This morning dawned without a hint of snow in the air. Bright blue cloudless skies belied the teeth—chattering 7-degree temperature. I couldn’t revel in the sunshine because my boss called. Honest to goodness, the phone rang, and the circus began. I watched the clock, counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until I could shut my laptop. The glorious day had faded, gray storm clouds gathered, and snowflakes fell as the bell sounded.

Once upon a time, I dreaded these afternoons, but I am now free from the sloppy, slip-sliding worry of a rush-hour commute. It was just as well since my after-work activity demanded I descend into the basement for fun and games. The electrician needs a space cleared to access the drop ceiling. The area is a storeroom packed miles high with boxes, crates, and bins. Clearing the area meant consolidating the containers in another section so I could move the mountains of precious possession into their new home. Four hours later, dusty and covered in cobwebs, I emerged the victor.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 624 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Some days never seem to end. Work demands too many hours, and deadlines loom. Everyone requires your input, advice, consideration, authorization, and maybe a pep talk. Regardless of what they call it, they all need a piece of you. After fixing their problems, a mountain of your work confronts you. Schedules, commitments, logistics conspire to leach away your energy, leaving you flat, uninspired and drained. Is it Friday yet? One more push, dig deep, and find the resolve to complete the task you swore you would finish. No. Matter. What.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 555 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

My daily interruptions and unexpected challenges read like a comedy of errors. Nobody believes me.  But I guarantee in my wildest dreams I could never imagine the scenarios that assault me. I could cry a river and drown the whole world, but I prefer to smile. The cold weather triggers my migraines, my shoulders are sore, my sciatica mocks me and tweaks me when I least expect it, and I laugh. They say you’ve only got the hand dealt you so, I ante up and play to win.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 495 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Boy, do I have a huge surprise—it snowed yesterday. Another glorious 3 inches, just as they predicted, and waiting for me to add them to the five-foot-high piles along my sidewalks and driveway. I’ve aggravated my sciatica while shoveling. It pinches and pulls and makes me go “Argh,” when I attempt complicated moves, like trying to get out of bed in the morning or straightening after tying my shoes. My house doctor had a simple solution, “Don’t do that,” he said. Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit. Why didn’t I think of that?

It might not be such a bad idea because if I’m unable to tie my shoes, I can’t venture outdoors into sub-freezing temperatures with bare feet to shovel. And if I can’t even crawl from my warm comfy bed, who needs troublesome footwear? One thing I can do while I sit with my heating pad under the covers is type. I watch the fat, fluffy, beautiful flakes outside my window float and spin on their journey to the ground. It is relaxing, almost hypnotic, and I feel sleepy. Maybe I’ll compose a little story? There’s a plan worth throwing my aching back into.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 486 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I thought Saturday was horrible, but Sunday was worse. A balmy -9 with a wind chill of -21 degrees and an additional 3 inches of snow greeted me when I woke. More driveway shoveling, and then I gladly took the day off to rest and relax. It was a great day to hibernate. Monday comes way too soon and bearing a boatload of tasks, responsibilities, and work.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 485 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Saturday greeted me with another Winter Storm Warning times two. The first called for an additional 2-4 inches of snow, while the second predicted temperatures in the single digits combined with wind chills reaching 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Who needs the gym when you can shovel a double car driveway clear of heavy wet snow every couple of days? My arms are getting toned, and I feel muscles in my back and legs I thought had disappeared. Boy, was I wrong. I have another neglected muscle I am rediscovering. This one helps me write. Each day we work a little harder, build some character and watch the word count steadily grow.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 609 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I was excited and relieved to see the weekend arrive. Friday worked as I expected, and I wrapped up a handful of pesky projects, delivered them with a pretty bow attached, moved their entry to my project queue’s done column, and deleted them from my to-do list. Ta-Done. They say there is no rest for the weary, and the hits keep coming. A quick look at my backlog filled my dance card again, but not before I found a few easy wins to pile atop my Ta-done pile. The rest can wait. Friday night called, reminding me of my commitment to engage in a little R & R.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 442 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Thursday was a busy day. Migraines notwithstanding, responsibilities called, duty beckoned, and obligations drove me forward. Puzzle pieces fell into place, and projects jumped from 50% completed to almost done. Outside, the skies turned dark, and snow-laden clouds released their heavy burden. I crossed a few items from my list and sighed with relief. It is a good feeling. The business day ended hours ago, and the night grows still. I am cold and tired and ready for my bed. Robert Frost’s words ring in my ear, “But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 496 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Wednesday was hump day, and it felt like a mountain. Attaining any summit requires setting up a stellar base camp. Logistics, details, staging, and a handful of specialized, highly trained, altitude acclimated Sherpas help set the stage for success. It doesn’t seem very impressive. Tent flaps snap in the gale force winds the locals call a breeze. Fog and snow obscure the frantic activity involved in ensuring everything is in order. Then the tempo settles down. Everyone waits, preparing for the deep inhalation of oxygen required a split second before the conductor gives the signal. It’s showtime.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 404 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Yesterday felt like Groundhog Day. I woke in the notorious Cherry Tree Inn to repeat the same series of challenges I faced on Monday. My to-do list remained unchanged, and the hamster wheel clamored and squeaked as I attempted to make it conform to my will. Some days we go nowhere, except to take one step forward followed by two steps backward. Hurry up and wait, do not pass Go, and forget your two hundred dollars. You are so out of luck. I have developed a strategy to help me master the circumstance that tries my soul. I smile and endeavor to salvage even one scrap of happiness. If I can’t complete my tasks, then maybe I can help someone else.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 411 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer