This is one of my favorite writing themes. And that is Czech names in the calendar. Each day is dedicated to a different name. Of course some are more popular than others. Probably the most widely celebrated name day is March 19th which is Joseph’s/Josephine’s day.
Since Joseph is a very popular name in Czech, everybody celebrates much like Saint Pat’s here in the USA. It doesn’t mean that the day is an official holiday, but it is very similar to huge Saint Pat’s celebrations in Chicago and Canada.
And even though they don’t color their rivers green or march in parades, March 19th is still a big deal. Usually women bake for the day, and plum brandy known as slivovice flows freely, even at work.
The men sit in pubs and other public hospitality establishments. Other names like Emma have been incorporated into the Czech calendar from other countries. The name Emma originates in France.
A lot of names come from Russia like Sasha or Sergej or from other surrounding countries like Poland and Germany.
Czech calendar with name days.
In many cases, there are more than one name dedicated to each day because of the influence from the Western countries. There are cards for each name day. That’s a lot of cards.
Among the most popular modern names for men are Jakub and Luke, even though it keeps changing constantly. For women I have yet to find out. But it also could be Katerina and Marta.
Chicago river turns green on Saint Pat’s.
Also each church has a patron saint. The most popular ones are Saint Mary’s. They have their own feast celebrations such as Saint Mary’s in Stipa that celebrates the feast on September 12th which is Mary’s day.
The communities celebrate the patron saints with wakes, carnivals and fairs. Different carnival companies come to towns, and the feast is preceded by a dance.
Locally, in Parnell there is Saint Pat’s Church that celebrates the feast last weekend in June. It is a major fundraiser for Saint Pat’s School.
It usually features a polka band on Sundays and chicken dinners. The dinners are very popular, and people come from all over. The parish women bake desserts, and there is a display of old cars, 50:50 raffle and cards on Friday and Saturday nights.
Of course there is a beer tent and an auction. The patron feasts are important to all the parishes as a way to celebrate the saint.
Note: Kathleen Mooney is a Lowell-based abstract artist and a member of the International Society of Experimental artists. Her work is striking and inspiring both in subject and format. She has had many solo exhibits in West Michigan and beyond. Mooney also teaches art classes. Check out her personal story in the archives and on page About local entrepreneurs and artists.
Her recent work has been inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. I featured her abstract painting in most of the IW Inspiring Women series for its high quality and technique.
Kathleen Mooney inspires with her art.
March 2015 – Art News from Kathleen Mooney
The Rugs are IN, NEW gallery in Charleston SC, Reception and Art exhibit with my Rugs at Design Quest, NEW Clothing and Home decor designs…
Rugs by Kathleen Mooney
2015 by Kathleen Mooney: “Amergin” Runner, 6 of the 25 rugs by Kathleen Mooney produced by Foreign Accents Rugs, and “Inspiration” Rug by Kathleen Mooney
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs are now IN at Design Quest / D2 in Grand Rapids! Here is the contact info www.designquest.bz 800-944-3232 at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512sales@designquest.bz
RUGS, ART EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION — Design Quest is hosting an exhibit of Kathleen Mooney’s art from May 22, 2015 through July 12, 2015 in their Design Gallery with a Reception on May 31, 2015 from 2-4pm. We hope to have Molly Anderson from Foreign Accents Rugs there so we can tell you about how all this rug magic got started!
Kathleen Mooney’s abstracts.
Meanwhile, if you want to visit the rugs with me – just let me know and I will be happy to show them to you!
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Kathleen Mooney has been accepted to appear as a Guest Artist at a top gallery in Charleston SC – Lowcountry Artists.
19 of her multilayered acrylic on canvas paintings are beautifully displayed from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015 at this prestigious East Bay gallery. www.lowcountryartists.com
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Art of Where – just in case you have ever thought “Kathleen’s ART would be great to wear” – after yet another heart-felt request – I dedicated myself (once again) to finding a sweatshop free, eco conscious, sensitive company to work with for “art to wear”. Yes! Success! I found a wonderful company in Canada to produce my art in original hand-made creations… leggings, scarves,
pillow covers, baby leggings, skirts, capris and more.
