Tag: volunteers

New Ideas

Building My Community, One Step At A Time

carolyncordon

Writers, especially those who have no high range publisher holding their hand as they write, have to find ways to fund their writing, if they are going to be able to keep on writing.

I am a self-published writer, a freelance writer and a volunteer member of the community. I edit the local newsletter, and am able to use it that to further various of my other community outlets. I, of course, am mindful that I need to keep things in the Town newsletter relevant to as wide a range of residents as possible.

At the moment, my novel writing is taking second place to a community project I am promoting, and in fact organising. I am interested in working on building a greater sense of community in the township I live in, a small place around 60 or so kilometres from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia.

Now I am not a great shopper, buying high fashion, at high prices, I am happier buying a much loved item in the right colour and style, and I usually find such things at op shops, and garage sales. I am also pretty terrible about having a tidy home, because I have far too many ‘things’.

I’m a big ideas kind of person as well, and when I get one of my ‘big’ ideas, I love it if and when I can get started on the idea straight away. If I have to hang around waiting, I get bored sometimes, and want to move on to the next big thing.

So I am thrilled to be working at the moment on my new big idea, taking actions required, and getting the word out to see who else wants to be involved. I am taking all of the steps needed so I can run a fantastic Yard sale for the whole of the township I live in, Redbanks. Well, for as many of the residents who I can get interested, anyway.

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(This photo was taken at my place in Redbanks, where I live. Can you see the dancer, just above the (real) tree? Cloud images can be so inspiring!)

I’m hoping to get the Mayor of Adelaide Plains Council involved, and already have one of the councillors interested in it all. The writing related thing about it is that I have written in one of my other blogs about it, earlier today, and used images of two of my self-published books in the blog post, and said copies will be available for purchase at the sale.

I hope I can have some information about my writing group available there too, and it would be fun to have some of my writing friends there too, if they interested in being there. I want to know more about the people living around me, why they moved here, what they do, what they like. I love people, and if I can help them dispose of their unneeded treasures, and make some money too, that will be great.

As I indicate in that other blog post, I will be collecting the fee from those who get involved in it, and giving the money to Mallala Primary, the local Primary School. I’m so excited about this, I hope the weather will be fine, but if it rains, well at least I tried!

Any hints and tips from people who know about these things would be very welcome!

 

poetry

My Most Political #poemadayfeb Poem

carolyncordon

This poem came from the Facebook conversation that happened earlier today, combined with my own thoughts, (of course), triggered by today’s #poemadayfeb prompt of “Veil”. As I wrote this poem, I was remembering things seen on my television, and my thoughts and feelings at some of what I saw and heard. I’m not naming who the person is that prompted the ‘Lizard-tongue’ comment, but if you saw it on TV, you know who it refers to.

This is my most directly political poem, for this month of poetry, and I certainly don’t apologise for that. All of us must think on what is happening in our home, our community, our country, and our world, otherwise we will remain captive to those who would do us wrong, for their own benefit.

If this poem can help to open a few minds to the dangers of always simply ‘going with the flow’ even when the flow is headed to the sewer. Beware of what is being offered to you, but be open to honest offers too. There is much good in the world, some of it working quietly in the background, with self-less volunteers doing remarkable good things.

If you have a yen to do some good things in life too, look around, there is bound to be a volunteer group that would welcome you in to help them in their work. I gain much joy from all of the things I do with and for my various ‘communities’ and you can get the same, if you’re prepared to help out.

Here is my poem, feel free to leave a comment here, I’d love a discussion happening!

 

Unveil the truth

Strip back the veil, what will I see?

Purity exposed, humbling me?

Or ugly lies, with lizard-tongue poke

with sideways glance from a privileged bloke?

 

The truth is there, is it too well hidden,

from populace sheep, who do what is bidden

by Murdoch’s liars, tricking them all,

kicking down triers, keeping hopes small …

 

But we have minds, thoughts, ideals –

we give to strangers, prepare extra meals,

volunteers build strong community,

bring together like-minds, in friendly unity.

 

Hope is around, if you get out and look –

but if mainstream media was the news you took,

and never looked further, the lies would choke –

truth in media? With Murdoch, a sad joke.

 

But there are other sources, if want to know,

if you’re not sure where, give Twitter a go.

Choose your sources, from people you trust

and judge what they say, always a must.

 

Some people lie, have their own agenda,

don’t always believe them, just cos they ‘friend’ ya –

believe what they do, not what they say,

bad people may sneak up, fool you, betray …