“Writing and reading to me is synonymous with existing.”
–Gertrude Stein
What a difference a week can make.
Last week was the perfect autumn weather and this week all I keep hearing about is snow.
Last weekend the Toronto Blue Jays were not expected to be in the game for much longer and this week they still have a chance.
I seem to remember something about a book of rules for the TToT and there’s one of those for baseball, not that I understand it, but more about that later.
It was a difficult week, in some respects, but only because I am finally putting myself out there, my writing and myself, and receiving feedback. This translates into criticism and that can be difficult to take sometimes. Doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.
Ten Things of Thankful:
For my immune system.
Mine works for me. Okay, so I may be singing a different tune come the middle of winter, but at the moment I think all’s well.
I have been around several sick friends and family in the past month and I just assumed I would catch their colds, etc.
I haven’t. I have a lower immune system, as a transplant recipient, and it can seem to permit multiple colds each winter, every year, but it is unpredictable. I can’t predict when or if I’m going to get a cold.
I am visiting a friend in Toronto tomorrow and her niece is there recovering from a bone marrow transplant. As long as I don’t jinx myself and come down with something in the next twenty-four hours, I will be happy and thankful. Not to mention, my immune system hasn’t decided to completely attack my father’s kidney, in nearly twenty years, so that’s something to be grateful for.
For a delicious cup of coffee, some relaxing Lorde inspired tunes, and a couple of hours at the salon.
The coffee and the half hour I sat there, listening to music playing and the hustle and bustle of my cousin’s salon, while my hair had foils in it and waiting for the dye to do its thing made for a most relaxing break.
For the chance to feel like I was dressed up and with somewhere to go for the evening.
For the deliciousness that is movie popcorn.
Who’s with me?
For a totally eye-opening documentary experience.
“Our voices are our most powerful weapons.”
I went to see He Named Me Malala and I found it to be every bit as inspiring and moving and sweet and real as I thought it would be.
This film needed to be made and it needs to be seen around the world. It makes me cry, but it forces me to be thankful.
For the game that kept Toronto in the running, for the first time in over twenty years.
It was a real rush to know that we had little chance, at that point, but that I never lost faith. It ended up being one for the record books, and I don’t pretend to understand all the little ins and outs of the game and its rules, but I know the tension and the energy felt, sitting there watching.
We were losing two games in a five game series. Nobody thought we would go on to win the next three, but I believed.
What is it about rooting for one’s sports team that can cause such strong feelings and stress?
For my white cane.
October 15th was White Cane Day or White Cane Safety Day. I feel like a lot of these days are more US based, a lot of the times, but it doesn’t really matter where or what day.
I will admit that I have had my battles with the white cane. I have truthfully felt embarrassed about it, like a little brother or sister, always tagging along, but being forced by a parent to let them join in the fun.
Yeah, I’m working on getting over my issues because without it, I would be in more danger and would have been left without the means to get somewhere, anywhere, unable to see my surroundings well enough. I can’t deny the importance it has played and must play to me in future.
For my first Internet radio show interview.
Traveling With the Speed of Sight
I think I’ll stick with writing my blog, but it never hurts to try something new.
For you never knows’.
I did not expect a lot of people to listen to that interview, honestly, but all it takes is one.
One of the writer/editor friends I’ve made online and on Facebook just happened to be listening and immediately messaged me after the interview ended.
I admire her and her work so much and her online publication is at the top of my list of places I am determined to see my writing on.
For the good and the bad that comes from putting myself out there.
Sure, this week I received some hard to hear criticism, but I also received some personal invites to submit my writing and to do more guest posts.
This, to me, would be considered a week of triumphs.
The Canadian federal election tomorrow could be the change we need, but there is a bit of a clash of events happening.
Elections Canada vs Jays Fans On October 19
Oh, don’t we Canadians have problems in our country?
😉
At least we’re aware of the issues that are important to us and as long as we know our priorities, right?
I’ve been inspired, again this week, to not be silent, in whatever way that might be.
I love the female voices I’m hearing lately: both young and old.
You tell em Hazel!
“There’s a moment when you have to choose whether to be silent or to stand up.”
