Between 1984 and 2014, I lived in Southern California. I’m from Colorado and I returned for good on September 20, 2014. For more than thirty years, I taught writing. All my life, I’ve been a writer.
The great love of my life is nature — I have hiked thousands of miles but not in a wide variety of places. No teacher makes much money on which to travel, and my hikes were mostly at Mission Trails Regional Park, an urban wilderness park in San Diego. I was closely tied to these 5800 acres of chaparral. I began hiking there in 1987, a few years before the landscape was officially designated a “park.” I then worked for the park in a variety of roles. I stopped when financial pressures demanded I take on more teaching hours. With fewer hours of “free” time, I wanted to be on the trails — on foot or on a bike — rather than in meetings, even important ones. The most intimate relationship in my life (so far) was with the lines of trails up and down North and South Fortuna Mountain, and the little mountain known as Kwaaypaay, that I called ‘Big Dog Health and Fitness Spa because, when I hiked it, it had no name. From my time hiking in one small(ish) landscape I learned that no trail is ever the same two days in a row.
I’ve also hiked fragments of the Pacific Crest Trail, trails in Italy and Switzerland, climbed most of the way up a Chinese mountain, and, of course, I’ve hiked and skied in the Rockies. Hiking — though for me, at this point in my life, will not be extreme, involve sharps ups and downs, or carrying heavy packs — is one great thing about being back in Colorado.
Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge
The title of my blog is based on some lines from the song “Punkrocker” by the Teddy Bears and featuring Iggy Pop. The song is at once affirming and defiant — pretty much summing up my feeling toward my own writing.
I heard the song one night in my car driving (down the street) on my way home (35 miles on I-8) from teaching a class that had gone just OK. I hadn’t heard the song in ages. I know of NO radio stations that routinely play it or ever did. Listening to the words, I saw behind the whole “shadow show of appearances” (thanks Walt Whitman) of my job and my expectations of my students. I knew “I was bored with looking good,” and I was “listening to the music with no fear.” That’s what writing is. The truth under everything? I’m a writer, yes I am.
Now listen to the song: Punk Rocker
© Martin of Gfenn; Savior; The Brothers Path; My Everest; Historical Fiction by Martha Kennedy; I’m A Writer, Yes I Am; Colorado or Bust and all work written on this blog that is not quoted from other sources was done by me and as such is my property. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Martha Kennedy with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Thanks for the Like on my blog. And what an amazing life you lead and have lived!
Hi I’ve nominated you for an award. Congratulations! Please check out my post for details: http://zainabjavid.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/blogging-awards/
What a lovely house you have! Thanks for following my blog. I enjoy your writing. Best wishes, Zainab
Thanks for following my blog Martha! Looking forward to getting stuck in yours… 🙂
Thanks! Me too. I’ve enjoyed a lot of yours already.
You seem like such an inspiring person! So happy to have met you on here!
Same here, Great Mountain!
Martha,
I just stopped by thinking “Oh, I should be following her” only to find that I already am. It turns out that your new posts are not appearing in my Reader. (I already knew the official WordPress blogs weren’t showing up and I had reported that. They say they have someone on it.)
So… nothing personal if I’m not floating by.
Don’t worry about it! More stuff shows up in my reader than I can possibly even READ. Fortunately, a lot of it is pictures. I loved your Putin piece. Finally someone actually saying something. 🙂
Thanks.
I only follow a few blogs… now that a number of them have been abandoned. Sometimes I forget that other people often do it differently.
Greetings! I have also chosen you for an award. The Liebster Award. Thanks so much for your posts. http://jenyrunningbrook.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/liebster-award-nomination/
Jennie — I’m a terrible candidate for awards because I have no time to follow through right now. I’m teaching 7 classes and trying to keep at my own work, so I’m kind of (kind of?) over committed. Thank you though!
I can’t believe I haven’t written anything here. I love your blog, ideas and presence. Whenever I see one of your posts in my reader I have to read it. Keep the quality posts coming because this Canadian girl loves it!
I really value our conversation, too. I read all your blogs. I was talking to a friend of mine about writing a blog here and I said, “I’m not sure why, exactly, except for one girl…” (Even though there are lots of nice people here and much good reading!)
I like your blog name. I once wrote a story called – I’m a writer, get me outta here.
That’s how you caught my eye. You are a nice writer.
Thank you. I like that, “I’m a writer; get me out of here.” I feel like that a lot. I have a friend who used as a name/byline “I’m a journalist; I carry a notepad.” Thanks for following my blog!
Hi Martha, THank you for following my blog 🙂
[…] Martha Kennedy […]
Being a Dr Seuss fan at first I thought your blog name was a spinoff of ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ haha my mistake – still love the name though and your blog of course!
I love Dr. Seuss, too. Green Eggs and Ham is wonderful, but my favorite is Horton Hatches a Who. 🙂
Time to reciprocate: I follow you; you follow me. We have so much/too much in common. I look forward to reading more of your “stuff.” I thank Bumblepuppies for listing you.
Martha, I have to type a post as part of a thing called a blog tour. I have to answer 4 questions (on Pepper’s site, a field of thorns, take a look) and then ask two bloggers to do the same the following monday. I was thinking of nominating yourself and Cheryl. Let me know either way, please. Cheers.
