Country Living – and Working

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Duchess O'Blunt — 2 Comments ↓

There are so many things to recommend to anyone who is looking to live in the country. We have recently moved to a wonderful community in Ontario’s Highlands East. We’ve been there almost a year, and have not even scratched the surface of the beauty in the area. I finally got my white picket fence. With it, a rather large learning curve about living in the country. It is hard to fathom that I was brought up in the country, and now that I am back there are things I need to learn.

I am learning again about living in a rural community, and I am loving it. Some might think I’m a crazy old lady, but what do they know? To me, this is perfect. Almost.

Small communities often mean small business opportunities. At least as far as working for someone else. However, this particular community is BIG on supporting the artists in the community, and is developing a cultural awareness that I am finding totally awesome.

Perhaps I’ve finally found my niche. I’m hoping so!

Tagged with: country living, Haliburton, Highlands East, Ontario
Posted in Country Living, Ontario, Places I have found

“Goodbye, darlings” (the last words of Eva Coo)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Duchess O'Blunt — Leave a comment ↓

Reblogged from WeGoBack:

Seven names appear on a Wikipedia “People from Haliburton County” category page. Five of them are from the sports world, one was a politician and one was a teenage runaway who ultimately made front page news in the United States.

Eva Curry was born 17 Jan 1889 in Haliburton, Ontario, the second child of parents Albert Paterson Curry (1862-1920) and Margaret McDonald Watt (1867-1950).

What to Post. . . Hmmm

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Duchess O'Blunt — 4 Comments ↓

Cake decoration by my talented daughter-in-law for our grandson’s baptism

Here is a post good about “regular people“.

When I read it I realized I am not an “expert” in anything other than being a wife and a mother. And the expert part only comes from many years of experience.

When it comes to thinking about what to post on my blog, I suppose I could blog about motherhood and family life but I’m not sure the world is ready for yet another mommy’s blog. There are so many of them already. Some offer a humorous view of everyday living, some offer advise on “how to’s” or talk about the education of their children. I could go on and on. But you are probably already bored with this train of thought, which more or less proves my point.

Then I think- perhaps I could start writing about photography – but once again – how many of those are there out there? And how much more do they have to offer than I do? I’m only a hobbyist at it and I read all those other blogs to learn!

No, I think I’ll stick to random thoughts, that typically offer nothing other than inspiration (I HOPE). I’ll share photos I have taken and perhaps get some feedback on the quality, clarity and colour etc. Sounds like I’m asking for an evaluation on a diamond doesn’t it?

As you can see, I will not make my millions with my blog, but I will have some fun with it.

My grandson was recently baptized. It was a big day for us all, for he is the first grandson on both sides. So we all decided it was a perfect excuse, and we threw a party.

For today’s photo, here’s a beautiful cake. Note: I did not make or decorate this cake. My lovely and talented daughter-in-law deserves that credit. I just wanted an excuse to show it off

Tagged with: Baptism, Cake, cake decoration, Family, family life, Home, Mother, Parent
Posted in blogging, Freedom, photography, writing

Lifestyle Changes of The-Not-So-Rich and Famous.

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Duchess O'Blunt — Leave a comment ↓

Lifestyle changes are happening all over the place. I could complain about how busy these changes are making my life, but I’m too busy enjoying them. This year has been a year of blessings for our family. And it’s not over yet!

I became a grandmother this year. Something magical happens when you hold your grandchild. All the rules you held yourself to with your own children – out the window. Here is love as pure as it gets, as fun as it gets and everlasting. And here is a lifestyle change that I wouldn’t change for ANYTHING. Loving it. It’s a lifestyle change for our son and his new family as well. We are eager to help them with it if they need it.

We bought our retirement home this year. Country living at it’s finest on 24 acres in the “northern” country. It’s not really northern country, but a lot further north that we are used to. When I can get past “living the life”, I’ll post about it. Having a blast at the moment and taking advantage of every available moment. It’s a lifestyle change that has an untold number of opportunities. I can’t wait to discover them all.

We will shortly be welcoming into our family another new member. Our wonderful, soon-to-be daughter-in-law. A wedding – don’t you just LOVE weddings? I’m hoping I’m not one of those mothers whose water works leak, but I expect I will be. I think I’ll keep the Kleenex box handy for the mother-son dance…

And through all these wonderfully exciting lifestyle changes – I’ve had my camera, and I’m learning how to use those “knobs and fobs”. Maybe I’ll share some of those as well – when I can find the time.

Here’s to enjoying life ya’ll!

Tagged with: children, country living, Family, grandchildren, lifestyle changes, photos, wedding
Posted in writing

WordPress Question about Google

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Duchess O'Blunt — 2 Comments ↓

Image representing Google as depicted in Crunc...