–Malala Yousafzai
Her Headache 
“remember something about a book of rules for the TToT and there’s one of those for baseball, not that I understand it,”
Well, I can’t help with the Rules of Baseball, (what little I know makes no sense, whatsoever), but as to book of rules and the TToT? there I can be more helpful… we call it ‘the Book of Secret Rules (aka the Secret Book of Rules)’ and it is, in my opinion one of the things that makes this ‘hop so special. There are a number of well known and oft-used SRs (from the SBoR/BoSR) such as SR 1.3 which I often use to end my TToT post. (SR 1.3 states (in part) ‘the completion of a Ten Things of Thankful List is, in and of itself, something to be grateful for, therefore qualifies to be on the list, which, if the writer has the experience and foresight to remember before writing the 10th Thankful, can be used to complete said list.’
and, of course, there are many other rules, many still un-discovered.
zoe has a Post that she wrote that does a most excellent job explaining and illustrating the use and application of the SBoR/BoSR.
… oh, sorry, you had 9 other items in your list… lol
will come back (for the record, I hate snow).
Lol
I love snow.
I automatically thought of TToT and its rule book when the MLB announcers brought up their rule book.
🙂
Oh, I have been keeping that particular rule in my back pocket, for a really difficult week, but I appreciate the reminder. It sounds like a helpful one.
If that photo of you is of your haircut, it looks just adorable on you. The next movie I see will be Malala. I heard it was very inspiring. Last week we saw The Intern with Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway. It was very enjoyable. Hope your week goes well and the snow stays at the North Pole or somewhere where it is actually wanted.
Thank you.
🙂
It is very inspiring for sure, but more than that, it’s hopeful.
Yes. I like living here in Canada and having snow, but it could technically hold off for another month at least.
🙂
Have a good week also.
I know you’ve mentioned a guide dog in the past. Do you have a current guide? What has been your experience with the dog versus the cane? I imagine there are advantages and disadvantages to both.
I don’t currently have a guide dog. Yes, there’s both.
I think I prefer a dog. Having one helps me be more social. I just don’t feel like that is the right choice for me right now however. Having a dog brings with it a lot of extra expectations and responsibilities to that animal that having a cane just doesn’t.
I must say, I love the pictures of you. I don’t know who took them, but you look lovely. So glad you got to see the movie. It sounds like it had better get moved up on my list of things to do. Congrats on stepping out in more writing and in interviews…It is scary to put yourself out there to criticism….and it seems like so many are willing to criticize without being constructive or kind or thoughtful…I could go on and on.
You always have such rich lists of thankfuls! It sounds like you had a great week, and I hope your immune system behaves itself and does its job all winter.
I’m glad your team made it to the playoffs, but, as a former Kansas City girl, I am truly hoping the Royals win the pennant and get to play in the World Series 🙂
It was an interesting week, to say the least, and I still don’t feel like I’m getting a cold, knock on wood.
Ah, a KC fan, are you?
🙂
Well, may the best team win. Good luck. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see which one that is.
Can I be on the side which doesn’t even know that baseball HAS an official rule book? And knows that you hit a ball with a stick and run around a bit? I’m on that side. But I’m glad your team are doing well.
I hope your visit to your niece goes really well, and that you continue to be cold-free for the forseeable future – all winter if possible (though I think it may be in winter’s rulebook that everyone gets at least ONE cold…)
YAY for your writing opportunities, and for seeing constructive criticism as a thankful 🙂
I know what you mean. Personally, I’m not a big fan of rules anyway.
🙂
Oh, I know I will get at least one cold this winter.
I think everyone does…I just hope yours isn’t too bad.
I’m late commenting and the election has already been decided for better or for worse. I hope you continue to avoid catching colds, or at least only catch the mild ones.
Oh not all that late really. I was still responding to TToT posts from the previous week, and it was Thursday.
🙂
For better hopefully.
A cold I can handle. Hopefully not the flu.
Those are such great photos of you! As I am writing this I am listening to your interview on Purpose Talk Radio. It is great to hear your voice and to hear about how you came to be blind, etc. and how you have come to be a “word artist.” I’m so glad that you decided to go in this direction and to share your views on your blog and to put yourself out in the public making your voice heard. You are an inspiration.
I loved He Named Me Mahala!
Oh thank you for listening and reading.
🙂