Cute, sweet, little pumpkin topiary right? Well, the problem is I almost didn’t write this post…or any other for that matter.
I think the highfalutin word for what I have been lately is…contemplative. You see, this blog has always been a place where I can share what I’m doing in my home in hopes that my small little projects will inspire someone out there to try something in their home that makes a difference in their life.
But a while back I started to feel like this blog should be more inspiring, unique, impactful. That I should use this platform to really, really help others in ways that would change their lives. A pumpkin topiary that will change your life in some fundamental way? I gotta tell you, that’s a lot of pressure for some little pumpkins.
Like you, when I saw the events of Las Vegas unfold and mark yet another event in history of senseless violence and loss of life and was horrified…I really thought about leaving blogging. I mean, really, why should anyone care about pumpkin topiaries and my favorite dishes and how to arrange a fall vignette? I thought, these things are REALLY, really, not important. They don’t matter at all.
For years, I have read and taught the poem Out, Out by Robert Frost. It’s always made me so sad and mournful for the lives that have been lived and forgotten over the centuries. I always thought it was awful how the people in the poem just went back to their lives like nothing happened. Analysis of the poem indicated Frost wrote this in response to young boys going off to World War I and dying.
So, for a while now, it has felt like this silly little blog and forwarding a narrative focused on superficial subjects like pumpkin topiaries is a lot like walking away from the dying boy and turning to my own business. But then…
me and my contemplative self had a little revelation. If I were the boy…what would I want “them” to do? The answer…live every moment they get. Keep creating art, literature, music, inventions, and loving on all the people in their lives. Make dinner, centerpieces, and pillow covers. Fill the moments of their lives with actions that feed their minds and souls…even if it happens to be an afternoon making a pumpkin topiary.
So, have I decided to keep this little blog up and running? Yes. All the “How To Be A Blogger” books stress how important it is to solve people’s problems. Give them content that helps them in their own life…thus a gazillion how to tutorials are floating all over Pinterest. But is that why you are here?
I hope not. Although there is a place for that…my ultimate hope is this little blog gives you a few moments of your life once in a while that make you happy you stopped by.
That’s my goal.
That’s what I want.
A simple little pleasure…kind of like a piece of good chocolate. Can you live without chocolate? Absolutely! But, why would anyone want to?
Later this week I’ll be asking you what would make your time here more joyful through a little survey. I hope you’ll stop back and let me know.
Much love sent your way,
Thank you for all your posts, the funny ones, the pretty ones and the contemplative ones Nancy, you are a joy and I wish we lived next door to each other,though it feels like we do.
Oh! So sweet! If you lived next door we would sure have some fun shopping! Thanks so much Valarie. 🙂
You are not allowed to stop blogging now that I’ve just recently discovered you. 🙂 I do understand exactly how you feel. It is hard to focus on home decor when there are so many right now who have suffered the loss of theirs. I truly believe you are right to press on in creating lovely things for everyone to see and enjoy. Keep being the bright spot in our day!
Thanks so much Lisa! All these words of encouragement have really warmed my heart. Thank you. I already planned out the rest of October. I’ll be posting. 🙂
Nancy
Nancy,
I’m so happy that you took time to think about what you are about and what this blog needs to accomplish. The blog is like having a third child, so it needs the same care and concern. I am proud of you for giving it this. As for the pumpkin topiary, it is fab! How sad if you had not shared it with me. A little piece of my dear friend would have been lost. Welcome back, chicka. Let’s keep all of this in perspective and have a boatload of fun! Deal?
XOXO — Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank you so much sweet friend. Your right about the child…this blog can be demanding. Thanks for loving the pumpkins topiary. 🙂
Nancy
Nancy,
We have all been through the same thoughts and feelings. How can this really matter? Well, your conclusions are correct. We all face bitter moments in our lives, one of mine was loosing my son 1 year ago. It’s the creativity in our lives and the sharing of that creativity that sparks something deep in our malnourished souls. Each of us need to move in positive directions, share our loves, share those ah ha moments, share the gifts we have been given. The more you give away in this way the more you gain. Each of us need something special everyday. One of the ways you do that is your blog. Thank you for the gift Nancy of your thoughtfulness and your designs. I know my soul is richer for reading your blog as I am sure others are as well. Walk within Beauty Nancy. Lisa
Oh Lisa. This comment so touched me. First, I’m so so sorry for your loss. I witnessed my mother-in-law walk the path you are on when my husband’s brother died at age 15. It’s been 18 years. We all walk a challenging path, but some, like you, walk a path that is so incredibly difficult I can hardly take it in.