Image via CrunchBase

As you can see, I have not posted much lately. That’s not because I don’t have anything to say. It’s not because I don’t know how to say it. It’s because I have been trying to learn how to get Google Analytics to work on WordPress.

I’m having a heck of a time. And for anyone who has the knowledge and the intellect to have figured this out – AND would like to share that – I’m happy to learn. However, I need step by step instructions because I am technically challenged.

I do have an excuse. I’m busy I’m sure you’ve not heard that one before.

I know that everyone is just a busy or more so than I.

Where can I go to learn how to get Google to analyse this blog? Not the Google site itself, I’ve been there and have run around in circles trying to get it to work.

If you have taken the time to read this post I sincerely thank you for your time. If you know of anyone who has easy to understand – step by step instructions to share I would be sincerely thankful as well.

Tagged with: analysis, google, google analytics, wordpress how to?
Posted in writing

Virtual Book Tours

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Duchess O'Blunt — Leave a comment ↓

Have you written a book?

Did you FINALLY get someone to publish it?

Did you think they would market it for you? How soon before you realized you had to do the marketing? I’ll bet you didn’t realize when you wrote your novel that was just the beginning . . .

If you write it will they buy? Not unless they know you wrote it. No one knows you, so how are you going to sell this awesome work of art. Being published does not mean you will sell your books. Putting your title in Amazon does not mean people will see it. If you are really lucky, someone somewhere who has a huge internet following will buy it, read it and give it a great review. That might generate a few sales.

No, you have to market yourself. Build your brand, build a website, get in the grove with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google + and who knows how many more.

You have to spend some time in building relationships with other successful authors, bloggers, book reviewers.

You should consider a virtual book tour. They also take up much time, but you need to ask yourself the question – do you want your book to sell?

If you are an author and have finally been published, I want to share with you one author’s opinion of the virtual book tour. She shares her successes and trials honestly.

If you have finally been published, this is a good read with some great tips about getting yourself out there on a virtual book tour.

Virtual Blog Tours: The Good, Bad. . .and Ugly (blthompson.wordpress.com)

Tagged with: authors, publishing, virtual book tour, writing
Posted in author, Authors, blogging, publishing, writing

Ontario Canada.

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Duchess O'Blunt — Leave a comment ↓

My own back yard. Let me share some of it with you.

Ontario is a land of lakes. Big ones, itsy bitsy teeny ones and everything in between. You can find fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, canoeing, kaiaking, sailing, white water rafting, ice fishing, snow mobile and ATV trails all in and around our thousands of lakes, rivers, brooks and streams. For those of us who live here, we often forget to appreciate our good fortune.

Last summer we drove a few hours to get to Ganaraska where we then took a tour of the 1000 Islands. This was a summer visit and I have wondered since what spectacular views the autumn would offer. I do expect I will return to take this 3 hour tour again in the near future.

We also visited the Muskoka‘s and sampled two of their day cruises. One with a meal, another without. Both were spectacular and well worth the time.

Then of course, there is the Trent Waterways and they also offer very scenic boat tours. You can read about them over at HubPages.

If you have a story about the lakes, rivers, streams and creeks of Ontario, please feel free to share!

Cruising in the Muskoka's

http://www.ontariotravel.net/TCISSegmentsWeb/main.portal?language=EN

Tagged with: Canada, cruises, lakes, Muskoka, Ontario, Rafting, streams, Thousand Islands, water
Posted in Canada, writing

Where to Sell Your Photography
Breaking into the field of photography can be intimidating. There are just so many good professionals out there. But I say don't be shy, give it a try!
Lifestyle Changes of The Not-So-Rich and Famous
© Duchess O’Blunt, 2012; all rights reserved. © All photographs in this hub are the property of the Duchess O'Blunt. So, the kids have decided it's time. They have been busy these past few years building their own lives, enriching their circle...
Photo Gallery: Taking A Family Portrait Outdoors
Are you an amateur or a wanna be photographer? ME TOO! My first attempt at taking a family portrait didn't yield many shots that are the stuff you want to post on your walls, but it was a lot of fun. Come see.
Photo Gallery of Older Barns
Farming has been the mainstay of every country. Ontario has had it's fair share of older family farms. While the family farm is in decline, the barns erected centuries ago still stand. View this photo gallery and remember the back breaking manual labor that went into building them.

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Country Living – and Working

“Goodbye, darlings” (the last words of Eva Coo)

What to Post. . . Hmmm

Lifestyle Changes of The-Not-So-Rich and Famous.

WordPress Question about Google

Virtual Book Tours

Ontario Canada.

Duchess O'Blunt

Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning

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