A JAM Blog-a-versary!!!!

Last December 15, I started my blogging venture and, whew--I could have never imagined what a wonderful journey it would be!

Make the ride bright!
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My very first post, I promised to spread that CLE JAM love all over the interwebs!

Spread that JAM!

My love and curiosity for my homeland of Cleveland has grown and evolved tremendously over 95 posts and countless escapades and new friends along the way. I finally kicked the post-grad 'brain drain' I had been experiencing and picked up the keyboard, drawing me back to my two favorite loves--writing and Cleveland!

CLE LOVE! Skyline via Lakewood Park
Photo by JAMinCLE

It took me awhile to find my "voice" on my blog and I think once I began to get the rhythm (we are JAMmin here right?!)...it became more authentic and open...and you, my CLE Believers, stuck by me every step of the way!

Big or small, step by step! via Edgewater Park
Photo by JAMinCLE

The first time I had a single post of mine hit 100 "views" was back in August, 8 months of working on my craft to get a rewarding response. And that's what I've learned--that blogging is truly a craft, commitment, and calculated art. The more I opened up my world, view, heart and adventures in CLE, the more the world and my readers opened up to me.

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Monday Meditations have proven to be an important weekly post for both my own personal growth and for the CLE Believers. It became such a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and begin the week on a positive note. And that's just it--we can either focus on the negative or the positive. And my take is--life is too short not to be positive!

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Along the way I've heard all sorts of feedback, encouragement and criticism. Some of my favorite hater lines and questions over the past year were:

-Why would anyone read a blog about Cleveland?
-What if nobody reads or cares what you have to say?
-Where does your blog live? (one of my personal favorites)
-Cleveland sucks
-Oh, you're a blogger (eye roll)

All valid questions and concerns I've faced and struggled with. So what did I do? I kept on writing! Yes, yes, I  AM a blogger! People may not always agree with my outlook, or love my positive take on life, or heck, they may not love Cleveland...but I do. And I just keep on writing. One post at a time. The positive experiences, people, stories, and  encouragement have far outweighed any of the criticisms! I've had the pleasure of making new friends who follow my blog and meet in real life, bringing talented young people and their products and films to the community, and stepping outside my comfort zone by attending events by myself, trying new places and having fun along the way. It's been real.

LOVE my city! Wo0o0

I choose to build and focus on the POSITIVE--events, restaurants, people, entrepreneurs, and hidden gems in life and in CLEVELAND. So thank you, thank you my CLE Believers...for venturing with me over the course of the year and for many posts to come. And remember, keep JAMmin!!!!

Grey poupon is out, JAM is in! Spreading the CLE love

Several bloggers, family, and friends have been encouraging me to start a blog for years. Not because my life is a sitcom (although occasionally it turns into one) or because I've got the coolest style since "the business in the front, party in the back hair cut" (and yes my sister and I both had one at some point in our lives, but I'll post those pics on a later date), mainly I've been encouraged because I love to write, and have experienced incredible brain drain the past few years. But I'm finally picking up my pen (well keyboard in this case) and setting out to tell all about JAM Land. I am a poetry nerd, admitted wino, wannabe crafter, lover of life, and Cleveland gal, through and through. And, I am a firm believer that good things will circle back to you. (Why you always gotta give love to your hometown too--despite the "fact" that we make the "Most Miserable City List," and countless other insultery lists. Good things ARE happening in our city, people! Look on the sweet side)

Believeland Cleveland!



Although the midwest can be as plain as white bread, often, we have good wholesome people here who sweeten up daily life. Well get ready for some JAM (Jessica Ann Morris that is) because I'm finally slapping my thoughts on this blog sandwich and I'm ready to spread the JAM all over Cleveland and the blogosphere!




Spread that JAM!

We're from the "Rust Belt" we don't do that uppity Grey Poupon stuff here.


Clearly, He's about to barf all over his fancy suit...

So eat up boys and girls! Enjoy the journey with me of rants, raves, & revelry ... And I hope you like JAMmin too!



Mmmm beefy!