A Haven for Vee

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Dare

So you wish to hear a little more about my word for the year. Dare is the word and, just because I am so timid and fearful about many things, I am afraid to tell you how I hope to use the word; therefore, I am going to do it anyway.

I have shared briefly and from time to time that I have been writing. I have always written. My mother packed my construction paper bound stories away in a wee trunk. Funny little stories that are mostly reworkings of Wagon Train scripts. I do crack myself up. In adulthood, I've continued to write essays and short stories.

As most of you know, any first novel (written by anyone) is largely autobiographical. I have been working on such a book for years. It gets put away and I can't find it for years and then I find it again and it all begins over again. To put an end to my torment of never finishing anything I start, I have decided/dared to post it here. It will be on a separate page. I'll probably post it one chapter/portion at a time and it will be your choice to read or not. There will be no comments removing any difficulty one might have of not knowing how to tell me that it's all drivel. I am not selling it. I am not planning to ever publish it elsewhere. It's just a way to get it off my chest. [Edited to Add: "Off my chest" as in the not finishing of a thing and not any angst that might be associated with my life. Though this little book is autobiographical, it is most definitely not an autobiography.] Since these portions do not exist on a disk or on my computer, I must retype them. The first chapter should be up sometime next week. I'll mention it that day and then I'll not be mentioning it further.

There are a great many other ways that I hope to use the word and I may share them as we go. It's already begun today. For example, I wanted to go to "the city" and enlisted John's going along. I really dislike going anywhere alone. I can do it, though only with great effort. Now that I see how cold and windy it is out there, I'm talking myself completely out of it. And so it goes... I can become one very happy cabin queer gal in winter perfectly content in my own little realm.


***
Tomorrow is the final day of Christmas until next December. Do you love, as I do, that a year begins and ends with Christmas?



I hope that not all of you have put away your Nativity Sets. Epiphany is the perfect day to bring the Nativity set to the table using it as the focal point.


Yes, I do appreciate symbolism — metaphor, simile, motif — it's all good. 

I'm almost ready to pack Christmas away, though if you decide to read here, there are at least two more Christmas posts in the wings. Yup, I dare to do it.

42 comments:

  1. Vee, I can totally relate to being a "cabin gal" in the winter months. Oh, how I love to nest at home rather than venturing out in the cold!!! You are not alone, my friend. God bless you as you "dare" in 2013! ~Sally

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  2. OOO, good. It's things like this that gives us insight to your life and personality. Looking forward to reading your story. Besides, it documents parts of your life that your children and grands might love.
    xo b j

    o, and I love your blog dress...I think it's time to change to something fun on mine. Let's see, what template should I use?

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  3. I think you are very brave! I can't wait to read your book!

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  4. Oh, Vee...I read your comment about me on Lavender Dream's blog, so I just had to pop over and meet you! You are so sweet! I smiled about the time-limit stress involved. So true! But, although it appears quite loud and clear that I won't reach my goal on Kickstarter, the only thing it does is make me wait a bit longer to publish my book. And hey, I didn't even know I was a writer until I was almost 50...so I can wait a bit longer! Anyway....I love your blog....I remember Wagon Train, too! I'm your new follower! Oh, and P.S. I love it that you keep your Christmas going until the Epiphany.....for a couple of reasons...one being the obvious, and the other is that Jan 6th is my birthday! :) Okay, I'm going to quit now, or you'll get tired of reading all this...

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  5. I very much like this bold streak of you! I have a very dear friend who is fearful. And I do mean FULL of fear. New things, new places, airplanes, boats, animals (except for kitty cats), heights, people - well, you get the idea. (My vacation trips would be her worst nightmares, LOL.) So of course, it runs over into attempting new creative things too. She wants to, but the fear of failure is too strong. What one has to do is just take the first step. It gets easier after that. As in your case, you have to DARE yourself to get the momentum going.

