Hello.
My name is Julie. My friends call me Jules. Thank you for clicking over here and taking the time to read my blog.
I like to write about all sorts of things — mostly my family and life. I’ve been writing since I was a girl. I enjoy sharing some of my thoughts here with you now.
I hope you enjoy clicking through the various articles. The easiest way for you to find them is to click on the most recent posts that I have listed on my right hand side bar.
I also encourage my readers to comment and share their experiences through writing. This is most easily done by clicking on the ‘comments’ link at the bottom of every post. It’s tiny, I know, but you can find it!
Here’s my latest painting of one of Edgar Degas’ ballerinas commissioned for a friend.
I’m just a person, just like yourself. I grew up in a nice family with a brother and sister and a decent education, good actually. Maybe even great.
The reason I started writing was when I was young, like eight or so, I started writing my thoughts in a diary.
It was a little Snoopy Diary with a key that I later lost and had to cut through. It even was supposed to be a five year diary. I wrote about my days, my thoughts, my worries, school. You name it.
I learned that writing is an excellent form of communication.
I’m proud to be participating in writing a blog and sharing my life experiences with you here now.
My goal for this blog is to act as a community leader by promoting sports, education, arts and community service — and above all, writing. I do what I love and I love what I do. I hope you do too.
Thank you for visiting.
Inspiration and Motivation
I often write about motivation and inspiration because they are two of my favorite subjects. One of my most inspirational stories was when I was in high school on swim team.
My sister was my greatest motivator. She’d cheer ‘Go Julie’ as I swam down the lanes. She advised me to swim away from the shark or towards the chocolate cake. We now both agree to swim away from the chocolate cake. I’m joking! The point is, we all have different motivators in our lives. I was lucky at a young age to have had a great one.
Julie,
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! (Look, I used capitals)
Julie,
Appreciate your visit. Just added you on.
My wife has a saying I love. “We believe in a life of grace and dignity.” The blog is part of my effort to reach out to the folks in the world of like mind, and your site indicates y’all live that way too.
Thanks for adding me on your blogroll. I’m on FaceBook, too. I find I have more musicians there and writers on wordpress, but both are open to good folks everywhere.
Dr. B
Hey Jules,
I’m so glad to have a peek into your life. I remember your journal writing sitting at our little two-person marble-topped kitchen table next to the window. I remember the time your mom sent you a pair of shoes with Mrs. Field’s cookies ticked in them and we were so excited to have a real chocloate chip cookie, until we realized they smelled and tasted like your shoes! (I’ve never quite been able to eat Mrs. Field’s since!)
I love that we can fast forward 21 years and say that we are both still writing and still enjoying life. Add my blog to your Blogroll and I’ll add yours to mine
I think you’ll recognize the people in this post:
http://localfood.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/sweet-workers/
Keep writing …
xo,
Julie
http://www.localfood.wordpress.com
Just a note to say there are more people out here who will not respond to your writings that are writers learning the craft. Your post on learning was excellent. Keep up the good work. Show us the universal characters you meet, the food you eat and the music you hear.
Don’t be worried how many people read, be more interested in how true your words.
A fellow reader of Dr. Bibey
Good Luck
Thank you for taking the time to write the comments above. Believe it or not, I thought at length about your comments. I considered how to be truthful to myself and my readers, to be upfront and to try to convey the essence of my life.
I hope you become a regular visitors.
My best to you and yours.
Julie
By the way, each and every time one of my readers writes excellent or outstanding about my posts, it makes me smile. Thank you for that.
I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog. It’s very fun to read and I’m somewhat envious of your locale.
Julie,
Love your writing and really enjoy the beautiful pictures. It shows that you take your time with the content and the photography. It’s an inspiration to me and when I open your blog every time it takes me back to the days I waited with anticipation for Martha Stewart to do her next show. Thanks for being you and exposing myself and others to a different part of life, through Italy and through your boundless thought provoking wisdom! Cheers~
Rose,
I thank you for your comment. Any comparison to a real writer is flattering and goes right to my head. Strangely enough I have been compared to Nietzsche, Satyr and now Martha! Although I have to admit most comparisons go right over my head. : )
Still I write because I love to inspire. And of course I love to write. Thank you for visiting. I’m hoping you become a regular visitor! I am steps away from announcing my first on line give away. The paint is dry. I wish I had more confidence as a painter.
