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I’d rather write than talk. Nobody interrupts! Posting monthly or less now--see below. |
My original purpose for this blog, which I started in August of 2019, was to see if I could maintain consistency, to discover what I want to write about, and to find my writing voice. In January, I started a "niche-less" blog at Wordpress.com where I've published weekly. -- Kit’s Kontemplations  . -- I'm preparing to start a Catholic blog on Wordpress.com where I'll post weekly, and another site to put the rest of my writing. I also want to spend more time reading other blogs and offering thoughtful comments, both here on WDC and elsewhere. At most, I will publish once a month at no set time in this blog starting in September of 2020. Thank you to those who have read and rated any posts on this blog. I really appreciate it. I did NOT want to write “about” me on this blog. I wanted to share my interests, discoveries and maybe a few useful insights. If anything I've written helps even one person, whether or not they respond to the post, then this blog has been successful. |
| I found quite a few articles which emphatically state that any aspiring writer must write a certain amount every day. These authors claim that it doesn’t matter what you write as long as you meet your targeted word count. I know it’s important to write regularly for reasons that make a lot of sense to me. I definitely want to write more regularly than I do now but I don’t want to write garbage just for the sake of reaching a daily word count. I don’t believe that the exercise of typing or handwriting a few pages of random sentences, by itself, is going to improve my writing nor do I expect this to increase my creativity. What my writing goals are make a difference in. how I go about developing my writing. Noodling around on the piano can be fun but it won’t improve my skill. I need lessons so that I can practice in a way that will actually improve my skills and understanding about the structure of music. What I do in my practice sessions depends on whether I want to play classical pieces or in the New Age style which is mostly improvising. The advocates of “Just write” claim that writing something, anything, every day has the following benefits: Gain discipline I completely agree with this. I’ve been walking on the treadmill every day for over 2 years now. The only days I missed were days we had a tornado followed by three days of no power. Gain practice If I’m getting coaching or taking a writing course or working on a writing project, then I’d be “practicing” in a constructive way. Otherwise, I’m wasting time and energy. Be more productive This would be true if I’m writing something that will be part of something bigger, like a section of an article. However, if I’m only writing a lot of “nothings” just to be able to say that I met my wordcount today, that’s not practice. I’d make better use of my time by reading an article on writing or editing a draft I’d written the day before. Prove to yourself that you can write without being “inspired” This is related to the point about discipline. If, by being inspired we mean “feeling like writing”, then writing whether we feel inspired or not is an important skill to gain. The skill of writing when you don’t “feel” like it is essential and writing daily will equip you to deal with “writer’s block”. Keep your creativity flowing The jury’s out on this one. I’m open to the possibility but I’m not convinced. I’ve tried the daily writing, a variation on “Morning Pages”, for a couple of months at a time. I didn’t notice any improvement in my creativity. It’s possible it was happening and I didn’t notice. I’m writing two brief (300-500 words) blog posts each week and participating in some contests. I may write two or three posts in one day then nothing for a couple of weeks. Definitely my writing could benefit from more consistency. My journaling is more sporadic. Some weeks get three entries followed by a couple of months with no entries at all. I don’t get much time alone to work alone on any projects so I want to use it the best possible way. Perhaps I could reach my writing goals by taking online courses and reading books about writing. I don’t have to choose between these and developing a regular writing habit with a weekly word-count target. I’d like to find a way to do both but that could be unrealistic. If I were to adopt a more regular writing practice, I’d need to consider a few things: What could I write about that would be useful? Would I count journaling or other longhand writing since I’d not want to bother counting those words? Where would I store the writing I do if I don’t plan to add it to my blog? Would I keep it offline or find someplace to share it? Of the benefits listed above, do any of them inspire you to commit to regular writing sessions? If so, which one lights a spark in you? |
| Have you ever started out with a question on Google looking for information on how to gain or improve on a skill? In a response to a question on the Newbie Linux Mint forum, one member started his response with this phrase that’s stayed with me for days: “Ask ten people something and you’ll get twelve opinions.” What I’ve discovered is that these opinions (not in the Linux world) are often both dogmatically stated and contradictory. Since I started blogging five months ago, I’ve researched a few things and have come across this phenomenon. Both sides had very good reasons for their argument. To be honest, I was sometimes strongly inclined to one view over the other but that’s not really what I’m getting at here. My question is how do you decide which advice to take when you’re in this situation? What is difficult is that you’re delving into an area you know little about so it’s hard to practice discernment and critical thinking. The article authors on one side give very specific directions that you *must* follow in order to get the result you