What exactly is Taking Stock?
Every month I try to write a Taking Stock post, alternating between A-Z prompts (like last month) and the original prompts I’ve been using for a while now (this month) – both sets of prompts are from the talented Denyse at Denyse Whelan Blogs.
If you take stock, you pause to think about all the aspects of a situation or event before deciding what to do next.
Source
To answer the prompts, I usually give myself a few moments to process the word and then write the first thing that comes into my mind – not exactly what I should do according to the definition above but hey, it works for me!
It’s a fun activity to do – not too much thinking involved and I’m usually happy with my immediate thoughts!
I hope you also enjoy reading my responses.
Making: Time to exercise.
Cooking: Scones.
Drinking: Crafty Cider’s non-alcoholic apple cider.
Reading: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy – a lovely gift for Mother’s Day. Also reading The Rook by Daniel O’Malley and The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan.
Wanting: Not much really, my cup is pretty full.
Looking: Not too bad!
Smiling: At the fact that my mother and sister were here for the Mother’s Day weekend and we haven’t been together for almost 18 months.
Playing: With two of my grandchildren last week. Bliss!
Wasting: Precious moments of life by worrying about things I can’t control – but what’s new??
Wishing: Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day. Love this quote.
Enjoying: The colours at this time of year, although the temperatures are dropping!
Waiting: For the election to be over and I’m not being very patient!
Liking: The Adam Project on Netflix.
Wondering: What did I do without my sunroom? I spend a lot of time out there in autumn and winter.
Loving: Feeling cosy and warm when it’s cold outside.
Hoping: My late MIL’s house gets onto the market soon.
Marvelling: At how clever and creative some people are.
Needing: A kick up the backside to get back on track with my fitness and healthy eating challenge.
Smelling: Wood smoke from the fire – it’s now officially on!
Wearing: My favourite colour – on repeat!
Following: The progress of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail.
Noticing: The trees are losing their leaves.
Knowing: This too shall pass!
Thinking: About a lot of things.
Bookmarking: So many things to read later.
Opening: Parcels in the mail – always fun!
Giggling: My sister and I enjoyed a few giggles together over the weekend.
Feeling: Almost ready for a trip to warmer climes to see my daughter and grandson.
These prompts come from an earlier version of Denyse’s Taking Stock – since then Denyse has moved to an alphabetical list which I used here last month. As I said before, I’ve decided I will alternate between both lists as I write my monthly Taking Stock posts. I like to mix things up!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Taking Stock this month, it’s such a great way to get a few thoughts down!
What’s your take on Taking Stock?
Hope you have a great week ahead.
Deb xx
Joining Denyse for her #lifesstories linkup – you can join in too!
Recent posts you may have missed
- Water is the driving force of all nature – the Rivers Yeo and Axe #SundayStills
- Exploring the other side of the world in May #WBOYC
- Down the Wookey Hole: Wordless Wednesday
- Looking back at special books #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Gardens
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Deb's World 
What a lovely post to brighten my Monday morning Deb. I always enjoy your Taking Stock posts. Love your orange beanie and such a special time sending time with your Mum and Sister. Enjoy the rest of May, my friend. xx
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Thanks Sue, I like writing these posts each month and learn from them each time too!
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A great positive post just right for uncertain times ( pandemic plus government fit the bill there)
This is one version of ‘Taking Stock’ I don’t recall seeing before- lots of ‘soft’ rather then in depth things to think about. Thanks for sharing
Take care
Cathy #lifesstories
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Yes the ‘soft’ prompts suit me every other month, interspersed with the A-Z. Thanks Cathy!
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Hi Deb – so lovely that you could spend time with family (covid has certainly made us appreciate that more hasn’t it?!) Loved your orange outfit – very cosy and bright. And your woodfire comment brought back memories of the one we had in our previous house – more work than a gas heater, but so much lovelier to look at and sit near. x
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I love our fire during winter, it really is cosy during the cold months. I have a chair nearby and love nothing more than sitting reading on a wet cold day like today! Thanks for your comment on my orange outfit 🙂
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I love that your mum got her two girls together again. How lovely for you all. As for the election, we absolutely need a media inquiry or even legislation to make them start actually reporting worthwhile information. Other that Palmer’s interest rate and tax break (neither he can implement), I don’ think I’ve seen the media report ANY policy. It’s just who didn’t know this, who said that. It’s about the election campaigning, not the actual parties. It’s a disgrace. The teals rarely get a mention if not in relation to the MP currently holding the seat and after Bandt had a go at the media, I don’t think I’ve seen the Greens even mentioned.And then I wonder, if they are so obviously manipulating us on this, what else are we not getting the truth on? What are they failing to report? Sorry, rant, rant. I too just want it over. It’s depressing. Lovely cheery post from you. That Fox/Mole/Horse book is also an audio book. I don’t understand how that would work? It is a very charming book tho, I was given it for my birthday a few years back…#LifeStories
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Thanks Lydia, I completely understand the rant and could have mentioned the ‘teal’ candidates but decided against it for fear of my post going on a rant too!