    I put myself "out there" with my photography. I am a bit unsure whether my readers will actually admire a photo of mine, or if they are merely telling me white lies because they know I'm delusional and don't want to hurt my feelings. LOL. But I throw caution to the wind and do it anyway. And sure enough, now I am embarrassed over the low quality of most of my photos over a year ago. We are all vulnerable. But here's the key that I tell my friend. You have to forgive yourself in advance for making mistakes. You can't let the perfection affliction continue to plague you. After a while, you have to look in the mirror, put on the big girl panties, and say enough is enough. And make the dare.

    I am so proud of you! And I look forward to reading your missives with great delight! I

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  6. Ms. Vee ~ I'd never guess you were haunted by fears; this will be a great way to overcome them. "Run to the Roar!" is how my friend puts it. I look forward to reading your story, as I do your blog posts. Wagons Ho!

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  7. I happen to agree with Susy...Don't know you Susy,but hello.
    We all have fears.We all express them in our own ways.You chose a wonderful way.Good Luck Vee,
    And Happy New Year.
    XXOO Marie Antionette

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  8. I truly believe we all have a book in us! We all have a story to tell. I first got the idea of blogging to do that very thing. Then I changed my mind. My story has many dark chapters and I wasn't certain I could put them out there. I am now writing notes for perhaps a future book Amber will write one day. If there is one word to describe my life it would be 'complicated.'

    I will look forward to reading your book! Remember that scripture that says 'we can only write about those things we have seen and heard.'

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    1. Oh dear, Linda, that would eliminate a great many wonderful books. To be autobiographical does not necessarily mean that I share all things or even present them as they happened. =D It is not an autobiography. It is just based largely on my own experiences. I do discuss dying my hair red and I have never in actuality done that before! I'd love to read your book! Dark places just provide the contrast so the light can be brighter.

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  9. Hi Vee! Wow. I'm so happy that you are going to share your life story with us. I can't wait to read the first chapter and look forward to it. I think it's is wonderful that you are going to do this. It is daring to say the least and that means your year is off to a good start. I have written a few things in a journal about different topics just so I wouldn't forget them and have thought about journaling on a private blog daily but I can't even keep a written journal going. I prefer typing over pen and paper mostly due to poor penmanship. I love your beautiful nativity set on the sweet corner shelf and the fact that you kept it out until Epiphany tomorrow. I understand your fear of the city. I am almost getting the same way some days and our city isn't that big, but the traffic drives me bonkers in the shopping area. So just go. Fear not! And have fun. Hugs, Pamela

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  10. I've told you before that you write very well, and I am so happy to be able to read a chapter at a time! I also like that the year ends and begins with Christmas. I had just a few things out this year, but they were up for the 12 days. xo

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  11. High fives to you Vee! You have come up with a brilliant plan to get your book "off your chest" (an interesting phrase to describe what you are doing btw). Your "just do it!" approach to this year is bound to deliver all sorts of adventures, both in an out of your cozy cabin. I am imagining it was a HUGE daring moment for you (like many of us) to hit publish for the first time blogging. Now...as ordinary as popping up some popcorn.

    I have a novel written durning National Novel writing month. I let my dearest friends read it. Some loved it and gave me feedback, others just said "nice" and that was that, others said they just were not interested in reading it at all. I figured that if people who profess to love me won't read it or discuss it then I should bag it...never mind the few who loved it. It is true, one "nay" wipes out several ".
    Here's something to chew on: Two groups of unpublished writers were given the opportunity to submit their on going writing for review. One group got honest feedback, the other group got only positive feedback. The only positive feed back group went on to publish their writings, daring to submit their works based on what they had been told. The other group didn't attempt to get published.

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    1. Jill, that reminds me of studies done on test scores. If the proctor walks up and down the aisles between the desks with a normal look upon his or her face the tests come in much as one expects, but when the proctor walks up and down the aisles wearing a smile, test scores go up.

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  12. Happy to hear more about your special word, DARE. I will read your story. I am very much aware what a good writer your are. The construction of your sentences and your use of words tells on you. Like you I am writing my life story for my children. I think I told you I have a blog book printed every six months and I now have 6. I add little parts of my story here and there and they know what part is me. I have become a cabin gal and of course have my Nativity scene still out. Blessings dear sista.
    QMM

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  13. For lack of a more proper way to put it: you rock, girl friend!

