My post will appear right here on Bizzia.com this Saturday, 3/14, and you also might enjoy an upcoming Freelance Spotlight on a garden writer. Stay tuned.

I don’t have a Web site yet. So far just Twitter—I’m @shelleydeluca if you would like to connect with me there.

Thanks again for writing in, and I look forward to staying in touch on your progress.

Best regards,
Shelley

I am looking forward to reading your gardening post. Will it appear on this site or another? Do you have a website? I would also like to read other things that you have written.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Have a great evening,
Yvette

I also have to tell you that you’ve inspired me in return—your timing was amazing, actually, because I’ve been working today on an upcoming post about gardening! And just before I read your note, I was wondering if it was even a good idea …

Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve done, and I hope you’ll keep letting me know how it’s going. With both your writing and your garden!

All my best,
Shelley

Thank you so much for the great information. It’s given me an extra push. I’d like to share with you the first fruit of my labor.

Well, I’ve been challenged by The Golden Pencil to write for 15 minutes each day, and a great challenge that is considering the fact that beyond by daily journaling, sometimes I just don’t feel like writing. Well here goes. As with any task that I undertake, I believe the outcome from this commitment will be a positive and productive one.

I love to write, but noticeably since I have made the decision to freelance, I don’t seem to have much that I want to pen. That buck stops here. I have a lot of thoughts I therefore have a lot of things to write about.

One of the things that have been on my mind lately is the love I have for the outdoors, particularly for flowers. This year is the year that I garden again, it’s been three years since I potted and grew outdoor plants on a serious basis. I don’t mean the run of the mill plant in a pot on the porch. That’s a given for me as well as an abundance of house plants. Got greenery? I do, and lots of it. But my next adventure must take place in the yard, both the front and the back. Once I accomplish the work that comes with gardening I will be able to enjoy the foliage and flowers that will surround me. I can see myself sitting in the yard in my lawn chair, with my ice water in hand, shades on, and my favorite book. I think the dogs will like it too. I can even envision myself writing for hours in the yard. Nothing is more relaxing to me than journaling at Martha Rivers Park or on my front porch. I know that freelancing in the back yard will be quite a treat.

With all of that said, I am going (or will hire someone) to begin the task of preparing my yard for beauty. Am I going to plant seeds and all of that? Yes a little, but mostly I will start out with buying plants to adorn my yard, and taking the time to care for them. I am interested particularly in perennials. They say to me, “Hey you won’t have to work so hard at this next year”.

Roses, a couple of elephant ear plants, some flowers that will attract butterflies, a variety of flowering bushes, and a path to walk on is more than enough to get me started. I will keep the tasks simple so that I don’t become overwhelmed with the process, as I aspire to create a zone that will act as my “at home retreat”.

Yvette Carey

20 Minutes March 11, 2009

Thanks.

I’ve taken to racing the sound of the ticking, so maybe I’ll be able to get those toilets cleaned faster!

I’m doing this first thing every morning now, and no matter what I am writing about the exercise really helps me sort out my thoughts and priorities for the day.

15 minutes flies by—a useful investment for writers and non-writers alike.

Try it and let me know what happens!

And who knew you were such a photographer…couldn’t have art directed it better myself!!