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How nice to see both your mum and sister on Mother’s Day! Lovely post – a great idea too.
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It was lovely to have mum and Sharon here for a few days and i always enjoy doing Taking Stock posts.
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I also want this election done! I do a creative contemplations monthly post now, it’s on my Patreon first then backdated and published later on my blog.
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Thanks Vanessa, let’s hope things improve soon!
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You took me back on time. I used to write a Taking Stock post when I started to blog, 10 years ago! I did it for many years, then a stopped and never published a TS post again. Although I always do it in my journal. Maybe it’s time to share it again! I’m with you in the ‘making’ and ‘knowing’.
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I always enjoy writing these posts Elizabeth and surprisingly others do too it seems!
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I really like this concept and your responses. I tried to find it on Denyse’s blog site but no luck. Love how you are honest with these responses. Bernie
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Thanks Bernie, that’s a bit weird that it wasn’t on Denyse’s linkup. I’ll check it out. Yes I do like to be honest in my responses 🙂
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Her site is never very “happy” from my phone. I should try it from my computer instead. Bernie
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Found her info when I came here on my laptop.
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I am glad you found it Bernie!
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Hi, Deb – I absolutely loved the rapid-fire, bullet-point approach to this post. I learned a great deal very quickly! I’m delighted that you recently read The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. I received a copy earlier this year. Such a thoughtful gift!
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Thank you Donna, it’s always fun to do these types of posts and gives me a new view on things as I do it. That book is so lovely!
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I love that photo of Tumbarumba Creek Deb! It’s gorgeous! That is also a really lovely & special photo of you, your sister and your Mum. I hope the rest of May turns out to be fun and enjoyable for you!
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Thanks Min, the creekscape is so beautiful at this time of year and I love sharing my photos of it! It was so good to have mum and my sister together after so much time, although the day was a tad chilly, hence our headwear 🙂
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That “Wasting precious moments” sounds like me. Maybe, it’s all of us 🙂
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Yes I’d say you were right!
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I loved reading this Taking Stock and thank you so much for the shout out dear friend. Pip would love that you are using hers too. She is having a really tough time and has been chronically unwell too. The post is cheery and very autumnal too. How good it must have been to have your reunion with Mum and Sis. Fingers crossed for trip to Qld all going well…and for MIL’s place to sell. Sad as that is, it is time. Thank you for joining in this Monday’s #LifesStories on Denyse Whelan Blogs. The community of bloggers here connects us wherever we are in the world. Looking forward to seeing you in two week’s time on Monday 23 May. Denyse.
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Thanks Denyse, it’s such a fun way to do a regular post. I’m sorry to hear Pip isn’t well. It was lovely having mum and Sharon visit together after all this time apart. Thanks again for having us over for your linkup.
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Loved all your prompts, Deb – especially waiting for the election to be over and playing with grandkids. Toni x
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Yes those two are standouts for me too Toni! another week to go, hang in there 🙂
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What a wonderful way to catch up with you and your life. It is always so hard for me to comprehend that while we are moving from spring to summer in the northern hemisphere, you are moving from fall to winter. How I love fall!! You are wearing your favorite color so well and looking good indeed!!
Need to keep The Adam Project in mind for something to watch. We just watched and very much enjoyed Operation Mincemeat – WWII – true story. With all the apps and ways to watch TV these days, we have many evenings when we can’t find a thing to watch!!
Hope you are able to see more of your mother and sister in the coming months. I am mourning the fact that my sister is moving out of Texas and back to our childhood state of Tennessee. She is 800 miles away from me in Texas so it isn’t like we can pop in for coffee or lunch with one another now. But I hate the idea of her being even further away!! Sisters are such gifts.
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Hi Leslie, it’s always great to have you visit and yes being on opposite sides of the world makes life more interesting for us. I’m sorry to hear that your sister is moving so far, they are great gifts as you say! Hope all is well with you Leslie.
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