Tag: blogger

The Interview.
Two-Bit Musings.

The Interview.

SnapDragon X.7 Comments

SnapDragon asks herself a few pressing questions. (‘Cuz she can, yo.)

Always There, 2021.
Digital Art by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved.

So I sat down with amateur blogger SnapDragon X., to ask her a thing or two about life. She wore an over-sized teal dress/shirt thing, which she said seems to have become her unofficial uniform as of late. Her polka-dotted leggings undoubtedly completed the Practical-Mom outfit. Plus, there may or may not have been a smear of child-snot on her hip. But, who’s to say?

Question 1: Why do you blog?

I blog because I find it satisfying. Like a journal, it helps me clear my head. It helps me articulate those crazy swirls of thoughts that tend to give me anxiety. But more than a journal, having an available audience adds a layer of. . . accountability, I suppose? Anyway, it’s almost a form of therapy for me. Plus it’s pretty dope to connect with other bloggers.

Question 2: Not counting people, what three things in life make you happiest?

Travel. It doesn’t matter if it’s a town in Pennsylvania, or a stroll in Venice. Seeing new places makes me feel more alive.

Food. I mean. . . come on. Yes we need it to live, but it’s so much fun. And tasty. Going out to eat is truly one of my favorite activities. Calories be damned.

Stories. Whether it’s on the screen or in a book, I just can’t get enough fiction. I’m obsessed with characters. It astounds me at the power they have on our psyche; their influence is timeless. I mean, Ebenezer Scrooge? Frickin’ ingenious.

Question 3: What brings you stress?

Feeling rushed; clutter; when someone’s trying to talk and the TV’s on; being even a minute late; thinking I’ve hurt someone’s feelings; animals in distress; being misunderstood.

Question 4: What three things do you hope to accomplish throughout your life?

I want to be a published author. I want to see my work on a library shelf, or in a magazine.

I want to complete at least 15 years of teaching high school, preferably in an urban setting. I’ve got six so far.

I want to have my own art show. Nothing fancy. But I want to actually have the balls (ovaries?) to put my bizarre paintings on display, and have key players in the local art scene dissect every inch of them.

Question 5: Describe your perfect weekend.

Sleeping in. Egg and cheese sandwiches. Artisan markets. Iced coffees. Craft beers. Watching a brilliant show like BoJack Horseman. Laughing with my two best girls. Talking with my oldest brother about the perfection that is Pink Floyd.

Simple pleasures, yo. They make this world go ‘round.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, reader, and appreciator of the complementary breakfast.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for more tiny tidbits of whatever.

500 and Counting, Yo.
Two-Bit Musings.

500 and Counting, Yo.

SnapDragon X.16 Comments

Woah! Maybe Snap’s got something to say after all?

(she shrugs and smiles)

. . .

Hey hey hey!

I got notified by the WordPress fairies that I have over 500 followers!

I feel like a cool kid! Like the belle of the ball!

Like. . . the world is my friggin’ oyster, yo!

(whispers: “Wait . . . Who’s SnapDragon?”)

. . .

So stay tuned for more Two-Bit Musings.

More Desert Island Picks.

More treasures from the Book Nook.

More art.

More fun.

More half-witted reflections on this fumbling, bumbling experience we call life.

‘Cuz we in this together, love.

And I thank you.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, reader, painter, collector of funky earrings, and old-soul drinker of coffee, in all of its glorious forms.

Follow if you dare. (Or if you’re bored. Either one.)

On The Road: Part 1.
Two-Bit Musings.

On The Road: Part 1.

SnapDragon X.23 Comments

Take a peek at Snap’s latest RV Adventure!

. . .

Cozy Cockpit, 2021.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved, yo.

. . .

Well hey there!

Thanks for stopping by, and taking a moment to live vicariously through the words of a stranger named SnapDragon. (I mean, that’s why we read anything, am I right?)

Anyway, The Sweet Husband, Baby Snap, and I are on a two-week road trip, spanning from our little nest in southeastern Pennsylvania, all the way to the Gulf Coast, and back.

We’re fairly new to the RV scene, and learning the tricks of the trade as we go.

(It’s a journey, after all!)

So let’s hop to it, shall we?

. . .

Foreword

Okay. So, I should probably start by saying this first leg of the trip was a bit of a bummer, because it was soaked in rain. Like, not the kind of lazy sprinkle where you squint your eyes against a frigid, nuisance mist. I’m talking monsoon-style, buckets of rain followed us for almost six days straight. Which, of course, was super cozy when we were tucked in for the night, the constant drumming on our rooftop rocking us to sleep. But as for enjoying the sights? Well, we tried our best, yo.