want. The authors on the other side give excellent reasons why you *don’t* need to follow the directions in order to succeed. Here are a few examples of topics or questions where I’ve read as many articles as I could find online and found contradictory advice. Morning Pages Do you have to write them first thing in the morning, *every* morning? Do you have to write 3 pages longhand? Blogging Does your blog need to have a niche? Do you have to allow comments? Writing daily Will doing this improve my writing skill, if I only end up writing garbage because I’m just writing for the sake of achieving a target word count? The morning pages was the first one I dealt with when I first started getting back to writing this past summer (2019) after more than a decade away from it. I felt drawn to write but had no idea what to write about and felt like my creativity was more like a swamp than a river. I remembered reading about Morning Pages so I googled it. After reading all the articles, I decided to go for longhand using unruled pads that were slightly smaller than standard and writing large. I did it for a month or two each day then gave it up again. I sort of learned a very useful and valuable lesson. Consider the rules — Forget them — Do what works! I say that I “sort of” learned this because I seemed to need to re-learn it with the niche issue and with the blog comments issue. Just yesterday and today, I find myself re-learning it again with the question of writing daily. I have some mixed feelings about the advice in various articles about writing daily. In one way, it’s kind of like morning pages in that you are forcing yourself to write a certain amount with no concern for content or quality. It seems like a huge waste of time and energy. Maybe I lack faith but I honestly don’t see how this exercise would either improve my writing or increase my creativity. I get the usefulness of brain dumps but I don’t feel the need to do those more than once every couple of months. They usually turn out to be lists of what I should and would like to do. Nothing deep there. If I’ve got something to work out and feel a need to write, I use my journal but this writing has a purpose and a focus. It’s not a disjointed scribbling of random useless words. I could definitely use the discipline to write more regularly and I need to figure out how to make it useful. I don’t know if I want to devote time for random writing for no identified purpose. I am not aspiring to be a professional writer. I like doing it and would like to share it with others who might find value in it without getting into the whole marketing thing. Not all the time I schedule for writing would be with pen to paper or hands on the keyboard. What about research, mind-mapping or outlining, editing and revising your drafts? Even learning about writing through reading or courses should count. What contradictory advice have you gotten about something you knew little about? How did you decide what to do? Did you feel reluctant to disregard the “rules” to succeed? If so, how did you deal with that? |
| My first encounter with the idea of pseudoscience came from watching the Crash Course in Philosophy. In Episode 8, he explains how Karl Popper compares Freud’s and Einstein’s methods. Freud was able to fit any datapoint into his theory, using past data to predict the present. By contrast, Einstien predicted a future event, a solar eclipse based on his theory of relativity. If the eclipse didn’t fit specific criteria, his theory would have been disproven. In ancient Greece, to look at the world from a scientific eye excluded any pre-conceived ideas. You made theories based on what you observed. A very basic definition I found of pseudoscience is: “a claim, belief or practice which is presented as scientific but lacks the valid scientific methodology or supporting evidence.” This is a start but what are some of its characteristics and in which topics or fields of study am I most likely to encounter it? Here are a few characteristics of pseudoscience:  It starts with a conclusion then finds data to fit that conclusion instead of being led to the conclusion by observation of the evidence or data. It is hostile to criticism instead of embracing it as part of the accepted scientific process. It uses vague jargon instead of precise terminology with clear definitions. It uses flawed instead of rigorous methodology and statistical analyses. It uses logical fallacies and invalid logic instead of following the logical practices in the scientific method.Brian Dunning has distilled a series of lists to provide a 15-point checklist to help us tell science from pseudoscience. Check the link to How to Spot Pseudoscience in the sources below. In a true science, the following statement can be easily made: “If x happens, it would show demonstrably that theory y is not true.” We can then design an experiment, a physical one or sometimes a simple thought experiment, to figure out if x actually does happen. It’s the opposite of looking for verification; you must try to show the theory is incorrect, and if you fail to do so, thereby strengthen it. Pseudoscience cannot and do not do this–they are not strong enough to hold up. —Farnam Street blog Certain fields are much more likely than others to promote views based on pseudoscience. For example, you won’t find it in pharmacology but it’s much more prevalent in crime forensics and popular psychology, among other professions. Proclamations based on pseudoscience are appealing for these reasons: They promise solutions to problems and relief from suffering. They include “success” stories and anecdotal “evidence”. They are easier to understand than findings published in scientific publications. It is so easy to be deceived by pseudoscientific claims when we know so little about science. A suffering obese person who knows next to nothing about chemistry and biology is completely unequipped to think critically about the many diets that promise