POET, WRITER
In my life before chronic, potentially life-threatening illness, I was – among other things – a freelance feature writer, grant writer, publicist and, for six years, On the Job Front columnist. My topic specialties were employment, vocational education, and business. The unexpected gift of medical retirement is the time to indulge in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and memoir, largely to leave a record behind for my son.
I started blogging in November 2008. Blogging is a creative indulgence that is also forgiving of inconsistent performance. Blog posts can be pre-scheduled, a convenience that accommodates unpredictable down days, medical appointments, or medical procedures. The convenience of a laptop to work on is that I can take it to bed with me. Blogging, social networking, and email also serve to mitigate the isolation that naturally occurs when illness strikes. I recommend both blogging and social networking as a part of anyone’s quality-of-life strategy for dealing with illness. I’m grateful to my gentle, tech-savvy son and my tech advisor. He’s also kept me in computers for the past twenty-five years.
All of my blogs are on WordPress.com. I’ve not found any other service to be as friendly; and, yes they add advertising to my posts. I see it this way: throughout time artists have had partrons. In a very real sense, WordPress is our patron.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING HERE!
In October 2011 I started a new blog, Poem Alone, for those folks who are most interested in poetry and prefer to forego the extras included at my primary playground ~
My primary playground is here at Musing by Moonlight:
a potpourri of poetry, memoir, feature articles, music, and book and movie reviews. Generally posts daily. This site includes: Sunday Writers’ Roundup (except during vacation and on weekends off), Musical Monday, and Tuesday on the Light Side.
You can visit me also at Brooklyn, Memories Most Green:
poetry, people, places, food, memoir, and folk history from the Center of the Universe. Posting to this site is inconsistent usually – but not always – once a week.
Courtesy of Paper.li, I publish a weekly news aggregate: Brooklyn: Center of the Universe. This is another miracle of the Internet. You can set something like this up. Once done, it maintains itself. I take great pleasure in reading this paper, which allows me to keep up on my home town. It is also out there as a gift for those who share my love of Brooklyn.
… and, in collaboration with grandkitty, The Cat’s Meow:
a collection of sweet, savory, and funny animal posts mostly done with a light touch to brighten your work week. Posts Monday through Friday. One of the restrictions of my illness is that I am no longer allowed furry companions. This blog gives me and everyone who visits it a little critter comfort.
I also founded, edit, and am the administrator for Into the Bardo, a collaborative that is both spiritual and creative. There are three key writers of which I am one. Many other fine writers and some spiritual teachers generously contribute with their own beauty, talent, and insights. You can link to my contributions to Into the Bardo HERE.
© Jamie Dedes, 2011 All rights reserved
Great site! I love the Virginia Woolfe quote in your header. I own that book too.
Well, I guess the loves are mutual all around. And I’m head over heals for your little Ms. Storm Trouper too! Thanks for popping by.
just added you into my blogroll jamie and thank you for your wonderful support all these while. feel free to add me also..:)
Thank you, fiveloaf. I’m honored.
And, yes, I will put you in my blog roll.
I’m going to dedicate a portion of the blogroll specifically to participants in Thursday Poets Rally. You will certainly be included. I’d never forget you.
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Wonderful blog, and I like your links to better food and environmentalism.
Have you heard about this site?
http://truefoodnow.org/
The top news right now is genetically engineered salmon. It’s a frightening thought that we’re altering the rest of nature to satisfy or grossly vast numbers.
– Gally
LestISmiteThee.wordpress.com
Thank you for your visit and kind comment.
I haven’t heard about that site. I will check it out … genetically engineered salmon, eh? Where will it end?
I know, right? If you have any other news you wanna share, you’re always welcome at my site :3
Speaking of which, would you like to be on each other’s blogroll? Your site is so interesting, it’d be a shame not to share. I’ll list you under Musings By Moonlight, is that okay? If you decide to add me, would you list my blog as .:Lest I Smite Thee:. ? Thanks :3
- Gally
Jamie – well met indeed. Thank you for what I felt to be most genuine comments from a sharp mind. May we meet again
Warmest regards
Luke
Oh, Luke – I’m sorry I missed this.
It is my pleasure to visit your site. I find your poetry engaging and appreciate it as a gift.
Jamie
Dear Jamie, thank you for visitnig my blog and leaving such a lovely rose behind. I will return and read more when I have time, it is always wonderful to learn and expand. I wish you all the best. Serena
My pleasure, Serena. Enjoyed my visit much. Take it easy …
Surprisingly, I have stopped at the ABOUT page a little too late.. So I was right you look and ARE a fine writer apprised of the current political situations. You have a heart of Gold and shine even out of MoonLight..
BTW, I happened to be one of the officials of the Great Sleepy Slackers Society..Now you know why I took so long..
I can be a pretty Sleepy Slacker too! Human nature, huh? Such as we are…
Hello Jamie,
It’s nice to meet a fellow feature writer!! Thanks for visiting my blog.
How wonderful for you to be able to share things of the heart. That is one of the reasons I enjoy blogging so much.
Write on and have a great day!
Jewel
Blog on …
Dear Jamie,
I hope this is going to reach you. I have just come across your write up about me on this site and am very touched.