. . .

Scenic Stop #1: Edisto Beach State Park in Edisto Island, South Carolina

Sadly, I don’t even have a photo from our one-night stay here. As I said, there was wicked rain. We did, however, manage to take our new electric bikes out for a brief spin, during the half-hour or so of dry weather.

(I felt the need to mention this spot, since it’s a State Park. I have a deep respect for all things publicly-owned.)

Scenic Stop #2: Lake Wateree State Park in Winnsboro, South Carolina

Look Out, 2021. Winnsboro, SC. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved, yo.

All right! (claps)

Check out this dreary, yet lovely scene I managed to snag. It was nice to look out at the water, even for a few minutes.

And we did see a crane-like bird moseying about! Everyone knows how excited I get about animals.

Call Me Bertha, 2021. Winnsboro, SC. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved, yo.

And that was the end of our stay in Wateree, yo.

Scenic Stop #3: Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia

In Dreams, 2021. Savannah, GA. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved, yo.

Ahh. So here we got a little bit of a break in the weather.

On a search for the park office, I found myself on a very long walk. Trees such as these were all around. The damp air was quiet, and I smiled as I thought of an idea for a short story.

. . .

See? I told you this first part of the trip was perhaps a little less than blog-worthy.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t having fun!

#family #coziness #preciousmoments #gettingoutofthehouseduringapandemic

And Part 2 promises to bring more to the table.

Stay tuned!

. . .

SnapDragon is a teacher, writer, painter, wife, and mother.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for her Two-Bit Musings and more.

Whatcha Been Up To?
Two-Bit Musings.

Whatcha Been Up To?

SnapDragon X.9 Comments

‘Cuz we all whittle away the days somehow.

. . .

I feel like every time someone asks, What’ve you been up to? I’m at a loss for a substantial answer.

I mean, what have I been up to?

The days seem to blur together in a stream of chores and worry, interrupted momentarily by a few specks of fun.

Another minute-hour-day-week-month-year has passed us by.

And so, my Dear Reader, after careful reflection on my day-to-day life, I’ve come up with the following answer to that inevitable, friends-and-family question:

It’s usually a pretty safe bet that I’ve been. . .

-shamelessly pouring myself an iced coffee

-sending an unnecessary Bitmoji to a friend or family member

-changing a soiled diaper

-talking about how much I miss teaching high school

-snapping a pic of Baby Snap doing something cute, or, pretty much anything

-catching a piece of news and saying, “That’s absolutely disgusting.”

-drafting work emails just for the sake of appearing relevant

-eating some form of cheese

-reading a blog post, a Dr. Seuss book, or selection of fiction

-overthinking something I’ve said or sent via text message

-putting away groceries, laundry, or toys

-washing dishes as I listen to my husband read Horton Hears a Who, and proudly reciting every word

-tinkering away on a piece of writing

-sitting and feeling overwhelmingly preoccupied

-applying cream to my extremely chapped hands

-watching Red Oaks with my Sweet Husband

-putting on fuzzy slipper socks and climbing under the covers

-wondering where the time went

. . .

And that–in all of its mundane beauty–is a typical day in the Life of SnapDragon.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and impulsive Dollar Store-spender.

Snippets of SnapDragon

Just a Little Hello.
Two-Bit Musings.

Just a Little Hello.

SnapDragon X.13 Comments

(smiles and waves)

. . .

Hello, Dear Reader.

And greetings from our Sweet-Baby Berkshire RV!

The SnapDragon Family is nearing a week on the open road, and well, it’s been a rainy one.

But that shall not dampen our spirits!

We’ve seen bits and pieces of this country—the tiniest samplings of the American southeast—and there still lies much ahead.

So let us pour an icy drink, settle the babe, and greet the stretch of highway with a smile.

Here. We. Go.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer who finds it completely irresponsible that auto “correct” suggests the improper use of apostrophes. Like, you’re a computer. Get your shit together.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for more snarky swipes at society.

A Happy Life.
Two-Bit Musings.

A Happy Life.

SnapDragon X.10 Comments

I mean, that’s what it’s all about, no?

. . .

Hot Off The Press, 2021.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved.

Hello, Dear Reader!

And greetings from my cozy corner of southeastern Pennsylvania.

It’s snowing again, I’m still in my mismatched PJs, and I just shamelessly indulged in the pure deliciousness captured above. (Twice, I might add. Calories can suck it, yo.)

And per the usual, I’m having a moment.

Life: It really is so simple.

I blink my eyes and another week has passed.