I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m good at pretending. I’m learning from my children and the people around me.
Have a blessed day,
Julie
Dear Julie,
A heartfelt congratulations! Can’t wait to read through the whole blog, but what I’ve read so far is really good!
Brava!
My daughter is named Julie.
You’ve got a nice brain… I think I’ll showcase it around my place if you don’t mind.
~
An honor and a privilege. Thanks.
Hi Honey, I tried to comment on your write anything space, but my my computer wouldn’t access the page. Nice work.
About me. I am in computer hell. I think I got it fixed but I’m sure its only temporary. Love ya.\Mom
I was flipping through my blog’s FB fan page and came across your name, then clicked on your blog in your profile…what a wonderful find! Looking forward to reading more of you and getting to know you better
I followed Michelle from Bleeding Espresso to your blog and I am already enjoying myself. I have added you to my blogroll. If Michelle recommends you, then I can’t go wrong, right?
Michelle, I feel like I just got the nod from Oprah you are driving so many visitors to my site. It must be the goat. She’s bringing me good luck.
Julie
“Excellent” AND “outstanding,” both! Of course any referral from Michelle is bound to be well worth the click….And of course, an add to the blogroll!
Well done.
Ciao another American in Italy (Rome).
I heard about your blog via Michelle at Bleeding Espresso. I love it. Looking forward to reading more!!
Hey Cous!! Excellent work….you make me smile! Love ya. Kris
Hi Julie,
I wrote to Annika the other day about the English books, I have seen that you would like to have the list. You can send me your email and then I will send you the file .xls
Thanks,
Paola
Paola, she forwarded it to me, thanks. Great collections. Can’t wait to get some.
Thanks, Julie! Hope to hear from you then! If you need any information do not hesitate to ask!
Julie,
Have just run through your blog and found it lovely, so filled with a positive energy. Good for you!
Funny thing, I have seen your comments on Bruce’s FB!
Anyway, love the Buddha story about accepting “gifts”, so very true.
Take care! Ciao.
Jille
Great to see you friend. I love it when people come across my blog. It reminds me of what it is like to see a great friend after many years. The friendship picks up exactly as you left it. Friends are AWESOME for that. Time nor distance can stand between you.
Julie
Congrats on passing 5000 visitor mark! WOW that was a huge leap in readers, so exciting honey! You are amazing, I will keep saying it! xxx
Hi great job on the blog
Hey Julie, I wanted you to know I wrote a blog post about your blog and your ebook. Take a look and let me know if you get traffic from my blog. I sure hope you do!
That was so sweet of you! How nice. I can’t wait to go over and read it.
Julie
Julie — I found your site from Blogging without a Blog (Barbara) and I loved this “About Julie!” very much, especially the swimming story. Now that you’re swimming away from the chocolate cake, what are swimming towards?
I hope you will find blogging as much fun as I have. I’ve been at since 2007 and it’s allowed my own creativity to expand, but most of all, I have been lucky enough to meet the most wonderful people from all the world.
Enjoy it…I like your site very much:~)
Goodness gracious. Welcome. What a sweet thing to write. I’m sort of left speechless. Ask my friends, that’s a rarity.
Thanks for the visit and making me think.
Julie
Self empowerment….we all want it, but how do we get it?
We get it by not wanting anything from this world. Simple!
Would you like to know more?
Join me… http://www.davidgcoles.wordpress.com
Great site,
David
Julie,
Hope this finds you well. Somehow your comment just now came thru about the WNCW radio show, but if you heard it, you would indeed be the listener from the longest distance away.
If you’ll send me an e-mail with an address, I’ll get a copy of “The Mandolin Case” out to you. We are tempoarily out of stock on Amazon, (formatting for Kindle and IPad) but should be up and running again very soon.