I have time now to do that, Frankie. I’m semi-retired! 🙂
Thanks Martha. 🙂
You have a great blog, interesting posts and now, a new follower! I’m sure I have a lot to learn from you. 🙂
Hi, Martha – would you be so kind as to respond to the Liebster Award nomination?
http://rainswritingrealm.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/a-nomination/
thank you!
Hi — I’ve already been given the Liebster and it seems kind of greedy to accept it a second time! Thank you for thinking of me, though.
Dear Martha, can you join me in Blog tour on June 9. There are 4 questions to be answered. Please say yes.
I already did it last week — I don’t know if I should do it twice!
It’s okay. Actually Vee http://whenthedoorcloses2014.wordpress.com asked me, and I am trying to enlist three other bloggers.
OK — I’ll help you out. What do I have to do?
Thank you. You have to answer 4 questions on June 9, and add a link to my post to mention me. Next you have to invite 3 bloggers to answer the same questions a week from yours, which will be June 16. They have to link to your post.
You have to answer the questions about yourself.
1. What am I working on at the moment?
2. How does my work differ from others?
3. Why do I write what I do?
4. How does my writing process work?
All the best. Sheen.
My motto is “A day without writing is still a day without writing.” So I say, write on.
I like your motto. It’s kind of like what Burroughs said about Kerouac, “Kerouac is a writer. By that I mean he writes.”
Oh, wow. I feel honored that you have chosen to follow my blog. I do appreciate it. It is for entertainment for my readers. Nothing less and nothing more. So I hope you enjoy. And by the way, want you to know that you gave me a great idea for a post. It will be onstage this coming Sunday. Thanks much.
Cool!
Martha, there is a “thank you for reading” award over at my blog for you. Don’t worry about all the rules.
It’s just a way of saying thanks for all your reading.
Hi Martha,
The title ‘I’m a Writer, Yes I am’ caught my eyes and here I am. It’s so nice to have met you here. I also enjoy reading your posts. Let’s keep in touch. Take care and all the best, fellow writer. 🙂
Jenn (the bubbly aunt… lol)
Thanks for the follow, Jenn! I hope you enjoy what you read here. I’m the ONLY aunt on that side of the family. 🙂
You’re welcome, Martha. I have no kids of my own (that are alive) but many of little nephews and nieces who are the darlings. I created a website for them. It’s the diary of an aunt dot com. Hope to be able to share ideas. 🙂 Have a great day.
Hi, Martha, I really enjoyed reading your blog and I think it’s awesome. Therefore I have nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award. Congratulations! 🙂 For more information, you can check out my post by clicking here:
http://hiddenstarsfiction.wordpress.com/2014/09/09/100th-post-first-one-lovely-blog-award-nomination/
Xiao Lan — Thank you for thinking of me! Unfortunately, my life is total chaos right now. I’m in the middle of packing and getting ready to move across the country! That will happen next week and I still have way too much to do and figure out.
Oh, well, take your time and good luck with your move.
Thank you! 🙂
Hey there! I’ve just nominated you for the “One Lovely Blog Award”!
Puzzled?? Glad?? Joyous?? Well, I was too… 😀
To accept the award and to know more, check out my post!
http://quirkinessandme.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/one-lovely-blog-award-damn-lovely-to-hear-2/
Cheers and continue writing! 🙂
I’m really sorry, but I don’t accept awards. I’m really grateful you thought of me, though! Thanks!
Thanks for an Awesome. I count that right up there with an Army “HOOAH!” When you have more time, I know that you will get to my archived memories and be ready to comment on each of them. They are good. They are fun (mostly). They are awesome (perhaps). But I do–seriously–appreciate your comment.
Hi Fellow Blogger, I was nominated today for a “Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award?” I was asked to nominate seven bloggers myself, create a post or page, and include a link back to the blog of the person who nominated me. I have done as requested, and I am now nominating you. If you are inclined to take part you can follow this link to the page I created with my responses and all the information you will need. If you don’t want to take part…no worries. God bless. Kathy
http://threepsandq.wordpress.com/blog-awards/
Thank you! I really appreciate the thought, but I decided a while back to be an “awardless” blogger. I should probably say that someplace, huh? Best, Martha
No problem…have a blessed day.
Descanso’s not too far from us in Carlsbad!
Carlsbad is beautiful! When I lived back there I had some really lovely times there.
I do love this. I am usually writing or outdoors. The best is writing outdoors!
I love the straightforward and fun way you write. I am very glad I’ve found my way to your blog. It is terrific.
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You are my favorite & I have voted accordingly!
Thank you ❤
[…] Retirement Reflections, Daddy And Dad, Jenny in Neverland, Life, Books, and More…, I’m A Writer, Yes, I Am!, Me and My Books, Gin & Lemonade, Linda’s Book Bag, A Brummie Home and Abroad, But I Smile […]
Hey Martha – hope this finds you. I wasn’t sure how to contact you directly. I’d LOVE to send you a galley of my dog book coming out in August. I know you don’t necessarily review books, but I love your writing and value your opinion and I’m hoping you might make an exception. If you’re game – let me know. You can email me at carasueachterberg (at) gmail.com.