quick results. How does one choose a diet that will work or even be safe to follow? In the field of nutrition, ideas are proclaimed as gospel truth only to change a few years later. Have you heard of pseudoscience before reading this post? If so, what has been your experience with it? Have you or has someone you know been taken in by it? What do you think the average person can do to counteract its effect on the people in our circle of influence? Sources and recommended articles: Crash Course in Philosophy Episode 8: Karl Popper: Science and Pseudoscience —https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-X8Xfl0JdTQ How to Spot Pseudoscience: A 15-point checklist by Brian Dunning —https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4037 What Puts The ‘Pseudo’ In Pseudoscience? —https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulmsutter/2019/10/20/what-puts-the-pseudo-in-pseu... Karl Popper on The Line Between Science and Pseudoscience —https://fs.blog/2016/01/karl-popper-on-science-pseudoscience/ Countering the False Promise of Pseudoscience in Schools —https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/leader.SCM.24072019.36 Pseudoscience in the Witness Box: The FBI faked an entire field of forensic science. —https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/04/fbis-flawed-forensics-expert-testimo... How to Spot Pseudoneuroscience and Biobunk —https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-to-spot-pseudoneuroscience-and... Can We Trust Crime Forensics? —https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-we-trust-crime-forensics/ |
| I didn’t always make reading lists. Even if I were to do that, they would be measured in a period of weeks, not seasons. I would place the few books I want to read next on a specific spot on my shelf. Usually they would each be on a different topic. What I read most includes: Carmelite spirituality, apologetics, nutrition, and, of course, writing. I would never include fiction books on my reading list. I don’t need to since I’ll read those anyway! This worked well enough until I entered the e-book universe. Now, on my iPad, I have the iBooks app where most of my fiction e-library lives and the Kindle app where all my books from Amazon wait patiently for my attention. “Out of sight—Out of mind” really applies here. If I don’t see the physical book on my shelf, I completely forget about it. As if that weren’t enough, I also have an old iPhone, and a Kobo e-reader. These don’t have the same books loaded on them as what I have on the iPad. I got the Kobo since I could read from it even in direct sunlight, not possible with a tablet or cell phone. Now I have a list in my Bullet Journal of what I want to read and put a letter next to e-books to tell me on which device and app to find them. My reading life went from extremely simple to rather complicated within three months. I tend to only read print books while taking a bath - not a good option with a tablet or phone! I like e-books because I can have a larger font without increasing the weight of the book. Amazing and awesome for someone with vision issues! If you keep a reading list, why do you do it? Does it have a timeline attached to it, and if so, do you pressure yourself to finish them on time? Why do certain books go on your list and others are excluded? |
| “Why is there never time to do it right, but there is always time to do it twice?” —Unknown I have a tendency toward perfectionism in a lot of things and I really don’t want to have to do something over again when I can do something else on my to-do list. I like to do things slowly and carefully, especially if it’s something that I’m not particularly good at. Believe me, that covers a lot of ground! When it is something I do often, I’m not always as careful, but not sloppy to the point of having to re-do it. I wonder if it’s a gender thing that women usually read instructions and men usally toss them? I do *read* them but I may not understand them, especially if there are diagrams. For some reason my brain doesn’t convert two-dimensional to three-dimensional. Give me a YouTube video. Please! So I’ll only have to re-do something when I didn’t understand the instructions to begin with. If the steps are not in the right order or were poorly translated into English, that can really mess me up. If I am doing something for the first time and I know that I will have to do it again in a month or a year, then I will document it to death. The most recent example of this in my life is installing Linux on my new laptop. I will have to do it again sometime in early 2023. Given that I’m in my sixties, it’s almost a guarantee I won’t remember any of these steps by then. How often do you have to re-do something? Is it because it really needs to be re-done or are you being a bit of a perfectionist? When you do have to re-do a thing, is it because you didn’t give it the necessary effort the first time or was it a mistake due to lack of experience and skill? Do you beat yourself up while you re-do a thing, or accept the need and do it with serenity, calm and focus? |
