Garden Analogies Book Project (2June2022)

Posted on by Prior...

Hello Readers,

The Dahlia blooms are emerging.

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My first time growing these beauties

 

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I am currently working on my “Garden Analogies” year-long daily devotional book.

It is 80% done and I am going to try and finish this month.

The hardest parts of this book project?

1) Selecting which garden analogies to include (I have so many from over the years and some are better than others).

2) Deciding entry placement  – should I categorize and consider seasons the reader might be experiencing? For example, I have an analogy from when I tried to “over winter” the bright pink geraniums (moving them for a bit of monthly sun was worth the powerful surprise summer smell in winter). So should that entry be a winter one or a summer one? Things like that.

3) Keeping each entry short and on a single page. Editing for succinctness while also including enough details for flavor takes time.

Self Talk

– I had this Garden Analogies book idea since 2007! I started the outline a few years ago and so at times it feels like I am late finishing this book.   Late? Late according to who or to what timeline? So I extinguish those unhelpful thoughts!
– I also reject that I should have “this many” books done by now ( I have A  LOT of book ideas started and In outline form). I reject that “should have” view because the truth is that for me, it is not about quantity – (for one it might be the aim for good reasons)- and my aim is to finish books I am proud; having books I want to share with others.
– I will NOT compare with other authors because we all have so many different circumstances. (And was just chatting with Amanda about this)

– I hope I never approach my book endeavors in a factory-production mode!  A mode like that could pull from content and I could lose part of my soul! That reminds me of the Sara Bareilles tune called Love Song:

–

Right on Time

I remind myself that June 2022 feels like the “ripe” time to try and finish this book. Out of the many book ideas  I have (I know that not all of these ideas will actually lead to books) but out of all of my outlines and titles – this one calls to me, this June, with sweetness – like a colorful flower offering subtle fragrance.

I have a “pep in my step” each time I work on it.

Isn’t that the best way to approach a project – to have a pep in the step?

Sure there are times we have obligatory projects that need to be brought to completion with little affect (or even dread).

There are other times we might naturally dodge or drag our heels to tackle projects even if they are ripe and right.

☀️☀️☀️

I guess what I am reflecting on here is that we need to make sure we understand our motive – and watch unhelpful striving or unhelpful timeline thinking that negatively  impacts outlook.

We need to have ongoing assessment of pursuits. Stay mindful of habits and pay attention to current use of resources. This mindfulness will likely pay off by helping us feel more satisfied with our unique output.


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🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸

– Do you have any ideas or projects that give you a pep in your step?
– Do you have any tips on healthy self-talk that you use to stir up a helpful outlook?
– Can you believe it is June?

 

 

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64 thoughts on “Garden Analogies Book Project (2June2022)”

    1. Hi Tierney – that dahlia competition sounds like it would be a beautiful experience – I am not very Familiar with this flower but I do know that many gardeners love them so much.
      🌸🌺

      And I hope your month of June is a good one

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Yvette, this is wonderful!! I remember you mentioned a garden analogies book months ago. Keep going and I’m excited you have that pep in your step. Isn’t that a wonderful feeling? Praying that God will bless you during the writing and bless your readers who read your works.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh thank you so very much for remembering our chat about it! Which reminds me that I did try and get to it a couple times in the last year – but no pep – instead cement in the shoes – hahaha
      And thanks for your prayer – means a lot
      ☀️😊🙏

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      1. Yvette, great expression. “Cement in the shoes” is pretty discouraging.
        Hope the pep keeps you going and your garden analogies pull together into one cohesive book for you soon.

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  4. I think the fact that you’re ready to do this joyfully means…you’re ready and it’s the right time. 😉. I think the book sounds really good. I haven’t had much time for any projects other than taking care of my parents, then parent, and now a couple weeks of helping with our grandson. I want to get more serious about my Norwegian lessons, writing on my journal, and photography. Right now just decompressing from all that’s happened since the start of this year is of great importance. 😉

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    1. Hi Janet- yes decompressing from all of that ((and your move across the country too))

      But It does seem like you have been keeping up with your photography (from the posts I have seen) and your recent wavy, giant poppies (so surreal and still with me) might have somehow led me to grab my dahlia photos – or not ! But we never know how we get influenced – anyhow – I planted so many bulbs a while back I forgot where the dahlia were – and only the last few days have they started to bloom – so now I know….
      🙃

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Snap! I have used Duolingo for years. Although I haven’t touched it for 2-3 months. Thanks for jogging my memory to log in again. It is a good learning tool. I have also used Futurelearn

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        2. I haven’t heard of that. Is it free? My sister-in-law sent me a course also but I’ll have to find it again. I’ll see if I can find it and send it to you.

