Gifted and talented…
All I want is a higher SEO! Gifted and Talented seemed like it would do the trick, but alas and alack! It does not. I am not gifted and talented. What I usually am is “dazed and confused.” To be honest (rather than lying to you), I’ve never seen that movie and have a vague idea it may be more about cannabis than being confused! I did teach gifted and talented students in my general ed classroom. I think I met them where they were (educational speak for knowing what their abilities were) and then challenged them to be more than just gifted and talented! I hope I taught them to be better human beings.
Confusion reigns…
I’ll admit it doesn’t always take much to confuse me. Too many directions, and I’m gone! Too many illustrations, same thing. Oh, and throw in illustrations and steps (looking at you, IKEA), and I’m a mess. I’m more a hands-on kinda person. For some reasons, calendars confuse me! Not the actual layout of a calendar, but the using of one seems to be a bit more than I can do. Though, in my defense, haven’t we all seen those calendars that start with Monday as the first day when others start with Sunday as the first day? I rest my case!
Back to gifted and talented…
Lately, I’ve been linking up with Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee for her year long series of Twenty-Six Lists. You may recall this wonderful bit of prose on Thomas Jefferson. I totally misread my calendar and used the prompt that is actually this week’s prompt! So, I’m backtracking and presenting you with my list of gifts and talents! Actually, my post is supposed to be about my talents and creative skills. Kym’s lists range from Goals and Accomplishments (seen here) to things like “Lucky Days,” “Music on Your Playlist,” and “Blog Reading List.” I decided to combine fashion posts with the list posts. But, since I’m now part of the Style Imitating Art curators, I think my 26 list post will be just a list. If you’re a fan of lists, head over to Kym’s blog and click on Twenty Six Lists. If you scroll down to the bottom of the post, you will find the entire list so you can be prepared.
Talents…
Hmmm…apparently, I have a talent for not reading calendars correctly. I’ve done this on more than one occasion. I have posted collaborations before they are due. I have missed appointments, shown up for them three days early, or one hour late. Luckily for my people, I have all their birthdays memorized!
Other talents…
Well, this all depends on what we’re calling talents, doesn’t it? I call it a talent if it’s something you’ve been born with. I was born with a few, I think. One of my talents is writing. I am currently putting the polishing touches on a mini-retreat for my church that will be held in March. This will be the third presentation I’ve written. And, I also write a monthly article for our church newsletter. Speaking of which, that’s due tomorrow! I don’t need a calendar to tell me that because I just know it’s due on the 20th.
A little more…
As most of you know, I was a non-typical student in college. I knew I wasn’t going to college so I didn’t bother with the SAT (mop up that Diet Coke, I know, I know). Since a number of years (eight to be specific) had passed since graduating from high school, I just had to take some placement exams. I did very well on all of them. In fact, I did so well, I was in an honors type composition class. I think there were less than eight of us with a really terrific professor. He taught me more in that one semester than all the years of high school composition. I got an A in the class, too!
Another talent…
Believe it or not, given my calendar ineptitude, I’m actually a very organized person. I like things to be in the right place.all.the.time. Nigel, however, is not one of those people. Let’s just say I stay out of the garage because I can’t stand seeing things here and there…especially when he’s got loads of storage and tool boxes. I love to make lists and check off the items. Take me on a trip, and a list will have been made, double checked, triple checked, and taken along just to make sure I’ve got everything (except for anxiety meds…read more here).
One last talent…
I also think I’ve got a wicked good imagination. Hear a bump in the night, and I can come up with the best horror story to explain it away. See a strangely dressed person (hahaha…have you seen me), and I’ll tell you their backstory. Show me a flower, and I’ll describe it in eleventy million syllables or less.
Creative skills…
OK, here is where I really shine! I can crochet with the best of them. I can even do it while reading subtitles on television. I’m a decent knitter when I pay really good attention so that may not be my best creative skill. Actually, I’d say needlework of just about any kind is a creative skill at which I excel. I embroider, sew, do counted cross stitch, crewel embroidery, needlepoint…I love them all. Another creative skill is making felt flowers. I don’t do the felting, though. I’ve made several felt flower wreaths and even adorned a sweatshirt with some.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I don’t know if this is a talent or a creative skill! I am the Queen of Procrastinators. So much so that I wrote this when I was supposed to be publishing it! One of these days, it will bite me you know where! I also feel a little weird writing about my talents and skills. I know, in this age of empowerment and enlightenment, I shouldn’t feel that way. But, I do. So, can we talk? What do you think is the difference between a talent and a creative skill? If you feel like sharing, what are some of yours? Are you a calendar person? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise I will respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
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I think talent and creative skill often go hand in hand and most people use them interchangeably. I always think of our gifts and talents as those things that make us unique from others (not all others of course because many people share the same talents and skills but in general if it’s a talent or skill that not EVERYONE has then I think it applies).
I tend to think of them the same way, Joanne! I do think everyone has talents and gifts but may never access them. In the same way, I think we all have certain areas with which we struggle and may never come up against them. Trust me, you do not want me reading a map! Thank goodness for GPS!
Thanks, Joanne!
I love reading about your talents! Your writing is incredible and I’m glad you recognize that talent. Love the flyer for your retreat! Wish I was close by to attend.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much, Kathrine! I just can’t seem to do just a fashion post. I’ve got to write something to go with it! That flyer was for last year. I forgot to mention it. I haven’t gotten this year’s finished yet.
