What Inspires You Wednesday

Supporting Each Other, Literally & Figuratively

Literally................

Living just an hour out of Boston, the coverage of this marathon, as in year's past has been extensive. Given the tragic events of last year's  marathon, they've been even more intense. I've already talked a lot about how the survivors of last year's bombings inspire me, but what also inspires me are the story that come out of the marathon every year. Stories of people raising money for worth causes;  the huge volunteer force it takes to put on an event of this magnitude; the stories of the dedication it takes to train for such an event, and also of the camaraderie and support between runners.

I don't know if anybody else caught this story, but close to the finish line just past The Forum Restaurant where one of the bombs exploded last year, a runner was about to collapse.  One of the runners behind him noticed this and didn't think twice about his 'race time'. Instead he took action while he thought about what finishing meant to him, and knowing it surely meant as much to his fellow runner. He hooked the fading runner's arms around his neck and tried to help him walk, but the man was near collapse at this point. As runners continued to stream towards the finish line, another stopped to help the first man aid their fellow runner seeing that the first man couldn't hold him up any longer as he himself was exhausted. Then, another runner. And one more at which time they began to carry the ailing runner towards the finish line. Eventually, the man convinced them to put him down so he could at least walk across the line, and this they did.... together.  View the story here and the video here.

It makes me teary eyed, knowing that there are still people who put others before themselves and will help the guy next to them, simply because he needs it.  Just awesome.


Figuratively..............

I received an email the other day from a fellow etsy shop owner, Meredith Jordan of Wild Woman Beads. It made my day.

"Pam,  I was moving in January, and my life has been spinning ever since, so some things got wait listed until I could get to them. One of those things was your new magazine. It's FABULOUS! All your talents come together in this publication. I loved it.  I'm very excited for you. This is brilliant."

Thanks Meredith! You rock for taking the time to send me an email. It really meant a lot especially as I've been formulating ideas for the next issue. It came at the perfect time.

So, with Meredith's words came the thought that perhaps there are some of you who may be able to help me make the Summer Edition of the muse even better than the first, because that is my mission.  I want the next issue of the muse to continue to explore creative living while improving the design, including more content  (that is local, national, and international), and of course reach a wider and bigger readership.

All that considered, I'm asking for your help and announcing a Call For Contributors!

If you think you have an idea for article/feature that would be a good fit for the muse, I'd love to hear it.  As outlined above, I will consider all ideas, however not all will be the right fit for the muse.  Keep a few things in mind when submitting ideas: the focus of the muse is exploring creative living and living the good life; the look is clean, modern, simple, with a slant toward creatives and higher end markets; excellent photography and writing is a must.  

I already have story possibilities lined up that include features on a wine consultancy in Los Angeles,  a building reclaimer and furniture maker in Raleigh, and a jewelry maker in Boston.

I'm excited to start picking away at it and welcome the opportunity to not only receive support from my fellow creatives, but also offer support and exposure to them.

I'd love to hear what you think about the whole idea of the muse including contributors as well as the topics outlined. If you have any ideas for other muse-worthy topics, do tell. 

By the way.............what's inspiring you today?

Despite the rain here, it's a damn fine day to have. So make it great, ok?

Ciao for now,

 

 

Freeform Friday

Clean Up & Catch Up

Winter Storm Hercules (yes, winter storms are now named) is just about out of here. Timing wise, it was a long storm, starting late Wednesday night and just finishing up about an hour ago. Well, the snow anyways. The problem with this particular storm is the bitter cold. Even the weatherman said he couldn't remember a storm with such cold temperatures bringing so much snow.

I'd say we ended up with about 12 inches of snow. Just below us in Massachusetts, about 25 minutes down the road a small bulls eye area got nearly 2 feet!

Lucky for us on snow days like this, neighborhoodlum Tom digs us out with his tractor. Thank you Tom. Though this snow is light and fluffy as opposed to other storms that are heavy and wet, there is still a lot of snow, as you can see out the back door. 

Gar supervised Tom's tractor snow-clearing skills.





He has since moved on........... to raking the roof. Can you take it? Yup. We have to rake our roofs in these parts.

It is currently a balmy 5F, though tonight is supposed to be absolutely frigid (as if 5 wasn't cold enough) and temps are supposed to drop into the -10 to -24 range.  Can you said wood stove?