Kathleen Mooney’s 30 x 30″ acrylic on canvas painting “Ignition” has been accepted in the ISEA Member’s Online Exhibit 2015. www.iseaartexhibit.org
Other locations to see my art –
44 of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings are featured at Flat River Cottage at 317 East Main Street, Lowell MI 49331 www.flatrivercottage.com
A FINE SELECTION of Kathleen Mooney’s paintings is available at Lansing Art Gallery at 119 North Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 www.lansingartgallery.org
Spring 2015 – Kathleen Mooney’s Rugs are featured at D2 / Design Quest in Grand Rapids at 4181 28th Street SE Grand Rapids MI 49512 www.designquest.biz and national / international locations for her “Legends” series are listed on the Foreign Accents Rugs websitewww.foreignaccentsrugs.com
A selection of “small, tiny, mini” paintings by Kathleen Mooney and bronze jewelry by Marilyn Flaherty (Kathleen’s aunt) are on exhibit at Toadworks at 102 Main Street in Lowell.
The Houzz website is “The Largest” online source of decorating, design and remodeling inspiring ideas, services and products for the home. Gradually adding more of my art each week. www.houzz.com – search on “Kathleen Mooney Artist” in Shop.
Kathleen Mooney’s rugs and abstracts.
High Point Market Spring 2015 – Foreign Accents Rugs with Kathleen Mooney’s “Legends” Collection of Rugs and even more new designs in even more collections. High Point Market is open to “The Trade” two times each year. It is HUGE. www.highpointmarket.org
As usual – If you would like an appointment to view my art or have me bring some pieces to your home or business – just contact me via the website www.kathleenmooney.com or email! It would be great to see you!
Spring is in the air and we are boiling the first sap from the maple trees starting tonight! Kathleen
Note: This is the seventh installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own.
In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story before Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story for the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
Rockford woman sows hope for women of Third World countries
Name: Mary Dailey Brown
Occupation: President of SowHope.org
GVSU non-profit management
Residence: Rockford
Husband: Douglas, two sons Alex & John
Hobbies & interests: golf, photography, video editing, getting together with friends
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Rockford, MI- “If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty,” said SowHope president Mary Dailey Brown.
Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
There are hundreds of organizations helping children in the world, but minimum of those that help women get out of poverty.
Brown is working on several projects in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These include a birthing clinic in Uganda, a micro-project in Congo, projects in India and Pakistan including vocational training and literacy programs in Nigeria and Kenya.
In order to start the SowHope organization, Brown sold the family inheritance farm in 2006. As she traveled around the Third World countries, she noticed the plight of women in Ethiopia.
“I noticed the imbalance of responsibilities,” she said. “Women do all the work, while men get out to the squares, chat and play games. Half of the world lives on less than $2 a day. One seventh of the world lives on less than a $1 a day.”
Brown said that women are suffering disproportionately to men.
“They’re up before sunrise,” she said. “Carrying wood, water, babies, growing food for the families. They use their own strength. Eighty percent of farmers are women, and 80 percent of food is produced by these farmers.”
So, what do men do?
Documentary screened last year in Grand Rapids to raise awareness and funds for IWD.
“They run the government,” she said. “They drive all the vehicles, they handle and run the markets. They sit around the village squares, drink tea, smoke hookahs and play board games.”
Brown uses a translator and she visits with people who are already helping others.
“We provide funds for them,” she said.
SowHope spends about $1.5 million on program costs and the organization has so far impacted directly 46,000 women.
Among the programs are: micro loans to start busineses,, birthing clinics and literacy classes by local teachers.
Many women have been raped and abused.
“We provide emotional care,” Brown said, “and training centers for the villages. We find local leaders and we have 100 teams in 30 countries.”
The success behind these projects is that SowHope already use capabilities in place.
“When we go there as Westerners, we’re imposing our ideas on the people,” Brown said.