Marsha,
This post brought a huge smile to my face this morning!! Yes, your talent is definitely writing!! I am an avid List Maker to…It helps to keep me on track and not wonder aimlessly though my day since I retired…Plus it gives one a great sense of accomplishment to check off something, doesn’t it??? Thanks so much for visiting…I hope you are having a wonderful week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thank you so much, Deb! I’m so glad I gave you a reason to smile! I think a lot of my “voice” comes from teaching and making lessons entertaining to kids! Oh, yes, lists help me get things done. If I don’t have one, I just wonder through the days! I hope your week is fabulous!
Gosh, I fogot about that sweatshirt…it’s SO amazing. I want to make one. Can you share the pattern for the flowers?
As for calendars, you should use your phone calendar because it gives you reminders. That’s the only way I can keep up, LOL (although I do use a paper calendar too)
XOXO
Jodie
Would you believe I donated it? It was just so awkward to wear because those flowers are heavy. I should make another one with far fewer flowers. I do like embroidering tees and sweatshirts. I think I just grabbed several different ones from Pinterest. Look for succulent patterns. They are so easy to make and very addictive! Maybe I could do a tutorial on our next Zoom! Hmmm…my phone doesn’t give me reminders…unless there’s something I don’t do when I put in an event!
Thanks, Jodie!
Yes, you own those skills & talents, you Writer, Needlepointer, and Procrastinator Extraordinaire! I think many of us women who are in that 50+ age range were socialized to downplay our abilities as part of being “modest” so it can feel awkward to straightforwardly say: “I am terrific at X, Y, and Z.” Having a good imagination is something we share.
Thanks, Sally, for all those titles! I’ll claim them all! I remember, in one of my senior seminars when I was in college (and about a decade older than most of the people in there), the professor told us we needed to be assertive. Of course, the problem is, when you’re a woman, there’s a completely different word used when we are assertive…it rhymes with witch! You do, indeed, have a wonderful imagination, my blogging friend!
Your post is so relatable! It’s refreshing to read about your experiences with calendars and how you’ve managed to navigate through the confusion. Your writing talent shines through in your engaging storytelling. Best of luck with your mini-retreat presentation and your monthly church newsletter article!
Thank you so much, Melody! I think my biggest problem is just not paying attention to the date in the first place! That, and not looking at the calendar int he first place. I’m so glad you enjoy my writing!
A wicked good imagination is a great talent, Marsha. If I’m not good at something my standard answer is ‘My talents lie elsewhere’ LOL 🙂
Thanks, Sue! That’s a fabulous response…I just might borrow it!
Marsha, you are so talented! Such a great writer and I am so impressed with your knitting and crocheting, as I cannot even sew on a button. I am NOT kidding. This was a lot of fun to read, especially about your creativity when you hear a bump in the night – ha!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you so much, Kellyann! When I was a little girl, we used to embroider pillowcases on Friday nights with my mom. She would teach us new stitches. Then, when I was in high school, I needed to fill in a couple of classes so I took two Home Ec classes, one of which was creative needle arts. I loved it. Oh, you wouldn’t believe what I think when I hear those bumps!
I love your sweatshirt with the felt flowers – that’s beautiful! I enjoy your talent for writing every time I visit here. 🙂 I think a talent is something you are born with or it’s something you’re just naturally pretty good at, while a skill is something you can learn and develop, although we do tend to work at developing skills in the areas we have a bit of natural talent for, right? Thanks for promoting Twenty-Six Lists and linking up with me!
Thanks, Kym! I actually donated that sweatshirt because it was so unbalanced. I was forever adjusting the neckline because those felt flowers were so heavy. I agree with you about talents being what you are born with and yet can develop farther. And, skills are something we learn but could be a bit of a talent as we become more skillful. Again, thanks for these lists. There are some real humdingers coming up!
You certainly have many talents! I wish I were better at writing. I tend to be a straight-to-the-point writer which was always an issue when there were word or length minimums in college. Thank goodness I got by! Love that sweatshirt you created!
Thanks, Laura! I actually donated that sweatshirt because it was so awkward to wear. The flowers pulled on the neckline and shoulders, too much. I’m lucky that writing has always come naturally to me.
Great post! I can relate to the calendar bit. I always misread or think “I will remember” and miss things. And how did I miss that you were a teacher? How many years did you teach? Take care, Terri
Thank you, Terri! I am so bad about thinking I’ll remember something and then totally forget it. Yes, I taught for more than 22 years. I took early retirement because it was just time.
Hi Marsha,
I am the opposite of crafy. The crafts you mentioned I think my mom showed me sewing when i was young and that it might stick, it didn’t. Went to school for music and guitar, so there is my talent. I like to charcoal draw as well. My Dad had a creative/artistic side. I am the neater person of my hubby and I. ( sometimes it drives me a bit crazy!). That’s great you enjoy writing and do well with it too. I enjoy writing, myself. Love the flowers on yout sweater!
jess xx
I would say you are quite creative, Jess! My youngest tried to teach me how to play the guitar, but my fingers and hands just didn’t get it. I love music. When I take the various intelligence tests, it’s always one of my highest intelligences. But, I can barely read music and must rely on those old mneumonics of FACE and Every Good Boy Does Fine! I never thought I was creative until I retired. Then, I realized I’d poured my creativity into my teaching.
Thank you so much, Jess!