    I can't WAIT to read your story - and yes, ma'am, you dared and did (will do) and I am proud of you- hope that doesn't sound condecending, not my intention, I assure you of that.

    HUGE HUGS FOR YOUR COURAGE.



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  14. Ah this should be fun reading, I dare say!!!! I bet it will be great and I shall find a way to comment. I have a word that I am contemplating and shall decide soon. As you know I have taken on 30 paintings in 30 days...what was I thinking!?!!!!! Plus a few other challenges. I must have been hit in the head with a snowball but I shall try to keep up. Thanks for coming by, I love when you do.

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  15. Yeah Vee! How exciting that you are writing a book and what a pleasure it will be to read. I have always enjoyed your story telling.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  16. I'll look forward to each and every installment!
    At Pondside, the Wise Men are inching their way around the creche, and by tonight they'll be in front, with their gifts. Over the next week I'll pack things away, keeping out my memories of a wonderful season.

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  17. My daughter could be happily content in a cabin without venturing out much. I like days like that but if staying in the cabin is willed upon me like not having a car or having icy roads that I can't navigate I resent being home bound. Ahh my human nature at it's worst! I still have one nativity set up and my new ginormous angel is hovering over it. I like your word and I'm glad you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and sharing with us...

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  18. Good for you to dare to this Vee. I've never been a writer but I did love Wagon Train. :-) Of course now I'm a garden writer, but that's not the same as writing stories. I will be interested in what you have to share, and personally if the feedback is positive, perhaps you should see about having your book bound for family posterity.
    Judith

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  19. I love your word and also your plan to share your writing!!! I look forward to reading it. I still have some of my Christmas up and plan to "dismantle" next week. Your nativity scene is beautiful and I notice the gorgeous American Sweetheart depression glass too. Do you collect it?
    Good luck with your transcribing and have a wonderful weekend!

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  20. I love your word "dare"....I think it fulfills my post today. I am looking forward to your post. When I first started to blog I was with a group who wrote out their first 18 years of their life..it was called "Mommy Piggy Tales"...I can't express how rewarding it was. My post are at the bottom of my blog page now, and I have been thinking I need to start age 19 to 52!!! Those years have been fuller than the first 18.
    This is great...I am cheering you on from Texas...you go girl...I DARE you!

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  21. I am so proud of your daring, Vee, and eager to read whatever you write....I write too, and would love to find a writing group that felt "kindred spirited" to me, but so far have not.

    Also, I would be happy to stay in the house until spring! However, I do have to get out sometimes, and I know it is better for my mental state to get out at least a little every day.....

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  22. I think it's wonderful that you write. It takes a big jump from thinking about it and doing it. I look forward to reading what you have completed so far. My Mom wrote short story mysteries and had a few published in various and obscure magazines. She was good though and loved what she did.

    I am staring at my tee that is definitely dead now, the ornaments keep sliding off the branches and hitting the floor...none have broken yet, thank goodness. I love keeping all my Christmas things out as long as possible, but I think today is the day to pack it up.

    Happy Weekend, Vee!

    XO,
    Jane

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  23. I love this! I will definitely snoop on over to the other page and read it. I laughed to myself about not calling it drivel. That is exactly the way that I think, and I would do the same thing.

    I can't imagine anything you write about your life being drivel, though. I come here because I like to read about the day to day of Vee. I'm so glad you're being DARING.

    And I did put away one of my nativities, but the other is waiting for the final day in the living room.

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  24. My Christmas is still up, and the Nativity set is still out until tomorrow. I just love having it all out until Epiphany, Dreikonigstag, 12th Night, 12th Day of Christmas. I can never take anything down until then!
    Dare. You are going to be daring this year, Vee. You know, I am also becoming far too attached to my own little corner of the physical world, and I need to do more. Dare more too. And here you are, about to post - PUBLISH - your writing. Bravo, my friend! I can't wait to read, but please remind me when the next one is posted, because I cannot remember anything any more!

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  25. Hooray for you! Anyone who has been reading at "The Haven," knows a wee bit, about this *endless* book of yours. I think it is marvelous, that you have decided to put it on the Net.

