tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58640535135461393142012-01-31T18:45:05.630-06:00Thanks for stopping by my website blog. I hope you enjoy browsing through the postings, and in the process, get to know me a bit better. I'm Dawn Herring with JournalWriter Freelance. I work in genres of memoir, essay, devotionals, spiritual and familial topics, plus humor, fiction, and a bit of poetry. I enjoy keeping a journal, thus the name of my business. Feel free to email me at journalwriter@sbcglobal.net with any questions or comments you may have. Thanks and enjoy your stay!Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-4353402391196264202012-01-26T19:03:00.000-06:002012-01-26T19:03:48.963-06:00

I am finding a new approach to my daily work and home schedule that seems to be working for me fairly well. Of course, old habits are hard to break. But this change for me has made enough of a difference that I'm implementing it into all working aspects of my life. I have a tendency to stay at a task for long periods of time; I get immersed and don't realize how much time has gone by. This can

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-58003416146063345642011-12-27T16:01:00.001-06:002011-12-27T16:08:08.199-06:00

Stop. Pause. Rewind. Remember those all-familiar buttons on those Sony Walkmans we used to keep on our hips for music portability? Of course, there was the all important Play button we used most often to keep those cool tunes floating into our headsets as we hung out in our rooms or walked the streets of our towns. When we stop, we decide what song we will listen to. When we pause, we want to

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-89892944953870851432011-12-02T19:31:00.001-06:002011-12-02T19:51:30.620-06:00

play v. to occupy oneself in a game or other recreational activity Doesn't that sound like fun? When was the last time you took time to play? You know, with the kind of activities you enjoyed as a kid, with, perhaps, a bit more of a grown up version...or not. There is still the good 'ole standby of coloring books and crayons. Or pulling out the Barbie dolls for some fashion inspiration and

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-32316882199348096812011-11-08T17:54:00.000-06:002011-11-08T17:54:37.486-06:00

You can feel it in your core. It grows and vibrates from the heart. Gratitude feeds it. Love resounds it. It has wide open possibilities. It's a vastness that cannot be fully absorbed. Your passion infuses it. Your enthusiasm heightens it. You experience it each time you take a step toward the bigger You. The one who takes risks. With great expectation. The one who dreams. With a vision. The one

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-7905606436964392812011-10-14T15:01:00.003-05:002011-10-14T15:01:46.117-05:00

It was completely unexpected, which is really the best kind. A flutter of wings as if blown by an inspired wind landing on my knit shirt. I take in the beauty of its wing's design, noting just a small tear at the bottom edge of one, yet it still flies. I am grateful it is not a serious injury. I have seen those kind before. I am elated to have such a wonderful, wild creature resting, at peace,

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-40522283866633819392011-09-20T15:47:00.000-05:002011-09-20T15:47:08.571-05:00

Her ears are pointed down, perked, as she sits on the coffee table watching a stick of incense burning. She remains at a safe distance as she gazes intently at the burning glow at the end of the stick where the smoke slowly swirls up into the air and wafts in various directions from the wind-like force of the ceiling fan directly above. She moves back a bit as the smoke blows a bit toward her

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-36261063240994400892011-09-01T18:02:00.000-05:002011-09-01T18:02:10.451-05:00

power (pow-er) n 1. the ability to do something. 2. vigor, energy, strength 4. control, influence We all have it to some extent or another. And what we do with it is very important. We can use it to control or manipulate someone to get what we want from them. Or we may be allowing someone to have that same power over us. How do you know when someone has power over you? you feel intimidated by

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-84161162762991304082011-08-08T18:36:00.000-05:002011-08-08T18:36:18.326-05:00

With the temperatures rising across the nation, I've been thinking about the weather of our temperaments and relationships and how they affect our well-being. Have you been "hot under the collar" lately? Have you lost your temper with one too many things on your 'to do' list? Or maybe you simply ate too much spicy food for lunch, and your heartburn is thanking you for it. ;) Wherever the heat

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-43478810136987691202011-07-16T14:27:00.000-05:002011-07-16T14:27:23.965-05:00

Picture yourself inside a glass-backed elevator on the ground floor. As you make your way up to the fourth floor, you take in the design and layout of the interior centered in the building which includes a delightful two-tiered bubbling waterfall, the perfect place to toss a coin and make a wish. A garden of green highlights the perimeter of the center, giving the atmosphere a fresh sensation

