Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 139

Daily Prompt: Connect the Dots

Gabriel thought for a minute. “Well, I’ve been fishing only once and I loved it.” The third full sentence from page 83 of The River by Michael Neale

I have been fishing more than once, and I do love it. I love it because my husband loves it. I love it when he and one of the boys go in the early morning or late evening. I love fishing for the the big-fish stories, the no-fish stories, and the too-many-to-count-fish stories. We fish lakes and rivers, and there is always something to learn and see. Once, we fished while loons swam underwater trying to catch the fish before they could swallow our worms. I have landed Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, and Walleye. I have caught more Northern Pike than I wanted, and I am not above asking a complete stranger to take one off my hook. One son still holds the family record for catching a Bowfin. Another’s catch broke the family’s favorite rod in half. I have braved November’s first ice, and I have basked in–more often shivered through–May’s fishing opener. I am already looking forward to next year’s fish tales.

P.S. I also look forward to reading The River!

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Happy Reading!

Reviews Requested

Have you read my poetry books, The Last Time We Were Children and/or While Bethlehem Sleeps? If so, please consider posting a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or your other social networks. I value the opinions of my readers, and future readers may benefit from your insights. Click on my Author and Book Links to post your review. Thank you!

I am thankful for…

…needing more than a few days before Thanksgiving to share all the reasons I am thankful. My daily cornucopia overflows with love from my husband, our three sons, our family, and our friends. I desire to have an attitude of gratitude in both the expected and unexpected. I thank God for the blessings–seen and unseen–He brings every day.

Black Friday Deal on While Bethlehem Sleeps

Get my Kindle book of Christmas poetry for FREE on Black Friday! Click on While Bethlehem Sleeps under Author and Book Links to order.

I am thankful for…

…sick days. I am not thankful for the illness and symptoms, so much as the beneficial side effects. When one of us is sick, we slow down. We cancel events. We set aside what cannot be done from a reclined position. Today, I could let my middle son do what he would like to do most days–stay in bed. I could do for him what I would like to do most days–help him work ahead. We completed a week’s worth of reading.  Each son received my undivided attention for at least an hour. My husband and I escaped for lunch while one slept and the other two worked quietly. Our obligations were only to one another, which meant more got done than usual. I am thankful my son is getting better, and I hope the rest of us stay healthy. Yet, this sick day was the cure we needed to restore well-being!

I am thankful for…

…the one good thing that happens every day. Sometimes the one good thing is something that happened. Sometimes it is the thing that did not. Either way, no matter what happens each day, I try to forget the not-so-good and remember only the good, even if it means not having to relive today.

Q&A on Goodreads with Penny J. Johnson

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A Unique Quilting Technique

I discovered a surprisingly unique quilting technique that makes quilting affordable and easy for any novice. There a several steps, but if followed, the result will be a quilt you will treasure for years to come.

1. Join your mother on her next trip to the quilting shop. Her enthusiasm will inspire you to begin a new hobby. She may even contribute funds to your endeavor.

2. Pick a pattern and fabrics you love. This is the fun part!

3. Place the bag of fabulous fabric in your basement. It should stay there for at least one year.

4. After you stumble upon the bag of fabulous fabric the next time you are looking for Goodwill donations, scold yourself for your lack of motivation and determine to begin your project.

5. Find a time when your family is engaged in other activities, and you have the whole house to yourself. This step could take another six months, but if you leave the bag where you can see it every day, your motivation will increase until you insist everyone go to a movie.

6. Prepare the fabric by washing it. While you wait, stare dumfounded at the pattern you chose. When the family returns from the movie, suggest they go to another one the next night.

7. Begin cutting your fabric into strips. This is another fun part of the process, and you will feel pleased you can use a rotary cutter.

8. After sending the family to their third movie of the week, start piecing the quilt. It is important to be slightly unfamiliar with your sewing machine and to suffer from perfectionism.

9. Place the strips of fabric and your feeble sewing attempt back in the bag, then offer to join the family for the next movie night. For best results, put the bag back in the basement.

10. When you are gathering your project for a craft weekend with your mother, sister, and sister-in-law, decide to generously donate the fabric and your sewing machine to the event. Bring the afghan you are knitting.

11. Leave your fabric and your sewing machine at your mother’s for the next crafting event and admire your knitted afghan.

12. Receive with awe and delight the quilt you envisioned when your mother presents it to you as a gift. She may point out a few imperfections, which you would never have noticed because you know you could not have done better yourself.

13. Show off your mother’s gift by posting a photo of it on your blog.

14. Treasure the quilt that reminds you of your mother’s love and generosity.

I am thankful for…

…my Labrador Retrievers, Doc and Zoe. Zoe brings calm and cuddles when chaos threatens. Doc melted our hearts when we saw him at the Humane Society. His quiet submission, playful endurance, and loyal watchfulness comfort all of us. They provide endless entertainment and unconditional love.