roll", yours is the only one I took the time to comment on today. That is because I believe we have a lot in common. <br />When I feel "dumbfounded" as to how to answer a question, flustered, it's usually because my audience wouldn't really understand my answer. Not due to anything lacking in me. So, I am sure this woman would never understand or appreciate what your passions are. <br />There, feel better?dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16084010090761068139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-6273438389990304192012-03-23T20:15:23.366-07:002012-03-23T20:15:23.366-07:00Really great post! It seems my life has been runn...Really great post! It seems my life has been running in circles for everybody ELSE for the last few years. Working really hard to find things that make me want to get out of bed in the morning! LOLAttila the Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02158308703617226652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-41199000221842643402012-03-23T12:27:48.063-07:002012-03-23T12:27:48.063-07:00Oh Holly-- You are the greatest. That last line ...Oh Holly-- You are the greatest. That last line of yours above-- THAT is why I love you so much. We are Soul Snarky Sisters. xoxoxo jjJoanna Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-28649060760481344122012-03-23T07:23:03.631-07:002012-03-23T07:23:03.631-07:00I am sitting here crying. Yep, you made me cry. ...I am sitting here crying. Yep, you made me cry. Are you happy now?! First, I had no idea you are that talented in the sewing regard. The writing, well, yes we all know that, but who knew about the sewing thing?! <br /><br />Next, just last night I was running negative tapes in my head...having just come back from Michael's business trip where I am simply, "Michael's wife," while he's a million dollar producer for this fortunate company. And, I realize that although those people think I'm fun, charming, and witty, they don't have a clue who I USED to be when I was a professional person.<br /><br />Hell, I don't even much remember who I used to be. So I can so relate to this post. So, friggin' relate.<br /><br />I'm running in cirlces chasing my own fat tail. It's in my mind mostly, but some days it's in the reality. I'm feeling lost and I'm feeling less-than and fretful.<br /><br />I can't shake the feeling that I'm supposed to be doing something important but I don't know what it is and IT hasn't presented itself to me. I'll be 57 in a few months and I look at myself and wonder How the HELL did you get so old and what do you have to show for it.<br /><br />And, then I sigh...but this post of yours? This one, it made me cry because you are not alone...I'm there with you except that I can't sew! BITCH...Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10972581158834240144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-47860833596608153722012-03-23T04:03:12.081-07:002012-03-23T04:03:12.081-07:00JJ! The first thing that struck me about that pos...JJ! The first thing that struck me about that post as I began reading it was that you said there wasn'ta single thing you could think of that would sound interesting or passionate to THIS WOMAN! <br /><br />My brain started screaming, 'who cares how what you do, or what you're passionate about sounds to someone else?'<br /><br />'What about your work for lupus and arts education?'. Yes my brain screamed it before you wrote it.<br /><br />'What about your love of family?'. Yes, that, too, came to mind before you wrote it.<br /><br />To your readers, your passions are clearly defined and obvious. <br /><br />And now you've created this beautiful quilt!<br /><br />You inspire countless folks by example, JJ!People Who Know Me Would Say:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04621641188403948733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-15917257330107975462012-03-22T14:58:10.037-07:002012-03-22T14:58:10.037-07:00If you find that you a lot of time in your retirem...If you find that you a lot of time in your retirement then you aren't really retired. I now wonder how I managed to work, when my days are full of stuff that needs doing urgently. Gardening, walking, doing charity work, reading, writing, cuddling the dog, thinking, entertaining and being entertained.<br /><br />Everybody's dreams are different, I do what I want to do when I want to do it. It's bliss.<br /><br />(Blogging is a part of it too, I would never have had the time for it before I left work)Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-69035703547482109482012-03-22T14:50:40.986-07:002012-03-22T14:50:40.986-07:00I hear you on the retirement issues -- I have the ...I hear you on the retirement issues -- I have the same ones after retiring two years ago. And that woman? She's on a temporary high of freedom and it too shall pass. Her life will once again become as sedate as everyone else.<br /><br />What gets me up out of bed in the morning is the thought of a leisurely morning walk followed by a cup of really good coffee.<br /><br />My sense of accomplishment comes from being an excellent domestic goddess and helpmate to my parents. I'm the 'go to' gal in my family when all the worker bees are running around like chickens with their heads cut off (mixed metaphor). It's a whole different existence, and just as valuable (if not more so) than working for someone else.