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-70650029488691877612011-06-18T17:08:00.000-05:002011-06-18T17:08:02.155-05:00

Recently, as I've been going for my walks in the morning, I have noted an exuberant, ecstatic mocking bird in my neighborhood. As I've walked along on the sidewalk heading toward the park downtown, I've seen this mocking bird sitting on the top of the same telephone pole doing a little bird dance, singing his repetitive song, showing off his vocal skills that no other bird has, of course. But

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-46589407029502617502011-05-30T14:23:00.000-05:002011-05-30T14:23:16.002-05:00

I love the sound of the word: Enough. It has a finality and a reassurance to it that makes any situation feel full. Whether it be having enough at a meal where you feel satisfied but not over bloated, or filling a shopping cart with just the essentials, because that is all you need. But there are situations that may not seem so clear, where you might think that what you have is not enough.

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-19060235576202449982011-05-10T15:25:00.000-05:002011-11-05T19:15:06.961-05:00

Baggage. It's the one of the first things we grab for when we plan a trip or when we arrive at our destination, whether at an airport (where we're glad we didn't lose it!), or at a hotel or overnight stay, where we'll have all the essentials we need to make ourselves most comfortable and ready for whatever we have planned. This baggage is useful, necessary, to help us feel prepared and make

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-18100609834115815202011-04-25T15:14:00.000-05:002011-04-25T15:14:27.737-05:00

Storms come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities. There are the kind where it's just light rain, and you may or may not choose to bring an umbrella. It's not really a big deal, just a bit bothersome since it's wet, and you don't want to get stuck in a possible downpour. Kind of like those niggling issues that creep in the back of your mind but they're not exactly seriously consequential. Just

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-81120838443349774822011-03-31T12:21:00.001-05:002011-05-06T12:49:00.882-05:00

A friend remarked the other day that she noticed how easily we can get upset over the littlest things. These conflicts are often small discrepancies, tiny annoyances that grab our attention. When we look back hours, days, or even weeks later, we wonder why we even got upset in the first place. But we have a hard time letting go of them. Whether they be with other people or even with ourselves.

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-68170363024612938892011-03-04T19:38:00.000-06:002011-03-04T19:38:36.329-06:00

Valley: a long, low area between hills Most of our sojourn in this life is in The Valley. We often associate these 'valleys' with challenging terrains, places of great difficulty, adversity, and trouble. The valley can be a lonely place. Even when others we know are very close by. The valley can be wrought with discouragement, heaviness, and even despair. The valley is filled with shadows

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-83184024011382567652011-02-10T17:01:00.000-06:002011-02-10T17:01:36.890-06:00

The Lights Are Out. All is quiet. Someone is pussyfooting around on the bed. I feel a paw tentatively putting light pressure on my leg, feeling around for a safe place to land. A warm furry body settles in, relaxed, purring. She has found her safe spot. And it's not too shabby. She knows if she gets too close to the Other Side of the bed, she may get pushed off unceremoniously. Especially if

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-42976715142407105422011-01-21T18:10:00.000-06:002011-01-21T18:10:35.634-06:00

If my cat Sophie could be everywhere at once, I think that's the super power she would choose if she could. One thing Sophie can do without is a closed door. No matter what door it is in the house. If it's closed, and she can't get to the other side, she meows and loudly nudges it to attempt admittance. She cannot stand being 'left out', especially when she knows there is someone ELSE on the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-23812923081103297082010-12-30T19:27:00.000-06:002010-12-30T19:27:06.909-06:00

With the start of a new year often come changes. Some changes we can control and live with for the most part. Other changes seem to come at us from nowhere, leaving us feeling perplexed and sometimes even victimized. Those are the kind of changes we would rather do without. As the Serenity prayer reminds us, if we can except the things we cannot change, and have the courage to change the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-48446536766694898862010-12-14T12:25:00.000-06:002010-12-14T12:25:51.005-06:00

One step forward; two steps back. One step at a time. The first step you take. The steps you climb on your first day of school. The steps you climb on a patio or porch when you arrive home. The steps you run up to the comfort of your bedroom. The steps you run down to meet a boy/girl or a family member you haven't seen in a long time. The beginning steps you learned in ballet and tap

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-83737121198724704792010-11-24T17:37:00.000-06:002010-11-24T17:37:57.024-06:00

I asked myself a question the other day: What's the first thing that comes to mind when you wake up in the morning? My initial answer was, "The day of the week, appointments to be kept, any errands to run. And housework. Always the housework." Of course, when the day of the week springs to mind, I usually know right away the rest of the information I need without looking it up on a scheduler.

