But WAIT! There’s MORE . . .

Snow in the forecast today, Thursday, and Sunday. That’s as of this minute. It’ll do what it does. No need to fret about it. Isn’t fret a fabulous word? (My guitar playing friends won’t like this definition of the word.) To fret is to worry.

In contrast, Wikipedia defines it as a guitarist would. Fretting is wear and sometimes corrosion damage at the asperities of contact surfaces. (Yes, that’s what HE said). But to use the old definition of it, worry (fretting) erodes at your happiness and mental health if it goes long enough. I get it. People don’t like the snow, and I’m getting a little tired of it myself. It is a part of our lives in Nebraska. I prefer to concentrate on the beauty rather than the bother involved with it.

Yes, I have shoveled mountains of snow when I was a single mom. We lived on a busy corner, with a bus stop at our front sidewalk. It required extra care. The City trucks always buried us when they went by. I have done my fair share of removal. When my back went bad, the kids were great at helping. Of course we lived at the top of a hill with little snow removal. It made for all kinds of fun. At least my kids all learned a vital skill – driving in snowy Nebraska winters.

I didn’t even notice until this morning yesterday’s blog didn’t publish. I forgot I had to change my Facebook password yesterday. I share the blog to Facebook upon publishing. It didn’t work and held the whole deal up. Sorry about my inattention.

Yesterday about noon my good day derailed, and the result was a poor attitude. I try extra hard when that happens to not be b*% ^. I think I succeeded. And then the e-mail I’ve been waiting for arrived. It’s all good now. I need to remember sooner when I get overwhelmed (and I do it to myself!) with too much to do, too little time, too much to learn, I get stressed. The best cure it to stop working and do something you need. I took a nap. Then I read.

Later in the day, I looked at the reading material I keep next to my recliner. It was all books for learning – there was not one there to read for “fun.” I gathered them all up and put them on my desk extension for later. My brain is tired. It wants to have some fun. So it will have some fun. Timing was right for my latest Amazon order – in the blizzard like conditions of yesterday, they delivered three separate packages!

What a Haul from Amazon Yesterday!

Besides another copy of Corgi’s in the Wild, a children’s book by my friend author Gabbie Weick; Rachael Ray’s small grater; a cheat sheet for using Publisher with a small book of “How to Learn Microsoft Publisher QUICKLY!” (I’ve used Publisher before, but need a refresher and reference); I received new author Joshua Berkov’s two books; The Enlightenment of Angeline, and The Enlightenment of Esther.

Joshua Berkov is a Librarian by day. The rest of his author blurb from the back cover tells of his education, his life with his partner and two cats, and how he loves to make people laugh. Because of the making people laugh, I ordered both books. It’s the balance I need right now. I’ll let you know how they were. I love the description of the principal character; “Angeline Sims is no shrinking violet. She’s tough, opinionated, and bossy, and she’s got a bone to pick with nearly everyone in her life.” She sounds like my mom! And HER Mom! Uh-oh. Don’t let me use that phrase, ever. OK? If you don’t, we can’t be friends.

I Think We’ve All Known Ladies Like These!

With a renewed confidence and a surprise announcement to make soon, I’m going to write in my novel right now. Katie Fitzgibbons has been busy; therefore, I have been, too! I’ll get a good writing session in today. Then, time to watch Patrick Mahomes and his KC Chiefs annihilate Tom Brady and crew. In between, I’ll read about Angeline’s enlightenment. It’s going to be a wonderful Sunday with the Babe and our pups.

Hope your day is fabulous, too. Cozy up with a beverage and snack, it’s that kind of day. Thank you for reading. I welcome you back tomorrow, too. Be Safe. Take Care.

Fab Friday (again!)

Finally today, the Babe was able to get the injections from the Pain Management Team, one shot in each of four ribs. This should give him relief from the terrible pain he’s had since he fell when the dogs pulled him off balance. Even though he’s been on the injured reserve, look what he did after the guys did the fireplace stone.

Barn Doors above new fireplace stone

Barn Doors cover the hole in the wall for the old style squarish tv sets, just before flat screens came out. This is a great way to cover up something unuseable for anything but storage. Right now, it appears our WIFI still transmits through the doors and I can once and for all hide all the components and extra decorative items. Win-Win! How the Babe did this while in pretty bad pain is beyond me. Hope the pain is a thing of the past. Time will tell, so prayers said and fingers crossed, he may be on the road to recovery.

We went to the Post and I emailed out their September Newsletter, and sent a copy to the printers for mailing, too. The older folks love to receive mail, so I like to make sure they’re on their way. I’m also learning how to use other social media to promote the Post and their activities. I can also use the time to learn how to use the same social media platforms to further my Author page. It all helps get the word out, whether you want to help veterans or distribute novels. Building your audience, getting the word out.

Today, I received a copy of “Corgi’s in the Wild,” a children’s book my friend, Gabbie Wieck wrote. It’s a delightful tale and I’m mailing one to our little grandkids in Colorado, and taking one over for Gavin and Addison to read to their new puppy, Josie. Dogs like the company of kids reading to them. Check out Gabbie’s book for your kiddos, on Amazon or directly from Gabbie on her Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter.

Ain’t it the truth??

I don’t know about all of you, but I can assure you I’ve had more than my share of plot twists in life. You have to roll with it or else you can drive yourself crazy. Don’t waste time wondering why, adjust your crown and reign on. I did get a laugh out of the meme, though. I laugh a lot at these things, maybe more than I should, but they’re good fun at times.

My biggest task this week from Sam, my book coach, is to nail down the character arc. It sounds so easy, but it’s not. The book Story Genius, is teaching me. It stresses what keeps people reading, how to get people to want to keep reading, and what you need to do to create that in a book. It’s very interesting, and Lisa Cron, the author, discusses how we are wired for stories, we need stories, we need to tell them, and we need to tell them well.

Some days, it feels like this!

It’s getting dusk out here, the days are getting noticeably shorter. I am a fall lover. And spring. And summer, sort of. And parts of winter. But fall is great, outside in a sweatshirt and jeans nice. Everything begins the slow down, the prepping for winter and new growth of next spring. I appreciate you reading along at this later hour. I promise, it’ll be earlier tomorrow. Take care until then.