7th Blogversary ~ 7 Years of Inspiring Dreamchasers Everywhere!

Source: Canva

What is a Blogversary, you ask? 🤔🤔🤔

In the blogging world,  a BLOGVERSARY is: The anniversary date of your first blog post; when you began your blog.

But, It Means SO MUCH MORE to me!

• First time of putting my writing out for the public to see.
• It meant I was ready to start following my dreams.
• AND, most importantly...I could encourage YOU in FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS! 
• I get to Inspire Dreamchasers all over the World!

Honesty is the best Policy

I actually have a very small confession to make. I was so busy for the last couple of months, I missed catching this auspicious day until now.

My 1st blog post was published on October 9th, 2012. I had decided that I would like to start taking risks and trying new things. I was up for the new adventures!

My 1st Post

   "As I was trying to brainstorm a brilliant name for my blog, I will admit that I resorted to consulting a few of my best friends: Merriam and Webster. They both agreed that the words "fledgling" and "endeavors" were completely on the mark.  Fledgling generally means new or inexperienced.  That covers it all!  The endeavors are new and I am completely inexperienced!  But that's what will make everything fun and interesting; most likely, finding the most difficult, crazy way of gaining the experience.
     In all of my future endeavors, I urge you to join me.  According to the definitions, it means to strive or attempt (verb) or an activity directed toward a goal (noun).
     In all my fledgling endeavors, I plan on following my heart.  I hope that you will do the same.  Who knows, the "activity" may not produce the results you wanted, but you are still aiming for a goal: following your heart!"

What Does This Mean for You?

When you are thinking of taking those baby steps toward your own fledgling endeavors, you crave encouragement and inspiration more than anything else.

Become A Dreamchaser! I got your back! As I have taken on learning how to social media over the last few years, you can see that I have your back in all kinds of ways!

In addition to following the blog, check out Fledgling Endeavors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for encouraging DreamChaser Spotlights, inspirational quotes, and my own wacky, quirky attempts at my own new endeavors!

Encourage Others! The more that you interact, follow, share and comment...the more you encourage others! Lead your friends to a good, nurturing environment for them to follow their hearts, also! Follow & Invite them to follow, too!

Fledgling Endeavors FB page

Follow me as @dbooklover on Twitter!

Follow along on the Fledgling Endeavors
Instagram

🌠 ARE YOU GOING TO BE A DREAMCHASER?  🌠

Writers' Wednesday ~ Creating Captivating Characters

(Source: Shutterstock.com)

What is the #1 "bookhook" that keeps your you reading page after page📖? Makes the story come alive for you? Makes it UNPUTDOWNABLE?

Source: Wikimedia Commons,
 Dutch Painter Gerard Dou   

Is it the storyline?

The setting?

While these are important components to any great story, they are nothing without the characters that inhabit your imaginary world.
A fantastic plot falls flat if you are not invested in the main character. You have to care what happens to him until the last page. And, hopefully, will linger in the mind of the reader for a long time afterward.

How do you create such captivating characters?

1. Create a "backstory" for your main character.
2. Learn more about human behavior and psychology.
3. Imagine how your character would act in given situations.

Creating a Backstory for your Main Character:

Years ago, several women and I formed a writing group at the library where I worked at the time. This was one of the writing exercises that my cohort gave us one evening. 

She explained afterwards that most likely your reader will not read most of the backstory you create. It is like you are creating a full-fledged person who will think, act, talk, make decisions, and just live life based on the background you give them.

This is how we humans live our real lives. So, no matter what fictional world you create around this character, they will most likely behave a certain way because of what is contained in their backstory.

One of the best templates I have discovered for creating backstory can be found at How to Create a Character Profile: the Ultimate Guide. It is very thorough, and will make you think. But, by the end, you should know your character better than you know yourself! Lol

Learn more about human behavior and psychology:

A good friend of mine, Sandy James (sandyjames.com), is an award-winning author and a high school psychology teacher. In a writers' workshop with my past writing group, she has said that her psychology background has helped her tremendously with character development.

The more she understood human behavior, the more she could get into the minds of her characters. She had a better understanding of how they might react to any situation, and how others might react to them.

Imagine how your character would act in given situations:

If you have created a fairly thorough backstory for you character, and have a good understanding of psychology and human behavior, you are ready for the last step.