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-51008166175168456172010-11-04T17:43:00.000-05:002010-11-04T17:43:47.550-05:00

Resistance: Resisting, the power to resist something; an influence that hinders or stops something. Exactly. (I could feel the irony of resistance in the process of writing this essay to share with you!) When you try to do something on your agenda or something that really means a lot to you, you may find yourself meeting with resistance. In other words, your mental and physical efforts can

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-73583816665765549322010-10-15T18:32:00.000-05:002010-10-15T18:32:27.895-05:00

Check the mirrors. Start the engine. Go. Then Stop. Try not to slam on the brakes. Watch for kids on bikes. Drive between the cones without knocking them down. Don't turn the wheel too hard. Go really slow. Take your time. Driving lessons. For a beginner, it can feel overwhelming. A major multi-tasking adventure. Parts can be fun, especially when you think you were definitely going to knock

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-69740838722674915212010-09-28T15:57:00.000-05:002010-09-28T15:57:02.226-05:00

The butterflies are migrating. I have seen them in all sorts of places in small numbers. We happened to run into one in a WalMart parking lot the other day when we were loading up the trunk after a shopping excursion. My daughter, Hannah, happened to notice it a moment too late just as she closed the lid of the trunk after we finished unloading. We were alarmed as we saw just the wings of the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-85748195114173609432010-09-09T15:04:00.000-05:002010-09-09T15:04:44.681-05:00

Have you ever noticed when the seasons begin to merge, you get whispers or quick peeks at the coming changes? Dips or rises in temperature seem the most noticeable. There are the visual reminders of birds migrating or the subtle hues of changing color in leaves. Rain showers after a long, dry, hot summer. Or the humidity dissipates, leaving a cool sensation of beautiful breezes on your skin. A

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-88527472952873524692010-08-19T16:04:00.000-05:002010-08-19T16:04:18.474-05:00

Two sisters come home from school and head into the kitchen for a snack as their mom asks how school was that day. The older curly-haired blonde sister pulls out a package of Keebler fudge-striped cookies and notes that there is only one cookie left. Her sister, a shorter-haired brunette, looks on, waiting. The older sister takes the one cookie that is left and holds it in her hand,

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-45606932385365464992010-07-28T17:06:00.000-05:002010-07-28T17:06:14.136-05:00

It looks perfectly harmless. The largest section of the water park is filled with all kinds of fun attractions, like water slides of varying heights, hands on toys, jungle gym, and fountains in a backdrop that specializes in a wet, refreshing experience, featuring flowing water-filled walkways and fountains and waterfalls to assist in helping you stay cool and comfortable in the summer heat.

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-16224304278980145392010-07-08T14:31:00.000-05:002010-07-08T14:31:48.797-05:00

"Peace, Beaver." That's what Aslan said to Mr. Beaver in the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when Mr. Beaver was all busy telling Aslan, the Great Lion, about the audacity of the White Witch and her claims. "Queen of Narnia! Why, of all the cheek!" Nothing like a conflict or confrontation to shake things up and agitate us. And steal our peace. Our equilibrium loses

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-19482662133280071342010-06-23T15:31:00.000-05:002010-06-23T15:31:18.051-05:00

Best Friends. When you read those words, what comes to mind? A confidant with whom you can share your inner most thoughts who doesn't judge you but appreciates your point of view. Someone who stands up for you when another criticizes. The source of the beautiful smile that brightens your day. One who affirms you and appreciates your terrific qualities but doesn't condemn you for the ones

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-5890871361442970162010-06-06T16:44:00.007-05:002010-06-14T12:32:05.915-05:00

She's 18 with lots of potential and a heart full of dreams. Yet she feels the challenge of responsibility with starting a new life outside of school walls. I watch the continuous alphabetized slide show of the 2010 Princeton High school graduates that includes my daughter, Sarah Grace Herring. My youngest daughter, Hannah, and I watch with anticipation as the H's go by, and then we hoot, holler

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-75219781746173181982010-05-24T10:12:00.008-05:002011-10-17T13:40:56.226-05:00

