3…2…1… Here it is!! Archived posts have been updated and uploaded. Journals have been reread and snippets offered for peeks into my life during these quiet years of my writing journey. Pictures have been edited. A new webpage has been created! This blog (which in my mind I’ve affectionately been calling 2.0), began to evolve way back in the August.
As I drove home from taking William to school that morning, I recalled a story I’d heard about the flower, marigolds. The story says that the plants and flowers that are planted around the marigold grow stronger because they are supported by the nutrients and such that the marigold supplies. On this site, I want to focus on telling stories of strength and providing encouragement, but I also am drawn to do book reviews of some kind. I haven’t yet fully wrapped my mind around that part, but it struck me that I want readers to leave my site feeling stronger and encouraged. I wanted the site to feel calm when the reader opens it, lots of white space and golden-yellow lettering for the title and logo.
Then, my mind took a trip down a large wormhole as I began to dream about owning and operating a used book store… Mrs. Marigold’s Books, Conversations and Coffee… or Books, Encouragement and Coffee… or just Bookstore and Coffee House. I pictured it as a tangible combination of J.K. Rowling’s “Olivander’s Wand Shop” and an intimate coffee house like “Marshall’s” was in Amarillo. I want it to have nooks and crannies for quiet conversations or to curl up with a book… or even a place or two for teachers to have to tutor. It would be open 9:00-3:00 while William is at school or “by chance” as the bookstore was in downtown McKinney. It felt so real I could smell the coffee brewing and hear the whispers of readers. But… I digress! This is the grand opening of my webpage, not my coffee shop/ bookstore!
The dream has taken seed in my heart and begun to sprout roots. God is good to provide dreams at just the right time. I abandoned my marigold name idea but kept the ideas. I’ve continued to quietly write and gather my stories and I can’t wait to share them with you!
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-Many Blessings, Bethany
Love this!! Excited to follow along & be encouraged. BTW…if you opened a coffee shop, I would totally hang out there!!
Thank you, my friend! Maybe someday I can convince Jerry that a coffee shop is a viable retirement option. Ha!
This is wonderful!! Can’t wait to read your writings!