Author Archives: jjaywmac

It’s DONE!!  I just submitted eleven photographs to the International Photography Contest, sponsored by Les Alliances françaises de Nice, Rio, and Venice. At first, I was told – one photo. That changed to ten. I submitted eleven. We’ll see what happens. For those who just tuned in, let me explain. The Carnival of Nice, oneContinue reading “PHOTO SUBMISSIONS – 133rd CARNAVAL DE NICE”

Almost every day, something happens that stops me dead in my tracks. A reality check. Something unexpected. Ranging in severity. Causing an about-face. And now, more than ever, external events are bombarding all of us from every direction. Reality checks – 24/7. I have experienced reality checks since I was two-years-old. At least, that isContinue reading “SAFE SPOTS 24/7”

Breaking News:  I have entered an International Photography Contest. I must choose ONE photo to submit. I need your help. Let me explain. The 133rd Carnival of Nice, one of the largest carnivals in the world and the highlight of the French Riviera in winter, takes place this year from the 11th of February untilContinue reading “I’m in! Les Alliances françaises’ International Photography Contest”

It all started with an Old-Fashioned 1940’s Oak School Desk-Chair-would never think of refinishing. At age five, I needed a Desk-Chair to conduct my “private business”. So, Mother and Daddy got a chair like this for me so I could go to work. They placed it in the hall because Mother would not allow itContinue reading “WORKING”

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner That quote speaks to me. Maybe because Faulkner said it. Losing sight of the shore is scary. I read Facebook and feel guilty I’m not marching in the streets with a sign of some sort. MyContinue reading “SWIMMING TOWARD NEW HORIZONS”

This blog just rambles. What can I say – I need to ramble. We are reinventing the wheel over here, and the unknown is becoming known. I am learning. You are learning. The world is learning.  John C. Maxwell said, “The unsuccessful person is burdened by learning, and prefers to walk down familiar paths. TheirContinue reading “WHEN INSPIRATION FAILS – RAMBLE!”

“Do you speak French?” That was the first question that everyone asked Steve and me when we said we were moving to France. We both said no. No problem. We would learn. Well, we tried, but it did not come trippingly off our tongues. Luckily, we gestured and pointed our way through most situations. However,Continue reading “BACK TO SCHOOL!”

It has taken me a lifetime to realize the value of downsizing. I was raised by a mother who saved everything. All closets were stuffed to the brim with you-name-it – old clothes, new clothes, too-small clothes, too-large clothes, winter clothes, summer clothes, coats, hats, shoes, shoe boxes, rags, yarn. All available space was crammedContinue reading “LESS IS MORE”

Inspiration eludes me this week. I’m sitting on ideas for blogs or blogs about blogs – ugh. Problem is – I agreed to write something each week. OK, so my agreement was with myself. That’s the way I do things. Agree to commit. So, as I sit here, determined to keep a stiff upper lipContinue reading “NEW YEAR’S EVE – 2016”