I usually use the rain option on my sound machine for its consistent rhythm with no lulls, but I decided during a recent evening to check out the other optional sounds to see if there was another one I liked that was just as effective. I chose the rain forest option to be met with the sound of what I would assume to be a variety of tropical birds. As I listened for a few minutes at the quality

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-29469917307189719162010-05-10T19:34:00.004-05:002010-05-11T15:02:33.178-05:00

As I was spending some quality quiet time in my bedroom the other morning, I noticed two insects on one of the window panes under a fully opened blind.One was a nickel-sized brown striped, almost furry spider moving about in one of the corners attached to his fancy silk string. The other was a common house fly. Not the super zippy kind, mind you. This one was acting a bit drunk as it moved slowly

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-68781978490160033132010-04-23T16:57:00.010-05:002010-04-25T17:16:52.060-05:00

Last week after I came back from dropping my daughter off at school, I got out of the car and could hear several mocking birds in the trees in my front yard. I found myself enthralled by their winged chorus line. They sounded like they were singing a round together, echoing each other in succession. The next day I listened to the same birds in the same trees (at least I think they were), only

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-32595476115167123622010-04-08T16:34:00.005-05:002010-04-10T16:52:03.547-05:00

A good night's sleep in your bed.A relaxed state of mind.A delicious, savory meal. A vibrant, soulful conversation with a loved one.A warm or cool dry house.A car that runs without stalling.Money in the bank.A paycheck.Food in the pantry.Solid relationships with each family member.Very close friends.All things we can easily take for granted. And in a moment, they can all be removed in one way or

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-8165053440303568872010-03-26T14:49:00.004-05:002010-03-26T16:11:47.542-05:00

My husband started his truck, and when the radio came on the classic rock channel, a song by Elton John called Your Song was playing. One of the lyrics I noticed said,"It may be quite simple."Yes, it's a simple song, and I believe that's what makes it so endearing. That's why Your song is the song my husband chose for our song 21 years ago and it still hits home and heart today.It's the simple

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-74289442834217808372010-03-11T12:20:00.005-06:002010-03-12T12:52:20.533-06:00

With all house responsibilities taken care of, I decided I was going to have a very relaxing morning with reading and napping to refresh my body and soul. As I prepared my pillows to suit me just right, my cat Sophie decided to join me, after her initial gazing at me, looking as if she was wondering what had come over me, getting back into bed once I had gotten up, almost unheard of. As she

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-87761973535141778242010-02-27T13:29:00.006-06:002010-02-27T14:50:56.710-06:00

The sun is shining as I write. It is a glorious sight outside my office window. When we have days in a row of rain, grey skies, and cold winds, the warmth and beauty of the sun's rays is a welcome sight and experience. I often get impatient to see the sun come out to play, thinking the clouds are having their way once again. Sometimes I feel like I need to have a word with them, scolding them for

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-7457619899049763042010-02-12T14:46:00.006-06:002010-02-12T15:18:11.118-06:00

I love surprises. I like taking spontaneous drives with my husband just to chat and see some new territory we haven't covered in our great state of Texas. We often see things we don't expect, which makes the journey even more pleasant.I love the surprise of a Monarch butterfly flitting its way past me on a beautiful summer day, or the spread of wild sunflowers along a strip of road, with their

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-42717111600567680462010-01-20T10:00:00.009-06:002010-01-21T15:27:42.391-06:00

One of the things I have learned from my cat Sophie is the way she chooses to just 'be.' Cats have a reputation for napping all day long, curled up in a tight ball of fur, often with their paws over their nose or face as if to block out light and distractions from their kitty sleep. I love to watch Sophie, after she's been curled up for a while, when she takes a moment to stretch, letting out

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-50763445218689712052009-12-26T17:27:00.018-06:002009-12-30T17:59:09.429-06:00

Gifts. Some of them leave a lasting impression. You know the kind. The ones you remember from childhood. And when you recall them, the memory still gives you pleasure, almost as if it was happening all over again. I remember some Christmases that stand out to me: when Donny and Marie Osmond were on prime time with their variety show, Mom got me the Donny and Marie stage set with dolls,

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-91670803955223252382009-12-03T18:37:00.008-06:002009-12-04T19:01:38.073-06:00

It's that time of year where as you drive through the neighborhood after the sun goes down, the pretty lights come out. Sometimes you can see several homes is a row that are quite creative with their decorative display of holiday pleasure. But it's always a pleasant surprise when you come around the corner to see a display for the first time in the Christmas season; that's when it's unexpected.

