people who love us don’t see our disabilities just our ability to love. JoLynn with Christopher the youngest son
I am always grateful and surprised when I find that one of my blog posts is liked or posted on a Face Book page. It makes me feel like I am reaching all of you and writing in a way that others can relate to.The irony of this entire blogging adventure is that I have a learning disability commonly known as Dyslexia.That problem should prevent me from even attempting to be a blogger, let alone a published writer. My dyslexia is actually in the form of dysgraphia very similar to dyslexia but my problem effects….. writing words and spelling rather than reading them…. ironic don’t you think?
My mind finds it very difficult to memorize or recall the correct order of letter and number sequences. Things just jumbled up in the brain and come out any possible way but the correct way.Making writing a slow process. It may seem strange that I would take up writing as my favorite hobby where I battle with my limitations so much. The irony is that I get a lot of attention and positive feed back from my writing.
This week I was informed that a blog post/story I have written had been republished on a regional Web Magazine. The MiBurg website usually shares stories that are from the Eastern panhandle of the state in the area of New Martinsburg but this time the theme of my post was about the entire state and about the AmeriCorps that work in the those areas. The post “The Secret to West Virginia No-profits: Collaboration” was a post about my work and I never thought it would go farther than my blog, my work Face Book page and maybe a local Web Magazine Elkinite. If you are looking for the story on Elkinite or MiBurg look unders the tab IDEAS, thanks!
So as I look on my situation, where the battle of words is a blessing and I curse, I wonder if others with disabilities feel the same way as I do. I often feel that it makes no sense at all that I am writing and getting followers to a blog. That my blog has led me to TV and published writing sites and even my job. I live with the irony every time I put a word on a page. That the one thing I have success at doing is the one thing that I am weakest at.
JoLynn Powers holding television camera from the Barnwood builders crew Aug 2015
So in the wonderful words of Alanis Morissette: because Word Press is now charging me a fee to link You Tube Videos to my Blog posts…. Booooo !!!!
Isn’t It Ironic
An old man turned ninety-eight He won the lottery and died the next day It’s a black fly in your Chardonnay It’s a death row pardon two minutes too late
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think
It’s like rain on your wedding day It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
Who would’ve thought, it figures
Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids good-bye He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought “Well, isn’t this nice.”
And isn’t it ironic, l don’t you think
It’s like rain on your wedding day It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
Who would’ve thought, it figures
Well, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you When you think everything’s okay and everything’s going right And life has a funny way of helping you out when You think everything’s gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face
A traffic jam when you’re already late A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife It’s meeting the man of my dreams And then meeting his beautiful wife And isn’t it ironic, don’t you think
A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think
It’s like rain on your wedding day It’s a free ride when you’ve already paid It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
Who would’ve thought, it figures
Well, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you And life has a funny way of helping you out
Helping you out.
Categories: About me, blogging, dyslexia, Elkinite, Elkins Main Street, hobbies, writing Tags: blogging, blogging with disabilities, creative writing, dysgraphia, dyslexia, irony, West Virginia, writing
It seems impossible that I have written a blog post at least every week for three years. Today is my 3rd Blogging Anniversary. I look back and see huge improvement in my writing and editing. Although, some things will never change about who I am as a person and how I write. This blog has given me a place to share my life and I am still surprised every time I write something that someone out there thinks it is worth reading. The biggest surprise of all is that this blog has opened so many doors for me.
Rainy afternoon at old barn along Johnstown, W.V.
Over the last three years I have tried writing as openly and honestly as I can and it seems to paying off. I write about the life I live, the people and places that I encounter and tell stories about the ups and downs of a small town life. These stories have not only given me a chance help create positive images on TV with the Barnwood Builders, they have let me share our DIY projects all over the world and write a few stories for a digital magazine called Elkinite. The magazine shares stories of the town I am working to help revitalise. My writing this blog even had something to do with me getting at my current job with AmeriCorps. They needed someone who had skills working with WordPress, ( Seriously Strange) They wanted someone who had the skills to build a new website for their organisation.So even building this blog has helped me in my current job. Who knew writing a blog on WordPress this would lead down this road?
Sign at the top of a flooded road at Roanoke,W.V.
So when I look back at my very first posts and how nervous I was when I pushed the publish button, I am so pleased with the results. I have grown, the blog has grown and my following is growing, who can ask for more. I plan to keep writing and sharing my little country life as long as all of you will have me.
So dear friends, I hope you hang in with me as I start a brand new year writing about my adventures in Wild,Wonderful,West Virginia. Where everyone stops to talk to you even if you a total stranger and where sweet tea and biscuits and gravy are the food everyone craves in the mornings.I love my home,and can’t wait to continue sharing my story with all of you.
Rocks covered in moss by the river in Ten Mile, W.V.
Categories: About me, blogging, DIY projects, Elkinite, hobbies, rural life, West Virginia, writing Tags: blogging, Blogging Anniversary, creative writing, Elkinite, hobbies, rural life, West Virginia