Ain’t this blog world the greatest?
Dr. B
Yay! Thank you. I’ll send it via fb email.
Another warm bio, makes me happy.
You’re gorgeous, brilliant, and put a smile on my face
Kudos on having the courage to live out your dream. Most people are too stuck in their rut to attempt it and live out lives of quiet desperation.
Blessings on you and yours
John Wilder
Hi Julie,
I just bumped into your blog and really like your articles and the style of the blog. Where exactly do you live in Italy?
Best
Juliane
Thanks mom. Looks like you figured it out and were able to comment. Thank you for always being so supportive. What a great mom and parents I’ve been blessed with.
xo
Dear Anna,
I was quite certain I had responded earlier to this yet perhaps I left the comment on your blog. Michelle at bleedingespresso.com has been a constant source of friendships and good advice to me. Happy to have met you through her.
Julie
Hey Tana,
Thank you. I’m happy to see that my reader base continues to rise. I’m surprised that people keep coming back for more. I don’t mind. I’m happy to blog now that I got over my initial blogging jitters of sharing my life online.
xo
Hi Juliane!
So nice to meet you. I clicked on over to your blog and see that it’s in German! Wow. You English is amazing. I can never get over the fact that northern Europeans speak such excellent English. I hope you become a regular visitor. It’s nice that you left a comment.
Julie
Thanks mom. You continue to be the best mom ever.
xo
Jb
Thanks Dr. B,
That was very kind of you. I think your wife’s saying is just sweet. I believe she has a point there. I always strive towards healthy values. Often I fall short of those but I think it is important to always have goals of loveliness, kindness, goodness and integrity.
Julie
By the way, your blog, helpful comments and book are fantastic.
Thank Maribel
I do so much appreciate your support. Congratulations on your growing business.
Julie
Ha ha ha Jaclyn Rae,
You and I both know who the brilliant one is. It is MOST certainly a young girl named JR who has the courage to share inspirational messages one after the other.
Thanks for the lift though! I appreciate it.
Julie
Thanks Alex,
Anything we can do to make another person in the world smile. Your comment makes me happy!
Julie
Thanks for leaving your input David.
Julie
Dear Michelle,
Thank you so much for asking me to be a guest writer for your blog. That was fun to do. I hope your readers enjoyed it.
Julie
I was wondering if you wanted to add each other to our blog lists?
Great idea Alessandra. I’m doing so immediately.
Julie
Ciao Bella! Meant to reply to your lovely comment/compliment here as well. Enjoying your blog and I actually really like your About page. No editing needed girl! Looks like quite a few people agree with me =) Definitely adding you to my link list. So nice to “meet” you!
Ahh! Thanks Guyanne. That was super sweet of you to link me to your blog. A kind word is SO appreciated. I need that today. I did.
No editing!? ha ha ha. I’m editing all the time. I think, should I say rent control apartment or just apartment in Santa Monica. Does it make a difference to the story? I don’t know.
In the mean time, I loved your recent mille miglie pictures and your fun drink, it looks simple and delicious, sort of the Italian version of a car boot party. Instead of a lovely picnic in the back of a truck, you guys are in Ferraris drinking whipped sorbets. Love it. Live it.
Jules
your story sounds like it could be a cool movie
it takes guts to do what you did…..pick up & move miles away….I wish I had the same adventurous spirit.
Thank you for creating such an inspiring blog filled with hope and positivity x
You ARE welcome! It’s been a pleasure. I’m doing my best, that’s all I can do, I think. Happy to have you stop by. Thank for taking the time to comment!
Julie
Hello Jules! I went through your blog, your words give out the aroma of warmth, love and happiness. It was a great pleasure reading your stuff, I can say for granted that you are one of those people who can bring about change with small sweet deeds. keep up the great work!
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Hi Julie,
I just love your blog. I’m also so glad you posted your story too. It’s wonderful and inspiring. Thanks for stopping by my blog too.