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-16900328890872138802009-11-08T19:27:00.009-06:002009-11-10T16:02:47.858-06:00

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, it is often an appropriate time to take a very close, detailed look at how blessed we are. Here is my assessment:I have several ribbed sweaters and long-sleeved knit tops hanging to dry on my laundry organizer. I am thankful to have warm clothes to wear and a place to hang them to dry. I can never say I'm not warm enough since I can always put on another

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-48617967313377727472009-10-21T15:40:00.005-05:002009-10-21T19:26:35.393-05:00

Take care of yourself. Yes, you need to take care of yourself. You won't be able to take care of anyone else if you don't take care of yourself first. Like the instructions on an airplane tell you, if you don't put the oxygen mask on before you put one on your child, you'll be no good for the child either. Or anyone else, for that matter.It's easy to put off taking care of yourself with so many

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-84601066190188776522009-10-04T19:13:00.014-05:002009-10-06T16:17:44.274-05:00

The Halloween aisles are set up with bags of candy in a variety of types and sizes; creepy looking ghosts and ghoulish masks, with spiders in faux cobwebs; costumes galore for all ages; and arts and crafts supplies for those who like to decorate from scratch. Then there are the pumpkins: in supermarkets, on front porches with or without carved faces, at farmer's markets and in the pumpkin patches

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-15416668454783210172009-09-21T19:13:00.016-05:002009-09-22T13:48:16.791-05:00

Boxes come in handy for a variety of reasons and tasks.Take the gift box. You know the kind you ask for at the retailer where gift wrapping is offered for special occasions. Or the kind you can buy at Christmas time for shirts or small gifts. They sometimes come collapsed until they are ready to be used. And once the box is wrapped in pretty paper and decorated with a bow, it has taken on a whole

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-22514183020945609802009-09-07T15:58:00.009-05:002009-09-07T18:08:02.398-05:00

In my latest attempts to get help from a customer service line, I have noticed several trends. Voice activation is the newest. And, perhaps, the most annoying.I honestly prefer the touch tone aspect of getting where I need to go on a help line. But, no. These voices want you to talk back to them. And, unfortunately, they are hard of hearing. I have yet to experience a smooth transition of

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-24114503142909744662009-08-22T13:57:00.007-05:002009-08-22T15:19:49.848-05:00

It's back to school time. The buses will be running again down our side street every morning and every afternoon. I don't need an alarm clock since those diesel engines are always noisy enough to get my attention. And they signal the close of the school day.It doesn't feel like school weather-wise. We still have another month of summer left, technically according to the calendar, and here in

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-82384226080522443842009-08-10T10:53:00.018-05:002009-08-11T09:37:36.065-05:00

My cat Sophie has a very expressive tail. I think it's one of the things I like most about her.First thing in the morning, when I give her food and water, and as she meows to me about her evening and how hungry she is, her tail is speaking for itself, positioned straight up with the tip hooked to the left which, according to a feline website I read, means she is absolutely delighted to see me!

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-79845114918936542072009-07-20T17:00:00.005-05:002009-07-20T19:20:16.149-05:00

I've never been a fan of ice water. I found every time I would drink water with ice in it, I would end up with a freeze headache in the middle of my forehead. Now, I can't get enough.I suppose it might have something to do with the heat wave we suffered through last week and the week before and the week before that...I can't seem to keep my mug full of water and ice for very long, constantly

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-6027946734025952372009-07-08T17:06:00.005-05:002009-07-08T17:49:18.951-05:00

It's a tradition we started about five years ago.My youngest daughter, then almost 10, was looking out the window that faced the front of our home that evening on the Fourth of July. It was dark out already, and her stop was timely. She saw fireworks doing their light-up dance between the leaves on the trees. She quickly pointed them out to me as I was by my desk in the living room. I and my

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-62988968108101525692009-06-28T11:13:00.008-05:002009-07-03T13:26:07.993-05:00

I was supremely shocked at the news of Michael Jackson's death. As I was driving down the highway with my daughter, she received a text message from a friend. Then I heard it on the radio, confirming the stunning news.Michael Jackson: a musical icon, a legend, the King of Pop.He set the standard as a songwriter, dancer, musical genius, and a phenomenal performer. No doubt, he was one to watch and

