18 February 2013

We Are Not Alone

"The Lone Woman Diaries" exist because I'm the sole woman in my immediate family, but the truth is I'm really not the lone woman in my house. My mother-in-law lives with me, and for a while so did my mother and my sister. I have sisters and cousins and friends who are female, and when I posted my first entry in the Diaries and got a response, in essence I ceased to be "lone."

The Internet has allowed me to make connections and form friendships with people I would otherwise never have met. It eliminates distance and distractions, and distills that which we have in common into a kernel of truth: we are not alone.

My experiences are personal and filtered through my own lens, but when I write about them I hope you recognize something universal in what I'm feeling. Because I believe that to be true, I've decided to start a new feature here at the Diaries. Beginning this month I'm launching "Working Wednesday." It's going to focus on what many of us have been experiencing these last few years as we struggle through economic hard times.

I know that several of my readers are self-employed or creating their own businesses, and I want to give you an opportunity to learn about what they do. Sometimes we're very specific about what blogs we read and we aren't aware of the fantastic people and resources that lie beyond that scope. I encourage you to get to know the commenters around you, and investigate and support what they do. And if you or a friend (spread the word) would like to be featured in a "Working Wednesday" post, please email me and include a description of what you do!

Let's prove we're not alone.

21 comments:

  1. 1. I love that song.
    2. Thank you for the shout out on the Versatile Blogger thing. When I become web savvy enough to pass it on, I shall.
    3. I think that's a marvelous idea. I'm not sure anyone, including myself, really wants to know what being a middle school teacher is all about but I'm happy to share. I do know that I would love to hear what other people do and how they do it. In other words: Please carry on with the awesome, cause if it's posted here then I'll read it.

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    1. 1. I love that song, too! Today, however, I'm totally digging Alabama Shakes, so I'm sure they'll show up in the sidebar soon.

      2. You're welcome, and I'm sure you'll get around to it, because you have so much free time.

      3. I hope the idea actually goes somewhere. I tend to have lofty ideas but not always great results. But I'm staying positive because I think we can help one another, even if it's just a little bit.

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  2. Poor Five doesn't get that you NEEDED your computer :)

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    1. Right? I think I'm going to have to become more selfish and not share my toys.

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  3. I love this idea. Maybe we can find a way to spread it around to other blogs...

    As always, you have a wonderful heart and are an inspiration.

    Smooches.

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    1. Smoochy hugs back! Now send me an email about your cooperative and your classes!

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  4. Anonymous18.2.13

    Dear Readers of the Lone Woman -
    You should know that Five is know the owner of a new kick ass gaming computer since his mother had the nerve to take hers to Arizona. Yes, The Captain took Five to Best Buy to save the day(and set back the household finances). We miss you dearly sweetie. Have a safe return home.
    Love from all the men in your life. Signed,
    The Captain

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    1. And I miss you, now that you've passed the baton to me and flown off to Houston! The boys are beginning to think they can only have one parent at a time. Be safe. See you Friday night!

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  5. Lovely idea. I won't offer to talk about my work because I no longer have a day job. Writing is a day and night job. Ha ha.
    So Arizona? You're probably just a few hours drive from my neck of the woods. I hope you're at an amazing spa and having a totally relaxed and lovely time of it.

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    1. One of these days I'm going to make it all the way to the west coast and see all my friends who live there!

      I stayed at Chez Erin (my sister's house). She has three girls who are grown up, smart, and funny. They also tend to be quiet, which is a change of pace. I slept late, exercised a little, ate real food, communed with nature, watched movies, and got a tan! It was a spa!

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. Sorry about the removal. Slight snafu. Here is what the post should have been.
    Megan - great post. I love the fact that, I, like you, am less alone now that I have cyber friends in addition to friends and family.
    Working Wednesday sounds like a great idea. Can't wait to see how it unfolds and learn new things about people and their work.

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    1. It's a wonderful gift to feel connected to people all over the world. My life is so greatly enriched by my cyber friends!

      My vision for Working Wednesday is to highlight what my self-employed friends do and then share links to their websites, etc. I know I'm just a small pond over here, but I hope it will grow as new people visit here and out there. Big things can grow from small ideas, right?

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  8. I've been thinking about the alone/not alone think myself! Working Wednesdays sounds like a great idea.

    p.s. I have a crush on your husband. ;D

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    1. Tell your friends! Do you know anyone who would benefit from a little exposure, near or far? That's the cool thing about it--you can live in Maine or Montana, because I have readers all over!

      P.S. The Captain is flattered.

      P.P.S. The Captain is totally crush-worthy. He's like an archetype in a romance novel. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's in my romance novel. And the next one.

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  9. What a lovely idea! I love my little online community. It ain't easy living in the woods.

    Also, Five? You have my admiration, young man.

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    1. My woods are much smaller than yours, but I still feel lost in them sometimes. That's why it's so comforting to know you're all out there.

      Five is a force to be reckoned with. I'm pretty sure The Captain went to Best Buy for three reasons: to stop Five's mental breakdown; to rescue my computer from his clutches so I can actually finish revising; to forever be seen as the better parent.

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  10. So cool! I'm not sure I completely understand it. But count me in!

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    1. Here's how it works:

      If you are self-employed, The Lone Woman would like to highlight you and your business! For example, if you are an interior designer and organizational goddess who can work from anywhere due to the power of the internet or the miracle of air travel, we want to tell the world how you can be reached. (Start writing your piece, Erin). What I'd like you to do, dear June and others, is think of any people who might fit that bill who would like a shout out and then refer them to me. Ready? Go!

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  11. Where did my comment go? I know I left one..... okay, let's blame the latest Moon-Void Of Course. (It nearly ruined tonight's cookies, and yet I KNEW it was going to, what a delightful psychic I am, not.) Or we could say it was that Saturn Station/Retrograde dealie that's happening right now. (Really, it could have been that even.)

    Doesn't matter, I'm here. Finally. (And totally a Captain & Five fanatic, I must say.)

    This idea is genius! You are such a brilliant, not Lone woman. And we adore you,
    here,
    have some cookies for your efforts.

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    1. Mmmmm, cookies.

      So much planetary interference! Stop it, planets/satellites of planets, we have work to do.

      Well, I hope the genius idea works. I may run out of people in about three weeks, though, so start recruiting!

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Thanks for reading! Unlike other Diaries, this one isn't private. Feel free to share your thoughts. Politely, of course.