She used an example of a female gynecologist in Cairo who goes out and educates women about sex.
“Sex is taboo in these countries,” Brown said. “You don’t talk about sex.”
The doctor gynecologist gives talks at churches.
“It’s very freeing and liberating for them,” Brown said. “A five minute lecture can change centuries of practice.”
The mission of SowHope is to empower the women and to identify their leaders, to give them resources like buying a knitting machine.
The women also face risk from terrorists. Brown spend the week in Nigeria, before the girls were kidnapped.
“Every night we were terrified,” she said. “It was the most terrifying week in my life. The only way to survive is to run.”
SowHope does have a system of criteria in place.
“It depends a lot on relationships and recommendations who we trust,” she said.
There are people like Josephine who helps AIDS widows.
“It’s the most efficient system,” Brown said. “They do the development work.”
What motivates Brown?
“It is the original sense of injustice,” she said.
Did she ever wanted to quit?
“Yes, but my husband told me go into the basement and tell these women why this is so hard for you to do,” he said.
Brown realized that the women were full of dignity and grateful for what SowHope does.
“We want to do holistic care,” she said. “Focus on the basic needs of the women. We want to make it so simple that people can copy us. Women in general are no recipients of sympathy.”
It took three years to get the organization going and to make it sustainable.
And who is Brown’s role model?
“My husband, he is the visionary,” she said. “He helps me stay focused and positive, and not to be discouraged.”
Brown says that the biggest lesson she has learned, is that helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.
Mary Dailey Brown-the woman behind the superwoman 1-What do you do for yourself?
Mary: I want to be a good leader and an inspirational speaker. I also have fund Fridays with Doug and friends. 2- What kind of tips do you have for other women?
Mary: It’s incredibly rewarding what I do. I have feelings of embarrassment that I have struggled. There’s nothing else I’d want to do. 3-What are your plans?
Mary: We would like to expand into other countries, and raise more revenues. We would like to open up affiliate offices around the world.
If you want to donate online contact Mary at SowHope.org
Featured photo by Kathleen Mooney has been inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition. See her story in the archives.
Note: This is the fifth installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own. In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story before Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.
“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story for the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
IW Betty Dickinson ahead of her time with natural healing book
Name: Betty Dickinson
Occupation: columnist for the Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Emma Blogs ,LLC
Residence: Ionia County Township
Family: husband Ferris, four adult children, Bert, Sally, Judy and Carol
Hobbies & interests: farm chores, gardening, being outdoors, bicycling, family involvement
By EMMA PALOVA
IONIA, MI- Long before health stores became modern, Betty Dickinson started writing columns for a newsletter at the Methodist Church. She continued her column “Creating a Healthy Corner” for the Ionia Sentinel-Standard in 2000, and Dickinson has been writing since. She started out hand-writing the columns.
She worked as a treasurer for the Methodist Church in Palo.
Dickinson is also a farming woman who takes care of 18 to 20 acres, milks two goats, makes feta cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt.
When asked how she would describe herself, she swiftly snapped.
Betty Dickinson of Ionia
“I am overly ambitious,” she said. I push myself until I am exhausted.”
Her weaknesses include being a doer.
“People have a tendency to take advantage of you,” she said. “And I don’t go to the doctor. I have a sweet tooth.”
Her largest project was compiling the columns into a book after seven years of writing. She finally got a computer from the kids.
Great grandchildren call her Grandma Goat.
Judy Kalmanek assisted Dickinson in putting together the book, as well as Carol Blundy. Artist Jim Richards created the many herb pictures, while granddaughter Jenny Flanders did the artwork on the book’s cover of Dickinson’s herb cabinet.
“I wanted to have the book available for myself as well as share the information with others,” she said.
Dickinson started working on the book in 2006 and got it done in a year in 2007.
Creating a healthy corner
“It was a lot of work,” she said. “I’d like to do another one on the next seven years of columns. It seemed unreal when I held that book for the first time.”
The first printing was 500 books. Dickinson did extensive research and experimented on herself and husband Ferris.