You know how children like to play the "What If" game? For example, they will constantly think about what would happen if two superheroes used their superpowers on each other, who would win, etc. Come to think of it, I have seen the guys on "Big Bang Theory" do this!! Lol

Same concept! Try to imagine how your character would act in any situation that you can imagine. You have been in his world while creating him, now it is time to put him in your fictional world and storyline.

By following these steps, you already know how he will act, and the story will just flow from your fingers!

Happy writing!!!!    📑🖊📑🖊📑🖊📑🖊

Monday's Musings ~ Pledging to Take Care of Me

As we begin this holiday season 🦃🎄, what is the number one question on your mind?

I am guessing for most of you it falls somewhere between "Did I get everything I need at the store for my Thanksgiving dinner?" and "Did I remember to add (insert name here) to my Christmas list?

~ But this is truly the question you should be asking...

#1 Question to Ask Yourself This Holiday Season

• Am I taking care of myself? 

Are you? And I don't mean this in the flossing, eating your spinach, and jogging around the block kind of way! Although physically taking care of yourself is important, that is not the point of this post.

Taking the Pledge to Take Time for Me!

So, stop what you are doing right now. I mean it! 

Now, say with me, "I am taking time for me right now". 

That's it! You got it! Now louder! Say it to yourself, to your family, our friends! Whoever needs to hear it! As long as you keep saying it to yourself!

So, take the pledge along with me!

"I, (your name), promise to take time for myself today!"

To spread the word, please share this post on FB, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest! As you share it, type your pledge into your post! 

And don't forget to add the #taketimeformepledge hashtag!

I would love to see this spread like wildfire! We all need to take at least a little time for ourselves! It is the best present 🎁 you could ever give yourself! 💟💟💟

Small House Sunday~ Instant Pots, Air Fryers & Ovens?

Designing your small or tiny house is most likely the hardest step you will encounter in the building process. Trying to figure out the exact layout of your home and which items will be included (or excluded) can often seem like a dance of one step forward/two steps back.

And the one area that you will probably feel this the most is in the kitchen! Making decisions on which appliances to include is harder than you would think!

My mission today is to help make that decision a little easier. So that you can get on with enjoying life in your new home!

5 Factors to Consider in Choosing Cooking Appliances

1. Cooking preferences (frying, baking, grilling, etc.)
2. Amount of Cooking
3. Space Limitations
4. Frequency of Use
5. Versatility of Appliance

Recently, I have been trying to decide which appliances to include in my own small home. I have it narrowed down to an air fryer, an Instant Pot and a good, old-fashioned oven.

So, using the factors above, let's go through the decision-making process. And, you can help me make the right choice for me and my hubby.

Cooking Preferences

The hubby and I like to cook a variety of foods that need to prepared in different ways, however we tend to do more stovetop-cooking (Ex., chili, mashed potatoes, etc.), slow-roasting and baking deserts. 

Amount of Cooking

On most occasions, it is just the two of us. Four days out of the week, we work different schedules and will normally be eating at separate times and places. So, the amount of food being fixed at one time is very minimal.

Space Limitations

We are in the process of converting a 14 x 40 Amish-built shed into a home. Our space limitations are not as narrow as if we were living in a tiny house, but we do still need to be careful in our decision.

Frequency of Use

As we started downsizing from a large 2,000 square foot home, we had several kitchen items that rarely were used. We got rid of may things as we moved. We only want what we will use!

Versatility of Appliance

With limited space in our small home, each item earns it spot with its versatility. 

Our Personal Comparisons of Instant Pots, Air Fryers, and Ovens

Image Source: Walmart.com

Versatility is where I will begin with my personal comparisons. Instant Pots generally have 7 to 10 functions which makes them a top choice for us. 

It also is much, much smaller than an oven would be. So, it takes less space, very versatile, and covers many of our cooking preferences. 

So far, it is looking like an Instant Pot would be used quite frequently at our house!

Image Source: Walmart.com

My son has an air fryer, and has been encouraging us to get one for some time now.  According to him (and several cookbooks I have found), they also rate quite high on the versatility scale, it looks like. 

I had assumed that they were mainly for a healthier way of fixing fried foods. I have understood from many air fryer users, that this is only a small portion of their usefulness. Other tasty treats from air fryers include cookies, cakes, homemade chips and hardboiled eggs.

Again, also much smaller than an oven. It does not heat up the whole kitchen, as an oven would do. Yet, it does many of the same things that an oven would do.

Image Source: Shutterstock.com

I have always gotten a lot of use out of my ovens in the past. They are still one of the most versatile items in the kitchen. They do still meet some of the factors to consider.