I’ll keep trying to post something that brightens your day. For sure. If you were my only reader…I’d still post just to make your day.
God bless you! Nancy
In these very trying times it is good that we have distractions as there is so much good in the world in hopes that it will over come the bad. Stay true to your thoughts and creativity and everything else will fall into place. A few years ago, I lost my lifelong friend. I was incredibly grief stricken…did not want to do much at all….then after a conversation with her husband, he told me, all we all can do is “live” … “live each day knowing we are blessed with the loved ones who surround us” … Keep going Nancy….live!
Thank you so much Shirley. There is so much good in the world…you are right. It is so easy to focus on the bad. I agree that living every day to the fullest is something we should all strive for. I am truly blessed…for sure.
Nancy
Nancy I’m still in awe that you have the time to do all you do. Your little blog is always a ray of sunshine in my life and I’m sure many others. Please continue posting your thoughts,ideas,creativity and inspirations.We need all the positivity we can get these days. Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks so much Pat. I’m not really sure how I do it all either (sometimes the laundry just doesn’t get done 🙂 ). It makes me so happy that this blog adds something to your day. That’s why I do it.
Nancy
I don’t follow a lot of blogs but yours is one I enjoy. When I open a blog to read I’m looking for something fun, and interesting to read. I don’t want to hear ANYTHING political. I can listen to the news for that. Blogs are an escape for many for that short time it takes to open and read. Crafts, recipes, furniture makeovers and news about the exciting things happening with the person writing the blog are why I open and read blogs. Keep on presenting a fun and comforting spot for us to sit and spend a few minutes unwinding.
Rebecca,
Thank you so much for following along. I really feel honored that you pick mine out of the sea of blogs out there. I will try my best to post something good here. Something to inspire and make you smile. Have an awesome day friend!
Nancy
Nancy, I ALWAYS enjoy your posts. I want to thank you for always sharing your heart with us — no matter what. You are so honest and tell things like they are and we appreciate you so very much. We are living in a world where we just never know what is around the next corner. There have been no many horrible things happening and, really, it does affect us all. We feel the pain of those going through such tough times. However, we have to just continue to pray about all these things and help others when and where we can. It’s only natural for us to feel guilty with all the horrible happenings even though we are not the one being affected by all of this. If we didn’t have a heart, we would not feel this way! How I thank God for the heart He has given you, Nancy! You are such a wonderful person! Don’t ever quit being YOU! We all need to read your wonderful blogs! We enjoy them so much — and all your wonderful decorating ideas! Your decor always brings us so much happiness and you make it so easy for us to incorporate into our homes! Love that! We had our Canadian Thanksgiving this past Monday and, as we sat at the table, we all shared what we were thankful for — all of us were thankful for a wonderful God who knows everything we are going through and loves and cares for us! And, we were so thankful for precious family and friends, too. We all felt how much we are truly blessed! God is so good!
I pray that you will have a wonderful week, Nancy, and that you will feel what a blessing you are to us. We are so blessed to have you as part of our life! Blessings, dear friend!
Mary-Ann,
You are always so sweet to me. I appreciate your comments more than you know. All these things you have written I know…deep down in my heart. I am truly blessed. There is so much good in the world. So much good that isn’t brought to our attention, and sometimes we forget to really “see” it. I am having a wonderful week. Luke received a glowing report on his first kindergarten parent/teacher conference and my oldest took his first turn at driving a car. I have had some warm moments this week and some moments filled with nervous laughter (as you might imagine).
Life is good. I think I need to go buy that t-shirt.
Have a wonderful day sweet Mary-Ann!
Nancy
Oh Nancy, you already do! Keep up the great work!
Lisa
Nancy
you are a Beautiful Soul!
Thanks for you and your blog.
You give those of us that read your blog a little escape from all the horror that goes on in our Saddened world , and we need people like you for that inspiration.
Please keep blogging and giving us a little hope that we are Humans and will prevail thru it all.
God Bless you ,Friend!
Thank you so much Renee! I appreciate it so much.
Nancy