The book is fully loaded with healthy advice, organic lifestyle, recipes, remedies and women’s issues, and even gardening advice.
“I use it for cooking,” she said. “The cover wore off. I feel like I got something accomplished in life.”
And the book makes an excellent gift for any occasion.
“Everyone bent over backwards to help make this happen,” she said.
Dickinson donated all the profits from the book sales to Parnell and Methodist churches, as well as to Kalmanek’s home church.
“I wanted to help other people and get the info out,” she said.
As a source, Dickinson used “Library of Health” which is fully illustrated and it has 20 books in one. It was published in 1916 in Philadelphia. It’s a complete guide to preventive health and to the cure of diseases.
Library of H ealth
“I was motivated by wanting a book of what I have written,” she said.
Her weekly column gives advice accumulated over years, when Dickinson got sick at the age of 40 and was on enormous amount of aspirin.
Her inspiration was the paper Ionia Sentinel-Standard and staff.
“I wanted to study the info for myself and why not share with others,” Dickinson said. “The more I got into it the more I wanted to do it.”
Library of Health
Her role model was her father Lloyd Brown.
And the biggest challenge in life for Dickinson was to get her body in better shape.
“I enjoy life,” she said. “It’s still a challenge, but not so much because I have this info.
“Physically, you don’t do it overnight, as I felt better I wanted to get even better.”
Dickinson grows her own organic fruits and veggies, eggs and milk.
And she gets great comments from different people who read the articles.
Here is an excerpt from the book “Creating a Healthy Corner.”
“The biggest message I want to get across is that you have complete control of sustaining good health, increasing your energy, strength and mental stability by taking care of your body through proper nutrition, exercise and relaxation.”
But, Dickinson said her major accomplishment was bringing up four children and having a supporting family.
“I enjoy living this way,” she said. “I have ambition plus.”
Her goals include living and eating healthy, keeping active lifestyle.
“I enjoy what I do,” she said about her columns. “There’s no use in complaining.”
Dickinson enjoys helping other people.
“It’s hard sometimes to prioritize, husband comes first, and then farm chores,” she said. You do what has to be done.”
To get things done Dickinson schedules tasks, but keeps it flexible. She makes her own laundry soap.
Dickinson was ahead of her time with organic lifestyle.
About the featured photo. It is Kathleen Mooney’s abstract inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting tradition.
The book “Creating a healthy corner” is available by calling Dickinson at 1-616-0352 for $19.99 or by ordering from Emma Palova facebook page or from EW Emma’s Writings on http://emmapalova.com
Lowell, MI -Hearts and cupids are everywhere this time of year, but what if you haven’t been bitten by the love bug? Or if your sweetheart is hundreds or thousands of miles away? Singles often feel out at a time when it seems the whole world is focused on couples making romantic plans and buying Valentine’s gifts for each other.
EW writer Sarah Harmon in Paris
If this sounds familiar, don’t despair. You already have the perfect date for the holiday. This person will never take you to a restaurant you hate, they will never buy you jewelry you find incredibly tacky, or bring you roses when your favorite flowers are daisies. So who is this mysterious Mr./Ms. Right? Yourself!
People often lose track of the importance of loving and accepting not only others, but themselves. When you love who you are, others can’t help but notice the confidence that radiates from within. They will inevitably be drawn in, wanting to get to know you better. Take a moment to consider a person you know who obviously dislikes themselves. Chances are, he or she has a very negative attitude about live in general. While Grumpy Cat may be adorable, being around a human version of her for very long can be extremely emotionally draining. If you just realized that the Grumpy Cat in your life is you, here are a couple of things you can do to start changing that.
Enigmatic orchids
First of all, stop being afraid to do things alone. If you don’t want to spend time with you, why would someone else? At least once a month, make a point to do something you enjoy for no reason other than that it will make you happy. Take yourself out for coffee with a good book or go for a walk in a park. It can even be something as simple as making or buying a meal you love and watching your favorite movie for the hundredth time. Who cares if everyone else you know is so sick of that movie they could scream? This is a date night when you don’t have to care what the other person thinks because there is no other person.