However, the more I have looked into this topic, the more I am leaning towards the air fryer and Instant Pot for our home.  If these two smaller appliances are versatile enough to cover almost every function of the oven, but take up less space ~ that is a wonderful start

The oven is a large item, takes up a large space, heats up the whole kitchen (only beneficial in winter! Lol), and uses a LOT of energy. 

And the Final Decision Is...

For us, personally, I think we will be having an oven for sale very soon! Christmas is right around the corner, and I will be adding an air fryer and Instant Pot to my list for Santa! 🎁🎁🎁

What Do You Think?

As I talked to many people, looked through some of the newer air fryers & Instant Pots cookbooks, and read many articles, it became clear that I could only decide what was right for me.

There is no clean-cut answer for everyone. It is a choice you have to make for yourself and your family's needs. However, I hope my appliance dilemma has helped you in making your tiny or small kitchen work best for you! 

Let me know what you think!

5 Easy Blogging Tips for Keeping It Real!

Thinking Back

I want you to think back to the last time you had to write a story, a research paper, anything along those lines.

Go ahead and remember how you approached the project...Did you zoom right through it? Procrastinate, then write at warp speed?

If you had to come up with your own topic, did that step alone take forever?

And...ding, ding ding! We have a winner! That is SO me!!! 👈😕✋😕

Overthinking everything, writer's block, you name it! You will notice that it has been a little while since my last post.

The researcher in me can't just look at 1 or 2 sources for ideas to improve her blog. No, she has to check out about 4-5 books, ask people in her FB blogging groups for advice, etc.

When you look to so many places for advice, your head starts swimming! Use professional photos, write shorter posts, use numbers in your title, more this, less that... aaahhhh!!!!

It's like the blogger's equivalent of this golfer's swing! LOL

Golfer trying to take everyone's
advice on his swing.
(Source: rockbottomgolf.com)

It took me a little while to decide to quiet all the additional voices, and just concentrate on listening to my inner voice. I chose to start this blog in the first place to be able to write publicly, and to provide encouragement for anyone following their dreams.

I cannot provide you with encouragement, if I am being my own worst critic, correct?

So, in the spirit of what the Fledgling Endeavors blog is all about, I am providing a few blogging tips of my own!

Disclaimer: I am not a blogging expert, by any means! But, after blogging for 7 years (this blog) and keeping a 2nd family history blog active for 2 1/2 years, I have a few tips that may be just the thing you need to hear!

Diane's Blogging Tips (Follow at your own peril!)

• Be Yourself! You have a voice all your own that someone needs to hear.

• Small Steps are Fine. You write one post at a time, and can build from that. Ten years ago or so, I started following a fairly new blog called The Pioneer Woman.  And, look at her now! 

• Do What You Can, with What You Have. I have an older Samsung phone & take most of my photos with that, or  I use the free stock photo websites. I use the free Blogger hosting site for the blog itself.

• Just Keep Posting! The internet is filled with blogs that have been abandoned less than a year old. Even if it is just short posts, just keep posting. This is what I need to work on the most. So that will be my blogging goal for the new year: to just keep posting more often!

• Check In With Your Readers! Stay true to yourself, but keep in mind what your readers would like to see more of, also. If they keep reading, they will keep following you...and bring in more followers. They started following you for a reason, so remember to listen to them!

Now, Readers (yes, You!!)...I am following my own advice. I would like to hear from all of you! You can tell me what you like about this blog, what you would like to see more of, etc. I will take it all to heart, even as I continue to be the me you like to read! Lol

All kinds of ways to talk to me: 💬💭💬

• Comment at the end of the post! Blogger has changed some things recently, and I am not sure all comments are getting through. If you are having trouble with comments, please use one of the other ways to get a hold of me. If there are issues, I want to be able to fix them for you! So, please let me know!

• Email Me using the Contact Form on the right side of your screen.
• Share the posts you like by using the Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest icons at the end of each post.
• Follow FLEDGLING ENDEAVORS on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, and leave comments on those posts.

Can't wait to hear from you soon! 😀😀😀

Blessings of Long-Lasting Friendships

Friends, Tribe, BFF's,..A friend by any other name!

No matter what you call them, the people that have been there for you for a lifetime are one of life's best blessings.

But, before we go any further, let's define some of these terms. It helps to make sure we all see things from the same perspective.

