Garbage Disposals, Houdini and Bulldozers

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Posted on September 15, 2014

“…goats is just like a bulldozer.” ~ Christine Genevier

Goats! What is it about their need to be atop sheds, dog houses, tables, cars, and everything else they are not supposed to be on? I don’t quite get it.

And talk about garbage disposals! We never had garbage disposals in any of the kitchens of our three childhood homes even though my Dad’s company built custom homes with fancy features. We didn’t need them!

Our infamous goat, Hanratty, ate everything and anything in sight. Tin cans, fishing gear, toys, all the other animal’s food in our menagerie, whole turkey carcasses and more, in what seemed like one fell swoop! Everything went through that animal’s intestines including plastics but, the animal never needed a vets attention.

Every time you turned around, he was out of the pen and into something. Didn’t matter that we had just secured the pen, he found his way out.

If you are a baby boomer, you’ll remember the TV star in this minute or two video clip and you’ll know this catchy tune. Come on, sing along!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dny_JDlwGFM

This weeks blogs may be rather varied, without any particular theme. I’ll been using my stream of consciousness literary style once again. Wondering what that is? Here is a link to an article that you might find interesting if you are trying to find your own literary style.http://bit.ly/1nO4Bz2. Although I may be jumping from subject to subject most of this weeks blogs will be coming from childhood memories that keep cropping up. I’ll see what else I can dig up that you’ll enjoy from the days of what many describe as the “golden era.”

This blog brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, visit this link http://amzn.to/1rNoUTm. The book is available in audio, paperback and e-book for your reading pleasure!

Fire is Lit, Ribbon in the Hair

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Posted on September 13, 2014

To My Dear Husband ~~~~

I am sorry that according to this 1955 article, I have failed you miserably. I have not always lived up to the Girl Scout creed of “I promise to do my duty…..” and to The Good Wife Guide…..

…I mean, sometimes, I let you cook breakfast. You changed dirty diapers, and too many times I told you about my day first. Then there is the matter of the fire, I didn’t always make it happen….well, I apologize.

And then there is the issue of our son. Ok, I’ll admit it. He often greeted you with a dirty face and hands. And his hair…what can I say…let’s just hope it never happens again now that he is an adult. I’m sure it won’t, after all he is a visual effects artist. I’ll speak with him later about that matter. At least he is playing the part well of the treasure that he is. That should make you feel better. It does, doesn’t it?

I’ll see what I can do to mend my ways and not be such a modern day woman. We are 34 years into this union. I hope you can forgive me if I start taking your shoes off. I know, I ruined many an evening when I didn’t have you “lean back and relax in your chair…..” Well, I pledge from now on to remember…I’ll say it. I promise. No… really, I will. Yes, I am serious. Truly… I’m not kidding.

I hope you’ll agree to continue on this journey through life that we started. Happy Anniversary!

Much Love, hon ~ Sue

P.S. And by the way, the last item on the list – don’t worry! I do know my place. I belong beside you with a ribbon in my hair.

This blog brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard and her award-winning publication “Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.” http://amzn.to/1ulyFYs.

Creative Memory

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Posted on September 9, 2014

A memoir takes some particular threads, some incidents, some experience form a person’s life and gives an account of it. ~ Richard Hell

Yesterday’s blog was all about using images, songs, adages, movies to elicit memories of times gone-by to help write life stories.They all serve as great writing prompts.

When I saw the image of this widely-used household item from my childhood it triggered powerful memories. Below are the words that I associated with this picture. The words became basis for writing the preface to my memoir.

Once I recorded my thoughts it was easy to compose the preface to the book. Then my words became complete sentences and a little organizing to make sure the writing became a well- developed composition that conveyed what I wanted to share with my readers.

Here are the free association words that immediately came to mind when I saw the image:

First day of school
lunchbox
socks with wrinkles
foreign speaking doctor
bus stop
saddle shoes
odd odor
six years old
my mother
fear and anxiety

If you want to write your life story but are stumped and having a hard time getting started, dig out some old pictures from the past and see what happens. Here is a great article about the power of creative memory. http://huff.to/1pNAOvL

If you are interested in this thing called “independent publishing” there are many, many blog writings on All Things Fulfilling about the subject. Basically, I recorded my journey as I went through my own publishing process. On the right-hand side of this page, you can search by category – enter words such as independent publishing, writing, memoir, marketing independent publications, e-book publishing, writers, creativity.

That is all I’ve got for today! This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For -information on her book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected which won 2 EVVY book awards, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1rOmKUp.

Chill Out and Listen In

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Posted on September 1, 2014

Happy Labor Day, everybody.

Soon we will be sliding into winter! So take those few last plunges into the pool, have yourself a tasty Labor Day cook-out, relax and enjoy the long weekend.
Today I am wishing we are at the beginning of the summer rather than at the official end. So, I have a special treat for our readers. I have posted a new audio chapter about the national holiday that we celebrate at the start of the summer rather than at the termination.

