It seems like a long time ago that music played a part in almost every weekend. Dances were common and live music was a given. Some events were curtailed by allowable hours at a venue, but there were some that would go until the sun was coming up. 

Rodeo dances, weddings, community functions, were all excuses to get your dancing shoes (or boots) on and head out to the social event of the evening. 

The music was often provided by local families that had formed a band. Then there were the impromptu jam sessions. The oldies and goodies played and the lyrics sang by a room full of people dancing. 

It is a real treat to come in contact with people who embrace this old style of music. Play it, sing it and have fun with it. 

I had mentioned a while ago that I was attending the first anniversary celebrations at Delree’s Native Art Gallery. It was a wonderful evening of meeting new people, visiting with a sister of one of the Dames on the Range, discussing writing with another author who also has her book available at the gallery. 

The evening was serenaded by a four piece old time (country) band that had people tapping their toes and singing along. 

The high-light of the evening was a young guest who entertained us with some awesome fiddle music.  In today’s world, to see a teenager dedicated to the art of music puts a smile on my face and a warm fuzzy in my heart. It’s telling me that there is hope for our western heritage and the old ways that have been enjoyed for years. 

She played several pieces I was privileged to record. My favourite for the evening, was her rendition of the Orange Blossom Special. Oh, the miles I've danced to that tune. 

To hear this very talented young lady play, open the link at the bottom of this post. Unfortunately, there is no picture, but the music plays on.  

Do you have any stories that are brought to life when you hear fiddle music?

Writers prepare for it. They do research. They gather all their favourite writing utensils; and, when Hallowe’en is done and the last day of October rolls into November 1, the games begin. It is the start of NaNoWriMo a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month. 

November is the one month of the year writers will focus on their writing. The goal, for most, is to reach the 50,000 word count. This is the number deemed to be a novel. Reaching the anticipated target is in itself a commendable feat. Anyone making this number knows they have either finished a novel or are well on their way to dong so. 

NaNoWriMo encourages the writer to write. In some instances, people are not looking to produce the coveted 50K words, but just want to be included in some way in the event. It becomes their  driving inspiration to see what they are capable of.  

Get involved in National Novel Writing Month. Find someone or a group of someones to take up the challenge. Keep track of your word count. Each looking after their own tally and amalgamating the totals at end of November to see if you, as a combined group have reached the goal. It’s interesting to see how a small group can produce in such a challenge. 

It’s a way to support fellow writers who have taken up the NaNoWriMo gauntlet, and it gives yourself the opportunity to get some pages filled with words. ​

What are your plans for NaNoWriMo?

​Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be at your own funeral? Well here’s a little bit of fiction to lighten the thought. ​

“Well, I’m not too sure how this happened. One minute I am enjoying the best belly laugh ever and a glass of wine with my best friend;  and the next thing I know I am here. The family hadn’t seen this coming. Well, if the truth be known, neither did I.

“The place looks nice. Not exactly what I had in mind; but, It’ll do in a pinch.” 

The chairs were leaning against the tables. Long rectangular affairs that were covered with burlap placemats over gingham table cloths. 

“Why did they use purple gingham? They know I dislike that colour! They think I won’t know and it doesn’t matter.” 

“Last wishes, children! Last wishes! MY Last Wishes, not yours! “I wonder if they will ever listen or read the fine print.  I spelled out in point form what was to be done when I died.

“Oh great. Here comes the blubberers! I expected some crying but not a whole box of kleenex worth. By the looks of it, they had better have brought lots with them.”

“I wonder why people can’t get it when someone says they want a celebration of their life.”

“I didn’t have a problem dancing on the tables at old Jim’s celebration. He wanted us to remember the good times. Boy did he and I have a good time the night they asked us to leave the dance because we were table dancing. HA! He would have had a good laugh when his kids asked me to leave his little soiree for re-living that memory.” 

“Ahhh well…now, who is that coming in the door? Don’t recognize them. The kids seem to know who they are. I guess they are some of their friends. Nice for them to have some of their own kind in tow at a thing like this.”

“Jeeeeze Luweeeze, who in the heck ordered the white lilies? I know, I know. I always said they reminded me of death, but I sure didn’t mean mine! Wild flowers and lots of them would have been my choice.  Guess I missed that on my check list of “this is what I want”.”

“More blubbering. Reeeaaally! Boy is this ever going to be a long afternoon if people don’t lighten up.”

“Ahhhh, the oldest is trying to get everyone to listen. Hehehehe. Now they know what I went through when I wanted them to listen to me.” 

“Put your fingers in your mouth and whistle like I taught you.”

“That’s better. Now what were you going to say now that you have everyone’s attention?” 

“Late comers. Oh, of course it’s them. They are always late for everything. Something about making an entrance. Sucks to be them. This time it’s me that’s the important one. No one will give a hoot when they arrived. I know I don’t.”

“Oh, here goes . . .”

The oldest was starting to speak at the front of the room. 

“Everyone here knew Mom for the person she was. “

“Now who is that snickering? Figures it would be her. She never could say anything nice about anyone. Always negative, negative, negative about everyone and everything.”

“Mom wanted us to come together and celebrate her life by enjoying the day telling stories, having some good food and a few refreshments. So if anyone has a story that you promised never to tell, today would be the day to share it, because she’s not here to give you that look.”

“That’s what you think. Let’s see who has guts enough to drag the skeletons out of the closet.” 
“I don’t have to be here in person. They won’t tell anything because it would implicate them in anything they have to share. Let’s see who would be silly enough to spill the beans without thinking of how it would look for them”.