<br /><br />Now, if I could only quilt like you do, THAT would be a great sense of accomplishment. It's a lovely piece of art, my friend.Taradharmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17665801586196931603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-18918094638549116992012-03-22T12:53:20.837-07:002012-03-22T12:53:20.837-07:00I couldn't answer one of those questions eithe...I couldn't answer one of those questions either!......!<br />Love the quilt the colors are gorgeous! I enjoy each day it's just different now than before and that's my struggle! I wish I was that zest for life kind of gal....Formerly known as Frauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12798890008067408048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-19686591821415347672012-03-22T12:09:29.799-07:002012-03-22T12:09:29.799-07:00It's funny that your last line was about the i...It's funny that your last line was about the important of being content with your life. That was what I was screaming in my head the whole time I was reading your post. Things don't have to be GRAND for us to be happy. And who could ask for more than that?Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07803503583347758969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-66773415465304500022012-03-22T10:06:21.502-07:002012-03-22T10:06:21.502-07:00lately more and more people are asking that questi...lately more and more people are asking that question...what's your passion. what excites you ?<br />and at first, it scared the crap out of me, but now that i truly have a passion, i find myself asking others the same thing.<br /><br />with that said, thank god you're content. i have a retired girlfriend who has yet to find her passion {other then TV shows} and is far from being content. i think i need to have a talk with her :)<br /><br />xobethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094533582512917616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-26623164164075621282012-03-22T08:51:00.301-07:002012-03-22T08:51:00.301-07:00There is a quilting group in town that meets every...There is a quilting group in town that meets every Thursday and I am in awe of them. They don't meet at the senior center, most of them are not seniors. It makes me wonder if I will have time some day to learn to quilt. Your work is beautiful. Absolutely lovely. You have a great talent. Actually you have many. Hugs.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02466038341689494316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-89215355251830262102012-03-22T08:22:51.788-07:002012-03-22T08:22:51.788-07:00Seems I had grand illusions of 'retirement'...Seems I had grand illusions of 'retirement'. Ya know, readin' a book on the deck while watchin' the birds frollic and the flowers grow. Boy was that a pipe dream!!!<br /><br />It's a runnin' joke 'round the Ponderosa 'bout my 'free' time. I'm an all or nothin' kinda gal and seems I shoulda known I'm too dang spastic to sit anywere! Heeehehehe!<br /><br />Girl, we see your passion all the time though your words,your zest for life, the love of family, your wonderful sense of humor and in that beautiful quilt baby!!!<br /><br />(Just let me talk to Miss Excitement who's gotta clean slate for ya!)<br /><br />I can't sit still long enough to sew a square but oh my goodness glory, circles. Wow, ya have to have passion to complete that project! <br /><br />You have yourself one passionately blessed day my dear!!! :o)Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)https://www.blogger.com/profile/10175389676508928061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-30162543163389853452012-03-22T07:28:31.190-07:002012-03-22T07:28:31.190-07:00A good friend of mine just started taking art less...A good friend of mine just started taking art lessons for the same reason. She found her passion in drawing/painting, but I am still in the process of finding mine.<br />I hope we get to see some of your new creations on the sewing machine!Betty Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02357132033070346815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-51687408851925883482012-03-22T07:10:47.300-07:002012-03-22T07:10:47.300-07:00Do I detect a bit of an apologetic tone in your po...Do I detect a bit of an apologetic tone in your post? Well, knock it off! That newly-divorced woman is going through a temporary phase, not a new life-style. She will come down from the "high" and begin to evaluate her position in life and question her choices just like the rest of us. Don't try to validate your life by her current state of passion!Ms Sparrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03417670251423549014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3211916946754614168.post-33078380399590704612012-03-22T07:07:09.789-07:002012-03-22T07:07:09.789-07:00Passion, like fire, can look different. Cozy hear...Passion, like fire, can look different. Cozy hearth. Bonfire. Conflagration. Embers. I think everyone' can look different, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com