Perhaps even more important than embracing alone time is dealing with negative self-talk. We all have times when we wonder how we could have possibly done or said something so stupid or look in the mirror and think we look like the Goodyear Blimp even though people around us may think we could be a supermodel. Next time you catch yourself in one of those moments, stop. Take a deep breath. Now, for each piece of negative self-talk, try to think of three positive things about yourself. Negative thoughts can’t be avoided completely, but they can be neutralized by reminding yourself that even though you made a mistake, it doesn’t define who you are. You are a beautiful, amazing person who has the potential to make the world a better place, but only if you give yourself a chance.
This Valentine’s Day, try not to focus on everyone else having dates with their significant others when you don’t. Take yourself out or cook a dinner you love, maybe invite some single friends over, and devote the evening to some fun and relaxation that’s all about you. Give yourself one of those green facial masks, have a glass of wine or sparkling grape juice, watch a fabulous romantic movie, and fall in love with yourself.
Local Valentine’s Day events that can be attended with or without a partner
Thursday, February 12
7-8:30pm Valentine’s Dance Workshop at Armentality Dance and Yoga Education
Lowell, MI -I must say I am at a loss with today’s blogging assignment #7 to create an event, whether virtual or real.
I’ve been thinking about WordPress Camps for some time. But, I live in the Midwest, and other than Chicago, I can’t seem to find a hub for bloggers.
Come on fellow bloggers step up. Where are you?
A dam in Czech Republic to me resembles a surge of ideas.
I know I can create an event with a long stretch of imagination. I am inclining towards a virtual blogging event, maybe a weekly or biweekly discussion on a theme that will attract attention and not disputes and complaints.
I have some friends around here who are on Goodreads. That’s it. Of course I haven’t searched high and low either.
I tried the Coffee Cake Internet Discussions page on my EW Emma’s Writings and I did not get a lot of response. But, I wasn’t advertising or marketing it either, and as a new blogger I didn’t have that much time.
All of the above seem like excuses for not creating an event. This is my goal. After the virtual event weekly or biweekly depending on interest, I would like to create a “reality blogging” event in a manageable dimension. That is with or without an avocado dip, on the couch or at Ella’s Coffee & Cuisine with or without the Kardashians.
Any ideas on either the format of the event or the subject?
Check out my take on Social Media and sharing on WordPress. I am still working on the twitter timeline. And feedback is telling me that social cool widget displays weird, as well as LinkedIn social icon.
So, social media work is just like woman’s work. It’s never completely done, and that is good.
Note: This is the second installment in a feature series about Inspiring Women. It is dedicated to all women who are trying to make a difference and better other people’s lives, as well as their own. In putting together this feature series, I was inspired by several moments in life that in particular stand out.
No.1 A dedication of a Relax, mind, body & soul book by Barbara Heller from my son Jake: “I dedicate this to my inspiring and motivational mother.” Kuba
No. 2 While on a story prior to Mother’s Day, I dropped in at Ace Bernard Hardware to talk about the prizes with owner Charlie Bernard. We talked also about the Lowell Area Chamber and its director Liz Baker.
“You know what I like about Liz, she keeps re-inventing herself,” Bernard said.
No. 3 Again on a story prior to the International Women’s Day I talked to Sow Hope president Mary Dailey Brown.
“If you want to make a difference in this world, seriously consider helping impoverished women. Helping women is the key to unlocking poverty.”
No. 4 At a parents teacher conference at Cherry Creek Elementary in Lowell in mid 1990s: “Mrs. Pala, we do not give up,” teacher Karen Latva said.
Lowell city clerk battled cancer with positive attitude
Name: Betty Renfro Morlock
Position: city clerk
Residence: Lowell Township
Family: husband Sam, daughter Jamie and four grandsons
Hobbies and interests: wrestling, soccer, football and camping
Betty’s story
By Emma Palova
Lowell, MI- “I’ve had a few bumps in my life.”