I live in London, UK and I believe that writing of all kinds and for me and many others, poetry in particular is potent and therapeutic. I am think you are in the USA and it means a lot to me that your posting and review will spread all this to others.
With very best wishes, Myra
Well, I’m so glad you found it and do appreciate your work. As you can see, there was a nice response. My own blog is a part of my own therapy and includes a lot of poetry. I think the majority of people who read my site are poets or poetry lovers. There are a lot of women who a cancers survivors.
Thanks for stopping by, Myra, and taking the time to comment.
Interesting blog.
Nicely presented.
It is nice you are writing heart felt things now.
Have a good day.
Me too. I’ll be round to visit you this evening. I saw you have something up on Potluck. Nice!
Jamie,
I’m not very skilled at the computer. I’m connected to NaNo by the name sillyfrog. I have started writing in a word processor on my computer…is there a place to compile my work at NaNo before the 25th?
HELP
Thanks,
Susan
Hi, Sue – Check your email now. I’ve sent a reply. Good luck. Hooray for you!
Hi Jamie-I’m thrilled to see the causes you support and ask your visitors to support. Unicef is doing great stuff for education, and I love giving their gifts of magic as stocking stuffers.
A great Template- I had gotten so used to that dreamy one..
This looks a little more open.. and friendly too!
I plan to write about you in Nano- will pick up from your Bio at the right side widget. Please let me know if you want me to add more..
Love xxx
Thanks! Am glad NaNo is going okay for you, Olvia. Sounds like you are having fun.
I saw someone’s been at my place and left me so many lovely comments
Thanks! I’m just back home and will get in a complete blogging mood after dinner! i hope you’re enjoying your day!
I very much liked this :” Musing by Moonlight is a celebration of life dedicated to my son and my daughter-in-law in the hope that they will live out their lives in peace, love and safety.” May you always be happy to see them both safe and smiling!
Look forward to your post tonight.
Hi Jamie,
Lovely blog! Looking forward to catching up on all the posts.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving comments too. Means a lot to me.
Cheers,
Hema
My pleasure.
Hi Jamie! Thanks for stopping by my site and leaving a comment. I thought I would do the same. I love your site, I just subscribed to it. I hope that you have a beautiful weekend and I you’d like I sure would love it if you would check out my page a bit more and maybe subscribe. I’m kind of new here so I’m just getting use to things. Thank you again for the comment!
Thanks! I’ll be visiting your site regularly. Have a wonderful weekend. Blog on. You’re doing fine.
enjoyed your blog…..do you write poetry?
I have nominated you for the Versatile blogger award; hope you will accept but don’t feel pressed
More about the Versatile blogger award on my blog.
Thank you, Ina. I’ll check out your post.
Jamie,
I have nominated you for the well-deserved Versatile Blogger Award: http://louisedouglas.wordpress.com/category/awards/
Louise
Louise, thank you. That is so kind. Hugs!
What a fascinating site. I am delighted to have found it.
I will subscribe and add it to the links on my own home page.
Best wishes
David
Thank you, David. Indeed I’m honored.
Loved the Poetry Daily selection today — I could feel the hopelessness — almost like a David Adams Richards story.
Hi Jamie,
It’s great to see you are still blogging and how much it’s expanded, without losing the heartfelt touch….well done!
All the best,
Stephen
… and to you. Hope you will be back and blogging soon.
Normally I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite great post.
Hi Jamie
You have a lovely place here !
Thank you for popping in at Victoria’s blog and leaving a comment on my interview ! I really appreciate it ! I would love to read more of your writing so I’m going to subscribe to your blog .
Cheers
Michelle
Thank you, Michelle. I am pleased to “meet” you and will be following your blog as well. Write on …
Hiya, just want to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. https://bardicblogger.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Thank you! That is most thoughtful and much appreciated.
Sorry to hear about your illness and do hope things go well for you. My oldest daughter, who has Lupus, finally stopped working, age 35, and applied for disability as she can no longer be certain from day to day how things will go for her. I really like your sites and plan to visit as often as I can. Take care.
Renne, thanks for your kind words. The unpredictability of Lupus is a serious challenge. I have a friend with two young child, and it’s difficult for her. Luckily her family really gathers round, which I’m sure you do as well. I’ll be seeing you at your place too. Take it easy.
Jamie
Jamie … you handle illness with such grace and dignity. I suspect that you are like a beacon to many relatively new bloggers for you have been for me. I am sorry for your illness. One hears often that health is everything. You hear it at 13 and you look at the speaker in wonderment. You hear it again at 40, especially if you are a care giver and well, you just don’t think about it. You hear it again after being ill for two years and it really rings home! As it has done here. I am lucky as I am getting well again. But it is never the same, is it. I wish you well. And now, I am even more grateful for your blog and the guidance and beauty that it often provides. So, thank you.
Hello Jamie, I hope 2012 is treating you well. After about a year I have finally written another poem. I was inspired to do so and I wanted your expert opinion. I’m not looking for praise, just your honest opinion. If you get time to venture to my blog please let me know your thoughts. Thank you and Peace.