Listen in and enjoy the chapter “A Memorial Day to Remember” from the EVVY award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. For more information on this book, please visit this website. http://amzn.to/1pdjsCb.

Do come back tomorrow. I am going to kick my shoes off and lounge around outdoors on this Labor Day because in the mountains of Colorado we can be faced with the onslaught of winter any day ! It could even happen tomorrow…..please, please no, not yet. I am not ready.

Channeling Creative Kids

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Posted on August 29, 2014

“True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

When I came across this image, I couldn’t help but ponder “Why didn’t I think of that?” when I needed to rest after chasing my overly active son all over the place when he was little? It would have given me great relief. Holy Cow, those child rearing years nearly did me in. Of course, to him this would not have been punishment. It would have been great fun and challenge. The little Houdini could get himself out of any situation that took brainpower and physical maneuvering!

Active children are often very creative children. Here is a book that might be useful for parents of children who are in perpetual motion. http://www.amazon.com/The-Active-Creative-Child-Parenting/dp/189077247X.

Ah…well, once we directed his energy in the right and positive direction, he became a different kid, so absorbed in his interests. As a twenty-something, our son has given me more than enough compensation for what we went through in raising an extremely active child. Now he lends a hand as my tech support person unless he is too busy with his own projects. http://www.marcrleonard.com. Thank goodness he’s had my back in coming to my aid and rescue whenever I struggled with certain stages of publishing my memoir due to generational inequities in computer skills.

In spite of myself I successfully completed my own independent desktop publishing project. Not everyone can put that accomplishment under their belt. Now I have an award-winning paperback, e-book and audio book to my credit!

I think I did OK for an ole gal who is more comfortable with a card catalog in a library than e-book technology. I need to give myself more brownie points than I do!

I am now an award winning author! Yipe!!! Yikes!!!

For more information on Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1opTrPS. The audio book won 2nd prize in the EVVY book awards and Merit Award in the anthology category.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard

Book Award Results!

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Posted on August 25, 2014

“Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” ~Alexander Pope

“Sue,” my sister said, peaking out of our guest room door yesterday morning, “what are you doing up at this hour?”

I was sitting on the sofa with the computer on my lap. “It’s 4:30 in the morning. I thought we had agreed that you’d wake me at 5:30 to leave by 6:00 am to go to the Denver airport. Go back to bed!” my sister said, not too pleased that she had been awoken when she heard the teapot whistling.

“I couldn’t wait any longer to check my email,” I said to my sister. “I want to see the results of the EVVY Book awards.” My twin sister was visiting from Maryland and we were spending our first birthday in more than 30 years together. Since family rates first in my book, I decided to give my twin sister the gift of not shortchanging her vacation by trekking into Denver for the EVVY book awards over the weekend. My publisher Joe McDaniel of http://www.bookcrafters.net had promised to email me after the book awards were over with the results.

“Did you win anything?” my sister asked, peaking over my shoulder, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she looked at my computer.

“Yep!” I said, as I read directly from Joe McDaniel’s email. ” Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected was awarded 2nd prize in the Audio book category and Merit Award in the Anthology category.” Of course, hugs followed.

“That’s so, so great, Sue, two prizes!” My sister said.

“I can’t believe it!” I replied, “I am so glad I decided to publish the story.” What started as recording just a few childhood memories to send to my family somehow became a full-fledged anthology of published stories contending among 274 other entries in the 20th annual Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY book award contest!

Although I wrote the story, I’d like to say “Congratulations to my twin sister Jan, and the rest of my family too” because in part, it’s their life story too! My life and the tale would not be nearly as fulfilling without all of them in it.

And then, there’s the real star – Fanny. What a character. She left an indelible mark on my life and is leaving the same kind of impression on the readers’ hearts. The voice in this award-winning memoir holds the real treasure. But I am more confident than ever that if you prefer to read the paperback or e-book format, you’ll still enjoy the story!

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Please return tomorrow. I will be posting some information about people who were very instrumental in helping me to publish a high quality publication, worthy of merit and two awards. I wish to say thank you.

Finally! A birthday together after more than 30 years! (Jan on left, Sue on right).

This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on the memoir “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected,” please visit this link http://amzn.to/1tIG0PI

Laboring At the Same Time

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Posted on August 21, 2014

Before we close out this month of celebrations for babies born under Leo the Lion zodiac sign, today it’s my husband’s turn. He was born on this day, August 21^st many moons ago.

My twin sister, my husband and I will continue our yesterday’s birthday celebration for one more day. Tonight we look forward to a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, a picnic dinner and an evening hike.Hopefully, it will be a stellar evening with clear skies so we can see the twinkling stars and an impressive sunset.

