The Joy in My Present Moment (Writer's Workshop)

I am currently in the midst of a joyous time so when I saw this was one of Mama Kat's prompts for Writer's Workshop this week, I decided to join in.  Also, because I have found so much joy lately that I have been neglecting this blog!

First, I am having a blast making videos for the Booktube community.  My subscribers are few, but I seem to pick up one or two a day and am not worried about how many I have as long as I enjoy it and am finding some good books to read through it as well as more "virtual" friends.  My channel (if you would like to subscribe, is http://youtube.com/kzemek.  I am excited about learning more about this fine art of editing videos and this week discovered how to add layers to my pictures I want to use for my thumbnail.

Second, I found a two new groups on Goodreads related to the Booktube community called Top 5 Wednesday and Tuesday Talks.  Bloggers could also use these sources for inspiration for blog posts too or even just participate by leaving comments related to the topics.

Third, my Sunday School party was a lot of fun and when I offered the book I wrote in my dad's memory (My Funny Dad, Harry) to the kids, they all were eager to read it.  The very next day, two of them mentioned they were reading it and what parts they were up to.  The one kid shared a funny thing from it to his mom and she laughed too!  I did not write this book to become an "author" or make money (which is a good thing because it's really hard to sell self-published books).  I wrote it to share my wonderful dad with the world in the hope that people would enjoy the funny things he did as well and cherish the people in their lives.  By sharing how God helped me through the difficult time after his death, I hope others will trust in Jesus as their Savior as well.  It's such a blessing and comfort to know I will see him again one day.

Fourth, today we are donating some junk items to Parma Heights Christian Academy's garage sale so
it's always nice to get rid of clutter!  If you are in the area, this is a huge garage sale but for only one day, this Saturday.  Check it out and I'm sure you'll find some treasure you would like!

Fifth, we are getting new blinds for three windows today!  The torn curtain will come down and the naked dining room window will finally get dressed!

What is bringing you joy today?

Join in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop too!


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Feline Friday: Spunky Doodle

I got this cuddle thing last Christmas for our cats but yesterday was the first time we saw Spunky actually go inside it.  Usually  they just lay on top.  My hubby got the picture so I could see what she did when I was at work.

She also hunkered in under the blanket I have on our computer chair.  Guess she was cold.


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Learning New Things: Creating Video Thumbnails

My Cutest Thumbnail Yet

When I make videos and post them to YouTube, I seldom like the three selections that show up to use as the screen shot for the video.  When I make a title at the beginning, it never seems to be one of the three choices that come up to use.  When viewing "Tips for New Booktubers" by ChapterStackss, she mentioned that your videos are more likely to be watched if you use a custom thumbnail.  I think this is very true because based on my own habits, when I see a list of videos pop up on a related topic, the ones with the bright or cute thumbnails are generally the ones I watch.  If you upload any videos to YouTube, I highly recommend you watch her tip video.

I finally found out how to make a custom thumbnail (that's is what the video screen title is called).  I came across a tutorial on creating custom thumbnails for videos on Readables channel.  Although she specifically showed how to do it using GIMP, I found I can make some simple ones using PicMonkey and maybe my photoshop software (but I haven't tried that yet.)

Basically, it's pretty easy:

1.  When you upload your video to YouTube and the 3 options come up for which thumbnail to use, there is also a custom option which you click on.  (You must verify your account which is just a matter of typing in your phone number, receiving a secret code and putting that in the box.  This is a one-time step.)

2.  Choose a picture you want to use for your customized thumbnail and edit it the way you want.  The resize it to 1280 x 720.  (In picmonkey, I can only get one or the other because it automatically sets a different size for the other number, but I found it still works out.)

3.  Save your picture and then click on the custom thumbnail option to upload it and select it.  Remember to save your changes and it usually works.  Your custom picture will show when the video is displayed.

Do you use thumbnails for your videos?  I am so excited about learning how to do this!  Check out my YouTube Channel:  http://youtube.com/kzemek 

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Falling Bricks and Bus Adventure In One Day!

Some of the Bricks that fell the day before.

On Monday, when I went out walking on my break, the PNC bank building at the corner of  E. 6th and Vincent lost some bricks from the top corner of it.  They came crashing down into the street and on the sidewalk below.  I actually walk down this street sometimes when I go to work or when I go out walking on my break.  Fortunately, no one was hurt which is pretty amazing.  There was a LOT, it was a much bigger pile than what is shown in this picture above--they covered a good section of the street when it first happened.  I didn't have my camera with me Monday, so took some pictures the next morning.  I found myself walking on the sidewalk close to the street rather than right next to the buildings.

Top of the building that fell apart

You can see in this picture where the top of the building broke off.  The road was closed and emergency vehicles and police cars were all over.  Traffic going home from work was terrible because drivers would block the intersection so no one could get through.

Tall building

My bus sat for 30 minutes in traffic trying to get through the intersection.  It started raining too which did not help.  Those of us waiting for the bus cheered when it finally made it through.  It was half an hour late coming and then, we just go a couple blocks and the driver announces that her shift is over, she's not going to drive in this traffic any more and is going home.  She called for another bus driver to come but there were no free drivers available.  We just sat for about another 20 minutes or so for the next bus to come.

