Since Blogging 101 began, I’ve visited dozens of blogs, ranging from those who have clearly been blogging for some time, while others, like myself, are new to this world. Every blog has a couple of things in common–the author’s personality and creativity. Whether fashion, writing, travel, food, or personal thoughts that are being shared, I’ve really enjoyed the adventure.
As a writer, I’m obviously drawn to the written word. Here are just a few of the blogs I’ve enjoyed:
I enjoyed this assignment as it gave me the opportunity to add a few widgets.
I’ve added widgets to allow others ease to follow my blog, changed archives and categories to pull-down menus to clear space on the side bar, included links for Twitter and Facebook (under construction at this time). Finally, I added a counter to give me an idea of the number of hits my blog is receiving.
I’ll continue to refine as time passes by, but I think the widgets help to improve the functionality of my blog.
Will be working on today’s assignment shortly. In the meantime, thought I’d share a picture of this morning sunrise. This was taken through a window; too cold too go out, 13F/-10C.
Based on a concept put forward to me by an avid reviewer of my current novel-in-progress, I’ve come up with an initial premise for a new story:
A Columbian drug lord watched his profits diminish over the years. Unable to increase market share because of a shrinking consumer base and a new international competitor, a dream directed him to form an unholy alliance.
Pablo López Moreno, head of the Barranquilla Cartel, struck a deal with Ramírez García Días, a regional leader within the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC). Little did Moreno know but he had initiated his own death warrant. Días had an unknown support group who wanted a foothold in South America – Islamic State.
Forced to flee, Moreno is captured by a small CIA team. Still fearing for his life, he spins a tale about using his money and manpower to destroy ISIS. Laws and rules of engagement mean nothing to him, only his life matters.
Will team leader AJ Bruce strike a deal to use Moreno’s proposal to turn the tables on ISIS and stop them from launching a concentrated attack on the United States? Or will they be too late? If successful, will Moreno’s reward be total control of Afghanistan’s poppy fields.
If you like this, please let me know. If you have any suggestions for this or any other plots, please send them my way. Any idea finding its way into a story will lead to a mention in the credits and a signed copy of the book, once published. Thanks for you help.
Hope your weekend is off to a good start. Although we don’t have a weekend assignment, it’s a good time to practice on anything that slowed you down during the first week.
I’ll be taking a look at several more themes, working on my current novel in progress, and reading your blogs. One of my regular reviewers of my novel suggested a plot for a new book. I thought it was a great idea and will also spend some time laying out a brief outline.
Our day has started out mild with a hint of sunshine:
View From Deck
Unfortunately, the forecast is rain, turning to snow this evening, with 1-3 inches expected. Just as long as we don’t end up with this (from last winter):
Front Yard
The photo is in perfect focus. What makes it fuzzy looking is the driving snow!
I know a lot of my fellow blogger 101 classmates are very interested in several aspects of the fashion industry. So is my son, Craig, who’s taken his interest to new heights, publishing a blog called The Cultural Omnivore.
Over the past four years, Craig has interviewed 102 individuals associated with the fashion industry, including models (male & female) and those who work behind the scenes.
Learn how careers were established, what made them successful, how they’ve branched into related areas, and more. Check out The Cultural Omnivore at:
Woke up to brief glimpses of red as the sun tried to poke above the horizon. Didn’t last long as clouds have rolled in. At least it’s warmer 32F/0C. Took Tyson out on his leash this morning, good thing, too. About 20 feet from the front door stood a large doe. Tyson tried to chase but couldn’t as the deer scampered away.
I tried a few more themes last night but so far I’m satisfied with what I have, although that can always change. When I first set my blog up last week, I tried around 20 different themes before going with TwentyTwelve. I don’t want a busy background as I think that my distract readers from the written word.
I’ve added another snippet to Morsels from The Kurdish Connection, my current novel in progress. Today I’ve added a bit from chapter two. Hope you’ll stop by for a read. If you do, please remember these are only snippets so there might be some gaps in the story’s flow. Beginning tomorrow, I’ll try to add in a few photos for local color.
Thought I’d do a bit more practicing uploading images and a couple of video clips. All the participants are regular visitors. Hope you enjoy!