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-61089087354998886922009-06-11T13:09:00.016-05:002009-06-11T19:35:58.906-05:00

We were completely unsuspecting. I hadn't checked the weather that day. I was sitting in my recliner in the bedroom, just getting started on Christina Katz's book, Get Known Before the Book Deal, which covers platform development for writers. Bill had the door open, letting in a nice spring breeze. I noticed a huge gust of wind taking a hold of the trees, the kind that tells of a big storm to

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-24471068396820544802009-06-01T12:42:00.009-05:002009-06-01T13:22:19.718-05:00

I always feel the start of a new month is a good time to post on my blog.Ok, so, what comes to mind when you think of June? My memories rush to my school days when I would get out of the private school I attended the third week of June while all of the public schools got out a week later. That was the only way I could justify their spring break since my school didn't take one. (Don't ask me why;

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-1647240499723289692009-05-22T14:48:00.004-05:002009-05-22T15:07:56.743-05:00

Is it just my imagination, or are a lot of people fuming over the new American Idol winner Kris Allen? I've read a few blogs, and I've been disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm for Kris's win. Adam Lambert seems to be getting more press than Kris is. You wouldn't think the runner up would get more attention than the winner himself; but there it is.I don't think Kris Allen is being given

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-24260431233997176612009-05-19T18:20:00.005-05:002009-05-19T18:54:22.016-05:00

I'm sure my topic today is covered on hundreds of blogs this week. Tonight is the final round in the American Idol competition for season 8. The two contestants are Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. As I have listened to both competitors throughout this season, I've liked some of each of their performances. Many of the songs I'm unfamiliar with since I don't listen to the radio much (just Radio Disney

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-32675574393730120962009-04-24T14:00:00.006-05:002009-04-24T14:58:13.149-05:00

My daughter was alarmed to find a very busy trail of ants taking over her bathroom yesterday; especially since she didn't have any food in there to draw their attention. Once she announced their presence, I immediately went in to gauge the situation and to find where they were coming from.One thing about ants, they are so well organized, like an army. One behind the other they marched; the line

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-34888440901140862552009-04-14T14:58:00.016-05:002009-04-14T15:54:14.859-05:00

They always say spring is a good time to clean out. I've never actually been one to follow the cleaning protocol when it comes to my home. I just work each day, managing to get one thing done or another with no specific plan in mind. I found that when I did have a plan, the plan was just a taskmaster with a dictator attitude, intimidating me into thinking that I wasn't working hard enough or fast

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-66322307142496676132009-04-02T15:12:00.023-05:002009-04-02T16:29:46.178-05:00

When you think of the month of April, what comes to mind? April showers? Spring equals warm weather (at least in the south)? How about the birds beginning to build their nests and catching up on old times (like last spring's happenings and how the kids are doing now that they have flown the coop)?Well, the last thing I would think of with the month of April starting out would be winds gusting up

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-84042153931774208312009-03-13T16:59:00.007-05:002009-03-14T13:34:21.084-05:00

It has been a cold, dreary, wet week here in Texas, with temps in the 30's and 40's. Now that wouldn't be so intolerable if it hadn't been prefaced with four days of 80 degree weather. So I had to remind myself that it is still winter, and I was just plain spoiled with unseasonably mild Texas weather.Despite the unpleasant weather which can make a day seem to drag its butt around waiting for the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-50272767953241868362009-02-20T17:12:00.004-06:002009-02-20T18:02:57.313-06:00

When I retrieved my cat Sophie at the private home in Plano, Texas where she was currently residing with her brother and two sisters, I remember one of the activities her former owners indulged in with the kittens: the laser light. I remember Sophie tearing up and down the stairs in the house enjoying this game of 'cat and laser' to the full. I decided I would need to get a laser for our home, so

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-83324520368403992862009-02-10T16:11:00.012-06:002009-02-10T16:47:52.341-06:00

It's been a week already since the "Unveiling" as I like to call it. I took my now-17-year old daughter Sarah to her orthodontist last Tuesday. It's been over 2 1/2 years since we consulted with Dr. Crain, Sarah's orthodontist, concerning her need for braces. And every six weeks since then, I have taken Sarah to her treatments.Well, this particular appointment was a long time in coming and

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-84168021009634264222009-01-16T15:16:00.001-06:002009-01-16T15:34:21.924-06:00

