I know, I know.  I’ve been an absentee squid.  Not intentionally, but out of necessity.

I’ve gotten lost in my “real” work lately, working on a new book, launching my Beadspiration shop at Etsy, and planning projects to work on the rest of this year. But my intentions are to make a new lens or two or three before the summer is up. That might not sound very ambitious to you, but if I posted my list you’d understand.

Spinning plates is a challenge, and so is Squidoo. I want to give lensmaking my best, so I won’t jump in halfheartedly. In the meantime, I hope you’re building so many lenses, the halls of Squidoo are creaking and swelling from all the activity.

Don’t give up on me. I’ll be back ASAP.

Seedplanter

My new Day Trippin’ series was hatched one day while I was tranferring photos from my hard drive to a new external CD-DVRW drive I purchased recently. I thought, Why tuck them away in files when I can share them with people who may not have seen these places for themselves? It’s been fun revisiting each locale, and I hope you’ll enjoy the mini tours.

I began with a lens about Smith Rock State Park, one of the most surprising discoveries (and best-kept secrets, I think) in Oregon. Next came my second Day Trippin’ lens, Crater Lake National Park. Last night I launched the third lens about the Oregon Coast, where we camped two weeks ago.

Day trips are smart. They’re an economical way to grab a quick vacation (some call ‘em staycations because they don’t require major planning) for a time of R&R. This lens series will begin with my own region, and will eventually spread to other areas as well. Our Yosemite trip in March 2007 was a major vacation for us, but for someone closer to that area, it could be an unforgettable day trip. Stay tuned; it’s next in line.

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

TwttrLists are great! If you’ve not discovered them, it’s time to expand your Squidooey horizons and make a list of your own. Start with the template (thanks, Megan!), and create a list of your favorite topical twitters. Like movies? Check out the latest feedback. Planning a trip? Run a Twitter search to see the destinations people are raving about.

The fun of TwttrLists is that everyone’s is fresh. Different. Plus there’s no end to the number of lists one person can create. My first TwttrList is Great Gardening Tips on Twitter. Why? Because I love flowers, vegetable gardens, herb gardening, and nature photography.  It seemed like a natural fit. And hey – did you know, you could win an Amazon Kindle? Check out the details at this lens about TwttrLists.

Here are some other creative examples that I’ve really enjoyed!

Great Quotes via Twitter by CCGAL

Best of Productivity Tips on Twitter by AlexShalman

Tweeters Who Plant Tomatoes! by Mickie_G

Best of #bea on Twitter by totai

Bank Error in Your Favor by rms

So, what are your favorite TwttrLists?

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

©Bonnie Bruno 2009

So I returned home from five days camping on the coast, to find that my Day Trippin’ lens about Smith Rock State Park had been awarded a purple star. I like the color purple, but I really like that purple star. Thanks to whoever submitted the lens. I appreciate the Attagirl, because it was fun sharing one of my favorite spots with all of you.

This Day Trippin’ series has just begun. If you like traveling by proxy, stay tuned. I have two WIP lenses waiting in the wings…one on Crater Lake, and the other on the coastal region.  I took this sunset photo at Heceta Head around 8:20 p.m.

Glad to be back, and I’m eager to catch up on Squidlog and also check out new lenses that launched while I was away.

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!

Amazing, how a few hours in any given direction can feel like an adventure. Just pack a picnic and go, or plan to grab lunch along the way. If you’re into photography as I am, take your camera and prepare to record the day in detail.

My latest lens, Day Trippin’, is the first in a series I am planning at Squidoo. This one features Smith Rock State Park, one of central Oregon’s most beautiful destinations. I’m not a travel writer, but I do love sharing photos and describing these day trips as I saw them. Hopefully they’ll spur you to plan a day trip of your own!

New to Squidoo? Make your own lens today!