https://fivedotoh.com/category/dog-days-of-august/

I began blogging back in 2012 initially on blogger. com but then I switched to Writing.com because I felt like I needed inspiration and the prompts offered that. I then became a leader and haven’t looked back. I run two different blogging groups there. With that said, I still found myself seeking inspiration so I joined the WordPress community. However there wasn’t many prompts available as there is now. I find the prompts take me in different directions which lead to new friends. That’s a bonus. Interacting with people from all over the world is fun as well as inspiring.

My blog serves multiple purposes for me. One, it gives me a place to share how my day is going and things that I have learned on this cancer journey. I find it very helpful connecting with others. Two, I get to share my poetry. Three, it gave me a place to process my grief after my grandson died. Four, I’m expanding my network with my attempts of the different blogging prompts.

What I’ve discovered from other bloggers is music that I wasn’t familiar, life styles,  cultures, social commentary, and even some great book reviews.

Reading:

Speaking of books, I’ve just started reading Mexican Gothic by Silva Moreno-Garcia. Woohoo, not to give any spoiler alerts but the family intrigue is awesome.

I’m still plugging my way through diyMFA and Steering the Craft, two books on writing. I believe authors should always be looking for inspiration on improving their craft.

Culinary:

This is where I share what I’m preparing for dinner in addition to helpful tips for fighting cancer that you have already in your kitchen. Today, we’re having basil pesto on pasta with garlic toast. Nothing spectacular today, trying to multi task all over the place.

Parsley is an appetite stimulant no wonder restaurants put it on almost every dish that comes out. But did you also know it was a digestive aid and it was anti-inflammatory.

Peppermint is a also a digestive aid in addition to its other charming traits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. I know with my first cancer peppermint helped a lot with the nausea. I suck on peppermints when I have indigestion or gas because it helps me.

Pineapple is anti-inflammatory.

Potato is an anti-oxidant and are loaded with loaded with Vitamin B6.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284490

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/peppermint

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/bromelain

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pineapple

https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/potatoes-bad-guys-or-cancer-fighters/

Everyday, I pick a song that gives an indication of my mood overall. It helps my family and friends judge their interaction. Overall, thus far I’ve only been angry a few times and it’s been more because of how frustratingly slow the medical community works. I’m ten days out from the next diagnostics, this covid crap has really played havoc on scheduling.

This song appealed because I feel like I am stuck in a world where I’m looking in but not actually participating on the same level but my work is equally as important to me as it to them.. This emotion is driven more by recent conversations about accountability to our craft (writing) and silent partners.

I have lots of poetry, there’s no doubt I do dedicate serious time to my craft but, yeah there’s always a huge one of them looming. I’m expanding my core by writing vignettes in addition to my blogs. I don’t have the same confidence level when it comes to my vignettes as I do my poetry. However, when I do share it with my writing group, it’s clear they’re not able to critique it or offer valuable input. Then when I’ve shared some of my vignettes again there’s a huge disconnect with my intent versus how they see stories should unfold.

My blogs are simply me writing. I typically use them as warm up writing but there have been times when I use them as a closing to my day. I have no desire to bring them into the writing group for discussion. Nor do I want anyone making edits. GRRRR, they are what they are…. unedited stream of consciousness.

So this is where I feel like I dwell in a ghost town because I’m not sure if I’m really their people or if some of them are really mine.