Note: I’ve been MIA lately, aside from my weekly Friday Fictioneer stories. I’ve been in a rut, struggling to get things written. It’s not for lack of inspiration; I’ve got lots on my mind these days! However, it seems that since I started writing for Huffington Post I’ve been a bit paralyzed, trying to write what has come so easily in the past. It’s me, not them. But I’m planning a writing retreat in the next couple of weeks, and I’m working to get back on track. Today, lots of inspiration!
Admittedly, I’m a lucky girl. As a young person, I went without a lot of things; I worked 3 jobs most of the way through college, and I didn’t spend my money on luxuries. Having raised three children, and worked for 30 years to support my husband’s career, admittedly, we’ve been in a pretty sweet spot for the past few years. We travel a lot more; we enjoy doing things we like, and I have been checking things off my “Bucket List.” However, there are some things that can’t be bought.
For as long as I’ve been blogging, I’ve enjoyed connecting with other bloggers, on line. Over time, there are people who read your work, leave comments, and you get to know each other. If you occasionally reach out and share some behind the scenes chat, it starts to feel like a friendship. However I’ve also learned, over time, that what we see on line is not always what’s really there. I don’t assume anything anymore. I put a lot out there in my blog; I don’t have a lot of filters, and anyone who has read my blog for a while, probably knows a lot about me. I am not my blog, but my blog certainly shows people a fairly accurate reflection of who I am.
I love meeting other bloggers in person when I travel; it’s always icing on the cake. Meeting people face-to-face changes everything– and I’ve been lucky to meet several wonderful bloggers: like him, her, her, her, them (a three’fer) and today, I finally got to meet Melissa from the blog Psychobabble. I’ve been reading Melissa’s writing for at least two years now. I love her witty writing and chill attitude. She hasn’t been writing as much lately, as she’s been a little busy with a much bigger project:
Melissa’s a mommy now– to one of the most delicious little guys ever! When I stated that there was some icing involved here, little Dylan was definitely buttercream icing on this day! In all fairness, I should say: we were so busy talking about motherhood, careers, life changes, writing, blogging, child abuse, psychotherapy, rain, California vs Oregon– we did not think to take a few photos when Mr. Yumminess was busy being his usual chill, smiley self. By the time we got around to it, the day was almost over, and Dylan desperately wanted a nap. So if these photos have him looking a teeny bit cranky, that’s not how he was for most our visit.
The D-Man is an incredibly lovely little guy and I was totally smitten! He cuddled with me; he smiled and flirted until I was a ball of ahhs and ooohs. Dylan is busy learning to crawl and scoot and he’s a busy little guy– which makes it a little challenging for Melissa to keep up with her writing, or much of anything els she did before Little Guy came along. Having been there, done that with my three a few million years ago, I get the dilemma.
M and I share a lot of similarities: humor, careers in psychotherapy, work with abuse and domestic violence, relocations right about the time we started our families, and a desire to write. While I’m an extrovert, Melissa is an introvert– I’m sure I out-talked her 4 to 1! But in the end, we had a wonderful day connecting and getting to know each other.
I knew I would like Melissa; I had read enough of her work and chatted in the comments section enough, to know that she was good people. When she moved to my neck of the woods, I put it out there that we should meet and she enthusiastically agreed– but, it’s still a 5 hour drive from where I live; life was busy for both of us, and months passed. Luckily, we were headed out on a college tour with Little Man and her house was right on the way. Getting to sit down and compare notes on so many things just confirmed all of the things I thought before we met. Like meeting anyone new, there are the moments where you are feeling each other out; but, when you’ve read someone’s writing for this long, there’s also a comfort and familiarity that is really special. I thought I’d like Lyssa, and man– when I’m right, I am so right!
If you don’t know Psychobabble and Melissa’s writing, start with her version of our meeting (here) and then these are a few of my favorite recent pots: Here, here and here. But let me put this out there, I was reading Lyssa long before this little guy came along and changed her life so much. We talked a bit today about Mommy bloggers and finding your groove when life changes so much… go back and read some of Lyssa’s earlier work too; it’s golden.
