CMJ Office Blog

One of the greatest features in Word 2007 is the ability to post a blog. I love this feature. Did I just say that I love this feature? I really LOVE this feature!

When burning the midnight oil while writing a blog post, it definitely helps. This is just my opinion of course. I find that updating fonts, colors, clip art, and everything else, is just easier in Microsoft Word.

I figured that I would pass this great tip on just in case someone was unaware of this perk. Keep in mind that you must already have a blog set up. Word 2007 will not set up a blog for you. It will publish the blog. I will be talking in terms of Wordpress because that is what I use for my blog. If you have multiple blogs or maintain blogs for clients, you can set up Word 2007 to publish each individually. It’s fantastic. I love Bill Gates and Microsoft! They seem to think of everything when simplifying computer mumbo jumbo.

So, climb into Word 2007 and click on the Office Button in the top left corner. Then click on “New”. Word 2007 will give you several options. You want to click on the “New Blog Post” option. Your blog template will open. Start typing your blog. Play with fonts, colors and clip art. You can even insert a category, include hyperlinks, charts, tables, symbols, and add-ins. Don’t forget to check your spelling. Word 2007 will even allow you to publish as a draft if you so desire.

Once you are done writing your blog, just click on the “Publish” button. Word 2007 will walk you through the initial publishing phase by adding your blog name and password. Your blog will then be published. When you go to publish a blog next time within Word 2007, you will not need to enter your blog name and password. The software will automatically contact your blog provider and publish your blog. It doesn’t get any better. Don’t you agree that this feature is fabulous?

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office

I am wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here is a story from my past. I hope you enjoy.

The plane breaks through the clouds and I view the green patchwork below and smile. My plane is now slowly descending into Shannon Airport. I have come back to Ireland. I wasn’t born in Ireland. My maternal grandmother and great grandparents were born here. Somehow my soul belongs to this wonderful country. It is my home away from home and I am visiting my grandma’s family.

The relatives pick me up and we are off. We wind through the roads of Shannon out through Ennis and down to the outskirts of Ennistymon at record breaking speeds. County Clare is where my maternal grandmother was born and raised. Anna Clune was the second daughter of five children born to Thomas Clune and Mary O’Loughlin. Her nephew still lives in the house where she grew up. It’s amazing to have this connection. The rest of the family remained in Ireland. Anna was the only one sent to work in America and send money and provisions home to the others.

Before we reach Ennistymon, we turn right off of Ennis Road towards Tierlaheen. We head under the railroad bridge. I have always loved this bridge. It is made of stone and fits in perfectly with Ireland’s past. A young Anna threw candy treats out the window of her train to her siblings as she passed overhead on her way to Cobh for America. The very thought of her not ever seeing her parents again still makes me cry. It would be 50 years before she made her way back. Here I am passing under it on my way to visit with family members. I can almost envision the scene. My great aunt Bridget once told me that they were so excited to see treats coming down on them that it made them smile and laugh. They forgot how sad they were for a moment. We turn left towards Clouna and Tierlaheen.

The cows are in pasture. The chickens are sunning themselves. Clouna Church is coming into view. The church is to the side of my grandmother’s childhood home. Paddy Clune rings the bell for prayers throughout the day. Farming hay is second nature here. I close my eyes and can smell Ireland. It’s the end of July and sunny. My cousins are all here. This is my first time alone. We all play catch up around the kitchen table with tea and Irish bread. I do love my tea. Grandma taught me well.

My visit is filled with stacking hay bales, long walks down narrow roads, scary thick fog, tea, chips, dancing, pubs, milking the cows, changing pastures (Why must I always walk behind the cows?), more tea, visiting, church, and my cherished visit to the Cliffs. I must always visit Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher. It has become a tradition. Lahinch and the Cliffs are only a couple of miles down the road past the town of Ennistymon.

When visiting Lahinch, you must try 3 things. They are a vanilla ice cream cone with the Cadbury Flake stuck in it (fabulous), seaweed, and periwinkles. Stop gasping! Notice that I did not place the word ‘fabulous’ next to the seaweed and the periwinkles. I did try the seaweed. I never did try the periwinkles but my grandmother always raved about them. I know I told you to try them and it’s because it’s Irish. If you enjoy golf, Lahinch is for you. They have a wonderful course.

Continue on up the road and you will meet a glorious and mystical sight. There is something deeply moving about standing at the top of the Cliffs of Moher. The air circles you while you look out at the Atlantic Ocean. O’Brien’s Tower adds to the mystique. All around you are green rolling hills with stone walls and sheep grazing. I have been here at sunset, sunrise, fog, rain and brilliant sunshine. It always moves me. Be very careful if you climb over the wall to lean over and look downward. Yes, I did this when I was 12 and I thought my great aunt was going to kill me. I wanted a great picture. You start to sway with the tide. Not good at the top of a cliff! My grandmother held me while laughing at her sister. I depart the next day. It is always a sad day when I have to leave them and Ireland behind. Ireland is never far from me though. It runs through me, body and soul. You can view a tour of the Cliffs here http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/TakeTheTour.aspx.

Colleen M. Johnson, CMJ Office