Just About the Big 5-0!

No, dear Reader, I am not turning 50. A student of mine guessed that I was only 32 years old. I applauded her arithmetic—especially the subtraction—and awarded her an “A.” No, today I am celebrating the 50th edition of Just About Anything. Thank you for being a faithful and curious reader.

When I began this blog on September 16, 2019, I doubted whether I could faithfully maintain a regular column. But having a specific day each month to publish it has helped. There’s nothing like a deadline to light a fire under the Muses.

I must also credit a few individuals who have contributed significantly to my efforts. My friend Daryl Ann, in Abingdon, Virginia, proofreads all of my writing—including our ministry newsletter, Notes of a Nomad. I have a bad habit of sprinkling hyphens in all the wrong places. Daryl Ann also cheers me on with her feedback and affirmation.

My friend, Deanna, in Montrose, Colorado, does all of the layout for both publications. I simply send her my text and my photos, and she makes it look good. I get to do the part I like best—the writing—and Deanna does the part I like least—the computery stuff. [If you find yourself in need of a graphic designer, you may contact Deanna at creative@northeastdesignsolutions.com. Just don’t bother her on the 15th of the month when I am pushing my own deadline.

My friend Leann, also in Abingdon, prints off paper copies of each edition and snail-mails them to a few friends and family members who prefer paper, as I do.

And finally, I appreciate those readers—you know who you are—who have responded to a particular blog with a quick email or text. You warm this writer’s heart.

Team work makes the dream work! Do you have a dream? Find some friends who believe in your vision. Accept their advice, their encouragement, and their help. Even Batman needed Robin.

Today we are adding a new archived stories feature to the blog. At the bottom of each story you can see links to all the issues listed by date published. I have also included the current list below with a link to each story. I would love to hear from you which articles you have found the most enjoyable or memorable. Just email me at encouragemona@gmail.com and give me a few blog dates. If you can’t find the piece you’re looking for, simply give me a vague description of the topic (such as “the lady who named her cows”). In the November issue I will share the “People’s Choice” of favorite editions.

Reading back over my first 49 issues, I see that my blog has certainly lived up to its name. Who knows what I will write about next? One month, my topic may be light-hearted like a pajama party (#2), YouTube videos (#8), or laughter (#30). Another month it may be as sobering as suicide (#23), gun violence (#34), or human trafficking (#48). Sometimes I honor a person I admire such as my mother (#10), my father (#48), or my Aunt Grey, the lady who named her cows (#12). Other times I describe places of interest like the Underground Gardens (#24), Dollywood (#36), or the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum (#37). I even write about the things of everyday life such as coffee (#43), tea (#18, 19, 43), salt and pepper (#37) flowers (#44), or soap (#15).

If I am having a particularly hectic month—and don’t have the time or headspace to craft my own words into sentences—I offer quotations I have collected on a particular subject such as Thanksgiving (#27), Christmas (#28), or Easter (#32). My readers seem to enjoy these as well.

Throughout my writing, I hope to offer you something to further inquire about, admire, or inspire.

Please encourage your friends and family to subscribe at: justaboutanything.life

Please encourage Mona at: encouragemona@gmail.com
Download a pdf version of Just About Anything October 2023