Blogging Basics—How Long and How Often? Monday, Mar 20 2023 

Everyday Life and Writing Tips , , Mary K. Doyle 11:54 am

How long should a blog post be? How often should we post?

In most cases, the answer to both questions is the same—it depends. The audience, topics we cover, personal writing style and time dictate the post length and frequency. However, in general my recommendation would be to write as you want to read. Write posts that are easily consumable—ones that can be read in a few minutes, that are focused, credible, clear, and concise, and on a somewhat regular basis that doesn’t overload a reader’s inbox.

Honestly, I unfollow bloggers who have little to offer, post too often, or whose posts are too long. What is too long or too often? Once again, that depends, but I’d say that a good gauge to consider is that a few paragraphs comprise a post, a few pages is a magazine or newspaper article, and more than one short chapter is a book. Even my books tend to be rather short. I hope to keep readers engaged throughout and not intimidated by a thick read. Most of us today have short attention spans.

Prior to writing books and public speaking, I wrote newspaper and magazine articles, marketing and business material, and content for cable tv, radio, and online forums. Each type of writing has its own style, although much also carries through. We always need to know our audience, share solid information, and write clearly.

Writing is my passion, vocation, and career. I’ve been writing professionally since I was in my teens and strive to write pieces that are informative, comforting, inspiring, and/or entertaining. I want readers to feel better, happier, and motivated after reading my works.

I’ve been writing Midwest Mary since 2012 and wrote several other blogs that I’ve since closed. I know if I posted more often, I’d have more readers. My goal is to post twice a week, although I rarely achieve this because of other obligations and health constraints. My audience has also become more worldwide, which is likely true for all long-time bloggers, therefore I don’t assume readers know the background of what I’m writing, especially if it is locally oriented. A little more explanation may be needed in these posts.

I’d love to hear thoughts from other bloggers and readers as well as questions from potential bloggers. What do you think makes a solid post?

***The Rosary Prayer by Prayer can assist you in pondering Christ’s passion. You also may be interested in Grieving with Mary and Fatima at 100. Fatima Today.

 

The Reality of Leprechauns Friday, Mar 17 2023 

Culture and Everyday Life and History and Holiday and Nature and Travel , , , , Mary K. Doyle 5:21 pm

Truly wee folk or folklore, leprechauns are entertaining—and sometimes—chilling to ponder.

While driving through Ireland in 2005, our guide pointed to a field, laughed, and said that is where the fairies live. I asked him to stop the car and let me walk there.

“No! We cannot do that! I told you, that is where the fairies live!” he said.

Initially, the driver may have been embarrassed to admit his concerns about fairies. But when it came down to the possibility of confronting the “mythical” creatures, he wasn’t about to take the risk.

Fairies are serious creatures in Ireland. In fact, 236 leprechauns believed to live in the caverns of Carlington Mountain are protected under EU law. The directive also protects their sanctuary including the animals and flora.

Protection was established after a man named P.J. O’Hare was tending his garden in 1989 and heard a scream. He rushed over to find small, charred skeletal remains, a tiny, green suit, hat, and several other items. O’Hare gathered everything and placed them in a glass box in his pub, and, except for the coins, the items remain there until today.

The coins went missing for a while and were later discovered in a purse in a stone wall under repair by a man named McCoillte. After the find, McCoillte had several encounters with leprechauns. On one occasion he met a leprechaun named Carriag who claimed to be the elder of 236 leprechauns living in the nearby mountain. Carriag said that millions of others died because people stopped believing in them.

McCoillte and a group of friends fought for the protection of the leprechauns and surrounding area. Protection was granted in 2009 since the court could not prove the “little people” did not exist.

The word “leprechaun” may come from the Gaelic luchorpan, meaning small body, or leath-bhrogan, for shoemaker. Leprechauns belong to the family of fairies living in forts or fairy rings under circular mounds of earth. In Ireland, more than 40,000 of these mounds can be found across the country and are not disturbed for fear of bad luck. Nor are hawthorn trees or holly bushes cut down in the event that fairies inhabit them. Numerous tales of misfortune serve to deter inquisitors from harming the wee ones.