| There are significant benefits to the raw food diet and to eating only according to a vegetarian or a vegan food plan. There are also some disadvantages. I believe the best approach is best captured by the 80-20 or perhaps 90-10 approach. In other words, follow your chosen food plan for 80-90% of what you eat and use the other 10-20% for other foods. For example, if you opt for a predominantly raw vegan lifestyle, include a small amount of meat, dairy and your favourite treat that you can’t imagine giving up long-term. In every area of life, I have a strong aversion to an “all or nothing” approach. This movement (which originated during the Natural Hygiene movement of the 1800s), defines “raw food” as food that is not heated/cooked at temperatures greater than 115 to 118 degrees F. This is thought to preserve nutrients, enzymes, diminish the energy used for cooking, and keep food in its most natural form. A raw food diet is generally based on fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted/soaked grains and legumes. Typically, raw foodists are vegan (100% plant-based). However, some raw foodists also consume raw fish, meat and dairy. —Ryan Andrews, M.S., RD The advantages to following a predominantly raw food plan include: Maintains all the nutrients Has a cooling effect on the body which is great if you live in a hot climate Reduces inflammation Helps fight enzyme deficit Lowers risk of diabetes and heart disease You’ll be cutting out refined sugars, processed foods and eating plenty of vegetables and moderate amounts of fruit instead.The disadvantages to following a 100% raw food plan include: Requires a lot of motivation, planning and discipline in the beginning to make the ncessary habit changes to adopt this lifestyle. Low in some nutrients including iron, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin B12. Some foods are absorbed better when cooked. The phytonutrients in spinach, onions, garlic, and kale are released when cooked. Certain foods are much safer when cooked, at least steamed or lightly sauteed. You’ll need supplements to get sufficient vitamin D, iron, zinc and vitamin B-12No single diet offers a magical formula for vibrant health. In fact, no single diet works for everyone. While raw foods may not be ideal for people with weak digestion, such a diet can offer significant results for others. —Prevention.com Sources: Using the 80/20 Diet for Weight Loss — https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-the-8020-diet-3495281 All About Raw Food — https://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-raw-food What are the Pros and Cons to a Raw Food Diet? — https://www.gearhungry.com/raw-food-diet-benefits/ Reality Check: 5 Risks of Raw Vegan Diet — https://www.livescience.com/26278-risks-raw-vegan-diet.html Considering A Raw Food Diet? — https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/a20434355/pros-and-cons... Pros & Cons of Raw Food Diets — https://www.livestrong.com/article/18744-pros-cons-raw-diets/ |
| After losing 30 pounds with Weight Watchers back in 2002-2003, I decided to go to the next level with food and learn how to eat for optimum health, not just weight maintenance. I felt like I’d stepped into an alien universe with its own language and with an unstable landscape. What was safe one day was dangerous the next. I learned about macro and micronutrients which brought back memories from high school economics class. The macronutrients are protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber and water. The micronutrients are vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases . As if that weren’t enough, even some of these categories have “good” and “bad” subcategories. I prefer the terms “beneficial” and “harmful” because I don’t believe in attaching morality to food. The two types of protein in food are animal-based and the much healthier plant-based protein. Also there are two types of protein: complete and incomplete which lack one or more amino acids. Plant sources contain more fiber but most are incomplete proteins with the exception of quinoa, buckwheat and sunflower seeds that have been sprouted. Carbohydrates are either simple or complex and it is the complex type that we should eat more of. These, which take longer to digest and provide a more stable source of energy, include fruits and vegetables. We should avoid many sources of simple carbs such as table sugar and processed foods, among other things. There are four types of fats and some have both healthy and unhealthy choices: Saturated fatsMonounsaturated fatsPolyunsaturated fatsTrans fats - the worst kind Our bodies need fat and some of the healthiest choices are avacado, nuts, and salmon. Eat all fish in moderation due to mercury in some fish. Fiber comes in soluble and insoluble forms. Both are important for health. When you read a nutrition label, fiber is a subcategory of carbohydrates. Measuring “net carbs” is done by subtracting the grams of fiber from the total grams of carbohydrates. Soluble fiber attracts water and slows digestion. Insoluble fiber helps food pass more quickly through the digestive system. If we want to either lose or maintain our weight, then we need to consume a limited number of calories. Therefore, the most effective strategy is to consume foods with the most nutritional value for the number of calories. These are the most nutrient-dense foods which include: salmon, kale, seaweed and garlic, among other things. The most important thing I’ve learned is to eat everything in moderation and to include every food group. If God created something to be eaten, then eat it. If man created it, eat it very seldom, if at all. Source: Protein in food - https://www.nutristrength.com/blog/protein-in-food The 11 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-most-nutrient-dense-foods-on-the-planet What is the difference between animal and plant proteins? - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322827.php The Difference Between Simple Carbs and Complex Carbs - https://www.openfit.com/simple-carbohydrates-complex-carbohydrates What are fats? The real skinny on healthy fats and harmful fats - https://urbanremedy.com/fats-real-skinny-healthy-fats-harmful-fats/ Finding foods with healthy fats - https://cdn1.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2012/10/finding-foods-w... What Are Phytonutrients? — https://www.livescience.com/52541-phytonutrients.html |
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Yes, I know some people do that but I'm a creative writer not a journalist. Poetry sells ... but it's a money-maker for only a few. I write A LOT. Almost 180 pieces since Spring equinox. My goal is 300-400 per year. One year I went over 1,000. I need to do more editing, polishing, sharing, submitting. Writer's block? Who has time for that? I don't.