Tag: Peace

Day 1.
Two-Bit Musings.

Day 1.

SnapDragon X.9 Comments

‘Cuz it’s the first day of the rest of our lives, right?

. . .

Hi. (waves)

Today is my first official day of being a full-time, stay-at-home mom.

And despite the whole working remotely thing happening for months on end, it feels pretty good to be 100% done. Close the book. Wave goodbye.

It’s over.

And so begins the next chapter in The SnapDragon Tale!

First and foremost, I recognize how fortunate I am to be able to lose my salaried-with-full-benefits job, and not feel the sense of panic so many have experienced lately. I live a very comfortable life, for which I am extremely grateful. That’s not lost on me.

I’m definitely a stop-and-smell-the-roses kinda gal, and this situation is no different.

There is always something to be thankful for, Dear Reader.

. . .

So as I take a breath–during nap time, that is–I’m going to get a few kinks worked out.

  1. Clean Up, Yo. If I want this blog to take off, I’ve gotta get my shit in order. Yes it’s a fun outlet for me, but I know I can turn it into something more. I’ve got ideas. I’ve got material. I need to establish a schedule I can actually stick to.
  2. Office Space. As ridiculous as it sounds, I have trouble getting started on things. Like, a lot of trouble. I’m talking like, my laptop being closed instead of open kind of trouble. I look for any and all barriers to prevent me from my creative work. (Why I do this, I do not know.) And so, I’ve realized that I need my own space. My own desk, equipped with my (open!) laptop, easel and canvas at the ready, and a stack of delicious notebooks and pens for creative thought. It’s happening. And soon.
  3. Keep Calm and Be Kind. It’s the only thing I can control. I will never get everything done in a day. I will never arrive at some task-free life. I will never have total understanding from each and every person. But I can be kind. Always.

See you soon, friends. Be well.

. . .

SnapDragon is a human being who finds satisfaction in clipping coupons.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for a little of this and that, yo.

Chip Lips.
Two-Bit Musings.

Chip Lips.

SnapDragon X.16 Comments

I’ve been eating barbecue chips like they’re goin’ outta style, yo. (But that’s not what this post is about. Better read on. . .)

. . .

Hi.

I’m perched here in our RV, cozied up in fruit-punch-colored sweatpants, the dim hum of the heater droning on in an inexplicably comforting way.

It’s unseasonably cold here in PA, so The SnapDragon Family is playing inside today.

Oh well.

Time for thinking.

Time for dreaming.

Time for resting these weary bones.

. . .

After reading a post by a friend of mine, I’m thinking a lot about control.

And, how very little of it we have in our lives.

Infancy. Toddlerhood. Childhood. Adolescence.

Family. Society. School. Economics.

Then, at last: Adulthood.

Adulthood. Which, generally speaking, is the bulk of our time spent on this planet.

(pause)

(Cue another cycle of circumstances beyond our control.)

. . .

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Dear Reader:

All I can control are my own actions.

All I can control are my own actions.

All I can control are my own actions.

. . .

I want to be:

-Patient. Because wouldn’t I want someone to be patient with me? I’m a flawed human being, just like the rest of ‘em. Sometimes it takes awhile to learn, to get it right. And that’s okay. It’s okay.

-Kind. Again: Golden Rule. Life’s much better when you’re kind. We’re so much prettier when we smile. Plus, people always remember how we made them feel. And I want people to feel valued. I want people to feel loved: friends and strangers both.

-Curious. There is a ridiculous amount to learn in this world, in this universe! Why would I not ask questions? Because I’m afraid of looking stupid? Stupid is as stupid does, Mrs. Blue. I’m going to spend my days learning, and growing. The journey never ends.

-Authentic. I spent far too many years hiding pieces of me. People-pleasing. Dogma-abiding. Apologizing for being human. I. Am. Human. This body is finite. It’s amazing. It’s dirty, and requires a rather unfair amount of upkeep. But it’s mine. And, I hope to use it in ways to spread joy: both to myself, and others.

. . .

And there we have it.

Another snippet from your girl SnapDragon.

(smiles and waves, and grabs another handful of kettle-cooked goodness)

‘Til next time.

. . .

SnapDragon is a homebody who enjoys putting stamps on envelopes.

Follow Snippets of SnapDragon for all things whimsically-authentic.

The Apartment.
Two-Bit Musings.

The Apartment.

SnapDragon X.9 Comments
Parisian Delights, 2020. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.
(Oh, and definitely visit this absolute gem of a place, if you get the chance. It’s on Île Saint-Louis, Paris.)

Sometimes I like to think about the little moments.

I think about how many moments are strewn across the minutes and hours of our lives.

I like to think about people an ocean or two away, waking up, giving a yawn, and creaking down the stairs for a cup of morning coffee.

I think about all of the houses, and all the apartments in this world, with lovers and families nestled inside.

So many of us. All of us just people. Humans.

How neat it would be, to slice off the front facade of a building and take a friendly peek inside.

What books do they have up on the shelves? What type of art on the walls? Are there bouquets of flowers in a makeshift vase, inevitably drooping with time?

Sometimes when I sip from my St. Regis mug, I smile to myself.

For I too, am here for another day on this aging planet.

And despite the many flaws I carry, I vow to sing another song.

. . .

SnapDragon is an educator, artist, reader, and traveler who never seems to pack enough socks.

Follow her Two-Bit Musings and more on Snippets of SnapDragon, yo.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Today.
Two-Bit Musings.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Today.

SnapDragon X.27 Comments
A Sip of Life, 2015. Amsterdam. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved, yo.

A Good Morning to you and yours, Dear Reader!

I’m taking a tiny moment between my icy sips to contemplate this game of life.

(Wait. It’s not a game. A . . .dance? Slip ‘n Slide? Carnival Freak Show? I don’t fuckin’ know.)

ANYWAY.

I think we can all agree that things can be rather overwhelming at times.

And if you’re anything like me, the anxiety of what lies ahead can steal your joy in an instant.

What if I sleep in? What if she took that the wrong way? What if I wreck the car? What if I’m on my way to morbid obesity? What if those ‘beauty marks’ are actually cancer? What if everyone hates me?

What if. What if. What if.

Well Snap, I want to remind you that you’ve already survived your worries. Every tomorrow you’ve worried about has become today, and in turn, yesterday.

Life. goes. on.

Some how, some way, we make it through.

Because every single one of us is stronger than we think.

You got this.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer, artist, and leftover slice of pizza waiting in the fridge.

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

Coming Soon . . . !
Two-Bit Musings.

Coming Soon . . . !

SnapDragon X.4 Comments

Yep! Snap’s got another one comin’ your way, folks.

Introducing. . .

*The Poetry Pot*

(cue resounding applause)

It’s a delightfully-devious mix of whimsical words and wonder.

(Okay, okay. I don’t even know what that means. But it’s, like, a place for my poems.)

Stay tuned!

. . .

SnapDragon is an ordinary person with extraordinary passion.

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

Silent Joy.
Silent Joy.

Silent Joy.

SnapDragon X.Leave a comment
Silent Joy, 2018. St. Petersburg, Russia. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

This evening is a quiet one. I sit here in what I call The Reading Room, with the window open and a delicious breeze tickling the curtains. I can hear the faint tolling of a neighbor’s forgotten wind chime, and for a moment I care nothing for the darkness, for the unknown, for tomorrow’s anxieties.

There is only this moment.