“Wow, there’s Mr. Crookman. Never thought he would show up. Right, forgot, he goes to all the funerals in town. Always takes advantage of the free food and beverages.” 

“Wait just a minute, Mr Crookman is going to speak! Hmmm, I wonder what I did that was story worthy enough for him to share.” 

He cleared his throat and started. “The lady we are here for today, was a good, honest person. Her only fault? Well, most of you already know what that is, so I don’t need to elaborate. I just came to say goodbye and get something to eat and drink.“

“If anyone else gets up, I am going to have to rattle the cutlery or something to give them something to think about before they get started. ” 

“I see my best friend Nancy has arrived. She is so awesome. Her, I will miss the most! Arms flailing, animated facial expressions, and that laugh. She re-tells the best stories. She will have them in stitches all afternoon. Good on you Nancy. You go girl. I will always have your back.”

“People are starting to leave. Oh my, look at the time. I am not really ready to be left alone here, you know. It was not my choice to leave everyone so quickly but I guess you all know that.”

“I think I’ll go over here and mess up the ugly table cloths and see if anyone notices. 
Bet they won’t! They are all so absorbed in themselves. Even the ones that didn’t know me are weepy. Jeeeeesh. Maybe I am glad this day is over.  I’ll just see them to the door and maybe pick up on a bit of gossip.”

“It was good to see everyone again. It seems, once again, that it took a funeral to get us all together. Although some of you do know I will be around to check on you to make sure you’re getting on OK.”  

“I wonder what Crookman meant about my only fault?”​

​Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life

The day started in a snow storm. Plans to take the trip were questioned. Selfishness prevailed.​ We are on our way.

Wet, slushy roads became dry in spots. The sun showers greeted us every so often. The snow/rain had quit by the time we reached the sight of the welcoming buildings. Off in the distance, the horses and cattle graze up the slope. 

Day One
Making room in the fridge. Setting up a place to write where a continual view presented itself. Preparing the evening meal. Enjoying a glass of beer. All part of the first day of settling in to this self-guided, five day writing retreat.

​Late afternoon of the third day and the edited manuscript is closed. The first rewrite of The Quiet Spirits is complete. In a few days, a printed edition will be created to start the review process, again. 

The hand written chapters of the next book are transferred to a typed file and another chapter is started by hand. 

Retiring for the night with the thought to attempt the continued journey of chapters for the future book. Head bobbing and heavy eyelids deem otherwise. 

A creative afternoon. The wind has picked up. Snow swirls, building drifts. Enjoying the hours of this last afternoon. Colouring books, crayons and felts tag along (always) just in case there is some time to wind down from the writing focus. They are the interlude that does not require writing. Bright colours and shapes sandwiched between words, words, words, and, working on a new project, that is not writing. Propelling the thought process to uncharted waters.

​Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life

In our two previous Pinterest for Business blogs, we discussed whether 'Pinterest is for Your Business' and 'How to climb the Pinterest Ladder'. This, the third, in this series will discuss how many Pinterest boards do you need to promote your business. 

Setting up a personal Pinterest account, you will encounter a section that outlines what you might like to call the boards you will be creating. There is so much to see, do, and squirrel away when it comes to Pinterest, we sometimes go overboard with the number of boards we think we need. 

Let's fast forward to recent weeks. You now decide it’s time to promote your business on Pinterest. Wise decision, but what about the 100 or so boards you have already started? Not a problem to move your personal account to a business account; however, you do need to review your personal boards to determine which if any will be used to promote business endeavours. 

In some instances, it may be beneficial to create a new Pinterest account strictly for business. Personally, I did not, but my board count was under 50 and I am now taking steps to minimize that number. 

The idea of marketing your business on Pinterest is to utilize the number of boards that people visit. If they only visit once and say, “No way on this green earth will I sift through all those pins!” It's time to house clean and organize. Keep in mind, the quantity of boards will and should match your business needs. 

What are your favourite thoughts that come to mind on a day when you take the time to reflect?

Overcast, almost to the point of heavy fog. The clouds have dipped to a fleeting touch of the tree tops. Grey and ugly, laced with the first snow of the season in our part of the world.

The journey to the foothills is wet. Ridges of slush, ready to suck you unexpectedly from your lane of motion. Visibilities length moves in and out like focusing a camera lens. 

A crappy day to take pictures. Opportunities marred by the darkened day, shots through the windows and sporadic explosions of bright sunshine. 

Tufts of grass surrounded by white create the illusion of not staying long. Ascending the next hill conjures up visions of Christmas and sledding. The blanket of white rain thick on the ground, only to disappear from sight at the next corner and appear haphazardly from no where a few miles down the road. 

The road first takes us south. The mountains to the West obscured by the lack of sunshine and blue sky. Snow turns to a misty rain accentuated by the spray of passing cars and trucks. ​

To the East and a short two lanes away, the sun momentarily glistens off the wet willows and poplars that are lucky enough to have not yet been stripped of their golden life. ​

Click, click, click. Brrmda. Brrmda. Brrmda. Last cattle guard. ​

We are here!

Have you every taken the time to write down the things you see and do when you are out for a drive? It's interesting how in tune  you become to your surroundings, the weather, animals and sounds. Everything you record becomes the opening for another story. 

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life

There are several other ways Pinterest can play a large part in marketing your business. In future Morning Muse posts I will reveal what else I have found. ​

​Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life