D
Great story and great blog Julie!
I too left corporate America at the age of 30, but headed in a bit of a different direction. I moved to a tiny village in Guyana, South America where there is no electricity or running water! I obtained funding from the EU to open a computer education school in this village. We are totally solar powered, we teach free classes to 30 adult and secondary school students 3 times per week. My family and I needed a change, so we made that change happen. Now we are able to make changes happen for other people every day.
Life is a blessing too rich to keep to yourself!
Billy Nobles
http://www.billynobles.wordpress.com
billynobles@rocketmail.com
BJ, honestly it took years of prayer before actually doing something about it. When I did make my decision and told my boss I was leaving, my body shook but I knew it was right. That was 15 years ago. I wonder if I still have the same courage now.
Ohhh. I wish I believed your words. Thank you though for saying them. I know when I put my heart into doing something the rewards are enormous. I don’t think I have any answers what so ever. I do try though. I set out to make a positive life for myself. I think the only way to do so is through decidion and practice.
Thanks again. I love your word choices.
Dear TDC, If I’m not mistaken, your above comment might be considered spam. That’s okay, I’ll take the compliment.
Oh, thank you! I wish I knew what there was to love about it. I just love writing. Actually, when I watch my fingers float across the keyboard, it so reminds me of being little sitting side by side with my sister as her fingers actually produced tunes. I suppose I have tunes in there too, but mine are strung into words.
Julie
Well thank you very much Billy. Interesting life you lead in Guyana! That’s an amazing choice to leave corporate America for such a remote village. I applaud you on that one. I’m such a comfort person I don’t know if I could do such a drastic move but you gave me a great idea on the EU bit! I so appreciate learning and teaching. I still will never forget my favorite teacher, Mr. McGreevy when he told me that the only way to succeed is to love learning. Boy, did that change my life. Now I think I just want to learn everything! Still, thank you for taking the time to drop by my blog and leave a comment.
Good luck out there!
Julie
Hey congratulations on having your screenplay being picked up by a major network and being turned into a film. What a fantastic dream come true. Friends, worth the click!
Julie
I’ve really enjoyed your Blog and meeting you throught it this year so I’m stopping by to wish you a very happy Christmas
Great Blog! You sound a wonderful person, Julie! I’m sure there are lots of things I could learn from you.
Waram Regards,
Subhan
Thank you SO much for the kind words. They are truly appreciated. I try to give all I can to my friends, family and work. Thank you for dropping in and saying hello!
Julie
You’ve reminded me about my plan to compliment you. I remember in 2001 when I met the daughter of one of my philosophy professors. I told the mother (professor) on campus some days later something like: ” You know, I’ve only met 3 or 4 females in my entire life that are the complete package — excellent brains, beauty, talent, kindness, not-a-drama-queen, altruistic, some kind of cool energy, etc.” — I was complimenting her daughter and was thinking of you as one of the only 3 or 4 I ever met in my entire life. And I mean it. And since I’ve known you since you were 15 (super kid you were), I’d say I am in a good position to make such a claim. Your husband is a lucky man (of course, this is all under the assuption that you haven’t gone crazy in your forties……………lol).
OMGosh Gary M! Oh that is the sweetest thing I have read! That was so nice of you. I read it like three times because it was so unexpected! How funny, huh, how in life, we just try to be good people and you never know where you are going to get an unexpected compliment. How very very nice of you to take the time and write that. Thank you so much. Are you sure you wrote it on the right person’s wall?! Thank you so much. I’ll take it. : )
how come i never found this sooner?
Ahh! Just saw this comment. See! You found it late and I found it later! Thanks for commenting. Glad to have your visit.
J
Hi Julie,
I just came across your blog after searching ‘how to increase traffic to wordpress’ and I have fallen in love with your blog. There is so much love on here, such a great find!
Giselle
Thank you so much Giselle for your kind comment. I wrote that piece on a whim when I started this and it continues to be one of my favorites. I’m happy you made your way over here. Enjoy reading.
Julie