Category: Gratitude

Thankful for Good Advice #SundaySunshine #Jottings #Gratitude

Each Sunday, I try to share something that made me grateful in the past week. I almost didn’t have a post today, but something came to me at the last minute.

***

Earlier this morning, I attended an ACB Community program on Zoom called The Breakfast Bunch. Here, an icebreaker question is asked to foster discussion. Today’s question was: What bit of wisdom were you given that stayed with you through the years?

Looking back, I remember advice an author friend gave me years ago, and it doesn’t apply just to writing. It’s important to develop a thick skin. As an author, your work will no doubt be rejected many times before it’s finally published. You may receive negative reviews of your books and harsh criticism. A friend may suggest you do something, having the best of intentions, but it may come across as hurtful. Any of this could make you want to give up.

However, you can take rejections of your writing in stride and keep submitting. You can think about what’s said and apply it, or you can take it with a grain of salt. Whatever you do, put it behind you, and move forward. If you crawl into a proverbial hole, you’re only hurting yourself.

Last year, I lost sight of this advice after an unfortunate incident. It has otherwise stayed with me, and in the future, I’ll do my best to live by it and impart it to others as needed, though it may not be easy. I’ll always be grateful for this bit of writerly and life wisdom.

***

Did someone ever give you advice that has stayed with you through the years? What made you thankful this past week? You can answer one or both of these questions in the comments or on your blog with a link to this post. Thank you for reading.

 

 

 


Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!

A Head of Short, Lovely Hair #SundaySunshine #Gratitude #Jottings

Every Sunday, I share something in the past week that made me grateful. Last Wednesday, I got a haircut.

Even in the winter, I prefer short hair because it’s easier to take care of, and I don’t like my bangs getting in my eyes. Every few months, my hair gets scraggly, and it drives me nuts.

I’m thankful for a hairdresser whose services I’ve been using for a couple of years. She always remembers how I like my hair, and she always does it just right. It takes her less than half an hour to get rid of at least an inch and a half of my brown locks.

She’s also a fan of my books, and we often talk about them and other subjects. Her price has gone up to $25. But my hair is well-worth it.

While walking home from the beauty shop on one of those rare winter days in Wyoming with hardly any snow on the ground and fifty-degree temperatures, the title song from the musical, Hair, was going through my head. Since I don’t like long hair – unlike the guys singing the song, I tried to think of different lyrics but didn’t get far. So, here’s the original.

What made you thankful this past week? Please share in the comments or on your blog with a link to this post. I look forward to reading about your gratitude. Thanks for stopping by.

 


Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

 

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!

Hang Up Your Sock #SundaySunshine #Jottings #Gratitude

Each Sunday, I share something that has made me grateful in the past week. On Christmas Eve, I did a program through the ACB (American Council of the Blind) Community that was just released as a podcast last week. I’m delighted to share this with you.

In 2020 during the COVID lockdown era, the ACB Community was formed to give isolated residents an opportunity to socialize and participate in a variety of activities on Zoom. Later, events became available in Clubhouse. Now, there are over a hundred programs each week with topics including music, crafts, technology, and more. Some are broadcast on ACB Media, an Internet radio service produced by the American Council of the Blind.

Every month, I do a social activity on the second Wednesday called Abbie’s Alcove, where we share memories on a variety of subjects. But on Christmas Eve, I did something a little different.

I started doing “Hang Up Your Sock” last year inspired by a Thanksgiving activity, where participants were asked to describe their own personal floats in a Thanksgiving parade. On Christmas Eve, there’s a virtual tree lighting, where people can describe an ornament to be hung on the tree, then someone is chosen to place the star on top. I thought it would be a neat idea to do something similar with stockings hung by the fireplace for Santa.

When I was growing up, on Christmas Eve, my family always hung stockings by the fireplace. Afterward, Dad read aloud Twas the Night Before Christmas. Now, my parents are gone, and my brother and his wife, living in Florida, probably don’t carry on this tradition, with their kids all grown. I wanted to bring this tradition to the ACB Community, which has also been my family for the past several years.

In “Hang Up Your Sock,” we gathered virtually in front of a crackling fire — with plenty of mantle space for everyone’s stockings and cupcakes and eggnog for all to enjoy. I encouraged participants to describe a stocking to be hung by the chimney. We even had time to share some Christmas memories. Then, I read Twas the Night Before Christmas to conclude the event.

This program is now available as a podcast, and you can click the link below to hear it. If you’re still in a festive mood after the holidays, maybe listening to this will bring back memories, and you can share them in the comments. Alternatively, you can tell us what made you grateful in the past week. I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide an activity for people home alone on Christmas Eve. Thank you for reading and listening.

