Who Is Jacki Kelly

Most of the people on my newsletter mailing list know me as Jacki Kelly, the writer. I’ve been writing seriously since 2010, but my passion for writing dates to elementary school. But that’s not the only thing I do. Like most creative people, I have other creative outlets. Some writers sing, some knit, some crochet, some play musical instruments, some paint, and some plan. I’m one of those writers/painters/planners.

 

Often when I’m trying to work out a plot detail or wake my muse awake to play, I’ll sit behind a separate desk in a different part of the house and paint. I’ve used several medians–oils, acrylics, watercolor, alcohol inks, pastels, to name a few. I will admit I think my writing is much better than my artwork, but I’m only painting to please myself. And when I finished, most of it goes into a drawer. But, like words, colors, especially bright ones, bring me joy.

I’m also a planner. No, I don’t mean like in planning parties. I plan my days, my weeks. I make lists—lots of lists. I organize. Maybe planning gives me an excuse for buying tons of paper, pens, stickers, and stationery, but hey, it’s what I do. For the last several years, I’ve been Bullet Journaling. I know that may be new to some of you, but it’s been around for years. Bullet Journaling is another way for me to express myself with color, design, and creativity. Every week, I design a new layout. I carry my Bujo with me everywhere I go. I keep a list of movies I want to watch, gift ideas, and my word count, and my appointment.

 

 

 

I guess no one is any one thing. We are a lot of things. That’s what makes us all so interesting. We have more than one way of expressing ourselves and fitting into this world. What’s yours?

LET’S GET HAPPY AND THANKFUL

In my last blog post, I talked about all the things I wish I had done differently in 2019 in preparation for 2020. This time around, I will humble myself for the joy that 2020 brought me.

Nothing is ever all bad or all good. 2020 was the year of challenges, but it also brought some laughs and joy.

 

First, and closest to my heart—my mother, who proudly claims the title of a senior citizen is well and healthy. I see her smile and hear her laugh, and that alone makes my heart sing. But wait, there’s more.

Even with the pandemic imposed visit restrictions, I spent more time with my sister and mother. Quality time, where we laughed, talked, ate good food, and told stories. Sometimes, calling twice a day to share something we’d forgotten. They live in a different state, so this was no small accomplishment that I was blessed to have. Thanks to Zoom, I’ve seen more family this year than most. Get-togethers on Zoom also allowed me to visit my sister-writers, board members, and teams.

My husband and I have been in the house together for ten full months. Except for a trip to the grocery store or the hardware store or an odd visit with loved ones, it’s been the two of us—day and night. And as far as I can tell, he hasn’t wanted to strangle me, nor I, him. We’ve binged watched movies and series and shared memories. But most of all we’ve laughed together. We’ve found a closeness that has only deepened our marriage and added a new layer of warmth.

Coronavirus is surging again, so we’ve gone back into lockdown, but I’m talking to my family more, and these conversations warm my soul. Even my children—who are busy with their own daily lives, check in with me more often.

Being stuck inside made me happy and thankful I have space where I can relax, and read and write and eat cookies, and watch movies, and eat cookies and listen to music and eat cookies.

Yes, I’ve eaten my share of cookies. 2020 has been a rough year, full of bad news. But there were some glimmers of light. The country elected its first female vice president. Kamala Harris is a woman of color and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., the first African American Sorority in the country and my sorority. We also now have two Coronavirus vaccines that might save the world from the ravages of the pandemic and let us return to some kind of normalcy.

Yes, 2020 was rough. I just had to look for some good in the year.

Happy New Year! Let’s Hope 2021 is Better.

SIMPLY SUMMER

Summer is exactly 93 days long. That should be enough time for me to accomplish everything on my summer ‘to do’ list.

There are books I have to read. Like ‘Spring Fever’ by Mary Kay Andrews, and ‘The Next Best Thing’ by Jennifer Weiner, and ‘Time Off For Good Behavior’ by Lani Diane Rich and anything by Linwood Barclay.  These books are on my immediate list.  There are even more books waiting in the queue.

I have places that are calling my name, cool, blue waters, sandy beaches, lush national parks with giant trees and of course my easy chair is waiting on me to snuggle up and take a nap.

 

 

 

Summer is not complete until I’ve had some tasty food, like brownies from the Fat Witch, a good platter of Nachos and some delectable seafood. Oh let’s throw in some funnel cake for good measure. Yum!

 

I plan to laugh with friends, reminisce with family and enjoy every warm, sunny, humid day of summer, because before I know it, the leaves will wither and fall from the trees. Snow will pile up at my door and I’ll have to go find my mittens.

 

Summer is here, what do you have planned?

IT’S TIME FOR RECESS

It’s time for recess.  Time to jump up and down, to have some fun.  Remember when life was that simple?  I think it was back in kindergarten, before I couldn’t wait to grow up.  When days seemed to go on forever and summer passed in a flash.  However, I’m not going to wallow in the pity of what used to be, I can have recess now, if I just take the time to do it. I’m going to spend more time being happy in this moment instead of thinking joy exists in the moments to come.

 

Starting today, I’m putting a little recess in my days.  Each and every one of them. Just the idea of it makes me giddy. The possibilities of what I can do during recess are endless. Today I downloaded a song that reminded me of grade school. “Alouette.”  Target is using this song in their latest ad campaign and every time I see the commercial by stomach gets happy, like I used to in grade school just before recess. Now I’m on a search for other things that remind me of my good old days.  I want to find one of those candy necklaces that I used to wear and nibble on throughout the day.

 

What would you do if you could have recess every day?