Leprechauns, who are only males, may be the unwanted fairies tossed out of the fairy community and now live and work alone. Because their workmanship as shoemakers is in such demand among the fairies, they’ve accumulated great wealth, hence their pots of gold. They also are talented musicians who play whistles, fiddles, and Irish harps.

Typically dressed in bright green, a white frilly shirt, and soft leather shoes with gold buckles, the little guys top their red hair with a three-sided hat. They also wear a brown leather work apron.

Leprechauns are nearly impossible to find and even harder to catch. Should you get your hands on one, don’t take your eyes off of him for one second! Leprechauns are intelligent, quick-witted, and cunning. They can distract you and be gone in a blink of an eye.

And don’t believe a leprechaun if he promises to grant you wishes or give you his pot of gold. He’s likely to use you purely for his entertainment.

Have you seen my Author Facebook page?

 

The Alzheimer’s Teacher Friday, Mar 10 2023 

Alzheimer's and Books and Everyday Life and Faith and Family and Health , , Mary K. Doyle 11:49 am

Loving a spouse with dementia for decades comes with tremendous heartache. The treacherous path that must be tread requires steady, patient, and unstoppable footing as well as a thick skin. But through this journey, I also gained some wisdom.

Here are a few things I learned from loving a spouse with Alzheimer’s:

  • Faith, family, and friends can get us through everything.
  • Looking back with regret is pointless. 
  • Get as much rest as you can when you can.
  • Some days neither our spouse with dementia or we spousal caregivers make sense.
  • We don’t need the correct words to get our point across.
  • We’re all a little “off.”
  • Remain in the present moment. The past is over and whatever future we have will be our present. 
  • Slow down. What we are doing at a given time deserves our attention.
  • Skip the little worries and place the big ones in God’s hands.
  • Appreciate everything as if experiencing it for the first time.
  • No matter how far away someone is mentally, they can feel the love.
  • If this moment is troubling, believe there will be others that are better.
  • You can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself.
  • Forget the to-do list. Just do the next right thing.
  • There’s always something to cry about.
  • There’s always hope. New medicines, new therapies, and a new peace are ahead.
  • There’s always joy. Even in the worst of times something good is happening.
  • Don’t ignore all your blessings.

*I wrote a few books just for you. These books offer answers to your questions and comfort–Navigating Alzheimer’s, The Alzheimer’s Spouse, and Inspired Caregiving. (These books are also available on Amazon)

 

Sell Sheet. The First Marketing Piece of a New Book Tuesday, Feb 28 2023 

Books and Business and Sales and Writing Tips , , , , Mary K. Doyle 4:23 pm

Marketing is a must in book publishing. Competition is fierce, and after years of working on a manuscript, and then a few more getting it published, no one will be aware a book exists if we don’t inform them. One of the first ways of doing this is through a piece called a sell sheet.

Sell sheets contain the who, what, when, where, whys, and how of the book. When well-worded, the advertisement draws interest through its compelling call to perspective readers. As shown in the sell sheet below for my new book, Tranquility. Transformation. Transcendence. The Enchanting Promises of Public Gardens, readers see the new cover, learn the book title, ISBN number, number of pages in the book, its price, and when and where it will be available, as well as how to pre-order. There also is a summary of the book, two or three early reviews, and a few sentences about the author.

Sell sheets are then sent to target organizations, communities, and local media. Friends, and family may also receive this piece in hopes that they will help spread the word. Please comment if you’d like to know more about sell sheets or my new book. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Our Spiritual Legacy Friday, Feb 24 2023 

Everyday Life and Faith and Prayer , , , , , Mary K. Doyle 10:00 am

When we reflect on the legacy we hope to leave behind, we typically think of professional achievements and objects acquired. Our self-importance is evaluated in relation to our job title and awards won. We are proud owners of financial investments, large homes, and fast and fancy cars. We show off designer wardrobes and accessories. And we love to talk about our exotic vacations.