Actually, he also used a few other words to get us to show off our pearly whites: the classic ‘cheese!’, ‘guacamole!’, and ‘peaches!’ (My daughter Hannah had to remind me of that one!)Of course, you may be wondering who said this and why…. When we visited with my extended family over the Christmas holiday, we had an in-house portrait session done in my sister Denise's home (thanks, Sis!) by none

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-43044946109901998582009-01-02T16:41:00.003-06:002009-01-02T17:21:24.009-06:00

I can't believe it's January 2, 2009 already, and I haven't even had the chance to wish all of my readers a Happy New Year! The days continue to go by in a blur, no matter what year it is. That's my only consolation.I wanted to take the time in this posting to thank every person who has ever read my blog, whether you've read from the first posting, or have just joined me, I so appreciate you! I

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-24232985548037150222008-12-12T16:16:00.015-06:002008-12-12T17:08:35.941-06:00

December sort of crept up on me. After the Thanksgiving holiday, I ended up with a mild case of food poisoning. Not exactly the best post-holiday surprise. If you've ever had food poisoning, you'd know that it takes a very long time to recover. First you have the initial intense nauseated feeling. Thankfully that only lasted for a short time for me. Then there's the pain in the stomach and

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-37229789814015153252008-11-07T17:22:00.006-06:002008-11-07T17:53:12.472-06:00

It's hard to believe it's November already. This 2008 year must've grown wings early on, because it just flew by!I don't feel very 'holidayish' just yet even though I've seen Christmas trees on display for almost a month. I saw one front and center in WalMart the other day. I told my daughter Hannah that I am not in the Christmas spirit. Not even a holiday spirit. I like to take my time with such

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-8375107929115912232008-10-09T17:42:00.010-05:002008-11-07T17:09:34.884-06:00

Hang some balloons, lay out the confetti, pull out the party favors, and let's celebrate! There's a party going on right here! We've pulled out all the stops, set out some good Texas BBQ and have a cake decorated with a street sign that says "Open for business!" The detour signs and closed signs have been removed, new signs have been erected, and our street is now in full use! And it looks

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-81091806170570087262008-09-30T14:54:00.010-05:002008-11-07T17:09:06.264-06:00

Have you ever heard of musical chairs? How about musical rooms? Just a couple of days ago we did a switcharoosy with a few rooms in our home which will lead to a more expedient and logical layout and functioning. We currently have three bedrooms, a living room, dining room, and kitchen, plus two offices, one for me and one for my husband.We recently added a full size bathroom off of Bill's office

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-23844314813726987892008-08-22T10:23:00.009-05:002008-11-07T17:08:40.150-06:00

With summertime come insects, especially the stinging variety. Mud wasps and bees are ones that venture around our property. But recently, my husband noticed a new development right outside my office window in a brick-facaded alcove (where you normally would keep plants outside). He treated the area a few times after seeing some bee activity and could see where the insects were coming from (a

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-61880340200119083112008-08-11T17:57:00.009-05:002008-11-07T17:08:18.730-06:00

For those of you who have read my previous 'remodeling' posts, you'll remember my narrative covering the construction of the roads around our house. With only two weeks (yes, I said two weeks!) til school starts, the crew have their hands full; but they even worked on Saturday to keep on schedule. They've made excellent progress. Half of the street has already been set; they're working on the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-29479985401598919432008-07-15T10:45:00.003-05:002008-11-07T17:07:46.970-06:00

The remodeling continues! Our side street has been repaved, but since both of our driveways open to the main road, we still don't have access. Patience!As the construction has progressed, I have noticed, with the work being so close to home, we can often 'feel' the work being done out there. The 'reverb' can be felt in any room of the house. And occasionally we'll have a mild 'earthquake' as a

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-72168975958385057592008-06-02T10:09:00.010-05:002008-11-07T17:07:21.989-06:00

May was certainly a busy month with Mother's Day, my husband's and father's birthdays and...Braces! Yes, my youngest teen and I took the plunge into the metal, our molars bracketed, and our pearly whites accented with metal 'jewels.'The one thing I noticed right away was my need to fall into a routine with teeth brushings, cleanings, and changing the rubber bands between meals. Once I got that

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-5942583866511000592008-04-26T10:28:00.008-05:002008-11-07T17:06:48.977-06:00