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    1. Hi BB- thanks for the nice comment and tomorrow I have a different flower (or plant) for last on the card!
      See ya then
      ☀️😊

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  7. I love your pictures and reflections Yvette and am so excited about your book and of course love your conversations with yourself!
    Not relatable at all.. 😂😂😂

    “I started the outline a few years ago and so at times it feels like I am late finishing this book. Late? Late according to who or to what timeline? So I extinguish those unhelpful thoughts!?

    love the idea of adding them “seasonally” as I think most people like time lines unlike me who is all over the place. Can’t wait to read it!💖

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    1. Cindy – thanks so much – and I think the seasonal entries do matter and so your comment on that offers more support for it- even tho I know there is flexibility with it – because at the end of the day – I think what will come across best is not “order of things” but “author essence” and the small little reminder or lesson I learned.
      Like recently had to spend a morning moving snap dragons from a small pot. They grew to four feet ? They were called “rocket” and I had no idea they’d get that tall. Had to move them and then the lantana did not work out there!
      Finally put two small
      Hibiscus there and it is okay – but that lesson was that real life involves things not always working out – modifications being needed – and sometimes changes that require effort that fee like it could have been prevented (maybe like the wrong sized tub they tried to give you! Hahah)
      That reflection might not make the book –
      But the simple little messages like that are what I feel this book needs.
      Hmmmm
      Thanks for your support

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I do love the reflections of this and like you say go with what speaks, grows and doesn’t in it’s own timing which is how you and I both are.
        Hahahaha on the tub exactly or i could give you my old claw tub and you could grow things in it.., hahaha.

        I agree with what you said below. People are more orderly than us that’s why I said seasons but pitch that idea if need be…

        “even tho I know there is flexibility with it – because at the end of the day – I think what will come across best is not “order of things” but “author essence” and the small little reminder or lesson I learned”

        You’re so welcome.
        love the book coming forth and concept with lovely life metaphors!💖💖🌹🌹

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        1. Hi Cindy – you old claw foot tub sounds like it was nice and I can imagine flowers in it – but not sure it would work for me-
          And I am not really a Gardener – not a master gardener at all – but tinkering around on and off for years allowed me to learn this and that – but I keep things simple with containers and just a few veggies –
          So – in a way it seems like this book would be on the B or C list – but it is the reflecting that I think has value – and I already know a handful of people who I think will enjoy the daily quips
          -/
          And just said a little prayer for you with your first book – 🙏☀️- that when the time is ripe it will unfold smoothly to get to completion!

          Liked by 1 person

        2. You have to have the exact right spot or it Yvette for sure. One of my therapists actually took it and did just that with it.
          Tinkering makes the most fun and reflections which is always the most important element.
          I know I would enjoy them!

          Oh aren’t you so sweet. Thanks so much for your heartfelt prayer!! 💖💖💖🙏🙏 I love the ring to this! 💖💖

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    1. Aletta – thanks for the comment and I am hoping June is a productive month for this book (keep you posted)
      ☀️🌸

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    1. 🌸🌺Thanks so much Amanda – I know there are so many yearly daily devotional spit there but it doesn’t mean there is not room for more – 🙏📚and if it edifies a few – that will mean a lot.

      😊☀️

      Liked by 1 person

  14. June already – yes it is. The weather makes it hard to tell where we are sometimes, but almost half the year is over already. The “pep in your step” – were those your feet in the muddy garden? Great that you’re almost done with the latest book Yvette – congrats to you. The geraniums – that would be difficult to decide. I used to ride the bus with a woman and she overwintered her geraniums every year and I went to see them because she praised them up and they were beautiful, though I can’t recall anything special about the scent – I know geraniums have a particular scent. I used to love the “Strawberry Sizzle” geraniums back when I had pots and baskets of flowers and did not take the easy way out and use silk flowers. This particular geranium was shades of pink, zonal – very large to begin with, so looked great right out of the gate and the bonus was that every purchase, there was a $1.00 contribution to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

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    1. Hi Linda – well
      You were the one who gave me the idea to over winter the germaniums and sorry I did not Mention it here – !

      And we briefly chatted about it a couple year ago – hmmmm

      And love your humor with the pep in step in the garden mud –
      🤣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. No problem Yvette because I remember that woman’s geraniums – wow. A fellow blogger here in Michigan, not near me, read about overwintering geraniums and also had success with them. My mom and grandmother were good with houseplants and had a green thumb, but I did not inherit that same green thumb.

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        2. I don’t have any plants in the house. The last poinsettia was a gift from a friend of my boss’ and he dropped it off at the house and I watered it and even with a dish underneath, it overflowed and marked the carpet and I was mad and gave the plant to my neighbor to enjoy.

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  15. Yes, she did Yvette – it was actually a poinsettia tree in a beautiful shade of pink which complemented my neighbor’s Victorian tree which was done in cream and pink. I’m more of a traditionalist as to Christmas trees, but it was very pretty.

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  17. Oh! I love Dahlias. Last year I grew yellow ones on my garden. They sure infused life into the environment. This year I have my hands full with an addition of a fur baby in the family. I really look forward to read more about your projects.

    Cheers,
    Charu 🤗

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  18. Lovely dahlias! I really like the color, bit more serious and broody than you usually see in a flower. Yeah, working out motivation can be real challenge. You want to produce things, because otherwise what is the point? But on the other hand, if you just become a factory, even if you could, that’s kind of pointless too.

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    1. Hi Natasha – thanks for your awesome comment – and those dahlias are blooming big time this week! You are right – the color is a little “Broody” (hmmmm….)
      And the whole pack of dahlia roots cost under ten dollars last winter – a lot of bang for ten bucks

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