But how often do we consider our spiritual legacy? How well do we represent our faith in our daily life, talk to younger generations about our spiritual experiences, or pray in public, such as at work or on public transportation?

For Christians, Lent, and actually, spring for everyone, is a fabulous time of year to ponder our spiritual legacy. It’s the perfect occasion for spiritual renewal and growth through reflection and study of sacred scripture and saintly writings.

One way to do this is through something called faithbooking, which is a type of spiritual scrapbooking or journaling. Some of the things we might include in this project are noting the rites in which we participated such as baptism, confirmation, or bar mitzvah. We also might write about times when we felt closest to God, saints, and angels or believed we were especially blessed, the prayers that were miraculously answered, and also how we pray. We may write about our favorite devotions and the people who helped us grow in faith.

Sharing such details may feel too personal. Yet we live in an age when nothing seems off the record, so why would we hold back on sharing our intimate relationship with our Lord?

***Have you read The Rosary Prayer by Prayer, Grieving with Mary, Fatima at 100. Fatima Today, St. Theodora and Her Promise to God, or Young in the Spirit.

*Photo: Fox River, Illinois

 

Repairing Broken Rosaries Friday, Feb 17 2023 

Everyday Life and Prayer , , Mary K. Doyle 10:58 am

Beads, chains, center pieces, and crosses. Serious rosary pray-ers have a collection of broken rosaries and rosary pieces. Inexpensive strings of beads are not well constructed and don’t hold up for long. If we use these rosaries, beads eventually pull away from the string.

Praying the rosary is one of my favorite devotions. It’s calming, allows me to escape daily stress, helps me to center myself in prayer, and is an effective way to meditate on the life of Christ. My goal is to pray the rosary every day.

With use, the wire and links become stretched out and bent. Simple repairs are needed along the way. We only need a handful of items, such as pins, chains, and rings, and one tool, a pair of rosary or needle nose pliers.

Sometimes the beads get lost before we can reconnect them to the chain. If six or fewer Hail Mary beads are missing, and they match the Our Father beads, we can remove all the Our Father beads and use them for the missing Hail Marys. Then we can replace all the Our Fathers with a different style. If more are missing, we may consider condensing the beads into a chaplet or prayer bracelet or use the pieces for spare parts in other rosaries.

When rosaries are beyond repair, burying the remains is the recommended way to dispose of them since they were blessed. Rosaries are a tool to assist our devotion. Wearing them out is a sign that we indeed are praying.

***

Have you seen my book, Inspired Caregiving? It was lovingly written for your favorite caregivers.

 

Pondering Poetry Monday, Feb 13 2023 

Art and Books and Everyday Life and Poetry , , , Mary K. Doyle 11:46 am

What are your thoughts on poetry?

This was a question I posted on my family and friends Facebook page. (I also have an author page.) I asked followers if they have a favorite poem and if they purchase books on poetry.

I was curious because my new book which is in publication as we speak contains 72 poems and photos reflected by nature at public parks. Although I’ve written 11 books, a book devoted to poetry is a new space for me, and I’m contemplating as to how to proceed. Poetry books are traditionally tough to market.

The responses to my Facebook question were insightful and fun for me to learn. Sally said she owned all of Mary Oliver’s books, (as do I), and Trudy owns all of Ann Weems’. Carol said she is a traditionalist and enjoys Tennyson, Dickenson, E.E. Cummings, Poe, and Whitman.

Sue says that Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” is special and likes poets Hugh Prather and the title, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. As to her favorite style of poetry, Sue added that she loves haikus because they are simple and powerful.

Steve enjoys Shel Silverstein’s books of poems, Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic, which are books I enjoyed reading to my children. He also likes “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.

Cheryl said that one of her favorite poems is “The Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann. She said she doesn’t buy poetry but enjoys reading it.

Kurt shared his favorite poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas. The poem begins, “Old age should burn and rave at close of day . . . “

Becky and Beth admitted that they do not like poetry. However, I do wonder when people claim this, because most enjoy music and/or Scripture, which are both very poetic. Perhaps, they simply don’t like certain poetic styles.