At Home on the Lake
We’re very fortunate to reside on Lake Huron where we have an abundance (sometimes an over abundance) of visitors. Some visit year-round, while others only stop by during warm or hot weather.
Male Chipping Sparrow
The Chipping Sparrow above seemed to be lost as normally they are a summer visitor. It was still a treat to see–think it would make a great Christmas card!
Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker
We’ve had four different types of woodpeckers visit. The guy above isn’t being cooperative to show the red streak running down his belly, hence the name. We’ve also had his wife (we think–no red on the head) as well as a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers.
Female Northern Cardinal
A male and female cardinal are year-round visitors, although when the temperature is too high, we rarely see them. Occasionally, we’ve seen three males and two females at the same time. The females usually keep back in the trees if other birds are around.
White Tail Deer
Of course, it’s not just winged visitors who stop by to see what’s for dinner. This one came on its own, but we’ve had as many as twelve at one time.
Juvenile Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
This one only visits in the warm weather and likes a treat of red-colored sugar water. We buy something especially designed for the little fella. When he matures, he’ll sport a red patch on his throat.
Male Baltimore Oriole
This male Baltimore Oriole was a bit camera shy but visits again for supper.
Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
A very infrequent visitor, the male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak didn’t seem hungry but wanted to check out the competition.
Male Baltimore Oriole
Told you he’d be back! We bought a very small swing, just for birds, and cut an orange in half. Tasty dinner!
Wild Turkeys
The last of our special visitors for this installment were this pair of wild turkeys.
OOPS! Almost forgot–I mentioned at the beginning there were a couple of video clips. The first one is a female Downy Woodpecker, while the second one features one of our male cardinal, several juncos, and a sparrow.
Since I’ve spent a number of years living in various countries, I thought I’d share a visit to one of my favorite locations–the Cappadocia area, located on the Anatolian Plain in Turkey.
The landscape of Cappadocia is probably one of the most unusual found anywhere. Various shapes and colors abound throughout the region as a result of the elements (wind, snow, rain, extreme temperatures), volcanic action, and an underlying layer of soft rock, which can easily be carved.
One of the Cappadocia valleys
Until 1955, many people resided in homes carved into the rock. The hills are honeycombed with a variety of tunnels, some so small you need to crawl to get through, while others are large enough to stand upright (as long as you aren’t a modern-day basketball player). The photos below shows several exposed residences. Continued erosion caused the soft rock to split, exposing the interiors. As a result, the Turkish government banned living in these areas and rehoused the inhabitants in nearby locations.
Collapsed ResidencesMore Collapsed Residences
Several of the eroded formations are referred to as fairy chimneys. The darker areas on the tops in the photos below are basalt, remnants from the eruption of now-extinct volcanoes.
Fairy ChimneysMore Fairy ChimneysEven More Fairy Chimneys
Despite the government ban on residing in the residences, there apparently isn’t a problem with the local farmers using the more accessible areas as a refuge for their sheep.
Multi-Level Residence Now Inhabited by Sheep
Although Turkey manufacturers a variety of motorized vehicles, sometimes the best way to get around is still on four legs.
Local TransportationMore Local Transportation
Of course a visit to Cappadocia isn’t just about scenery. There are many local handicrafts on display and for sale. For the adventurous, you can also try your hand at making pottery or weaving a carpet. Below is our son trying out the potter’s wheel at Chez Galip’s Pottery Shop (several years ago).
Craig
Chez makes it look so easy:
Chez Galip
Fancy making your own carpet? Looks like she has a way to go and could use some help!
Carpet Making in Avanos
So that ends our whirlwind tour through Cappadocia.
Another excellent assignment. I had already played around with the Reader and now I’m following 15 blogs. Most are fellow blogging 101 members but several are external, picked up through my six new tags.
While I’ll try to read every day, I’ll need to be disciplined so I can still focus on my own writing.
Since I only started setting up my blog on December 28th, 2015, I’ve very pleased with the response and I’m learning a lot with this course.
On a totally unrelated topic, we’re supposed to warm up today–high of 33F or 1C. Given the past couple of days where the high was 27F or -2C, this will feel warm as we have a bright, sunny sky to start the day. It’ll probably start melting the 4 inches of snow we had over the weekend but that’s okay, too.
Hope everyone is having a positive experience with Blogging 101:)