Now, that’s Betty Morlock’s way of looking at life’s blocks, setbacks or just pure tragedies.
Lowell city clerk Betty Morlock
As the Lowell city clerk since 1988, Morlock has been through highs and lows, mostly in her personal life. She is also a highly visible and accessible person, and that’s not just during the elections.
Two major tragedies early on have pulled the family together. Adopted grandson Tyler Morlock, 4, was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2000. That same year on April 28th, son Steven was killed in an accident on a quad.
“I have that silver lining,” she said. “I am a people person. I love my residents and my community.”
Always vibrant, equipped with enormous energy, Morlock has navigated the city politics well. Twice, she was the president of the Rotary, and she traveled to the Dominican Republic, as part of a program to ship ambulances to the country.
Morlock has enjoyed a successful career, by the side of only two city managers, current Mark Howe and past Dave Pasquale, until the biggest challenge of her life hit hard.
While visiting her sick mother-in-law in Reed City on Dec. 29, 2013, Morlock started feeling increasingly sick herself. After throwing up due to an internal bleeding, Morlock was transported to the Reed City Hospital, and then transferred to Blodgett in Grand Rapids. She was diagnosed with cancer in her ulcer.
Morlock lost weight the hard way. To date, Morlock lost 68 pounds. She had to undergo a surgery that took away one third of her stomach much like in the bariatric bypass surgery.
“I had to have both chemo and radiation because I had cancer in the lymph nodes,” she said.
Betty Renfro Morlock
At the time, Morlock posted enthusiastically on facebook:
“Okay here’s the game plan: Twice a week chemo and then radiation.”
It was really more than that, but her optimistic outlook carried her through the serious illness.
“I’ve never been sick,” she said. “I’ve only been to the hospital to have babies.”
She underwent the treatments at the Lemmen Holton Cancer Center under Spectrum Hospital.
But, Morlock was no stranger to cancer.
“Cancer has been prevalent in our family,” she said.
Morlock lost both her parents to cancer, as well as her sister and brother, aunts and uncles.
She bought a wig, and never had to use it.
“My hair just got thinner,” she said. “I don’t think I was as sick as most people are. I got very emotional.”
The whole time during the treatments, Morlock stayed at her daughter Jamie’s house. She had a feeding tube in the stomach and it took 12 hours to feed six cans of Ensure. Morlock started dropping weight rapidly.
“Thanks God, I had a lot of weight to drop,” she joked.
Morlock received enormous support from the family and the community.
“If you’re going to get sick, Lowell is the place to be,” she said.
Morlock had to go a few times to ER because of anxiety attacks. She started feeling better once the feeding tube was out.
Now, all done with the treatments and back at the city hall, Morlock admits that the chemo and the radiation took a lot of strength out of her.
“It slowed me down a bit,” she said in a recent interview. “I continue to focus on being healthy and starting the next phase of my life, which is retirement.”
Currently, she is working on the cemetery program and the upcoming special election on May 5 for the sales tax increase.
What really gets to Morlock is the actual aftermath of the chemotherapy.
“I have something they call a chemo mind,” she said. “I forget things, I can’t focus or concentrate.
“How long can I claim this chemo mind?”
“As long as you want to, you deserve it,” said the doctor.
For Morlock, always surrounded by stacks of documents at the city hall, the inability to focus is really frustrating
And her biggest fear is that the cancer may come back. Morlock didn’t drive at all during the chemo and the radiation due to lack of concentration.
But, there were many positive outcomes from whole treatment process.
“Cancer made me a stronger person, more understanding and it taught me to value my community and family more.”
Betty Morlock
Cured, driving and working, Morlock says she was very fortunate.
“I had good doctors and support,” she said. “We’re lucky that we have the Medical Mile.”
She did have her pity parties when the feeding tube started acting up.
“I would feel sorry for Betty,” she said.
Throughout her career, Morlock had her role models like election specialist for Kent County, Sue de Steiguer.
“She is phenomenal,” she said. “All our elections run smooth, we’re lucky to have her.”
Morlock is looking to retire mid-year in June/July.