Inside at my desk I have mega amounts of logo work to be done....premade customizations, custom revisions, custom designs. The plate continues to be utterly full and I am thankful.

I am also gathering information on goal setting and planning. As I mentioned to you before, I don't want to just 'resolve' to do things this year. I want to map out solid plans, with actionable steps to get me to my goals.  I'll be sharing what I find with you so you can do the same should you be so inclined.

Great Feedback

Response to the first edition of the muse continues to roll in and I must say, as my pal Cari-Jane suggested- I might just be well chuffed about it.


Here's what some have said:

"Fantastic!", M.E.B.

"I LOVED it!!!!!!", D.S.

"Wow...beyond impressed, Pam....truly beautiful!!" K.C.

"I love it too! The photography is just stunning! You make me LIKE the snow and winter!" D.P.H.

"Beautiful!", M.G.

"So pretty!", J.S.G.

"Love The Muse. Photo subjects and arrangements held my eye end to end; they are crisp and support the narrative nicely. I really liked how you respect your sponsors with their subtle placement here and there. I especially enjoyed the biographical narratives. Nice story telling and mix of service and product. CONGRATULATIONS!", R.D.

On top of all these extremely thoughtful accolades, the numbers thus far exceed my expectations.

Impressions: 252,497

Over Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand people have been introduced to the muse!

Reads:  1,172

Nearly twelve hundred people have taken the time to read the muse cover to cover!

What's even better? These numbers continue to grow day by day. It's a snowball effect.

Part of the goal planning I'm in the midst of includes the next issue of the muse. This time I'm giving myself a more lead-time to get things done and I plan on publishing at the end of March with a Spring issue.  I'm so glad I finally took the plunge and published the first issue and I'm very much looking forward to the next. I hope you are too.

If you haven't seen it yet, here it is:

Freeform Friday 

Ah, the weather. Always a topic of conversation no matter where you live.  New Englanders are a funny bunch. We like to complain about the cold, the heat, mud season, black fly season, snowfall, rainfall, the wicked wind, but also wear surviving all that like a badge of honor.  You may be enjoying the 70s and sun (right Sam?) while we're in the midst of a deep freeze, or vice versa.    Here's one about the weather for my friend Andrea, who's down under and in the midst of Summer.  It's a funny world we live in.





No plans for tonight other than hunkering down by the woodstove, for obvious reasons.
Perhaps a youtube Friday night is in our future.

Make it a great Friday!

Ciao for now,

Christmas: Wrap It Up!

Phew! What A Whirlwind!

Is it me or was that one quick run up to Christmas and fast forward through all the hoopla? I'm talking fast-like-the-speed-of-light.

We had a great holiday.  We were off to sister Glo and bil Jack's for Christmas Eve, which is nice because there is way more room there to hold all of us than there was on my parent's porch and in their living room (that used to be the Christmas Eve venue). We are not a small crew and we come with a truckload of presents.

There were lots of laughs, lots of great food and drinks (can you say St. Elderberry liqueur?) and even a big surprise.

Niece Cait gave 'grammy and grampy' a present to open.

Uh oh, what does it say?

Yup. Cait and her husband Jon are expecting! Yay! Bring on the baby!

Now, although, Sister Gloria (left in red) is the grandmother to be, it was Sister Di that would not, could not stop crying. She was a blubbering fool. Right Di?

What a nice present Cait!

Of course, I think there were hours of unwrapping on Christmas Eve and then we had to do it all over Christmas morning, because that Santa is one heck of a guy.

We started with our Annual Christmas photo in front of the tree.

We took our time this year getting to the presents.

Eventually though, we had at it.

I scored these awesome new wellies. I'd worn my old lobster wellies right out. They were toast.
Kind of like the crockpot that Santa was also nice enough to replace! My old one was ancient. You know, since we were married 'ancient'.

I always love new books for the nightstand. If anyone has read The Book Thief, keep it to yourselves. I haven't even started it yet!

Here I am styling my new Bruins Fleece jacket from fellow Bruins Fan sister Gloria, and holding the photo of New York harbor I took when we were down in September.  I printed and framed it for the Gman, who was a little emotional when he opened it.  It's where he spent his first Christmas in the States. We miss NYC.

 

Everyone loved their sharpie paint pen projects that I gave - personalized mugs and decorated plates. I kept a couple of rejects that didn't make the cut.