I didn't really mind too much because I called to let Gerard know I'd be late, I had a book to read and no plans to go anywhere when I got home.  One of the other lady passengers went on a tirade though, yelling at the bus driver saying she's the worst driver she ever had!  She kept going on and on about how if she has to work late, she does.  She kept on rambling about how awful RTA is and how she would never get away with that attitude on her job.

I thought it was hilarious. 

Joining in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop with the prompt:  Tell us about a local news story that's all a buzz in your neck of the woods right now.

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Zoo Day - A Bit Too Crowded and Too Bright

My husband and I went to the Cleveland Zoo yesterday.  In the morning, before we arrived, a parent dangled their little kid over the edge of the cheetah exhibit and the kid fell in!  Fortunately, the cheetahs did not bother coming near them, but what a stupid thing to do.  The zoo is charging them with child endangering and I'm glad about that!  (See News Article at WKYC Channel 3--some people actually blamed the zoo!)

We went in the afternoon since it was such a beautiful day!  The temperature was near 70 and the sun was shining so it was very comfortable.  I wanted my husband to shoot some short video clips of me recommending some animal books for my YouTube channel that I could edit into a video (Fast Five Animal Fiction Part 1).

Sounds easy, right?  Wrong!

• First, it was SO crowded! we had a hard time finding a quiet place to line up the shot so Gerard could get both me and the animal in it. 
•  Second, we managed to get a few done but the bears were disappointing.  Both Grizzlies were actually lying together in a dugout hole and no other bears were on exhibit.  
• Third, The flowers weren't in bloom, there was lots of construction going on all over the zoo, including the giraffe exhibit so we we couldn't shoot the video I had planned by them.
• Fourth, it was so bright that we really couldn't see the Flip camera screen outside to see if we had the shot lined up well.

The animals of the day though were the otters and I did manage to get a selfie of us in front of the elephants without being able to tell if it was on record or not.  We plan to go back again Friday when I have a day off to do some more.  I figure it will be much less crowded and maybe not so bright.  Some clouds would be appreciated.

Joining in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop with the prompt:  Tell us about a local news story that's all a buzz in your neck of the woods right now.

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An Interview About the Stations of the Cross with Gerard

My husband was very excited about being able to go to the Stations of the Cross at St. Francies Desailles since he's retired now. It was at noon on Good Friday and it was something he wanted to do for a long time. I had to work so was very interested in his thoughts about it and exactly what they did. I never experienced this. In my church they didn't have it. Here is a list of the 14 stations that were listed in the booklet:

1 Jesus is Condemned to Death
2 Jesus Accepts His Cross
3 Jesus Falls the First Time
4 Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother
5 Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross
6 Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
7 Jesus Falls the Second Time
8 Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
9 Jesus Falls the Third Time
10 Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes
11 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
12 Jesus Dies on the Cross
13 Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
14 Jesus Is Buried

Praise God, Jesus did not stay dead but rose and lives today! HAPPY EASTER!

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Friday Fragments: A Good Week!

EASTER

Today Gerard is going to participate in the Stations of the Cross neighborhood walk. This is the first I have heard of this and would love to join him, but I have to work. To get off on Good Friday, you have to put in for it early because it is a popular day. I find it odd that the New York Stock Exchange closes for Good Friday, but not many businesses.

Sunday I will be a puppeteer participating in a puppet show at Parma Heights Baptist Church for grades 1-6. We are doing "More Than a Miracle" which presents the message of Jesus' death and resurrection from the view point of how kids may have viewed the events that were there. Kind of like a time machine effect and including some powerful video clips too. I look forward to this.

Good Work Week

This week went very fast! I was busy and extremely productive without feeling stressed or rushed. I love it when I can finish up everything by the end of the day and although that wasn't the case every day, I only had four or five leftover tasks to do as opposed to 10-12 the previous week.

I have found some new inspiration to do book-related videos. There is a Booktuber community of avid readers on YouTube. I am just starting up but through consistent uploading and commenting on others' videos, I hope to get a good number of subscribers. The downside is this means more computer time because videos take time to edit and upload, not to mention the time involved in visiting others! Here is the introductory tag video I did but will not be sharing these here or on Facebook in the future. Rather, those interested can subscribe to my channel--search for Karen Zemek.

Appointments

Gerard went for new glass frames because the ones he has were digging into the side of his nose. WalMart said they'd call when they were ready, but he finally called them to check and sure enough, they are ready.

I was very happy to find out I can get my mammogram done on Saturday so do not have to take time off from work for that. Yea!

That's it for today!

 Finally got some Friday Fragments for Mrs. 4444 the host at Half-Past Kissin' Time.

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Don't Take My Picture!

Mom and Me

Some people do not like getting their picture taken like my mom.  This is a picture someone took of her anyhow, even though she told them not to (probably my dad).  I do not look very happy in this picture either, probably because I was siding with mom on this one. 

I went through a stage of not wanting my picture taken either but after lots of bad pictures, learned that it's better to just go ahead and put on a smile for the camera anyhow.  Because my mom was so against having her picture taken, I only have very few of her.  I wish I had more. 

So, just thought I'd give a bit of free advice -- don't worry if your hair isn't perfect or you don't like what you wearing, just smile and let people take your picture.  A smile can make any picture look better!

Which side of the fence are you on?  Don't want your picture taken or don't mind having your picture taken?

P.S.  See, I can post about something other than my cats.

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