Wild Turkeys

Yesterday, I looked out my window to see a flock of wild turkeys trotting down my driveway. By the time I got my camera, having learned from my previous experience of trying to photograph them, they were pretty much over the crest. It was a huge flock, really! But then, THEN!

I looked out my other window and I saw this:

But they saw me and headed back into the wood. Turkeys are FAST! Did you know Ben Franklin wanted the national bird to be the turkey? They're smart and fast and so tasty.

Anyway, so all I have is this photo that accentuates the dirt on my windows. Really, they don't look that dirty! I can't wash them on the outside without a BIG ladder. Well, I could. If I were my mother.

*Inspiration*

While you’re here, stay locked in the shed.
Enjoy this wonderful isolation, with no responsibility but to improve yourself.
But when you leave here, head to the business aisle of the bookstore and start reading a book a week about entrepreneurial things like marketing.
Never underestimate the importance of making money making music.
Let go of any weird taboos you have about it.
Money is nothing more than neutral proof that you’re adding value to people’s lives.
Making sure you’re making money is just a way of making sure you’re doing something of value to others.
Remember that this usually comes from doing the things that most people don’t do. ~Derek Sivers, 6 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Berklee

I love this guy! He could be talking about anything, but his passion goes through the door of music. He's the creator of CD Baby where you can buy my CD's. He's created a life doing what he loves and is such an inspiration to aspiring artists. AWESOME. Here's his whole speech:

Have a GREAT day! :-) H.

Many Busy's

I've been working on a new blog for the Mims. It will be a collaborative effort with the wonderful gals I work with & focus on massage and spa thingies. It's not ready for the Big Reveal yet...I was just on the phone with DJ Bruce who is a big fan of my boss John Morgan because John used to be his boss when they worked together in Providence. John had an illustrious career in radio before he got into the hypno biz. Part of my job includes setting up interviews for John on the radio station morning shows. In January when we have 3 teams around the country, it requires me to do a bit of Time Zone math (YIKES!), and John can be on the phone for 3 hours across 3 time zones. Anyway, it's nice when I meet radio people who know John because then they're excited to talk with him. A token 5 minutes becomes, "I'll try to keep the interview to 20." And no matter who I'm talking to, they all say the same thing: He tells the best stories. Yes, he does.
And then we swap a few favourites...

DJ Bruce asked how close I was to John. I told him we gab on the phone everyday, but that I'm in VA & he's in RI. I didn't go into more detail than that (really, who's heard of LOO-ray?), but here's a shot of my house. Right there. In the middle. Of nowhere. :-) H.

Accomplishment

This is a picture of the day my mother showed me around the house "just to look." It didn't take too long after that to decide to make the move. Prominent in the photo is the woodstove, which I thought I would never use. HA. HA.

Then it got cold-very-cold. And I had my first oil delivery. And was prompted to give the woodstove a go. Afterall, I grew up with wood heat. My Pioneer Sister has a beautiful, original, pot-bellied stove. I have a huge woodshed FULL of wood. How hard could it be? HA. HA.

Is the flue open? asked my mother as I regailed her with tales of fire-starting failures. You've got to have the flue OPEN. OK. I retreated to the library with a space heater. Nice and toasty. I was talking to my boss about the wood stove. Is the flue open? he says. Hehhh....

Then Fisherman Willie gave me firestarters for Christmas. Is the damper open? You've got to have the damper open. I said, "You know, I keep hearing about this mysterious damper-flue. How do I know it's OPEN?????" So he helped me start a fire, and eventually I learned not to let it go out. It's much easier to keep it going than to have to start a new one every morning. I've made quite a dent in the woodpile.

So here's my thought: we get a sense of accomplishment from doing. Whatever it is: learning a new skill, or creating something, or completing a task--that is the foundation for self-esteem. It is the YAY, me! place where you know without a doubt that you are good at something. You don't need validation from anyone else, you have complete ownership of the skill. And now, in the area of woodstoving...YAY, me! All cozy-toasty in the cold.