 

20251224 Hang Up Your Sock – ACB Community – Apple Podcasts

 


Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

 

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!

One Last Holiday Hurrah #SunshineSunday #Gratitude #Jottings

Each Sunday, I share something for which I’ve been thankful in the past week. Last Tuesday, I did a final Christmas gig at a nursing home, and I’d like to tell you about it.

Because work was being done in the facility’s dining room, the monthly birthday social, during which I usually entertain, was moved to the activity room, a much smaller space. Never mind that residents were crammed wheelchair to wheelchair, walker to walker. They clapped and sang along with me to such holiday favorites as “Let It Snow” and “Winter Wonderland,” accompanied by my guitar.

Afterward, as I enjoyed a root beer float with the rest of them, the activity director told me something that made me especially thankful I was able to do this gig. Because of an earlier COVID outbreak in the facility, most holiday performances were canceled. Mine was one of few residents could enjoy, and that made it extra special. So what if most of them don’t remember either being sick or not having holiday entertainment? I brought them joy, and that was most important.

 

How About You?

 

What have you been grateful for this week? Please share in the comments or on your blog with a link to this post. Thank you for reading.

 


Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

 

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!

A Tuba Christmas and a Candlelit Service #SundaySunshine #Jottings #Gratitude

Each Sunday, I share something for which I’m grateful. This time, it’s a toss-up between two special events, and I’m sharing them both.

 

A Tuba Christmas

 

This takes place each year the Saturday before Christmas. Organized by a retired music teacher I’ve known for years, it brings together tuba and other brass players of all ages for a day. They rehearse in the morning, and in the afternoon, they put on a free concert for the public.

I always enjoy the band’s renditions of a variety of Christmas carols, and this year’s program didn’t disappoint. At the end, they played a rousing version of “Jingle Bells,” infused with a portion of a John Philip Sousa march. As always, it was a fun, memorable concert.

 

A Candlelit Christmas Eve Service

 

This year, as I’ve done for the past couple of years, I attended the Christmas Eve service at the Congregational church, where I provide music for Sunday services once a month. We sang familiar Christmas songs and heard relevant Bible readings. The highlight was at the end when we sang “Silent Night” while holding lighted candles. With the sanctuary lights turned off, the only illumination was from the candles and Christmas tree. What a great way to commemorate the  Christ Child’s birth!

 

How About You?

 

What are you thankful for this week? Please tell us in the comments or on your blog with a link to this post. I look forward to reading about your gratitude.

 


Abbie wears a blue and white V-neck top with different shades of blue from sky to navy that swirl together with the white. She has short, brown hair and rosy cheeks and smiles at the camera against a black background.

Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography

Photo Resize and Description

by Two Pentacles Publishing

 

My Books Free from Smashwords This Month

 

I’m pleased to announce that Living Vicariously in Wyoming, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me, The Red Dress, and My Ideal Partner are available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! This runs till the end of the month. Click here to visit my Smashwords author page and download these books ABSOLUTELY FREE! Happy reading!

 

New! Living Vicariously in Wyoming: Stories

Copyright 2025 by Abbie Johnson Taylor

Published independently with the help of DLD Books.

 

The scene shows an isolated barn off to the right in a snowy field, probably shortly after sunset. The foreground is a mixture of white, blue, and brown shades. Behind the barn is a line of dense, dark trees, many of them evergreens. The sky is the pink one sometimes sees at sunset, and a full moon hangs above the treetops to the left. The title is in plain black letters against the sky with a white glow behind them. The author’s name is in white letters near the bottom of the cover.

Image Description written by Leonore Dvorkin of DLD Books.

 

As defined in the first story, living vicariously means living your life through someone else’s. You’re invited to live vicariously through the lives of the people in these stories. There’s the lawyer who catches his wife in the act with a nun. A college student identifies with a character in a play. A young woman loses her mother and finds her father. And a high school student’s prudish English teacher strenuously objects to a single word in her paper.

In Wyoming, as in any other state, people fall in love, and sometimes relationships are shattered. Accidents, domestic violence, prejudice, and crimes all occur. Lives are torn apart, and people are reunited. Ordinary people deal with everyday and not–so–everyday situations.

The 25 stories in this collection, most of which are set in Wyoming, are about how the various characters resolve their conflicts—or not.

 

Click here for more information and ordering links.

 

About My Monthly Newsletter

 

If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to News from My Corner by sending a blank email to:  newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io .  You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go. Happy reading!