In December 2016 a friend on Facebook suggested something for the year ahead and I figured what did I have to lose?
Variations of the "Good Things Jar" can be found all over the internet....the idea being that you keep a pen and index cards close by to write down positive events that happen to you through out the year, toss them in the jar and forget about them until New Year's Eve when you empty the jar and read about all the great things that happened to you, especially after what you may feel was a less than stellar year.
In case you were not aware, for me, 2017 stunk in so many ways, especially after my laptop died in June.
I did not even get around to reading my cards until mid-January and, while people who have done this sort of thing for years may be disappointed in my count, I was kind of surprised by having 97 cards to read.
I chose 50 particularly descriptive and GOOD cards to share....with a surprise at the end, for those who stick around
- 1. 1/1/17 - Inspiration for my writing comes in many ways. Facebook comments by my sister Violeta, and a friend from Austin, about a funny New Year's selfie, taken on 12/30, inspired me to write alter the picture and write a 200 word story on New Year's Day....My first such piece in months and first on Mad Macedonian in a couple of years.
2. 1/10/17 - "Hi Kiril....I'm Phillip Reese, a reporter for the Sac Bee, a 250,000 circulation daily newspaper...I'm writing a story about how, for the 15th year in a row, Ca. lost more residents to other states than it got from them.
In researching my story I came across your blog post from 9/20/15. Would you be willing to speak with me sometime this week for my story?"
I accepted on Friday the 13th... and sent him links to 2 related posts from 2016 as well.
3. Friday the 13th - I was interviewed by the Sac Bee reporter. We talked about why I came to TX and the good, bad and ugly of my 4 yrs here, as well as why I thought people were leaving Ca.
4. 2/6/17 - I received an e-mail from the Morris Animal Foundation, with a Press Release about a new diagnostic test for cats. I did a blog post on Opinionated Pussycat. In a follow-up e-mail I learned they reached out to me because I was a member of the Cat Writers' Association.
5. 2/16/17 - I wrote 2 long poems, one each, for both blogs...promoting Dr. Seuss Day on 3/2/17.
I Am a Writer, a Writer I Am!
I Am a Writer Cat, a Writer Cat I Am!
6. 3/14-3/18/17 - I discovered a U.S.-made Bamboo Camera Monopod Walking Stick maker called Serenity Bamboo. 3 days e-mail correspondence and exploring their website led me to order a stick specially unique to me after I get my tax return on the 15th....Placed an order for personalized stick, 57 in. in length, with image of Nikita, my name and a 10 line inscription unique to me and my creativity
7. 3/19/17 - While out an about, clothes shopping at local Goodwill's and getting nowhere...I didn't come home empty-handed...I found an inspirational plaque:
"I know I'm gonna make it. 'cause God don't sponsor no flops!"
8. 3/22/17 - Linda, of Serenity Bamboo, finished making my stick and mailed it today:
She added the following to her e-mail:
"You are an incredibly interesting man and you deserve an incredibly interesting walking stick! May your miles be many and your smiles be your guide."
9. 4/3/17 - When I arrived at work I was told they needed to take my photo. When I was told why I was floored!
One of the night Managers, who was responsible for the unwarranted negative annual review I got last year, was suddenly praising my work ethic around closing time each night. I was one of the luck few, at my store, to be awarded an April "Happy To Help" Pin!
I am honored because I am proud of the job I've done the past 3 1/2 years and it is vindication to have HER award it.
10. 4/17/17 - I took my new stick for a spin along Terry Hershey Trail, next to Buffalo Bayou and took a photo and got soaked by a sudden rain storm.
11. I went on a 4 mile, 4 hr., walk along Buffalo Bayou, from Shepherd and Memorial to Allen's Landing, in Buffalo Bayou Park and took my camera stick along for 10 photos.
12. 4/25/17 - I spent 2 hours being interviewed, photographed and filmed, at West Loop Transit Center, on the 4, 49, and 63 buses, at bus stops and along Brays Bayou, by a Houston Metro Press Staffer, for what will be a 1 minute "Rep My Route" video to promote using Metro Transit...Very cool and fun!
Recent Comments