“I will miss the people, the staff and the community,” she said, “but I am looking forward to volunteering with Lizzie at the chamber.”
Morlock can’t wait to get to Tyler Creek Golf Course area to stay at the summer trailer.
And of course her no.1 love after the family is wrestling.
“I am their number one fan,” she said. “We’ve created bond ship through wrestling. The wrestling families are so tight, they made food for us when I was sick. We help each other.”
Betty Renfro Morlock- the woman behind the superwoman
Emma: What makes you feel good about yourself?
Betty: The fact that I kicked it and made the best of it. It may come back but I am ready for it.
Emma: What do you do for yourself?
Betty: I pray daily. I know God has a plan for me, and if it is to survive, I will survive. Don’t ever lose your faith.”
Emma: How do you balance all this out?
Betty: I continue to focus on my health and I want to start journalling.
Emma: Your plans?
Betty: Get well is my number one plan. Before I got sick, I overworked that might have brought it on.
Emma: Your tips and advice to other women?
Betty: It’s very important to talk to someone to get support. I love facebook. Between the family, community and facebook I kept connected.It’s good to be back. Call me if you need to talk to someone at 897-8457.
About the cover photo: Kathleen Mooney’s abstract inspired by Gee’s Bend quilting.
About the orchid logo: Photograph from the group “I love Czech Republic” on facebook.
Editorial/marketing calendar quarterly for Emma Blogs LLC
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
In response to Blogging 201 assignment Day 4, add a new feature and /or editorial calendar. I’ve already put this calendar together in January for the first quarter of 2015. I use these as guiding themes which allows me to stay flexible in changing conditions, but focused on the target.
In my quest to find guest writers, writers and sales representatives for Emma Blogs LLC, a portfolio of 11 blogs with the main flagship site EW Emma’s Writings, I find the calendar indispensable.
Editorial calendar and daily writing tasks in the notebook format
It is a valuable resource when looking back and analyzing what did the Emma Blogs LLC accomplish as well as strategizing into the next quarter.
Print magazines usually have an annual editorial/advertising calendar with two months lead time. That means if you have a story fit for April publication, you must submit it by the beginning of February, the latest.
With Internet, I find that everything moves faster with unexpected events such as Blogging 201. I am glad I registered for it, but since I haven’t planned for it, it threw me completely off the track. So, from now on I must include blogging/writing events in the calendar. But still, the two months outlook is very helpful.
I use both Simplenote by WordPress and the good old-fashioned wire bound notebook for every writing/blogging day. I write down contacts that I have to make, posts & stories that I have to write, schedule stories with other writers and inevitably design & update tasks.
Tempus fugit. Time flies or timing is everything.
I always aim to publish twice a week: Tuesday or Wednesday, and then for the weekend on Fridays.
It sounds like a lot of work and routine, but it really is not that bad, if you have figured out for yourself how to work it. Are you a morning or a night writer? How many hours can you put in? What kind of results have you had so far? No matter what, the key to growing traffic and engagement with our blogs, remains regular and enticing content.
This is the note to my EW team that I sent out in the beginning of January.
Hello, I put together these themes to guide us through March. It is a very busy month, so we need to plan for it now. The Inspiring Women series is leading up to women’s events including International Women’s Day on March 8.
2015 Editorial/Marketing themes
January
Health and wellness
IW Inspiring women series
Women’s Expos previews
Winter recreation and snowbirds
February
Blogging 201
Women’s Expo Lansing Feb. 6-Feb. 8, 2015
IW Inspiring women continues
Valentine’s & love
Lenten soups Feb. 18
Winter recreation & snowbirds continues
March
IW Inspiring women series continues
International Women’s Day March 8
Saint Patrick’s Day March 17
Women’s Expo March 13-March 15 in Grand Rapids
Laughfest March 5- March 15
Home and garden expo March 5 through March 8
Lowell expo March 28
Winter/spring recreation and snowbirds continues
About the clock photo: photo of the Prague horloge by “I love Czech Republic” group on facebook.
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