And at the heart of writing and other creative styles are the words of Charles Bukowski in the poem, “so you want to be a writer?” Thank you, Joey for sharing this great find. I certainly identify with this piece.

*

so you want to be a writer?

Charles Bukowski – 1920-1994

if it doesn’t come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don’t do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or hunched over your
typewriter
searching for words,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it for money or
fame,
don’t do it.
if you’re doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don’t do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don’t do it.
if it’s hard work just thinking about doing it,
don’t do it.
if you’re trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.

if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.

if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you’re not ready.

don’t be like so many writers,
don’t be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don’t be dull and boring and
pretentious, don’t be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don’t add to that.
don’t do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don’t do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don’t do it.

when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.

there is no other way.

and there never was.

*

 

Healthy Planet, Healthy Us Friday, Jan 27 2023 

Culture and Everyday Life and Faith and Family and Health and Perspective , , , , Mary K. Doyle 10:56 am

Would you like cleaner air, lower prices, and fewer catastrophic weather conditions? We can move closer to all of this with a few minor lifestyle changes.

There’s no denying that the whole earth is seeing troubling weather and events caused by that weather–fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and mud slides. The snowballing impact of these circumstances is tremendous. People are losing their homes, neighborhoods, and livelihoods. Crops are being destroyed, which results in higher food costs and shortages. And these conditions will continue to increase over time.

Some say the cause is due to global warming. Others say it’s normal weather cycles or our lack of faith. And there are those who say that’s nonsense. Whatever the cause, if we want it to stop, we have to look honestly at what we are doing as a nation and individually. At the very least, we can show respect and gratitude for our God-given gifts.

Consider some of the small things that can be done to improve conditions. Yes, these steps require some effort, and perhaps sacrifice. However, we will suffer one way or another. Why not do what we can to improve conditions and leave the earth in better condition than it is right now?

Take a look at this list and see what you can do. A few minor changes will make a big difference.

  • Reduce waste by making careful purchases of items that truly will be used.
  • Repurpose items rather than tossing them in landfills.
  • Donate items in good condition.
  • Consider shopping at resale shops rather than for new merchandise.
  • Use long-lasting lightbulbs.
  • Avoid plastic water bottles.
  • Raise air conditioning thermostat temperatures one degree.
  • Lower heating temps one degree.
  • Conserve water when cleaning, washing, playing outside, and watering lawns and gardens.
  • Clean-up rivers, ponds, forests, and parks.
  • Don’t dispose of medications and chemicals inappropriately. Check with your town and disposal company for their options.
  • Eat locally grown foods to avoid transportation waste.
  • Eat less meat, such as by serving meatless meals one or two days a week. Animals contribute greatly to carbon dioxide production.
  • Promote better environmental understanding.
  • Demand and vote for better environmental protection.
  • Pray for our planet.

*Our faith changes as we age, and for good reason. Have you read, Young in the Spirit?

*Photo: Wayne, IL

 

Undo and Redo Tuesday, Jan 24 2023 

Culture and Everyday Life and Family and History and Midwest and Perspective , , Mary K. Doyle 3:45 pm

As I sat at my sewing machine removing stitches for the third time from a quilt that I’d been working on, I thought about how much in my life has been about doing, undoing, and redoing. Stitch, rip out, stitch again, only to rip out and stitch again until it is right.

My profession is like that, too. I write once but rewrite over and over. I really don’t mind the undoing and redoing because I then have an opportunity to write it better the second or third or fourth or fifth time. I can step away and see what I’ve written from a different perspective. In the end, I have a product I’m proud to put my name on.

Looking back, I see that my education was sort of a redo, as well. I did not attend college after high school but instead married two years later. My parents actually discouraged a higher education for me. What was the point, they asked? Being a good wife and mother was the ultimate goal. It was the early 70s, the end of a period when women were raised solely to be housewives and mothers.