The fact that my husband’s mother and my mother gave birth to us just one day apart is pretty neat. Statistically speaking, I can’t find any information about the odds of spouses with birthdays just one day apart (and in the same year).

Today, I’ll enjoy another August day with the two who have been at the top of my world for what seems like forever! They both make my life so much more fulfilling!

Dear Terry ~~~~

This blog brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on Sue’s memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please follow this link http://amzn.to/1nb9tO0.

“Rock ‘N Roll Babe”

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Posted on August 15, 2014

Do you believe in rock and roll? Can music save your mortal soul? ~ Don McLean (American Pie)

A bad trip, ban the bra, beatniks, bean bag chairs, bellbottoms, Berkley, black lights, bongs, “blow your mind” and body paint are just a few words that describe this era. If are a baby boomer, and you are reading this story, that means you survived the age of Aquarius and the hippie generation. You were lucky, some didn’t! Aren’t you just the grooviest and out of sight!

Here are some images that further tell the psychedelic story. Only a few other words are needed. Peace, Love and Right On! All Things Fulfilling often serves as a crash pad for remembering the “good ole days.” It’s where I do my own thing!

Come back tomorrow – don’t be a cop out. I plan to be here if I don’t have to go looking for my granny glasses and my earth shoes. Now, where did I put them…….probably with my Rock ‘N Roll, Hoochie Koo album by Johnny Winter.

Old hippies don’t die, they just lie low until the laughter stops and their time comes around again! ~ Joseph Gallivan

If you like recalling times in our country’s cultural history, you’ll enjoy Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. Click here for more information! The book is now a FINALIST in the Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Book awards. http://amzn.to/1pMxnjH

Those Were The Days

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Posted on August 14, 2014

You know you are a baby boomer, born in the 1950s and 1960s if you remember when:

The milk man cometh

the World Book Encyclopedia salesman showed up at your family’s front door

going to the drive-in movies with your parents was exciting (I remember seeing Goldfinger at Timonium Drive-In….shhh…don’t tell my parents. I was supposed to be asleep in the back seat!)

mail arrived accurately without a zip code

phone numbers were only two letters and five digits

pretzels and potato chips were delivered by truck in large tin cans

the Girl Scout “flying up ceremony” was prestigious

you had to walk to the TV to change the channel

seat belts were not even in the vocabulary

Miss Nancy ruled Romper Room

Thumbelina was the most wanted gift on your Xmas List

fun meant “hanging with the crowd,” at S.S. Kresgres or Reads Drugstore drinking ice cold soda, jiving to the juke box, and swirling around on swivel stools.

Those were the days, weren’t they?

As Robert Frost once said “In three words I can sum up what I have learned about life. It goes on.”

This blog is brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on the publication Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, which has been selected as a FINALIST in the Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY BOOK AWARDS, please visit this link: http://amzn.to/1kzGw2t

Sing-A-Long Songs

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Posted on August 13, 2014

Monday’s blog fired-up my noggin’! Today on All Things Fulfilling, I’ll share tunes that baby boomers will have fun recollecting.

I’ll bet this image piqued your memory. If you are a baby boomer, you’ll remember LP albums and 45 rpm vinyl records. I’m willing to bet that you listened to tunes on a portable record player, like the one pictured.(That is if you could hear the words with all the scratches.) See if you remember the full verses to these songs –

How much is that doggie in the window…
….And if that mockingbird don’t sing, daddy’s gonna buy me a diamond ring…..
All around the cobbler’s bench, the monkey chased the weasel. The monkey said…..
Zippedity doo dab, zippedity aye – my, oh, my what a wonderful…..
I love you a bushel and a peck and a ……
Bibbidi…bobbidy…boo. Put it together and what do you got?
Jeepers, creepers! Where’d you get those ….
A dream is a wish your heart makes when you are ……
Mama’s little baby likes shortnin’, shortnin’, Mama’s little baby loves……

I hope your memory has served you well, and you haven’t lost your faculties. Chances are you are aging better than your ancestors! Are you singing yet?

If you can’t remember the verses of these songs, you can listen in to a few bars of music from each of them, and other popular hits of the same era through this link, http://bit.ly/1oSzXIz.

See how much fun it is to arouse the brain with past times in our personal histories?

Do return tomorrow to All Things Fulfilling.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. Now available for your listening pleasure in audio book (the voice holds the real treasure), paperback and e-book for all types of e-readers. Click the link to see how to get it. http://amzn.to/WQbl8O

All Things Fulfilling

Writing Focused on Fine Art & The Humanities

Category Archives: storytelling

Garbage Disposals, Houdini and Bulldozers

Creative Memory

Book Award Results!

Laboring At the Same Time

“Rock ‘N Roll Babe”

Sing-A-Long Songs