Definitions

• Merriam-Webster defines the word "blessing" as "something that provides happiness or does good for a person"

• Urban Dictionary defines "tribe" as "A group of friends that would do anything for each other, at just about any time. Friends that have been together for a decade or a day, but are loyal, loving, honest, and fun-loving. The Tribe consists of people that you expect to grow old together with."

My Story

When I was about 10 years old, a little girl named Vicki became my best friend. And, at around the same time, I flipped to the back of a Tiger Beat magazine and discovered you could send away for a pen pal. That is how I met Amy.

In middle school, I expanded my best friend base to include Susan and Doneta, and then Wendy once I reached high school.

These seemingly small decisions have blessed my life in so many ways over the years! These ladies have provided happiness, laughter, comfort and love just when I needed it for over four decades.

As Urban Dictionary defines it, we are most definitely a "tribe"! We would do anything for each other. We have seen each other through weddings, births, deaths, divorces and so much more.

Class Reunion Insights

But, this past weekend, I discovered there was so much more to our friendships than meets the eye. It was class reunion night, and  these women friends (and some of our guy friends, too) met for dinner before heading over to the reunion.

We laughed, we hugged, we talked...we had a ball!

In between bites, we surprised each other with little insights that left the others with their jaws hanging open. I mentioned that I enjoyed being Doneta's friend partly, I think, because she was her own person. She didn't care what others thought, and I wished I could be more like her.

The other ladies were shocked, because that was not the person I was in school. I was always concerned about what others thought of me!

Doneta, on the other hand, valued our friendship more than I realized, for the opposite reason. To her, I was the voice of reason and kept her actions reined in more than I knew.

Who would have ever guessed that I was the voice of reason!! LOL

...And this leads me to the whole reason for this post...and that is to fill you in on the 5 Biggest Blessings for you and your tribe.

5 Biggest Blessings for You & Your Tribe

1.  Support, whenever you need it. No matter the time or distance!

2.  Insights about you that you'd never even imagine. These friends
     know you better than you know yourself.

3. Unflinching honesty. They only want what's best for you, and will
    be honest with you for your own benefit.

4. A shorthand that only you and your friends will understand. The
    kind where you can just give each other "the look", and a whole
    conversation just happened.

5. And, most importantly, to trust each other so thoroughly that you
    can just be yourself.

        ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

It is my hope that you have friends like this! A tribe of friends that provides you with all of these blessings, and so much more!!

5 Great Resources for Learning New Skills

Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill? Teach yourself a new language? Pick up a new hobby?

I am always trying to learn new things, and over the years I have found great resources that I turn to again and again.

Today, I am sharing 5 Great Resources that will put you on the path to learning all kinds of new skills in no time! 

1. The Library

        I am a librarian, and I am here to tell you that libraries are one of the best free resources you can find for learning just about anything you want. Free wifi, classes, books, magazines...the list goes on and on!

        For example, the hubby and I are living in a small (almost tiny house) and are trying to be as off-the-grid as possible. Not only can we check out Mother News Earth magazines, but also these fantastic books with lots of knowledge and skills to help us.

    

      How to Survive Off the
       Grid by Tim MacWelc

The Doable Off-grid
Homestead by Stewart
& Sharon Stonger

2.   YouTube Videos

      If you are a more visual learner, this is an excellent way to learn new skills. Auto maintenance, home repairs, DIY and tiny house projects are some of the more popular topics that we watched and learned from some of the pros.

      Beware, though not everyone is a pro! For every legitimate,  honest-to-goodness skilled person you find, I will guarantee there is also someone who assuredly is not. Just be careful!

      

3.  Magazines

     Even though the printing world seems to be changing daily, magazines still seem to be here for a little while longer. Whether in print or electronic form, you can find magazines on just about any topic. Art, blogging, photography, cooking are all skills you can learn more about from magazines. Prices range from free (@ your local library) to under $10, which is still much cheaper than the cost of a book.

4.   Classes

     Free classes are an excellent way to learn new skills! And the best part is that you can find many for free or cost of materials only. I just recently took a series of photography classes at my local library. Also, I teach genealogy classes at the nearby public library where I work. 

      Local independent businesses many times will offer free classes to get customers to come in their doors. Many large chain stores also offer free classes to try to entice you into buying their products: Lowes, Home Depot, Michael's and Hobby Lobby are just a few that come to mind. 

