Part of the Plan...and a 13th

 January 2025. It marks the thirteenth anniversary of this blog. Some of the posts I've shared over the years are nothing but silly drivel; some are creative in content and nature (sharing my books of fiction, sad attempts at poetry, my photography and paintings, plus everything related to all of it); some posts are thoughts of the moment, memories, nostalgia, Youtube videos; while some dive deeper into what might be going on outside of my own life. I don't write about the latter much anymore because of the divisive nature and ugliness shown, but I wish that I could. Maybe someday.

So this anniversary post contains some New Year's resolutions of sorts. I hold myself accountable for all of them and plan to do better, but there are so many people that I personally know (and of course those I don't!) who should be accountable, as well. We can all do better.

♥︎ Be Accountable. If you make a mistake, own it. 

♥︎ Remember. Remember those in your life because someday they won't be in your life anymore; someday your own memory could diminish, too, where it's impossible to recall those memories that are so very important. Everyone gets old...if we're lucky. 

♥︎ Show kindness. Showing anything but is only a poor reflection on you. 

♥︎ Respond to communication. I'm slow at responding to emails but I always eventually respond, and phone calls aren't always convenient. Text messages were supposed to make communicating easier and quicker...but it seems it's gotten easier to just ignore those.  It really seems rude and thoughtless. 

♥︎ Show patience. With life, goals, and with people. 

♥︎ Hold yourself to the same standards you set for others; and set the standards equally for everyone if you set them. 

♥︎ Don't engage in suppressing or repressing others' thoughts and their need to express them. Listen with respect, whether you agree with them or not. 

♥︎ Think. Stop following like sheep especially if it goes against logic, knowledge and common sense. 

The remainder of this post contain the lyrics and video of Part of the Plan, a great song written and performed by the late Dan Fogelberg. He sings 'One Day We'll All Understand'...I'm still waiting to understand life, but it is less foggy than it used to be.

As always, thanks to all who continue to read what I share here. 

Part of the Plan

Music and Lyrics by Dan Fogelberg

I have these moments all steady and strong
I'm feeling so holy and humble
The next thing I know, I'm all worried and weak
And I feel myself starting to crumble

The meanings get lost, and the teachings get tossed
And you don't know what you're gonna do next
You wait for the sun but it never quite comes

Some kind of message comes through to you
Some kind of message comes through
And it says to you

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That's a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and

One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand

I had a woman who gave me her soul
But I wasn't ready to take it
Her heart was so fragile and heavy to hold
And I was afraid I might break it

Your conscience awakes and you see your mistakes
And you wish someone would buy your confessions
The days miss their mark, and the night gets so dark

And some kind of message comes through to you
Some kind of message shoots through
And it says to you

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That's a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and

One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand
One day, we'll all understand

There is no Eden or heavenly gates
That you're gonna make it to one day
But all of the answers you seek can be found
In the dreams that you dream on the way

A Fogelberg Kind of Day

It's been one of those days. Sharing some Youtube videos of the songs I've been listening to...all music by the late Dan Fogelberg. Amazon Music, Sirius XM, my old-fashioned iPod...I'd listen to my albums (vinyl) if my turntable hadn't died. 

Also worth sharing is a Youtube video of his former ranch that's for sale again, in addition to the link of the listing. The current owner/seller renovated and updated the property. As anyone will see, it's stunning. Known as Mountain Bird Ranch and located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, it is worth drooling over simply for the location. I've visited Pagosa Springs a few times and the area has breathtaking views and scenery; it's a wonderful place to photograph, as I've done. Oh, to be able to see and photograph this property, though! Eventually, the house and land will sell and the video and link will be deleted, but I thought it was worth sharing now. 

Mountain Bird Ranch

End of October

Much has happened in the last month.  The biggest being that my first grandchild was born, and I’m experiencing apartment living in Colorado for a few months so that I might help my daughter and bond some with her new little girl.  I haven’t lived in an apartment in, well, a very long time.  Fortunately, my dog is with me, which has been the greatest adjustment.  I should write a blog post about that one, which I probably will at some point…try using a Gentle Lead/halter on an eleven-year-old dog that’s never had the need for one. It hasn’t been easy but it’s working. 

It’s also snowing.  Having moved to Memphis nearly four years ago from Chicago, I’ve missed the snow, so I’ve gotten my fill of it through four separate snow events in the last month.  But it’s been cold, as well.  Too cold.  Come on back, autumn temps…I’m ready!

Research on the Suffrage Movement

The stay has allowed me to focus on writing a play that I’ve been working on for a while.  In celebration of the centennial anniversary of the 19^th Amendment being ratified, it’s a play about how women earned the right to vote.  One Act, Two Scenes, Four Characters (three historical/one fictional).  I’ve been promised a staged reading, which has been the best motivation for completing it.  It’s coming along.

Also, when you have a new grandchild, fires tend to get lit under your feet and things happen that you’ve been planning for years.  My husband and I are in the process of buying a second home here in Colorado.  Will share more when the closing happens. 

New work on Fine Art America 

Finally, worth repeating, please visit my website www.veronicabatterson.com, my photography site www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com (Fine Art America), and this blog for new work and updates. Looking for fall reads?  Williamsburg Hill is waiting for you to check it out on Amazon. 

I’ll end this blog post and month with the lyrics to one of Dan Fogelberg’s songs, Old Tennessee…appropriate and kind of where I took the title of this post, even if it is actually the end of October. 

Old Tennessee

By Dan Fogelberg

End of October
The sleepy brown woods seem to
Nod down their heads to the Winter
Yellows and grays
Paint the sad skies today
And I wonder when
You're coming home

Woke up one morning
The wind through the window
Reminded me Winter
Was just 'round the bend
Somehow I just didn't
See it was coming
It took me by surprise again

And I hear you're in San Francisco
Living with your sister who's a mother to be
And her husband's way down in Georgia
And I'm still in old Tennessee...
Wishing you'd come home to me

Life here is easy
I'm sure you recall
How it's so warm and breezy
In the Summer and the Fall
But Winter's upon me
And I've got no heat here
And I miss your fire so sweet, Dear
I miss your fire so sweet

And I hear you're in San Francisco
Living with your sister who's a mother to be
And her husband's way down in Georgia
And I'm still in old Tennessee...
Wishing you'd come home to me

End of October
The sleepy brown woods seem to
Nod down their heads to the Winter
Yellows and gray
Paint the sad skies today
And I wonder when
You're coming home
I wonder when you're coming home

Book Sales and Fine Art America Purchases

I made a sale today on Fine Art America and my latest book, Daniel's Esperanza, is receiving some nice attention from those who have read it.  A few have said it should be made into a movie...I'll happily share that bit of info here, as it would be wonderful to see that dream become reality.  Now if financing such a big project weren't so difficult...I'm open to any suggestions.

Since the holidays are approaching (I look at things this way once we get past Halloween), I thought I'd share some new photos that have been added to my Fine Art America site.  Prints make wonderful gifts and Fine Art America does a fabulous job in producing them.  All orders are 100% guaranteed and returnable.

So for the art lovers out there, please take a look at my artist website (Veronica Batterson Fine Art America).  And for the book lovers, I have three published books for sale. All can be found on Amazon and through various other online retailers.  And if you make a purchase, let me know. Sharing the news and reviews are always appreciated, too.

A few new images added recently (these photos are found in higher resolution directly on the FAA site).

Peace

May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp and peace in your heart. - Eskimo Proverb

This weekend, I saw the movie, The Book Thief, and my thoughts have been with it ever since...similar to how it is for me when I've finished a great book and can't get it out of my mind (of course, the movie was based on the book).  While I've seen many films set during the Holocaust and World War II era, this movie's message has stayed with me, perhaps for the meaning of hope, the importance of peace and how words factored into survival for the characters.

As a writer and someone who loves to read, I enjoy words that give me peace and make me think.  I especially appreciate poetry and lyrics which paint a picture of contemplation and expressiveness (think paint to canvas).  In my opinion, one of the great lyricists was the late Dan Fogelberg.  Ironically, today marks the anniversary of his passing six years ago and, while this post isn't meant as an homage to the late artist, I think it warrants a mention of how great a poet he was.  It's something special when lyrics read as poetry and have meaning.  While the music adds to the beauty, the words stand alone.  Dan Fogelberg had that gift of creativity.  Some of his lyrics follow this entry...forget why or how he wrote them and, for the time being, silence the music that accompanies them. Just read the words.

As I write this post, the snow is falling outside and my dog is resting at my feet...a peaceful scene.  In closing, I wish all a relaxing Christmas and holiday season. Share with all you love and find meaning and purpose in what you do with your lives.  Do well and be kind.  Peace to all.

"Shallow rivers run between us where a stone may never sink
Though we taste, we are left thirsty for a deep and soulful drink
Narrow channels, barely open, fraught with dangers out of view
In the current, we are helpless - still I cling to you..." - Shallow Rivers, Dan Fogelberg

"Stood out in the rain
Let it soak me down
Before I called you...I called you
Didn't see me there
Hidden by the rain beneath your window...but I saw you
Putting on your face before the mirror on the wall
Dreaming that the looking glass was me..." - Stars, Dan Fogelberg

"I was born by a river rolling past a town
Given no direction...just told to keep my head down
As I took my position, a man fired a gun
I was so steeped in tradition I could not run
I was raised by a river weaned upon the sky
And in the mirror of the waters I saw myself learn to cry
As the tears hit the surface I saw what had been done
I gave feet to my freedom and I did run..." - The River, Dan Fogelberg 


"I saw you running
Ahead of the crowd
I chased but never thought
I'd catch you.
You said you loved me
But you had to be free
And I let you.
Why did I let you?
We walked together
Through the gardens and graves
I watched you grow
To be a woman.
Living on promises 
That nobody gave
To no one.
They were given to no one..." - The Last Nail, Dan Fogelberg