Both of my grandmothers worked while raising their families. But my mother, and most women of her generation, did not. During the first couple of decades after World War II, men returned home and back into the workforce replacing the women who took over for them while they were gone. The working mom was the exception, and she was often looked down upon by other women.

My mother attended college for three years and worked as a chemist for General Foods before marrying and giving birth to her firstborn, my brother. I never understood why my mother never returned to complete her college education or wanted to work again.

Nor did she understand my desire to do so. She agreed with my then-husband that returning to school was a waste of family money.

But I longed for more. My solution was to apply for every available scholarship. I ended up with much more money than needed for junior college. Progress was slow as I’d take one class at a time. It was 18 years before I’d completed an associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree. During those years, I had three children, divorced, worked, and remarried. School had to be squeezed in between other priorities, my children being the most important. Most likely, earning those degrees immediately after high school would have been easier, but I was fortune to have the opportunity and perseverance to accomplish it later.

Unfortunately, we can’t completely redo every decision we make. Some have lifelong repercussions. Those are the times that require major alterations and adjustments. We often can get where we want to go, however it may be via the long and winding road.

***Have you read Young in the Spirit, Saint Theodora and Her Promise to God, or The Rosary Prayer by Prayer?

Please write a review on Amazon if you’ve read my books. I’d be most grateful.

 

The Measure of Success Tuesday, Jan 17 2023 

Books and Culture and Everyday Life and Family , , Mary K. Doyle 11:35 am

The definition of success is curious to me. Is it number based, such as our financial worth, how many boards we serve on, how much product we’ve sold, or how many children we have? Perhaps, it is title based, such as president, CEO, pastor, or doctor. Or is success the achievement of a personal goal, whatever that may be?

Most of us are critical of our self-assessment of success. For example, our goal may have been to become a professional singer. If our calendar is filled with dates does that indicate that we are successful? Or must we also consider how much we are paid for these bookings and the types of gigs we work?

One truth I found while interviewing hundreds of people through the years is that if someone has achieved greatness in a particular field, they likely have little to show in other parts of their lives. We only have so many hours in a day, so many days in our life to achieve this goal. If we devote 90% to one thing, we can’t put in more than 10% anywhere else.

While attending a television award ceremony years ago, I realized that those who received honors for their tremendous levels of success in a role on or behind the scenes honestly noted that they reached that level because of someone, mostly a spouse or life partner, who carried the load at home. They were able to focus entirely on their career because someone was behind them caring for the home, children, and even their personal needs. Their partner actually was equal in accomplishing that goal for one of them.

Some note that their personal success appears to be minimal to others yet is significant to them, such as maintaining sobriety, feeling positive or grateful, or regaining strength. Personal tragedy, injury, or illness may have robbed them of mobility, hope, or motivation. Getting back on track one minute step at a time may be a tremendous achievement for these people.

Perhaps, success is attaining a full package of work/family/life balance. We are doing well at work. We care for our family whole-heartedly. And we care for our personal needs considering what it takes to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit. That isn’t likely to put us at the top in any one particular position. But we are invested in all parts of our lives.

Recently, I was speaking with a wise, intuitive acquaintance. I told him that I was disappointed in my book sales. Several of my titles sold well, some are even considered best sellers at my publishing house. But none were going to cover my living expenses, much less the years it took to write them.

This new friend pointed out that books are written to fulfill a need in the author. Also, many of the books I’d written were helpful, even said to be life-changing, for readers. Those books helped more than I could measure because of the ripple effect—the number of people who were helped because of how the book affected that reader who then reached out to others. According to this acquaintance, that made a book successful.

It then appears that how we measure our success is a personalized assessment meaningful to us. Only we can set our goals and strive to attain them. Only we can honestly know if we are, and have done, what we’d hoped with our lives leaving behind a legacy of which we can hold our head up high.

***Here are a few of my “best-selling” and award-winning books: The Rosary Prayer by Prayer, Grieving with Mary, St. Theodora and Her Promise to God, Young in the Spirit, Navigating Alzheimer’s, The Alzheimer’s Spouse.

 

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