Beauty Along the Road

Nature, symbolism, philosophy, travel, and Beauty Along the Road  join hands in a journey through mind and Earth in this aesthetically beautiful blog, filled with gorgeous photos and creative commentary. Ph.D. Psychologist, Annette, started writing Beauty Along the Road in January, 2013, and, through her words and pictures, inspires readers to wander through their own thoughts and reflections.

Even Annette’s descriptions are poetic, so in her own words, here is how Annette describes her blog: “I love combining my pictures with words, either as a poem, social commentary, or musings. I am mostly a nature photographer and live in a beautiful part of the US, the Allegheny Mountains in Virginia. Living in nature, there's always something going on – weather induced landscape changes as the morning mist rises up from the river valley, colorful birds at the feeder, hawks or eagles circling overhead, gorgeous wildflowers (including native orchids)...the beauty is endless.”

Annette, an international traveler, includes photographs and stories from her travels. Her inspiration to start blogging arose from a vacation she took to Bali, Indonesia, the summer before she started her blog. “I was so impressed with the daily rituals of placing flowers as offerings to the gods; the stunning flower mandalas created for the day in a bowl with water...when I returned, I made it a point to create beauty in my life and the idea of the blog fell in with that commitment. I am also interested in living off the land, growing my own food, and taking good care of the earth.”

Readers who follow Annette in her Beauty Along the Road  blog are, “people who appreciate nature, travel, symbolism, and a bit of social commentary sprinkled in. I've tapped into an international blogging community that ranges from deep thinkers about earth stewardship, intercultural and interracial relationships, to nature and travel enthusiasts.”

Annette believes, "that my readers appreciate the connections I make between Nature and our experience as humans. I often research the symbolic meanings of animals, for example, and interweave it with my pictures and story.”

Because of her credentials as a Ph.D. Psychologist, Annette has also, “formally studied and researched the human condition and cross-cultural relations in particular.” Annette brings a depth to her stories, “that often surprises people and opens up a deeper understanding for them.” And she adds, “Also, in my nature connections, I discover truths that we've mostly lost in our modern, mostly urbanized existence.”

If you’re interested in making a deeper connection to our earth and want to experience the poetry of nature and its relationship to all beings on Earth, join Annette in her Beauty Along the Road  blog. You’ll find some spectacular photographs there as well. Just click any of the links that appear in this blog.

Doreen McGettigan – Everyone Has a Story

They say everyone has a story…this is mine. So begins the blog written by Doreen McGettigan. 

Doreen McGettigan, a self-admitted “boomer,” started her blog in 2008, after she had written a book and realized that she wanted to connect with other writers and bloggers. She also wanted to meet other grandparents and moms.

Like many of us who struggle with the ins and outs of publishing, Doreen had to learn how to maneuver her way through the writing world. Fortunately for us, she shares with her readers everything she wish she’d known when she began her writing career, and on Wednesdays, she posts a, “Writers Wednesday series,” where she shares, “information on blogging, social media, writing, publishing and marketing” to help other writers and bloggers who may be struggling with the same issues. She invites readers to follow her “journey from writing to publication, marketing and writing and publishing again.”

Doreen McGettigan, a freelance journalist, award winning blogger, content writer, ghostwriter, and author, also writes posts on midlife health and caregiving. Her credentials are many – she is an active member of and sits on the board of The Press Club of Pa., (w/National Press Club affiliation), she is the chairperson and facilitator of the Press Club Professional Development Workshop Series, she is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Nonfiction Authors Association, Lower Bucks Creative Writers, Hot Penz (a pool of authors, speakers, experts for radio and T.V. appearances), and she speaks and instructs at Delaware County Community College (Marketing, Social Media, Writing, Publishing).  

But wait! There’s more! Doreen McGettigan also owns a marketing company, Intrepid Marketing, Inc., and she is an outspoken advocate for the elderly, “who are often victimized and too embarrassed to report the crime.” But she doesn't work on behalf of only the elderly. Doreen McGettigan works as an advocate for all victims of crime. She is a former board member for the Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA), Pennsylvania’s largest comprehensive victim service organization, and she works to raise awareness of and put an end to the stigma surrounding mental illness, suicide, and homelessness.

They say everyone has a story, and you’ll find the Doreen McGettigan story by clicking the links everywhere her name appears.