This morning, one more gift arrived for Gar and my parents (yes Mom and Dad, one more little gift): a printed issue of the muse.

OK, so I looked at it before G, but I couldn't wait!  So cool seeing it all in print.

It's received 170,000+ impressions in just eleven days. Oh yeah,  170,000.  And what makes me even happier is close to 1,000 people have taken the time to 'read' the muse. Really read it. 1,000 people!!! Not bad for less than two weeks time and over the holidays no less.  If you haven't had a chance to take a look at the first issue of the muse yet, perhaps now is the time?  And, if you like it, I would be honored and thankful if you shared it.  Many thanks to those who already have! Know how important you are in helping me make the muse a success!

Beyond all the presents and celebrating, we've spent some time with the neighborhoodlums who we will be hanging with tomorrow night to ring in the New Year.  I had a movie/couch surfing day with the dog which was heaven.  Baked shortbread and cookies and a ham. Generally speaking, for the most part though, there has been a lot of chilling out going on.

What about you? I hope your Christmas and holidays were as good as ours have been so far.

Ciao for now,

LAUNCH DAY! Introducing: the muse, online magazine volume 1

Take A Look

It's been a labor of love and now it's a dream come true.

I hope you all enjoy the first issue of the muse.

It wouldn't have been possible without my sponsors.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Can you do one little favor for me? If you like it, would you be so kind as to share it? Share it with your family and friends. Share it via your social media. Share it however you can. I'd be ever so grateful.

And now, without further ado................

I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, being the first issue and all. Of course, there are always things you'd change and there are probably a typo or two, but for the most part I felt good when I finally hit the publish button. Plans are already in the works for the muse/volume two, so if you'd like to hop on board as a sponsor or feel you might have something to contribute, drop me a line at pbates (at) speakeasyinfo (dot) net.

And as I said, this wouldn't have been possible without my sponsors. Their support means so much to me.

Upscale Downhome

oBo Creations

Oyeta

Lee's Whimsy

Long Eared Designs

Moonlight In Paris

3 Pearls

Milo & Molly

Ahkriti

Jewelry By Debra

Blue Moon Evolution

lia artisan concrete designs

Take a moment if you can, and visit their sites (just click on their ads in the magazine and you'll be directed to their sites) and say, "hi, the muse sent me".

I'd be so glad and thankful if you did.

Happy Reading,

Exciting News: Realizing A Dream

A Long Time Coming

If I think really hard, and way back........I've wanted to publish a magazine for a very long time.  Eons in fact. Which equates to nearly a lifetime.

I'm so happy to announce that it is finally happening. I am making my own dream come true. In addition to graphic designer, marketing consultant, writer, blogger, cook, photographer........you can now add online magazine publisher to my list of titles.  I am working on the Issuu platform which allows you to design the most wonderful publication on your end, upload it and have it transformed into online magazine format.  If you've never heard of it, you should have a look around.

The Muse will focus on inspired and creative living, just like this blog does.

I've been pulling ideas and pieces of the magazine together and worked on it a good part of the weekend. Forget the rest of my list. I was so excited about what I was doing, that I was in that zone. You know the one when you put your head down to do something, and when you look up again, the day is done.  I am quite happy with the way it is progressing and I think you are going to love the final product. It is looking gorgeous if I do say so myself.

If you are a small business owner/artist/maker and want to reach new people there are advertising opportunities available. The Muse will be distributed via this blog as well as all of my social media outlet.  Add to that Issuu targeted distribution and The Muse has the potential to reach millions of avid online magazine readers with like-minded interests all over this world. Talk about exciting. I can barely contain myself. I'd love to show you a taste of the magazine, but I think it's better left for the launch.  There is a little peak into the table of contents page below as it currently stands, but that's it. Trust me though, it's going to be beautiful and chock full of interesting things from interviews and recipes, to DIYs and inspiration.  You do not want to miss your chance to be part of it, but you have to act quick because this is all happening now! Ad booking deadline is this Friday, December 6th at noon e.s.t.  Ad files must be received by Sunday, December 8th at noon e.s.t. (preferably in jpeg or png format).

I'll need your support in this endeavor. I'm hoping that you'll like The Muse so much that you'll share it with your friends and family.  My mission is to make it a well-received success, so I can started on the second one right away.

I know I can count on you to help me get this off the ground in tremendous fashion, because you guys are the best.

Ciao for now,