April has certainly gone out with a bang, or at least a drilling. In preparation for future orthodontic work, I had all my old metal fillings from days gone by removed and replaced with white composite fillings--all 8 of them. I decided to take care of this preventative work all in one sitting, you know, just to get it over with. I knew the appointment time would last about an hour and thirty

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-1196630476975378342008-03-15T14:23:00.005-05:002008-11-07T17:04:53.047-06:00

February was quite a memorable month. So much so, that I had to wait until March to talk about it. The waning winter months are often riddled with the flu and other illnesses. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to leave the month of February, the love month, untainted. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I was flat on my back with bronchitis and the flu; not exactly romantic activity. But the husband

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-4596154174260307082008-01-12T21:19:00.001-06:002008-01-18T15:01:32.354-06:00

It is hard for me to believe that 2008 has arrived and is already full steam ahead. It just amazes me how quickly time goes by. I know it has been said that time goes faster as you get older; but I never realized how true that really was until now.I noticed in 2007 that I just couldn't seem to keep up with the pace of things. I think once the new school year started in August, September seemed to

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-68155521812695359972007-10-19T18:37:00.000-05:002008-01-09T15:52:23.247-06:00

I was hanging out in the living room one night, and I smelled rodent. With my super sensitive schnoz, I knew I was accurate in my assessment. Of course, the family didn't notice the mouse until after the lights were out, but I was already on the hunt.The Big Guy noticed the little furry troublemaker (not me, of course; I was being the responsible feline in the house), but when he saw me checking

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-57174036162732406582007-10-14T19:43:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:17:51.632-06:00

When I moved 6 months ago, it took some time for me to settle. Once I did, it still didn't feel quite like home. There was still so much to do on the inside due to some remodeling we did before we moved in, plus work on the outside, which I left to my electrical contractor husband. The busyness made me tired just looking at it. Plus I had to get used to the idea of living in a lot more space, the

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-12495462969567500562007-06-08T16:21:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:14:56.063-06:00

Once I was let out to initially explore, I stretched my neck as far as it would go as I cautiously sniffed out my immediate surroundings, checking out every nook and cranny as carefully as a detective in a crime scene. Once everything passed to my satisfaction, I made my way further out. It did seem that there were more corners to move around, more rooms to check out and more space to roam.I

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-18943895944495943352007-04-12T14:51:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:09:46.997-06:00

It seems inevitable that with blessing comes great challenge. And sometimes the source of the challenge are the people closest to you. Yet, at the same time, there are those who help to ease those challenges, sticking with you throughout your journey, cheering you on when the going gets tough, and rejoicing with you when things are going well.I am personally blessed to have a friend of many years

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-16755434787764729562007-03-30T16:00:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:08:08.855-06:00

A few days ago I was checking out the news on the internet and had clicked on a clip about Elton John celebrating his 60th birthday. That was of interest to me, because his song How Wonderful Life Is has sentimental value to me. It is the song Bill and I chose for 'our song' when we were courting, and it still is. As a matter of fact, we danced to it on our wedding day.Bill pulled up a chair so

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-64613714252087482942007-03-23T12:40:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:06:09.081-06:00

The landscape of our home is changing with an impending move. What started out as a few boxes scattered about has grown into piles of boxes that you can't miss. And my cat Sophie is beginning to notice. Every time my husband comes home with an empty box or boxes, they have to pass Sophie's inspection. First she meows at him when he comes in with a new empty box as if to say, "Not this again!"

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-41297324036234682592007-03-15T14:36:00.000-05:002008-01-12T21:00:41.050-06:00

I am not one for being in the kitchen. I do not enjoy spending hours of time preparing meals with fifty different ingredients. Cookbooks and recipes generally bore me. No, I am not eager to put on an apron and get chopping.I basically have one dinner that I have mastered, plus I can scramble eggs and not burn the toast. But, alas, variety is the spice of life. And even my palette gets a bit

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864053513546139314.post-60591407885739054522007-03-09T14:51:00.000-06:002007-03-09T16:18:54.495-06:00

I've set up a blog as a writer so I can share my musings with friends, family, and whoever else might be interested in reading.I can hear the birds singing their songs and can see the sun shining through the curtains on the window. Spring is so very close, really, has arrived here in Texas.My cat Sophie has been very busy by the windows, watching avidly as the birds flit from tree to tree, and

Dawn Herringhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00259296213459786559noreply@blogger.com1