Archive for the ‘inspiration’ Category
finding inspiration from charlotte’s web
Everyone have a nice weekend? I spent a lot of mine working, which is fine as I enjoyed the work, but come time to blog and, well, I was in desperate need of inspiration.
Growing up, one of my favorite books was Charlotte’s Web. It is the first full-length book I remember reading, and from that point on, I would scribble stories that happened in my head into my notebook. Not only did E.B. White turn me on to reading, he also turned me on to writing.
And now what a coincidence! One of my favorite blogs is Charlotte’s Web, written by Charlotte, a self-described “transplanted South African living in Germany, land of rules, orange tans and cheesecake.”
Charlotte is a freelance writer and editor and visiting her is always a treat, even when she does memes like this one that I’m borrowing:
1. My uncle once: let me have most of his old photos from his European tour of duty in World War II.
2. Never in my life: have I smoked a cigarette nor would I.
3. When I was five: I was probably being told off for being too sassy.
4. High school was: best experienced in memories.
5. I will never forget: the day I got my acceptance letter to Duke.
6. Once I met: Brian Williams (really we just exchanged smiles).
7. There’s this girl I know: who loves to talk on the phone and say random Italian words to me.
8. Once, at a bar: P and I had our first unofficial date, playing cards and talking.
9. By noon, I’m usually: wondering what happened to the morning.
10. Last night: I slept very well, thank you.
11. If only I had: a free round-trip ticket to the US to see family and friends.
12. Next time I go to church: it will probably be struck down by lightning.
13. What worries me most: is losing people I love.
14. When I turn my head left I see: a blazing fireplace.
15. When I turn my head right I see: P, asking me what I’m looking at.
16. You know I’m lying when: my voice gets a higher pitch.
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: my innocence about the world and the players in it.
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I’d be: Viola in The Twelfth Night.
19. By this time next year: I’ll be 33 years old. Thanks for bringing that up.
20. A better name for me would be: Michela since people here would know how to spell it.
21. I have a hard time understanding: war, especially “holy” ones.
22. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: study Italian literature.
23. You know I like you if: I respond promptly to your emails and phone calls.
24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: Mom and Dad.
25. Take my advice, never: touch the inside of your oven door after it’s been on for an hour; third-degree burns are likely to ensue.
26. My ideal breakfast is: pancakes, bacon, two eggs over-easy, toast, apple juice, and coffee at Perkins Restaurant.
27. A song I love but do not have is: Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel.
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: plan something else to do with the rest of the day–there are only two streets.
29. Why won’t people: live and let live?
30. If you spend a night at my house: you may have to share your bed with Stella; she’s a cuddler.
31. I’d stop my wedding for: a natural disaster.
32. The world could do without: celebrities.
33. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: eat the belly of a cockroach.
34. My favourite blonde(s) is/are: my niece and nephew, although he’s less blond by the day.
35. Paper clips are more useful than: safety pins if your goal is to bind papers together.
36. If I do anything well it’s: procrastinate.
37. And by the way: if you do this meme, let me know so I can read your answers!
And be sure to check out Charlotte’s Web !
the tradition of little boy & tiger wishes
Grab your favorite warm beverage (I suggest hot chocolate with marshmallows), cuddle up to your favorite snuggler, and enjoy the Bleeding Espresso tradition of Christmas Eve by Bill Watterson:
If you’re having trouble reading the text, go here.
It’s almost time!
What do you have planned for Christmas Eve?
love thursday: happy birthday to p and to bleeding espresso
It’s finally here! P is finally entering his 30s! Woohoo!
Sorry, but sometimes being a bit older than your mate wears on you, especially when the first digit of your ages don’t match. Now, finally, after two years of being the only one whose age started with a 3, P has joined me. Happy day, happy day!
And you know what else? Bleeding Espresso turns two years old today! So here are three gorgeous hearts courtesy of aussiegall on Flickr:
One for P, one for Bleeding Espresso, and one for all of you who visit, encourage, and inspire me to keep writing, taking photos, cooking, and smiling (not necessarily in that order). Mwaaaah!
And hey it’s also Santa Barbara‘s day, which I’ve written about here at Italy Magazine.
Happy Love Thursday everyone!
*Remember to enter to win a copy of Who by Fire by Diana Spechler before 12/9!*
end of october, but still think pink!
Just as you surely remember that September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I’m positive you also know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
But just because Halloween is here, which means October is coming to a close (how did that happen?!), it doesn’t mean that we have to stop thinking PINK*:
1. Someone asked for Pink…lol, 2. Pink hibiscus…, 3. Gradually Pink, 4. Smile!, 5. :: the pink daisy ::, 6. pink peep bunnies, 7. Pink!, 8. Petal Princess, 9. Pretty Pink Gingham Girls, 10. Pink Rose, 11. Pink Ribbon (close-up), 12. Cherish the pink sky, 13. Hazel Atlas Ripple C/S, 14. sweet melody, 15. Pink Tutus, 16. Pink Delights, 17. Berries Smoothie, 18. Tiny drops on pink flowers, 19. red & pink, 20. PinK, wHy So pINk??
*Special thanks to my dear friend Collette at All Over the Map for the inspiration to create this pink mosaic!
For more information on breast cancer awareness:
Breast Cancer Awareness Tool Kit
National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Home Page
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Don’t forget to check out Judith’s Peach Crisp, this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana at Think on it! and hey, what great Halloween costumes do you and your children have planned?
Buon weekend and Happy Halloween!
Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty
Last year we talked about the environment, and this year the topic is poverty.
If you haven’t signed up to join Blog Action Day 2008 yet, there’s still time so long as it’s still 15 October where you are. Go here, sign up, and get writing!
Alternately, you can simply promote the event or even donate your day’s earnings to microfinance a loan through a fabulous organization like Kiva, which I’ve told you about before, or to a charity like CARE, which I’ve recently become a part of.
CARE was founded in America after World War II to provide relief for survivors in Europe; since then it has evolved into one of the leading humanitarian organizations fighting global poverty. Here is some more information on the organization from CARE’s website:
We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.
I have signed up as an online volunteer with CARE to help fight global poverty and to ask my friends and family to get involved–by donating, by sending emails to government leaders, and by making their voices heard regarding issues like action in Darfur, world hunger, violence against women, and more.
Need more inspiration to take a stand on poverty today?
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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