Rambling Friday: Thrilled!

How does it feel to have yet another book published? This post's title says it all. I'm thrilled. I truly love being an author, and finishing and seeing that creation published is beyond description.

Last year, I had reached a plateau of inability to write. But this year, I felt inspired, again, to write. When I opened this manuscript that I barely began several years ago, I found the inspiration was there. I could write. I could get it done, and when I finally, wrote the end, I knew I had done something wonderful. Not just for others to read a book and be satisfied with a happy ending, but for proof to me that I could still do it. I still had it in me to write, to create and see the project through.

Caleb's Destiny will always be special to me because of the struggle I had for a whole year and then the touch I needed for this year, for this time.

Whatever, I'm thrilled beyond words that I can present to the reading world: Caleb's Destiny!

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold?

Hunter is determined to protect his boss and the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions.

Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of every one of his employees?

Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael's ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now...unless, of course, he's dead.

Three children, connected through tragedy and separated by time, are fated to reunite and re-right some powerful wrongs.

Purchase Link:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3egdd2q

On Passionate Writing

On Passionate Writing . . .

No one is asking--

let alone demanding

that you write.

The world is not waiting with bated breath

on your article

or book.

Whether or not you get a single word on paper--

the sun will rise,

the earth will spin,

the universe will expand.

Writing is forever and always a choice.

Your choice.

--Beth Mend Conny

Life is full of choices.

Easy ones.

Hard ones.

Sometimes we don't want to,

Sometimes we don't feel like it,

Often time there are too many demands on our time.

Too many tasks

Life is overwhelming.

Occasionally there are more fun things to do.

But the author who is passionate about writing

will find the time.

Somehow.

They will grab hold of discipline

and not let go

until that paragraph,

that page,

that chapter is written.

That is the choice they make today.

Blessings!

The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer


My favorite parts of summer?

• outings with family

• my garden

• my garden pond

• mists (morning mists this morning from the heavy storm we received last night)
  

• rainbows (saw one last night--a double one in fact. Gorgeous, with both ends touching the ground.)

• flowers, flowers, and more flowers.
  

• outdoor activities--walking, camping, bird watching, boating and fishing
  

• fireworks!

• later hours to write (Big smile!)

• campfires
  

• campfire foods: melty, gooey marshmallows, smoke-filled hamburgers, fresh tomatoes, corn, and potatoes, my sil's baked beans, hotdogs-cooked just right with my homemade sauce! (yum!)

• the refreshing atmosphere after a severe storm

• more time to write (ooops, did I already mention that?)
  

• sitting on my deck and watching the trees around me move in the breeze

• reading a book with hubby on my deck

• writing down some good ideas for my next novel on my deck (tongue in cheek--got in another reference to writing!)
  

• enjoying a neighborhood historical outdoor play with friends and family

• the smells--rain, the perfume of a variety of flowers, smoke from the campfires, cut hay

• dandelions (I love those small invasive things!)
  

• city lights on a summer night

• clover and wild flowers

• my rocks

• mystery hunts

• ocean surf

• caves

• hot air ballooning

• rock-strewn creeks

• wading in shallow streams

• grape arbors

• swings (love to curl up in them and sleep!)

• big open porches
  

• no cold weather!

• writing in the summer time! (smile)
  

Talking about picnics . . . why not plan a romantic one for your honey?

• Choose a basket with some sophistication (no ratty ones, please!) Line it with a softly colored napkin. Choose goblets or nice glasses just for the two of you.
• Find a great spot. Use your imagination. For example: A) Your own backyard. String lights in the trees. Create a canopy out of fabric, bring some pillows. Or B) Use a theme--Indian with saris, bright colors and curried dishes; Or Mexican, Italian, Chinese. C) A private balcony, if you live in an urban area. D) Rainy days or winter timed, lay a blanket out on your living room floor, or a covered porch. Arrange plants and candles. For any of these ideas, little flourishes of romance will add the finishing touch: flowers and music!
• Plan a delicious meal--easy to transport and clean up after. Elegance is preferred--A French touch: cheese and fruit, fresh baked baguettes with grapes. Or a Mediterranean feast with tomato and basil bruschetta, tortellini salad and calamata olive spread with crackers or pita. Out of time? Drop by the store and pick up French bread, cheese, a rotisserie chicken and some favorite drinks. Or order from your favorite restaurant.
• Surprise! The most romantic element of a picnic is often surprise. Show up at your husband's work at the end of the day with your picnic basket ready to go. Come home with a single rose and plans for the picnic ready. Or hide the ready-to-go basket & surprise him/her by "finding" it. Leave/send an invitation to her for the special time.

Enjoy!


Quote:
A fiery sunset, tiny pansies by the wayside, the sound of raindrops tapping on the roof. What an extraordinary delight to share simple wonders with someone you love!


Blessings