5.  Social Media Communities

       To learn from a friend or mentor, taking classes, or any kind of hands-on type of learning will almost always be the best way to learn a new skill. However, that is not always possible. You may be learning plenty from videos, books and magazines, but you would still like to talk to others in the same position as you.

       And this is where social media communities are a blessing! In addition to the help individuals have given to me on Twitter and Instagram, I have learned so very much on topics of interest to me in my Facebook Groups. 

       I also have a genealogy blog and talk with leading bloggers in the field weekly in my Geneabloggers Tribe group. I can receive the same support, camadarie and rapport in my Tiny House, Shed-to-House Living and Self-Sufficient groups.

⭐⭐⭐

 Start learning now! You have the interest in learning a new skill. With these resources, you have free, or inexpensive, ways to learn more, and follow your passion. Now that you have a way, the only thing you do not have any more is an excuse!

Did You Know the Seven Rules of Photography?

That's fine! Before this summer, I had never heard of them myself. But then, my local library offered a series of photography classes 📸📷📸 and changed that.

I have always been passionate about taking photos, but not too confident in my abilities. So, these classes sounded like a perfect way to spend a few summer evenings.

Our instructor, Brooke, is a professional photographer. She took the time to get to know us, and our specific goals for the class.  She did a fantastic job, and taught me a lot!

A quote from class that will stay in my mind, "Once you know the Rules of Photography, then the rules can be broken."

So, I set about learning as much as I could about these Rules of Photography. First stop was Pinterest, so that I could see some visuals of these rules.

Afterwards, I stepped outside, and practiced, practiced, practiced!

I'm not too sure of how I did. I am going to let all of you help critique my photos. So, let me know what you think!

So, I give to you the rules of photography on the top,...and my attempt at using each rule right below.

Repetition

Rule of Thirds

Negative Space

Leading Lines

                                                                                     

Framing

Left to Right Rule

Symmetry

The next photography class will be in a few weeks. Can't wait!

Until then, you will find me outside snapping away! 📸📸📸 Practice makes perfect!!!

And always, if you want to learn something new, just go for it!!!

Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum Iron Pour ~ Art Fun for Everyone @ Greene County, Indiana

It is late July, and you are looking for something fun to do with the whole family 👪 before school starts.

Something fun, but maybe educational also, if at all possible...

Look no further than the Iron Pour @ the Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum (https://www.sculpturetrails.com) in Greene County, Indiana!

Even when there are no special events, the Sculpture Trails is a sight to see all on its own. The sculpture trails are always available to the public. You pick up a guide at the beginning, and walk along the trails that house over 100 sculpture installations.

They have done a fantastic job of adding the artwork to the already beautiful countryside. Everything fits together quite well!  Artists come from all over the world to do internships, help host Iron & Aluminum Pours, create artwork,  teach the public about art, and so much more!

However, the real fun  🎉🎉🎉 comes at special events, such as the Aluminum Pour and the Iron Pour, held in July!  🎉🎉🎉

You can see in the photo below that they can get quite the crowd. This photo was taken at last night's Iron Pour. Before the evening was over, this crowd had doubled. People of all ages, families and friends, and they all appeared to have a great time!

People come from all over Indiana to
enjoy the Iron Pour! 

The artists and interns come from all over the United States, and other countries as well. Before all the action starts, they take the time to answer any questions you may have.

Hopefully my photo journal of the evening will help answer some of the questions you may have. If you would like to know more, please visit their website, https://www.sculpturetrails.com/ or visit their FB page: Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum. 

Artist, Andrew Marsh, answering
questions from visitors

The "Sand Zone", where the scratch blocks
are made from sand & resin.

These are the scratch blocks in
which you carve your own cool design!

One of the artists carving on
a large scratch block.

Everyone has a job to do as
preparations get underway!

"Lady D", the larger foundry named
after the founder's mother.

The smaller foundry was brought
all the way from England!

"Let's light 'em up!"

The crucible & gantry crane
carry the molten iron.

A line of poured scratch blocks
makes for an interesting photo!

This chained log is actually hiding a design
created by one of the artists.

The "chained log" design made quite
a spectacular spectacle when poured!

What a great evening! Beautiful sculptures to see, very educational, and hand-on creative designing. Thank you, Gerry (the founder), for another phenomenal evening of fun, family and Fire @ Night!! 

Although this hidden gem is tucked back off the main road, don't keep it a secret!  Help us spread the word and tell your friends! Share this post with everyone you know! 

Leave a comment below, and let me know what you think of Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum!