Notes from Val’s Desk

August 4, 2009 by in category Archives tagged as , , with 0 and 0
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  • This blog is writing related only in the sense that I’m writing it. And, (to those who know me) sometimes I like to begin with the definition of my “topic” word, which in this case is quite impressive.

So here it is:

vol·un·teer (noun)
· a person who chooses freely to do or offer to do something
· a person who chooses freely to enter into any transaction with no promise of compensation
· a person who serves as volunteer, usually without compensation
· a person who freely chooses to offer or give without being asked or obliged

I am by nature a very curious person. When I was growing up, my mother (who was handicapped and never wanted to be noticed) always made me sit quietly and watch. Watching is definitely not my idea of having fun. As a result, I became a first-class observer and an excellent listener. It took a few years to take that first step, but I finally got my butt off the bench and have been running ever since. Today I am a dyed-in-the-wool VOLUNTEER and darn proud of it.

It’s so much better to be involved than sit on the sidelines. To me, it’s like looking at sparkling Christmas lights through a window and wanting to touch. Today, and with no regrets, I think about the adventures I’ve had, the places I’ve been, the interesting people I never would have met and the wonderful friendships I’ve made. I’ve learned and developed new skills from artfully arranging goodies on a tray to getting up and speaking to a room full of people. Volunteering doesn’t have to be vocal; what you do can be done “behind the scenes” as well. But most important is the feeling of satisfaction knowing that your efforts may have contributed to something or someone in a positive way.

Maybe you say you don’t have the time or worse, you’re all volunteered-out. I took a little hiatus from volunteering just once. It didn’t take long for me to realize that a part of my life was missing—that connection with people and what was happening out there in the world. I couldn’t wait to get back in the game and I did.

I have to be honest. More than once I should have said “no” instead of “yes” and then felt burdened with a little too much to do. So do your homework. Be realistic about how much time you are willing to devote so you won’t “burn out.” What are you interested in? What will give you the greatest satisfaction? What would make your life a little more interesting? Find that event or group you’d like to be a part of—they may need you as much as you need them.

Now, get out there and volunteer for something!!!

Author Details
Author Details
A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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    A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.


    It’s been a busy 30 days and the month of May isn’t promising any free time either..…work, family, OCC stuff, craft projects, reading list, blog posts, etc., etc., etc. The shiny magnetic board hanging in front of my desk doesn’t have an available clean space on it. I’ve created so many layers that some of my favorite colorful, eye-catching magnets won’t grip anymore. I definitely feel overwhelmed.

    So, in a determined effort to “get a grip” on my time, today’s post will be brief. I removed my favorite kitty-face magnet (the first layer) and six or seven scraps of paper floated down, landing in a random pattern on my already cluttered desktop. The first message, boldly printed on a scrap of neon-orange scratch paper, reads: Print signs for OCC meeting. Here’s another, quickly scrawled on a snippet of pattern tissue: Finish hem on sundress. Number three: Work on event page for June.

    Oh, here’s a good one, actually written with a gold gel pen on a glossy scrap of magazine paper: Work on writer’s block! Okay, I have to be honest. This is not the typical “writer’s block” you may be familiar with. This is an on-going craft project using a 4” x 4” cube of unfinished wood.

    I think I’ll tackle this one first. But first, I have to get all these notes off my desk…..I need room.

    (Maybe I’ll post a picture next month.)

    Author Details
    Author Details
    A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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    STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT

    Buy now!
    STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT
    INTIMATE RELATIONS
    THIEVES: Book One of the Obscurité de Floride Trilogy
    FUR, FEATHERS AND SCALES: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Animal Tales

    SAVAGED SURRENDER

    Buy now!
    SAVAGED SURRENDER
    WHO’S THE FAIREST? A Sisters Grimm Anthology
    SNOW IN LOVE: Sweet Romance Holiday Collection

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    FATHOMS: A NOVEL OF THE PARANORMAL

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    THE ROGUE’S LAST SCANDAL

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    2019

    HER COWBOY KING

    Buy now!
    HER COWBOY KING
    CHRISTMAS ON NANTUCKET AND OTHER STORIES
    THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIDGE, NEW YORK, 1930

    THE MASK OF MIDNIGHT

    Buy now!
    THE MASK OF MIDNIGHT

    THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT

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    THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT
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    OFF THE RAILS: A Collection of Weird, Wicked, & Wacky Stories

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    SHADOWS AT DAWN

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    DEAD BLOW

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    HAUNTING MISS FENWICK

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      ×
      A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.

      Spring is here. And, so are the layers of dust that go unnoticed during the dark winter months. I passed by one of my bookshelves last weekend and actually thought I heard a little cough. Out came the Swifter.

      As I concentrated on dusting the many books and putting a gleam on the rows of shelves, I picked up a small decorative picture frame. Sandwiched between a backing board and a dull piece of glass is one of my favorite little snippets of writing. I’d like to share it (the writing, not the dust) with you. This was written by Winston S.Churchill and is titled Thoughts and Adventures from “Hobbies,” a collection of essays published in 1932.

      “What shall I do with all my books?” was the question; and the answer, “Read them,” sobered the questioner. But if you cannot read them, at any rate handle them and, as it were, fondle them. Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will. Read on from the first sentence that arrests the eye. Then turn to another. Make a voyage of discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. Set them back on their shelves with your own hands. Arrange them on your own plan, so that if you do not know what is in them, you at least know where they are. If they cannot be your friends, let them at any rate be your acquaintances. If they cannot enter the circle of your life, do not deny them at least a nod of recognition.

      I think I’ll pay my writing books a little visit…..it’s been a while and I need to fondle them.

      Author Details
      Author Details
      A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers. The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
      On Sale

      Books on sale or free

      Redheaded Ruminations

      Buy now!
      Redheaded Ruminations

      STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT

      Buy now!
      STOLEN KISSES FROM THE VISCOUNT
      INTIMATE RELATIONS
      THIEVES: Book One of the Obscurité de Floride Trilogy
      FUR, FEATHERS AND SCALES: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Animal Tales

      SAVAGED SURRENDER

      Buy now!
      SAVAGED SURRENDER
      WHO’S THE FAIREST? A Sisters Grimm Anthology
      SNOW IN LOVE: Sweet Romance Holiday Collection

      THE LIFE OF RILEY

      Buy now!
      THE LIFE OF RILEY
      FATHOMS: A NOVEL OF THE PARANORMAL

      GIRL IN THE MIST

      Buy now!
      GIRL IN THE MIST

      THE FIX UP

      Buy now!
      THE FIX UP

      GIRLFRIENDS & SECRETS

      Buy now!
      GIRLFRIENDS & SECRETS
      BECKONED, PART 1: FROM LONDON WITH LOVE

      #Me Too

      Buy now!
      #Me Too

      HAGAR’S LAST DANCE

      Buy now!
      HAGAR’S LAST DANCE

      A SOLDIER’S ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

      Buy now!
      A SOLDIER’S ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

      FREYA Viking Glory Book Two

      Buy now!
      FREYA Viking Glory Book Two

      LEIF Viking Glory Book One

      Buy now!
      LEIF Viking Glory Book One

      CITY OF BLAZE

      Buy now!
      CITY OF BLAZE

      LET IT SNOW

      Buy now!
      LET IT SNOW

      THE GHOST OF DEPFORD HALL

      Buy now!
      THE GHOST OF DEPFORD HALL

      ILONA’S WOLF

      Buy now!
      ILONA’S WOLF

      DANGER MUSIC

      Buy now!
      DANGER MUSIC

      THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR

      Buy now!
      THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR

      THE WOULD BE MOMMY

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      THE WOULD BE MOMMY

      COME FLY WITH ME

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