Here we are. Here I am.

How can I be the very best version of me?

. . .

What will we do with our time on this planet?

What will we do with our time on this planet?

What will we do with our time on this planet?

. . .

May we choose wisely.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and friend to all.

Snippets of SnapDragon

A Month in Review: January-Oh.*
Two-Bit Musings.

A Month in Review: January-Oh.*

SnapDragon X.18 Comments
Hello Love, 2021. Pennsylvania. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

Daaaamn it’s cold, yo!

(It’s winter in PA, Snap. Not a big shock.)

And it’s the last day of January, Dear Friends.

And since I’ve royally effed-up my Daily Posting vow, I’ve decided to make myself feel better about my negligence by creating a new little feature (one in which I may or may not stick to, because, well, I’m having a rough go with all of my creative efforts lately, it seems.)

Anyway, behold:

SnapDragon’s A Month in Review!

(cue blank stares, and several people absently scrolling through their phones)

Here’s what happened this month:

1. We have a new President of The United States. That’s pretty big news, no? So can we Americans just agree to take a collective breath, put the past behind us, and work together to improve society? Cool, that’s what I thought.

2. Snap’s got a new attitude. Although it’s online, and my actual fingers-to-keyboard work time is minimal, my job kinda sucks. It’s been a major letdown. But, I’ve decided to channel some advice I got from a colleague in my first unhealthy job: If you can’t change your situation, change your attitude.

3. Patience, patience little dear.** Call me crazy, but I’m starting to feel like there may be some hard feelings over our family’s decision to stay on lock-down. Snap’s intuition, I guess. I mean, I know it sucks. Who doesn’t want to get out of the house and hang out? But, I also don’t want to get sick, or, possibly die. And if you saw what we saw our son go through in the NICU, you wouldn’t be so quick to shirk CDC guidelines. It’s just not worth the risk.

4. There is so much to be happy about. Maybe more than anything else, I do not want to live life feeling sorry for myself. My existence is really just a random collection of matter, which in itself is a pretty amazing thing. Shit happens–to all of us–and it’s not a competition as to who has suffered most. I am owed nothing, from anyone. It doesn’t matter who did what; it matters how I respond. And I have everything I need to be happy.

5. We be travelin’ soon. The Sweet Husband has done yet another fine job on revamping the RV! (Photos to come.) And we’ll be hitting the highway soon, for an adventure down south. (Posts to come.) It’s really incredible when you take a step back and realize the lives we lead. All that has led us here. And all that lies ahead.

Wishing you well, Dear Reader.

And here’s to a lovely February ahead.

. . .

SnapDragon is an educator, writer, artist, and taster of fine wine and cheeses.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for a little something or other.

* Shout-out to The Decemberists. God love ’em.

** Yep. Willy Wonka quote. ‘Cuz it’s just a part of my life, and probably always will be.

Brain Dump.
Two-Bit Musings.

Brain Dump.

SnapDragon X.18 Comments

Yep. The tradition continues.

. . .

Good evening, lovelies!

Ol’ Snap is tucked in bed early tonight, hoping to enjoy a little time in The Blogosphere.

And that includes dumping out all of the mind-gunk that’s festered over the past several, unposted days.

On we go!

. . .

SnapDragon’s Brain Dump:

1. I’m done with coffee. Yeah, no. Not like for real. I mean. . . Come on. (I’m not psychotic.) But I am cutting back. Because my heart is pounding more than it should and something’s gotta give. So. . . Time for some exotic iced teas?

2. I want to party. Or picnic. Or go to a concert. I just want to hug my friends and family and talk about the good times. I want to laugh and buy decadent desserts and wish the afternoon never had to end. I feel like a friggin’ vampire around here, stuck in a dungeon. (Right? Dungeon? Or would it be cave. . .?)

3. Fresh Face. I want to paint our house. I want to pick out shades of fruit punch and pacific dreams and give our nest a new attitude. I’ve always wanted a house with personality, and I believe we have one. It just needs some sprucing up. (And, Christ. So do I.)

4. Minty, Yo. I’ve realized that brushing my teeth is an instant mood booster. Who knew? Win-win.

5. Slow and Steady. Maybe it really does win the race. I sure hope so. ‘Cuz I feel like everything in my life is in the works. Time marches on, and I still have a dozen irons in the fire. Snip snip, trim, control alt delete. When will I finish what I’ve started?

. . .

And with that, Dear Reader, it’s time to read approximately three pages of a book before falling asleep.

G’night. See you soon.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, painter, and occasional crocheter.

Snippets of SnapDragon