    I fully understand your feeling of "I never finish what I start!" Oh sigh, yes I do. And it can really hang-over-our-heads, if we let it. Since this feels right for you, and goes with your "dare" word, it seems this is the best way to handle this matter.

    I hope to take courage, from you. Because... I actually, Honest!I'm not making it up! I did have a similar thought to yours (about doooooooing something I have been goooooooing to dooooooo). I know, I'm always saying we tend to think along the same lines. but.... I did!

    But unlike you, I'm not brave enough to announce it yet. :-) Oh well, perhaps I'll grab some of your courage and announce it too! We will see!

    Hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

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  26. Vee, I want to cry right now, for joy, knowing that you will be finishing this book, I know how much you have wanted to do this. You are so gifted in writing your thoughts, and I am so anxious to begin to read this, thank you for taking me along on this journey."DARE" is the perfect word for you this year, I am even more anxious to see where God takes you with your word, and I know this is going to such a wonderful year for you.

    And like you I am a big nester,and love every minute I am fluffy around my little nest! MY tree is still up and burning ever so brightly this evening, I didn't get my nativity up this year due to the fact that I couldn't get to it,too many boxes in the way. But I am still celebrating the most precious gift ever given.
    Always a joy to stop by.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  27. Oh, you are brave, Vee. I'm even regretting my last post about putting my writing out there. What if people ask me about it? What if I quit? What if, what if? Those what ifs can really do a number on me. So I won't think about them.
    Instead I'll anticipate reading your wonderful writing!

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    1. Don't you dare to quit, Lorrie. You inspired me to say what little I have said. Why are you coming through as a "B"?

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  28. Dare! What a wonderful word and an excellent project! I look forward to your results --- from A to Z.

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  29. You have a writing talent and I so look forward to reading your story!!

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  30. I'm excited to read your story. (You did Wagon Train; my friend and I did Man from U.N.C.L.E. LOL) Oh, I so relate to staying in when it is cold out. I can go days without ever leaving the house. There are still a few Christmas decorations up here, too. I didn't put up the Nativity this year because of the cats. MUST figure out a cat proof place to display a few things.

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  31. Vee
    I'm looking forward to your stories. I hope I'll learn more about Eastern living! I'm so intriqued with knowing how different life is in the New England states.
    It's a real gift to be able to write. I used to dabble in it, but the cares of the world have caused me to lose my voice:( Maybe someday.....

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  32. How exciting and Daring of you! I love the way you tell a story, so I can't wait to read it!

    I have my garlands up still and my Nativity. I love to look at it!

    We are back from our get away...it was delightful and just what we needed!

    Deanna

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  33. I hope one day to dare to enjoy Christmas again. Forty-three years ago, my youngest brother, Joe, passed away from a brain aneurysm on December 26th, the morning after Christmas; he was 14. My mom passed away before Christmas 1987, and my daughter, Kelly Jo's last Christmas was 2009. I go through the motions for my family, but honestly, my heart is broken and it's hard to get through the holiday. I actually put away all the decorations before the end of the year.
    I can't wait to read your book--chapter by chapter. You're an amazing women that I happily call my friend, XOXO

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  34. I'm looking forward to reading your book and just know it will be as delightful as your posts. You have a gift of putting words together, Vee. So glad we'll have more of them to read in your book.

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  35. Hooray for you having the courage to follow through on this Dare. I know, without a doubt, that there will be no drivel involved in your writing. I love to read your posts and your comments on my blog and other blogs as well. You always seem to know just the right words to say and that, my friend, is a real gift. I will be anxiously awaiting the first announcement day.

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  36. Well now you have piqued my interest! I can hardly wait for the first installment as you unveil 'the secret life and times of Vee of the haven'. You go girl...and dare to do what you have not done before in 2013.

    It's a good word...dare. How about keeping a 'dare' journal and giving us an update at the end of the year?

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  37. My husband likes for me to keep Christmas up until after his birthday which is today, Jan. 7th.

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  38. I forgot to mention that I can't wait to read your first installment!

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  39. I'll be looking forward to reading your book Vee. I am sure it will be fun and real.

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