I don’t understand moss. Shallow rooted, persistent beyond belief, it turns up everywhere. It’s in the gravel walkways around our property, taking over the lawn, creeping up trees and hanging from the limbs like gymnasts on a trapeze.
In some places wild mosses are overcollected … varieties becoming threatened. That’s definitely not a problem in my yard. Moss multiplies like dust bunnies (don’t you dare look under my desk!) happily smothering less hardy plants in its wake. We’ve pretty much given up fighting it in the lawn. It’s green, is soft under foot, needs no maintenance and doesn’t require mowing. Bonus!
How it survives the bleak conditions around here is a mystery to me, but it provides a fine example of what it takes to succeed as a writer. Find your niche and then be persistent. Don’t be demanding. Don’t worry when someone rejects you by tearing away a chunk of your soul. Just carry on doing what you’re doing until the wound is covered over and you’re re-established on the path.
Not bad advice, don’t you think?
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Footnote:
The photo of moss hanging from branches wasn’t taken at my coastal home but at our Cariboo cabin on a frosty morning. We’ve always called it ‘Moose Moss’ but that’s a misnomer. It may be Alpine Tree Moss but I don’t know for sure.
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MUSINGS 
Excellent advice!
I agree with Ellen, it’s pretty sound advice. 🙂 Great photos.
I like this analogy, Carol. Lovely photos, too.
I think being a writer is more than just becoming one. To be one is to develop a tough skin, while keeping a sensitive spirit, and keen senses to all that’s around you. Persistence, like moss.
Blessings.
Carol, I love how you weave in the images of nature and her beauty into your wise messages. You have a gift that strikes the best cords in me and others 🙂
Most excellant and encouraging advice…. just need to hang in there and keep on keeping on. Thank you, Carol
Hi, and thanks for all your comments. I always enjoy reading through them. I long ago decided I could fight against the moss, or accept that it is what it is, and learn to work with it. We live rurally, surrounded by a canopy of evergreen trees, so the land is shaded and acidic… ideal for moss, and not much else. 🙂
“Find your niche and then be persistent.” — A wonderful lesson from moss! Thanks. 🙂
My what we can learn from something as simple as moss. Thanks! I needed that today after a book store cancelled my signing event. Here is a quote for you (Because I know you like them) “Decided to live my dream and not just dream my life.” Sorry, don’t know who said it.
Very good advice. I’m a moss, see me write.
My grandfather’s last name was Moss. He was tough & stubborn. Had to be – he was married to my grandmother for 54 years. They didn’t speak for 53 of those years of wedded bliss. (I describe him in BL.)
We have Spanish moss down here. Hangs in the trees. Looks cool. Very itchy. I dunno about Moose Moss. I’ve heard of Moosehead! Green bottles as I recall.
Okay – So once again I failed to make a writerly comment.
Thanks, everyone. I like that quote, Darlene, but am sorry to hear about the cancelled signing. And Dave, no matter what you say, how you say it is always writerly enough to garner a giggle. 😉
Hi Carol, I like what you said about finding our niche and keep going. I tend to waiver and maybe I shouldn’t have.Thanks for the great analogy!