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Help Me Reach My Goals! I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 700 likes in 2015. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, where I’m forced to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Honest, positive or constructive feedback is always welcome. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. ©2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Really enjoy your writing style. It’s so personal it feels like we are having a conversation. Glad I stumbled across your blog. I will certainly follow!
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Well thank you Abundant life and welcome to Tales From the Motherland. My goal is to connect, and I’m glad you feel like you did that here. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment; it is much appreciated.
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Looking forward to the day when you make it East! Any chance your guy is looking at Boston College or BU or Bowdoin, oh my? Off to check out Psychobabble!
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Nope. This Little Man wants to stay closer to home… my girl was back East for 4 years, but this one will be in the Pacific NW. However, and I didn’t put it in there, you and a small group are at the top of my list! I think you, me and Jen from Jenny’s Lark should PLAN a get away! 😉
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I like that you bring the relationships into the real world! Let me know when you’re visiting Montreal.
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I will do that Brenda! You are definitely on “the list.” 😉
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How fun you got to meet another blogger. You’re so good about that. Unlike some of us… 😉
Here’s hoping you get your writing mojo back. Have fun at the retreat!
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I’m creating my own retreat and going to stay at my favorite place, 2 hours from home. I’ll take care of someone’s house for them, and get a lovely, quiet house, on the water… ahhh. Thanks Carrie; you know how much I’d like to sit cara a cara with my favorite introvert!
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Maybe next time I’m in Seattle I’ll have to finally bite the bullet. Now, pretend you didn’t read that… 😉
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No, no, no… I have just hung my hopes on that! 😉
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Thanks for making me look so much cooler than I really am. So glad we got to spend that time together!! And thanks so much for the links/recommendations.
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I’m not sure I could make you look any cooler! It was my pleasure; I’m so grateful that you and DMan made some time for me! 😉
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Oh, and I think it’s hilarious that D is making his little worried face at the camera!
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I think he was worried that I would never leave!
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Nah, he was just crankypants.
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😊
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You definitely put yourself out there for your readers to gain insight into your thoughts and perspective. I admit it was the first thing about your writing that hooked me over three years ago – can you believe it? I kept thinking, could I ever be that open and candid about my thoughts and feelings? I did try to write like that once, and although the piece I wrote turned out okay, it felt like I was wearing someone else’s shoes and they were too tight.
I admire your talent and your ability to share on a deeply personal level. I also love that we have gotten together a time or two. I will always consider myself a fan, which is why I root for your success consistently. Keep it coming young lady!
Abrazos y besos, Mike
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Mike– again and again, you leave me humbled. It has been a pleasure to meet each of my blogging buddies, and I’m so grateful that you and I have maintained the connection. You are true blue darlin’! Thank you so much for your kind and overly generous words; they mean so much.
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Another like towards your goal 🙂
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Aww; thanks!
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Great to see you’re back in the swing again, Dawn! You and Melissa look like you could be sisters, btw.
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Working on it, Susan; thanks! Yes, I could be her mother!!
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Glad you wrote about meeting a fellow blogger. I loved meeting others at last year’s BlogHer conference and am looking forward to their 2016 conference, when it will (hopefully) be back on the west coast. There is nothing that compares to connecting with someone in a real and authentic way !
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Can’t believe we were both at BlogHer last summer and missed each other, Heidi! I’m going again this summer, and can’t wait! I agree, it is always so amazing to put faces to the personalities and writing we get to know in blogs. 🙂
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It’s lovely, Dawn, that you finally got to meet Lyssa and her baby and have a good visit. Great photos! 🙂
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Thanks Suzanne. When my son and I finally get to India, you’ll be way up on that list! How fun it would be to hang out and enjoy some chai together!
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I’ve always found the most rewarding part of blogging is getting to know other people. I haven’t met any blogging friends yet in real life but I’d like to. If you happen to be in northeastern Iowa, let me know. 🙂
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Just added you to the list, Dave. You never know where you’ll end up. 😉 If you’re in Seattle area, let me know!
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Will do. 🙂 I was in Seattle once, about 22 years ago. I’ll let you know if I make it back there sometime.
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